Featured Artist Sharon Haber of Haber Heartwork

I’ve known Sharon Haber of Haber Heartwork for several years.we met through the Etsy community during the fall of 2008 when she began purchasing my handmade glass shapes for making jewelry. We spent many late night hours on the Etsy convo system and even more hours on the phone. We would both find ourselves working into the wee hours of the morning on cold winter nights. So when the opportunity arose for Featured Artist, I wanted to offer the first right of refusal to Sharon. I’m happy to say, there was no refusal.

Knowing Sharon, the loving and caring person that she is, I knew she’d have an interesting perspective to share, and perhaps many of you can relate to her answers. I hope that by sharing her interview you will find something familiar, or find inspiration in the world in which she lives.

Thank you Sharon, for being a wonderful customer, and most importantly such a wonderful and caring friend.

Tell us about yourself
I have loved creating through art, crafts and music for as long as I can remember.  It brings me great joy.  A wide range of things provide inspiration for me so I enjoy creating with a variety of materials.

My degree is in Music Therapy and I have an ongoing love for music as well as animals.  Both have filled my life with love and taught me a lot.

As a breast cancer survivor, I have experienced first-hand how wonderful it is to receive care, encouragement and kindness from many people.  I in turn, genuinely love to offer any type of encouragement I may to others during their difficult times in life. My art, crafts and music often play a role in this. This aspect of creating things to share with people is an added joy for me.

What part of the world are you in? Where are you originally from? I now live in Wake Forest, North Carolina but was born in Florida.  I grew up in New Jersey in close proximity to New York City.

What motivates you; a challenge or a reward? What is your favorite kind of challenge or reward?
I like a challenge and a reward.  My favorite kind of challenge is one that allows me to figure out how to create something new and/or different.  The reward is in achieving the desired end result.

What is it you create?
I create jewelry, buttons, key chains, magnets, pocket mirrors, zipper pulls, bookmarks, bulletin boards, ornaments and many other things as an idea presents itself to me.

Where do you find inspiration for your work?
I find inspiration in nature, people, music, faith and often in day to day experiences.

How did you get involved in the work you do? Do you work full time on your creations? Is it a means of income for you or a hobby? Do you work on these creations to help support an organization?
I have been involved with creating for a long time. I began to work at it more consistently as a young adult and have gradually increased my time involved with creating.  At present I devote a large amount of my time to my creations and consider it a hobby as well as a means of income.  A portion of my profits is donated to several non-profit organizations.

What is the most rewarding aspect of creating? Is it financial reward, creating a relaxing outlet for you, does the act of creating provide a sense of place in this world, or something else?
Creating does provide me with a relaxing outlet.  However, I believe the most rewarding aspect is taking something through the creating process to see the completed creation.  Also, I love giving and selling my creations to people.

What is a typical work day for you like? Do you work all day, part days? Do you work seasonally?
I work year round and typically spend about 6 hours a day on my work.  There is not really a typical day for me as I tend to go where the spirit leads me as well as tending to other 'life' responsibilities that require my attention.

Do you sell your work? I so, do you sell online, do you sell wholesale, do you participate in art and craft fairs? If someone likes your work, how can they contact you?
I sell my work online in my two Etsy shops: www. haberheartwork.etsy.com  and haberheartworktoo.etsy.com

Wholesale offers are provided upon request.  You may contact me by email or through my Etsy shops.

Where do you see your hobby or business in 5 years?
I hope to expand my online shops and continue to grow in my creative life.

Share something not related to your craft, such as a short recipe, a favorite poem, place you like to visit...
I love being a wife and mother and being part of a wonderful church family.
One of my favorite authors is Anne Lamott.  I like what she says in her book "Traveling Mercies". "Music is about as physical as it gets:  your essential rhythm is your heartbeat; your essential sound, the breath.  We're walking temples of noise, and when you add tender hearts to this mix, it somehow lets us meet in places we couldn't get to any other way."

Please visit Sharon's shops on Etsy: www. haberheartwork.etsy.com and haberheartworktoo.etsy.com

If you are interested in being a Featured Artist, please contact me by email. Please be sure “Featured Artist” is in the subject line.