1. Tell us a bit about yourself.
I am a 33-year-old woman who loves arts and crafts, nature, and animals. I have been crafting for as long back as I can remember (with a few hiatuses) and my mother taught me how to do most of what I do now. The only things I have taught myself so far are needle felting and punch needling. I am a vegetarian of 14 years, and I will be for the rest of my life. My zodiac sign is Libra, and I am a Libra in each and every sense of the word. I am a germaphobe and I don't like shaking peoples' hands. I used to be a night owl but now I am a morning person.
2. What made you open your shop and why Etsy?
I had been in school for a few years and didn't have time to craft. I finished up school and started working as an occupational therapy assistant, and I noticed there was something lacking in my life. Spiritually and emotionally I felt void. I realized I needed to pick up crafting again. So I started with Christmas ornaments and decoupaged boxes, but I had run out of people to give them to, so I decided that I wanted to see if anyone was willing to pay money for them -- so I decided to open up a shop! I chose Etsy because I had seen it before, having gotten gifts from there and then having checked out the sellers' shops -- I really liked the look and feel of it.
3. Do you sell your items anywhere else?
I do. I sell on a couple of other websites but I don't even know if I would call it "selling", because I never get sales there lol. I also just started doing consignment at a local shop that wanted to sell my jewelry and hair accessories. So far that is going well!
4. How did you choose your shop name?
My shop name just came to me one day when I was driving. I love the shabby chic style, and I also think my stuff is "not too shabby", so I came up with NotSoShabbyChic!
5. What are your favourite things to do?
As far as crafts go, I love knitting, going to my knitting group, going to yarn stores, crocheting, felting, painting, latch hooking, punch needling, and even the occasional sewing project. As far as non-craft activities go, I love going for walks outside in nature, bird watching, photographing nature, reading, watching movies, the occasional rock-scrambling adventure, and going to museums.
6. What inspires you?
I would say that nature inspires me the most. I love trees, plants, animals, and flowers, and I think this reflects in my work. I am continually amazed by the color palette that nature offers. I love color of all kinds and I strive for a colorful, fun shop.
7. Of all the items you make for your shop, which do you enjoy making the most?
This is a tough one. I love making most of my stuff and all in different ways and for different reasons. If I could choose 3 though, I would choose my knitted/crocheted work because it takes me to a zen-like place when I make it, my decoupaged work because it involves many different types of craft to complete one piece (designing, painting, gluing, glittering, gold leafing), and finally coming up with my needle felted critters for the first time -- this simply because it brings me joy to see the finished item and how it matches the idea I had in my head.
8. Which item is your most popular?
I would say my needle felted balls are my most popular item. They are versatile and people have used them for many different purposes: as beads, as home decor, as embellishments for clothing, and as eyeballs for knitted alligators just to name a few!
9. Which handmade possession given to you do you cherish most?
I would have to say my favorite handmade possession is a crocheted blanket that my old landlady made for me. It is heavy and warm and beautiful to look at. It was also most likely one of the last things she was able to make as she was starting to suffer greatly from Parkinson's Disease.
10. Name 3 other Etsy shops you love to visit.
Oh boy this is another tough one for me -- I am a regular Etsy shopper and Etsy chatter and so there are MANY favorite shops for me. But if I had to choose three, I would choose these three lovely (and I mean that for each and every one of them) ladies:
Blushing Ewe -- amazing hand-dyer of wool rovings. Will also do custom work and also spins yarn from her rovings.
boygirlparty -- incredibly talented artist with ADORABLE products featuring her work. Loves to draw owls, cats, octopi, squirrels and more.
See Jayne Knit Yarns -- amazing hand-dyer of yarns; amazingly huge selection. I have been thrilled with each and every single yarn I have gotten from her.
Thank you so much to Not So Shabby Chic for being my featured shop this week. This shop has been a favourite for a very long time. I have also had the pleasure of chatting with this lovely lady in the Etsy Chat. I feel like we are kindred spirits as we find joy in alot of the same things. The pictures in this feature are just the tip of the iceberg with the wonderful items that are in this shop. With so many different crafts represented in this shop with such beautiful work being done you will surely find something for yourself or a special gift for someone. With Christmas being just around the corner this would be the perfect place to start your shopping.
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2 comments:
Awww thank you SO much for the very sweet feature, I REALLY appreciate it! :D
This is a great post. Thanks so much for sharing, like always.
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