Meet Amy from Avlor's Imprints!!

What is your craft of choice, and how long have you been doing that?

Do I have to pick just one? It's a tough choice between photography, designing stationery and graphics and fiber arts.

How did you get started?

Photography - I wanted to take portraits of my kiddos. Started 2 and a half years ago and have been improving my photography since. My local camera club and strobist.com have been excellent help, inspiring me to push myself in photography. two things I've done to improve as quickly as possible in photography - get a grasp on the basics and look at work (and how tos) from the best photographers.

Designing Stationery - just started in January. I've always liked printing my own cards and tinkering with design. This seemed like a good mix and I've been really enjoying it.

Fiber Arts - That started back when my grandmother taught me to crochet as a child. In college the local yarn shop had a class on knitting and I was hooked. Then when my husband and I moved across the state, I found the spinning and weaving guild here. Wonderful folks! Who helped start the spinning yarn addiction.

What is your inspiration?

Culture (popular culture, international culture, and style) seems to be the biggest inspiration right now. I keep a notebook with me at all times, because I always get ideas when I can't work on them! I often doodle in it when I'm waiting for my oldest to get out of school.

How long have you been on Etsy?

A few crafty friends goaded me into starting my shop in December 2007. I tinkered here and there for a year and decided in January that I wanted to do better and have been doing my best to put out a few designs a week.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I would love to still be crafting and at home! My hope is to bring more recognition to printable stationery . I also want to encourage shopping for handmade locally. I hope to help local online shop owners with marketing and getting into galleries and shops.

What is the most challenging thing about having an online business?

Balancing my time! We only have 24hrs in a day, and there are so many things we can do! Have to pick the best and go from there.What is the most rewarding thing about having an online business?Being able to express myself artistically! There's not much of that in laundry and dishes. ;)

How does your internet business fit into your life? Is it your job or do you have another job as well?

I'm a stay at home mom, so I have to carve out time for it. I have my kids help more with the house now and I think it's a good experience for them. But they can't be expected to do everything!

When you are not crafting, how do you spend your time?

Being with my family and friends, playing the wii and games of all sorts, helping at camera club and church.

Are there any links you’d like to share?

http://avlor.etsy.com/ - my shop

http://avlorsimprints.blogspot.com/ - the shop blog

http://www.strobist.blogspot.com/ - one of the absolute best photography sites around!