Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Weekly Featured Seller!

So, this post was actually supposed to be on Tuesday, but my day got super crazy, so here it is now :) And this weeks featured seller is Ruth Bleakley with...

Concertina Press is a newer shop on etsy specializing in ocean themed cards and stationary.  Looking for unique beach themed wedding invitations or greeting cards?  This is the place to find them!  Concertina Press also has a selection of personalized cards.  Whether you're looking for a squid themed "Happy Birthday" card or an elegant invitation to your beach wedding, I'm sure you will be impressed by this unique beachy collection!  Also, check our Ruth's other shop on etsy,  featuring her other paper specialties! 

1.) What inspired you to begin creating your stationery and open Concertina Press? How long have you been creating your stationery? 

I was lucky enough to work at a small local stationery shop as an invitation designer & shopkeeper for a few years. When the store closed I recognized that there was still a niche market on Cape Cod for nautical wedding invitations, and with my experience from the shop I decided to make a go of it on my own. I sell mostly online right now, but am hoping to get my new line of greeting cards into a few shops.

2.) What inspired the ocean theme for your shop?
I live just a stone's throw from the beach (if you had a really strong throwing arm!) on Cape Cod, the peninsula in Massachusetts where the Pilgrims landed. Cape Cod is steeped in ocean and beach culture, being a huge whaling hub in the 1800's. I love the colors and imagery and I found it can be hard to find nautically-themed wedding invites that stand out from the rest (which I think mine do!)

3.) What's your favorite thing about being an artist? 
I really enjoy having all of the tools and supplies at hand to create whatever vision I have in my head for a new product - obviously it doesn't always happen that easily, but I really enjoy that "creative" aspect - that is, the creation of something that you can hold in your hand and say "I made this!" - I also have an etsy shop where I sell my miniature books and handbound journals (ruthbleakley.etsy.com) so as you can see, I have a well rounded love of paper!

4.) Do you have a crafting "routine"? Are there things in your day to day life (job, family, etc.) that make it difficult to stick to that routine?
Just recently I've made my artistic/crafting life my main priority. I have a day job where I work part time to cover costs, but on the days I don't go to the day job, I sit down at the computer (most of my artwork for Concertina Press is digital) and dedicate myself to a day of work for Concertina Press from about 10-6 with an hour lunch, and I find that structure helps me to actually get stuff done, instead of say, watching Project Runway all day.

5.) I talk a lot about certain fears of creativity, like the fear of failing and fearing that people won't like your creation, do you experience these fears and if so how do you get past them and keep creating?

I teach bookbinding classes in my community, so I often encounter the attitude "I don't think I could do that!" well I tell EVERYONE - yes you can! It may take some people a little longer than others to learn a new craft - I'm sure crochet is the same way - but everyone "can" do it. In fact, I think one of the greatest roadblocks to creativity is getting stuck in front of the TV! As far as worrying that people won't like your creation, I figure there are so many people in the world, there's bound to be SOMEONE who likes what you make, you just have to reach them by networking, meeting people, not being shy to share your work.

6.) Tell us a little quirky fact about yourself, personally or professionally. 

I've moved nine times in my life, growing up as an Army Brat and spent 11 years of my childhood overseas in Germany, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia! And no, sadly, I can't really speak any other languages except a little high school Spanish!


Hope you all enjoyed this weeks featured seller!  
Make sure to check out Ruth's shop on etsy!  
Have other etsy shops that you would like me to feature or other questions you would like me to be asking the featured seller?
  Just leave me a comment with the shop url.  :) 

5 comments:

  1. I would love to participate!

    www.pilouspercilla.etsy.com
    www.allnightdiner.etsy.com
    www.squidflex.etsy.com

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  2. Such lovely stationary! I love beach themed things.

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  3. I'd love to be featured!! : )

    www.cherishedbliss.com

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  4. I love discovering new artists. Thanks for taking the time to feature someone! I'd love for you to consider featuring my shop as well. http://www.soapdelicatessen.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Would love to feature both of you! I'll be in touch when a slot opens up!

    ReplyDelete

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