Our Featured Artist For October Is.....Beautanicals!

What is your name? Hélène Fontaine Taylor
Where do you live (state)? I live in Gig Harbor, Washington but I am a Canadian originally from Victoria, British Columbia
Do you work outside the home? Yes
If so, doing what? I am a junior high school teacher of students with behavioral issues and learning disabilities in math, reading and written language.
Are you married? Yes
Do you have any children? All girls – 13, 11 and 3
What is the name of your Etsy shop? Beautanicals
How long have you been open? Since January 31, 2010
What do you make? I make mini cards, greeting cards, gift tags, photographic images of nature and architectural elements and I have recently started making framed chalkboards which appear to be becoming the focus of my shop.
How long have you been crafting or making things? Ever since I can remember. My dad had a strong interest in photography and I followed him around which gave me a foundation in the creative process and the passion for expressing myself in this manner.
How did you get started? I was always encouraged to be creative and to be intentional in carving out time for creativity.
What prompted you to start selling your creations? I have been selling my photography for several years and a friend of mine told me about Etsy.
What do you enjoy most about creating? I find it very rewarding to get hold of a creative idea, problem solve about how you are going to accomplish your vision, and then the satisfaction of a finished product. It is relaxing and rewarding especially when someone else thinks my items are good enough to welcome into their life.

 

Our Featured Artist For September Is.....SCRAPPIN ASHLEY!

Read on for her interview to learn a little more about her & her shop! Click here to check out her shop! Also you can click on the mini picture show at the bottom of the interview.

1.What is your name? Ashley Scheffler
Where do you live (state)? Indiana    Do you work outside the home? No..I am blessed to be a SAHM to my almost 2 year old son.
2. Are you married? Yes..very happily married to Brent. Do you have any children? Aiden (almost 2)
3.What is the name of your Etsy shop? Scrappin Ashley. How long have you been open? I have had Etsy shop since 2007. What do you make? Paper crafts (cards, albums, pages and more). How long have you been crafting or making things? Since I was 16 years old. Although my style has changed quite a bit since then.
How did you get started? When I was 16 my mom went to a Stampin Up party and bought a few things. I used those items and got hooked!
4. What prompted you to start selling your creations? I was running out of room to keep things I created! 

5. What do you enjoy most about creating? Seeing the finished product after I finish making something.

Lots of things going on with the team.....

Woo I haven't posted in a while sorry about that! We have some new members on the team which brings our total team members to 16!! Our new members are: Hale Street Studio, Meldew Designs, Cait Cards, & A Joyful Life. be sure to stop by their shops & check out their fabulous card creations!

Now onto the featured member for August, it is Madie Ager! She was chosen by Random.org. Here is her interview:

1. What is your name? Madie Ager-Warner Where do you live (state or country)?  Beckenham, Kent which is 20 mins on the train to London Do you work outside the home? I work for 3i they are a private equity company. If so, doing what? I am a Client Services Team Leader I have a team of 9 and we manage the front of house service, meetings, events and switchboard. My other role with the company is ISS you might have heard of them I am a Training Facilitator I facilitate and write the training programs and I also mentor.
2. Are you married? Yes for 8 months. Do you have any children? No but I have a cat.
3. What is the name of your Etsy shop? The Butterfly Corner How long have you been open? April 2010 What do you make? Cards mainly but I make albums for other people out of recycled children’s books. I sew a little bit and I dabble a little in altered art but I want to try and scrapbook a bit more. How long have you been crafting or making things? I have always been creative I have a card that I made my mother when I was 7 and I have hand cut the edges so it looked scalloped and to this day that is my favorite edging for a card. How did you get started? I would say in the last 5/6 years I have really got back into it mainly because my job changed and I actually have time to myself.
4. What prompted you to start selling your creations? My now husband told me one day “you can’t keep everything you make and you can’t keep giving it away” and “you can’t buy anymore stuff” Ha! Little does he know how shrewd we crafters are… In the last 3 years I feel that my creations are good enough to sell now.
5.What do you enjoy most about creating? I’m definitely a giver I really enjoy making cards for other people especially if they request something. I find crafting relaxing you can lose yourself for hours I probably spend too much time in my craft room but it’s my little haven. I just love all the products and techniques that are out there these days.

Our First Featured Artist........

Our first featured team member is MARY DRIGGS AKA Cr8ive M.E. Paper Crafts! Check out the feature here along with some awesome cards from her shop!

1. What is your name? Mary Ellen Driggs, that's why I named my shop Cr8ive M.E.  Where do you live (state)? I'm from Texas
Do you work outside the home? Yes, for now  If so, doing what? I work at a UPS Store.
2. Are you married? Yes  Do you have any children? Unfortunately, I haven't been able to have children yet due to my anemia. However, I do have furry children.
3. What is the name of your Etsy shop? Cr8ive M.E.  How long have you been open? May 9, 2010  What do you make? I make cards, decorated candles, mini books for gifting money, and notebooks.  How long have you been crafting or making things? I've been crafting for 8 years now. My first set of cards was my MY wedding invitations.  How did you get started? I got started 8 years ago when I was planning my wedding. My mother-in-law owns the local scrapbook store and she convinced my husband and I that we could make our own wedding invitations. She's so proud of our invitation that she shows it to people that come into her shop for ideas on making their own wedding invitations.
4. What prompted you to start selling your creations? For years my husband and friends have been telling me that I should start a shop.
5. What do you enjoy most about creating? It's a great way to express myself and use my education in Fashion at the same time.