Happy Friday! Aren't you glad it's Friday? So, what do you think of the article on "Selling Tips"? Do you want to see more articles like that, that will help you in your online business? Let me know!
Congratulations to Melissa, who won the jams from Lemonbird! Thanks Amy, for participating in our Friday Feature. Thank you to all of you who commented and are always reading the blog.
If you are a regular reader of this blog, please take the poll to the right. I'd love to find out more about the demographics of my readers.
On to more fun! Today's Friday Feature is featuring Helen of Sheer Whimsy. Helen is a 20 year old college student from Southern California, who finds her inspiration in places like Disneyland. How cool is that?! I found Helen's blog before I found her Etsy shop. Have you heard of Stumble Upon? Well, that's how I found Helen.
I've asked Helen some questions to get to know her better.
TDB: How did you find out about Etsy?
Helen: I heard about the wonderful handmade community called Etsy, last year from a couple of friends, so I satisfied my intrigue by checking it out, and got hooked to the unique and lovely goods created by such talented and friendly artists. I developed a penchant for all arts and craftiness at a young age, so I opened up a shop of my own three weeks ago selling playful yet practical cases for gadgets of all sorts, and I’m having so much fun!
TDB: What is your inspiration behind your creations?
Helen: My four primary inspirations are: all things vintage for the nostalgia they evoke, Disneyland for the whimsical happiness it instills in me, nature for its natural breathtaking beauty, and vibrant colors/patterns that catch my eye.
TDB: What do you want to be when you grow up?
Helen: After I obtain my undergraduate degrees in Mass Communications and Sociology this spring, I’m hoping to work in the communications industry. In the midst of the job-hunting phase, I shall be merrily crafting away to inundate my Etsy shop with loads of whimsies. But ultimately and most importantly, I aspire to be a Proverbs 31 woman by God’s grace.
TDB: Your items are photographed just beautifully. What's your secret?
Helen: Oh my goodness, that is too kind of you! I don’t exactly have a tried-and-true formula for my photos but I do take full advantage of abundance of sunshine and natural backgrounds (e.g. rich greenery) or neutral patterns (e.g. a muted polka-dot swatch) in the photo shoots for my creations. I then experiment with angles of all kinds and choose from the wide array of shots what I feel best embodies the product and the fanciful inspiration(s) behind it.
TDB: What is your favorite thing to make?
Helen: My most favorite thing to make is anything I make for others. Because I’m inclined towards detail, I love presenting people with creations that are carefully thought out down to the last detail, from the patterns of coordinating fabrics, to the texture of ribbons, to the meticulously selected buttons, to the combination of it all to form a creation that is undeniably fun yet practical.
TDB: When you're not in school, and not creating, what do you enjoy doing?
Helen: There is so much I find delightful that it is hard to keep this short! Well, I am definitely a people-person so I enjoy passing time and cultivating bonds with dear chums and new acquaintances. I also love being involved at my church and serving in it. I find that I get into the highest spirits galavanting to Disneyland, especially after scouring thrift stores for vintagewear and aged knick-knacks with tons of character, and then ending the splendid day by taking in the glorious sunset at the beach.
Helen has generously offered one of her fun Gadget Garbs for our giveaway. What's a Gadget Garb, you ask? A Gadget Garb is the must-need for your trusty and beloved technogadget! The great thing about this, is that you get to choose which design you want! So get on over to Sheer Whimsy, and choose which design you would want if you won!
