Meet 42 Purple Elephants!

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

I'd say it's a toss-up between making jewelry and stamping/scrapbooking. I've been making jewelry for around 3 years now and I started stamping and scrapbooking over 7 years ago.

2. How did you get started?

I started scrapbooking when I was pregnant with my older daughter. Both my mother and mother-in-law were just starting around the same time. Shortly after my first daughter was born, I went to my first stamping party and had a lot of fun and have been stamping ever since. Around 3 years ago, my husband decided to make something for me and made a beaded watch. It was beautiful and he started making some other pieces for friends and family. At first I thought it'd be too hard to make jewelry, but the more I watched him, the more I decided I wanted to give it a try. These days, I make more than he does.

3. What is your inspiration?

It depends. Sometimes I pick a color and try to do something with that. Sometimes I pick specific items and see what I can make out of those (with jewelry, I'll sometimes just grab a random set of beads and then see what I can come up with to go with them). 4. How long have you been on Etsy? Since May 20095. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Hopefully in a bigger house where I can have my own craft room! ;)

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

Taking pictures that look decent. It's harder to sell jewelry online especially because it's definitely something you need to be able to touch and feel. Trying to get pictures that even halfway make up for that is difficult.

7. What is the most rewarding thing about having an online business?

Finding people who like what I make and hearing how much they like what they've ordered after it arrives.

8. 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 it fits in well to be able to do it when I have a moment away from the kids or after their bedtime. I do it very part-time right now, and that's how I like it for now.

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

If I'm not doing housework, errands, entertaining the kids or any of the other typical "mom" stuff, I read, watch movies and sometimes even manage to go on a date with my husband!

10. Are there any links you’d like to share?

My Twitter account: http://twitter.com/42PurpleEleFans

My Facebook fan page: http://www.facebook.com/42PurpleElephants

My Blog: http://42purpleelephants.blogspot.com/

How do you push yourself to stay ahead of the game with your shop?

I try to spend several nights a week making lots of different things so I have something to list just about everyday. I also market as much as possible outside of Etsy even though just posting things on the promotions forums is much easier.