Jumat, 11 Februari 2011

An Interview with My Crochet Garden and Giveaway

Tell us a bit about yourself:
I’m 51 years old. Married to my high school sweetheart for 32 years.  I taught myself to crochet at the age of 9. I bought a skein of yarn, needle and learn how to book with my allowance. I’ve been crocheting ever since. I typically crochet using a pattern. My yarn of choice would be cotton. I love making baby items. I won a blue ribbon last fall at our local fair for a shawl I crocheted. It was made from a beautiful wool yarn and the roses around the neckline are edged in glass-beaded silk. My true passion and joy lie in the garden, hence the name My Crochet Garden.
What made you want to become an artist?
I don’t know that I ever had a choice. It’s something I have to do. My soul wants me to create. If I’m not creating I’m not happy. 
What is your favorite item to create?
My true joy and passion is gardening, my favorite thing to create is a flower garden.  I enjoy crocheting just about anything; I guess my favorite thing to crochet would be children’s hats.

What advice would you give to new artist on Etsy?
Create what you love. The odds of making a million are slim to none.  Have good pictures. Relist often. Have business cards made and give them to everyone. You have to self promote. Facebook, twitter and blog. Have a business plan and goals.

How do you promote your work?
I had business cards printed using www.vistaprint.com I give them to everyone. I am also a co-owner of a brick and mortar antique shop. I put a business card in every bag that leaves my shop. I have a facebook fan page. I have a section in my brick and mortar shop with my crocheted items. I have been fortunate enough to land several large jobs for boutique shop owners in my area. I honestly think word of mouth is your best advertisement.
Do you have any websites connected to your shop (blog, facebook or twitter)?
I am currently in the process of creating a web site for our brick and mortar antique shop. I will link my Etsy shop to that. I do have a Facebook fan page. I personally do not blog or twitter. I have been featured on several blogs.
What is the inspiration for your work?
I suppose the best way to answer that would be color and texture. I love color and I love the different textures of different types of yarn.

Do any of your items go toward a special cause?
Yes, I crochet squares for  www.heartmadeblessings.org
I have made several donations to Relay for Life.
Do you have a job outside of Etsy? How do you handle both?
Yes, I’m a co-owner of an antique shop. We take turns working in the shop so I have several weeks off between working there. Since I co-own the shop I often times take my crochet with me and crochet while there.  I’m sitting in my shop now typing this on my laptop.
Where do you create?
Everywhere! Crochet is quite portable. I can crochet and watch TV. If my husband is driving I crochet. I love to sit in my garden in the spring and crochet. 

What are you goals for your shop?
At this time my goal is to reach 100 sales.
Is there anything else you would like to share with us?
Create what you love. Seek peace, truth, joy and happiness.  Be kind to yourself and others.

This giveaway is now closed. Thank you to all who entered and congratulations to the winner!
Here's how to win!

Mandatory Entry:
 Visit My Crochet Garden's Etsy Shop and tell me what your favorite item is.


Bonus Entries (leave a separate comment telling me which you have done):
1 entry per comment left. Make sure you leave a separate comment for each with your email address.   
Become a follower of my blog.
"Like" My Crochet Garden on Facebook. (leave name you are a fan under)
Comment on one of My Crochet Garden's
Facebook posts. Heart My Crochet Garden's Etsy Shop
Visit my Etsy shop and tell me your favorite item.
Leave a comment on any of my other non-giveaway blog posts. (Let me know what post you commented on)
Share this giveaway on Facebook, Twitter, or Blog (leave the link where you shared)


*I am not responsible for the shipping of this item*

Contest closes at 11:59 p.m. Central Time on Friday, March 4, 2011
Sunday, March 6, 2011 a winner will be randomly drawn from eligible entrants 
and notified by e-mail, and the winner's name will also be posted on my blog. If no email is listed I will choose another winner. Winner has one week to respond to my email to claim his/her prize after initial contact. 
Contest open to U.S. residents only.

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