Interview with a Seller: Cindy Bone!
Hi All!
Well, I'm feeling a bit better and have some time to post this! One of the most lovely women I have had the privilidge to meet in my online adventures has been Cindy Bone. She's such a creative soul and really a delight. Here's her interview!
1. What’s your name and shop name and what do you do? I have 2 shops: Bonewear has vintage decorator items, vintage jewelry, and some handcrafted jewelry; CowgirlRocks has Southwest/Cowgirl style jewelry.
2. Where are you located? The great state of Texas
3. What’s the favorite part of your craft? I love making the rounds of estate sales looking for new and exciting vintage pieces for my shop; in jewelry making the creating process and all that it entails is thrilling, but I have to admit the best part is hearing how much a buyer loves a piece they've purchased-everyone can use an ego boost lol!
4. How long have you been crafting? As far back as I can remember-I have crayon drawings my mother saved when I was 4! I took every art class in school I could, learned knitting, crocheting, and sewing from my mother, grandmother and 4-H; I always had several craft projects going even when I was in the US Navy!
5. What’s your favorite thing to make? Gifts of all kinds for my friends and family-things they love.
6. What kind of camera do you use to shoot? An Olympus FE-280 8.0 megapixel with super-macro. It's better than the Kodak Easyshare I was using, but I'd like one that's better with shake reduction-I'm not too steady lol!
7. Who or what models your items? I have a mannequin torso and mannequin hands to model the jewelry; wish I had a person to model for me, but everyone is so busy!
8. What's the most rewarding part of running your own business? Being able to contribute to the household income is very important to me-since I was disabled in a car accident in 2003 I haven't been able to work outside the home. Selling on Etsy has given me some of my independance and self-confidence back-a must for a healthy psyche.
9. What's the most challenging part of running your own business? Promoting myself is difficult for me-I'm not sure of what to do, and since I'm pretty shy and not socially active it's hard to put myself out there.
10. On average, how many things do you create per week? It depends on what's going on-when I'm in a zone I can get several pieces a day done; sometimes though it's hard to get the creative muses going! It's matter of making a workable schedule and sticking to it...I'm getting better at it lol!
11. What inspires you? nature, music, family, friends...it's everything around me everywhere all the time. I never know when or where an idea is going to come to me-I carry a sketchbook in my purse and have them all over the house, just in case I need to jot something down. My memory isn't what it used to be, lol-if I don't do that chances are I'll forget!
12. Take me thru your creative process. I'll start thinking about what I could do with a certain bead or beads, sketch something out-or if I'm in my workroom, start laying out the materials. I may start with some inexpensive wire to try an idea out with, then move on to sterling or gold-filled wire. It's a trial an error process; the more I work at it, the fewer errors and more successes I have.
13. What is your best advice to blossoming crafters? Don't be afraid to ask the experienced sellers questions-most of them don't mind sharing what they've learned with you. Etsy has a lot of great information to share also, take the time to do the research and take the classes. Just remember it takes time to build a business-don't give up!
Thanks for the interview Cindy, it's nice to read some great advice!
Find Cindy's shop Bonewear here and her other shop CowgirlRocks here.
That's all for now ladies, thanks for reading!
Xo
Well, I'm feeling a bit better and have some time to post this! One of the most lovely women I have had the privilidge to meet in my online adventures has been Cindy Bone. She's such a creative soul and really a delight. Here's her interview!
1. What’s your name and shop name and what do you do? I have 2 shops: Bonewear has vintage decorator items, vintage jewelry, and some handcrafted jewelry; CowgirlRocks has Southwest/Cowgirl style jewelry.
2. Where are you located? The great state of Texas
3. What’s the favorite part of your craft? I love making the rounds of estate sales looking for new and exciting vintage pieces for my shop; in jewelry making the creating process and all that it entails is thrilling, but I have to admit the best part is hearing how much a buyer loves a piece they've purchased-everyone can use an ego boost lol!
4. How long have you been crafting? As far back as I can remember-I have crayon drawings my mother saved when I was 4! I took every art class in school I could, learned knitting, crocheting, and sewing from my mother, grandmother and 4-H; I always had several craft projects going even when I was in the US Navy!
5. What’s your favorite thing to make? Gifts of all kinds for my friends and family-things they love.
6. What kind of camera do you use to shoot? An Olympus FE-280 8.0 megapixel with super-macro. It's better than the Kodak Easyshare I was using, but I'd like one that's better with shake reduction-I'm not too steady lol!
7. Who or what models your items? I have a mannequin torso and mannequin hands to model the jewelry; wish I had a person to model for me, but everyone is so busy!
8. What's the most rewarding part of running your own business? Being able to contribute to the household income is very important to me-since I was disabled in a car accident in 2003 I haven't been able to work outside the home. Selling on Etsy has given me some of my independance and self-confidence back-a must for a healthy psyche.
9. What's the most challenging part of running your own business? Promoting myself is difficult for me-I'm not sure of what to do, and since I'm pretty shy and not socially active it's hard to put myself out there.
10. On average, how many things do you create per week? It depends on what's going on-when I'm in a zone I can get several pieces a day done; sometimes though it's hard to get the creative muses going! It's matter of making a workable schedule and sticking to it...I'm getting better at it lol!
11. What inspires you? nature, music, family, friends...it's everything around me everywhere all the time. I never know when or where an idea is going to come to me-I carry a sketchbook in my purse and have them all over the house, just in case I need to jot something down. My memory isn't what it used to be, lol-if I don't do that chances are I'll forget!
12. Take me thru your creative process. I'll start thinking about what I could do with a certain bead or beads, sketch something out-or if I'm in my workroom, start laying out the materials. I may start with some inexpensive wire to try an idea out with, then move on to sterling or gold-filled wire. It's a trial an error process; the more I work at it, the fewer errors and more successes I have.
13. What is your best advice to blossoming crafters? Don't be afraid to ask the experienced sellers questions-most of them don't mind sharing what they've learned with you. Etsy has a lot of great information to share also, take the time to do the research and take the classes. Just remember it takes time to build a business-don't give up!
Thanks for the interview Cindy, it's nice to read some great advice!
Find Cindy's shop Bonewear here and her other shop CowgirlRocks here.
That's all for now ladies, thanks for reading!
Xo
Wonderful read! Cindy, just look me up and I'll help ya with that promo stuff! Heck we can even make sandwich boards if need be and march up and down Main st promoting your shop! Ha! Was nice to read your interview and always love seeing both of you's in chat. I hope to soon.
ReplyDeleteWish you both a wonderful and prosperous 2011 and continued success' in your shops!
All The Best,
Dave