Wednesday, June 23, 2010

SHOP OF THE WEEK THREE!!!! EDNA!!!!

Time for another shop of the week feature... I'd like to present EDNA!!! A crafter I met months ago when she won a set of my eggs without even trying, and a person I'm honored to present to you!!!!




1. Whats your shop name - Ednabelle

2. Introduce yourself (name age and a little info) - I am 78, born and raised in WV

3. Why do you do what you do on etsy? - Because I really like it and it's important to me to stay active.

4. When and Why did you join etsy? - I joined Etsy 6 months ago. Actually a wonderful Etsian, TheLittleGreenButton, purchased from me through another venue (but we're not calling names), told me how friendly and wonderful Etsy was and invited me to come check it out. I very much liked what I found here and it hasn't let me down. It is a wonderful outlet for my creative side.

5. What have you learned about yourself during your business endeavor in selling on etsy? - I've learned that my hobby is a great way to supplement my fixed income.

6. What do you do by day when you're not etsy's turtleXIII? - I'm an old fashioned gal who cooks and cleans for her family. I have 4 children, 19 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren and a couple of local doctors who all like to spend some time with me from time to time.

7. What are your thoughts about selling on Etsy? - I'm proud to sell on Etsy where the artistic community makes me feel like I also have something valuable to contribute.

8. Explain your craft and your crafting style. - I have a passion for old things and cringe at the thought of throwing any useful away, even if it does need a little love before it can live again.

9. What are some of your favorite pieces? - My favorite offerings are always the re-purposed pieces made from vintage broken parts, like this necklace made from a lonely earring http://www.etsy.com/listing/44039945/vintage-repurposed-retro-enameled or this necklace and earring set made from a broken bracelet http://www.etsy.com/listing/41077295/ooak-vintage-repurposed-carved-black.

10. Is it hard to part with your items once sold? - I'm attached to everything I sell since they are the pieces I have collected over a lifetime, but quite a few buyers have sent me a personal note telling me how much they love and appreciate the pieces they've purchased, sometimes with stories of the dear loved ones they remind them of which warms my heart and makes it much easier to let go.

11. Explain how you got started in your craft. - My bio says it best: My name is Edna. I live in the Blue Ridge Mountains of West Virginia. Having grown up during the Depression with eleven brothers and sisters crafting new items from old ones became a way of life for me. As early as I can remember mother had shown us how to use old feed sacks, discarded sheets and small scraps of wood to make our own toys and later our own clothes. I developed a love of found objects of all kinds for the useful and interesting things they could become. Seems no matter what I see ideas begin popping into my head regarding the new life it could take on.

Ednabelle's shop on Etsy is becoming my creative outlet. It is a place where
I can distribute the items I've collected over a lifetime (after all I need
some work space here) and a place where I can find those who appreciate the
items my mind and hands create from the discarded goodies around me. It is a
passion I share with all three generations who have come behind me. My
daughter helps me with the shop. One of my granddaughters, who is a working
mom and student is creating works of her own to sell in my shop to help her
through school. One of my great granddaughters has modeled for me and she
and her brother have contributed many items that are made by eager hands not
yet talented enough for the public - but their time will come. And many of
the vintage handmade items in the shop were made many years ago with the
help of most all of the grandchildren when they were little.

It does my heart good to know the art of thrift and creativity is being
passed along and appreciated in our family and that so many of you are
taking the time to share them with your own children. My children and grand
children alike tell me that just as I have such wonderful memories with my
own mother some of their fondest memories involve crafting with me when they
were growing up. Such a precious thing to pass along.

I've been out of the work force now for many years so Etsy has filled my
days with much more stucture and activity than I have known for quite some
time since none of the little ones are living nearby. My daughter and I now
spend many hours sorting, creating, photographing and listing with a little
packing and shipping thrown in. While you will find some of our created
items in my shop already, you will also find lots of vintage items which
haven't been altered as I attempt to claim much needed work space. I hope
that you will stop in and help us clear this area, then come back for more
of the crafted treasures to come.

12. What's your working space like? - It's a small portable table set rather permanently in an otherwise unused corner of the house.

13. Is your craft your job or your hobby? (explain) - For me it is my passion. It is the thing which takes my attention each day and keeps me moving and alive.

14. What's your personality and how does that reflect in your craft?

15. Do you do and other crafts? - I can't think of many crafts I haven't at least tried over the years. Needlework, sewing and crochet were my favorites until age began stealing both my eyesight and the steadiness in my hands.

16. Who taught you to do this craft? - I am self taught, always learning through trial and error.

17. What are some of your favorite shops? - I never met a vintage or craft shop I didn't like.

18. What else would you like to say about anything and everything including yourself and/or your craft? I love life and I love to live.

60 comments:

  1. Ahhhhhh! A feature on my all time favorite crafter!! My mom. Very nice, Chrissy! Looks and sounds just like her :)

    RusticRedo.etsy.com

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  2. This is such a great feature! I love the diversity of the etsy community. I especially enjoyed hearing about how your family is involved in parts of your shop. Definitely following this blog in hopes of more awesome features like this :)

    www.impactstudio.etsy.com

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  3. Very nice feature. It is nice to hear about the passion, and creation Edna has... and you are keeping so active.
    www.galla15.etsy.com

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  4. Hi Edna, thanks for sharing your passion with us!

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  5. Wonderful words and thoughts, Edna! Very nice work, too. I love that you take pieces of old items and turn them into something new.

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  6. How wonderful that you have found Etsy and are able to share your passion for vintage and crafting with your children & grandchildren!

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  7. Eleven brothers and sisters...Wow. It's cool to see how you have learned to make things through necessity, but put art into them as well.

    I also am self taught, through trial and lots of error. :)

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  8. wonderful feature! you inspire me and i hope i will still be crafting like you in twenty or so years from now!

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  9. What a wonderful story. My parents grew up during the Depression so I appreciate your value of everything, even if it needs some love to continue being used.

    Continue creating with those objects which need love.

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  10. What a lovely interview! Edna is very inspiring.

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  11. What a great story! I have the same "What can I make this into?" bug! Great to meet a like minded soul!

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  12. im so glad everyone enjoyed this feature!!!

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  13. A super article on a great Lady with a wonderful attitude to life "I love life and I love to live". Everyone should have a craft hobby they are passionate about to help keep them going. I wish you well Edna.

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  14. Edna, you are a true inspiration!!! :) Here's wishing you all the best!!!

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  15. This made my heart smile. Edna, thanks for the inspiration! I think this is amazing and your philosophy is one we could all learn from.

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  16. Wow you are a powerhouse Edna. Loving your shop, especially the vintage fabric things. Heard that you are not too well at the moment, get well soon won't you. Best wishes from Eileen xxoo.

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  17. Edna, you prove that you're never too old to do what you love! Thanks for the inspiration!

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  18. HI Ednabelle....Well you know I love your shop and your items! I love the correspondence we have had between you, Rustic and myself. I read all about you and am in awe of your attitude and abilites!! Wish I was in your town so I could come visit you. I would love to have your talent. I am just glad that we found each other on etsy!! You have brought sunshine to me. Thank God we both love Crosses!!
    But you know I am thinking about you and wishing you sunshine and butterflies! Get well soon ...Your Friend Colleen/ Irish...xoxoox

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  19. Love your re-purposed jewelry, Edna! I hearted your shop. :)

    http://dragon06.etsy.com

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  20. Lovely article. Edna is a fascinating woman! I loved hearing about growing up in the depression and making things out of what was around. Thanks for sharing :)

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  21. Edna, I'm right there with you about cringing at throwing anything away! I always love seeing things repurposed, and you're doing an amazing job at it.

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  22. Great feature! Get well soon Edna! Your Etsy friends are pulling for you!

    AccessoryLove.etsy.com

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  23. Hi Edna,

    You are such an inspiration! I love your work and enjoyed reading the great, in depth article. Feel better dear!

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  24. Great feature. Enjoyed reading about Edna. Wishing you well Edna. Gave me great inspiration to continue enjoying my crafts. :)

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  25. What a great story! Edna's mission is a mission of love. Whatever Edna touches comes back to life better than before. Just like your craft you will come back from the hospital renewed and ready to fill your shop with more goodies!

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  26. You have a truly inspiring story Edna! Your passion in creating crafts and reviving old items into something new, that is such an amazing thing to do. Blessings to you dear Edna, hope you get well soon. Wonderful job Christine, great article!

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  27. Ednabelle, I am sending warmth and healing thoughts your way. I have much respect for anyone who can take something old or broken and recycle, reinvent, reincarnate and re purpose it into something once again loved, admired and useful. As a fellow Etsy shop reincarnation gypsy I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

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  28. Edna sounds like a wonderful lady and a very smart eco-friendly person.

    Get well soon Edna.

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  29. Beautiful feature.

    Wishing you all the best and a speedy recovery

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  30. What a lovely feature! All the best for you.

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  31. Wonderful feature on such a wonderful lady :)

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  32. Such a warm story. I especially enjoyed hearing how you learned your skills from your mother. Congratulations on the feature!

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  33. Amazing, heartwarming feature! Edna, you are so inspiring! I actually drove through the blue ridge mountains a few weeks ago. They are stunning.

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  34. Truly inspirational! Best wishes, Ednabelle and I hope your shop is a success for many years to come!

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  35. Good morning Edna!
    I'm sending you some sunshine on this rainy morning in Southern Maine.
    Feel better soon!
    Love,
    Veronica

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  36. Hi Edna:
    Myself and my family are wishing you our best and will hold you in our thoughts with smiles on our faces and love in our hearts.
    We are inspired my your strength and resolve. You are an inspiration to us.
    Wishing you our best - Feel better!!!

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  37. Love your shop! Etsy keeps us young! Feel better soon.

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  38. Hi Edna-
    My husband and I are sending happy thoughts your way, and we hope you feel better soon!

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  39. Hello Edna, fellow Etsy shop here :)

    We hope that you feel better soon and have a great day!

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  40. What an inspirational lady!
    Speedy healing, Edna!

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  41. What a lovely shop! Edna , you have a wonderful talent for repurposing as well as a great eye for vintage finds!

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  42. A wonderful post and lovely work! Thank you for sharing. Feel better soon! You have a sweet smile!

    Kymsart & OldieButGoodie on Etsy.

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  43. What treasures you have to share! Everything is beautiful. But how could they not be when coming from such a beautiful soul.

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  44. What gorgeous work! You sound like a very sweet lady and I hope you feel better very soon!

    Vicki
    StellasKnits on Etsy

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  45. This is great! Rock on Edna :)

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  46. Great interview, I love to read about the people behind the beautiful shops on Etsy!

    Hope you're well again soon, Edna, take care.

    Linden

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  47. What an amazing person Edna is, so fresh and alive, and such a wonderful smile! Thank you for telling us about this lovely person - she is such an inspiration to us all, and I'd really love to meet her!

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  48. Wonderful feature. Hope you feel better soon Edna!

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  49. The story of how you were raised is an inspiration to our generation! Keep loving life!

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  50. What a great interview. Creativity is in all of us!

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  51. I really enjoyed reading your story! You are an inspiration to all! If I met her, I can imagine what we would talk about. I hope you have a speedy recovery and you will be in my thoughts and prayers.

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  52. Thank you so much for the inspiration and wonderful thoughts on reclaiming!!!

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  53. Welcome to Etsy! You are fantastic!

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  54. I'm back!! :) I'm in full swing! I really appreciate everyone sending their prayers and well wishes. It's very heart warming to see so many of you cared.

    Ednabelle

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  55. Hi Edna, I love that you take old and disgarded items and recycles them into functional and useful items!

    Donie
    Purple Birdie

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  56. Lovely shop Edna, I too am crafting with my grandchildren and creating memories. I love how you have brought new life to old discarded things. A good lesson to us all. Wishing you all the best! Terry at brightspotdesigns.

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  57. I am so glad to have found this article! I, too, love making new treasures out of old! I hope you are feeling better and can get back to having fun crafting!

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  58. Loving Edna and her shop!!!! Watching for great crosses. We share a love for them!!

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