mimi bird: Artist Feature! Jamie at AForestFrolic

Who is behind that amazing etsy? Here is where you find out! Meed Jamie from AForestFrolic.

Get to know Jamie: I'm a Mom of 3 busy little girls who are turning into craftaholics , just like their mama, tee hee. I get a couple of hours in the studio during the day, while the baby naps, and so the older two follow me in and have their own little area they craft at too. I've become a night owl since that's when I usually get inspired (because I know I won't be interrupted by wee ones). Even though I'm exhausted by the end of the day, I typically get a burst of 'crafting energy' and can stay up for hours making things. I am happy when my hands are busy and messy and I always have glitter all over myself (because it's one of my favorite accessories ;)

What inspires her: I love bright colors...they inspire me so. I love looking at artist magazines and scouring the internet for inspiration too (but then half the time I waste away my art time because I find so much inspiration, ha).

The artist in her: I've always been an artsy girl and used to make all kinds of things, like potholders on the loom and braided and beaded jewelry, when I was younger and actually made a wee bit of money from it (now my 9 year old is trying to do the same thing and I just smile). I took art classes in high school, but for the most part I am self-taught at the things I enjoy making now. I learn from trial and error usually, which can be frustrating but also rewarding...when something turns out better than I expected because I 'messed up.'

Loving Etsy: I started selling on Etsy about 2 years ago. I had no clue what I was doing with my first shop...my pictures weren't great, I didn't 'tag' well, and the list goes on. I learned from other sellers and learned from what worked and didn't, and I managed to do pretty well considering. But I needed a change, and I decided to do the ol' swicheroo and opened 'A Forest Frolic,' where I decided I'd sell a variety of my crafts and not just paper goods. I've sold mini clay sculptures, whimsical party banners, scrapbook embellies, pendants and magnets made from recycled Domino's and Scrabble tiles, and I love making paper mache cottages and trinket boxes. You name it, and I've probably tried to make it (although I have a ton of stuff that I don't think is 'good enough' to go in the shop, so it never makes it to the picture stage ;) But that's the fun of art! I guess I am way stricter on myself than anyone else would be.

Making Friends: My focus outside of making great products, is customer service! One of my favorite things about Etsy is having the chance to really get to know my customers. I enjoy chatting and letting them 'pick my brain' per se. I've made many good friends out of customers and blog readers and I wouldn't have it any other way. And I try to make their experience with 'A Forest Frolic,' the best ever...right down to the whimsical star confetti and handmade packaging!