Day 2 icraft Bootcamp What Happened?

[PillowThrowDecor]

Here is where you post today's assignment... the answers to your interview questions. In case you don't get it done before the day is over just post as much as you have done.

Cheers

Christine

[Thyme2dream]

Tell us about yourself…bio 150-200 words

I often refer to myself as a Daughter of the Southwind, which is my way of embracing the fact that I was born and raised in the heartland of the USA, Kansas. (People of the Southwind is the Native American meaning of the word Kansas). I spent much of my childhood wishing myself to far away places- real and imagined-and most of my heroes were fanciful characters from books like Lord of the Rings, Peter Pan, and The Chronicles of Narnia.

My husband Ian hails from Edinburgh Scotland and has recently joined me in my artistic ventures- he is the official Circlet Wizard at Thyme2dream. Ian and I also have a Celtic Folk-Rock band that plays local pubs and coffee houses.

Tell us about your shop.
Our main focus currently is creating “unusual jewelry for discerning fae and elven folk” . I am expanding my Elven Forest collection to include different themes and colours and have been focusing on adding more hair and headdress pieces to the groupings. Ear cuffs, ear vines and ear wraps continue to be a mainstay of my work, and I plan to continue adding new designs in those categories as well.  Medieval, Renaissance and Fantasy Wedding jewelry is also a specialty of ours and we love doing custom and bespoke jewelry for all occasions.

How did you get started?
I have always been surrounded by creative people, but until recently I was mostly just an onlooker. My mum was a fiber artist, and when I was a teenager I spent summers traveling with her to craft and music festivals selling her work. My first husband was an illustrator, and I often worked for an artisan t-shirt company selling his and other artists’ shirts at fairs and festivals. When my three sons were small, most of my creativity was focused on being the best mother I could be.

I believe that the root of my artistic career really came about as a result of a restless need to do something with all the creative energy I was no longer using as my kids became more independent. I just suddenly had this consuming passion to make things…I played with polymer clay for awhile, got into beading, and then I discovered wire working and was totally hooked! I first started making sun catchers and trying my hand at wind chimes, etc but then one day 89 year old gran asked me if I could make a pair of ear cuffs for her. This appealed to me as well, I had never had pierced ears and loved dangly earrings. Basically, I started making the sort of jewelry that I loved, but could never find anywhere else and the results of that effort have evolved into a full time jewelry business.

What is your favorite item in your shop
Oh my goodness- they are all my babies I cant have one favorite!!  


What’s your favourite _____________ that you have ever made
I love a challenge, and we have had some FUN with custom designs…last summer we were asked to create accessories for a costume to be used in  a minature horse show - including a unicorn horn for the horse!!  Blog post here:

http://thyme2dream.blogspot.com/2008/07/jadis-unicorn-another-fun-project-for.html

Around the same time a bunch of Wholigans- fans of The Who- asked us to create some special jewelry for them to wear to the VH1 concert taping  in LA:

http://thyme2dream.blogspot.com/2008/07/wholigan-ism.html

While I prefer some of my fairy and elven themed jewelry in terms of design,these were certainly two of the most memorable projects we have worked on!!

Whats your most memorable sale.
I love selling internationally and am always delighted to add a new country to the list of places my jewelry has traveled, its one of the things my dad loves to brag about when he talks to people about my shop too.  Most of my sales come from the US, Canada, UK and Australia, but I have lost count of the actual number of countries I have sold to.. this year I added some more remote places like Armenia and Slovenia to my list!

Where do you find inspiration for your designs?
When I make jewelry I sometimes start with a story I want to tell, and other times the beads & wire just make themselves into something I love and the story comes later!  I delight in fanciful stories from literature, theater, music and I am fascinated by the process of trying to convey the enchantment from one genre (ie books or music) to another (jewelry). I am also fascinated by the ‘personalities’ that different cultures and traditions have given gemstones through the ages. In my more earthy pieces, I often create by combining crystals with specific meanings in mind. Sort of a blessing recipe for the person who will eventually wear them.

Artists who inspire me: Alphonse Mucha~ his artistic love affair with the actress Sarah Bernhardt, the jewelry he adorned his portrait models with, as well as the designs he actually had made into jewelry pieces in collaboration with French jeweler Georges Fouquet. I like to think I might be related to him somewhere back there- my maternal grandparents are from the same region of the Czech Republic where he was born.

I also love the work of Arthur Rackham (See blog post here: http://www.artfire.com/users/thyme2dream/blog/queen-mab-peter-pan-arthur-rackham-s-faery-world )  Maxfield Parrish, Rick Griffin and N C Wyeth.

Tell us about a favorite designer.
Alphonse Mucha was pure magic as an illustrator AND as a designer. On my first trip to Scotland I was delighted to find that there was a Mucha exhibit at the Edinburgh City Museum.  I spent an entire afternoon in heaven wandering around the exhibit seeing his work live and in person!  

What's your favorite color .
Rainbow

What's your favorite room at home? Why is it your favorite?
My studio, which used to be called the schoolroom when I was still home schooling my boys.  It is also known as the treehouse, since it is a second story sunroom- all windows with trees all around- I love being “outside” while Im inside working!

Do you have a tip you'd like to share with readers?
Just a very general tip that applies to everything- try to find something you love about everything you do and put your heart into it (basically Mary Poppins Spoonful of Sugar puts this philosophy in a musical nutshell ;-) )


What are your (upto 5) favorite magazine(s), and or book(s).
Step by Step Wire (mag)
Bead Unique (mag)
Exquisite Beaded Jewelry by Linda Musante
The Stars:A New Way to See Them by H.A.Rey (YES he is the Curious George guy;-)
Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens by J M Barrie with Arthur Rackham’s illustrations

What do you do to relax and unwind?
Huh?  Lol, okay I suppose sometimes I do actually take a bit of time off work…I baby-sit my adorable 8 month old grandson 2-3 days a week and we hang out and have a great time.  I have a personal blog where I explore my spirituality, I play mandolin, guitar and Bouzouki (its like a big mandolin with a Celtic twist;-), I watch football (soccer) with my husband, I like to learn new things- I love all the earth sciences, astronomy, geology, weather, etc. There’s always something going on to pique my curiosity- Im definitely NEVER bored!!

[Thyme2dream]

Helpful Hint: whenever you fill one of these interviews out KEEP A COPY in your files somewhere- that makes new ones much quicker to do ;-)

[PillowThrowDecor]

Wow what a writeup!

Gulp.... I still have to do mine.  I'm not sure I will be able to answer the questions... and especially with amazing responses like you have.

Your writeup held my interest and of course I checked out your blog and links.  Good job. Just awesome.

So for the rest of us.  Don't get stuck to the point where you don't do this exersize... just do your best. A good writer, and we have several available to us, manages to take facts and bits of information about us and craft a really interesting read.

It is so fun to hear your husbands involvement in the business.... so keep it comeing.

Alrighty back to my pen and paper.

Cheers

Christine
PillowThrowDecor

[GalleriaLinda]

Good exercise! Well, I am kind of wordy.....  Thyme2Dream did a fabulous job!!

1) Tell us about yourself…bio 150-200 words
I am a long-time independent marketing communications consultant for small businesses, a self-representing jewelry designer, and entrepreneur! I also work with GIS mapping environments for real estate. GalleriaLinda is my jewelry business brand that includes contemporary handcrafted beaded and sterling wire jewelry. I also love to sell vintage jewelry and a special line of handmade imported gemstone and sterling jewelry. I love to help other online sellers to learn what I have learned over the last few years from the school of hard knocks and created a blog just for that called Indie CEO.

2) Tell us about your shop
A business was created around my jewelry design collections called GalleriaLinda. The GalleriaLinda brand is exclusive to my handmade contemporary beaded and silver wire jewelry and is featured on my web site and several handmade selling venues online.

3) How did you get started?
I have always created jewelry designs for myself. Several years ago I decided to take it up a notch and started making quite a few pieces for gifts and myself. Friends literally insisted that I offer my designs to the public, so I started a web site, then shops on handmade selling venues.

4) What is your favorite item in you shop (attach link please)
I love this eclectic pendant necklace - a little bit urban and a little bit vintage! https://icraftgifts.com/handmade/14252/handmade-necklace-hematite-crystal-pearl-and-vintage-pendant.phphandmade-necklace-hematite-crystal-pearl-and-vintage-pendant.php

5) What’s your favourite bracelet that you have ever made?
A simple memory wire bracelet with vintage buttons, metallic grey hematite, Czech glass metallic coppery leaves spiking out - kind of artsy. Here is photo:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gallerialinda/3490933437/

6) Whats you most memorable sale.
Early on, selling almost $200 dollars worth at one time to my cousin. I was shocked. I thought "She wants to spend money on the designs that I make? Is she crazy?"

6) Where do you find inspiration for your designs?
A lot of my inspiration goes back to my college studies of texture, color, shape, and juxtaposition. I studied minimalist, less is more, post modernism, and the whole "Bauhaus" philosophy! Now I love to incorporate some vintage elements into contemporary designs!

7) Tell us about a favorite designer.
Well, I have two favorite commercial designers and they are very different. Nicky Butler makes gorgeous semi-precious stone and sterling contemporary jewelry. And Heidi Daus designs gorgeous pave crystal jewelry in an art deco perspective.

8 )What's your favorite color .
My color preferences are clear jewel tones of deep blue, rich green, purple, teal, fuschia, with a touch of clear gold. I also am fond of different hues and textures of neutrals. You will find jewelry created in these two basic color palettes.

In general, my jewelry is very colorful. Sometimes I look at the group online and am amazed at the color. It is not deliberate but just bubbles up into the designs!

9) What's your favorite room at home? Why is it your favorite?
I don't have a dedicated craft room so I make do all over the house! I am pretty much an "every room of the house" gal.

10) Do you have a jewelry tip you'd like to share with readers?
I love to hook two similar necklaces together to get a great effect, especially if they have artisan hammered sterling hooks that I use a focal! I have even hooked several bracelets together to get a quirky look in a necklace. Very effective.

11) What are your (up to 5) favorite blogs or website? (outside yours or icraft)?
I love artists' blogs that show the personality of the blogger and also a peek into their art world.

12) What are your (upto 5) favorite magazine(s), and or book(s)
I am pretty much an online reader of news, forums, blogs….it is a shame but true. I just don't read print anymore.

For marketing though, I love this book and have referred to it throughout the years. Recommended for anyone - easy peasy to understand.
It's Not Rocket Science: Using Marketing to Build a Sustainable Business http://bit.ly/23dTaH

13) What do you do to relax and unwind?
Design jewelry, of course! My day job is very structured and technical. Jewelry design helps me to loosen up the brain waves!

[storybeader]

Tell us about yourself…bio 150-200 words
My name is Deborah Baroff.  I was born and raised in New Jersey, lived in Florida, California and now Oklahoma, which has been my home for 29 years.  I grew up in a close family, with lots of relatives visiting.  My father was a sailor, for fun, so I grew up sailing.  I love the water.  

I received my BA in Humanities, and earned a Masters in Library Science.  Yes, I'm a librarian, with an emphasis in special libraries.  I've been working in a Museum in southwestern Oklahoma for the last 22 years.  Needless to say, I'm love my job.  I'm married, once divorced, with no children... except for my doggies.  I love books and writing, gardens, visiting historic places and museums, and being on the computer.  About three years ago, I decided I needed a creative outlet, so I started designing jewelry.  I write a haiku for each necklace.  My specialty is the treasure necklace.  After attending a bookmaking class, I started sewing journals and sketchbooks, and believe this is my new creative direction.

Tell us about your shop.
My shop here is the Storybeader's Workshop.  I've put a lot of thought into the name.  I am known as the storybeader on other sites, and didn't want to loose my name recognition, so I decided to add workshop when I started sewing books.  My blog, Stroll Through Storyland, fits both venues.

How did you get started?
Probably like a lot of other people, gift-giving.  

What is your favorite item in you shop (attach link please)
I think it's the first journal I made on my own.  That always happens... maybe because I'm so excited about starting:   https://icraftgifts.com/handmade/18750/handmade-bound-journal-with-japanese-washi-paper-covers.php

What’s your favourite _____________ that you have ever made
It has to be my Turtle Treasure Necklace.  I love turtles and fetishes and color.  This necklace has all of that, and more.  http://www.flickr.com/photos/storybeader/2247166448/in/set-72157604366499556/

What's you most memorable sale.
Think I spoke about this earlier in the week, or maybe it was somewhere else...  I had just posted a necklace on a different online selling venue.  A woman saw it, and said she couldn't live without it, in so many words.  The sale took about 30 minutes, from being put online to being sold!

Where do you find inspiration for your designs?
Nature and color.  The covers of my journals and sketchbooks have to be something I enjoy looking at, but I want them to be functional.  Then, I do have a book of haiku floating around in my head....
 
Tell us about a favorite designer.
I've met a lot of great jewelry designers.  One of my favorite, when I was just starting out, was Eni Oken.  She first taught me wire wrapping, and if there's anyone out there who wants to learn this technique, Eni has loads of lessons you can buy online and download.  Very thorough and easy to understand.

What's your favorite color.
Blue, no doubt about it.  The color of water, turquoise, and the sky on a nice day!

What's your favorite room at home? Why is it your favorite?
My living room, that really serves as my workshop and office.  Lots of windows, the front door (and back door) are close by, my computer and tool room, bathroom and kitchen....  yes, I have a small house!

Do you have a (your product) tip you'd like to share with readers?
There's a number of things I would tell a person sewing paper together;  act deliberately and carefully; never underestimate how much paper you need to wrap your book covers, and sew with waxed thread.  


What are your (upto 5) favorite blogs or website? (outside yours or icraft)? -
wow!  that's a hard one.  I have so many. OK, I have a lot of etsyblogger teammates, so excuse me, my friends, but three favorites
1) Two Zany Zebras - Mama Z  has the cutest stories about her family's escapades.
2) Coffee Pot People - a sole sister, I love her sculpture and photographs
3) A Keeper's Jackpot - she takes me hiking with her into the mountains
I've met a number of bloggers through EC that I love to read:
First Door on the Left ( my current political fix)
The Photographic Aspect (absolutely Beautiful photography)

What are your (upto 5) favorite magazine(s), and or book(s).
My favorite book from childhood is Charlotte's Web.  
One of my all time favorite authors is James Michener - I think the first book of his I read was The Source.  I'm in a women's book club now, and some favorite recent books are The Dollmaker, A Midwife's Tale, and The Widow's War.
 
What do you do to relax and unwind?
Walk.  I'd rather walk in the woods with friends, or in a park.  But I walk at the YMCA too.

These questions may look a little daunting at first but answer as many as you can.

[Brilliant Beads]

Tell us about yourself…bio 150-200 words

Art, whether in my professional life as a dentist, or in my part-time life as a lampwork and jewelry artisan, occupies a good portion of my consciousness at any one time.   I have memberships to several local and regional art galleries, and I always make time when travelling to visit local art exhibits.
My family and my home are my “comfort ground”.  I have a wonderfully supportive husband, and four terrific children…27, 23, 18, and 15 years old.  My husband built my glass studio for me, and is a great source of insight and guidance when it comes to the “how can I accomplish that?” questions.
I live in London, Ontario, Canada, in a house with a big lot that sweeps down into a ravine.  Regular visitors to our yard are deer, fox, skunks, raccoons, and a great horned owl.  I call it my little slice of paradise.

Tell us about your shop.

My iCraft shop contains both lampwork beads for jewellery designers and finished jewelry pieces that I have made.  I love to see what other jewelry designers use my beads for and would love to use my iCraft shop as a platform to expand my business.

How did you get started?

I’ve been crafting since I can remember…I got my first “paint by number” black velvet oil painting kit when I was seven.  Crewelwork and knitting was next, beadwork and cross-stitch followed, sewing, and mosaic art.  I’ve always been fascinated by glass and took my first lampworking course three years ago….eureka, this is IT!!!

I was making jewelry for family and friends, and they suggested that I could sell it to others.  I learned the rudimentary part of website design, and obtained a small business license.  I like having an online business because the rest of my life is so busy and selling online allows me to tailor the amount of time I can spend.
 
What is your favorite item in you shop? (attach link please)

This lampwork bead, Swarovski crystal, and wooden bracelet is my favourite.  I love the different textures all combined in a neutral, organic-looking piece.

#page has been deleted#

What’s your favourite _____________ that you have ever made?

I made this necklace and was so tempted to keep it for myself, but happily it sold to a lady in California, and it has a good home.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gillianbeads/2934567188/in/set-72157607953954568/

What’s your most memorable sale?

My most memorable sale was the necklace shown above, because the customer also bought 6 other pieces at the same time!  That was a great feeling that doesn’t come along too often.

Where do you find inspiration for your designs?

I love nature and the natural world around me…colors, shapes, vistas.  My inspiration is often acquired from hiking in rugged countryside, the Rocky Mountains are my favorite.

Tell us about a favorite designer.

Nathalie Girard of Canadian Rockies Art is an amazing metalsmith…I love her designs!
 
What's your favorite colour?

I love blues and aquas and seem to gravitate to those when I’m working with glass.  I love to wear earth tones such as brown, rust, and olive green.
 
What's your favourite room at home? Why is it your favourite?

I love to sit in our sunroom, looking out into the forest and ravine in our backyard.  It provides me with inspiration and is a great place to unwind after a long day.

Do you have a (your product) tip you'd like to share with readers?

I find that as I get older it has become particularly important to work with good light.  I also broke down and bought a pair of magnifying glasses to help see the tiny beads I use…now I couldn’t do without them!
 
What are your (up to 5) favorite blogs or website? (outside yours or icraft)? –

IndieNorth
FiveForty at Home
Coloraddiction
Artisan Beaders
Beadlust

What are your (up to 5) favorite magazine(s), and or book(s)?

Lapidary Journal
National Geographic
Atlas Shrugged
Wicked
Oryx & Crake
 
What do you do to relax and unwind?

I love to hike and cycle…I find getting my heart rate up a bit takes the stress away.  I’m not a sit on the beach kinda gal.

[Unicorn Creations]

Tell us about yourself…bio 150-200 words

My name is Rhonda Cooper and I am a full time office manager of a busy dental office in Winnipeg, Manitoba.  This job keeps me hopping 50+ hours a week and I try to use my destressing time crafting my heart out!

I have a wonderful husband and 2 great sons, ages 8 and 2, and a 50lb dog that i adore.  I try to have every waking moment with them and still keep up on my passion of crafts.  Fortunately they are both go to bed early and I can usually stay up to the wee hours crafting away.
 
Tell us about your shop.

I have been on icraft for several months and I woke up this morning with my FIRST sale!!!!  I love icraft due to the fact of being Canadian based.

My crafting passion is all sorts of jewelry and my newest design of recycled Christmas Ornaments this year that are a hit!  My mom has done craft sales with me for over 10 years and we have a blast together filling "our" shop with new and exciting pieces.

How did you get started?

My mom started me on crafts when I was very young and I never stopped.  I used to knit and cross-stitch like crazy, and then I got into the craft sales and needed something a bit faster and easier to sell.  That's when I started making jewelry.
 
What is your favorite item in you shop (attach link please)

My favorite item if I had to choose is:
#page has been deleted#
or any of my ornaments.
 
What’s your favourite _____________ that you have ever made

My favorite necklace set I ever made is my breast cancer set:
#page has been deleted#
I made this set in memory of my Grandma and donate $5 from each sale to Breast Cancer.

Whats you most memorable sale.

My most memorable sale is just recently when I was doing a craft sale and met a woman who bought 2 of my ornaments.  About 2 days after the sale she tracked me down and asked to buy some more.  I opened up my house for her and her friend for a private viewing and they ended up buying 28 ornaments and a neacklace set from me!  What an awesome feeling!

Where do you find inspiration for your designs?

All of my jewelry comes from my head when I see the beautiful pendants that I can find.  My ornaments are a funny story.  I actually woke up in the middle of the night after Christmas last year and had the idea!
 
Tell us about a favorite designer.

Wow, I don't know if I have a favorite, I know so many talented people.

What's your favorite color .

My favorite color has always been yellow, very bright and happy!

What's your favorite room at home? Why is it your favorite?

My favorite room has to be my older son's bed room.  The reason being when I'm down or I miss him, I just go into his room and I can remember the last time he asked me to sleep with him to keep him company.  It doesn't happen too often anymore beacuse he's older, so I have my memories.
 
Do you have a (your product) tip you'd like to share with readers?

The best tip I could give anyone is to use adequate light when working.  It's always better not to strain your eyes especially when working with small items.
 
What are your (upto 5) favorite blogs or website? (outside yours or icraft)? -

Etsy, Ebay

What are your (upto 5) favorite magazine(s), and or book(s).

I love all types of crafting magazines and books.  All Stephen King books are my favorite, especially The Stand.

What do you do to relax and unwind?

Craft, craft and then craft some more.

[storybeader]

it's fun to see the different personalities and how everyone approached the questions.  We have a talented group in bootcamp!  Looks like there's a leaning towards nature.  Thanks for the links.  {:-Deb  

[Sirocco]

Hi gang. Well, I am already off to a slow start. Somehow I had Wednesday as the start day for this boot camp. So, this is going to be short.
My name is Paul, I live in Minnesota, and I make mens jewelry. I use beads, leather, sterling and a few other materials.
I have only five items in my Icraft shop. I could expand on that but just haven’t got around to that yet.
I have always enjoyed working with my hands. I have made rustic furniture and stained glass lamps. I got started making jewelry by helping my daughter. She makes beaded jewelry and I used to help her set up and sell at flea markets. In the process I began puttering with the beads myself. It is a fun low impact hobby for me to do in my old age. I am the old man.
My favorite item currently in my shop is this simple stretch bracelet.
https://icraftgifts.com/handmade/10135/mens-wide-stretch-bracelet-the-arizona.php? Take a look!
My most memorable sale was a woven sterling cuff bracelet that I had made. I once wore it to a Renaissance Fair. It went well with my costume. Someone there saw the bracelet, admired it and then offered me $150 for it. I ultimately sold it for a fair price. Here is a photo of a similar bracelet:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10335285@N08/3391444502/ Take a look!
I don’t know where I find inspirations for my designs. In fact, I usually don’t know what I am making until after I have made it. Some times it turns out good and sometimes not. I am not really much of an artist. I just have fun.
I don’t have a favorite designer.
I don’t know if I have a favorite color but I like dense opaque colors.
I spend a lot of time in my computer room. I wouldn’t say it is a favorite room; I just spend a lot of time there. It is right next to the attached garage and it is in the garage where I do the jewelry work. I do a lot of silver smith work so it has to be in the garage.

Well that is about as much as I am going to say for now. I feel like I am just rambling anyway.

Paul

[Big Tub Botanicals]

BIO
I’m from New Brunswick and still sometimes wonder how I ended up so far from the ocean.  At least I've managed to settle in the Kawartha Lakes (kawatha in ojibwe meaning “shining waters”) where I’m surrounded by freshwater and living on a river.  I consider myself a “sustainable hedonist”, which essentially means I think living green is more about abundance, and even indulgence, than it is about sacrifice or self restraint.

My partner and I have a neurotic, floppy-eared Bassett Hound.  We are sometimes foster parents, sometimes B&B for weary travelers, and often reclusive.  

We are avid outdoor’s people and for years spent our summers in one remote setting or another, paddling, portaging, foraging & sleeping under the stars.  We both attended college for natural resource sciences, and have done stints as canoe guides/ interpreters.  I have always had a deep connection to flora and over the years I’ve learned about native plants by living with them, watching them, propagating them, reading about them and using them.  

ICRAFT SHOP
I really started my icraft shop today.  Although I had registered before, I had simply copied & pasted my bio from my website and left it at that until today.  So, today I really niced it up and got 5 soaps up there.

HOW I GOT STARTED
My journey into hand-crafted skin care began with herbal salves, which I formulated from wild-crafted native plants & "weeds" we would gather.   It wasn’t long before the mad scientist in me insisted on experiencing this phenomenon called saponification.   After my first batch of soap I was hooked!  During a stint as the coordinator for a local native plant nursery/ nature centre, I began running workshops on medicinal/edible plants & wild-crafting, and I planted my medicinal herb garden there at the centre.
 
I began Big Tub Botanicals full time this year and remain closely partnered with the nature centre, where my husband is the projects coordinator & woodsman extraordinaire.  After full time hours there, he manages squeezing in part time hours for the Big Tub ;-)

I've always been a DIYer/ crafter.  Besides oils & herbs, wood, leather & food are my other primary mediums of expression.

FAV ITEM IN MY SHOP
Today, Tomato Basil soap, for a few dozen reasons, not the least of which is it’s sheer quantity of tomato puree and aloe gel, mango & avocado butters… and could that little grape tomato in the pic look any more plump?!
https://icraftgifts.com/handmade/18901/tomato-basil.php

FAV THING EVER
If I really really really have to choose just one, probably the Relief Ointment because it has been so effective for so many people… bringing relief to itchy skin everywhere.  Love, love, love the herbal combo of red clover, chamomile, chickweed & plantain.  http://www.bigtubbotanicals.com/shopping/pgm-more_information.php?id=32&=SID

MOST MEMORABLE SALE
My first ever return customer.  She had to track me down… and did (even with a changed business name).

INSPIRATION
Fruits, vegetables, milks, nuts, seeds, flowers, herbs & essences... the raw mats!

FAV SOAPMAKER
Overall, the best natural soaps & skin care I’ve ever seen: http://www.chagrinvalleysoapandcraft.com/products.htm Much here to be admired & appreciated… ingredients, technique, innovation & nice pics.

FAV COLOR
Blue

FAV ROOM
Dining room… I love slow food & home made wine & music on vinyl… all found in my dining room.  As well as the biggest window in our house facing the river & my bird feeders & west (sunsets!).  Oops, was I supposed to say my production studio… oh I love that room too.

TIP
Tip for soapy success: forget everything you thought you knew about soap and create your own recipes (with a lye calculator, of course!).

Tip for business & life from Sandy Maine in Creating an herbal bodycare business: “In order to learn how to do things, you need to be willing to make as many mistakes as it will take to learn how not to do things.” (p.69)

TOP 5 BLOGS/ SITES
Cosmetics Safety Database: http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com The Environmental Working Group has assembled all of the latest toxicity rereplacement to create a replacementable database of ingredients.  WOW!

Miller Homemade Soap page: http://millersoap.com Kathy Miller has created an amazing (award-winning) resource for learning, sharing & fun.

Natural Beauty Workshop Blog: http://www.naturalbeautyworkshop.com/my_weblog/living_green Maintained by FromNatureWithLove.com

TOP 5 MAGS/ BOOKS
Creating and herbal bodycare business, Sandy Maine (1999)

Witches heal, Billie Potts (1981)

Field Guides, any & all of ‘em: trees, wildflowers, weeds, lichens, fungi; never go for a walk without one; how do they pack so much info into those little books?!

Small Farm Canada (magazine)

Canadian Journal of Herbalism

WHAT DO YOU DO TO RELAX
Food, wine music (see FAV ROOM).  We also love old movies… OLD movies.  Designing (me)/ making(hubby) new shelves, displays, molds, soap decks, etc... we love working with wood.

[Dancing Monkey Jewelry]

Tell us about yourself…bio 150-200 words:

I'm not going to tell you how old I am - I don't like admitting my age - I'm not ready for it. What I will tell you is that my name is Martha Hughes and I live in Tacoma, WA. I've been married for 12 years to one of the greatest guys I know (Amar) - he can still make me laugh and all my girlfriends like him. I was born in Richland, Washington (Eastern Washington) and lived there until I was seven years old when my parents packed all of us up (four kids and dog) in a station wagon and moved us to Anchorage, Alaska - where we lived for the next 8 years when we moved back to Washington State. I'm the only democrat in a family of republicans - but we still manage to get along. I love to travel but haven't done nearly enough of it and I need to go back to Paris (read NEED not want) - and I would love to live in London (I'm jealous of all those people who get to call London home). I try to live my life with gratitude and appreciation for all that I have and I strive each day to be the architect of my own future.

Tell us about your shop.

My shop is Dancing Monkey Jewelry. It's a funky little shop and I describe my jewelry as being organic and elegant. I create one of a kind and limited edition sterling silver jewelry with semi-precious stones, fresh water pearls and PMC.

How did you get started?

I would look at the jewelry in the Sundance catalog and drool over it. While I couldn't justify spending that much on jewelry I decided that I wanted to see if I could make my own earrings. I enrolled in a course at my local bead store and I discovered I could. I've also spent more making jewelry than I ever would have had I bought it from the Sundance Catalog. But I have now have a marketable skill and I get to do something I enjoy.

What is your favorite item in you shop?

https://icraftgifts.com/handmade/162/pretty-in-pink-pearl-earrings.php

What’s your favourite that you have ever made?
The pendant that goes with the earrings in the above link. I made a pendant out of PMC.

Whats you most memorable sale?

It was when my husband sold the most expensive necklace and earring set that I have ever created to a friend of his from his job.

Where do you find inspiration for your designs?

I just sit at my bench and play with my beads - working out color combination. I know what style of jewelry that I like and I go from there.

Tell us about a favorite designer.

I have many. One of my favorites is Timothy Adams - his work is rustic but elegant. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=33365894

What's your favorite color?

Orange

What's your favorite room at home? My work space at the top of the stairs.


Why is it your favorite?

It's where I'm the happiest and most content when I up there creating jewelry, processing my photography and playing on the computer. My husband has his desk up here and it's nice to share this space with him as long as he doesn't take control of my TV.

Do you have a (your product) tip you'd like to share with readers?
I don't do give-aways. I haven't found that they generate any sales or bring in more sustainable traffic to your shop.

What are your (upto 5) favorite blogs or website? (outside yours or icraft)?

1. http://www.orangette.blogspot.com/
2. http://www.instructables.com/home
3. http://jewelry-business-blog.com/
4. http://howaboutorange.blogspot.com/
5. http://www.photojojo.com

What are your (upto 5) favorite magazine(s), and or book(s)?

1. Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry (book)
2. A Walk in the Woods - Bill Bryson
3. The Bean Trees - Barbara Kingsolver
4. Pigs in Heaven - Barbara Kingsolver
5. My Life in France - Julia Child

What do you do to relax and unwind?

I'm into photography and I love taking photographs - that would be my number one way to relax. I'd love it if you'd check out my portfolio:  http://www.jpgmag.com/people/MarthaHughes.  However...I have other favorite activities. Such as: watch trash tv, eat good food, take my dog for a walk, hike, cook, enjoy a glass of a good, cheap wine, and during the summer when it's too hot to stay in the house I like nothing more than watching movies in my garden - I call it "Cinema under the Stars) - it's heaven.

[Zs Knees]

This is a big assignment! I skipped quite a few questions... I'll mull them over and get back to them at some point. And hopefully get the time to read everyone else's thoroughly too...

Tell us about yourself…bio 150-200 words
My name is Jeffie, I'm a happy single mom of a (er, usually) happy one-year-old. We moved to Oregon several months ago, where I'm the site manager of a low-income housing complex, you know, "Mr. Roper" (did they show 3's Company in Canada?) of the subsidized housing world, ha! At night, I tiptoe around, (literally, my daughter is a very light sleeper), sewing and doing my projects.
I need creativity in my life every day to feel sane. I like working with my hands and figuring out how to make things. I have never liked routines, and I rarely stay in the same line of work (or even in the same type of craft) for very long. I like to be stimulated and challenged by my environment. I love movement and change, and believe that "home is where you hang your hat"!
I have large issues with the ubiquity of Blah-Marts, and the sweat shops they use, and the price before quality/disposable product mentality, and just the amount of freakin plastic that goes on.  
If I could make everything I use in a day, I'd be one happy lady. Well, ok... not the car, or the fridge... oh you know what I mean.

Tell us about your shop.
Z's Knees began about 10 months ago, but it's still just developing. I thought it would be wonderful to be a single mama who gets to also stay at home, by having a fantabulously successful home business. Well, it may still happen, I haven't given up yet!
Right now I'm focusing on pillow and blanket sets and soft toys. I've got a million and one ideas for new listings, and only a short window of time to work every day. So I'm on the slow train, but after all it's the journey that counts most!
I hope to start a line of upcycled and otherwise eco-friendly products.  

How did you get started?
Before I had my daughter, my crafts of choice were drawing and painting, origami, and other crafts that were delicate, toxic, or required long periods of intense concentration. Now I tend to do things that I can pick up and put down all evening, like sewing, macrame, and knitting.

What is your favorite item in you shop (attach link please)
What’s your favourite _____________ that you have ever made
Whats you most memorable sale.
Where do you find inspiration for your designs?
A lot of my ideas for things to sew develop while I'm nursing my daughter, believe it or not!    Nursing is like mandatory meditation time. You're forced to put everything aside and be still for a while, and your mind wanders to some really interesting places!

Tell us about a favorite designer.

What's your favorite color .
Right now, watery blue & green mixtures.

What's your favorite room at home? Why is it your favorite?
Ok, did I mention I'm a SITE manager at a low-income housing project?

Do you have a (your product) tip you'd like to share with readers?

What are your favorite blogs or website?
I read this one every day. It's not craft related, but it's got a good DIY sensibility: http://fakeplasticfish.com/
For craft blogs, I visit this one pretty often: http://www.futuregirl.com/craft_blog/index.aspx

What are your (upto 5) favorite magazine(s), and or book(s).
What do you do to relax and unwind?

[MadMavenCreations]

Tell us about yourself…bio 150-200 words
I'm a 37 year old crafter who works as a nurse/office manager for my day job.  I have a husband, a 14 yr old son, a 14 yr old stepdaughter and a 17 yr old stepson.  We also have 3 cats (that we just finished spraying for fleas).  My oldest cat, a 17 year old named Lulu, has barfed on my bead boards so I need to replace both of them.

Tell us about your shop.
I have a wide range of interests creatively.  I'm constantly trying new things, so I have a wide variation of items in my shop.  I have resin art pendants, chainmaille bracelet/earring sets, plenty of pretty, shiny, dangly, wire wrapped things, and a few Swarovski pieces.  I'm bipolar so my moods vary, sometimes greatly, and I enjoy the range of items that results from this.

How did you get started?
My mother, like her mother and her grandmother before her, is an incredibly crafty person.  I had plenty of handmade outfits growing up.  Even my Barbie dolls and my baby dolls had handmade clothes and knitted sweaters.  I'm a leftie, so mom was never really able to teach me to knit or crochet but I could sew a straight seam by age 10.  Later, I learned knitting & crocheting from a book.  The beading obsession started about 3 years ago; I was at Joann Fabrics and saw some beads on sale and I thought they'd make a nice bookmark for my husband.  That's all it took, and now I have online shops on iCraft, etsy, and DaWanda, as well as a shop at CafePress for my photography and related items.

What is your favorite item in you shop (attach link please)
It's difficult to choose, but I think I'd have to go with my copper and ceramic necklace and earrings set:  #page has been deleted#

What’s your favourite _____________ that you have ever made
I had a woman from Minnesota contact me through my website who asked me to design bracelet and earrings sets for her bridesmaids, in lime green and navy blue.  She wanted something a little "funky" so we ended up going with Swarovski crystals worked into my hex set design.  Here's a different set in black: #page has been deleted#

Whats you most memorable sale.
The bridesmaids set described above.

Where do you find inspiration for your designs?
I get inspired almost everywhere!  I love working with copper, so I will walk around Home Depot or Lowe's for ideas.  I do a lot of looking around the internet, on product websites (BeadFx, Lion brand Yarn, the Interweave site, etc) and have found many ideas that way.  Sometimes I will be inspired to try a new technique or color combination or design idea by seeing an item that another crafter has made.

Tell us about a favorite designer
I REALLY enjoy Dale 'Cougar' Armstrong's work with wire.  She uses a lot of square wire in her creations, which appeals to me.  Her site is: http://www.cougarscreations.com/.  I had commented once on the Beading Daily forum how happy I was to see one of her designs on the cover of Step By Step Wire, and she actually e-mailed me.  I still have the email.

What's your favorite color
My favorite color is purple, although I've worked more with blue.  I also adore turquoise and red coral together.
 
What's your favorite room at home? Why is it your favorite?
My bedroom is my favorite.  I have to take medicine every day because of the bipolar disorder, and it puts me to sleep although I can sometimes ward sleep off for a half hour if I'm in bed lying down.  It's an odd angle to knit from, but it happens.  I've always been particularly fond of getting a good night's sleep, so I have a very cozy bedroom.  It's also a no-cat zone which is nice to have one spot in the house where you aren't dealing with pet hair or Lulu's stomach issues.

Do you have a (your product) tip you'd like to share with readers?
I've learned that the old adage about try, trying again if you don't succeed at first REALLY applies to trying something new creatively.  Some of my favorite techniques like wrapped loops and knitting socks on 4 needles were ones I had struggled with initially but now am able to do with confidence.

What are your (upto 5) favorite blogs or website? (outside yours or icraft)?
I enjoy the Beading and Knitting Daily sites through Interweave Press.  I always look forward to getting the email from BeadFx in my in-box because it's another excuse to browse their online store.  I'm also on Facebook daily.

What are your (upto 5) favorite magazine(s), and or book(s)
I really enjoy Bead And Button because they have projects that stand out, in my opinion.  I LOVE Beads etc (from Australia).  The project styles are different than what I see in the US magazines.  Step By Step Wire is a consistent favorite of mine.  I also enjoy a variety of knitting magazines, including Interweave Knits.
 
What do you do to relax and unwind?
Lately, it's been knitting.  I find there is something hypnotic about manipulating the yarn with the needles.  I also read, and sometimes combine the two by listening to an audiobook while knitting (or beading).  Ahhhhhh!

[Callidora]

Callidora's is a shop for handcrafted women's clothing and accessories. I specialize in clothing for Plus Sizes, but create it in any size range. Currently, Callidora's features formal wear, business wear (with some casual), and handbags. Occasionally, I feature hats as well.

I've been sewing for 25 years (started as a young teenager!) and have had custom clothing and alterations work in the past. But that was only sporadic, either as side work or when I was between corporate jobs. Callidora's came to life 2 years in December of 2007. Many friends loved items I made for myself or my daughter and told me to sell them. When Callidora's started, I had never sold online before! I started with aprons and handbags only. You know,' one size fits all' items!

My current favorite item in the shop right now is the Gigi Dress. I've done a few of these in various colors and even in full length. I just think it's very "princess-y"!
https://icraftgifts.com/handmade/16220/gigi-strapless-wrap-gown.php

I don't really have a most favorite item that I've ever made. Everything I make has my blood, sweat, and tears in it. I wait on pins and needles for feedback. If I don't get any, I'm dejected! Every piece is a part of me and I love them all.

I believe that I am in the middle of negotiations for my most memorable sale! I'm currently speaking with a customer who's getting married in 2010. She has 8 bridesmaids and 2 hostesses and we are discussing gowns and cloaks. This would be my first huge order!

I find inspiration everywhere - design shows, from the fabric itself, I stare at everyone's clothes. In my mind, I put that collar together with those sleeves and remove that seam and dream up a whole piece just walking around with my eyes open. I don't have a favorite designer and I'm not limited to a style. I love creating vintage and historical wear, as well as modern clothing. I tend to lean toward the classic and elegant, but I'm attracted to edgy as well.

I can't pick a favorite color, I love them all! In various combinations, in prints and solids! Right now, since it's Autumn, I'm very attracted to rust, plum and pewter. But really, I love all colors!

I don't have a favorite room at home. I hate my house. It was a quick decision made to move my family cross-country. We wanted to move and finally had equity 2 years ago, but the economy tanked and we can't sell our house. The layout is awful and my sewing room is tiny and disorganized.

Some of my favorite blogs and resources:
Guessing All the Way http://www.guessingalltheway.com/
Craft Boom http://www.sparkplugging.com/craft-boom/
Threads Magazine
The Dressmaker's Technique Bible
Vogue Patterns Magazine

When it finally is time to relax, I love to watch Sci-fi with my teenage boys (I'm a Trekkie!) and knit. I also love to end each evening curled up in bed with a book. I love to read Jane Austen, sci-fi, and suspense novels. I know! I'm all over the place - my husband says I'm retro-futuristic and quite Austentatious Smile

[Sirocco]

Hello everyone, I am back posting again. I didn’t answer all of the questions last night so I thought might provide my answers to the last few questions.

Favorite Product Tip:
I can’t think of any real tips. But, I have noticed that it is easier to sell 4-5 items at $20 each than it is to sell one item at $100. That is especially true if you are selling non-essentials like mens jewelry.

Favorite Blogs:
I have always like Linda’s (GalleriaLinda) blog. There is a wealth of info about marketing on her blog and I have it in my favorites. http://indieceo.blogspot.com/
I also like Susan’s blog http://etsytechnologyhelp.blogspot.com/ This blog has much technical info on blogging, websites, analytics, replacement engine optimization, etc. It is not etsy specific but it probably started out that way.

Favorite Magazines, Favorite Books:
I don’t subscribe to any magazines. But, I have lots of books and I get something out of each of them. It is hard to pick a favorite. Three that I find intriguing are:
A Beginner’s Handbook to Traditional Native American Beadwork (1-4208-9948-1)
The Technique of North American Indian Beadwork (0-943604-02-8)
Indian Handcrafts (0-7627-0661-9)
Since I am an enrolled member of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, naturally I would find these books intriguing.

Relax and Unwind:
I am a pretty laid back sort of guy so I don’t have to do much unwinding. It is puzzling that in America with all of its wealth and freedoms that we still have to consume billions of tranquilizer pills to cope.

Paul
Sirocco’s Trading Post

[Winged Heart Studio]

Tell us about yourself
I am an anglo Aries, originally from Montreal, PQ, now living in Peterborough, Ontario with my soul mate, Edward, and our Aussie Shepherd Bobby, our Shepherd Cross, Noke and our lilac point Siamese, Aries. My formal education is in English Lit and Classics, which I studied at Concordia U because at the time I thought that making things was a hobby and not a life. Ha ha. I am currently the founder, owner and coordinator of the Peterborough Downtown Craft Market and a few other things which I mentioned a little further down.

Tell us about your shop.
I call my shop Winged Heart Studio.  When trying to define my style, I realized that I liked things that made my hand reach out involuntarily, that turned the corners of mouth up into a smile, that lifted my heart. Hence the name. I try to make things that fill this criteria.

How did you get started?
While working in a second hand bookstore (the ultimate job for an Eng. Lit. major), a bead store moved in next door. The owner, Jim, showed me the Secret to Jewellery Making…the crimp bead. The rest is history! I went on to become a teacher at Michaels and then the Event Coordinator and now, to make a bit of a long story shorter, I am a designer for three different jewellery supply companies, a freelance crafts writer, a crafts teacher and the coordinator of the Peterborough Downtown Craft Market.

What is your favorite item in your shop (attach link please)
The Bluebird of Happiness Nest
https://icraftgifts.com/handmade/17200/bluebird-of-happiness-nest.php

What’s your favourite _____________ that you have ever made
I made a cool memory wire bracelet using alphabet beads and spelled out The Litany Against Fear from one of my favourite books, Dune.

What's you most memorable sale.
My first online sale. It was a wire wrapped ring and went to a lady in Florida.

Where do you find inspiration for your designs?
One of my eyes is nearsighted, the other is farsighted, so sometimes I think I see things that aren’t necessarily what I think they are and I get some pretty good ideas that way. Seriously.

Tell us about a favorite designer.
I would have to say that my number one fave is the Crafty Chica, Kathy Cano-Murillo. As a person, she is very genuine and real. Her writing makes me laugh out loud and I want to make almost everything that she suggests. She is very inspiring on every level and a definite Winged Heart!

What's your favorite color?
Bluebird of Happiness Blue.

What's your favorite room at home? Why is it your favorite?
The Living Room: only place with a couch to sit on and best natural light.

Do you have a (your product) tip you'd like to share with readers?
Your customers will tell you what they want. Listen to them. (They aren’t always right, but you will still learn a lot!).

What are your (up to 5) favorite blogs or website? (outside yours or icraft)?
The Crafty Chica
Lisa Vollrath
The Impatient Crafter
Home Jewelry Success Tips
About.com

What are your (up to 5) favorite magazine(s), and or book(s).
-   BeadStyle Magazine
-   Stringing
-   Step by Step Wire
-   Cloth Paper Scissors
   
What do you do to relax and unwind?
-   Watch Coronation Street

[Teri Calbert]

Tell us about yourself...bio
Wow, this is why I don't have much luck.  I'm not one to talk about myself(or talk much at all).  I'm not even a blogger. But here goes.
As a child I was always doing things with my hands, either drawing, coloring, chalking, daydreaming about designing my home when I grew up, making anything out of anything. There wasn't much inspiration out there to learn from so my work was a little lacking.  I would watch PBS shows for inspiration and how to's.  Then came cable and I felt my passions really grew as I learned more.  I would make things to decorate my office at work and everyone would be awed at my pieces.  "You should sell these things" they would say.  So I finally started Bluehills Treasure Chest Designs.  But with little luck (the competition is tough, and I'm not a salesperson).  My daughter was in the business with me until recently.  She had her first baby and is busy having a great time with her.  But she's always there for anything I might need when she can.

My shop https://icraftgifts.com/teri-calbert is at the minimum (money constraints) but I have tried to showcase all that I do.  I can also be found at www.bluehillstreasurechest.com for a more extensive listing of my products.  I dabble in many things.  Like I said, I love to make anything out of anything.  I just love art, no matter what the medium.  My work is simple and sometimes described as organic in the look.  I never had any art training.

I originally got started when my daughter wished she could open a bead shop but knew it would be too risky to quit her job as it would be for me too.  So we started an online business and went to craft shows.  Lots of lookers and complements but not many sales.

I too, don't have any favorites.  If it's in my shop or on my site, I love it.  Not everything as made the cut.  I have a few things that end up in the trash or reworked.

My most memorable sale to date was my first photograph that I sold at a craft show.  Nothing special about it, it was just my first sale in that category.

My inspirations come from everywhere I look and everything I see.  Also from TV, magazines and the internet.  

My favorite colors come from the fall.  This is my favorite time of the year and I just love those colors.

Of course my studio is my favorite room in my house.  It's where I escape into another world.  A world of creating.

That's about it.  Hope you enjoyed you time with me

 :wink:

[Weezi]

Hello! I thought I posted this yesterday..but it seems to be missing. I don't want anyone to think that I am a "slacker"....I am looking forward to boot camp in many ways.


I am not sure if this is the proper place to reply for the 2nd day assign't.
I am a newbie to I.Craft as well as to "boot camp"


Tell us about yourself…bio 150-200 words:
My name is is Lisa.
I am born and raised in London OntarioCanada
Graduate of Fanshawe College Fashion design programme 1989.
I have a line of clothing called "Weezi" that I have been sewing since 1989.
I have known for a long time that in order to really make things progress the way I need them to...I need to establish an online presence and grow a following thru my wep page and other online venues. London is too conservative and won't do for me what I need it to.

I am not sure how to go about this...time is short as it is and as much as I need to do it, I am overwhelmed by what is ahead.
Selling online seems like it would be another full time job.

I love to sew and create...nothing makes me happier.

I detest big box ,corporate fashion. I have little use for mall fashion or mall mentality. I am afraid of what "mall culture" is doing is to us and our priorities.

I am a cat fanatic. I luv to go thrifting and I cannot cook to save my life.
****
Tell us about your shop.

I sew one of kind bags and totes. I make clothing in limited runs. One or up to 5 of a kind. It is very colourful and fun...for grown ups.
I try and design clothing that is feminine and fun for functional on many levels. I luv to make retro inspired dresses..combine vintage patterns etc.
I sewing everything on my own.
***

How did you get started?
I started selling in consignment shoppes allover Ontario after college and I worked with a dressmaker for 6 years.
After many failed attempts at "real jobs" I knew I had to be self employed.
***

What is your favorite item in you shop (attach link please)
This is tough...
At this moment: http://www.weezi.com/bags/page01/bag01/bag01.html
****

What’s your favourite _____________ that you have ever made
I can't say that I have a favourite...each new item I make is my new "favourite".
***

Whats you most memorable sale.
I sold a skirt to Alice Cooper for his wife.
***
Where do you find inspiration for your designs?
Vintage and retro book, patterns, magazines...photos on line, anything I can get my hands on that has a vintage or retro influence.
****
Tell us about a favorite designer.
Mary Quart. A woman ahead of her time and fearless with her imagination.
She is a true original. Vivien Westwood is close behind. I admire designers who go over the top.
***


What's your favorite color .
Pink...
***
What's your favorite room at home? Why is it your favorite?
My studio...it is where it all happens. I am there 12 hours or so day, it grows on you Wink

Do you have a (your product) tip you'd like to share with readers?
Do what you know....
****

What are your (upto 5) favorite blogs or website? (outside yours or icraft)? -

This changes on a regular basis
1.http://adore-vintage.blogspot.com/
2. http://www.hoyfashion.co.uk/
3.http://www.stopstaringclothing.com/sunshop/
4.http://www.lushlee.com/
5.http://modish.typepad.com/modish/

****
What are your (upto 5) favorite magazine(s), and or book(s).
1.BUST magazine
2.any European fashion mag I can find ( besides at Chapters)
3.Amy Sedaris I think I Like You:)
4.Threads
5.Dennis Lehane..it is all good.

What do you do to relax and unwind?
Relax??!!!!
Well, if there is any summer in Canada I like to go camping.
Thirfting in small towns
Watching old movies ( by old, I mean prior to 1970)
Red wine
Perusing thru a great new magazine while in a hot tub filled w bubbles. Smile


That doesn't seem very interesting but there you are....
Looking forward to the next assignment.

[PillowThrowDecor]

Favorite Product Tip:
I can’t think of any real tips. But, I have noticed that it is easier to sell 4-5 items at $20 each than it is to sell one item at $100. That is especially true if you are selling non-essentials like mens jewelry.

[Fairy Cardmaker]

Tell us about yourself…bio 150-200 words

My name is Lisa and I live in Ontario, Canada.  I'm a Chartered Accountant by trade but a paper crafter by passion!  I love nature and animals so I recycle and compost to to make up for my paper addiction!  When I was little, I used to draw paper dolls, cover them in clear tape and then cut them out.  Then I could draw the clothes and tape them on but still be able to get them off without any trouble!  I took a fashion design course in highschool, only to discover I am completely inept with fabrics!  The patterned papers of today actually take their cues from the fashion trends of the day and even come in several textures.  So, my primary addiction to paper also serves as a fashion surrogate!  (My second love is writing.)

Tell us about your shop.
Ensorcelled Minds Inc. is an expressive paper arts company that offers greeting cards and other paper art for scrapbooking all handmade *from scraps to smiles*. Some of the die cuts are designed by me on the computer and cut out with my digital cutter!  To "ensorcell" means to "hypnotize by means of socercy".  That's exactly how I am when I'm in my studio creating!

How did you get started?
I wanted to do something charitable with my life.  A family friend volunteers at the a foodbank.  Another asks for donations to charity for her Christmas presents.  I wanted to align myself with some greater purpose too!  Not having the shedule to accomodate fostering or adopting an animal, I decided to support charities who do.  I approached a charity to teach card making classes where half the proceeds go to the charity and half to the materials.  Excess materials and design ideas end up in my shop!  I branched in to die cuts... just because it's fun!

What is your favorite item in your shop

Easy. https://icraftgifts.com/handmade/15732/quilled-dragon-dark-green-forest.phpquilled-dragon-dark-green-forest.php

What’s your favourite _____________ that you have ever made
See above.

Whats your most memorable sale.
I got a custom order through my website http://www.ensorcelledminds.com
It was for 45 christneing invitations... in AUSTRALIA!  The card was a quilled angel bear (similar to the one on my website).  Next thing I knew, it blossmed into 55 invitations and 55 reply cards too!  I was so proud of me.  Plus the client was a dream: super organized, knew what she wanted, left me PLENTY of lead time and even sent me pictures of the family and, later, the event.

Where do you find inspiration for your designs?
Sometimes it's just my imagination.  Sometimes it's from sketch challenge blogs.  (One fine day, I will actual do the challenge and submit instead of being just a blog troll...)

Tell us about a favorite designer.
Don't really have one...

What's your favorite color.
Blue.

What's your favorite room at home? Why is it your favorite?
My studio!  My generous husband let me have a whole room and helped me put all my Ikea furniture together!  My mother and father-in-law went shopping with me and packed their vehicle to the hilt to fit all the furniture.  (I am blessed to have such wonderful people in my life.)  My room is my sanctuary.  It is painted with a calm colour and has lots of natural light.

Do you have a tip you'd like to share with readers?
When designing with scrapbook paper, take the manufacturer's cues!  Match your papers with the colours in the pattern.  Double sided paper is a natural match!  No work!

What are your (upto 5) favorite magazine(s)/book(s)/blog(s).
Do comic books count?  When I was a teen, I adored X-Men and Wolverine comics.  That died out some time ago, but I still have them all boxed up in my closet!

Scrap Time - http://www.scraptime.ca/blogpage/
I regularly visit this scrap product demonstration blog
Splitcoast Stampers - http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/
GREAT tutorials and inspiration galleries.
Two Peas in a Bucket - http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/mb.asp
GREAT scrappin' community and galleries.

What do you do to relax and unwind?
I love music, movies, and video games.  My favourite movies are action and sci-fi and also animated movies.  Being as shy as I am, I am surprised how much fun playing Rockband is with my husband!  We also play online MMORPG's together (Massive Multi-Player Online Role Playing Games).  It started out with EverQuest I and II and now we play World of Warcraft.

[mountaindreamers]

Tell us about yourself

Hi! My name is Laura ( Mountaindreamers) It seems that forever I have longed for anything to do with Mountains. In my younger days I was facinated by the Sciences including Geology , Chemistry and Physics. Then came the Chid era. Or I should say children, I have 4 grown now in their 20s. My oldest son is a musician/minister. My second son is a real artist studying education as a backup.  My daughter is a paramedic and going to PA School soon. My  youngest son is in college and  politics.  For a while I was a bit busy chasing kids . Suddenly 3 years ago they were grown, married, and/or out of the house.  I decided it was time to do something creative and combine my love for Geology to make jewelry.

I have lived in Ohio, Tennessee and presently North Carolina near Cherokee. I long for the Rockies and have visited 5 times to enjoy their energy.

Tell us about your shop.

In my shop I have focused on sterling and genuine stone jewelry with an organic twist. My pieces are simple yet as I am still learning. I strive to make quality long lasting pieces.  I have included some hand made glass and particularly like pieces that are assymetric. My favorite stones are genuine American Turquoise. I like to make affordable pieces . This has become even more important over the last year .

How did you get started?

As I said about 2 years ago I had a wild hair and decided to make some pieces for myself as I was frustrated with what I would see in the stores and catalogs. Especially with turquoise pieces . There is so much turquoise on the market that is plastic, dyed or just resin based. I have also become interested in the energy of different stones. As I read it became more important to construct jewelry from genuine stone and sterling . Studying physics and metaphysics gives us a new look at all life including the gifts from the earth that become our jewelry.  

What is your favorite item in your shop?

I love my signature turquoise necklace with the spirit horse and also the Moondance in the Rockies earrings.  Labradorite is a wonderful stone with lots of surprise flash.

What is your favorite item you have made?

It is hard to pick a favorite but the Andean Nights necklace did turn out very pretty with the garnets and citrine mixed.

What is you most memorable sale?

I had made a turquoise necklace to donate for a childrens charity. One of my coworkers saw it at the charity and remarked that he had wanted to bid for it for his wife but it went too high . I let him know I had made it ! ( much to his surprise)  I made a special order for him . that was a lot of fun

Where do you find inspiration for your designs?

I am inspired pretty much by any color pattern found in the Mountainous areas of the world, My favorites are the Rockies, Andes and Himalayas. there are several artists on Etsy that I have enjoyed, TheNoisyPlume, Sarawestermark, RevelationsNorth. These artists have phenomenal creativity and have skills beyond my present level. I enjoy supporting individual artists as I can. I use Sara's hoops in my hoop designs as she makes lovely consistently comfortable pieces. Michele on RevelationsNorth has incredible wire wrapping abilities and patience galore. Jillian of TheNoisyPlume is just a wonderful free spirit.  I love any design that makes your feel attractive , wild and free. After studying the energies of different stones , I like to make jewelry that will bring together protection, clarity of thought or cleansing. Working with jewelry design has been inspiring to see people follow their dream and create small businesses which I feel makes our economy healthy. I am so excited to see these young women following their passion and this has allowed a sort of rebirth for me in my middle years.

What is your favorite color?
Purple , then turquoise and blues, hard to pick one!

What is your favorite Room and why?

It would have to be my Bedroom, it is quiet , serene and a refuge from the world, a place to practice my voracious love of reading. Ok so the single life is may not as exciting as some but reading happens to float my boat.

Do you have a tip you would like to share with your readers?

Be educated about the jewelry you buy. Ask questions of the seller , if they can not tell you about their products  and materials keep looking. There are no bad materials but some have more intrinsic value than others and buy accordingly. Below is a link to my blog on turquoise.

http://mountaindreamers.blogspot.com/2009/06/turquoise-shaman-stone.html

What are your 5 favorite blogs? or websites?

I routinely skim Blogger for my favoriteshttp://revelateirl.blogspot.com/2009/11/unsheld.html

Michelle's A vessel for Magic
Jillian's Life and times of the noisy plume
http://thenoisyplume.blogspot.com/2009/11/i-was-wearing-snarky-pants-when-i-got.html
Marie's website http://mairedodd.blogspot.com/2009/11/did-you-see-this.html
From the Front porch on Wordpress
http://fromannsfrontporch.blogspot.com/2008/10/road-to-from-front-porch.html
and MrsLittlejeans and the adventures of the CatBoys Ollie and Augustus
http://mrslittlejeans.blogspot.com/

What are your favorite magazines or Books?

Yoga Journal
Love is in the Earth by Melody and the Book of Stones
Life and Teachings of the masters of the Far East
Thich Nat Hahn or Dali Lama's Writings
Tao Te Ching

How do your relax and unwind?

I walk several times a day with my dogs and like to go hiking when I have an hour or two. I like yoga for night time relaxation , and read a lot. When we can manage it I visit with the kids and my adorable grand daughter Ana who is 7 months old. I recently started blogging and enjoy taking pictures for the blog . Come by sometime!  http://www.mountaindreamers.blogspot.com

[Time and Sand]

Tell us about yourself…bio 150-200 words
Hi, my name is Carrie.
I was born in Utah, grew up in Albany, NY, spent 10 years in Toronto, Canada and now live in a small Midwest town, Columbus, Indiana.  I am married to a wonderful man, Russell and have two great children, Zac, 15 and Hannah 12, two dogs, and 4 fish.  I am the Director of Outreach and Care at a Lutheran Church three days a week and spend as much time as I can find (not easy with my busy household) creating jewelry.  We are an artistic clan.  Everyone creates things so we do crafts fairs, art shows and have online shops as family.

Tell us about your shop(s).
We currently have two shops on iCraft.  Time and Sand is my jewelry shop.  I am a wrapper that can’t rap.  I work with sterling silver and gold wire, glass beads, and gemstones to create woven, wrapped pieces.  Zac’s Zoaps is our other store, which are soaps made by my son and daughter.  Zac has made homemade, natural soaps for three years.  Since he is now in high school and does marching band, his younger sister, Hannah has taken over the soap business.

How did you get started?
 
I have made jewelry since I first learned to string macaroni to make necklaces for my mother at age 4. 

For a long time, jewelry was something that I did in my "spare" time, I made gifts and often made jewelry to go with my outfit, but didn't consider myself artistic. In Toronto in 1989 I met Russell Davies, a very talented photographer, we became good friends, one thing lead to another and we married in 1991. Russell challenged me to look at my jewelry making in a different light and encourage me to stretch and grow as an artist.  Over the past 18 years, we have had two children, moved to Indiana and through all the ups and downs he has encouraged me. In 2003 I became quite ill, and had surgery, I was bed-ridden for six weeks. Russell bought me some wire, beads and a wire wrapping book. Time and Sand Jewelry was born!

What is your favorite item in you shop (attach link please)
 Is my “Of Sun and Air” pendant.  This was a new technique for me when I made it and it was challenging and fun at the same time.  It has over 18 feet of sterling silver wire and I got to hide things in amongst it, flowers, leaves and Swarovski crystals are all tucked in amongst the tendrils of sterling silver twist and swirls.
#page has been deleted#

What’s your favourite Halloween costume that you have ever made.
Until recently (my children have outgrown the delight of homemade costumes) I have made their costumes.  My daughter’s first costume was a daffodil.  I made it out of yellow and green flannel, her little one-year-old face was surrounded by lovely yellow petals, it was my favorite project ever!

Whats you most memorable sale.
Honestly its hard to pick, I have two sales that were very memorable.  The first was, my first sale.  I was in line at Wal-Mart, when the woman behind me saw my bracelet and asked where I got it.  I told her I made it and that I could make one for her.  She was from out of town and asked if she could buy the one I was wearing, so I sold my first piece in the Wal-Mart express line!

My second memorable sale was this June.  A bead shop owner I know recommended me to a bride who was looking for something unique for her bridesmaids and flower girls (her sisters and their daughters).  She had lost her mom and wanted dragonflies and they were her mom’s favorite.  I made seven dragonfly pendants in total.  Having just lost my mom last year, this was a sale that was very special to me, and Patti (the bride) cried tears of joy when she saw them for the first time.

Where do you find inspiration for your designs?
Ooo, tough question? Everywhere!  I like very organic things, the curve of a tree or the softness of a smile.  Many things inspire me, people inspire me, and sometimes the wire just speaks and if I listen very carefully, we work in harmony, that is my best inspiration.

Tell us about a favorite designer.
Lisa Barth, a wire jewelry artist and a certified metal clay instructor from Atlanta, Georgia. She teaches wire artistry and metal clay and shares her passion for this art in her wonderful tutorials.  Her work is amazing, she is very open to teaching and supporting other artists and I hope someday to me her.

What's your favorite color.
Purple and blue hues are my favorite.  I am drawn to their beauty and love to put them together.

What's your favorite room at home? Why is it your favorite?
My first response would be my studio, it is my sanctuary and I love it in here, but actually my favorite place would be in the living room. I love to sit back and watch my family, watching a show, playing Guitar Hero, munching on popcorn, just hanging out together, laughing and having a good time.

Do you have a (your product) tip you'd like to share with readers?
If you are a wire wrapper buy a rock tumbler from Harbor Freight, www.harborfreight.com and some polishing shot, it is worth every penny and your pieces will look so much better.  It took me 3 years to learn this one.

What are your (upto 5) favorite blogs or website? (outside yours or icraft)?
http://www.jewelrylessons.com/ (by Eni Oken and friends) a great site for jewelry making tutorials, to ask questions, see other’s work and get feedback on your own.
http://www.amymusings.com/ by Amy Kehoe She writes about life according to Amy. Part humor. Part imagining a perfect world. Part self-deprecation. Mostly real.  She makes me laugh and I can always use a good laugh.
http://indianaetsy.blogspot.com/ I belong to the Indiana Etsy Team, InCrowd and this is their blog, I have learned a lot from these artists.

What are your (upto 5) favorite magazine(s), and or book(s).
Fire Mountain and Rio Grande Catalogs
Step-by-Step Wire (magazine)
The Artist’s Marketing & Action Plan Workbook by Jonathan Talbot
Tuesdays with Morrie (book)


What do you do to relax and unwind?
I hide in my studio and create!

[PillowThrowDecor]

Thanks so much everyone for doing lots of good interview information.

Keep posting your if you don't have it listed yet

Cheers  Christine

[PillowThrowDecor]

I am so impressed!!!

Mountaindreamers has used one of our bootcamper's interviews as a blog article in her blog.  Very well done... and you are very cleverly about a week ahead of me and my plan for all of our "interviews". Go down to the quote section of this message and click on the blog, read and leave comment. COMMENTS EXTREMELY VALUABLE FOR YOU, WRITER AND THE FEATURED PERSON... more on that next week.

So... that is another good reason why you all need to get your interviews done when you can... and you know you can go back into your post and "edit " it with the edit button. It's ok to go back, tweak and polish it.

Cheers
Christine
PillowthrowDecor

... I recently started blogging and enjoy taking pictures for the blog . Come by sometime!  http://www.mountaindreamers.blogspot.com

[mountaindreamers]

Hi  Christine , I just thought it would be a great feature as I had admired Deb's Tipi necklace on her Etsy site. Sorry to jump the gun! on Boot camp. I love blogging and read several every nite just to keep up with online artists. cheers Laura ( mountaindreamers )

http://www.mountaindreamers.blogspot.com

[PillowThrowDecor]

LOL.... Ur funny.  You jump guns anytime you see 'em girl!!!

I just may make you #1 blogging elf with the new icraft blog coming shortly!!!

Congrats ... you're doin' good... you just go girl!

Cheers

Christine

[mountaindreamers]

I am at your service , I like to blog and type pretty fast , anything I can do to help ; ) Laura

[PillowThrowDecor]

Alllllllrighty.

I am going to hunt admin down and hook you up for our blog... stand by.

Giggle... ur gonna be sorry... Have I got  a job for youuuuu!!!

Cheers

Christine

[mountaindreamers]

Ahhh I am the poster child for "ur r going to b sorry "   it is the way of a 4 lifepath, thru the brick wall not around it ; )

[wabibrookstudio]

Well, this was definitely a challenge.  And boy, does my bio need work!

Tell us about yourself…bio 150-200 words

I'm a retired equestrian trainer turned full-time artist/artisan. Living on a working horse and sheep farm in northern Ontario, I find oodles of creative inspiration for my drawings, paintings and jewellery designs. I tend to work intuitively and love exploring different media and techniques.
I am mostly self-taught, but I do try to get away to take weekend and week-long art and metal-working courses whenever I can. A couple of years ago, At the ripe young age of 49 I went back to college and took a Drawing and Painting Studio Certificate at the Haliburton School of the Arts. I wasn't sure about leaving my family for 4 months, but my husband pushed me into going, and my teenage daughter thought it was very cool! So, I did it, and it was an exhausting, humbling, amazing experience that made me feel for the first time that I could truly call myself an artist .
I love what I do. I play with fire, hit things really hard, throw paint around - and no-one tells me to stop! It doesn’t get any better than this.

Tell us about your shop.

At Wabi Brook Studio I offer fine art and artisan jewellery...inspired by nature.

All my jewellery is hand-made, by me, one at a time and in very limited editions. Many pieces are one of a kind. Ditto for my artwork. I create and sell original pieces of art, and also sell professionally made limited-edition giclee prints of many of those works. I care about every piece I create. I want my work to celebrate our beautiful planet and the people who live on it without compromising them. I don't want someone or something to die or be destroyed just so I can create beauty. I aim to be an ethical alternative to the mass-market, sweatshop-manufactured culture we live in.

Therefore, wherever possible, I use recycled/reclaimed/vintage/free trade materials in my work, and packaging made from recycled/recyclable products.

How did you get started?

I began drawing, painting and making jewelery about 6 years ago. I was recovering from a serious health challenge, wasn't able to continue my career as a self-employed horse and rider trainer, and was looking for something to do to keep busy. What started as a form of therapy, soon evolved into a business, and now I am a full time artist.

What is your favorite item in you shop (attach link please)

I don't really have one particular favourite.  There is something
I like about nearly everything that I make.

What’s your favourite _____________ that you have ever made?

Again, it is so diffucult to choose just one thing.  I could tell you my
favourite part of a painting, or piece of jewellery, but not a favourite
piece.


Whats your most memorable sale.

I think it would have to be the first painting that I sold that wasn't a commission.

Where do you find inspiration for your designs?

Most of my inspiration comes from nature.  I love organic shapes and lines, and the colours of nature.  I'm so blessed to live in a rural area surrounded by forests and fields, animals both wild and tame.  I only have to look out my window or step out my door to be inspired.

Tell us about a favorite designer.

One of my favourite artists is Franz Marc, a german artist who painted mainly animals using colour to express their inner feelings.


What is your favorite colour?

I love all colours, but I am drawn to blue most often.

What's your favorite room at home? Why is it your favorite?

My house is tiny, twenty + years old and unfinished inside so this is tough.  I'm going say my mud room (don't laugh too hard, now).  It's big and bright and welcoming, and has a lot of space for taking off muddy boots, dumping saddles, and tools and stuff.  It's also got closets - the only room in the house that does.  I'm weird, I know.

Do you have a (your product) tip you'd like to share with readers?

Be passionate about what you create.  I really believe that your passion and enthusiasm shines through whatever you make, and your customers can sense this.

What are your (upto 5) favorite blogs or website? (outside yours or icraft)? -

IndieNorth.com, Art Biz Blog,

What are your (upto 5) favorite magazine(s), and or book(s).

I am a prodigous reader, so it is difficult to choose just 5!

The Complete Metalsmith by Tim McCreight
Trust the Process by Shaun McNiff
The Art Spirit by Robert Henri
Art Jewelry magazine
The Artist's magazine

What do you do to relax and unwind?

Yoga, gardening, photography, walk the fields and roads around my farm with my dogs, curl up with a good book and a cup of white tea, play with the dogs, go on a date with my husband (yes after 28 years of marriage we still go on dates. Usually it's just going into town to pick up dog food and have a coffee, but hey, it still counts, right?).

[Fairy Cardmaker]

I was featured too!
http://awrappersview.blogspot.com/2009/11/introducing.html

Thanks, Carrie!

[VerreDesign]

Tell us about yourself…bio 150-200 words
I’ve always been creative, even the years I spent in a very rigid business environment. And I get bored quite easily... so I guess it drives me to try and experience different things - like playing with glass. Primarily self-taught, I’ve learned the basics of bead forming and other techniques through books and watching over shoulders. I then took different classes to experiment new techniques. The same goes for jewelry making. Thinking back, I’ve always been drawn to unique, original and quality work, textures, colors and presence. I bought my first “real” piece of jewelry when I was 17 (that’s quite a long time ago!) at a craft show in Montreal. It was a beauty, and the artist told me all about its making. I loved that very massive, chunky sterling silver ring and simply wore it all the time. How do I remember? Simple, that’s the one I still wear the most

Tell us about your shop.
VerreDesign is the perfect place to find Handcrafted, One Of a Kind, Artisan Jewelry Designs. I mostly do unique pieces and love playing with different media. Each creation has a little story of its own. I naturally tend to incorporate glass but I will play with colors, shapes and texture to make my designs stand out, whether by adding crystals, gems or vintage pieces! Mass produced jewelry is available everywhere - I offer the exact opposite. I put a lot of care and love in every piece I create and put in my shop.

How did you get started?
That is so funny! My son wanted to offer something different to the “best teacher ever!” for Christmas a few years ago. I suggested he made something himself and he decided he would make a necklace, but not with macaronis, with “real diamonds that shine” So we went to the craft store and... I ended up creating the necklace (we traded the diamonds for Swarovski crystals though! lol!!). And I was hooked! Being a glass artist, I started incorporating more and more of my own beads and glass creations into my jewelry designs and developed a style of my own, mixing different techniques and textures

What is your favorite item in you shop
Most artists will tell you their latest works are their favourites. True. But I like these two a lot also: my Alchemist Pendant and my Poppy Cuff Bracelet.

What’s your favourite _____________ that you have ever made ?
Without hesitation, my son! Lol!!!

What’s your most memorable sale.
I remember perfectly the first time a customer ordered a few items from my online store. I was new to the “online business”, and strangely had never imagined someone could buy many of my designs at once from an online store! All of my little beauties were going to California -  I remember thinking “Wow! Someone will actually walk the streets of L. wearing my designs! How cool is that?”

Where do you find inspiration for your designs?
They usually come to me when I am about to fall asleep! Sometimes I am inspired by a particular colour or beads I made, a picture I saw in a magazine or some make-up add, a walk in the woods or nature itself. I love inspiration, the “feeling” itself within the body of elevated energy and enthusiasm. Inspiration comes from anything that strikes my attention, makes me being present - It starts the “how could I make/use this?” wheels in my head.

Tell us about a favorite designer.
I love Sylvia Campbell. “Each of Ms. Campbell's designs is client specific, a one-of-a-kind custom made pair of shoes.  She offers an impressive combination of exquisite designs, not only creating style and comfort to match an outfit with an air of glamour and sophistication, but giving the wearer a perfect hand made pair of shoes that is totally hand crafted in the UK from beginning to end.” (http://www.usafashionshows.com/press/silviacampbell.htm)

What's your favorite color .
You cannot ask a glass artist to answer this one in only one word! Lol!!! Red for love, passion, getting noticed – Blue for romance, calm and concentration – Green, Yellow and Orange for happiness and energy – Black for class, mystery and complementarity – Purple for a touch of divine...  My favourite color is all colors!

What's your favorite room at home? Why is it your favorite?
I love my living room, especially in late afternoon. The light is so warm and the ambiance so quiet and soothing...

Do you have a (your product) tip you'd like to share with readers?
Always store your sterling silver wire and finished jewelry in plastic bags. This will slow down the tarnishing effect tremendously.

What are your (upto 5) favorite blogs or website? (outside yours or icraft)? I love and follow:
Indie North (http://indienorth.com/)
Zen Dot Studio (http://zendotstudio.blogspot.com/)
Accidental Mysteries (http://accidentalmysteries.blogspot.com/)
Manuela Wutschke (http://manuela-wutschke.blogspot.com/)
Melanie Moertel (http://www.melaniemoertel.com/)

What are your (upto 5) favorite magazine(s), and or book(s).
Anything written by Amélie Nothomb
Ulysse by James Joyce
Perfume by Patrick Süskind
The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
Book of Wisdom by Dalai Lama

What do you do to relax and unwind?
I melt glass. I love working at the torch - each colour has a different way of responding to heat. Staring at the flame is like a meditation.

[PillowThrowDecor]

Wow... Some absolutely awesome responses.  We have a group of really really interesting people!

Cheers Christine

[Zs Knees]

Well, why not be thorough:)... here are the rest of Z's Qs:

 What is your favorite item in you shop (attach link please)
This one, just because it's the newest & freshest:
https://icraftgifts.com/handmade/19117/sunshine-blanket-and-pillow-set-toddler-gifts.php

What’s your favourite _____________ that you have ever made
My most exciting knitting accomplishment (I'm a slow knitter, so it's pretty exciting to finish any project, lol!) was felted slippers and mittens, which I wore for a long cooooold winter in Russia.

What's your most memorable sale.
My first iCraft sale was on my birthday, so that was a wonderful present!

Tell us about a favorite designer.
I really like Luana Pintea, of Below 14th Street:  http://below14th.typepad.com/ because of her experimental, fun-loving approach.

What's your favorite room at home? Why is it your favorite?
I think like any crafter, it’s the room where I do my creating, for me that’s the spare bedroom.  I especially relish being able to stop being Safety Patrol Mommy and leave things like scissors and needles all over the place.

Do you have a (your product) tip you'd like to share with readers?
Felt is washable! I’ve put my Eco-fi (and if Eco-fi works, I'll bet regular felt would work too) felt appliqués through the washer & dryer several times now with great results.

What do you do to relax and unwind?
Take Z out in the stroller and look at people’s yards.

[PillowThrowDecor]

Hey way to go!

Cheers

Christine