Tell us a bit about yourself name, location,
affiliations, personal stuff.
My name is Bonnie and I love to laugh and enjoy life. I live in Utah in a little house that has loads of character and tons of beautiful old rose bushes. I have a fantastic husband of whom I'm MADLY in love with and we have two of the craziest sweetest kids in the whole world. I love love love getting to know people from other cultures. I'm so fascinated by other cultures, their music, traditions, dress, food, and history. Yeah I sometimes cry when I watch the travel channel because WOW this world is just so darn beautiful.
Apart from creating things, what do you do?
Hmmmmm that is a good question I do a lot of creating. I'm a mom and I talk to my sisters and Parents a lot. I try to jog occasionally. I cook, and watch movies, read books, visit funky little stores. When my husband and I are feeling particularly crazy we go camping or hiking in the mountains with our kids.
What first made you want to become an artist?
The joy of creating and expressing. It feels so good to have a creative outlet. I swear it's like therapy!
Please describe your creative process how, when, materials, etc.
I 'm inspired by just about anything, there is beauty to be found everywhere. I usually see a print or some sort of material that looks interesting such as the patina of weathered copper or fantastic paisley or colorful print. I love it just for what it is and I'll buy it. Then it will sit on my desk for a while until I finally make something out of it. Of course there are some fabrics that I can't bare to cut and I will hoard them forever.
What handmade possession do you most cherish?
Two things come to mind. One is a pin that my son colored for me, it's very sweet. It is of a fairy in a orange waterfall. He told me that it was a magic waterfall. The second is a very little book he made from legos; He said it was a jewelry book because he knows how much I like jewelry.
Name your top five books, movies, songs/musical groups, and web sites besides Etsy.
*Movies*
Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (The brave of heart will carry away the bride)
Tampopo
The Quiet Man
Shaolin Soccer
Singing in the Rain
My Mothers Castle My Fathers Glory
*Books*
"The Diamond in the Window" By Jane Langton
"Tinkerbelle" by Robert Manry
"Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë
"The Book of Mormon"
"Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer
and anything by Alexandre Dumas
*Web sites*
LibriVox is just about the best thing!
Online fabric stores, too many to list.
Cute Overload.com
CRAFT: and MAKE:
e-obento.com
*Music*
Bach
Doobie Brothers
Eagles
Chicago
Dirty Vegas
They Might be Giants album 'NO'
Cake
Peggy Lee's 'Big Spender' and 'Woman'
What advice would you give to artists who are new to Etsy?
Keep improving your photography and photo-shop skills. Invest in good tools, you'll never regret getting a good quality tool. Build up your inventory. Try different things. HAVE FUN!
What are your favorite features on Etsy? What new features would you like to see?
By far it would have to be the "favorite" or the "Hearting" feature. I love seeing what people like. It's so nifty to see all the creative, gorgeous, and funny things there are. I also really enjoy the Forums and Time Machine 2.
As far as new features I would like to be able to be able to move the items around in my store without having to re-list them. It would be nice to create the design and look of my store.
How do you promote your work?
Mostly it's been through listing new items daily and word of mouth. Occasionally I'll "hit the streets" and find out what the local stores need.
In ten years I'd like to be...
I like to find a long lost incredibly wealthy relative who when they die leaves everything to me. . . . It would be convenient.
But really I would just want to continue my happy life but with a bigger kitchen, a second bathroom, and maybe my own fabric line.
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