Five Questions for...AuntKarensCreations

This time Team member AuntKarensCreations answers five (well, make that six) questions from our previous interviewee, heartsabustin.

Q. When did you learn to sew, and who taught you?

A. I started sewing when I was 14. I flunked the sewing class that they taught in Junior High but was determined to sew anyway! My mom had always sewn our clothes (We always had friends wanting to borrow what we wore to school.) I would sit by the hour and watch her sew. One day I sat down and made my first piece of clothing all by myself...that started me on a lifetime of making clothes!

Q. What are your best inspirations?

A. Hmmm...it's a combination of things, I suppose. I'll see a color and think "Wow, that would look great in a blouse!" Or I'll see a funky fabric and think "Hmmm wouldn't that make a great purse!" Then I start laying out the pattern or drawing my design for a tote. I can tell I have a winner when I just can't quit grinning when it's done.

Q. What do you like better, apples or oranges? And why?

A. Oh, an easy one! I prefer oranges over apples hands down. I just don't like apples. Except for their terrific color range, that is.

Q. Who has been your favorite US President, and why?

A. I think that Harry Truman is my favorite President. I have lived in the Kansas City area for most of my life. He lived and returned to Independence, MO which is about 20 miles from where I grew up. My Godfather, a photographer, was Harry's official photographer whenever President Truman was home. He would tell the best and funniest stories about his times with the President. So I got to know Harry Truman vicariously. Harry Truman was also a strong, straightforward man, and when he told you something you could believe what he said.

Q. What's the best thing about selling on Etsy?

A. The Etsy community! I think that is why I cannot stay out of the Newbie Labs! It's truly a wonder watching all of us grow in our art. The Etsy community is generous with sharing their experience, sharing their business methods, sharing themselves.

To me Etsy truly wants us to be successful and does their utmost to help. What other venue is available to help with whatever problem you have in a one-to-one basis? It's so fun to watch the scared newbie blossom into a wonderful seller! Hey, we were ALL scared newbies at one time or another.

Q. Bonus Question: Money no object, who would you buy from on Etsy?

A. I get to go shopping??? YES!! Honestly I don't pay attention to the shop, I look at items. That's why I use my Favorites, because I forget who had that "I can't live without it" item...LOL. We all search just to browse the shops and I decided one day to just shop by price, looking for the most expensive item and found a watch for $22,000. I hearted that sucker just because it was so expensive!

Then I found the funniest item...exploding frog soap! It's a gel soap that when it gets soft enough it erupts in foamy bubbles, and I laughed until I cried at the concept...I kept thinking of the poor kid in Harry Potter who couldn't get anything right!

I love doors and faces too. I love things that make you smile because you saw them. The first shop that I remembered the name and products of? I just fell on the floor laughing when I saw a BuyMyCrap post in the forums. His avatar is a roll of toilet paper! He makes beautiful polymer rings, not the kind of thing I would purchase for myself, but would make a terrific gift at some point.