Interview with WhichGoose

Interview with whichgoose from http://www.whichgoose.etsy.com/
(one of my favorite shops on etsy!)

Tell me a little bit about your background in arts and crafts.

I have no formal training, but I guess I’ve always been the type of person who liked making stuff. I also paint sometimes, but not well, and it usually frustrates me. I’m definitely more of a 3-dimensional crafter 🙂

When did you first start creating things?
I guess when I was kid. I was into Play-dough, and always played dress-up. I guess having an active imagination is a big part of being able to create. You have to visualize the possibilities first, then put the thought into action.

Have you always made the items you have currently listed on your etsy stoer or did you start out making other things? If so, what items and why did you stop making them?

I started off doing mainly vintage stuff from thrift stores. I also used to make bracelets out of newspaper beads. Those were hot sellers, but way too much of a mess to make. I think the crowns are prettier, anyway 🙂 Me too, although I haven’t seen the bracelets!

Is this your only business or do you do other things as well?

I have a full-time job at a newspaper–I’m a graphic designer–so I design and layout the pages. Also do some copy editing (though you wouldn’t know it by the amount of typos I’ve probably made in this interview!)

Do you still dream about making other things? If so, what?

I would LOVE love love to learn how to make clothes..and well. I also see a vintage shirt or something that I wish I could cut up and make into something new and trendy.

How did you hear about Etsy?

My good friend, Lauren, wrote me an e-mail and said “Have you seen this? This would be perfect for you.” The next day, I opened a shop!

Any words of advice to others?

In order to succeed on Etsy, you’ve got to think of it as a business. I like to think of myself being two different people (in a non-multiple personality type of way). Like, you create your art with one person, then the other one lists the items and mails them out in a timely fashion. I’ve got to separate them–or else I start getting all “artsy” and flighty with the sales. haha 🙂 It’s all about balance, I suppose.

Thank you to WhichGoose for answering all my questions. I hope everyone takes some time to go and check out her amazing crowns!