MEYSPRING Artist of the Month - January 2024

Congrats, Grim Sweetness Apothecary!

We’re happy to announce MEYSPRING’s Artist of the Month for January 2024 and our first featured artist of the year, Elizabeth Taylor of Grim Sweetness Apothecary. She has been a pioneer in bringing the magic of the fantastical world of potion-making to life for over a decade now. Through her work, she has showcased how shimmering ingredients like MEYSPRING Mica Powders and a liquid medium (water) can be used to create mesmerizing mixes that are pleasing to the senses, allowing people to live out their dreams of being a student at Hogwarts or joining the Hobbits on a grand adventure.

Meet the Artist

Keep reading to see some of our favorite potions Elizabeth has made so far with MEYSPRING Pigments and for our exclusive behind-the-scenes interview!

Tell us more about yourself!

I live a very full and chaotic life! My husband and I recently finished building our dream home (where the work has just begun). We have two teenagers, a Boxer, and two cats. When we're not heading out on family adventures (which we do as often as we can), I'm typically found in my workshop working away with fantasy audiobooks in my ears.

At heart, I'm a maker and a fixer, and my kids know they can always come to me with an idea to build or make something fun, and the answer is usually yes (especially if it can be built from found or thrift components)! Sustainability is important to me, and creating things from "trash" is one of my favorite things!

What inspired you to become an artist?

I have always been driven to create, to answer the question "What if?" Before potions, I did costuming, papercraft, jewelry making, and many other things. While potion-making is what I've become a bit of an expert on as it's what I do for a living, I still need other creative outlets that are just for me!

How long have you been creating Magic Potions?

I've been making and selling my potions for nearly 12 years!

What made you choose MEYSPRING pigments?

I use these pigments in a way they're not intended for, and not all mica pigments are created equal! I saw them on TikTok and decided to give them a try. They're now my top go-to pigments; the colors are all so vibrant and pigmented. I've tested them all, and they all mix beautifully with water or isopropyl alcohol!

What is your favorite pigment color or color scheme?

I love warm, vibrant tones, often greens and gold. Olive Gold and Imperial Emerald are to die for! But the MEYSPRING Sterling Lining has me obsessed; I've never worked with a silver so bright, and I want to put it in everything!

Where do you find your inspiration?

Stories inspire me. I want my potions to look like they were plucked from the shelf of Snape's classroom, found in a Hobbit hole, or the lair of a dragon rider! The stories and fantastical settings drive me to create magical props that you can hold, shake, and play with. It's a way of bringing a small piece of your favorite magical realm into your home; if I can't live in the shire, I want to feel like I do!

How much time do you dedicate to your craft?

I'm a full-time maker with a workshop/studio space in my home and a part-time employee.

What are your goals for your artistic journey?

Currently, I'm living my goal, which was to be able to do this full-time and bring in a full-time income for my efforts. I've never had dreams of grandeur, which differs from art that sits in galleries or sells for thousands. As I've met the full-time goal, the new goal is work-life balance. Working from home means the lines are blurred, especially when the job is much more than just creating!

What is the most significant "Aha moment" you've had while creating?

While planning an over-the-top Harry Potter-themed party with a fellow maker, I accidentally created color-changing potions! We wanted one of the many handmade elements of this party to be potion bottles full of exciting things. In my childlike way of creating, I mixed different paints, inks, and various art supplies with other liquids. 

One of those fated ingredients was a jar of mica pigment. It swirled so beautifully in the liquid but settled at the bottom, and the overall mix became clear. So, I figured out how to dye the liquid, creating a potion that shakes up one color and settles another. In a magical party full of wonders, the potions were a hit! Soon after the party, I started making them to sell on Etsy, and they've steadily gained in popularity since!

“Aha moments” always come to me while I'm experimenting. I learn by doing, so while I have notebooks full of ideas, the true discoveries come from playing around!

What advice would you like to share with aspiring creators?

Don't overthink too much! If you come up with something you like or think is fun, run with it! If you like it, others will as well. There was no such thing as a color-changing potion bottle when I started. People thought I was crazy for trying to sell them, and many still do! But guess what? I started something. Now, countless artists and shops are creating their own versions of them, all inspired by my idea! Not everything is for everyone, and anytime you try something new, there will be naysayers, but your fans are out there!

Also, know the difference between a concept you're passionate about and a piece that isn't working. It's important to know when to walk away from a piece. Historically, this is something I've struggled with. I want to keep grinding away, but inspiration rarely comes in the grinding. Walk away from a project as many times as necessary. I've shelved new potions for months, only to have them become one of my favorites when the inspiration hits!

Congratulations again to Elizabeth on winning MEYSPRING Artist of the Month - January 2024! 

To see more of Elizabeth’s work, check out the following pages:

Instagram: @grim_sweetness_apothecary

TikTok: @grimsweetnessapothecary

Facebook: Grim Sweetness Apothecary

Website: www.grimsweetnessapothecary.com

Would you like to be featured as MEYSPRING’s Artist of the Month? Tag @meyspring​ and use #MeyspringPigments in posts featuring your creations made with MEYSPRING Pigments on Instagram or TikTok at least 2 times per month.

Winners are featured on our Social Media channels and our blog! They will also receive a $100 Gift Card to www.meyspring.com. Can't wait to see what you create!