MsAnomaly's interview with Studiolara316
1. When did you open your Etsy store and begin selling?
Although I had set up my store awhile back, I didn't actually begin selling until May of this year.
2. How did you select your shop's name?
I actually came up with my store and website name 'Studio Lara' after coming across the work of another artist, Chris Stott...his store and site name is Studio Stott and I thought it had a nice ring to it!
3. What do you create and sell in your Etsy shop?
I paint pet portraits, still life paintings, and I thoroughly enjoy doing Master portrait studies!
4. How did you become involved in your craft?
I actually taught 3rd grade for over 6 years, but in 2006 I married an Aussie, moved to Australia, and was finally able to follow my other passion in life, being art! (We have since moved back to my home state of Michigan)
5. Explain your favorite part of the creative process.
There are so many parts I enjoy, but I suppose with pet portraits, I love when I complete the eyes...I spend the most time painting the eyes, after I do an initial sketch of the entire composition...to me the eyes are the most important part of any portrait. I know it is so cliche, but the eyes truly are the windows to the soul!
6. Do you sell in another Etsy store or anywhere outside of Etsy? If so, where?
I have sold on eBay for the past 3 years, then closed my store, and only recently re-opened it to list an occasional item here or there, but I would eventually like etsy to be my permanent home! I also have sold commissions through my personal website and blog which is always a plus!
7. So far, what project are you most proud of?
I would have to say the project I am most proud of is my Painting a Pup a Day project, although it has turned into more of a Painting a Pup every few days or so...I find it difficult to paint an entire painting each and everyday, unless the painting is very small. I don't know how some artists are able to paint so fast. I guess with my portraits, I know how special people's pets are to them, so I feel I owe it to each and every customer to take my time making a piece they can cherish for years to come! I donate 10% of each portrait I do to one of the many dog rescue groups I work with and I have been involved in a number of charity auctions to support rescue as well. I am also a member of Art for Critters, a group of artists who donate a portion of the proceeds of our work to various animal charities. I am currently offering a special in my store on pet portraits: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27811746
8. What advice can you give to someone who would like to learn your craft?
Well, I would tell them what Chris Stott, an incredible still life artist from Canada, told me awhile back...he said to look at many different artists' work, to really look at it and study their work...obviously do not copy it, but look at how they handle certain subject matter, what sort of brush strokes and colors they use...and ask questions. Many artists are very willing to share ideas and techniques that have worked for them.
9. What motivated you to join the Etsy Beagle Street Team?
I do not own a Beagle, but I own 2 pups who were both rescued off the streets of Cairns in Australia by my husband. You can check them out on their blog: http://www.aussiedogsupandover.blogspot.com/
Dogs have always held a special place in my heart as I was quite a shy child growing up and always felt a deep connection to the dogs we had. With my Painting a Pup a Day project and Art for Critters, I am able to help support dog rescue, which is the best feeling in the world. Every little bit does really help them out, and there are so many dogs in need of forever homes!
10. Any other places we might find you (Flickr, blog, MySpace, etc.)?
I am on Flickr, Twitter, Facebook, and I have a number of blogs that I try to update on a daily or weekly basis.
http://www.paintingapupaday.blogspot.com/
http://www.avintagetouch.blogspot.com/
http://www.aussiedogsupandover.blogspot.com/
Our Dogs
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| Photo slideshow generated with Smilebox |
Friday, August 28, 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Team Spotlight! Interview with DesignedByLucinda
MsAnomaly's interview with DesignedByLucinda:
1. When did you open your Etsy store and begin selling?
I shut my brick and mortar shop in May 2007 and sulked for a few months. I sell on Etsy because I had a store full of inventory and more made daily and I needed a place to sell them so I didn't drown my cats and dogs in bead boxes :) I then stocked my Etsy shop in October 2007.
2. How did you select your shop’s name?
Cindy is a nickname of Lucinda, which is my real name. DesignedByLucinda sounded a bit better to my ear than Cindy's Silver (and DBL was the name I used for the brick and mortar spot so I hoped old clients could find me online that way).
3. What do you create and sell in your Etsy shop?
I create Jewelry and Fashion Accessories out of stones and Sterling silver, mostly with Swarovski crystals as highlights. Stones and crystals can marry up nicely in a lot of ways and not too many people seem to mix those mediums, so I like to find ways to bring out the best of the stone and the glass through the other material.
4. How did you become involved in your craft?
In 7th grade (all those decades ago) I was kicked out of Art Drawing class and moved into Jewelry Design and it was love at first buffer. Also, I liked saws and torches although I do very little with those today. Later, in High School, I worked after school in a Jewelry shop and learned the rest of the trade there. I dabbled over the years but ended up deciding I wanted to own a jewelry shop and I saved up to start DBL in the brick and mortar space. Then the shop landlords didn't pay the bills with the rent and I ended up a bit broker and here on Etsy :)
5. Explain your favorite part of the creative process.
I create because I am, just like I breathe because I am. I couldn't stop creating if I tried. My favorite part is when I receive a box of new supplies and I have endless opportunities and avenues to explore. It sounds hokey, but I love looking through the box and looking over each bead until I know which pack I want to start with, what glimmer of an idea I have to start using it for, and then tweaking the whole process until I end with a piece that makes me smile and sit down for a cup of coffee; I can take weeks trying to find just the right combination.
6. Do you sell in another Etsy store or anywhere outside of Etsy? If so, where?
I sell in my local area at shows and parties. I also have unstocked shops on Artfire, Craft.Ca, Handmade Fuzion and I go back and forth on HyenaCart.
7. So far, what project are you most proud of?
I am proud of them all, but my favorite would be this 3 piece custom order that I had 4 days to find the stones, create the piece, and ship it out. It was a bit of a pressure cooker! http://www.flickr.com/photos/designedbylucinda/2215198812/
8. What advice can you give to someone who would like to learn your craft?
Have patience. You won't have tiny knots in one month. You'll break some stones and lose others, so make your pricing formula cover a bit for loss like that. A killer deal on pearls isn't really worth buying 80 strands unless you are SURE you can move those pearls quicker than in 3 years. Yes, they keep - - but that tied up $$ could have gone for more variety over those 3 years and 80 strands of pearls is quite a bit if you aren't catering to the wedding market. Just follow your Muse and you'll be happy :)
9. What motivated you to join the Etsy Beagle Street Team?
Most of my dawgs are mixed. Technically, they are mixed with a Harrier but that is a kissing cousin to a Beagle and they do the arrr-wooooooooooooooo just as loudly. I also took in a stray last year who looks like she is part Beagle (NOT Harrier). Meet Ginger - - Her adoptive home fell through so she is still with me (and I LOVE her silly being!). http://www.flickr.com/photos/designedbylucinda/2342462496/ I make her work for her kibble: this picture is the one I use for Custom Order Listings. Exploiting the pooch...
10. Any other places we might find you (Flickr, blog, MySpace, etc.)?
I am also on Flickr, MySpace, Facebook, Twitter and a super sorry blog with 4 posts but I am most consistently on Etsy. Feel free to email me anytime at http://us.mc810.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=cboard4488@aol.com and talk dawgs or beads or stones or just comment on the weather :)
1. When did you open your Etsy store and begin selling?
I shut my brick and mortar shop in May 2007 and sulked for a few months. I sell on Etsy because I had a store full of inventory and more made daily and I needed a place to sell them so I didn't drown my cats and dogs in bead boxes :) I then stocked my Etsy shop in October 2007.
2. How did you select your shop’s name?
Cindy is a nickname of Lucinda, which is my real name. DesignedByLucinda sounded a bit better to my ear than Cindy's Silver (and DBL was the name I used for the brick and mortar spot so I hoped old clients could find me online that way).
3. What do you create and sell in your Etsy shop?
I create Jewelry and Fashion Accessories out of stones and Sterling silver, mostly with Swarovski crystals as highlights. Stones and crystals can marry up nicely in a lot of ways and not too many people seem to mix those mediums, so I like to find ways to bring out the best of the stone and the glass through the other material.
4. How did you become involved in your craft?
In 7th grade (all those decades ago) I was kicked out of Art Drawing class and moved into Jewelry Design and it was love at first buffer. Also, I liked saws and torches although I do very little with those today. Later, in High School, I worked after school in a Jewelry shop and learned the rest of the trade there. I dabbled over the years but ended up deciding I wanted to own a jewelry shop and I saved up to start DBL in the brick and mortar space. Then the shop landlords didn't pay the bills with the rent and I ended up a bit broker and here on Etsy :)
5. Explain your favorite part of the creative process.
I create because I am, just like I breathe because I am. I couldn't stop creating if I tried. My favorite part is when I receive a box of new supplies and I have endless opportunities and avenues to explore. It sounds hokey, but I love looking through the box and looking over each bead until I know which pack I want to start with, what glimmer of an idea I have to start using it for, and then tweaking the whole process until I end with a piece that makes me smile and sit down for a cup of coffee; I can take weeks trying to find just the right combination.
6. Do you sell in another Etsy store or anywhere outside of Etsy? If so, where?
I sell in my local area at shows and parties. I also have unstocked shops on Artfire, Craft.Ca, Handmade Fuzion and I go back and forth on HyenaCart.
7. So far, what project are you most proud of?
I am proud of them all, but my favorite would be this 3 piece custom order that I had 4 days to find the stones, create the piece, and ship it out. It was a bit of a pressure cooker! http://www.flickr.com/photos/designedbylucinda/2215198812/
8. What advice can you give to someone who would like to learn your craft?
Have patience. You won't have tiny knots in one month. You'll break some stones and lose others, so make your pricing formula cover a bit for loss like that. A killer deal on pearls isn't really worth buying 80 strands unless you are SURE you can move those pearls quicker than in 3 years. Yes, they keep - - but that tied up $$ could have gone for more variety over those 3 years and 80 strands of pearls is quite a bit if you aren't catering to the wedding market. Just follow your Muse and you'll be happy :)
9. What motivated you to join the Etsy Beagle Street Team?
Most of my dawgs are mixed. Technically, they are mixed with a Harrier but that is a kissing cousin to a Beagle and they do the arrr-wooooooooooooooo just as loudly. I also took in a stray last year who looks like she is part Beagle (NOT Harrier). Meet Ginger - - Her adoptive home fell through so she is still with me (and I LOVE her silly being!). http://www.flickr.com/photos/designedbylucinda/2342462496/ I make her work for her kibble: this picture is the one I use for Custom Order Listings. Exploiting the pooch...
10. Any other places we might find you (Flickr, blog, MySpace, etc.)?
I am also on Flickr, MySpace, Facebook, Twitter and a super sorry blog with 4 posts but I am most consistently on Etsy. Feel free to email me anytime at http://us.mc810.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=cboard4488@aol.com and talk dawgs or beads or stones or just comment on the weather :)
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Team Spotlight! Interview with Gertie Gear Store
MsAnomaly's interview with GertieGearStore
Gertie Gear: http://www.gertiegearstore.etsy.com/
1. When did you open your Etsy store and begin selling?
The Etsy store was opened in April 2008, but I had been making product, and working on design and marketing materials since January. I had sold to friends before that. My first six months on Etsy, sales were sporadic, but orders are increasing as time goes on and more people find out about the pet air beds.
2. How did you select your shop's name?
Several years ago I adopted a beagle named "Gertie" from the local shelter. They told us she was about 5 or 6, but when she started having health problems (almost immediately), our family vet informed us that she was closer to 10 or 11 years old. Gertie has back problems & incontinence among other things. After trying several types of pet beds and replacing them regularly, I developed the unique air bed system. Inspired by Gertie's needs for a comfortable, supportive bed and my need to avoid excessive laundry and continued replacement and disposal of foam/stuffing filled beds, it only seemed fitting to call if "Gertie Gear." After all, "Gertie's Nose Knows Great Gear."
3. What do you create and sell in your Etsy shop?
While the pet air beds and snazzy replacement slipcovers are my main focus, I'm an avid supporter of "green living" ... Re-Cycle, Re-Purpose, Re-Use, so I've created a line of simple, durable dog/cat toys and custom refillable notebooks made from re-purposed fabric scraps and recycled paper goods.
4. How did you become involved in your craft?
"Necessity, who is the mother of invention." -- Plato. If I can't find (buy) it -- I'll make it." -- Me. Fortunately, this time, I found that others had the same needs as I did and appreciated the values that the Gertie Gear air bed brings to the health and comfort of their pets, as well as the easy of care and designers touch to their life and home.
5. Explain your favorite part of the creative process.
I fully appreciate art for art's sake (I'm a designer/art director by trade), but like many, I don't have a lot of space in my home for items that don't have a needed purpose. The challenge of melding function with design has always been my personal measure of "Creative Success."
6. Do you sell in another Etsy store or anywhere outside of Etsy? If so, where?
Gertie Gear pet air beds currently sell online exclusively via Etsy, but this may be changing soon. I've also dove head first into dog shows, farmers/artisans markets, arts and crafts, and general pet related events this year. Newly scheduled events are regularly listed on the "Gertie Gear" Facebook page.
7. So far, what project are you most proud of?
When I first started making the pet air beds, the largest size was only 36", for medium size dogs. Unfortunately, large breeds tend to carry excess weight are more susceptible to hip dysplasia and arthritis, and therefore can benefit most from the orthopedic qualities of the air bed. A good friend kept asking, "Where's the love for the big dogs?" When I finally found a source for the 46" bed inflatable, her 80 lb Shepherd-American Bulldog mix with advanced arthritis and a severe skin infection was the first to try it. The next morning I received an email ... "thank you thank you thank you! ...when I got home ... she was totally curled up and sleeping like a baby!! Â She snored so loud last night I had to wear earplugs." Stories like this (I'm proud to say I hear frequently) make me smile and help keep me motivated to push forward. "VENUS" was gracious enough to be one of my models for the large size beds: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21224582
8. What advice can you give to someone who would like to learn your craft?
My learning to sew was a direct result of my desire to produce and sell the pet air beds to the public. The ladies at the Husqvarna Viking store inside my local JoAnn Ect (fabric/crafts) were an invaluable resource -- when you purchase a machine from them, you get free lessons to familiarize you with operation and maintenance, even if its not a Viking brand machine.
9. What motivated you to join the Etsy Beagle Street Team?
Gertie, my best model, is a pure-breed, perfect 13" beagle. She has no papers, being a stray, but the vets can tell she was bred often ... likely TOO often. She was pregnant when she entered the shelter and had to be fostered for two months by a volunteer, while she recovered from surgery before we could adopt her. She's retired from puppy making now, but she remembers her life "on the streets" and still has a motherly heart. In support of other forgotten animals, Gertie Gear proudly partners with ARNO (Animal Rescue New Orleans), an ALL volunteer organization, in its continued mission to help Katrina area animals still in crisis. $1 from each bed set and/or sale of replacement covers $25 or more is donated to ARNO. We are also in the midst of launching a "Give-an-airbed to ARNO" campaign.When a person donates ($50, $75, $100) to ARNO through their website and mentions it's for an air bed, the donor gets the full tax deduction and ARNO gets a Gertie Gear air bed at a special price, leaving extra for food, medical and other needs. Since the covers are machine wash/dry and the beds NEVER compress, shelters can use them over and over without worry of spreading disease and they last for years!For more info about ARNO, to donate and/or volunteer, please visit:www.animalrescueneworleans.org or call (504) 522-0222.
10. Any other places we might find you (Flickr, blog, MySpace, etc.)?
More places to find info about Gertie Gear: OFFICIAL WEBSITE: http://gertiegear.com/
BLOG: http://gertiegear.blogspot.com/
FACEBOOK, including events calendar: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Gertie-Gear/89680899658?ref=mf
PET LIFE RADIO (just the Gertie Gear interview): http://greenworldcreative.com/gginfo/PmpPochE4_GGint_full.mp3
PRESS RELEASES:Gertie's Nose Knows ... Glitz & Glamour!http://www.prlog.org/10299970-gerties-nose-knows-glitz-glamour.html
Gertie Gear Pet Air Beds Go (Green) HOLLYWOODhttp://www.prlog.org/10220182-gertie-gear-pet-air-beds-go-green-hollywood.html
PLEASE VOTE "Gertie Gear" in StartUp Nation's Best Home Business Contest: http://www.startupnation.com/homebased100/contestant/6771/index.php
Gertie Gear: http://www.gertiegearstore.etsy.com/
1. When did you open your Etsy store and begin selling?
The Etsy store was opened in April 2008, but I had been making product, and working on design and marketing materials since January. I had sold to friends before that. My first six months on Etsy, sales were sporadic, but orders are increasing as time goes on and more people find out about the pet air beds.
2. How did you select your shop's name?
Several years ago I adopted a beagle named "Gertie" from the local shelter. They told us she was about 5 or 6, but when she started having health problems (almost immediately), our family vet informed us that she was closer to 10 or 11 years old. Gertie has back problems & incontinence among other things. After trying several types of pet beds and replacing them regularly, I developed the unique air bed system. Inspired by Gertie's needs for a comfortable, supportive bed and my need to avoid excessive laundry and continued replacement and disposal of foam/stuffing filled beds, it only seemed fitting to call if "Gertie Gear." After all, "Gertie's Nose Knows Great Gear."
3. What do you create and sell in your Etsy shop?
While the pet air beds and snazzy replacement slipcovers are my main focus, I'm an avid supporter of "green living" ... Re-Cycle, Re-Purpose, Re-Use, so I've created a line of simple, durable dog/cat toys and custom refillable notebooks made from re-purposed fabric scraps and recycled paper goods.
4. How did you become involved in your craft?
"Necessity, who is the mother of invention." -- Plato. If I can't find (buy) it -- I'll make it." -- Me. Fortunately, this time, I found that others had the same needs as I did and appreciated the values that the Gertie Gear air bed brings to the health and comfort of their pets, as well as the easy of care and designers touch to their life and home.
5. Explain your favorite part of the creative process.
I fully appreciate art for art's sake (I'm a designer/art director by trade), but like many, I don't have a lot of space in my home for items that don't have a needed purpose. The challenge of melding function with design has always been my personal measure of "Creative Success."
6. Do you sell in another Etsy store or anywhere outside of Etsy? If so, where?
Gertie Gear pet air beds currently sell online exclusively via Etsy, but this may be changing soon. I've also dove head first into dog shows, farmers/artisans markets, arts and crafts, and general pet related events this year. Newly scheduled events are regularly listed on the "Gertie Gear" Facebook page.
7. So far, what project are you most proud of?
When I first started making the pet air beds, the largest size was only 36", for medium size dogs. Unfortunately, large breeds tend to carry excess weight are more susceptible to hip dysplasia and arthritis, and therefore can benefit most from the orthopedic qualities of the air bed. A good friend kept asking, "Where's the love for the big dogs?" When I finally found a source for the 46" bed inflatable, her 80 lb Shepherd-American Bulldog mix with advanced arthritis and a severe skin infection was the first to try it. The next morning I received an email ... "thank you thank you thank you! ...when I got home ... she was totally curled up and sleeping like a baby!! Â She snored so loud last night I had to wear earplugs." Stories like this (I'm proud to say I hear frequently) make me smile and help keep me motivated to push forward. "VENUS" was gracious enough to be one of my models for the large size beds: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21224582
8. What advice can you give to someone who would like to learn your craft?
My learning to sew was a direct result of my desire to produce and sell the pet air beds to the public. The ladies at the Husqvarna Viking store inside my local JoAnn Ect (fabric/crafts) were an invaluable resource -- when you purchase a machine from them, you get free lessons to familiarize you with operation and maintenance, even if its not a Viking brand machine.
9. What motivated you to join the Etsy Beagle Street Team?
Gertie, my best model, is a pure-breed, perfect 13" beagle. She has no papers, being a stray, but the vets can tell she was bred often ... likely TOO often. She was pregnant when she entered the shelter and had to be fostered for two months by a volunteer, while she recovered from surgery before we could adopt her. She's retired from puppy making now, but she remembers her life "on the streets" and still has a motherly heart. In support of other forgotten animals, Gertie Gear proudly partners with ARNO (Animal Rescue New Orleans), an ALL volunteer organization, in its continued mission to help Katrina area animals still in crisis. $1 from each bed set and/or sale of replacement covers $25 or more is donated to ARNO. We are also in the midst of launching a "Give-an-airbed to ARNO" campaign.When a person donates ($50, $75, $100) to ARNO through their website and mentions it's for an air bed, the donor gets the full tax deduction and ARNO gets a Gertie Gear air bed at a special price, leaving extra for food, medical and other needs. Since the covers are machine wash/dry and the beds NEVER compress, shelters can use them over and over without worry of spreading disease and they last for years!For more info about ARNO, to donate and/or volunteer, please visit:www.animalrescueneworleans.org or call (504) 522-0222.
10. Any other places we might find you (Flickr, blog, MySpace, etc.)?
More places to find info about Gertie Gear: OFFICIAL WEBSITE: http://gertiegear.com/
BLOG: http://gertiegear.blogspot.com/
FACEBOOK, including events calendar: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Gertie-Gear/89680899658?ref=mf
PET LIFE RADIO (just the Gertie Gear interview): http://greenworldcreative.com/gginfo/PmpPochE4_GGint_full.mp3
PRESS RELEASES:Gertie's Nose Knows ... Glitz & Glamour!http://www.prlog.org/10299970-gerties-nose-knows-glitz-glamour.html
Gertie Gear Pet Air Beds Go (Green) HOLLYWOODhttp://www.prlog.org/10220182-gertie-gear-pet-air-beds-go-green-hollywood.html
PLEASE VOTE "Gertie Gear" in StartUp Nation's Best Home Business Contest: http://www.startupnation.com/homebased100/contestant/6771/index.php
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Team Spotlight! Interview with Indulge Your Shelf
MsAnomaly's interview with Indulge Your Shelf
1. When did you open your Etsy store and begin selling?
I opened my Etsy shop in August 2008 and began filling it up immediately. I originally sold all of my handmade items along with vintage finds in one shop called Indulge Your Shelf, but recently moved my hand made items into a second shop, Twice Shy Restored.
2. How did you select your shop’s name?
I selected my shop name Indulge Your Shelf in 2005; I'm a writer, so words are important to me and I always love a play on words. I wanted a name that would describe the fact that my items are primarily decor, and fun.
I chose the name Twice Shy Restored as another play on words for my hand made shop; the idea is that almost everything I make began life as something else, thus, "twice shy"; and then, "re-stored" is a play on words since the materials I use are prettied up and then sold in a shop again (re-stored.)
3. What do you create and sell in your Etsy shop?
In my hand made store, Twice Shy Restored, I create pillows and wall hangings from antique and vintage materials, lace, trims, charms, jewels, and buttons. They have a kind of collage look to them. The other decor I make is made from paper ephemera, and then sometimes I throw in "new" paper crafts, too -- but everything has a distinctly vintage look to it.
4. How did you become involved in your craft?
My grandmother taught me too treasure hunt in thrift stores when I was just old enough to walk, and I have just always been in love with color, texture, and patina. I have been rescuing beautiful bits and pieces of textiles and papers from antique, thift, and garage sales all of my life and making them into something new; I first started selling the things I made in 1992.
5. Explain your favorite part of the creative process.
I really enjoy hunting out and rescuing my materials and when it comes time to create, I love surrounding myself with all of my found materials and choosing which ones want to go together!
6. Do you sell in another Etsy store or anywhere outside of Etsy? If so, where?
I used to have a booth in an artist's co op, and I have sold my vintage items on eBay for years, but have recently phased out. I'm strictly selling my handmade items on Etsy, but would welcome wholesale orders if I could get them!
7. So far, what project are you most proud of?
So far, I'm most proud of my small pillows that are stuffed with lavender, uniquely long and skinny, and made from lovely vintage floral fabric and vintage trims and a button http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23437296
8. What advice can you give to someone who would like to learn your craft?
My craft isn't hard to learn -- it's a matter of putting your hands on the things that you love and rearranging them to their best advantage. It takes a little time and a lot of passion.
9. What motivated you to join the Etsy Beagle Street Team?
I joined the Etsy Beagle Street Team because of my wonderful beagle, Snoopy. He belongs to my son, and if I'd been the one to name him I would have named him Maxwell Smart, Max for short. He always has a slightly worried, intense expression on his face, and a kind of sly energy to him. We also have a yellow Labrador Retriever named Maggie, and a long haired kitty named Kyra.
10. Any other places we might find you (Flickr, blog, Facebook, etc.)?
You can find me on my blog: http://www.indulgeyourshelf.blogspot.com/
and on FaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Indulge-Your-Shelf-on-Etsy/58065005791 and http://www.facebook.com/pages/Indulge-Your-Shelf-on-Etsy/58065005791#/pages/Twice-Shy-Restored-On-Etsy/80094737774?ref=ts
1. When did you open your Etsy store and begin selling?
I opened my Etsy shop in August 2008 and began filling it up immediately. I originally sold all of my handmade items along with vintage finds in one shop called Indulge Your Shelf, but recently moved my hand made items into a second shop, Twice Shy Restored.
2. How did you select your shop’s name?
I selected my shop name Indulge Your Shelf in 2005; I'm a writer, so words are important to me and I always love a play on words. I wanted a name that would describe the fact that my items are primarily decor, and fun.
I chose the name Twice Shy Restored as another play on words for my hand made shop; the idea is that almost everything I make began life as something else, thus, "twice shy"; and then, "re-stored" is a play on words since the materials I use are prettied up and then sold in a shop again (re-stored.)
3. What do you create and sell in your Etsy shop?
In my hand made store, Twice Shy Restored, I create pillows and wall hangings from antique and vintage materials, lace, trims, charms, jewels, and buttons. They have a kind of collage look to them. The other decor I make is made from paper ephemera, and then sometimes I throw in "new" paper crafts, too -- but everything has a distinctly vintage look to it.
4. How did you become involved in your craft?
My grandmother taught me too treasure hunt in thrift stores when I was just old enough to walk, and I have just always been in love with color, texture, and patina. I have been rescuing beautiful bits and pieces of textiles and papers from antique, thift, and garage sales all of my life and making them into something new; I first started selling the things I made in 1992.
5. Explain your favorite part of the creative process.
I really enjoy hunting out and rescuing my materials and when it comes time to create, I love surrounding myself with all of my found materials and choosing which ones want to go together!
6. Do you sell in another Etsy store or anywhere outside of Etsy? If so, where?
I used to have a booth in an artist's co op, and I have sold my vintage items on eBay for years, but have recently phased out. I'm strictly selling my handmade items on Etsy, but would welcome wholesale orders if I could get them!
7. So far, what project are you most proud of?
So far, I'm most proud of my small pillows that are stuffed with lavender, uniquely long and skinny, and made from lovely vintage floral fabric and vintage trims and a button http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23437296
8. What advice can you give to someone who would like to learn your craft?
My craft isn't hard to learn -- it's a matter of putting your hands on the things that you love and rearranging them to their best advantage. It takes a little time and a lot of passion.
9. What motivated you to join the Etsy Beagle Street Team?
I joined the Etsy Beagle Street Team because of my wonderful beagle, Snoopy. He belongs to my son, and if I'd been the one to name him I would have named him Maxwell Smart, Max for short. He always has a slightly worried, intense expression on his face, and a kind of sly energy to him. We also have a yellow Labrador Retriever named Maggie, and a long haired kitty named Kyra.
10. Any other places we might find you (Flickr, blog, Facebook, etc.)?
You can find me on my blog: http://www.indulgeyourshelf.blogspot.com/
and on FaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Indulge-Your-Shelf-on-Etsy/58065005791 and http://www.facebook.com/pages/Indulge-Your-Shelf-on-Etsy/58065005791#/pages/Twice-Shy-Restored-On-Etsy/80094737774?ref=ts
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