Cakespy Interview and Giveaway!

So unless you are a weirdo, you can't go to Cakespy's website without 1) salivating immediately 2) spending a lot of time reading and drooling over Jessie's creations of the edible and not edible sort 3) feel inspired. The brainchild of Jessie Oleson's is a story that has inspired many artists and business people alike. And there are so many reasons why. I know this is not plush but I find her story so inspiring that I wanted to share it with all of you. Please leave a comment here with contact info for your chance to win a surprise gift package from Jessie herself. Enjoy sweeties.



S- To start, for our readers that may not know who you are, can you please explain the basics. Who, What, Why?

Cake- Helllo plush buddies! My name is Jessie Oleson (pronounced like the twins, even though it's spelled funny), and I am the Head Spy at a dessert detective agency called CakeSpy. I have a website where myself and a group of family and friends write about bakeries, recipes, and baking experiments; it's all sweetly punctuated by my original artwork, which consists of anthropomorphic baked goods, which I also sell. The motto of the site is "Seeking sweetness in everyday life", and I like to think you can find a lot of sweetness on the site!



S- At our last Grassroots meetup, I found it really interesting that you get so much mail. That is so fun! Can you tell us about a few of the more unusual things you have gotten? Favorites?

Cake- I love getting mail! Most recently, some of the highlights have included cupcakes shipped from Fields of Cake in Maine (alas, they were NOT OK upon arrival), cupcake dental floss from Archie McPhee, a condom-holder with cake artwork on the outside...and as a wild card, a biography of the woman who started POM Wonderful. Let's just say the mailman regards me with slight suspicion.



S- You recently did the street art installation in Seattle. Can you tell us more about that and how that worked out for you?

Cake- About a month and a half ago I made a big batch of fake cupcakes to which I affixed flags with uplifting sayings and placed them randomly throughout the streets of Seattle--I kind of thought of it as a big happy pill going out to the world. It got a great reaction and so now I am doing it on an ongoing basis whenever I have time to make a batch, and have posted a tutorial on how to make them in case others want to bring the project to their own town or city. So far I hear that people have been making them in Portland and NYC!



S- I think your story is so inspiring because you are now working solely on your Cakespy project. When you started did you know what to expect? Did you have goals and ways to make yourself bigger or did it just grow organically?

Cake- When I first started, all that I knew was that I wanted some sort of outlet to combine my loves of writing, illustrating, and baked goods--I thought, why not start a blog while I figure out what I want to do? However, what I didn't count on was the blog becoming what I actually do--leading to a webstore, and basically becoming its own complete sweet community with all sorts of baked good related content and artwork. It's basically heaven.



S- You have done a lot of grassroots marketing to grow Cakespy. Can you tell us what has been more effective for you? Things that did not work?

Cake- For me, what has really seemed to work in terms of promotion is when the projects we do on the site go "viral". While I can't say what the formula is for this, I think that it really has to do with having unique content, or doing something that will register with people. For instance the cupcake art installation got a lot of attention on blogs and on the radio, which translated into more hits on my website, and hence, more hits to my webstore. Other posts that have gotten attention have been my cupcake shipping experiment , Twinkie murder spree and candy salad tutorial . I also send out and randomly leave a lot of postcards with my artwork and mission statement around the city and really, everywhere I go--so that people can come across CakeSpy in sweet and unexpected ways. I mean, if I randomly found a cute postcard or cupcake sculpture out on the street, I'd be pretty psyched, so I can only imagine that others would be too!



S- You share some great recipes. How often do you make new baked goods? (oh and if you ever want to share...well you now know where to go)

Cake- I don't bake every day, but I would say maybe 3-4 times a week. I don't consider myself a great baker, but I am an enthusiastic baker and I love to try new recipes. If I'm to be completely honest though, what I love best is eating other people's baked goods. I'm so lucky to be in Seattle--there are so many great bakeries here.



S- What new products might we see from you in the future?

Cake- I'm currently working on more apparel--tees, baby onesies, etc--and some new stationery products like little notebooks. On the horizon--i.e., when I gots cash, I also want to source and produce a figurine of my most popular character, Cuppie the Cupcake.



S- You have done some great interviews. How often do you do them and how do you approach folks for them?


Cake- Whenever I come across a baker or bakery that intrigues me, I will usually ask for an interview; generally I will tell them about the site and send them links to a few of the other interviews I've done in the past so they can see what it might be like, and then we take it from there.



S- What are some of your big goals for the rest of 2009?

Cake- Businesswise, I really want to start setting up more wholesale accounts; I just printed up a flyer of my products so I'm pretty excited to get that out there; I'm also pretty keen to start working on a children's book with my baked good characters (fingers crossed!). Baking-wise, I seriously want to make the 15-layer cake (some crazy Southern thing a friend told me about), and in terms of travel, the RoadFood feature on "Heavy Crumb Cake" from Hackensack, NJ really resonated with me, so I definitely want to go there!



S- What is your all time favorite dessert? What is your favorite cupcake?

Cake- Shh--don't tell cupcakes, but my true favorites are birthday cake (something about the middle layer of frosting in addition to the top layer!), crumb cake, black and white cookies and--weird, I know--corn muffins.

As cupcakes go, as psyched as I am to try all of the crazy varieties out there these days, my favorite is--and will always be--vanilla cake with pink buttercream frosting.

Thanks Jessie for the awesome interview! Don't forget to leave your info here for your chance to win your own sweet treats from Jessie!

Alicia Paulson Interview and Book Giveaway!

Do you ever read a blog and just think I wish their life was mine? Even if you like your life, there is just something about those photos and all the pretty that they surround themselves in...Well this is how I feel about Alicia Paulson. She has the gift to make every thing look beautiful, peaceful and calm. Just how life should be! I am sure she has her ups and downs just like everyone but looking at her blog makes me want to run home and sew and make my house pretty. I had the pleasure of finally meeting Alicia this past weekend at UCU where she did a book signing. She is just as pleasant in person! It was so nice to finally meet her and have her signing her amazing book, Stitched in Time: Memory-Keeping Projects to Sew and Share from the Creator of Posie Gets Cozy. Speaking of which, leave a comment here with contact info for your chance to win your very own copy!



S- For anyone who might not know about you...can you just give us a little bio on yourself?


AP- I am a craft designer – sewing, embroidery, and crochet – living in Portland Oregon. Since 2000, I have designed a small line of one-of-a-kind gifts and accessories called Posie: Rosy Little Things (rosylittlethings.com). Lately, I have been working on books, and publishing my own craft patterns and kits, so that keeps me out of trouble. And I try to write daily at my blog, Posie Gets Cozy (rosylittlethings.typepad.com). AliciaPaulson.com is sort of the traffic circle that keeps the things that I do organized.



S- Your book, Stitched in Time, recently came out (which again...is amazing!). Can you tell us more about the book and how it came about?

AP- Thank you! The idea first came my way back in January of 2007, when I was approached by a literary agent who knew that Potter Craft, the publisher, was wanting a book of "memory crafts." I had a bunch of other stuff going on, so doing a book wasn't really anywhere in my mind at that time, but as we started discussing the potential concept I just knew that that was my book. I started working on the proposal, and a couple of days later the agent called and said that the publisher had called her and asked her if she knew me – so it was sort of like other people saw this theme in my work before I did. But as soon as I started developing the idea it just grew and grew, and it all felt exactly right for me, and allowed me to express all the things I really care about when it comes to design.



S- I believe that craft books are often a resource of inspiration more than anything else. Your book is so pretty. Just looking at it makes me want to drink a hot cup of tea and sew. Were most of the photos taken in your home or elsewhere? Did you have a lot of control with the photos?


AP- Thank you again! Yes, almost all of the photos were taken here at our house. A few of them were taken at my friend Sarah's house and garden – the ones that feature her children. But everything else was done here, and I had total control of those images, both technically (for better or worse) and aesthetically – I styled and shot all of the photos myself, including the process shots. It was a huge but exhilarating job – from sourcing the locations and finding the models, to figuring out what everyone was going to wear and what the props would be. It was a bit overwhelming at times, with no one but an occasional husband assisting. But of course, once I'd done it, and had that experience of being able to totally control my vision (for better or worse!) I was hooked, so I'll do that again on my next book. Hopefully this time with a little more help and some different locations, but I am really excited about project photography. At some point, when you're making the items for the book, you realize that no one but you is going to be able to actually hold those items – the photo is really all they have.


And the design of the book – which I had absolutely nothing to do with – was just perfect. I couldn't have been happier with that!



S- What are your biggest sources for inspiration?

AP- Well, it's funny – I get asked this question frequently, and I realize that my inspiration changes but also stays very much the same. I am always inspired by fabric – tiny calicos, reproduction prints, historical motifs. Right now I'm researching folk art, so everything in my mind is red and blue, hearts and flowers, birds and trees. There is so much out there – old things that have been forgotten, but look, to me anyway, as fresh as anything contemporary I know of. I am so excited about reinventing some of these classic motifs. The possibilities inherent in them are really energizing me right now.



S- What are some of your favorite things to make?

AP- Right now, I am making several dolls for Christmas from the pattern on the cover of Stitched in Time. I've made six of them in the last couple of weeks, and every time I make one I am anxious to finish her so that I can see who she is. I like making things like dolls and animals because they have personalities that reveal themselves to you as you stitch.



S- Since the holidays are right around the corner and your house looks all nicely decorated...what is your favorite time of year and why?

AP- I like Christmastime a lot – although the day itself is not my favorite, ironically. I like this season with its sparkles and red details and quiet moments. But I miss snow terribly, so I'm always a bit fraught with longing, which, you know, that's the downside of December. I miss the light reflected off of snow in the front yard – in Oregon is just mud, all brown and gray.


I would have to say my favorite time of year is late spring – before everything begins, when it's all ahead of you. Spring in the Pacific Northwest is like a fairyland. I wait all year to open those bedroom windows and wake up to the sound of birds singing.



S- You were in Seattle this weekend to sign your book at Urban Craft Uprising. It was great to see such a big line of fans for you! What are some of the best parts for you in meeting your fans? Any crazy fans?


AP- Oh my gosh, I love to meet everyone. Sewing and working on books is, for me, a pretty solitary endeavor – I spend a lot of time by myself, in my own little stitching trance, and can go for days without having a conversation with anyone other than Andy, or the puppers, or the blog. So coming out and getting to put faces with names and see peoples' smiles – it's really wonderful. I love it. Everyone is so incredibly nice, and I am just so flattered that anyone is interested in what I do. It never gets old. I've gotta get out more.



S- For those that get distracted in their crafting, what do you think are some of the most important things to do to keep motivated and active?

AP- Well, let's see. I can relate to this a little bit – when I'm working on books, sometimes I sort of lose my spark, and feel like my efforts are uninspired, but I have to keep going (I think) because I'm on a deadline! I don't have the option of taking time off. But honestly, I think that just pushing through when you aren't feeling it is actually the wrong tack – I always try to do something completely different if those feelings start creeping in. Go to the library and get a big stack of books and just look through them. Cook. Take the dog somewhere good. Just take a break for a while, until that motivation starts bubbling up again, and you get an idea, and you can't wait to get home, and . . . You know what I mean. Sometimes you just have to not worry, and wait for it. It always comes back. But sometimes I think you just have to let yourself forget about it all for a while, so inspiration can sneak up on you again. It's a coy mistress.



S- Do you have any news you would like to share with our readers?

AP- Actually, yes! I haven't officially announced it yet, but I am working on my next book, which will be a collection of embroidery patterns – including "regular" embroidery, cross-stitch, and crewelwork. The book is basically a scrapbook of my favorite designs, applied to everyday objects in new, fresh ways. It has a very folksy, historical vibe. It will again be published by Potter Craft, and is due out in Summer 2010. I'm beside myself with excitement about it. My deadline is April 15, so I am working on it like mad.



S- What is your favorite craft supply?

AP- Ooooo, good question. Favorite craft supply. . . . I'd have to say that I'd be absolutely lost without my rotary cutter, ruler, and self-healing cutting mat. And my embroidery hoops. Not original, perhaps, but I use these guys every day, so it's nice to be able to give them props – thanks!

Wonder Thunder Interview and Giveaway!

I have only recently had the pleasure of discovering the magic of Wonder Thunder but I am sure glad I did. They are a little bit like magic you know? Leave a comment here with contact info for your chance to win a 2.5" mini plush toast made by the WT team!

PY- How did Wonder Thunder come about?

WT- Wonder Thunder was assembled out of loose scraps, dirty screens, loose morals, and long winter days. We felt the need to fill our already busy days and nights with as much stuff as possible. The rest is history.



PY- Are you from a State that actually has thunder?

WT- Our lives in Tennessee were riddled with thunder storms, something we miss dearly here in the pacific northwest. Tennessee is known for it's sporadic tornado outbreaks, crashing trees, and volatile weather.



PY- You guys have a diverse collection. Who does what in your duo?

WT- We both come up with ideas and the illustrations, we typically draw things by hand then manipulate the drawings on the computer. Sasha screen-prints, Meagan sews. We both do the cutting, ironing, stuffing, embroidering, washing, folding, and cooking.



PY- Do you guys work on Wonder Thunder only or do you have "regular" jobs?

WT- Meagan works as a sculpture fabricator for a local glass artist, Sasha works part time at a couple record companies and does freelance design. Once the Wonder Thunder empire reigns supreme we plan to buy a vintage yacht and world peace.



PY- What is your favorite WT item currently?

WT- We celebrate the entire collection.



PY- What do you expect to be your big holiday seller?

WT- We'd like to sell out of everything. Honestly. Then we can pack up for the equator with empty consciences. We've been making lots of pillows the last couple weeks, it would be great to sell them. They are oh so soft.



PY- What do you guys listen to when you make stuff?

WT- Documentaries from the library, Dr Dog, The Band, Foals, Minus the Bear, Midlake, Murder by Death, Jenny Lewis, Black Moth Super Rainbow, NPR, This American Life, and Meagan plays MIA and Dan Deacon when Sasha's not around.



PY- What are some plans for 2009?

WT- We plan to expand into the pickle market. Seriously. We'll probably keep making different things as they come up.... shower curtains, lamps, paw paw witches, one apron, abridged autobiographies, and some other junk to peddle to the people.



PY- Where can people find your work?

WT- Online at wonder-thunder.com; in Seattle at Blue Bottle, Schmancy(soon!) & 20twenty(also soon!); in Brooklyn at Fact and Fancy; in Columbus, OH at Wholly Craft; in Murfreesboro, TN at Sugaree's; and in Portland, OR at Fontanelle. We'll also have some prints at Giant Robot SF during December.



PY- Funniest selling experience for 2008?

WT- That dog don't hunt. I mean, we don't have one.

Don't forget to enter here for your chance to win this guy!

Kayte Terry Interview and Giveaway!

After a recent correspondence with Kayte Terry I have been totally addicted to her blog. I like to think that I am also an omni-crafter so I really enjoy the variety of amazingness she has there. It is very inspiring! Kayte has made really amazing and unique pieces for the last few Plush You shows and did a really nice writeup of the show last year for Adorn Magazine. Her awesome book, Complete Embellishing: Techniques and Projects is equally as inspiring. Full of fun projects that any omni-crafter will enjoy! Leave a comment here with contact info for your chance to win!




S- Can you first let our readers know a little bit more about you?

KT- Sure! I am a stylist/writer/crafter living in Brooklyn, NY. I love everything about making things and have been crafting for pretty much my whole life. I am definitely an omni-crafter and like making all sorts of different things but I am no good at making multiples. I like to use a lot of vintage materials so most of what I craft is one-of-a-kind. My favorite things are japanese craft books, paint by numbers, Liberty prints and the color pink.



S- You do a lot of writing for various publications on various crafty things and events. How did you get into freelance writing?

KT- I wrote a lot in college and always imagined that I would write really lofty art theory books after I got out of school. Of course, I totally stopped writing after college and didn't really pick it up again until I started blogging. I had forgotten how much I enjoyed writing. After that, I started writing a bit for Get Crafty and for the Adorn Magazine blog and eventually more jobs came in.



S- Because you do a lot of writing I imagine you get exposed to a lot. How has that fostered your craft? Has there been any negatives because of it?

KT- Yes, I am definitely always reading, researching, going to museums and shows...mostly I think it has a very positive effect on my craft because I have so many inspiring resources at my fingertips. I think that, as a crafter, it's really important to know what's out there, what the trends are and have a sense of the history of my craft.
There is definitely such a thing as inspiration overload though; sometimes it's hard for me to focus on one project and I always have to make sure that my own work isn't too derivative. Sometime I just have to turn off all the outside stimuli and focus on my on work.



S- How long have you been making plush? How does it differ for you than other mediums?

KT- I started making plush about five years ago. My first plushies were semi-deranged rabbits inspired by my very own bunny/muse Potato. After that, I experimented with pincushions. I made a few cupcakes and pears and I was hooked on making food.
There's something kind of ridiculous and impractical about making plush food that I love. I like challenging myself with more complex shapes and elaborate meals. Since most of my plush food takes a really long time to make and is therefore pretty expensive to sell, I make them for my own joy. When you craft for a living, it's nice to make things that you don't really think of as "product".



S- You book, Complete Embellishings: Techniques and Projects is really fantastic! How did that come about? What are some of your favorite projects in the book?

KT- Thanks!
It kind of came out of the blue. Collins and Brown, the British publisher that put out the book, contacted Christina, the editor at Adorn magazine (where I was working as a stylist and crafter) and asked if they had suggestions for a person who would be good for a cool book about embellishing. She suggested me and I started working with them on a Table of Contents.
I have always been a big fan of embellishing and sent them a bunch of pictures of things I have done to my own wardrobe plus projects I have made for magazines. I love the idea of taking something boring from your closet and making it amazing and cool again. I have been known to do some crazy renegade embellishing to my clothing when I am getting dressed to go out so it was a subject I was really passionate about.
My favorite projects are the Victoriana Cardigan and the Prize Ribbon Skirt but it's hard for me to choose just two! I like both of these because at first, when I started making them for the book, I wasn't really sure how they were going to work out. Especially with the Prize Ribbon Skirt, it started as one of my least favorite projects and morphed into a favorite as I tweaked and redesigned it.
I like the idea that embellishing is an organic process and I hope that each reader feels free to make each project to their own tastes. I really wanted to provide people with tools to embellish different things but I don't want to tell people exactly what fabric or trims to pick or which colors to choose.



S- Are you working on anything new in the book publishing side of things?

KT- Yes! I have a book coming out with Chronicle books next fall. The book will be all about appliqué and features 35 projects with some great contributors! Otherwise, I have been writing for the Craft Stylish blog and working on their magazine too.



S- Do you have any advice for folks that are interested in getting published?

KT- Do some research: go to a book store and see what's out there, what can be improved upon and what crafters seem to be really into now. If there are twenty books written on the same subject, you might want to tweak your subject matter. If there are none, you want to ask yourself if there is a wide enough market for the book. If there are a few, then you are probably in pretty good shape. Make sure you can show why your book will be different and/or better than those books.
Get a book about writing a non-fiction proposal or, if you have a friend who has written a book, get their advice. A book proposal should convey the tone of the book and give a little peak into what the rest of the book will be. You should write a sample chapter or two and be prepared to make a few samples of projects. Also, you should tell your publisher what you can do to help promote and market the book.
Writing a book is a team effort from start to finish.
You don't have to get an agent but I really recommend it. They do take a percentage of your advance but they will help you get a better deal so it usually works out in your favor. One more thing: don't expect to make a fortune, especially on your first book. It is a ton of work but it is really rewarding too! (S- I second that :)



S- What are some of your favorite crafty resources?

KT- I love Etsy of course and buy a lot of my craft supplies on Ebay too. My favorite fabric store is definitely Purl Soho here in New York and I love all the stores in the Garment district. I love getting lost in the craft section of Kinokuniya, purveyor of wonderful Japanese books. I read a lot of craft, design and art blogs too and enjoy getting lost in the blog spiral, where you just click from link to link to link. You never know what you're going to find!



S- Where do you see your business in the next 3 years?

KT- I would love to have another book or two in the works. Writing books has been so amazing and satisfying. I would like to do some more styling for other people's craft books too; I styled my own book and Diana Rupp's book and I really love it.
Someday, I want to be on Martha's show too! That's when I know I have really made it!
(S- I second that one too!)



S- Anything else exciting you might like to share with our readers?

KT- I am just so happy to be able to do what I love to do. Even though I work eighty hours a week and almost every weekend, it's totally worth it.

Don't forget, leave a comment here with contact info for your chance to win Complete Embellishings signed by Kayte!

Look What I Can Do- Interview and Giveaway

I thought it would be appropriate to have a Plush You! loyal this week as it IS the WEEK of Plush You! It still blows my mind. Anywhooo, Dawn is one of my favorite people on Plush Planet. She came into Schmancy when I just opened with a HUGE bag full of the most amazing plush creatures I had seen. It's been a pleasure to see Dawn grow in the plush community, the craft community and in her art. Her work is similar in a lot of ways to when she started but now it's just more fine tuned and perfected. It's no wonder that she has received a lot of attention. Her work is fantastic! It is my great pleasure to feature the plush-a-holic herself for this special week of Plush You! Leave a comment her with your contact info for your chance
to win your own creature picked by Dawn herself!




S- Why don't you first tell us all a little bit about yourself and how you started your business.

DR- I was home with my daughter and started to sew her some creatures. She had such fantastic reactions to my Plush Art and she was THE reason I was inspired to begin and keep sewing. Plus my friends and family saw them and kept telling me I should sell them. So after a bit of time I decided to open my Etsy shop, January 9th 2006. Etsy was not really that well known at the time, hard to believe now, so I really had to promote myself. I started reading a lot of craft/art related blogs and was really inspired to start my own blog too. That's when www.Plush-a-holic.blogspot.com was born July 22nd 2006 the same day I became a part of the Flickr community and both have really changed my life. I am also an amateur photographer and went to school for almost 4 years for photography so I absolutely loved being a part of flickr (still do) and I really missed the thrill of creating. I used to spend hours and hours in the studio and color darkroom. Sewing changed my life. It made me so happy and gave me a sense of purpose agian. It was something I could do while my daughther was home with me and still feel connected to something bigger than myself. Something I could do for me.



S- You have two kids now but you still amazingly make stuff, update your site, your flickr, etc. How do ya' do it?

DR- Well, if you look at my shop you will see that I have been a bit slow lately. Having a new baby really makes it hard to have the energy to create. I guess I am just driven to keep going so that I feel a part of something bigger than myself and if I am being really honest I don't want to disappear from the Plush Community. I have worked very hard to be involoved in it. The connections I have made in the craft/art world are really, really important to me. Plus I am addicted to making Plush Creatures. I really enjoy the process and the finished product too. It's all so exhilerating!



S- Since I have had the pleasure of seeing you "grow" in the craft world, I feel so happy to see how well received you have always been. Unfortunately I have also seen some people obviously rip off some of your style. How do you deal with that?

DR- Honestly I was not prepared for that part of sharing my craft/art. At first all these really nice people would email me on Etsy alerting me to folks that were doing stuff that was similar to mine. I thanked them of course and just tried to not let it get to me. I mean really we all make stuff from our hearts and if you are just copying someone else you really won't be successful. There is a fine line between stealing someone's ideas and being inspired. So I just keep doing what I do trying to grow and improve as I go and I don't really get involved in any weird stuff. I actually feel really good that people say I have my own 'style and I truly feel I have worked very hard to be recognized in the craft/art community.. We are all inspired by others and as long as we make our craft/art our own and it is coming form within us it will all be good.



S- You have also made some amazing friendships in the craft community. How do you foster these virtual relationships and how has it helped your business and creativity?

DR- I am not very good at networking in real life(although I am getting much better) so when the inter web came into my life to my surprise I was really comfortable with making connections. Being a stay at home Ma can get really lonely especially if you are not a joiner and sadly I am not. So I love Virtual friends and meeting them in real life has been amazing. I really am so very very grateful to all the love I have rec'd from the craft/art community via the web. It has changed my life in so many ways and continues to do so. As far as helping my business or creativity it actually helps me to keep going. It shows me that people think what I do is worth doing and I just love sharing so very much.



S- Since you've started, what have been some of the fondest memories you have had in your business?

DR-My fondest memories really all have to do with the people I have met. I love seeing where my Love=Creatures end up and the folks out there that collect my work and send me gifts. Geez...I could have never imagined any of it. It is truly amazing to connect with so many people. I also love being in Plush You, this will be my 3rd year. Seriously it is such an amazing show and getting to be part of the book was AMAZING. Thanks so very much Kristen for all the opportunities you have given me and so many other Plush Artists.



S- If you and your family were to go on a 3 week road trip, what craft supplies would you have to have with you?

DR- Well....a bunch of sewn bodies that were stuffed and ready to detail, lots of thread and needles of course!! :)



S- What do you look forward to for 2009?

DR- Obama as president, sleeping more, having a social life, more time with family and friends, going out with my hubby...oh you meant in my Plush Life....
Having more time to make all the ideas that are swimming around in my head come to life. Acquiring more sewing skills to bring some of my ideas to a different level. Meeting more and more folks from the craft/art/flickr community and maybe someday getting to be in another book. Mostly though I just want to sew more :)



S- Where to you see your business in the next 5 years?

DR- I see me being able to have the time to fill up my shop more often and diversify. I am nowhere near ready to stop so all I can do is go forward and progress.



S- Where can people find your work?

DR- www.LookWhatICanDo.Etsy.com. www.Plush-a-holic.blogspot.com and again sooooon at www.Supermaggie.com



S-Since Plush You! is this Friday, how do you think shows such as this one, has helped your business grow?

DR- First of all Plush You ROCKS!!!!!!!!! It was one of the first shows of it's kind and I feel so very lucky to be a part of it. It enables you to meet a bunch of Plush folks and really see what they are up to and it definitely gets your work out there where tons of folks have access to it. Sometimes Plush Art gets kind of lumped into a hobby/craft category and shows like Plush You showcase it as an art and I really like that. Thanks so much Kristen for bringing so much attention to all the Plush and Plush artists out there. We Plush You xo

Thanks again Dawn for all your kind words and insight into your work!
Don't forget, leave a comment here for your chance to win your own Look What I Can Do creations!