Sweet Little Bee Stings
The concept for Astoria artist Tara Genen’s Etsy shop, Sweet
Little Bee Stings, was inspired by the birth of her now 3-yearold
daughter, Violet. After sewing headbands and “drooldanas”
for Violet and her baby friends, Genen decided to widen
her clientele and expand her reach. Genen’s crafts includes
vibrant cotton drooldanas and fabric headbands that can be
bought individually or as Mommy and Me sets. She also makes
embroidered wall hangings.
“I find something or someone I admire and go from there.
I love Frida Kahlo so I started making drooldanas
featuring her image,” Genen said. “When my
daughter was too big to rock a drooldana,
I wanted to figure out another way to feature
the icon, so I started making decorative
embroideries that can be hung
on walls.”
The most popular product in her
shop is the Rosie the Riveter headband,
which is available in adult and
child sizes.
“I am currently pregnant with a baby
boy, so expect to see some new items
geared toward boys pop up in the shop,”
Genen said.
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Photos courtesy of Conrad Crafting Co.
Photos courtesy of Teo Industries
Photos courtesy of Sweet Little Bee Stings
Teo Industries
A drawing is never just a drawing, is
it? A picture evokes something different
for every viewer. This sentiment
is evident in sketch artist Matthew
Benchimol’s work. His Etsy site, Teo
Industries, showcases detailed
cross-hatched images of authors,
New York and Astoria sights, and
much more.
“My favorite piece of mine is
the one of Mark Twain or the one
of Barney Frank. Both are very intimate,
like an aside where the photographer
caught them focused entirely on something
else so that their expressions seem very natural
and genuine,” Benchimol said.
Benchimol’s work caught the attention of a set
designer from the HBO show “Enlightened,” who
bought a sketch off Etsy to use in the background
of a scene. Benchimol has also designed and
painted the interior of a Philadelphia restaurant,
and he’s been invited to exhibit in shows.
“My style is really methodical and it can take me
a very long time to create a very small piece. I am
also terrible at self-promotion. I just put my stuff
out there and sometimes people find me, and interesting
things happen,” Benchimol said.
Photos courtesy of R+D