Tell us a bit about yourself name, location,
affiliations, personal stuff.
I’m Terri Sullivan and I live in Massachusetts with my three children: Twelve year-old identical twin boys and a 10-year-old girl. They are magnificent beyond words… little treasures… that make me laugh every single day. They say funny things and my mother always asks, “Are you writing this stuff down?” They are terrific travelers and, as a unit, we are skilled at racing through an airport. I start most projects after 10pm… like painting the kitchen. I don’t smoke, rarely drink and always shout a bad word when I physically injure myself… like when I smack my head on a cabinet while painting the kitchen at 2 am.
Apart from creating things, what do you do?
Well, there never seem to be enough hours in the day. Time moves at the speed of light and I usually force myself to go to bed at a terribly late hour because we’re going to be getting up soon. I’m very involved with our schools, as a family we do fundraising for St. Jude Children’s Hospital and I spend an absurd amount of time driving. Apparently my real job is part-time chauffeur. I could fill this entire page with the list of my children’s activities that take me all over our small part of the world.
What first made you want to become an artist?
I am quite certain it was never my plan. I went to Syracuse University and majored in Management because a job in the business world seemed like the right thing to do. I was investigating fraud in the finance industry when I left the workforce to have my boys and become a SAHM. But I was always working on some kind of creative endeavor. And I know I get it from my Nana. She was a spectacular crafter back when they didn’t have craft stores. She would buy formal gowns for twenty-five cents at the thrift store and set me up with a TV tray (remember those?). I would sit with little cups in front of me and pull the beads off the dresses, one by one, so she could have them for some sort of project. If there was such a thing as a bead store in the early 70’s, we didn’t know about it. I cringe when I think of all the beautiful wedding gowns and cocktail dresses I meticulously picked apart. My pinecone trees are inspired by her, and I know she would love them.
Please describe your creative process how, when, materials, etc.
Right now I’m in full harvest mode. I’m gathering acorns like a squirrel on steroids and I won’t hesitate to stop the car anywhere if I think I see an oak tree. I hang my head out the window and look up! My yard has plenty and I’ve grabbed a lot but I’m having an issue. It might simply be a lack of experience, but the squirrels in my neighborhood have developed a poor extraction technique. They used to delicately remove the nut and leave a perfect little cap intact. This year, they’re just ripping through ‘em all willy nilly, leaving a broken, unacceptable mess. I’m prepared to offer training and we’re negotiating the details but something has to change. If push comes to shove, I’ll get a kitty. And I mean it! (picture me glaring at the squirrels)
I love the flexibility that my Etsy shop has provided. I felt any time of the day. I have no less than a million ideas in my head for new things to add to my shop, I just don’t have the time to experiment and make it happen. Sometimes I’ll jot down 10 ideas at once and then go back later and consider each one. Most get ruled out before the experiment phase, some have moved into the prototype phase and await production or a photo shoot.
What handmade possession do you most cherish?
When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I spent a fair amount of time doing research on the internet. I’m not exactly sure how I stumbled upon this, but I found a painting with the title, “Boobs.” It’s not what you think… it’s a chair. A perfectly lovely, elegant pink chair with two perky pink pillows. I bought. I love it.
Name your top five books, movies, songs/musical groups, and web sites besides Etsy.
Books
The Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
The Stand by Stephen King
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
The French Lieutenant's Woman by John Fowles
Music
U2
REM
Rolling Stones
Michael Buble
Frank Sinatra
Websites
Craftcult
Craftopolis
Facebook
Flickr
Ebay
What advice would you give to artists who are new to Etsy?
Find other people in your field. Teams are a great way to meet people and make the community a little smaller. I joined the Etsy Treasury Team (ETTEAM) and it’s been so great for me and so great for my shop. When you’re not busy with orders, focus on your photography, marketing and packaging. There’s always room for improvement or just shaking it up a bit! And show your customers the love!!! They deserve it.
What are your favorite features on Etsy? What new features would you like to see?
I love Treasuries and Pounce! But the articles are so fun to read and I get a real kick out of the bios on Admin. I would love to be able to see notes right on the Items Sold page. Either a note the buyer left at the bottom of the receipt or a note I write to myself about an order.
How do you promote your work?
Well, I’m trying to be a little more active on my blog and I do twitter. I love to make treasuries and…. I need to do more of everything and then some!
In ten years I'd like to be...
Ten years will be a gift all by itself. And I’ll be here… running through airports with my (taller) children, scolding squirrels and painting the kitchen. Grateful for every bit of it. |
