Meet michiganhemp

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

Everything hemp is my passion and I've been making hemp items for almost 7 years. I really try to make hemp items that are 'out of the box', so to speak. I want to take hemp to the next level...where hippie and beauty meet.

2. How did you get started?

My husband and I were at a small craft show in Mackinaw City, Michigan. While checking everything out, I found the cutest little hemp necklace that just screamed BUY ME. It was simple in design and made with all wooden beads, but it was adorable. When I reached for the price tag, I almost choked! It was wayyy over priced. Don't get me wrong, I completely understand the value of handmade, but this one was almost ridiculous. It was then and there that I decided that I could make better items from better supplies and sell them at better prices. The hubby and I stopped at the craft store on the way home, and I've been making hemp items ever since. :)

3. What is your inspiration?

My inspiration comes to me from many different angles. Some days, it is the color of the hemp, other days it is the pendant, and still other times it is simply random mixing of beads and colors that finally turn into something amazing.

4. How long have you been on Etsy?

I joined Etsy in February of this year, and I have absolutely loved every day since!

5. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Wow. This is a tough one for me. I have so many different interests that my life could literally take many different paths. At this point in time, I would have to say that I will be working from home, have my Bachelor's degree in either Graphic Arts or Visual Communications, and be a very successful Etsy shop owner. :)

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

This would have to be the marketing. It is extremely hard to get seen, and then to get a sale after being seen is even harder.

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

Knowing that someone likes my handmade items as much as I do is the best feeling in the world. Usually, I tend to devalue myself, so knowing that someone is willing to buy one of my items is a big deal to me.

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

Etsy is my top priority...until class starts next week. As far an another job, raising 5 boys, tending to the man of my dreams, running an online Etsy shop, and earning my bachelor's is about all I can handle right now! lol

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

I spend a ton of time getting to know other Etsians, and attending my boys' sporting events. I would have to say that is how I spend the majority of my time when I'm not doing homework, or creating something new.

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

FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cheboygan-MI/Michigan-Hemp/85051183096

TWITTER: http://twitter.com/michiganhemp

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

I don't believe that I am ever ahead of the game, but if I can keep myself above water and still swimming...I feel I'm doing great! :0)

An Blog Feature on Me...

http://roses7184.blogspot.com A wonderful, sweet friend of mine featured me on her blog this morning... take a look if you get the chance!

Compartmentalizing

So, I have two impending interviews... I mentioned that the other day. I've had the questions for both for a bit now.... and I haven't been able to answer and return them. So, of course I've been doing some soul-searching to find out why.

I compartmentalize. People at work know certain things about me and not others. Same with people online. Each section of my life is put into a little box, and only brought out when needed. In the coming weeks, the fam and I will be going over to an online friends house to learn how to fuse glass. It's a crossing over. I'm a bit uncomfortable with crossing over. Oh I'll do it and I'll have fun... but my initial reaction is that I don't want to open that box.

Years and years ago, I wrote an online newspaper column. I can't say it was a job because I never got paid. The guy was a major flake. But, I went on a trip to Corpus Christi, TX, where I was raised. I had been chatting in the local chatroom there and had planned to meet a dozen people while on my trip. And of course, I was going to write about it. Out of those dozen people, one was the same in real life as she was on there. The others had grossly misrepresented themselves.

I don't want to be one of the 11. I don't want to be disingenuine. But I'm also very comfortable with my boxes. So I've taken a deep breath. I will answer the questions today, to the best of my ability, and send them out there. The two ladies who will be posting the interviews each seem like amazing individuals and it will all be ok.

That's not really the point though... as a general rule, when you put yourself out there it ends up being ok. Well, it does for me anyway. I don't have anxiety about putting myself out there, it's just those damn boxes. Which ones do I open and show you? Which ones are messy inside? Which ones are jam-packed with treasures? I think we are about to find out.

Spinning out of control

So. I'm seriously exhausted. Ok, a little less so today, a little less. But yesterday afternoon, I was practically falling asleep at work. I went home a couple of hours early and took a nap. I also went to bed early last night. I can't seem to shake this. I'm at the point where something's gotta give. And it can't. I have too much to do. I have work. I have the craft show (thankfully I don't have to be present-- it's like a really well-advertised, short term consignment shop) that I need to finish pricing for and such, plus I need to deliver the goods on Saturday. And I have that radio interview on Sunday. And prior to the radio interview, I need to do a test drive of the studio online, get familiar with Skype, and take photos of each step of my pendant making process.

I need to list it out and check things off one by one. Remember my plan to do marketing smarter not harder? I'm working on that in all areas of my life. In the past, when making journals, I've measured each set of papers, used the ruler on the bookboards to mark the holes to drill, etc. Yesterday, templates for the paper and the holes (for both the paper and the boards) were made. I am really excited about that, because all the measuring out always seemed like such a huge obstacle.

Housework... I'm working very hard on getting help around here. I will get to the point where I feel like my life is more in control. But right now, it's spinning... I have thoughts and ideas running through my head all the time. All I want is the energy to carry them out. Perhaps I will need to quiet them for awhile, but I'm really not sure how. I can't even sit and watch tv in the evening without having my laptop on to tweak photos, or sitting making a journal. It seems like I *must* multi-task. What's up with that??

Today at work, I will make a list. I will put absolutely everything on it that I need to do until my radio interview is over. And I will begin checking things off. I will delegate, and I think the list will stop the spinning a bit.

Magickal Melissa Interviews Me!

Here's an interview from Melissa I urge you to go check her out! Just click away on her name!

1) If you could be any animal, what kind would you be and why?

I think I would be a ferret. Then the people who didn't understand me would stay away and leave me alone, due to their pre-conceived notions, and those who did have me in their lives would love me endlessly. I just re-read that, what a strange answer, huh? Can you tell I love ferrets?


2) This question is from a movie called To Gillian on her 37th Birthday: "If Life were like a big truck, what would be worse.....to get run over by it or for it to just pass you by?" and why?

I think it would be worse for the big truck of Life to just pass me by. Without it, I'm going nowhere. I don't choose for it to run over me, I'd like for it to stop and give me a ride, but even if it runs over me, I'm still getting somewhere and it would be a whole new experience!

3) What is your best advice for raising children?

My best advice for raising children is complicated. Love them without smothering them, teach them without preaching, and when they are developing who they are, give them enough space to figure it all out, but remain close enough to catch them when they spin out of control.


4) I believe most of us are living as Earth-Friendly as possible. In what ways are you living Earth-Friendly?

I recycle, I use earth friendly, reusable grocery bags. I buy clothes from re-sell stores. I donate clothes and used items to the same stores. Wouldn't it be awesome if we could go exchange one used item for another? Like, I don't want these jeans anymore, but I would like that pair. I think even more people would recycle that way.

I kinda live within my own little bubble, and my family is in that bubble, but I stay so busy that not ver many other people get in. If I had a bunch of girlfriends though, I think I would organize an exchange night, say once a month, where we brought stuff over to exchange with the girls for other things we want.

5) What do you feel you are currently learning through you Earth Walk? (patience, boundaries, courage, self-love....) What wisdom can you share with someone who is also learning _____ (insert your answer)?

Wow... Melissa, I think you outdid yourself. I think my biggest lesson of the year is patience. I've written about it many times on my blog. Of course, I'm constantly learning boundaries, courage, self-love, motivation, etc. But patience has been my biggest struggle.

If you are currently learning patience, my advice is to breathe. And if you are waiting for something that can be worked towards, then take the first step, then the 2nd, etc. I'll use Etsy as my example. Waiting for those sales was the most difficult thing I have ever done. However, sitting and waiting (and clicking on my site 8000 times a day) was making me insane. So, instead of that, I began examining my shop. I revised prices, I listed more, I am currently redoing photos for the hundredth time, and working on better descriptions. In my spare time, I market.

Here's the instructions:

1. Leave me a comment saying, "Interview me."

2. I will respond by emailing you five questions. (I get to pick the questions).

3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions and a link to my blog.

4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.

Melissa, thank you so much! Your questions really made me think and I totally enjoyed them!

I'd like you to meet Kevin!

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

Airbrush, I have been working professionally forn sixteen years.

How did you get started?

I attend classes at the Indianalois Art Center. Ater finishing the course,I practiced three to four hours a day,after one month I decided to try and sell my work. I set up an easel in my front yard to attract attention within one hour I made my first sale, after one month I decided to make my living as an airbrush artist. I traveled from Elyria Ohio down to Florida selling my work along the way.

What is your inspiration?

I give credit to the Great Creator that blessed me with my talent. My Earthly inspirations are many, I would have to say the most important is Julia Cameron author of the"Artist's way" Her book motivated me to put my talent into action, and to have the courage,and confidence in myself to forge ahead.

How long have you been on Etsy?

One month! I am very new, so I am in the learning stages, I have much work to do. I guess the work never stops as I believe one must constantly evolve,and improve in order to survive.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Hopefully successful enough to employ several airbrush artists. Possibly expanding the business to include screen printing of my airbrush designs.

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

Getting my shop noticed! If people don't know you are there you have no business.I have found this to be more challenging than I had thought it would be. I am constantly promoting, networking,and learning new ways to promote my Etsy shop.

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

Being able to work from my home.This cuts the cost of rent on a brick,and mortar shop.That money can be used to buy stock,sundries,and to promote my business. It also cuts travel expenses.

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

This is it for me.I am a dedicated full time airbrush artist,online business person. I feel fortunate to be able to dedicate the time it takes to make a successful business.

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

I spend my time with my Father,I like to make him laugh,and do things for him that he can't do for himself,as he is seventy seven years old. I also like to read good books, and cook.

Are there any links you’d like to share?

This is my Etsy shop http://www.fantasyair4u.etsy.com/

This is my instructional video http://www.youtube.com/kevsart

Here is a link to my flickr slideshow for anyone that would like to see my work. http://flickr.com/photos/34598641@N05/sets/72157612805911833/show/

Click on any of the photos for more information! Thank you Kevin!

Wednesday Featured Artisan

Today's featured Artisan is Alex Petersen. I met her in the Etsy forums last week and instantly fell in love with her work. She does encaustic over pen and ink drawings, among other things. Enjoy her interview!

1. What is your craft of choice, and how long have you been doing that?I'm currently obsessed with encaustic. More specifically, encaustic used as a glaze over pen and ink. My main current project involves a large scaledrawing cut into 165 3"x 3" squares and individually dipped into encaustic medium, before being reassembled into a mosaic of sorts. (I'm hoping it turns out, because I was really fond of that drawing, lol!) the attraction to encaustic, for me, is that there is absolutely no "wrong" application. When I started working with it a few years ago, there was very minimal information on it. This created a huge feeling of creative freedom I haven't felt with other media.

2. How did you get started?With art itself? My mother taught art privately for years, so I grew up in a pretty full immersion environment. With the encaustic, I read a reference to the technique several years ago and was unfamiliar with it. Of course I did a google search and found someone in Great Britan that was selling small 'starter' kits with a page of tips and techniques included. I confiscated our griddle and bought a heat gun, and haven't looked back since.

3. How long have you been on Etsy?I actually signed up with Etsy a couple years ago, in 2007, but didn't commit to putting my things in the shop until almost two months ago.

4. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?In five years I am hoping to expand my exposure a bit more, especially with my larger work. Nothing with too much pressure, though. I really like to keep the ability to continually push myself artistically, and I find that is hard to keep when you have gallery heavy commitments or become known for a particular style-that puts a lot of pressure to keep your 'brand' look. Yet another reason why selling online is such a cool opportunity.

5. What is the most challenging thing about having an online business?Not getting discouraged! I have had to take such a crash course in online marketing. I couldn't have even known where to start without the wonderful help of the Etsy community. I do think artists can be a bit over sensitive about their work,and I'm certainly not immune! Developing a thick skin in the more anonymous realm of the intertubes is critical.

6. What is the most rewarding thing about having an online business?Definitely the community! Where else can you have virtually instant feedback (good and bad) on your work? Or such a wide and varied global audience? I think this has opened such huge possibilities that would have been completely unthinkable just a few years ago.

7. How does your internet business fit into your life? Is it your job or do you have another job as well?Perfect fit, I'd say. I quit my regular job about 10 years ago, when I had my second son. In addition to the art, I keep the books for my husband's freelance work. He's an industrial designer that does quite a bit of retail design. So, I find having the Etsy shop provides perfect flexibility.

8. When you are not crafting, how do you spend your time?When I can carve a bit of free time, I love to read. I'm a pretty big s.f. geek, lol. Of course, my boys are now 15 and 11, so we try to spend as much time as we can with them in addition to everything else. They keep us moving!

9. Are there any links you'd like to share?Well, I just started my first blog at the suggestion of many in the Etsy community. I hope to contain the theme to my personal struggles with the creative process, as well as (hopefully) share tips and techniques. It's also where I'm sharing some of my bigger pieces of work. http://www.alexandra-petersen.blogspot.com/.

10. Where do you get your inspiration??I see inspiration as more of a continual process of input, rather than from any particular sources. I sometimes think of our brains taking the form of a little busy squirrel, only instead of stuffing our cheeks with seeds and nuts, we are tucking away all sorts of little informational bits, storing them away for some future artistic endeavor.

This was a lot of fun, and I have to admit answering these questions has made me stop and think more than a little! I was surprised at how many things I've not ever really given a lot of thought. Thank you for including me in your blog, and I am REALLY looking forward to reading other artist's answers.

Alex

I have to admit, I was initially drawn to Alex because she's also in the Portland area. So she has the same challenges, and opportunities, to getting herself 'out' there. Check out her work, I think you'll be drawn to it, much as I was. Thank you, Alex!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Wednesday! I'll be working on some creative photography tonight, and narrowing down choices for the February art show.