Date joined etsy -4/20/08
Sales to date - 287
-Give us some basic info about you: name, where you live, kids/pets, favorite ice cream flavor, etc.My name is Laura and I'm a 30 year old Navy wife/Mom/maker currently living in Pensacola, FL. I have a 14 month old son and a little girl due in August. In my former life I was a high school art teacher. I love thrifting and chocolate ganache, and walks through historic neighborhoods. Most of the time I would rather make something than purchase it, so my house is a large project basket.
-Describe an average day in life of "you".
Most days I wake up when my son does- 6:30am or so- and lounge in bed as long as he'll let me. Then I usually spend the day chasing him around the house and sweeping the floors over and over until we both get tired of being in the house and we go out thrifting. Two days a week I send him to work with his Dad and that's when I get to work. On those days I kiss my boys goodbye (at about 6:30am) and start my day with a big bowl of cereal at my desk where I answer convos, pack and ship orders, and catch up the blogs I read. Usually by 10:00am I'm at my sewing machine making bow ties. In the afternoon I'll photograph new items, work on custom orders, daydream about things that I could do with the right equipment, and try to clean my workspace for the next couple of days. Evenings around my house are just about always the same: visit the park, eat dinner, give the kiddo a bath, put him to bed, then snuggle up with the Mr. and watch movies while I cut bow ties out of neckties and shirts.
-Were you creative growing up/what did you enjoy doing?
I've always liked making things. I remember gingerbread houses and fashion designs and school projects made out of molded sugar. My parents owned a picture framing shop when I was in high school and I thought then that being an artist was some sort of gene that you were born with. I started college wanting to major in theater and voice but changed majors abruptly my junior year to studio art, having never taken an art class in my life. Making is such a big part of me, but it took me 20 years to figure that out.
-What made you want to start selling on etsy?I started selling online in other venues when I graduated from college and was overwhelmed with debt- it was a way to use my talents to lower my credit card bills. When I first stumbled upon etsy I thought that it was so wonderful- so wonderful in fact that I needed to get my act together before opening a shop. I planned and researched casually for almost a year before opening a shop. I was drawn to etsy because of it's dedication to handmade and it's acknowledgement that craft is cool again.
-How long did it take for you to get your first sale on etsy?
I got my first sale the night before I had the "grand opening" for my shop.
-Top 5 favorite foods, tv shows, and bands?
food: pasta with parm and butter, chocolate covered strawberries, pineapple, chimichangas, and ice cream.
tv shows: the office. I don't even own a tv, but we watch online. My favorite movie makers are Tim Burton and Jared Hess.
bands: Harry Connick Jr., Sting, The Beatles, Regina Spektor, and Danny Elfman.
-Is there anything you'd like to try your hand at doing? Knitting, baking, soap making, wood working, an instrument, etc.so. many. things. machine embroidery, web design, croissant making, and animation, to name a few. I wish that I had more time to get better at: quilting, baking, batik, photography, clothing design, and playing the piano.
-What would you suggest to new etsy sellers to promote their shops?
Love your shop! Be genuine and love what you do and it'll come through. I have paid for advertising in the past and it is never as effective as good photos, products that I care about and believe in, and my interaction with the customer.
-3 etsy shops you just LOVE?
http://www.etsy.com/shop/kateconsumption
http://www.etsy.com/shop/mypapercrane
http://www.etsy.com/shop/frecklewonder
Not only are these great shops, they are also sweet ladies and savvy marketers. Total role models for me and my little shop.
-One year from now, I hope my number of sold items is at least double what it is now (so, 574). yipee!
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Have an etsy shop with over 300 sales and want to be a featured seller? Contact me at phletcher@gmail.com
As always, thanks for reading :)
