Iterview With Lacey of Gremlina

Tell us a little about yourself.

I'm a little bit here, and a little bit there. I love to search, try new things, explore and understand. I LOVE my family and adore the life we share together, homeschooling and starting a business has given us so many opportunities to strengthen our bonds.




Retro Vintage Eyeglasses





How did you begin working in your craft and how did it develop into a business?

I've been hunting and gathering vintage since I was in elementary school. Thanks to a thrifty mom with a small budget, I rarely had 'new' clothes and the value of items with age was hammered in. Etsy inspired me to sell, and it's only grown from there!




Plaid Picnic Set

 What is one of your favorite homeschool memories thus far?

Our trips are the best. Often my husband has to travel for work--and since he works for himself, he can schedule long weekends so we can go on short trips. These are amazing times for us to learn and enjoy each other. Daily we craft and work together in the garden and that's great too, but the stand-out memories are in our little 'journeys' as the kids call them.




1950's Danish Style Mid Century Modern Desk

 What advise would you give to other homeschool families who are also trying to run a home business?

Include the children, make the business about the family on every level. If you're running a business that interferes with family values--including the importance of family time in your own home, it's not worth it. I couldn't do what I do if my husband didn't enjoy helping, and same for the kids. There is no greater life lesson you can give your children than how to run a business in an ethical and loving way. It doesn't matter what you do, if your family can help and support it, it will be all the more successful.




Retro Kitchen Accessories

 Where do you find inspiration for your pieces?

Usually I'm inspired by the pieces I find! While I LOVE to craft, I find such beauty in the craftsmanship of others. There's a warm, tingly feeling I get when I see the joy in the face of a person with whom a piece has been matched, it's like a reunion of sorts. Sometimes people just walk right up and look at nothing but one dress on a rack and it's so clear the 2 were meant to be together! The emails/notes/conversations I have with folks like this online are very similar. Sometimes things just fit.ometimes people just walk right up and look at nothing but one dress on a rack and it's so clear the 2 were meant to be together! The emails/notes/conversations I have with folks like this online are very similar. Sometimes things just fit.ometimes people just walk right up and look at nothing but one dress on a rack and it's so clear the 2 were meant to be together! The emails/notes/conversations I have with folks like this online are very similar. Sometimes things just fit.ometimes people just walk right up and look at nothing but one dress on a rack and it's so clear the 2 were meant to be together! The emails/notes/conversations I have with folks like this online are very similar. Sometimes things just fit.





Size 9 Dingo Western Style Boots

  Do you have specific goals for your business or for your homeschooling? Would you share some of those with us?


Like I said, family first. My goal is to help a little financially in a way that includes my kids. It's more difficult now because they're very young, but my oldest is already (age 7) VERY interested in participating in the finding and selling of great items. Her eye is getting better and she's even getting good at talking with customers! It reminds me of old general stores where the kids worked the register. I'd love to have something to pass on to them if they decide they love it too--something they helped to build.

Find Lacey
On Facebook
On Etsy
On Her Blog

Meet Debbie Of Ewenique Essentials

Tell us a little about yourself.
From childhood, I’ve always loved needle crafts and have tried my hand at just about every type that involved a needle and colorful thread or yarn. The process of making useful handmade items that are both pretty and practical is enjoyable and satisfying to me. I'm a quilter, a knitter, and more recently, a soap maker. Over the years I have made numerous quilts, afghans, patchwork bags and pouches, often as gifts for family and friends. Even while homeschooling my four children, I always made time to work on projects. Now that three have graduated from our homeschool and are taking college classes, I have much more time for artistic pursuits. My dear husband has always been supportive of my hobbies and when the opportunity came for me to turn my hobbies into a business, he encouraged me to take that next step.

Lavender Eye Pillow



How did you begin working in your craft and how did it develop into a business?
A couple years ago, a friend of mine who also knits asked me if I might like to share a booth with her at a local arts market since our products complement each other. Her suggestion that I start selling my craft opened up a whole new opportunity for me to learn about what is involved in running a small business. She also told me about Etsy, and soon after I opened my online shop, EweniqueEssentials. I also have two facebook pages, EweniqueEssentials and EwesSoap, which is specifically for my handcrafted artisan soaps.

Pumpkin Latte Soap



What is one of your favorite homeschool memories thus far?
I have been a homeschool mom for 20 years. My youngest child will be starting high school courses next year, so we still have several more years of schooling at home. Homeschooling has been such a blessing to our family! From the start, my husband and I determined that we would keep our four children home and teach them. For our family, homeschooling has been an incredible experience. Academic success is not the end goal, but is rather the tool that we use to disciple our children, to bring them up in the Lord, training them for righteousness for their good and His glory. What a joy it is to reap the blessings of a close relationship with our children, to see God’s gracious work in our lives!




What advise would you give to other homeschool families who are also trying to run a home business?
I would encourage other homeschool families to always remember just why they decided to homeschool in the first place. For my husband and me, it was the right thing to do as we sought to please our Savior. For me it was my God-given responsibility, my calling of primary importance after loving and serving my husband. That vision kept things in perspective when some days didn’t go so well with the children, when I was discouraged, or felt inadequate to the task of teaching my children algebra or grammar. Trusting in God’s Word and clinging to His promises brought me great hope and joy in the journey of homeschooling and helped me keep my priorities right.

Natural Knitted Dishcloths



Where do you find inspiration for your pieces?
Over the years, I have discovered that I enjoy making things that are both useful and beautiful. That is why making the small quilted or knitted projects found in my shop appeal to me. Making artisan soap is another outlet for me to craft something that is practical and a delight to the senses.


Travel Toiletry Bag


Do you have specific goals for your business or for your homeschooling? Would you share some of those with us?
Having a small business was never a dream of mine – successfully discipling my children by homeschooling was always top priority. Now that more of my time and the opportunity to sell my craft are available, I want to do my best to learn new skills that are involved in running a business. I hope to use this opportunity to serve others by making useful products for them. Any profit that my business may make, I plan to turn into charitable giving to help those in my church who are in need during these difficult economic times.



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I, like you, have enjoyed meeting the woman behind Ewenique Essentials. Please, take the time to stop by Debbie's shop and have a look around and if you have an extra minute, leave a comment for her here on the blog.
Thanks,
VeryVerdant

Interview With Christy Wilson of Whimsy Gal

Hi, my name is Christy Wilson. I am an artist, mother, marine biologist, and environmental educator who lives on a little green island with my husband, my two daughters and our family dog. I have been crafting all my lif and am always excited to try something new. Right now, I am mainly painting in acrylics, dabblin in watercolours and have started playing with sewing; but,thanks to my life as a mother and homeschooler, I am often trying other mediums and crafts. Sharing creativity with my two girls is one of my favourite parts of homeschooling life!

My Two Creative Girls

As I said, I have crafted since I myself was a little girl (I cherish the memories I have of crafting with my own mom. Painting(aside from the odd school art projects) is a fairly recent undertaking for me. I started painting cusom children's pieces(t-shirts and canvases) for my friends' children when on maternity leave with my first child. Many of my friends also seemed to be having babies and I was looking for a way to celebrate them and save a little money. I soon became hooked on the bold and playful colours and the fast and forgiveable nature of acrylic paints - if you don't like it, you just paint over it! From there I started to get commissions - for children and weddings and anniversaries and my confidence grew.


A Family Tree Commission

I am surrounded by many artist friends, and their support and encouragement has really helped me to branch out. I started selling at local craft fairs and getting referrals and commissions farther afield. Then I discovered Etsy and was excited by the opportunity to reach a larger audience. I have to admit that I still do mainly local commissions and shows, but I am hoping to make more use of Etsy as my children grow and I perhaps find more time for my art as a business.

But for now, most importantly, my art brings me so much joy and I love my escapes into paint and possibility in my magic studio on the top our our house (windows all around, trees beyond...it feels like my own treehouse and I can watch my girls giggling on the grass below as I work.)


It is hard to choose just one of the many favourite homeschooling memories I have. What an incredible time this has been. Certainly it was magic to share the process of my eldest learning to read and now she reads to her little sister and my heart fills with so much love.


Raena reading to Alex

Another memory that jumps out is the one day that I hosted the weekly "Interesting Club" and "took" Raena and her friends to France. We played with the language and made family collages to learn words like "Mere"(mother) and "Pere" (father). We then dined in the garden on a French buffet luncheon and practiced saying "Merci" (thank you) and "S'il vous plait" (please) as we passed around the "raisins"(grapes), "fromage"(cheese), "pain" (fresh bread), "beurre" (butter and "vin" (wine, actually fizzy water in a fancy carafe). We chatted about what it must be like to be a young girl in France, looked up some stories from young person's blog, and remembered our cousin Maddy whom all girls know(she had recenly vistied us from France). Then I read a children's book about Mary Cassatt - an artist who lived in North America like us(more specificall, in the USA, so our general neighbourhood anyways)and at the same age as the girls in our Club (7 or 8), she went to France with her parents. She fell in love with the place and the art of France, dreamed about it for years and in her early 20's she returned to France and began painting with the Impressionists. We looked at examples of Impressionist artists and talked about the style of their art (painting what the see) and their practice of painting "en plein air" (out of doors) and then my daughter and her friends took watercolour paints and chose a solo spot in the garden to paint "en plein air". The results were incredible!




Raena painting cornflowers "en plein air"

I am so inspired by their enthusiasm and passion for all we do. Just last month they dove in with smiles and laughter to help clean up garbage at the annual Great Canadian Shorelin Cleanup at a local beach. Similarly, they will stop everything and direct all their energy to study (and save) a found bug or snail.

My art is really more of a hobby than a home business (for now) but my husband is a co-owner and baker at our Slow Rise Bakery and that business really does affect the rhythms of homeschooling. But being our own boss allows much more freedom to include the kids in your work. Often they play at the bakery or in the garden outside (the bakery is right next door to our home, on our neighbour and partner's property). Sometimes they help bag
and label bread, mix granola or scones or go on deliveries to the local grocery store. From the bakery interaction, my advice would be to try and involve the kids whenever you can, even if it is infrequent, so they can feel included and so that they learn real life experience in your field of work.

Though I often take my daughters to events with my part-time employment as an Environmental Educator, I actually have a hard time following this advice directly with my art. I find it hard to paint with my kids in the room. But I can work on their painting projects with them and I have just taken up sewing and find that I can do most projects (if not too complicated for my beginner level) with my kids in the studio, playing alongside or working on their own sewing creations. I have been sewing mainly gifts but have traded and sold a couple dolls and hope to do more and perhaps get some into my Etsy shop in the new year. Since I can sew with my children in the room, this may be more realistic than expanding my painting business at this time.



One of my First Dolls

Recently, I have been most inspired by words, especially inspiring quotes and intentional writing. I find the power of words really helps me to stay focused on what is most important and good in my life. I love to weave these words into my art to help me to further integrate their messages.


Trust the Universe Original Painting

I have also always been very inspired by nature. I live in a piece of paradise on a small island called Gabriola, off the west coast of Canada. I am surrounded by wild spaces and creatures and I especially love the ocean. My passion for the sea led me to study marine biology at university and my love and knowledge of the salty realm often comes out in my art - from mermaids, to seastars, to vintage beach balls! So many hours are spent exploring the seashore with my girls and I often have a sketchbook or camera with me to capture the magic and save the inspiration for later paintings.



My Favourite Place in the World

For homeschooling, one of my most important goals is to slow down and listen to the interests of my children --- to play with them and to see the world through their eyes. I find that I am too often distracted by chores and projects that call to me and I want to let more of that go and focus more on connecting with my girls. Since I work part time outside the home, the times I do have is so stretched and so valuable. I would like to also help my daughters slow down, perhaps choosing less formal activities(like sports, activities, group classes). Another focus for me is to spend more time outside in nature with my girls. It fills me up, fills us all with so much joy and it nourishes our very souls. As the rainy season descends upon us (we get very little snow on this mild part of the coast) I will try to be more focused on this.





The Girls Sketching on Carlos Island

The specific goals I have for my art business include becoming more playful! I want to paint with more freedom (and less inner judgment) and develop my style. I also hope to integrate my photos into my paintings(photo transfers and collage are speaking to me) and I hope to do more sewing. I am also excited about building my online presence. After thinking about this for many months, I have finally moved forward with this goal and have launched my new website/blog. I will be building up more stock in my Etsy shop over the winter and have a link to my shop from my blog. I will be introducing some new products, reproducing my art in stationary and calendars. I hope these items will help to spread the word about my art a little farther and will allow me to share the love in these creations with more people.

Thank you so much for the chance to reflect on my experiences as a Homeschooling Etsian. It is so inspiring to be a part of the SHEteam and I would love any feedback or advice you might have to pass along!

Interview With Karen of Sew Determined

Tell us a little about yourself.

I'm a Christian, homeschooling mom of four kids ages 17, 15, 13 and 11. This is my fourth year homeschooling, and it seems to get better and better! As with most things in my life, I seem to do things opposite of most everyone else! Seems many stop homeschooling for high school and that's when we started! It's been an eye opening and extremely rewarding experience for my children and me. I now only wished we had started from the beginning.

Before homeschooling, my children were disconnected. They loved each other, but didn't really ever play together. Separate lives so to speak. Once we started homeschooling, our whole family dynamics changed. We are now a very close knit family. I love knowing what's going on in their lives and sharing those experiences with them.

So who's the man behind the scenes? I am married to a wonderful husband who thankfully encourages me through all of my many whims and hobbies. In fact he's the one who got me started with sewing. Love him.

How did you begin working in your craft and how did it develop into a business?

I started creating and designing things as a child, but only started sewing when I was in my early 20's after my husband bought me a sewing machine. It was love at first stitch.
I have a close "relationship" with my seam ripper. One day after Christmas last year, I was using my friend the seam ripper and it gave me an idea to start a blog on sewing and crafting. I wanted it to be a "real" blog about my successes and failures of my sewing adventures. A blog to encourage others to not give up, but be determined to persevere, even if you sew the sleeve on backwards 3 times. While working on projects for my blog Sew Determined, my friends started asking me to make things for them. One thing led to another and that's how my Etsy shop "Call Me Cordelia" all started. It's still in in it's beginning stages and I'm slowly adding new things bit by bit. I enjoy sewing pretty, feminine things that I would love to have.

Ruffled Lemon Delight

What is one of your favorite homeschool memories thus far?

One of my favorite homeschool memories thus far has been our trip to Boston to walk the Freedom trail. We studied American History together as a family and it really brought all those biographies and stories to life. It was fantastic to hear the kids remembering all the things we had studied and to see them thoroughly engaged and interested.

What advice would you give to other homeschool families who are also trying to run a home business?

I am by no means a seasoned homeschooler or business woman, but my advice would be to put your family first and definitely keep a schedule for your business. That was my first mistake. Not keeping a schedule for my business. I tend to be a "free spirit" and that does not work for long. I've done a great deal of reading of others success stories and they all seem to have one thing in common. Order. Making a workable schedule and sticking to it.

My sewing studio

Our homeschool; the dining room table!

Where do you find inspiration for your pieces?

Red and Cream Toile Handbag

I am a huge fan of literature and I find my inspiration from the stories I read. For example, the name of my Etsy shop, Call Me Cordelia, is after Anne of Green Gables. If I'm feeling in a slump, I simply read one of my favorite classics and it always inspires me to make something I love. For example, I made this toile handbag after reading Sense and Sensibility.

Do you have specific goals for your business or for your homeschooling? Would you share some of those with us?

One of my goals is to have my business become more of a family affair. My youngest daughter loves to help me, but I would really enjoy having all of my children participate in the creative process one way or the other. Being an entrepreneur is a wonderful way to teach hands-on "school" to your children.


My other specific goals include, growing my blog, gaining FB and twitter exposure and really learning how to schedule my time to it's fullest.

True Ruby

Today's team member interview features Ruby, of TrueRuby.



1. Tell us a little about yourself.
I'm an introvert gladly surviving the chaos & noise of a houseful of children...a wife to the best man for the job...a daughter & sister & friend to a lovely bunch of people...a Christian trying to deepen my own faith & impart that to my family...a lover of creating, singing, music, & the written word...a woman trying to find the highly sought after balance of being all these things in one person. Many days it's an epic failure, sometimes I get it right...Most of the time I'm somewhere in between!



2. How did you begin working in your craft and how did it develop into a business?
My craft is really a mix of a few different crafts I love: painting & crochet. I've done both off & on in the past, often setting them aside for the next baby born or a particularly busy season of life. I really began toying with the thought of opening an Etsy shop when one of my friends opened hers & was having some success. It was easy & inexpensive to get one started, I had more than enough supplies to get going, & most of all I felt I would benefit from a more consistent creative outlet. As a single-income home educating family, any extra money would be appreciated & useful, too, of course! So I began to try to think of something unique that I could offer to the Etsy community. What came to mind is what ended up being the main focus of my shop, TrueRubyDesigns: Modern Crochet Wall Art.



Lime and Aqua Bird Crochet Wall Art




3. What is one of your favorite homeschool memories thus far?
My favorite moments are usually the times that my kids have had a real breakthrough in something they've struggled with. In particular, I have one child who really struggled to learn to read & spell due to various obstacles (vision problems & possible learning disabilities). When it became clear to me that the methods I'd used before weren't a good fit for him, I trusted my instincts & backed off of all formal instruction in those areas. I didn't want reading to become a hated chore! Instead of the usual route, all I required was that he read to me from any book he chose for 15 minutes daily. We kept at it in that fashion for nearly a year & a half! I distinctly remember the first time my son sat reading a book just for fun. Not just looking at the pictures, but actually reading a chapter book just because he wanted to! I even took a picture! That has to be my most fulfilling moment...at that moment I realized that I really did know what was best for my own children. I gained a lot of confidence in my homeschooling, enough that now I don't fear going "off book", so to speak. I am not chained to the instructor's guide or to any particular curriculum. I pick & choose what works best for each of my children, & I realize that that will be different for each one.



Custom Name Artwork


4. What advice would you give to other homeschool families who are also trying to run a home business?
My best advice would be to keep your priorities in order! I've had to pray for help in this area myself, as I tend to get wrapped up in a project & want to focus all my time & energy on that goal. I never want my children or my husband to feel that they play second fiddle to my shop! My ideal way of keeping my priorities in order is to set aside a specific time for creating & for working on the computer. I also try to snatch up any lulls in my day, but I have to be flexible, knowing that the kids needs could call me away. The majority of my work has been custom pieces, which require a lot of communication with the buyer & a lot of time to create unique designs. Before, I was working non-stop & shipping an order in a few days! I've just begun to tell buyers to allow a week for completion of a custom item, so that I can schedule time to create without it taking over my schedule completely.


Crochet Wall Art Rainbow Snail


5. Where do you find inspiration for your pieces?
Some of the items I've created have been inspired by the colors I love...as it says in my shop profile, I love using color to make ordinary things extraordinary! A lot of my ideas come to me as I'm falling asleep...I often make note of an idea by the light of my iPhone at night, so I don't forget it by the morning! As for my custom items, I ask the buyer for images of items they have or love & I use those as a springboard for a distinctive design. For example, several of my custom signs have been inspired by the children's bedding! I try to make an item feel like it belongs in a room while still making it one-of-a-kind & unique.


Turquoise Crocheted Handbag

6. Do you have specific goals for your business or for your homeschooling? Would you share some of those with us?
I'd love for TrueRuby to become a reliable source of income to our family...I feel blessed to be able to earn money doing something I love while still being able to be home & present with my children. My short-term goals for the business include getting some more items in my shop that are ready-to-ship, & also learning how to make the most of my time & effort in promoting my shop.

My homeschooling goals this year...I'd love to actually make it through the entire stack of books! I'm excited for this year's studies, even though I'll have more little ones than ever before. Our materials this year are more eclectic than ever, but I feel confident that we've got a great year ahead of us. My goal for myself as a teacher is to read aloud to my children every day. As for the kids...I've got a 7th grader who needs to step up to another level of study in preparation for high school & college level academics; a 5th grader who is also making a jump in his level of study & comprehension of more complex ideas; a beginning reader who I hope to help transition into a fluent reader; a 4 year old bundle of energy to guide & occupy; a 2 year old who will be learning how to quietly play during school; & a baby who will be on my lap as I do it all. I can hardly wait to begin! Just don't ask me to be as enthusiastic in February... :)

Ruby blogs about her business and some of her favorite Etsy finds on her blog called True Ruby Designs.

Interview With Sowers Of Hope

1. Tell us a little about yourself.

I am first a daughter of the Mighty King and a lover of my Salvation. I am a wife to my best friend and mother to three awesome and fun-loving teenagers.



2. How did you begin working in your craft and how did it develop into a business?

Our little headcovering business started after learning about headcovering and subsequently being convicted to headcover. I started making mob caps, Amish kapps, and Israeli tichels. With time, I began offering many other styles of headcoverings such as snoods, extra-wide headbands, Bethany veils, etc. We also opened a blog , where we discuss not only headcovering in general but also interview women who headcover. These interviews can be read here . Over time, we began to address the lack of modesty in today’s culture and have since pursued this issue hoping to encourage, educate, and inspire women and men to examine not only their dress but also their hearts. We have since branched out in the social media arena and can also be found on Facebook , and Twitter .



3. What is one of your favorite homeschool memories thus far?

My favorite homeschool memory would be a family trip we took to Yellowstone National Park. We saw, learned, and experienced so much more than books could ever attempt to teach us. We spent uninterrupted time together laughing, loving, and making memories that will last forever.


4. What advice would you give to other homeschool families who are also trying to run a home business?

First, knowing what your priorities are in your life is essential. Secondly, committing to spend a determined amount of time on these priorities is of equal importance. For example, a typical school day will begin with Scripture reading, devotion, and prayer. We then move on to chores, breakfast and school. Later during the day, I will work on the business. I’ve realized that if there is an imbalance in my priorities, then my spiritual life, family life, and business suffer. I would also like to mention that though there is time and effort that needs to be poured into one’s business, it is ultimately God who brings the sales. He remains our provider in all things.


5. Where do you find inspiration for your pieces?
My inspirations usually comes from the practicality and need that I see within the community of headcovering women.


6. Do you have specific goals for your business or for your homeschooling? Would you share some of those with us?

Yes, my goals for the business are two-fold. First, it would be to generate enough profit from the business to pay for some of the household and homeschooling expenses. Secondly, I would like to teach our children that creativity and initiative are some of the main ingredients for creating a source of income.



CHEMO HEADCOVERINGS

Not too long ago, I felt the LORD’s prompting to begin making headcoverings for individuals who have suffered hair loss, whether because of chemotherapy or other medical reasons. My intent is to offer them at a reasonable price so that they would be available to everyone. Medical costs are often unimaginably high, even with the help of insurance. So once again, with the prompting of our LORD, our chemo headcovers are available free of charge to individuals who otherwise could not afford one. I find that it is extremely important to live one’s life with an open hand, giving to everyone according to their need and according to what God has provided to you. Though the name of our business, Sowers of Hope, was initially the name of our first ministry, we decided to use the same name once again because of the message it brings with it. It is based on Isaiah 40:31 “ but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.“ Using this verse as the basis of our business, we wanted to remind everyone that placing their hope in the LORD is the only place that lasting restoration can be had.
Our chemo headcovers are currently available in this Etsy shop , but we plan to move them over to our main headcovering Etsy boutique very soon.

Interview With Gretchen of SGHulett

1. Tell us a little about yourself.
My name is Gretchen, I am a homeschooling mom of 3 and grandma of 1. I also work at a Ranch and Home Supply store on the weekends. I have lived in Wyoming for the last 17yrs but was born and raised in the Seattle area. I have been married for 17yrs to my wonderful husband Steven (he is the S in SGHulett). I have 2 dogs and 6 chickens (3 hens and 3 chicks).




Newborn Lavendar Dress

2. How did you begin working in your craft and how did it develop into a business?
I have been crocheting since I was 5 so that is nearly 40yrs now. I have been knitting for 8yrs and sewing for 16yrs. I also like to bake.

3. What is one of your favorite homeschool memories thus far?
I don't think there is one favorite I love every memory I am making with my kids.



Floral Crochet Dishcloth 3 Pack

4. What advise to would you give to other homeschool families who are also trying to run a home business?
Find a mentor for both endevours. It makes each one much easier.

5. Where do you find inspiration for your pieces?
I use alot of places but mostly just start a project and see where it takes me.




Crochet Coin Purse

6. Do you have specific goals for your business or for your homeschooling? Would you share some of those with us?
I really want to make more in my business to take the burden off my husband so that we can have more free time and I don't have to have a weekend job outside the home. I love my etsy business and I want to spend more time crafting. As for our homeschooling goals I want to make life time memories for each of my children so that when they are my age raising their own children they will have stories to tell them.

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Please take the time to visit Gretchen at her Etsy shop SGHulett.

Fourth Of July Interview

Happy Fourth Of July To You!!!
Today we meet Cindy of Wilkinson Crafts.

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Tell us a little about yourself.
We live in Northwestern Connecticut. We enjoy being home and working in our garden.
We have two teenage daughters who have been homeschooling for six years. They both love animals enjoy taking care of their dog, cats, and goats. The hobbies I most enjoy are knitting, stamping, scrapbooking and photography. My husband’s hobby is woodworking. His grandfather made wooden toys and sold them at local craft fairs. He uses those pieces as inspiration for the toys that he makes. My girls also have an interest in photography and are always looking for interesting subjects to photograph.







How did you begin working in your craft and how did it develop into a business?
I started knitting shortly before my youngest daughter was born. I made clothes and toys for my girls and also as gifts for friends. For years my family and friends told me I should sell what I make, so one day I decided to give it a try. My husband has wanted to do the same with his woodworking projects.





What is one of your favorite homeschool memories thus far?

I have several favorite memories with the girls: reading a favorite book together, hiking and picking blueberries on a beautiful summer day, and occasional campouts in the living room on a “school night.”



What advise to would you give to other homeschool families who are also trying to run a home business?

Get the whole family involved. Include the kids in pricing, advertising, researching what to sell and helping to create the items in the shop.








Where do you find inspiration for your pieces?
My favorite items are baby items. I like a project that works up quickly. I’m drawn to things that are cute and fuzzy! I am currently working on a design for a bunny based on my favorite childhood toy.



Do you have specific goals for your business or for your homeschooling? Would you share some of those with us?
For my business, I would like to write and sell my own patterns. Homeschooling goals include raising girls who love to learn and be will be successful and happy doing what God has called them to do.

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Todays Featured Items from Wilkinson Crafts~ Cape Neddick Photo
~ Doll Poncho
~ Mocha Knitted Bunny

A Young Entrepreneur

When I approached Sarah and Jane through Etsy convo, I was pleasantly surprised to get this answer,"Thanks for the sweet note! Yes, my daughter, Sarah and I would feel honored to be featured in your blog." This mother daughter team work well together to make unique creations for each customer. You will love their work and, after the interview you will also love this young entrepreneur.

So now, here is Sarah from Sarah and Jane.
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1. Tell us a little about yourself.
My name is Sarah Howland and with the support of my Mom, I launched Sarah and Jane
last summer...at the age of 16! I am blessed to have a whole room devoted just for allowing my creative juices to run wild! When I am not sewing (which is not often) I enjoy devouring delicious books, hanging out with friends, and of course shopping for fabric. My love for reading is how the name "Sarah and Jane" came to be. One of my favorite authors is Jane Austen...hence the Jane.






2. How did you begin working in your craft and how did it develop into a business?
I first started sewing when I was very little. My first creations were extremely lopsided pillows. As I grew older, my Mom actually taught me and other young girls how to properly sew. I really enjoy sewing clothing and tote-bags, but as I scoured a blog one day I saw a free pattern for fabric covered notebooks. After much perfecting I came up with the first Sarah and Jane notebook.





3. What is one of your favorite homeschool memories thus far?

I do not just have one particular favorite memory, but several instances immediately come to mind. When I was younger, my Mom would read out-loud to my older brother and I. My imagination ran wild and I truly fell in love with literature. Who knows what reading out-loud can do?





4. What advise would you give to other homeschool families who are also trying to run a home business?
Make sure you have time! My Mom and I started our business in the summer before my junior year. Once school started my courses munched every last bit of my time. It was very hard to take time and simply sew or imagine new designs. Even now, I am restocking the store because my studies have finished.



5. Where do you find inspiration for your pieces?
Most of my inspiration comes from seeing and touching the fabric. I can just picture what the fabric could be. My Mom also gives me tons of ideas, along with magazines, Etsy, and blogs.




6. Do you have specific goals for your business or for your homeschooling? Would you share some of those with us?
I am very interested in marketing so Sarah and Jane was at first an experiment to test my skills. I could not have done it without my Mom! But, Sarah and Jane has become a way for me to express my creativity and it also gives me a glimpse of how much goes into a business. My goal is to restock the online store and perhaps put some Sarah and Jane products in local stores. You can also find Sarah and Jane on Facebook.


Posted by VeryVerdant

Finding Inspiration in Alaska

Krystie, of Log Cabin Creations, shares her perspective on running a homebusiness and homeschooling in the beautiful state of Alaska.


Tell Us A Little Bit About Yourself.
I am a long time Alaskan (30 + years now) and love living in Eagle a remote town of 150 near the Canadian border. My husband and I have 4 children ages 10- 14 we have home schooled for 10 years. My husband is the pastor of Eagle Bible Chapel.



2. How did you begin working in your craft and how did it develop into a business?
I love creating and being home with our kids so Log Cabin Creations was born about 10years ago. I have been selling my hand crafted items at our local Eagle Mall for the last 8 years. I am thankful that my business has grown to equal almost half of our yearly income. I do a variety of crafts from jewelry making to knitting to creating knitting patterns to knotted trivets.



Organic Cotton Flower Facecloth Set


3. What is one of your favorite homeschool memories thus far?
We were able to take a 2 month road trip and visited 21 states as well as 3 Canadian provinces/territories, we had a great time and learned lots along the way.


4. What advise to would you give to other homeschool families who are also trying to run a home business?
I keep reminding myself that my focus is homeschooling and that my business comes second, my kids are going to leave home in a few short years and then I can dedicate more time to business.




5. Where do you find inspiration for your pieces?
I love the north so many of my pieces reflect the north or Alaska.



Handmade Earrings

6. Would you share with us some of your specific goals for your business or for your homeschool?
My goal for homeschooling is to create the love of learning within my children, if they are unable to list all the states and capitals that is okay...so long as they love to learn about new things and learn how to do new things or teach themselves with all the resources around us a new skill.



Hand Dyed Cowl

To view more of Krystie's work, please, visit -
www.etsy.com/shop/LogCabinCreation
www.EcoCessory.etsy.com
www.eaglemallalaska.com
www.facebook.com/LogCabinCreations