What is your Etsy Shop Name/link? Mommy's Dream Creations - http://www.etsy.com/shop/mommysdream
How did you come up with your shop name? Actually, my husband did! We were just throwing out possible names and he mentioned that having my own business has always been a dream of mine and that I am creative. And I was looking for a way to have additional income without having to give up homeschooling, so the name just made sense all the way around. I love the fact that it makes people smile when they see it!
What do you create? Do you create for children or adults, women or men? My items are mostly for adults. The glassware designs appeal to women, but I do try to offer designs that men aren't embarrassed to use as well! My ornaments aren't kid-friendly, being glass, but some of the designs catch a child's eye as they pass buy my table at craft shows.
What do you like about Etsy? I really like the community atmosphere and the fact that so many talented artists can be found in one place. While everyone is competitive for sales (grin), there is a genuine camaraderie and helpfulness that is so nice to experience in a business setting, especially just getting started.
Where do you find inspiration for your products? I find inspiration all over the place! Some of my snowmen designs are from pictures from when my daughter was younger and just being silly! I also love the woods and sea, so those two elements make the basis of most of my glassware designs. I really try to think about how my designs can fit in with various decorating styles, especially with people being careful about spending on "non-essentials."
What do you love about your business? I love the fact that it has become a "family affair." All three of us have a part to play in this business and we do the craft shows together. It's been a great way to help teach my daughter about working through to the end of something, even if it's not fun all the time.
I also love the fact that I can be creative and other people can enjoy it! Knowing that many times people are not buying for themselves but as a gift for someone else, really makes my day. It's nice to have a positive impact in other people's lives.
What is your favorite product(s) right now? My favorite glassware item would have to be my Sand Dollar Snowman glasses. I love painting snowmen and had originally painted a snowman on a beach as something fun and a design for the summer. My husband was joking around and said that a snowman would melt on a beach, so I had to scrap the design. The next day he came downstairs to see a sand dollar snowman on the beach and it has become one of my most popular designs.
My favorite new item is my butterfly glasses. It's a new type of paint for me--it's like looking through a suncatcher when you're done!
What makes you unique at Etsy? There are a lot of really talented artists at Etsy. My work stands out because it doesn't look like anyone else out there. My designs are simple enough to go with many different design styles and table settings, but bold enough that they don't get lost on the table!
What other street teams are you a member of?
I am also a member of SHE Team (Schooling at Home Etsians) and CAST Team (Christian Artist Street Team)
What are some other sites to find out more about you and what you love to create?
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MommysDream
Blog: http://mommysdreamcreations.blogspot.com/
