Featured Artist Debra of Designs by Zaney May

Debra was always surrounded by creativity and this love has never left.  From the time she was a child, she would dig through her mother’s pattern books and write her name next to the pieces that she wanted her mother to make for her!  Soon, Debra was creating her own baby doll blankets and even large macramé swings which her father would make frames for.  Trips to the bead shop were like trips to the candy store for this creative soul but it wasn’t until later that she found her true passion.  When she is not working her magic with art, Debra is a mother of two and grandmother to one.  She loves to be outside in the woods, the river, or the beach with family and friends.

As happens to so many, life gets in the way and we put aside our art for a time.  When a friend encouraged her to take a netting class, Debra realized how much she missed beads and thread!  She began by selling baby blankets and pillow tucks for cross stitch, as well as a few jewelry pieces here and there, but it wasn’t until she began making and selling her patterns that she found her true passion.  She loves to feel the beads and thread and finds excitement in every finished piece.

Debra soon found that she got as excited as her customers when they would send her pictures of their own creations made from one of her patterns.  This pleasure that she found in other’s creations is one of the biggest driving forces behind Designs by Zaney May.  This is not to say that everything is bright and shiny all the time!  Debra admits that promoting is not her favorite part of selling her art.  The time it takes is taking away from creation.  With that being said, Debra  is pushing towards being able to be fully self-supporting as an artist but is not quite there yet….though she is about to go from full time outside work to part time to allow more hours in the studio!  Sounds like she is well on her way!

Even with the highs and lows of selling handmade work, Debra is encouraging to other artists looking to sell their own work.  The bit of advice she offers?  Realize that it takes about four times as much time as you think it will, but it can be done!  She is always willing to offer help to new artists and give them the benefit of her own experience selling her work.

Are you ready to see what amazing creations this driving mother and grandmother can make?  Her patterns are unique and fun and just perfect to get you started on your own journey while learning the joys of beads and thread.  You can find her work on Etsy as well as Artfire and Craftsy.  You can follow her days on Facebook, Twitter and on Pinterest!  Don’t blame me, though, if you find so many patterns you want to try that you just can’t decide!