So without further adieux, here is the interview!
GABRIELLE: Where do you get your inspiration from?
STEPHANIE: My inspiration comes from the beauty of nature. As a girl who likes to travel, I enjoy the many natural sites this earth has to offer, so it's no wonder my products reflect that. I especially love earth tones and floral blossoms.
GABRIELLE: Do you have a job outside of Etsy?
STEPHANIE: I am a full-time college student, so that's basically my "job" at this point in my life. I work part-time at Panera Bread 10 hours a week just to make a little extra money. At this point in my life, I feel like I am on a runway waiting in line knowing at anytime my plane of life will take off soon.
GABRIELLE: How did you come into your profession?
STEPHANIE: Studying law was not what I planned on doing while groing up. I was encouraged to pick a major that was a "typical job": 9 to 5 office job that pays well and will always be in need.
GABRIELLE: Is this what you imagined you would be when you grew up? If not, what did you want to be when you were little?
STEPHANIE: Life is never what you expect it to be. I have a lifetime passion for food! I love cooking! I always wanted to go to pastry school in New York City and become a pastry chef. When the door closed on that dream, I researched occupations on the Internet for something I would be interested in doing. Seeing that I am a very partiotic American and love everything about how the USA came into being, law seemed like the route to go. In high school, I saw myself going far away to college and majoring in Political Science. When looking for colleges, I got so overwhemed by all the different schools. I kinda dropped the ball on the college search and ended up at a local private college doing law. I absolutely love my school! I have to confess I am totally shocked at how much I love it considering how much I was not so enthusiastic about it before hand. It's not like I didn't want to go, but was just kinda like, "eh, whatever!"
GABRIELLE: What's your favorite snack/drink to keep you going during a long day?
STEPHANIE: My long days are spent on campus, so orange Gatorade and Frosted Mini Wheats are my go-to snacks to make it thorugh the day: easy to carry and can be eaten in the classrooms!
GABRIELLE: What is your favorite item in your shop?
STEPHANIE: My favorite item in my shop would have to be the Hydrangea Birthday Card.
GABRIELLE: How did you get the idea for your favorite item?
STEPHANIE: Hydrangeas are my favorite flowers, so I just had to create something with hydrangeas. I'm on this kick now with using pages out of a vintage book in my designs. It adds so much character, and it went really well with the mettallic blossoms and the watercolor details on the finished card.
GABRIELLE: If there was one place you could live and money wasn't an option where would it be?
STEPHANIE: That's an easy one: Williamsburg, Va in a cute colonial box house! Being the patriotic American I am, Colonial Williamsburg is my favorite city, and I would love to move there the instant the opportunity would arise! I love the architecture and all the American history the city represents.
GABRIELLE: If you had a million dollars how would you spend it?
STEPHANIE: If someone were to hand me one million dollars, I would use it to open my dream business: a combined coffee shop, restaurant, and eatery. I'm actually in a business plan writing course right now, and that is my business I am writing my plan on. That money would really make this dream a reality!
GABRIELLE: Do you believe in God? This can be a yes or no, or it can be a more elaborate answer, you can also choose not to answer it, if it is too personal.
STEPHANIE: I not only believe in God, but also I am a born-again Christian. I asked God to forgive my sins back in third grade and have been a growing Christian ever since. God plays a part in my life everyday by bestowing His unfathomable grace and mercy on me. I am ever thankful to Him for it! My life would seriously be in shambles if I did not have my Hope and my Rock.
GABRIELLE: Do you feel like a part of you is visible in all of your work?
STEPHANIE: A part of me is always visible in my work. My work reflects my style and what I value. I tend to have more sophisticated tastes and love anything that has glitter or is shiney! I also try to add beauty into everyday life thorugh my items. I believe we should make the most of everyday we are given, so I always create items that are above and beyond "the norm" or expectations.
GABRIELLE: Do you miss items when they sell?
STEPHANIE: I can say that I don't miss items when they sell because I create them to make someone else's day a little better. So when an item sells, I'm extremely happy that I am fulfilling my purpose!
GABRIELLE: Where is your favorite place to shop on Etsy?
STEPHANIE: Etsy has so many great products it's hard to say. I tend to browse through the accessories, purses and ceramics categories most often. A lot of the times I stumble into some favorite sellers that are featured on the front page or in a Storque Blog article.
Visit Stephanie at www.GloucesterStreet.etsy.com!
