Meet Emilie from HomesteadPatch!

Each day Etsy is growing bigger, because more and more people are making the decision to use their gifts and talents to make money during this tough economy.  I think it is important to keep an eye out for these new up and coming Etsy shops and expose this fresh talent.  I have had the pleasure of interviewing once such shop owner.  Emilie from HomesteadPatch, recently opened her shop on Etsy and she's off to a great start.  Her shop consists of organic gourmet dog treats (that my dog personally loves), handmade scarves, and headbands.  So, I decided to pick the brain of this newbie and share what she had to say.

What is the name of your Etsy shop and link?

The name of my Etsy shop is Homesteadpatch
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Homesteadpatch?ref=pr_shop_more


 How long have you been crafting, creating, and making yummy treats?

I have been crafting for probably 10 years. I love to cook and bake delicious treats. I have been cooking for probably 12 years.


 Who or what had the greatest influence on you as you developed as an artist?

My greatest influence came from my Grandparents and my Great Aunt. My Great Aunt taught me to knit. While my Grandparents entertained my culinary delight of mud pie topped with marbles.


How would you characterize your work?

I would characterize the edibles in my shop as natural. There are so many fillers and weird ingredients in not only our food, but our pet food as well. I think that if we are not willing to eat it, then should we really give it to our four legged friends?

The apparel side of my shop could be characterized as upcycled and recycled. Its amazing what can be recycled! I love picking up items and saying “ This item has served its original purpose, now what else can I do with it?”

Describe your workshop/studio for us:

The crafts usually take place on the whole dining room table, I’m not exactly sure how but I am able to fill the entire space.

The treats take place in your average kitchen. I don’t have a lot of space, but you don’t need a huge kitchen and professional equipment to make something delicious.



What’s the hardest part of being a crafter and food artist?

The hardest part of being a crafter and a food artist is keeping track of time. Once I get started on a project I can loose a whole day if I am not careful.


What’s next in your career?
The next step in my career is to diversify the product I offer such as offering garden items.


 How many hours a day do you create?

My creative process isn’t really a daily thing, more of all or nothing. Once I get going I don’t want to stop until I am completely finished.

 How does creating art make you feel?

When I create art I finally understand what people mean when they say “If you love your job then it isn’t really a job.” I can get lost for hours in one small project, but it is always worth it.

 What statement do you hope to make with your creations?

I hope my creations show people how things used to be 50 years ago. More things were handmade. Food was wholesome, not chemically tainted.


 What are your artistic goals?

My artistic goals are to continue learning. There is so much I want to know how to do. A couple things on my to-do list are make a quilt and knit socks.

 What has your experience as a new seller been like on Etsy?

As a new seller my experience has been amazing. The community on Etsy is wonderful.

 What has been your most exciting moment so far here on Etsy?

The most exciting moment on Etsy was when I saw my first sale. It’s different from selling college books or cell phones online. This was something I created by hand, and someone else liked it.

 How have you handled the business side of your creative hobby?

The business side takes a bit more work than the actual hobby because I have to be serious. There is a bit of research that has to be done such as price searching, shipping prices and options. Timely shipping is also important. You can have a fantastic item but if the buyer has to wait a month to receive it, they are not going to be happy.

 
Where else on the internet can we find your work besides Etsy?

Besides Etsy I can be found on Hubpages
http://homesteadpatch.hubpages.com/

 It truly was a pleasure to talk with this fresh, new talented artist, who has found her way to Etsy.  Please stop by her shop and check out her work.  For those of you who are in the Etsy community, lets embrace this new artist and welcome her to our family!  Thanks Emilie for this lovely interview.  We all wish you many happy sales!