Heather Kribbs over at Wanderlust Designs has been gracious enough to sponsor this week's Giveaway (which will start tomorrow)! So, get a nice, hot cuppa something and meet Heather....
1. Tell us a little bit about who you are and your life up to this point in time.
I'm 26 years old and I have two loves in life - travelling and photography. I've been lucky to indulge both of them as much as possible - I studied abroad in Australia for 4 months while in college, and more recently, I just returned from 8 months in Europe. I was working in Edinburgh, Scotland for six months, and then traveling around Europe. Now I'm back in the States, trying to decide how soon I can plan my next adventure! My love for travel definitely fuels my love for photography. I don't feel complete unless i have my camera with me, documenting all the cool and unusual stuff I see.
2. Besides your fantasy creative life, what else are doing currently?
I'm currenly planning my upcoming move to Colorado, and job hunting!! Besides trying to make that a reality, I'm working at a hotel, banquet and conference centre. I worked here for 3 years before moving to Scotland, and my employers were kind enough to let me come back as a temp. It's interesting because it's always varied - most of the time I work in the sales department, planning weddings and social events. But sometimes I fill in at the front desk, getting to meet people from around the world, and all walks of life. I just gave them my two week notice, so we'll see what happens next!!
3. What do you offer in your Etsy Shop?
I offer prints - both matted and unmatted, in sizes from 4x6 - 11x14, and i also make notecards.
4. Where do you create?
The good thing about photographhy is that you can create anywhere. I don't do studio or portrait photography, so I just carry my camera and equipment with me everywhere, and end up seeing the world through my lens. I use my laptop for my digital darkroom, so that's convenient, as well.
5. Where do you get your inspiration from?
I get my inspiration from the world around me. I love vibrant colors, unusual sights, anything that makes me smile, anything visual, anything that makes me look twice, anything that catches my eye. Photography for me is the representation of the world around me. A visual statement of my place in the world. My favorite quote is “The way to know life is to love many things” ~Vincent Van Gogh. I love this quote because it reflects my style of photography. I love many things, and I love to photograph everything I see, everything I enjoy.
6. How did you learn how to do your craft?
I took one photography class way back in high school, that opened my eyes to the joy of photography, but other than that, I'm basically self-taught. I bought a digital-SLR, and am still trying to learn everything I can do!
7. How do you promote your wares?
'Promotion' is still pretty new to me, since I've only opened my Etsy shop a couple of months ago. My signature on my email account announces for everyone: "I'd love if you'd check out my photography at http://hlkpparis.etsy.com. That message goes to anyone I email. I also have a flickr account, and a business myspace, and I'll use my personal myspace and facebook to mention stuff. I've made up business cards, and try to pass them out whenever possible. I'm on Etsy all the time, in the forums and chatting.
8. What has been the most important lesson you've learned since you started selling your own creations?
The most important lesson is corny, but true - you need to believe in yourself. That kind of manifests itself in many different ways--you have to believe in your work enough to price it correctly, and to promote it, and to know that you can do anything you put your mind to.
9. Is there any advice you can give others who are just starting out?
Don't be afraid to ask for help! For me, the most amazing part of Etsy is the great community feeling. I'm constantly meeting new people, through the Forums, and my POE
(Photographers of Etsy) and CASTTEAM's (Christian Artists)Street Teams.
10.Do you have any favorite Etsy artists you'd like to promote here?
Oh, my! Too many!! And everyday while searching through the Treasuries, or Pounce, I find more! Some of the best items I've bought lately:
Insane Jellyfish has some great bracelets
PhriendlyK8 made me the best cell phone case
The cutest baby washcloths from Little Something Extra
Felt fortune cookies from Red Rover
Heather Future has the cutest paintings and stories about her characters
and in honor of upcoming earth day: Gnome Clothes sells great reusuable cloth snack bags and sandwhich bags. I'm about to go buy some from her now! :)
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