Monday, December 20, 2010

Member Feature: Geraldine (Handamade)

Featured: Handamade
Interview by: MySelvagedLife

How did you get started on Etsy?
It happened to be when I ‘m searching something on Google and found Etsy and saw something that interests me.

What’s your favorite part of being a shop owner on Etsy?
My favorite part of being a shop owner is you don’t have to deal with your boss.

What challenges have you faced during the process?
When my costumer asked me to make a Boston terrier coffee cup cozy, and that I based on her dog pictures and make one for her. Not too bad ha! I don’t have any pattern at all.

Costumers dog picture
My work challenge:

After:

What inspires you?
When my item gets selected for treasury and get into the front page of Etsy. Also seeing a lot of shoppers hearts my shop.

Apart from creating things, what do you do?
When I’m at home I keep myself busy with cleaning, gardening, or going to the store. One of my hobbies is photography. We purchased some studio lights and created a photography studio in our living room. I always photograph my new creations and post them to my Etsy shop.

What first made you want to become an artist?
Well, I have never been an artist, but I have always been a creative person. When I was in the third grade, I lived with my sister. When she went to college, she hired a nanny, who taught me how to crochet. When I got married, I made all the wedding favors for the reception guests. Later on I learned how to knit in a class taken at my local yarn shop. From that point on, I learned a lot of ideas and techniques to create my many designs. A couple of years ago, I came across Etsy. After a couple of months, I opened my own shop and tried to sell my apple jacket design. I was surprised at the response! Eventually I created my most successful design, the Monster Shark Cozy for water bottles and Monster Shark Sleeve for coffee cups.

What advice would you give to artists who are new to Etsy?
Be nice to your customers. Make sure you respond to their question as soon as possible and always email them your confirmation when their order has been shipped. Be patient! Every time I have sold any items, I will always include my business card.

Is there anything you would like to share in your feature?
Take good photography and I relist sold items and be patient…

Visit Geraldine's Etsy Shop: