There's so much more to say, but I'll let Staci tell you about that herself!
Enjoy the interview...
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Me: Tell us a bit about yourself and your family!
Staci: I am married to a wonderful husband & father who is always very supportive of me. We live in a big old house in Virginia that always needs painting with our four children, three boys and one girl( ages 2-12) & our two English Springer Spaniels. My Etsy store is named after our daughter whose nickname is "Miss Tishabooshay".
Me: What do you make?
Staci:I handpaint clear glass plates creating a one of a kind keepsake for babies & children, but I also paint canvas, picture frames, and pillows.
Me: What inspired you to start creating?
Staci: My earliest memory of creating was when I was about four. A very dear lady who would babysit me also happened to own a local florist business & she would take me to work with her & sit me on the worktable to watch her arrange flowers. She let me make my own arrangements with any of the leftovers. I feel like I have been creating something with my hands ever since! My handpainted plates came about because I needed something cute for my daughter's birthday party. I couldn't find anything I liked, so I decided to just make it myself. Those first plates were originally clear glass that I painted a solid color with different colored polka dots(each plate was different). And we still use those plates~ now five years later~ whenever one of my four children has a birthday, so I think the quality is pretty darn good, too!
Me: Do you have an inspiring figure in your life?
Staci: I would have to say my children inspire me~ whether its something they do or say or maybe even a book we may read together.
Me: What are some things you have done you think helped your business the most?
Staci: Honestly, I haven't figured this one out, yet! I think being an artist AND a business person is a very big challenge. It is not easy to switch gears and go into business mode when you are feeling creative & just want to paint, but if you want your business to be successful, you have to do the not so fun stuff, too. I am still pretty new to Etsy and this is my first business venture with my art.
Me: Do you have a favorite piece you created?
Staci: I especially like my handpainted glass name plates. I have painted these for baby gifts for friends over the years & I hope they become special keepsakes for their children. I also like my canvas paintings, like the Old Welsh Aire, "Soft the drowsy hours are creeping....". I have one of these in my baby's room & it is my favorite lullaby.
Me: Do you photograph your creations? Can you tell us a bit about the process?
Staci: I do photograph my own creations & I am still working on this! My husband usually helps me or critiques my finished photos~ he's a much better photographer than me, but isn't always home from work when I need to take pictures! I have found that natural light is best and my last photos are taken on our front porch, which are much improved from the ones before, if you can believe that. Speaking of photos....I think I need to work on these again soon!
Me: Do you attend art and craft fairs/shows often?
Staci: No...and I should! But maybe one day, when the children are older.
Me: Tell us a fun fact about yourself!
Staci: I am training for my first marathon in November.
Me: Where can we see your art?
Staci: Right now, on Etsy...or in the homes of family & friends.(you know the term "starving artist" ? well, that was me in college! and my family & friends could always count on my art for their birthday or Christmas gift!)
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Ooooh, Staci, your last answer there makes me wish I where part of your family! :-D I bet they are always thrilled to receive such uniquely handpainted art for a present!
I must say I truly enjoyed getting to know you better. I hope your online business is a success and you earn many fans!
May God bless you as you continue to create...
1 comment:
Johanna,
Thanks so much for featuring me & my Etsy store on your blog! I really enjoyed answering your questions & will look forward to reading your blog about fellow Etsy artists in the future!!
~Staci
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