Meet Maria Palito: Our ArtFire Featured Artisan

Set of 8 Mini Felt owls plush toys : MariaPalito - ArtFire Toys, $48
Birthday Felt Owl Yellow and Hot Fuchsia Felt owl : MariaPalito -..., $6.99
Baby Owl Felt Small pillow Ready to ship : MariaPalito - ArtFire Dolls..., $16

Maria Palito

Mariapalito.artfire.com
www.mariapalitousa.com
facebook.com/mariapalito
@mariapalitousa

How did you start crafting?
I am an architect with passion for design. I started drawing my own illustrations and drafts and then I started to create them digitally. I have always liked the crafts and decided I could make some additional income out of it so I started to create my own store step-by-step, linking of the pieces together while designing different things. I started with drawings, jumped into jewelry, then toys, then illustrations and now I design pretty much everything.

Who taught you how to craft? Or did you teach yourself?
I am a self taught artist. Everything I've done I've learned on my own -- from my basic drawing to my website design skills, everything is self taught.

Where do you find your inspiration?
I find my inspiration in cuteness; I like to design things that are super cute, unique, things you cannot find anywhere else. I love animals, dolls, nature and bright colors and I try to include my personality on the designs.

Who inspires you?
My family and my husband are the source of my inspiration. All the blessings I've received are part of it as well, I am a really lucky person and I inspire myself on that idea.

What are some of your favorite tools or materials?
Most of the time I use cardboard, felt, wood, cotton lace and textures I can find usable for my designs. I also try to use recyclable biodegradable materials.

What is your favorite part of the creative process?
My favorite part of the creating process is drawing the ideas in my head -- imagining things and making them real is what excites me the most.

... and your least favorite part?
It could be the finishing of the pieces. I am a perfectionist and it takes a long time for me to be happy with what I do. I like my customers to be 100% satisfied with my art and that requires me to be 100% happy with what I do.

What advice would you give to others getting started?

Start with the basics. Stick to what you do best and learn from the people who know what you want to
accomplish. There is nothing wrong with asking for help or advice if you need it!

Time management and planning are keys for success! Don't try to do things just because other people are doing it, your business may not need what everybody needs and you may learn how to develop your
own strategy in the long term.

The most important thing: Track, analyze and refine your strategy all the way! That is the only way to
learn what is good and what is wrong. If you don't know that you have more visitors, how do you know you need more products? Only data can give you that to develop a successful store!

Thanks to MariaPalito!