1. How long have you been crafting?
I've been crafting for as long as I can remember. I got a sewing machine shortly after we were married and I have always loved making things, when time permits, of course.
2. What is your favorite thing to make?
Right now my favorite thing to make is soap! I have been using essential oils for all of our health issues for the past 8 years and making soap with essential oils is just kind of like an extension of that. I feel like a mad chemist in the kitchen. I love creating new scents and experimenting. My favorite scents so far are the body scrub I made using peppermint and tangerine essential oils and my honey almond soap.
3. How did you start making soap?
It all started when I purchased some homemade soap from someone locally that was going out of business. I got a great deal, but I also got hooked. Being frugally minded as I am, I decided that I could make soap and so it began. I researched and read everything I could get my hands on and then started experimenting. There really isn't a lot of information on using essential oils in soap, so it is up to me to create.
4. What are your best Etsy tips?
My best etsy tip would be to make your shop inviting and post often in the forums to get exposure. I also believe you should list something everyday.
5. Where do you get inspiration?
I get inspiration from many different things, I assume you are talking about crafting inspiration, mostly from books or I use scent combinations I have used in the past for different things.
6. Do you do any other crafting?
I do lots of other crafts, although very sporadically. I love to make cards, scrapbook, sew, and cross stitching.
7. What are you reading right now?
I am reading a book called "You Can Heal Your Life" in addition to the Bible and my soap books. It's a fascinating book.
8. How long have you homeschooled and what method do you use?
We have homeschooled for 12 years now. We mostly put our own curriculum together, we love Charlotte Mason and Classical methods. We use Saxon math, Tapestry of Grace, Analytical Grammar and Apologia science. We enjoy doing lots of reading aloud and spend a lot of time outside, when possible. My oldest 4 teach themselves for the most part, which is really how it has to be when you have this many. It is a daunting task to stay on top of everything. My oldest will be taking the calculus AP test in May! It goes by so fast!
9.What have you found most surprising about Etsy?
I was most surprised about the amount of time it takes to run an etsy store!
10. What is the most interesting thing about yourself?
The most interesting thing about myself,not really sure what that would be. I have a bachelors degree in computer science and corporate finance. My dad couldn't believe I was going to quit my job to stay home with our children after going to college. I knew that God had a plan for me. I have 8 children, ranging from ages 3 - 16, and a wonderful husband, what else could one ask for?
Thank you to Lizzie from A Dusty Frame for providing this great interview.
