Take a walk down Gloucester Street....

Today I am featuring a fantastic good old fashioned Paperie! Stephanie, the owner and creative mind behind Gloucester Street Paperie has an eye for design. Her cards, journals, and ornaments remind me of good ole' historic NewEngland. There's a warmth and a familiarity behind the designs that makes them the perfect thing to send to a family member or loved one to show them how special they are.

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!