Showing posts with label graduation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label graduation. Show all posts

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Enchanting the World with Paper: Enchanting Dreams

I'm honored to be interviewed! Thanks so much and here are my answers corresponding to each question. Thanks!
Hats Off To The Grad Greeting Card            Hats off to the Grad greeting card

Tell us a bit about yourself (name, location, affiliations, personal stuff)

Hi, my name is Kristen and I reside in Michigan. My shop on Etsy is called EnchantingDreams.etsy.com and I specialize in making handmade cards for all occasions. Each card is unique and you will never see two cards that are the same. I also love to recycle so in some of my cards I have taken quotes from old magazines or calendars and put them on my cards.

What are your favorite materials?

My favorite materials is of course scrapbook paper being first, buttons, ribbon, flower embellishments, and quotes.
All Occasion Neckties Dad Greeting Card

All Occasion Neckties Dad Greeting Card

What is your favorite color combination?

I can't say I have one favorite color combination. I enjoy picking out different types/patterns of paper and then using my creativity to find the best color combo that way.


What is the first thing you can remember making by hand? How and why did you make it?

The first thing I remember making is way back in kindergarten. It was a wreath I made using my hand print that was dipped in pink paint and placed on a piece of paper in a circular fashion to make a wreath. It was a present for my Mom for Mother's Day.

Hold Tight To Dreams Greeting Card with Rolled Flower Hold Tight to Your Dreams Greeting Card

What inspires you?

There isn't one specific thing that inspires me, but it's a combination of my craft supplies, being earth friendly, and my imagination. I never know what will inspire me next! When I hit a block I usually flip through some card idea books that i own or I go to a local craft store where I'll just walk the aisles of the scrapbooking section to get my mind thinking.

Where do your ideas come from?

My ideas come from looking at different patterns on scrapbook paper. I pick out colors from the patterned paper and then find coordinating colors in embellishments to put together on a card.

Who is, or was, your greatest inspiration?

My greatest inspiration is my Mom. She is a very crafty person and enjoys sewing, cardmaking, and crafting in general. Ever since I was young she has taught me and my sisters to love to craft as well!
Sweetly Sleeping New Baby Girl Greeting Card Sweetly Sleeping New Baby Girl Greeting Card

What is your favorite thing to do with your creativity?

My favorite thing to do with my creativity is to play with different techniques that I see in card magazines or learn about on blogs and put my own take on it and see how it comes out on a greeting card.

Why should people buy handmade? Any tips of wisdom on selling handmade items?

I think people should buy handmade because it's supporting a community of artists/crafters that have put a lot of love and attention to detail in their products. I know whenever I have someone purchase one of my cards it makes me feel good to know that it will put a smile on someone's face!
Celebrate The Day With Cake Greeting Card    Celebrate the Day with Cake

What have been the most valuable lessons learned from other artists?

The most valuable lesson I have learned from other artists is to never give up even when you feel no one is looking at/buying your products. It takes time, but if you keep creating and are enjoying it that is what is most important. Sales will eventually come as long as you keep creating, being optimistic, and promoting/networking with other artists that you admire.
Love, Honor, and Cherish Bride and Groom Hearts Greeting Card      Love, Honor, & Cherish

Apart from creating things, what do you do?

Apart from creating, I work in the field of human resources. I also enjoy spending time with family and friends, traveling, and reading novels.

Forever Friends Greeting Card  Forever Friends

What are the Web addresses for your work?

You can find my work on Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/enchantingdreams I also have a facebook fanpage where you can see new cards I post on Etsy: www.facebook.com/enchantingdreams

Are you offering my readers any specials?

You can receive 15% off your entire purchase in my Etsy shop by using coupon code SHOP15 at checkout until Sunday, June 12th at 11:59 p.m. If you are looking for something in particular please let me know as well and I am more than willing to work with you to make a specific card for that special occasion!

Kristen, your use of color, paper, and embellishments is wonderful. May you have find much success.

Friday, May 20, 2011

Miss Eileen’s Etsy Picks 5.20.2011 Graduation Edition

It’s that time of year when all that hard work culminates in a cap, gown, and a walk to receive a diploma while family and friends look on. No matter where a person is on the receiving line, he or she is a winner. Here’s to celebrating the hard-won success the Etsy way.

 

To Thine Own Self Be True Spiral Pendant

To Thine Own Self Be True Spiral Pendant by LP Jewelry made of sterling silver Special words to have for those special times ahead

Congratulations Banner

Congratulations Banner by At Company B to shout “I did it” or “We are so proud"

Joining NAVY -- Farewell Party military invitations or announcements-- USN BOOTCAMP or OCS -- Patriotic Papers

Joining NAVY Farewell Party Invitation by Patriot Papers because each graduation is the start of a new adventure, a new page in the book of life.

Giraffe Big Dream 8 x 8 Art Print

Giraffe Big Dream 8 x 8 Art Print by Feathers and Hope for that dorm room that needs decorating.

The Pen of Optimism - Olive Wood - Pen Only

The Pen of Optimism - Olive Wood by Suspicious Pie

SALE-Hats Off To The Grad Greeting Card

Hats Off to the Grad Greeting Card by Enchanting Dreams to go with that special gift or check

class of 2011 graduate glasses......pick your school color and theme...Handpainted Monogram Glasses

Class of 2011 Graduation Glasses by Dilly Dallie hand painted with school colors

Custom University Logo Cufflinks - College Fashion Accessories - With Gift Box -  for grooms, groomsmen, wedding, birthday, graduation

Custom University Logo Cufflinks by Cool Cuff Links for those dress up days to come, like job and residency interviews.

I am in love with each pick. So what do you think? Which one is the best? Poll is in the upper left corner. Winner gets interviewed.

Post by Eileen. Go to GoofingOff Etsy and GoofingOff Artfire for Authentic sewing and knitting patterns, MissEileen Etsy for Vintage and vintage inspired shabby chic decor and wear, and MetalWoodsnwater Etsy for cool gifts for the guys in your life.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Wedding Watch

Well the big wedding is coming up. Tomorrow’s Etsy picks will be wedding related so if you are planning a wedding, stop by and check out the picks. You might find the right piece of jewelry or stationery or who knows what.

Is anyone planning to watch the wedding? I don’t know if I will. I have a graduation to attend. My boss is getting her doctorate tomorrow and I have a ticket to attend. I am so excited for her, proud, too. She has mentored and encouraged so many people to reach for goals that sometimes seemed unattainable and now it is her turn. Hooray for her. I feel like I should make a sign like they do on American Idol. OK, maybe not. I’ll still be hooping and hollering for her.

Got a big event coming up? Making a sign? Do tell.

Monday, December 14, 2009

Just about done with another class, Epidemiology, so I can get back to blogging about life. The class wasn't too bad with an awesome professor. A few more classes and I will be able to walk for my BSN diploma. It's been a journey for me but I am enjoying it. I wish I had done it sooner. I could blame putting it off on lots of things, kids, marriage, money, and those are all good reasons, partly true, but the real reason was me. Hard headed, I wanted to do more than nursing, something else besides nursing. I still do but that's O.K. A Bachelor's degree is a degree well-earned and I am working damned hard for it. I am going to walk with my head held high when I get that diploma. It's been a long time coming.