INCrowd Interview, 7/26/08- Greg Knipe, aka salvagedbeauty

Greg's posts to the INCrowd discussion board always make me laugh. So does his work - it is whimsical even as it is all about recycling and upcycling.

Where were you born & raised?
Native Hoosier

Where are you now & what led you there?
Still here - why move? All my stuff is already here!

What types of creations do you sell in for your Etsy shop(s)?
I sell my welded sculpture - all found objects and scrap metal construction

What's your educational background, as it relates to your work?
I have a B.A. in English - which basically qualified me to work in food service! I have no art education or background previous to starting this endeavor.

How'd you get started creating?
Actually I've stolen all my best ideas! Seriously, nature inspires the majority of my work; however I'm currently doing a series based on Ikebana (the Japanese art of flower arranging), and have just recently branched into small furniture!

Do you belong to any Street Teams? If so, which ones and why?
I'm in the INCrowd street team, as well as Men of Etsy.


What's your favorite thing about selling on Etsy?
I love alchemy - personal connections, creative solutions, and mutually agreed upon pricing - that's how things ought to be!

Recommend your five favorite shops on Etsy.
My 5 favorites on Etsy right now are(in no particular order):
-Mununky
-2ReVert
-basilthecat
-dbulla
-crescentwench
(my wife disagrees with this list, preferring jewelry sites - she can have a vote when she gets herself interviewed!)

Show us three of your favorite items from your own store.

Postmodern Ikebana Number 5











Minimalist Frog Sculpture









Bird









Anything else?
Please stop by and see my new furniture on August 1st, in the "Elegant Funk" gallery show! It's my first juried gallery showing, and I could use the moral support! I'm entering a cocktail table made of farm machinery and found objects, and a candle tree made entirely of salvaged steel.

Wug Laku's Studio and Garage
Circle City Industrial Complex
1125 Brookside Ave, ste. C7, Indianapolis

Live music, food, wine tasting, etc. (We know how to throw a shindig!)
*Sponsored by Nuvo, IDADA, and Vision Direct
For more info, contact: wuglaku@netzero.net

Thanks Greg, and good luck!!

Carolynn aka nilochlainn