What inspired you to go into the craft business, do you still have a day job? I have always made things and never thought I could actually sell anything and one day a friend of mine suggested that I try selling at a craft fair, ever since then I have been hooked! Making things with my hands has always given me a chance to “get away” from everyday life. I have spent hours and hours making things and every time I finish it is just as exciting as the first.
I have a wonderful day job as a Special Education Instructional Aid, the kids are amazing and inspire me everyday. It would take a lot for me to ever want to quit my day job, I think because it is less like a job and more like fun :)
What do you like best, coming up with ideas or executing them? I have to say I love executing them the best. There is something really exciting about sketching something and seeing it “come to life”. I have so many ideas that sometimes I can’t even decide which ones to get started on first so I have to think that the ones that make it through to completion do so because they are extra special.
What’s the best thing about what you do? And the worst? The best thing about what I do is the freedom to create whatever I want but the worst thing would be just that, the freedom. I tend to have a hard time editing my choices and not wanting to limit myself in what I make.
What are your creative influences? There are so many things that influence my work and me: old movies, T.V, old Martha Stewart magazines.
What’s the best advice you have been given about your business or craft practices? To price my work accordingly, it is hard to do and sometimes you feel like you should under price your stuff to sell more of it but in the end you have to value not only the time it took to make some thing but the time that goes into the quality and care that goes into each piece. I double and triple stitch everything and make sure the safety eyes are double backed with wool felt. I like to think that my creations are not only worth the price but also worth the originality.
How do you stay inspired? I carry a sketchbook around all the time and now that I have a decent phone I am always taking pictures.
I really love doing what I do and I am grateful for everyday I get to do it.