Team Spotlight! Interview with dogsrule

MsAnomaly's interview with team member dogsrule

1. When did you open your Etsy store and begin selling?
I opened my Etsy store May 30th, 2006. I was actually selling/purchasing on Ebay at the time...and came to Etsy to make a 'purchase' from a fave seller of mine who decided to leave Ebay and come to sell at Etsy. So, I decided after a few purchases to give Etsy a try and open a shop! My first sale was 3 months later, August 2006, and the sale was for 2 of my crocheted doilies! My next order came a few days later for 30 origami butterflies for a wedding! I was hooked on Etsy!

2. How did you select your shop's name?
Well, I must admit, when I came to Etsy, it was just to make a purchase, so I didn't give much thought to a name! I have dogs and they are my world since my kids have grown up and have lives of their own...so, I signed on with “dogsrule!” Kind of silly when I look back now! I just didn't put any thought into it at the moment, not realizing that I might open a shop, and “dogsrule” popped into my head, and I ran with it. I can think of a million other cool names that would have been good now!

3. What do you create and sell in your Etsy shop?
I love origami, crocheting, card making and sewing! I love my papillons, the “butterfly dogs,” so, I practiced for a year perfecting the intricate origami folding of a Michael La Fosse Butterfly. Crocheting I have done since I was youngster. I love to use hand dyed, size 10 threads to create pieces! And sewing was always a passion of mine. Card making just gives me a very unique way to create. I have incorporated both origami and crocheting into many of my cards! What fun I am having doing the things I love to do! My next challenge is to learn how to dry needle felt !

4. How did you become involved in your craft?
I learned to crochet and sew from my Mom! Origami was self taught; I used to do simple pieces with the children in my pre school classes. Once I retired from teaching, I involved myself with more complex origami diagrams. When I am really stressed, I usually always run to fold!

5. Explain your favorite part of the creative process.
I like to create things that are different and simple, with a clean, neat look, and most times one of a kind. I am a perfectionist, so that sometimes gets in my way! Most times with my doilies I make them one time and not again. I like to try new patterns/things. I don't know if that is good or bad!

6. Do you sell in another Etsy store or anywhere outside of Etsy? If so, where?
I started out on Ebay and did well; got my feet wet so to speak. Once I came to Etsy, I haven't gone back to Ebay! Etsy has grown tremendously since I joined back in 2006. There weren't too many origami artists on Etsy then, but now there is a huge number of sellers! Lots of competition!

7. So far, what project are you most proud of?
I am proud of many things I have made. I guess if I had to pick one, it might be the 1st doily I sold on Etsy, for sentimental reasons:http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=112771

8. What advice can you give to someone who would like to learn your craft?
I think practice and perfection are key with me. Pride in your work is the most important thing!

9. What motivated you to join the Etsy Beagle Street Team?
Well, again, the love of my dogs. My breeds are beagles and papillons! I have 2 of the greatest BEAGLES in the world! I was thrilled to see a BEAGLE TEAM! I thought belonging to a team with fellow Etsians that I had something in common with would be a lot of fun! And, I would love to show off my pack in my Flicker Pics:http://www.flickr.com/photos/28909979@N03/

10. Any other places we might find you (Flickr, blog, MySpace, etc.)?
I have a Flicker Photo Page, and I am “ papnbeagle “ on Ebay. I am working my way up to starting a blog!