Top Etsy Shops new contributor: Clay Cat Shop's Adriana Ayala

Hello everyone! My name is Adriana and I am the artist behind ClayCatShop. (aka http://www.etsy.com/shop/claycat or http://www.claycatshop.com)

After winning the contest for February's Top Etsy Shops
I was invited to contribute with this blog and share the world of Top Etsy Shops. 

Since this is my first post, let me tell you a bit about me.

My love for clay started in Margarita Island (Venezuela), a little over 17 years ago. I had been working as a graphic designer for 4 years when I came across a box of plasticine and decided to play with it... little did I know that what started as a game was to become my life's passion and favorite art medium. To make a long story short I decided to take a sabbatical year to work on my art full time and I had one of the most fun years ever! My earlier work was very "island life" oriented and I went to sell my art in many beach shops around the island. My art is now all over the world, everyone was impressed and loved my clay illustrations of beautiful Margarita Island. When my sabbatical was up I returned to professional graphic design and that's what I did up until July '10, when I decided to formalize "ClayCatShop" and make it a company instead of my life-long hobby.

My home based studio "ClayCatShop" :)

Today I must say its been a great decision! I am happy and even though I still do graphic design here and there (I love to design and when a client comes to me in need of a corporate image I cant say no) I am working on my home based studio, spending time with my family and doing what I love the most: Playing with clay! =)  I can do anything in this marvelous art medium, but above all I adore "painting" with clay!!!

Wishing you all a super creative week!

Adriana :)