Anne is originally from Madison, WI and she moved to MA 11 years ago after she graduated college because she wanted to see the East Coast. "I was fortunate to find a job shortly after moving here and I have been working at the same place ever since. I also met my husband here..so the move was definitely one of the best decisions I have made. We have a three year old son who is the biggest blessing in our lives." Anne and I are on the Made in Massachusetts Team on Etsy. If you have a shop on Etsy, I HIGHLY recommend getting involved with a team or teams. http://www.etsy.com/teams
Anne says she started to make the coasters last year as Christmas gifts when her co-worker of hers told her about her sister who made them. She explained how they were made and Anne fell in love with the process. She says, "I found it so exciting to open up a box of tiles to see what natural designs and grooves the marble had. Then I would try to figure out the best way to stamp on them. There was a lot more to it than I had originally thought, but I enjoyed it and I couldn’t get over the reaction I got from people when I said I made them." She was making the coasters first then last Valentine's her creativity morphed into making notecards when she made her son's daycare handmade Valentine's Day cards. "All the people that worked there loved them so I started making cards and gave them to close friends. When I finally decided to start selling my coasters, I figured I would do the notecards too," she says.
Anne's inspiration for her art comes from anything she may find relaxing and zen, if you will. She says she works all day and does not get home until 6:00pm. She says by the time she gets home she has time to play with her son a little bit, eat dinner, and put her lil one to bed. She says, "My inspiration is something…anything that I can look at and I instantly feel relaxed or happy." I hope this gives those of you who work, but crave to do something creative inspiration to start taping into that creative side. It is a good way to relax and express yourself.
Juggling Mommyhood, work, being a wife, and getting time into do something you love can be hard. Anne says, "At times it is very hard. I work as a graphic designer during the day; I try to spend as much time with my husband and son at night and on the weekends. But when I get the quiet time to do my crafts, I find it as a de-stressor for me. The time passes so quickly because I love doing it. " Well worth it I am sure.
I asked Anne to share with us her four favorite shops and she said: woolbuddy, Artsychicas, Taromas, segparson
http://www.etsy.com/shop/woolbuddy
http://www.etsy.com/shop/artsychicas
Anne says she likes being on Etsy because, "it is much more of a community than I originally thought it was, which I love. There are many artist supporting each other, which I think is amazing" AGREED!
I asked her if she had ever done any Craft Shows before. " I just did my first show on October 1st. I split the table with my husband’s Aunt who makes jewelry. It was a lot of fun. A lot of vendors complained that it was slow but I was happy to be there and it was a great learning experience for me. I have 3 more fairs this season, one of which I got juried in, which is exciting. Because of these shows, my store may become a little sparse but I am trying to keep a good stock in."
Since I recently moved to Western MA, I asked her what are her three favorite places to visit in MA with your kids. She said, "It's hard to narrow it down to three, but Gavin loves to go to:"
1. Bradley Palmer State Park in Topsfield2. Smolak Farms in North Andover
3. Endicott Park in Danvers
I will definitely find out where those places are and take the kiddos!!! Thanks Anne!
As for my off the cuff question this time....I am going for Disney Characters. I asked Anne if she were any Disney Character who would it be and why. "Hmm… at times I feel like Tigger bouncing around everywhere but there are the Winnie the Pooh days where I sit back with my ‘honey’ for the day." CUTE!
Anne is offering this AWESOME artsy set of coaster for one of our followers to win!!! Loving the birds!!!
Giveaway Entries
Please remember to tell us what you did
for each entry by posting it in the comments on this post and please
leave a way for us to get a hold of you if you win...etsy shop or email
etc..
*1 entry each - heart/favorite her shop on Etsy http://www.etsy.com/shop/anneannabell
heart/favorite your favorite item in her shop and come back and tell us why here on this post's comment section.
**2 entries Like her FB page http://www.facebook.com/Anneannabell and leave a comment saying we sent you@ lillollipopsdesigns.blogspot.com
****4 entries: Create a Treasury on Etsy with the Rustic or Shabby Chic theme with other shops and add one of her items in the mix. Come back and list the Treasury address.
Giveaway ends Nov. 16 @ 10pm Eastern Time
