I love the pictures from this beautiful shop
MAYBE MATILDA on Etsy
MAYBE MATILDA on Etsy
www.maybe-matilda.blogspot.com,
my twitter name is @maybematilda,
and my family blog is jeffryandrachel.blogspot.com
maybematildaquilts@gmail.com
my twitter name is @maybematilda,
and my family blog is jeffryandrachel.blogspot.com
maybematildaquilts@gmail.com
I decided to start selling my work on etsy after it started to pile up in my house--I was sewing baby quilts and crocheting baby hats faster than I could give them away or use them! I've loved being able to share my hobbies with others through etsy.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I grew up in New York, got my BA in English from BYU, got married, moved to Iowa for my husband to attend chiropractic school, went to massage school, worked as a massage therapist for a while, and just had my first baby--a sweet little boy who, much to daddy's chagrin, has been modeling my girls' crochet hats since birth. He's definitely earning his keep.
Apart from creating things, what do you do?
Hmm, good question. Are there other hobbies out there? Other than sewing and crocheting, I love baking, reading, thrift store shopping, restoring old ugly furniture and home decor, and am trying to figure out photography. It's a sloooow process.
What first made you want to become an artist?
My mom tried for years to teach me to sew and it was always a disaster. I finally tackled it on my own as an adult and loved it, and picked up crochet shortly after. It's so rewarding to create something and have other people appreciate it!
Please describe your creative process.
My creative process . . . well, it often starts with seeing a picture of something I love but can't afford, and I think to myself, "I wonder if I could make something similar." Being on a student budget has its perks!
What handmade possession do you most cherish?
I completely cherish a quilt my mom made for me when I was a little girl--in fact, it's still on my bed now. And since I quilt, too, I know just how much time and work and love went into every stitch. That quilt is priceless to me! It inspired me to make a quilt for my baby while I was pregnant, and I hope that he'll treasure it just as much.
How do you promote your work?
I'm definitely lacking in the promotion department. I have a rather neglected shop blog (www.maybe-matilda.blogspot.com) and a twitter page (twitter.com/maybematilda), and I sell my work at the Bungalow Boutique on Main Street in Heber City, Utah.
Name your top five books, movies, musicians, and websites besides Etsy.
Tough question, especially since they change so often.
Top five books of the moment are Peace Like a River, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, The Poisonwood Bible, Corelli's Mandolin, and Love in the Time of Cholera.
Top five movies: Everything is Illuminated, Lars and the Real Girl, Slumdog Millionaire, Hairspray, and Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure (it's dumb, I know, but a classic in my heart).
Top five musicians: Corinne Bailey Rae, Michael Buble, Carrie Underwood, aaaaand . . . hm, I guess it's just going to be top 3 musicians.
Top five websites: designspongeonline.com, oneprettything.com, theboard.byu.edu, creaturecomfortsblog.com, and, of course, I spend way too much time on facebook!
How does your faith influence your work on Etsy?
Definitely haven't considered this before. I guess that I wouldn't have gotten started on etsy at all if it weren't for the creativity and sense of industry instilled in me by my mother, which I have always thought of as very LDS traits.
What advice would you give to artists who are new to Etsy?
I still consider myself new to etsy! My advice would be to have confidence in yourself--I would (and often still do) feel nervous to put my work in the public arena; it's scary to make that leap and say, "I created this, I think it's beautiful and valuable," without knowing if others will agree. Also, I have met so many friendly, wonderful people on etsy in the forums and teams--don't be nervous to get to know people and make some online buddies!
In ten years, where would you like to be?
No offense to my fellow Iowans, but hopefully not in Iowa. I can't take another Midwestern winter . . . you natives out here are tough stock. I'd like to have a happy family, a cozy home (in a decent climate!), and lots of time for creating handmade goodies!
What is your favorite item from your shop?
My current favorite could be my fingerless gloves (http://www.etsy.com/listing/65042963/burgundy-fingerless-gloves) or the little critter hat (http://www.etsy.com/listing/64489351/custom-crochet-bear-earflap-hat), but I love them all!
What are your top five favorite shops on etsy?
Tough question, especially since they change so often.
Top five books of the moment are Peace Like a River, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, The Poisonwood Bible, Corelli's Mandolin, and Love in the Time of Cholera.
Top five movies: Everything is Illuminated, Lars and the Real Girl, Slumdog Millionaire, Hairspray, and Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure (it's dumb, I know, but a classic in my heart).
Top five musicians: Corinne Bailey Rae, Michael Buble, Carrie Underwood, aaaaand . . . hm, I guess it's just going to be top 3 musicians.
Top five websites: designspongeonline.com, oneprettything.com, theboard.byu.edu, creaturecomfortsblog.com, and, of course, I spend way too much time on facebook!
How does your faith influence your work on Etsy?
Definitely haven't considered this before. I guess that I wouldn't have gotten started on etsy at all if it weren't for the creativity and sense of industry instilled in me by my mother, which I have always thought of as very LDS traits.
What advice would you give to artists who are new to Etsy?
I still consider myself new to etsy! My advice would be to have confidence in yourself--I would (and often still do) feel nervous to put my work in the public arena; it's scary to make that leap and say, "I created this, I think it's beautiful and valuable," without knowing if others will agree. Also, I have met so many friendly, wonderful people on etsy in the forums and teams--don't be nervous to get to know people and make some online buddies!
In ten years, where would you like to be?
No offense to my fellow Iowans, but hopefully not in Iowa. I can't take another Midwestern winter . . . you natives out here are tough stock. I'd like to have a happy family, a cozy home (in a decent climate!), and lots of time for creating handmade goodies!
What is your favorite item from your shop?
My current favorite could be my fingerless gloves (http://www.etsy.com/listing/65042963/burgundy-fingerless-gloves) or the little critter hat (http://www.etsy.com/listing/64489351/custom-crochet-bear-earflap-hat), but I love them all!
What are your top five favorite shops on etsy?
I find myself always coming back to
http://www.etsy.com/shop/fishandlotus,
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Lirola,
http://www.etsy.com/shop/creativethursday,
http://www.etsy.com/shop/RachelleD, and
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ciaobellaphotography
http://www.etsy.com/shop/fishandlotus,
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Lirola,
http://www.etsy.com/shop/creativethursday,
http://www.etsy.com/shop/RachelleD, and
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ciaobellaphotography
How has selling on etsy changed your life?
I've loved being able to sell my work and get the reassurance that other people love and appreciate it, too, and be able to expand my talents and challenge myself. It's exciting to think that women and kids all over the country are wearing my hats or snuggling in a quilt I created for them. Makes me feel a little more well-traveled :-)
Thanks so much for the feature! :-)
ReplyDeleteRachel @ Maybe Matilda
really cute knits:D
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