1. What kind of crafting/art do you do? How long have you been doing it?
I do all kinds of needle craft, but have been concentrating on sewing, machine embroidery and crocheting. I received my first sewing machine at the age of 6, and have been sewing since! I can’t even remember my first project. My mother taught my brothers and I how to crochet as well. After a long car rides, we kids would crochet chains of yarn. The person who crocheted the longest chain would get a prize. My mother knew how to keep us busy! My first sale was of crocheted hair ties. My second sales job was selling doll clothes to classmates!
2. Where do you pull your inspiration from?
Working with a customer on a custom item is the most inspiring. I just love getting an idea from a client and bouncing ideas back and forth. What first starts out as a simple idea usually ends up becoming a beautiful, personal item.Alchemy, I have discovered, is a wonderful place! It allows me to create a custom item for a customer, freeing my creativity more than the listings allow.
3. What is your favorite medium?
I love cotton…in yarns, materials and threads! Different combinations of such a simple item can create a keep-sake for years to come. In our closet, I have beautiful little gowns hand made for my daughters. They are 100% batiste cotton with hand embroidered shadow work. They were a joy to work on, and I look forward to the day my daughters have little girls to where them again.
4. Is Etsy/your art your full time job, or just an on the side project?
Everything seems to be on the side! I am a mom to eight kids ranging from 16 years old to 9 months old. They will always come first. My etsy business is growing fast, but I always try to remember to pull back if it interferes with my family life. Usually the kids are just as excited as I am when I create a new item or have a new sale. I could easily become a work alcoholic, but my kids are keeping me grounded.
5. How did you find Etsy?
I found Etsy through a friend who urged me to set up a shop. After a year of her encouragement, I finally took her advice. I am so glad I did!
6. How did you become ADDICTED to Etsy CHAT?
I have a bit of the blarney in me! Becoming addicted to Etsy chat seemed to happen instantly. Can you imagine? A room full of people who love to chat and craft, all in one place?? That’s just asking for addiction to happen!
7. What is your favorite piece that you have done?
My favorite piece is the custom tote I made for Pumpkinpye517 (a fellow etsian). She wanted a tote with her daughters name embroidered on it. It turned out wonderfully! I love it, and from what I hear, so does Pumpkinpye517ei!
8. What is your favorite Etsy shop (other than yours)?
Favorite shop? Oh my! That is hard! There are so many wonderful crafters that I can’t just pick one. The crafts and skills that are on display are just amazing!
9.Tips for other Artists?
Believe in your work. An artist gave my daughter great advice, value your art and never give it away. Too many times we see our items as “simple” and think no one would pay for them. Don’t fall into this trap! Value your work, and others will too.
10. Tell me a secret about yourself!!??
For a while I was on the way to being a college professor. I was even a graduate assistant, teaching and grading papers for professors. How life has changed for me!
11. Any parting words of wisdom? Questions? Comments?
“The hunger for love is much more difficult to remove than the hunger for bread.”~ Mother Theresa
There are so many quotes from Mother Theresa that I love, but this is one of my favorites. It reminds me to do all things in my life with love.
MyMotherMary is offering these adorable Squishy-Soft Baby Blocks in our giveaway! To enter, all you have to do is go to MyMotherMary's Etsy Shop and come back here and leave a comment telling us which of her items is your favorite! Be sure you leave your email address so we can contact you if you are the winner!
This giveaway is open internationally and will run until Friday, February 27th at midnight EST.
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