Mother's Day Line Up

There are three weeks remaining to Mother's Day. So get started shopping for mom with selections from Team EAOC members. Following are just a few of the many products from our talented members.

Chicken Pot Holder Set by craftinjenn

Rockies Bracelet by jldarden

Green and White Bead Earrings by Team Expressions

Note Cards - Dire Warning no.11 by tagteamtompkins

Mixed Media Painting by CelebratingART

Rosebud Earrings by HopesLovingHands

Coconut Mango Repairing Mask by hydroquenchsystems

Rectangle Bamboo Hoops by TheNeoChic

Sweet in Pink by SobahSobee

fashion-illustration-rocking-my-afro-in by digitalrevolve

canvas-board-painting-moving-on by Libramom

Fertility Doll Earrings by EwaMadam

Chakra Balancing Bracelets by chastity moore

mauve bead necklace by JewelleryByKiki

Happy Shopping!

Rabihah Mateen
http://www.ramjewels.com
http://www.ramjewelrydesigns.etsy.com

Spotlight On ...

Marcus Kwame!

1. Tell us a little bit about who you are and your life up to this point in time.
I'm an artist, musician and poet, who was born in Kingston Jamaica and raised in upstate New York. I've been making art since I can remember. My mother was very supportive and instrumental in me becoming an artist.

2. Besides your fantasy creative life, what else are you doing currently?
Right now I'm preparing for the birth of my first child, which I'm really excited about. She's due in August. I have a lot going on right now but that is the big thing!

3. What do you offer in your Etsy Shop?
I offer my paintings, drawings and prints in my Etsy Shop.

4. Where do you create?
I mostly create at home, but I've been known to create art anywhere I can get my hands on a piece of paper when inspiration strikes.

5. Where do you get your inspiration?
I find inspiration in many places. Music is a big source of inspiration for me. A lot of my paintings are somehow related to music. My wife inspires me. People who have passed through my life inspire me.

6. How did you learn how to do your craft?
I've had some great art teachers but I learned the most by just "doing." I drew all the time when I was growing up. I'm always trying to grow as an artist and do new things.

7. How do you promote your wares?
Through my website http://www.marcuskwame.com/, etsy, word of mouth (handing out a lot of cards!)

8. What has been the most important lesson you've learned since you started selling your own creations?
The most important lesson I've learned since I began selling is that the amount you sell does not determine the true worth of your work. So if things are slow I don't doubt myself or my work.

9. Is there any advice you can give others who are just starting out?
Like I said, don't let money define your work. If you create what is true to you then in the long run I believe you will be successful.

10. Do you have any favorite Etsy artists you'd like to promote here?
Lark Calderon Gomez, The Pairabirds, Three Muses Art, Alkemystic88

Poetry for Black History Month...

Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

We Marched, protested
Rallied and stood on line.
We fought, contested
Faced reality and made headlines.
We have been hung, beaten
Used and abused.
We have been raped, mistreated
And made into fools.

He,
had a dream!
That one day I can live in peace
and receive my rightful due
like the Jews, for crimes committed
instead of being locked away in rooms
where no lights omitted.

He,
had a dream!
That one day I will be able to go where I please,
sit anywhere on the bus,
'Back or front'.
Enter any establishment and eat.
Use any sink and wash our hands.
Be recognized by society
A proud Black Man
Because Dr Martin Luther King Jr had a dream...

written by La-Mar D. Lynch
1/19/05