Meet Debby of StarBabyOnline:
Who are you?
My name is Debby, but I have been known as "starbaby" online for many, many, many moons. Grew up in Philly and moved to St. Petersburg, FL in 1984. I don't see me ever moving out of this area. I've created and designed jewelry since 1972 or 73, my first job working for someone else was in a bead store where my salary basically went back to the owner in purchases. I've been selling what I created since 1974, on and off. I'm a classically trained artist from a very young age, but I've always loved jewelry and photography best. Second best is sculpture, with a close runner up of print-making.
What do you create?
Sterling silver (mostly), gemstone and glass jewelry. A lot of my jewelry is done freehand sketching while I'm watching TV or listening to music - both give me lots of ideas. Then it's off to search for beads that look like the idea I have half in my head and half on paper.
What is the crafting utensil you cannot live without?
A pair of long neck, hook neck electrician's pliers that belonged to my Dad's and are probably about 50 years old at least. A good example of buying good tools and taking really good care of them. They last forever.
What is your favorite material to work with?
Clay. I can form it to take what I'm feeling and touch it to make my fingers and hands create what my mind is thinking. This is really why I want to work with PMC.
What is your life like outside of Etsy?
Wow. Chaos and Zen at the same time. Read my Etsy profile for more information.
What is your favorite feature on Etsy?
I don't know that I can pick just one.
Do you enjoy "window shopping" on Etsy on your free time?
Yes, very much so! If you could see my favorites file, you may never leave the computer. I don't publish it as public, because it's so embarrassingly large.
Is there an online "tool" that you like to use?
Google is my friend. :-) Also, Facebook networking.
What other interests do you have?
As said before, photography - I've sold photos in the past, back before there were digis. I went to school and learned on a Canon FtB, an SLR that was just perfection and an extension of what my mind saw. I love to read. I am a science geek - specifically all things physics. I love supporting the art scene in St. Pete, which has become just utterly amazing over the last 5 or so years and gets more amazing every day. I easily get lost and buy too much in craft or art stores. I'm a working psychic medium and it's a family thing - I can trace back relatives with the gift for four or five generations. I also love to write. I used to blog prolifically for years. I'm taking a break from that right now.
Where in Florida do you live?
St. Pete, since 1984. As mentioned before, the art scene here. It's incredible for a mid-city size. I grew up in Philadelphia and 90 minutes from NYC, so I'm used to museums and art. If you could take the population divided by the number of museums, galleries, shows, etc that we have and apply it proportionately to a larger city, we would rival them. There is also a huge feeling of community here that is lacking in larger cities. Even people coming across the bridge from Tampa notice that.
Could you recommend a fun activity near your Fl home that other members might enjoy?
600 Block of Central Avenue (our new art district), The brand new Chihuly Museum, the Museum of Art, The Dali Museum, Morean Arts Center, the many festivals and art fairs that you can find almost every weekend, Saturday Morning Market (October - May), more places to hear music than you could possibly see... I'm not sure where to stop.
What are some other sites to find out more about you and your art?
Things are at a temporary standstill right now as I am selling my house and moving very soon. I'm very active on my personal FB page (do a friend request for www.facebook.com/starbabyonline, but make sure you send a message along with the request as to who you are) and haven't been as active as I should be at my FB fan pages (/starbabygems and /starbabyreadings) or Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/starbabyonline).
What animal would you like to be for one day and why?
Most people would assume I'd say cat as they are my favorite creatures, but I think I'd have to say a bird - specifically a hawk. And why? Just the freedom to fly and swoop and be so amazingly graceful whilst being incredibly accurate.
What “super” power would you like to have and why?
Invisibility when I want it. I can't tell you why. That would ruin the super-power. ;-)
What is the craziest thing you have ever done?
There's a long list. Hmmm... how about appeared on TV, dressed as a lizard woman and shimmied up a reporter's body?
Who are you?
My name is Debby, but I have been known as "starbaby" online for many, many, many moons. Grew up in Philly and moved to St. Petersburg, FL in 1984. I don't see me ever moving out of this area. I've created and designed jewelry since 1972 or 73, my first job working for someone else was in a bead store where my salary basically went back to the owner in purchases. I've been selling what I created since 1974, on and off. I'm a classically trained artist from a very young age, but I've always loved jewelry and photography best. Second best is sculpture, with a close runner up of print-making.
What do you create?
Sterling silver (mostly), gemstone and glass jewelry. A lot of my jewelry is done freehand sketching while I'm watching TV or listening to music - both give me lots of ideas. Then it's off to search for beads that look like the idea I have half in my head and half on paper.
What is the crafting utensil you cannot live without?
A pair of long neck, hook neck electrician's pliers that belonged to my Dad's and are probably about 50 years old at least. A good example of buying good tools and taking really good care of them. They last forever.
What is your favorite material to work with?
Clay. I can form it to take what I'm feeling and touch it to make my fingers and hands create what my mind is thinking. This is really why I want to work with PMC.
What is your life like outside of Etsy?Wow. Chaos and Zen at the same time. Read my Etsy profile for more information.
What is your favorite feature on Etsy?
I don't know that I can pick just one.
Do you enjoy "window shopping" on Etsy on your free time?
Yes, very much so! If you could see my favorites file, you may never leave the computer. I don't publish it as public, because it's so embarrassingly large.
Is there an online "tool" that you like to use?
Google is my friend. :-) Also, Facebook networking.
What other interests do you have?
As said before, photography - I've sold photos in the past, back before there were digis. I went to school and learned on a Canon FtB, an SLR that was just perfection and an extension of what my mind saw. I love to read. I am a science geek - specifically all things physics. I love supporting the art scene in St. Pete, which has become just utterly amazing over the last 5 or so years and gets more amazing every day. I easily get lost and buy too much in craft or art stores. I'm a working psychic medium and it's a family thing - I can trace back relatives with the gift for four or five generations. I also love to write. I used to blog prolifically for years. I'm taking a break from that right now.
Where in Florida do you live?
St. Pete, since 1984. As mentioned before, the art scene here. It's incredible for a mid-city size. I grew up in Philadelphia and 90 minutes from NYC, so I'm used to museums and art. If you could take the population divided by the number of museums, galleries, shows, etc that we have and apply it proportionately to a larger city, we would rival them. There is also a huge feeling of community here that is lacking in larger cities. Even people coming across the bridge from Tampa notice that.
Could you recommend a fun activity near your Fl home that other members might enjoy?
600 Block of Central Avenue (our new art district), The brand new Chihuly Museum, the Museum of Art, The Dali Museum, Morean Arts Center, the many festivals and art fairs that you can find almost every weekend, Saturday Morning Market (October - May), more places to hear music than you could possibly see... I'm not sure where to stop.
What are some other sites to find out more about you and your art?
Things are at a temporary standstill right now as I am selling my house and moving very soon. I'm very active on my personal FB page (do a friend request for www.facebook.com/starbabyonline, but make sure you send a message along with the request as to who you are) and haven't been as active as I should be at my FB fan pages (/starbabygems and /starbabyreadings) or Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/starbabyonline).
What animal would you like to be for one day and why?
Most people would assume I'd say cat as they are my favorite creatures, but I think I'd have to say a bird - specifically a hawk. And why? Just the freedom to fly and swoop and be so amazingly graceful whilst being incredibly accurate.
What “super” power would you like to have and why?
Invisibility when I want it. I can't tell you why. That would ruin the super-power. ;-)
What is the craziest thing you have ever done?
There's a long list. Hmmm... how about appeared on TV, dressed as a lizard woman and shimmied up a reporter's body?
thank you for your reminder.................................................................
ReplyDeleteGreat Interview. I love, love the necklace!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteWonderful interview Debby. Your jewelry is lovely.
ReplyDeleteI loved the interview. Debby creates such beautiful pieces of jewelry, and I have a custom piece she made for me at a very tough time in my life. The necklace she made has a very special place in my heart and has a great story behind it. Debby is incredibly creative and talented.
ReplyDelete