Lilymoon ... Cyprus

Artist: Stavri
Business: Lilymoon
Web site: lilymoon.etsy.com
Location: Nicosia, Cyprus

What do you create?
I make illustrations mostly based on imaginary stories that I write.


Where and when do you do your creative work?
I work in my studio surrounded by my books and other things that inspire me.

Do you have another "day job"?
I used to be a full time graphic designer but I left that job to pursue illustration.


Where and what did you study?
I studied illustration and graphic design at a local college.

Where do you find inspiration?
I'm inspired by human emotions, by books or strange stories, by my travels and by the little things in life that are overlooked... I like holding an imaginary magnifying glass over them and wonder at their beauty!


What motivates you?
An insatiable hunger to create.

When did you start doing this?
I loved drawing from an early age and always knew it was wanted to do with my life.


Do you remember getting into art as a kid?
Yes – I would draw for hours and make up stories with the characters I drew.

When and why did you decide to start your own business?
I didn't "intend" for it to be a business. I just wanted to share the images and stories with other people. I was very lucky to find Etsy and join a community that embraced my little world.


How did you choose the name for your business?
I just joined two names of things that I love: lilies and the moon. I liked the way that it sounded – it felt right.

What do you love most about creating your work?
Creating alternate worlds where anything is possible.


What's the most fascinating place you've been?
The Alhambra, Spain. I'm still haunted by my visit there, it felt like walking in to a living fairytale!!

A book you love:
One Hundred Years Of Solitude, by Gabriel Garcia Marquez.


What is the most interesting thing about you?
That's a difficult question... umm... I can think of odd things about me but I don't know if they are interesting... For example an odd thing about me would be that I always read books in English but I mostly write my stories in Greek – I think in two languages...

What achievement are you most proud of?
Following my own path in life and being true to my self.


What advice would you give women starting their own business?
Do what you love and be certain that it will lead you where you want to be.

What's the biggest challenge you face in your work?
Sticking to one story and finishing it. I usually hop from one story to another...

What do you love to do in your free time?
Take long walks, read books and make up new stories.


What are you working on right now?
At the moment I spend most of my days packaging and going to the post office as it's really been a busy period for my store. I do write down ideas though and have plenty to work on when the holidays are over!

What do you hope to achieve next?
Publish my stories in full one day so they could travel round the world and maybe inspire others to write their own stories...