Artist Spotlight : Wanou Et Moi

Today is a great day, it's friday and we've made the acquaintance of another amazing artist, Leili of Wanou Et Moi. Wanou Et Moi is her shop for which she creates a variety of handmade hair decorations of varying types. She has an etsy shop, a delightful facebook page, and a very lively instagram account where you can see a variety of examples of her work.

Leili is the artist behind Wanou Et Moi. As an artist, she feels she's been creating as long as she can remember. She's dabbled in a number of handicrafts before landing on the ones she offers in her shop. She's enjoyed various art styles ranging from cartoon to photorealism. She's made stuffed animals and backpacks. It's of her opinion that there's no such thing as knowing too much about various skills.

Every artist is motivated or inspired to create differently. Leili was motivated to create her shop by love. Her shop shares the family nickname they had for her brother, Wanou. She originally had helped her boyfriend with dreads and beads, but after she lost her brother in a motorcycle accident she was looking for something to give her purpose. The shop helped to motivate her, helping inspire her to keep going and avoid being lazy. Over time she expanded her creations, making new things and friends. Leili knows her brother would have wanted to see her succeed, and that's what she's aiming to do.

Twisties available on Etsy

There's a wide variety of types of hairstyles to be achieved using the beads and twisties available in the Wanou et Moi shop. These are unique and offer people chances to update their looks, or add a little unique flare to their style. Sometimes conventional everyday ties and clips aren't tough enough to live up to the expectations of their job. These are created with the expectation that they'll do just that.

To the left you see items they call Twisties. I think they're neat because they can be utilized to accent hair that is dreaded, or just normal hair. They can be used to pull things together, or just add a splash of color. Depending on the color and placement, they inspire your imagination.

Bead Sets Available on Etsy

There's a number of different types of products that Leili creates for her shop. A number of them she offers as personalizable pieces. To the right you see an example of this, the bead sets.

Bead sets can be used in a number of ways. You can use one to add a little spice, or add them all to have a truly unique look. These are amazing for all hair types, and the sky's the limit when it comes to how you can use them.

Wanou et Moi truly has a keen sense for personalization, and she is willing to hear your ideas. Not only that, she'll use your ideas to help you see them come to fruition. So if you have an idea for a hair bead, and you can't find it, ask and you may just well see it come to life.

TwistyLock with Gem available on Etsy

This unique piece to the left is called a TwistyLock. As someone with long hair that goes through what seems like dozens of hair ties a month, this is a refreshing alternative to a hairstick. Don't get me wrong I love my hair sticks, but sometimes you need something different to hold your hair up.

This unique hair tie does just that. It curls around your hairstyle locking it into place. Unlike the hair ties which often require looping and tugging, this is gentler on your hair.  It can be curled around your bun holding it neatly in place. It can also be used to hold dreadlocks back neatly, without getting tangled in your hair. I hate when a hair tie gets stuck in my hair ripping out bits.

Tree of Life available on Etsy

The products all have unique names. I was curious about that and Leili gave me an honest fun answer. In her opinion calling things springs or spirals wasn't as much fun as giving them names. Twisties sounds a lot more fun than spirals. She also gives each bead type a name, making them easier to identify when browsing through her creations. It really does. It also gives them unique names that people can remember.

As I have a habit of asking some artists, I asked Leili what sort of advice she'd offer to any aspiring designers. Similar to what some have stated before, she advises aspiring artists to never give up. Leili believes that if you feel a spark, you should help it become a flame and then use that flame to start wildfire. She also believes that unless your work is going to hurt other people, there's no reason not to create. Art doesn't really have limits or rules unless you try to hold back yourself.

Wanou et Moi is open because she found something she enjoys and loves to create. She recommends that new artists do that. Create because they love to do so, not because it's a job. Art work should never feel like a job, and if it does take a break and set it down. It's supposed to be enjoyable.

Probably the most refreshing piece of advice that Leili of Wanou at Moi offered though, is that you have the right to stand up for yourself. You are an artist, and sometimes people will go out of their way to put you down, you don't have to put up with this. You create because it brings you enjoyment, and you should never have to let go of the happiness your work brings to you.

Thank you for joining us today to enjoy Wanou at Moi's amazing pieces! Please feel free to explore their Etsy shop,  their instagram account, and join them on Facebook. The body of work available is always changing and evolving adding new pieces, and offering new ideas for adding new details to your everyday life. And remember! If you like something they've created, but maybe want to see a slight change (maybe you want a different color) they might be able to help you with that!

Pokemon are still a Thing

And that's alright. In fact it's kind of awesome.

When I was a bit younger, I remember Pokemon being a cartoon on tv. I also remember eating a LOT of Kids Meals trying to find the talking Pikachu my little brother wanted. I also remember playing Pokemon Gold on a black and white Gameboy.... But in today's modern Pokemon Go phase there is a multitude of merchandise being pushed. But with that in mind, there's a number of unique items you can collect to accessorize and show off your love of the little digital monsters, regardless of the team you've chosen.

You don't doubt me on that I'm sure, but to prove the point I'm going to share some of the interesting things that I've seen on Etsy of late. I'm always exploring and enjoying the various pieces people share there.

So one of the first item's I'd like to share with you actually surprised me. Because it turned up in my feed when I was researching chainmail, not Pokemon.

These chainmail pokeballs are gorgeous little heavy duty keychains, that you can see offer a unique take on the classic pokeball.  They're available in a variety of colors (and I suspect if there's a color you'd prefer other than what's shown, well... maybe it can happen). Love these and highly recommend them for the more classic gamer type, or even the newer sort. They have a nice classic edge to them. When this blog was written they were available for $6.00, not bad for gifting. (Just remember to order early) Find them here : Aislinn's Collared Designs Chainmaille Pokeball

Our next selection is actually something that plays with the fighting between the teams.

A maker called TheFreshPinsofLA has this pin available. To my rather untrained eye, it appears to be a combination of the three team emblems featured in Pokemon Go! The Team Harmony pin made me smile, because it was a unique take on a rather silly thing. People shouldn't be split up based on the team they pick, unless it's friendly rivalry of course. You can find the pin here:  TheFreshPinsofLA Team Harmony Pin

The next thing up for your perusal is something that I kinda wish I'd get to see in person. I'd wish it was something I could get except I'm not really someone that looks good in yellows.

Isn't it the cutest apron ever? It's a Pikachu cosplay apron! It even has a tail!!! It'd be an awesome look for any Pokemon fan that's not really sure they'd be comfortable in an adult onesie at con. Or for a gal (or guy) who wants to cosplay as a couple (you know.... if their partner wants to be Ash or something >.>). These are handmade by a seamstress that I've been following for a long time, and I do personally own some of her pieces. Maybe I'll share them sometime, but her attention to detail on this piece is smashing! So YES! Pikachu Cosplay Apron for the Win! Find it here : Violet Phoenix Designs Retro Anime Cosplay Apron (P.S. She also has some awesome Team Ties available)

I hate to admit it, but the next item I'm sharing plays into one of my personal odd likes.

Yes, that is an Oddish Planter. It's adorable, and everytime I look at the picture I can't help but smile. The idea is really cute, and they also have Bulbasaur available. Meaning you can pick whatever plants (within size reason) you want to grow out of them. Too cute, and also a reasonable gift for the holidays. Available here : 3DPMakery Pokemon Planter

And how about something to end on a giggle.

Yes... That is a Deadpool Pikachu Cross Over enamel pin. Why I found it in my instagram feed, I have no idea. But I love this pin. It's in my checkout basket right now, I just haven't figured out if it's one of those purchases I want to make because it's a cross over of two fandoms I kind of like... Or if it's a purchase I want to make because it's a cross over idea I never would have expected. It's too cute and I laughed too hard.  You can find this on etsy here : KingOfThePin Deadkachu Pin

Anyways, I'm glad you stopped by, and I hope you're still enjoying your Pokemon of various sorts as much as I am. See you soon!