Meet the Member - BeaG

This time we're off to beautiful Belgium to meet BeaG of WilliamsGiftShop.


Please introduce yourself.

My name is BeaG. I was born in the Netherlands in 1964 and now live in a lovely village near Gent, Belgium, with my partner Marc.

Please describe your craftwork / shop and your inspirations for it.

I have been creative for as long as I can remember. My head is always filled with hundreds of ideas, so I never have to ‘find’ inspiration. I guess you could say that my life itself is my inspiration and that my head is constantly creating fun, practical and challenging ideas. When I look at something, anything, I always imagine what I could make with it or out of it. Growing up I was surprised to find that other people do not think like that.

 

I do a large number of crafts and probably make up some new ones while I’m at it. But not everything I design/create ends up in my Etsy shop. Considering international shipping costs I mainly focus on items that can be send by letter mail.

Could you describe to us what a regular day is like for you?

I have serious chronic health issues and can only be active for a few hours a day. Most of those hours I spend designing, creating, photographing my creations, Photoshopping, finding craft materials, working on my shop, promoting, and maintaining online contact with other creative souls.

How long have you sold your items on Etsy?

I opened my Etsy shop in the summer of 2006, so I am officially an Etsy oldtimer.

Because of my health issues, online selling is a perfect option for me. I first heard about Etsy from my friends at Craftster.org.

What’s your favourite part of the Etsy experience?

Although I have sold a lot of things so far, each and every single sale still makes me happy. The best part about Etsy for me is that I get to show my creations to the world and that people all over the planet like them so much that they actually want to own them.

Are there any other skills you’d love to have?

I had to give up a lot of skills as a result of severe chronic pain and other health issues, so the only answer to this question would be negative..

What is your favourite item in your own shop?

My favourite products are the ones that are pretty, fun and functional at the same time, which pretty much covers my entire shop. You might notice that I am sort of a perfectionist..., so an item that I think isn't good enough will not make it into my shop.

What are your favourite materials to work with?

 

My favourite materials to work with are cotton yarn, buttons, vintage fabrics, etc. And everything that is old, or about to be thrown away, that can be turned itno something new and pretty. I love recycling!

 

Please nominate another team member who you'd like to know more about. 

 

I'd like to nominate Ulli from Leocardia, because she is from a neighbouring country!

 

Thank you BeaG, for finding the time and energy to share your creative story with us. Now lets take a quick look at some more of your amazing creations.

 

Below, we show two lip balm holders and an inhaler cover, all crocheted by Bea.

  

 

 

Meet the Member feature - Jenna

This time we're off to the UK to meet Jenna of JennaMichellePinkArt

Please introduce yourself.

Hello, I am Jenna and I am a Uk based Fine Artist and Illustrator. I have a very happy family with my boyfriend and my 2 cats Isabella and Beatnik. (They are currently outside in the snow which is making me smile). Unfortunately I live in the city which has its advantages but I wish to be closer to the sea, for me the sea is massively healing. I hope one day in the future I will move there. My favorite film is The Dark Crystal and I do not have a favorite genre of music, I like most genres. My favorite musicians however I can name as Bjork, Ani Difranco and Janis Joplin. I have a love of all things creative and love expressing myself with colour either through my artwork or through my self-image. I love performance arts especially object manipulation and when I feel motivated spinning fire. I like Penguins, I also like parsnips :-)

Please describe your craftwork / shop and your inspirations for it.

My work is highly emotive and is inspired by my life experiences and the organic world around me. My art is a form of therapy and a journey of self-discovery. I paint and draw automatically allowing whatever is inside of me to get out. I find that my art to me is more about the process that creates it instead of the final product. 

I have always had a passion for art and I relate to the world in a very visual way. I am inspired by honesty. I couldn’t not be an artist. 

Could you describe to us what a regular day is like for you?

A day in the life of me would probably be fairly boring. I tend to wake up normally later then I want to (I am awful at mornings) I am motivated by Midday when I will start getting on with the day, how I spend my time changes from day to day, sometime I will spend the day working on my website or other computer based things. I try to squeeze in seeing a friend for a coffee a few times a week. I tend to create quite sporadically, I struggle to have a 9-5 routine when it comes to creating so some weeks I won’t stop painting and others I do little this is ok though I have learnt to go with the flow. I currently volunteer at a drugs and alcohol inpatient unit running art based workshops and supporting occupational therapists at the hospital, I love this and this is something I am hoping to develop a career in in the long term.

How long have you sold your items on Etsy?

I have been selling items on Etsy for probably about 10 months now. Well I say selling, my items have been listed for that long, I found Etsy and decided it might a good way to begin selling my work online, it has encouraged me to try selling at craft fairs.

What’s your favourite part of the Etsy experience?

Shopping? Haha, I love to scroll through other peoples shops. There are some very talented people selling through etsy.

Are there any other skills you’d love to have?

I would love to be able to crochet, yet I do not have the patience. I have been taught several times and have crocheted a few items but I lose interest quickly. I guess I was meant to paint and draw. I intend to teach myself to felt soon or ceramics…..ahh there are so many skills I would love to have.

What is your favourite item in your own shop?

This is currently my favorite painting to date. It was painted at a time that I needed to fill an emptiness inside of me. When I began painting the paint seemed to just create its own shapes and the figure emerged from it. I spent hours and hours working and re-working this painting applying layer upon layer of paint.

What are your favourite materials to work with?

I am currently completely in love with Dewant Inktense pencils. I love them. I love the effects you can make with them and how vibrant they are. I love how washed away and tired you can make them look. I wouldn’t be able to get buy without a box of Inktense pencils a Biro and a tip-ex pen.

Please nominate another team member who you'd like to know more about.

I nominate Melanie Stevens of waterlilyandvine

Her jewellery is inspirational and I would love to hear about its creative process.

Thank you Jenna, for this inspiring peek into your creative life! Now lets take a quick look at some more of your amazing creations.

To see more of Jenna's work, please click on the link to her shop 

JennaMichellePinkArt

Meet the Member feature - Anna

It's been a long long time since we did this, so we're delighted to announce that we've resurrected our much loved Meet the Member Feature. To be featured you must be a member of the Positivity Team on Etsy (www.etsy.com). Our focus as a team is support, friendship and making friends, and to join you must have a shop on Etsy.

Now it's time to meet our FIRST interviewee of 2012 - Anna from Anticipation Cards.

Please introduce yourself

Hello Positivity Team! 
My name is Anna and I live in southern Maryland, about a hour or so south of Washington D.C. right on the Chesapeake Bay.  
I am a stay at home mom of 4, 3 boys ages 11 years, 6 years, and 4 months and a girl who is 9 years.  They keep me busy {to say the least}.  
I love vintage {mainly mid-century} and interior decorating. I'm always in need of a good book--I'm just a 'little bit' of a Jane Austen fanatic...I've  read Pride & Prejudice more times than I can count....and all the others a few times too.  
We are a musical family...or starting to be...I've played the piano since I was 5, my oldest son plays the piano and percussion, and my daughter is starting the Violin, my 6 year old declares he is going to play the tuba (we'll see about that).  
The kids all love to do art & craft projects together - which makes me happy--there is rarely a day where we don't have a new drawing or project to display. Oh, and I LOVE to cook & bake :)

Please describe your craftwork / shop and your inspirations for it.

I have two shops - anticipationcards and  seeannasew

 

Anticipation was my first shop, with all paper crafts.  I started it simply because I needed a project...I thrive on projects & with a little prompting from my mom and a few friends I decided to try and sell.  See Anna Sew was started because, well, I love projects and I love to sew too :).  I've been crafting since I was very small.  My mom is very creative and she had us sewing quilt squares and embroidering from the time I was around 7 years old or so. One of my favorite memories was of our 'make and do box' full of crafty goodness to make whatever we pleased. Art has always been a part of my life.

Could you describe to us what a regular day is like for you?

My days tend to change from day to day...the only constant is when the older kids get on and off the school bus.  My time is split between caring for the baby, cleaning up my house {a never ending battle with 4 kids}, and crafting whenever I can fit it in.  I also try to fit in a blog post in there once in a while...

I write two - anticipationcards blog and faithandairdumplings blog

   

How long have you sold your items on Etsy?

I opened Anticipation in August 2008 with a little, unsuccessful attempt {I really didn't know what I was doing} and then ended up taking a break for a little over a year when I suddenly became a 'recession widow' for 7 months while my husband moved ahead of us to Maryland; the kids and I were still in Michigan.  I re-opened Anticipation in November 2009 after a successful craft show and had my first sale in December.  I opened See Anna Sew in May 2010 - sales quickly followed.  My shops have always been on again-off again...due to long vacations to visit family in Wyoming; babies coming...and things like that :) 

What’s your favourite part of the Etsy experience?

I love everything about etsy.  There is nothing better than a sale, or even a heart letting me know someone likes what I'm creating (not just me).  And I love creating treasuries--window shopping through all the beautiful handmade items--it doesn't get better than that!

Are there any other skills you’d love to have?

I would love to learn how to knit.  I started learning in elementary school, then forgot how. That may be my new project this winter :)

What is your favourite item in your own shop?

Hmm...this is a hard one. This one: 

 

   just because it is very 'me'.

What are your favourite materials to work with?

Easily paper and fabric...patterned paper and fabric.  I am very inspired by patterns...I LOVE patterns and prints.

Please nominate another team member who you'd like to know more about.

I would like to know more about galleryoncentral  The photography in her shop is so great!

Thank you Anna, for a wonderful peek into your creative life! Now lets take a quick look at some more of your amazing creations.

note card set - polka dots and ribbons

crayon wallet in calico and denim

 embroidered personalized card set in yellow and green

Meet The Member - Naomi of Historika

Seeing as Naomi is our new team leader, we think we all ought to know more about what makes this gal tick!!

Please introduce yourself. 

Hi there! I am Naomi, and I live very close to the sea in East Sussex, southern England.   

Please describe your work / style.

 I sew late eighteenth and early nineteenth century clothing for women.  My customers are re-enactors,  Jane Austen fans, or those who simply enjoy 'being' in another time!  I try to make my clothing as historically accurate as possible, which means A LOT of hand sewing, and authentic fabrics and techniques of the period.  Many of my items are underpinnings, accessories such as bum pads, and hand stitched buttons.  I find all the little 'details' of an outfit fascinating!!

Who, or what, inspires you when you are creating your work?

As I am sewing away in my little room, I find that my mind often wanders back to those millions of seamstresses throughout history, who toiled day after day in often horrendous working conditions, and for very little pay.  Whenever I feel myself starting to grumble about the poor light on a grey day, or my aching fingers, then I picture myself back in the 19th century, with no heat, extremely poor light, and having to work halfway into the night to make sure that I reach my quota of work! I then realise how lucky I am.  The thought of those amazing women who produced such beautiful work, truly inspires me. And the more pieces of antique clothing I see, the more I know it to be true!! Such tiny stitches- and the love and care that has gone into them astounds me.

What made you decide to start selling your work?

Well, I have my little sister to thank for that! I was having a career crisis after leaving the healthcare sector where I had worked for over 10 years, when she said to me- 'I think you should sell on Etsy'.'  It is amazing what one person who believes in you can do. She gave me the shove that I needed; and I am SO glad that she did!!

Do you have a website or blog address?

I have to be honest here- I struggle with the internet and computer world! Being a woman with 19th century hankerings, in a 21st century world, can be a battle!  I would love to have my own website in the future, and am hoping to get my blog started this year sometime (once I work out how to get one together)! Having an online shop has been such a learning curve! 

How did you learn your craft? What took you in that direction? Were you inspired by another artist, or perhaps a favourite teacher at school?

I am mostly self taught when it comes to sewing. I probably started sewing when I was about 7. I struggled with it at first, but it wasn't long before I grew to love it. The gentle rhythm of a needle pulling and pushing through the fabric relaxed me, and I found myself centred and calm.  Not being able to find clothes that I liked or that fit me properly (I have a good old fashioned 'Pear shaped' figure- narrow top half, and a lot of' junk in my trunk' to make up for it!) in shops led me to making my own.  I do think though that watching the beautiful clothes on 'The House of Eliott' threw me into historical dress with a passion.  

How long have you been creating? Is it an outlet for you after a stressful day job, or were you born with a paintbrush in your hand?

My 2 sisters and I were always encouraged to use what we had to make things to play with as children.  I remember always making things to do with history, or sewing. If we were playing lego, then I was the one making the sewing machine. When my mum put all manner of things in front of us- toilet rolls, silver foil, old containers and cotton wool, I was the one who made the 'pretend' candle out of a toilet roll, with a flame drawn on a piece of paper sticking out of the top, and a cardboard base and handle. I used to carry it up to bed with me and 'blow' it out! I can't remember a time when I didn't make things.

Is there any other craft skill you would like to learn?

Oooh, there is SUCH a list! Firstly, I can't wait to get back into lace making. I had a kit given to me as a present when I was about 12.  I produced a tiny piece of a bookmark, and it took me forever! I haven't done any since then, and was thinking how cool it would be to make dresses with MY lace on!! Exciting!  Also, drawn thread-work, white-work and gold-work,  all the old embroidery techniques, smocking, and corsetry. 

Anything exciting planned that you’d like to share?

Everything is exciting at the moment!! I am loving every minute of my life right now, and still can't quite believe that I get up each day and get to do what I love most in the world!! It's amazing!! 

Have you had any work featured in magazines/books/galleries?

No, I haven't yet... but I hope to!!  In my heart of hearts, I would love to write a comprehensive book about Regency Fashion one day, and of course, as a positive thinker, I do think this might happen!! We shall see!

Has your work won any prizes/competitions?

I wish! I keep looking at the Your Wardobe Unlock'd (historical dress online magazine) Yearly Competition with longing...perhaps this year I will bite the bullet and enter! :)

If I wasn’t doing this, I’d be………

Doing something that mattered.  If I couldn't do what I loved, then I would want to be doing something that made a difference.  Perhaps working to rid the world of sweat shops, and getting either those young children back to school, or decent working conditions for all.

Describe your perfect day.

Mmmmm, easy. A whole day spent on the 'Victorian Farm' with Ruth Goodman, Alex Langlands and Peter Ginn. Dressed up in Victorian clothing, feeding the ducks and chickens with Peter, making some cheese, having a simple but tasty meal with them all, bringing in the harvest with Peter.  So no, forget the other 2- just Peter and I all day long....

Describe your proudest moment.

My proudest moment? I don't think that I have had it yet!! And I can't wait!!

What do you do to relax?

Relaxing, er I'm not sure if I know how to do that! I have always been a bit of a workaholic, no matter what I have done. And now that I can do what I love, I want to always be doing it! But to wind down at the end of a day, I read. I have always loved losing myself in a book, especially historical fiction!!  Jean Plaidy and I were firm friends in my youth. Then I found CJ Sansom's mysteries set in Tudor England (one of my favourite periods). He writes brilliantly; and I find that I cannot put them down. You can almost smell the filth of the streets!! 

What animal would you like to be, and why?

'I wish I was a glow worm,
A glow worm's never glum
'Cos how can you be grumpy
When the sun shines out your bum?!

(and no, I didn't write that- but it made me laugh)! 

What’s your weakness?

Oooh, I would have to say chocolate. And for some reason, I seem to be attracted to the chocolate that is other people's.  I have been know on many occasions to buy easter eggs as gifts, then eat them, then go buy more and wrap them to deter myself...then eat them... See what I mean!!! :)  My family have learnt now never to say 'help yourself' when handing around chocolate, as I most certainly will, and they'll be none left for anyone else!!  Perhaps I should have chosen the hippo as my favourite animal.....

Meet the Member - Groovyanklets

Please introduce yourself. Who are you, where do you live?

Hello! My name is Christine Krebs and I live in Columbia, Maryland.

How would you describe your work / style?
I would describe style or work as Gypsy / new age. Because I combine my spirituality with my creations it tends to look pretty mystical, well, at least to me.

Who, or what, inspires you?
I am inspired by my cats, my spirituality, colors and nature, and by other artists. Sometimes creativity is contagious!

What made you decide to start selling your work?
My friend Lisa talked me into selling my work. She is my biggest fan. I bet if I glued a potato chip to a charm and strung it on ribbon, she'd wear it.

Do you have a website or blog address?
My blog address is: http://groovyanklets.blogspot.com/

How did you learn your craft? How long have you been creating?
I taught myself my craft. I earned an art degree from FSU about 25 years ago and have been painting since I was a young child.

Is there any other craft skill you would like to learn?
I would like to learn metal work, furniture making and just about anything else you can do that has a creative outlet, which also includes dance and music. I took a ballet class 5 years ago and was so untalented that I was placed way in the back for our final performance. My moment on stage near the front was spoiled when my partner, a scared little boy, wet his pants and started crying. He ran off stage leaving me scared and I blanked out and just stood there. Good times!

Anything exciting planned that you’d like to share?
The only exciting new thing I would like to share is that I am working on a new Etsy store that concentrates mostly on astrological jewelry.

Have you had any work featured in magazines/books/galleries?
The last time I had anything featured in a magazine was when I was in college. It was an awful pen and ink drawing that I attempted on rice paper. The ink bled all over and for some reason I won a contest. Honestly, it was the most horrible thing I ever created. Anything I create that I love seems to go unnoticed. HA!
Oh, I forgot, I have a painting in one of those "Bad Art Galleries" that everyone laughs about. It was taken out of my garbage can outside my apartment 10 years ago and is now hanging in a museum.

Has your work won any prizes/competitions?
Just the one I just mentioned. Oh, I used to sell photos a while back when I had use of a dark room.

If I wasn’t doing this, I’d be………
extremely depressed. YIKES!

Describe your perfect day.
My perfect day would go like this: I wake up, cuddle with my cat, make jewelry, stop by the craft store and buy what I want without worrying about money, then have a romantic dinner with Payton Manning in candle light. All he'd be wearing would be a thong.

Describe your proudest moment.
My proudest moment would be when I graduated from the Medical College of Virginia with a BS degree in Clinical Laboratory Science. No one showed up to congratulate me. But when you feel that good about your accomplishment, it really doesn't matter.

What do you do to relax?
To relax I enjoy drinking wine.

What animal would you like to be, and why?
I would like to be one of my cats because they receive TONS of love and cuddle time and their own Christmas stockings and sometimes even lobster! They prefer tuna from the can though, except Que Ball who also has his own Facebook page.

What’s your weakness?
I am too sensitive to the suffering of animals and children. I don't even listen to the news anymore because they seem to report on it all the time. So, I tend to cry often for these souls. I don't think that I am depressed, just very emotional.

Meet the Member - Illana from Zipandruth

Please introduce yourself. Who are you, where do you live?

My name is Illana Burk, I live in Sacramento, CA

How would you describe your work / style?

My two passions are finding things and making things. Typically, I hunt for the broken, the battered, or the hopelessly awful and work at it until I can make it into something lovely.

Who, or what, inspires you?

I am really fortunate to have a wonderful partner who challenges me to be interesting, and a wonderful mother who inspires me to be strong!

What made you decide to start selling your work? Do you have a website or blog address?
Necessity! I have always wanted to be a business owner, and the current business climate meant turning lemons into lemonade!

Do you have a website or blog address?

Yup.
Shop: www.etsy.com/shop/zipandruth
Website: www.zipandruth.com/
Blog: http://www.zipandruth.blogspot.com/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/zipandruth
My blog is a hub for promoting other artists, DIY tutorials, business tips, along with my own musings on life, craft, and happy living!

How did you learn your craft? How long have you been creating?

I have been creating for as long as I can remember. My mom is an amazing muralist and sign painter. She has photos of being seven months pregnant with me while painting the side of a bread truck. I really never had a choice about being creative (as much as I tried to fight it growing up).

Is there any other craft skill you would like to learn?

Anything but knitting! Everyone I know knits and they are always trying to talk me into it. I guess you could say I am an instant gratification girl.... knitting just takes too long! (though I totally envy having that much patience)

Anything exciting planned that you’d like to share?

I am working like crazy on a full line of upcycled leather handbags... stay tuned!

Have you had any work featured in magazines/books/galleries?

Does my inner monologue count? It keeps telling me that I am already wildly successful!

Has your work won any prizes/competitions?

I'm not much of a contest girl. Competition makes me twitchy.

If I wasn’t doing this, I’d be………

Really bored! No really, before I decided to do art full time, I was a business consultant. I have a Green MBA in Sustainable Enterprise and years in marketing, so I would most likely be doing that, which is really what I do now, I guess I would just be doing it for more $$:)

Describe your perfect day.

Sleep late (I'm a night owl). Kiss my boyfriend. Do things that make me smile. Show the people who love me that I love them back. Sleep. Repeat.

Describe your proudest moment.

I spent a long time helping a friend raise his little boy. Watching him grow was a thousand perfect, proud moments.

What do you do to relax?
I make things that are terribly ugly when I want to relax. There is nothing more relaxing than not caring how something turns out.

What animal would you like to be, and why?

I think being human is pretty great. I'm pretty attached to having opposable (sp?) thumbs! If I had to pick though, I would really like to fly....so being a bird would be pretty great.

What’s your weakness?

I can get pretty hard on myself sometimes, definitely much harder than anyone else ever could. I know it slows me down sometimes.

Meet the Member - Kristen from Simplewhimsey

Please introduce yourself. Who are you, where do you live?
I wear many hats. First I'm a mom of two great boys, 13 and 10, and a wife to a wonderfully crazy guy. Those three guys keep me very busy between baseball games, boy scouts, play dates and homework. I'm a city girl living in the country. I grew up in one of the best cities in the world, (ok I'm a little bias) San Francisco. Now we live in a historic gold rush town in the Sierra Foothills of California. Both two incredible places to live. I went from living around the corner from 3 different types of restaurants to living in the forest raising chickens and trying to keep the bears away. Never a dull moment.

How would you describe your work / style?
I would describe my work as happy, fun and whimsical.

Who, or what, inspires you?
Color, color, color. My favorite part of making my banners is picking the fabric. Sometimes a fabric will just catch my eye and that will inspire me. It's probably why my fabric is billowing off my shelves. Fabric is very addicting.
I also love simple designs and clean lines.

What made you decide to start selling your work?
I was laid off, and my friends encouraged me to use my creative juices and make something to sell.

Do you have a website or blog address?
No just my etsy shop: www.simplewhimsey.etsy.com
and my facebook fan page http://www.facebook.simplewhimsey/

How did you learn your craft? How long have you been creating?
I've been creating and crafty forever. but I have been really sewing for about 9 years.

My sisters all were sewing by the time they were teenagers but I didn't have any interest. My oldest sister is an amazing seamstress and has worked for companies we all know (don't know if we can mention names) and has even taught pattern making. Anyway she was down visiting me, brought her old sewing machine from the sixties, and said I'm teaching how to sew we are going to make a pillow. We made a couple pillows and that was that. When my husbands sister was pregnant a few years later I saw an adorable quilt but thought it was crazy expensive and thought "I can make that" So I dusted off that sewing machine and have made about 10 quilts since then. I love making the banners because they are fun and festive and you can re-use them year after year. They are soooo much nicer than the plastic ones too. Just added the hats to match the banners. Ohh and I think the are so dang cute! Wish I made these when my guys were younger! Don't think I'd have much luck getting my teenager to wear this at his next party but he did try it on for me! I did say I have great kids huh!

Is there any other craft skill you would like to learn?
I've always wanted to try mosaic making. I've even started keeping my plates and bowls that break. One of these days.


Anything exciting planned that you’d like to share?
I'm looking forward to the change of the seasons. I love the fall colors here in the Sierra Mountains. I'm also looking forward to some eggs from our chickens! Got our first one this week! So exciting!! Hey it's the little things in life I enjoy.

Have you had any work featured in magazines/books/galleries?
Not yet, maybe one day...

Has your work won any prizes/competitions?
No, I've never entered my work in anything

If I wasn’t doing this, I’d be………
Who knows....

Describe your perfect day.
Good cup of coffee, some fresh fruit with a crepe (that I don't have to prepare or clean up). Then relaxing on a sunny beach with friends and family. A massage, then ending the day with a fantastic meal with friends and family and maybe even a little dancing.

Describe your proudest moment.
Ok this is such a mom moment. Reading never came easy for either one of my guys and I will never forget the first time they sat down and kept reading a book after their minimum time was up. It was awesome! My youngest said, “ I want to stop reading but I need to find out what is going to happen so I have to keep reading!”

What do you do to relax?
Hot bath with candles.

What animal would you like to be, and why?
I love dolphins they always seem happy and look like they are having so much fun!

What’s your weakness?
Organization, Chocolate and kittens. not necessarily that order. Ha ha

Meet the member - Taffyknits

Please introduce yourself. Who are you, where do you live?

Hello! I am taffyknits, or Stephanie. I live in Lake Wales, Florida, right in the center of the state.

How would you describe your work / style?

I primarily am a knitter who felts. I have a haphazard style - sometimes I want to play with texture, sometimes with color. Felting to me is like a science project, so often a product will develop from something else.

Who, or what, inspires you?

I love nature! And I like to watch children at play and make things for them.

What made you decide to start selling your work?

My friends and family had received too many things from me already. And I thought it would be helpful to support my yarn habit.

Do you have a website or blog address?

Just the Etsy shop for now

How did you learn your craft? How long have you been creating?

I am self-taught. When my children were small and learning to read, I would sit and knit while they struggled with the book. It kept me patient and encouraging while doing something for myself at the same time. This was about 8 years ago.

Is there any other craft skill you would like to learn?

I'd love to learn to spin! And I'm fascinated by glass blowing.
Anything exciting planned that you’d like to share?

I can barely keep up as it is!

Have you had any work featured in magazines/books/galleries?

Yes, Canadian Family Magazine featured my jump ropes in their Summer 2010 issue. It was a thrill.

Has your work won any prizes/competitions?

I haven't entered any.

If I wasn’t doing this, I’d be………

looking for a job

Describe your perfect day.

Working in my husband's plant nursery, sitting on the back porch and knitting, crafting or swimming with the kids. Oh, and eating some chocolate.

Describe your proudest moment.

Wow, I have a few. For the different roles I take on. But I think, finishing a 5K race. When I was a kid, I let my mother talk me out of running a race because I was intimidated by the other kids' times. I always regretted that. So years later I entered a race. I didn't come in first, but not last either, and I thoroughly enjoyed the cameraderie and support from fellow runners.

What do you do to relax?

Knit, sit with my pet pig in the sunshine, take a walk.

What animal would you like to be, and why?

A giraffe. They seem so dignified, graceful and elegant.

What’s your weakness?

Chocolate is a good weakness, but I have a very self-critical voice in my head who gets loud sometimes.

Meet the member - ElectricPenguin

Please introduce yourself. Who are you, where do you live?

Pam Hurst Hill, and I live in the western suburbs of Philadelphia PA
How would you describe your work / style?

Eclectic and natural. I'm not a sparkly kind of girl!! I try to create things that are not the same old, same old. Like this piece:

Who, or what, inspires you?

New beads will do it for me every time!! Also nature, other sellers, magazines, or a really cool beer label like in these:

What made you decide to start selling your work?

I had created more items than I could ever wear in many years! Everyone told me I should try selling the designs, so I did.

Do you have a website or blog address?

Not yet!

How did you learn your craft? How long have you been creating?

I started the way many people have – no one sold what I wanted to wear! I’ve always been the crafty type, as in I can paint/modify/improve that. Drives my family crazy!! So when the necklace I was looking for didn’t exist, I headed off to the craft store, bought the supplies and made it myself. One necklace led to two, then some simple earrings, stretchy bracelets, how-to websites, jewelry design books, etc., etc., etc. I've been on Etsy about 9 months now with 108 sales to date!

Is there any other craft skill you would like to learn?

Photography! I'm a wanna-be photographer, without a good camera or much training.

Anything exciting planned that you’d like to share?

I have some new pieces coming out that use Krobo beads and recycled glass beads from Ghana. I love them! These two are listed so far:

Have you had any work featured in magazines/books/galleries?

No, but that's a dream of mine.

Has your work won any prizes/competitions?

No here too.

If I wasn’t doing this, I’d be………

Crazy from no expression of my creativity? Or out in my garden, singing and moving plants around. Maybe that is crazy.

Describe your perfect day.

Hmmmm... I have two! At home, it would be not going to my day job, sleeping in, then waking up to several sales. Then I'd pack the sales up, create some new pieces, walk the dogs, garden, and spend time with my husband. The other perfect day would be sitting on the beach in Jamaica, reading a book.

Describe your proudest moment.

I'd have to say that would be marrying my husband. We'd dated years ago in college but broke up after graduation because we were too young and stupid to keep it going. We stayed in touch over the years as friends, even marrying other people. Our marriages broke up about the same time, and not long after that things between us changed. We've been married almost 4 years now!

What do you do to relax?

Garden, create, walk, listen to music

What animal would you like to be, and why?

A dog - so I can sleep all day, wander around the yard, bark at a few squirrels, get belly rubs, and generally have no cares in the world.

What’s your weakness?

I'm way too nice and believe everyone else is just like me!

Meet the Member - SoleDeVita

Please introduce yourself. Who are you, where do you live?

Hi, there! My name is Solvita and I am 27 years young! I live in a small town called Valmiera in the North of Latvia. I am married almost 3 years now. My husband is Jānis, who works in Theater as a sound operator. I am a warehouse manager at small Optical company. I spend my working days at the computer so in the evenings I want to do something creative. :))

How would you describe your work / style?

Hmmm.. Since I remember my self, I've always created something. Greeting cards, button necklaces, earrings, picture collages and so on... Now I am grown up and I wanted to do something different. I started to make colorful Pin-back buttons for young Ladies. I wanted to do something different an NOT to make those buttons with "funny jokes". So I found my stile. I use natural feathers, gorgeous colorful paper from Thailand, real gold and silver foil and Beautiful dried flowers from Latvian meadows. I describe my style as a quite unique and one of a kind.

Who, or what, inspires you?

I love nature and it is the greatest inspiration of all. I spent lots of time with my Mother and she is also mad nature lover. Very often we go for long walks through the woods and we collect the flowers, which finds its place in my buttons.

What made you decide to start selling your work?

I just wanted to share my creations with other people. And if I can earn a little money with this... So why not?

Do you have a website or blog address?

http://twitter.com/SoleDeVita
http://soledevita.blogspot.com/
http://www.facebook.com/SoleDeVita?ref=profile

How did you learn your craft? How long have you been creating?

I learned it on my own, without any assistance. Well, maybe with a little help from Internet. ;) I create my buttons already half a year.

Is there any other craft skill you would like to learn?

I would like to learn making stained glass. It is Amazing art.

Anything exciting planned that you’d like to share?

This month is my Moms 50 years B-day! I am planing a nice surprise party by the sea! Shhhhh... Don't tell anyone! :))

Have you had any work featured in magazines/books/galleries?

Unfortunately, no. But I hope to..

Has your work won any prizes/competitions?

I am doing my thing only a half of year. And I do have a long way to go to become recognizable and to win something.

If I wasn’t doing this, I’d be………

making something different. Maybe Floristic.

Describe your perfect day.

It certainly is sunny Saturday. Leisurely morning with a cup of coffee in hand.

Describe your proudest moment.

This interview is also a proud moment for me. I am proud when someone gets my Badges, and is happy with them.

What do you do to relax?

I drive my bicycle, I sleep a lot, and I go out with my friends to have some sushi!

What animal would you like to be, and why?

I would be a cat. They are so fantastic animals. Fun, proud and independent.

What’s your weakness?

Chocolate cake and champagne. This is all that is necessary for full happiness. :))

This is me and my Mom. :)