(1) Who are you?
Who I am is a loaded question, LoL! I am a Christian 23 year old stay at home Mom to 2 great kids, wife to my wonderful husband and quilter, knitter, spindler, and voracious reader when there is a spare minute.
(2) What is your shop name and how did you come up with it?
My shop name is Hamncheezr, which has been my screen name since I was about 15. It started as a little joke about my sister Veronica always being a ham and cheesing when she smiled and kind of just stuck with me.
(3) What do you create and sell?
I mostly create and sell quilted handbags made from scrappy batik and/or handdyed fabrics. Occasionally a "regular" quilt or knitted item will pop up in my shop.
(4) What is your source for inspiration?
I like the freedom of just grabbing random pieces of fabric and sewing them together. There are no rules, no right or wrong way to do it. It is usually very stress relieving to sit down and piece a bag.
(5) What is your favorite piece from your shop & why?
My favorite piece right now would probably be my HANDbag--it has a machine appliqued outline of my actual hand on it, with antique buttons from my great-grandmother sewn on as finger nails!
(6) Is running your shop your only job?
It's the only thing I do to make a little money on the side, yes, but as a stay at home Mom my lists of "jobs" is endless! : )
(7) When did you start your business?
I've been making quilts for people for pay for years but only started with making the bags in March of 2008. My first bag was for my hippy sister Diantha for her birthday.
(8) How long have you been selling on Etsy?
I started selling on Etsy in August of 2008.
(9) Do you sell outside of Etsy?
Occasionally I sell quilts or bags to people by word of mouth. Also this month a local store has started to carry some of them for me which is really exciting! I love using Etsy and have no complaints but it's so neat to have my items in an actual, physical store!
(10) What do you like best about Etsy?
It's so easy to use! The people are friendly and respectful of each other, the fees are lower than other sites and I just love it!
(11) Do you belong to any teams?
Yes, I am on the Carried Away Bag team, the CAST team, the Quiltsy team and the Tattoo'd Moms of Etsy team.
(12) Do you have more than one Etsy shop?
Nope, just the one.
(13) What do you do to promote your shop(s)?
I host giveaways from my blog from time to time, and I had business cards made that I hand out and sometimes I run specials that I post about on AD days on lists I'm on.
(14) What do you do in your spare time?
LOL! I just learned to spin this year using a drop spindle and I LOVE it! I also read just about everything I can get my hands on, cook and occasionally I paint. Mostly I quilt and play with my kids though.
(15) What is your blog or website url?
http://hamncheezr.blogspot.com is my blog where I talk about my items, my life and whatever else pops into my head.
(16) Are there any blogs you follow regularly?
Yes! I follow http://mysevenkids.blogspot.com okay, it's my Mom's but the stuff that happens to her is really funny and she's till got 6 kids at home so it's always interesting. Also:
http://sunshineofautumnquilts.blogspot.com/ and http://alattequilts.blogspot.com/
(17) Are there any particular Etsy shops you follow regularly?
Yes, the Dreamy Giraffe http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=50177
Yarn by Ashley B http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=50177
HeartFeltFun http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6378722
(18) Any advice (business, or otherwise) for fellow sellers?
Do whatever you can to make your product the best that you can. Money is hard to come by these days, if you wouldn't spend yours to buy it--don't sell it. Have fun with your craft and enjoy your artwork!
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