Are Your Pockets Full of Posies?? They Could Be...NEW GIVEAWAY

 I always like to do my interviews a bit different each time...this one is straight forward and easy to read.  Let me know what you think...or do you prefer my other format of interviews better which reads more like an essay.

Name: Sarah “Caitlin” Schanaker                 
Shop name: Posies by Cait
Brief description of your shop: My shop is an array of handmade fabric and button accessories and home decor. My main and most abundant items are headbands, earrings, and rings.

 Tell me a little about yourself: I grew up in a small desert town called Casa Grande, in Arizona. I love it there. I am a part of a wonderful Christian family with loving and hard-working parents.  I am the only girl! My three brothers are wonderful and talented men. I went to California Baptist University in Riverside, CA for my undergrad and was an English major and Art minor. I met my husband in High School, and he transferred to CBU our sophomore year.  We got married on New Year’s Day of this year (1-1-11). We are now in Lynchburg, Virginia while he attends law school at Liberty University. I just turned 23 and am working full-time at the library here at Liberty.

When did you start making these items and why? I started making “Posies”, as I began to call them, about two years ago. My sister-in-law, Erin, told me about a craft night that her and some girlfriends had, where they made these fabric yo-yos into headbands. That Christmas, she showed me how to make them – and I was in love! I began coming up with new and different ways to apply the concept to other accessories, and it was an instant outlet for me to express my creativity and love of arts and crafts.

What inspires your art? There are so many things that inspire me..colors, seasons, even books and movies! At one point, I had a “fairy tale” series, where I made headbands and jewelry inspired by fairy tale characters. I did Snow White, Rumpelstiltskin, The Ugly Duckling, Thumbelina.  I suppose if I really think about it, the thing that most inspires my art is language and literature (words and stories that I love). I get a word in my head, like “romance” or “enchantment”, and aim to make something that captures that.

How did you go about picking your shop name? I knew I wanted something short and sweet. I went through names like “Petals”, or anything floral. Finally, it was the rhyme “ring around the rosie, a pocket full of posies” that brought Posies to life for me.  -Interesting side note you may or may not know...this nursery rhyme some believe was written about the Great Plague in England in the 1600s or the Black Death.  A rosy rash was a symptom of the plague.  Posies of herbs were carried as protection and to ward off the smell of the disease.  Sneezing/coughing was a final fatal symptom.  'All fall down'...well I don't have to explain that.  The line Ashes, Ashes is claimed to refer to cremation of the bodies. - Nicolette

How do you juggle life in general with your shop? My shop is my favorite outlet for relaxation and creation. I use it as a way to settle down next to my husband while he works on homework late into the night. I sew while catching up on my favorite shows or while drinking coffee and listening to music. I believe that this is a rare and wonderful time in my life -- I have just graduated college, and have free time in the evenings to cook, craft, and have time to myself. We don’t have kids yet and have just moved across the country to our first real home together as husband and wife. It’s been challenging, but a pretty exciting time for the two of us. It’s a wonderful adventure, and the time for my shop is one of my favorite parts. ----oh my gosh...is that not the CUTEST and SWEETEST thing????  - Nicolette

What is coming up that will be new in your shop?  Any new avenues? I have just stretched my Posies into home décor, which I am thrilled about. I just started making thumb tacks, magnets, decorative mirrors, and frames. I also just got my very first sewing machine and finished a Posie apron; made from scratch! I am very proud of that. I hope to always be searching for new products to share with you.

 

Can you tell me 4 of your favorite Etsy Shops? 

Chelsea Girl Designs http://www.etsy.com/shop/ChelseaGirlDesigns  - gorgeous, high quality jewelry

ooohhhhh just added her shop to my faves - Nicolette

 Supplies from Me to You http://www.etsy.com/shop/SuppliesFromMeToYou - 1 dollar button packs – she’s wonderful!

 Scented Luxuries http://www.etsy.com/shop/ScentedLuxuries  -her Pink Sugar Kisses is my favorite!

pink sugar kisses

Blue Bird Heaven http://www.etsy.com/shop/bluebirdheaven  - I’m dying to buy one of her printer drawer jewelry displays

Why do you like being on Etsy? I love it because it allows you to instantly be a part of a community of talented and creative people. It’s an instant boost to set up your shop account and know that you’re heading in a direction with your passions. It takes a lot of work, but I have found an overall sense of encouragement and inspiration from the hard work and kindness of my fellow Etsians.

Do you feel that your Etsy Shop is a hobby, or possibly a long term venture? I hope that I will be able to continue on a long-term basis. At this point, I’m not sure what that could entail – but I hope to be able to have Posies by Cait be a serious side business for my family. My dream is to have a studio room in our future house dedicated to crafting and making lovely things on a daily basis.

Is your Etsy shop helping support you through college? Although I am finished with school, my husband is not – him being in law school means that I am the only one working.  My shop helps us out with bills and everyday living...and occasionally a night out together! 

Person you look up to most in your life and why? I would probably have to say my mom. She is dedicated, passionate, and has been working a most successful business for many years now. She is a horse trainer; she works harder than anyone I know. Our relationship has gotten better and better every year.  She is a wonderful mother and friend. She is so creative, and has taught me so many things about God, life, love, relationships, truth, and creativity. 

GIVEAWAY

Cait has been so sweet to offer us two pairs of earrings for this giveaway with her famous lil posies!!!  They are both so cute!

 Here are the ways you can enter this giveaway....as always...first follow my blog and always leave an email so I know where to reach you!

For each thing you do below you will get one entry.  If you do all  4...you will get 4 entries! 

*Favorite (heart) her shop  http://www.etsy.com/shop/PosiesbyCait AND heart (favorite) your favorite item in her shop

*Follow her on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/posiesbycait

*Follow her on Twitter  http://twitter.com/PosiesbyCait

*Comment about the format I used for this interview versus prior interviews.  Do you prefer my prior interviews that are more conversational and article like or do you prefer this one....question/answer...straight to the point.  Thanks...helps me a lot!

Giveaway ends Dec. 7 at 10pm Eastern time