ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Tara Rex

• Tell us a little bit about your shoppe.  I own an artsy fartsy sewing company, taradara, that opened in 2010. Accessory covers are my main component, but I also make wallets, coffee cozies, business card holders and more. As a new gadget comes out, I try to figure out how I can cover it and design a new product. So, my shoppe is ever evolving while staying true to my brand and to myself. All my pieces are one of a kind and colorful with a bit of sass and whimsy.

• What is your favorite product in your shoppe and why?  Hmmm… my favorite product… I would say that I love my wallets. I use my own daily {of course} and I just love that I can carry it with me as it shows the colorful creative side to me. It’s also wonderful advertising because there’s rarely a day that goes by that I don’t asked where I got my wallet {then I hand them my card, of course}. They are a bit cumbersome to make, but I think it’s probably my fav at this time.

• When you’re not handcrafting your trendy line of sewn wallets, iPhone and iPad covers, and other goodies, what are your hobbies?  My main hobby is sewing {go figure!}, but to answer you question, I love to refinish furniture. I love to paint wood, yes, I said it. I love giving an old wooden piece of furniture a new look by simply painting it. {my mom is cringing right about now}. I love to update our home {by painting} with new colors or window treatments, which is more sewing. I love blogging. I love playing with my boys and doing sporting activities with them. I LOVE photography {that’s a hobby that’s way up there}. I think my life is a hobby actually… rarely am I not doing something creative or something I enjoy.

• What do you like best about The Artisan Group?  There are so many facets that I LOVE about The Artisan Group. I love the comradery of the group, how we are constructive with our thoughts. We are respectful of eachother’s art. I love seeing all the different products that we have within our group. I love seeing things that I finally don’t think, “I can make that”. LOL! Really, it just goes to show that the bar is set high and that there is a strong base of artisans within. I love LEARNING from everyone, we all have different strengths and we are so willing to share and to lend a hand when someone is stuck. Okay, I could go on and on, but I will stop now… You get my point.

Tara recently participated as a display participant in a luxury celebrity gift lounge on January 13-14, 2012 at the L’Ermitage Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, in honor of the The 2012 Golden Globes Nominees and Presenters.