{featured artist :: vol.25}

Here at Gussy has a lot to say {and sew} we love to look at all things beautiful. Beautiful items that reflect childhood, love, and a joyful spirit; beautiful items that we can share with others.

Today is week #29 of my series on Featured Artists, which is a bi-monthly event showcasing fun and sassy handmade shops! I love searching for new wares to show the Gussy community. You can read all back Featured Artist posts by clicking here.

Please help me to welcome Jessica from Vol.25…

***

What inspires you?

So many different things, but it seems that I am most inspired by quotes! :] A single quote can inspire an entire print. I also gain inspiration from interior design blogs, seeing beautifully decorated rooms — definitely gets my creative juices flowing! :]

Where do you call home? Are you from there originally?

Prosser, Washington will always seem like home to me. I was born here, and have lived within a 30 mile radius for as long as I can remember!

Name something unique to where you live.

We have 30+ wineries surrounding our small town of about 5,00 people! :] Prosser is definitely wine country, and in September when the evenings start cooling off, you can smell the grapes from the nearby vineyards. I LOVE that. {ummm, yum!}

Share an interesting fact about yourself.

Hmm… me, interesting? It may be interesting that I find that funny! :] Really though… I guess it may be interesting that I married my husband 3 months and 3 weeks after having only met him. We both agreed that when we both felt we had found our soul mate, why wait? We’ve been married for almost 7 years now. :]

How did you come up with your shop name?

I really struggled with choosing a name! But in the end I decided on Vol.25 because in January of 2008 when I opened the doors to my little shop (via etsy.com) I was 25 years old, and vol.25 was like opening a new volume in my life, which in turn has created several new chapters for me.

Share a little bit about yourself.

I enjoy cooking, gardening, and decorating! I love ford Mustangs, and have owned both an ’88 LX 5.0 Convertible, as well as a ’91 GT Convertible… I worked at a Chevrolet dealership as a receptionist for 3 years before meeting and marrying my husband. :] One day I would love to own a ’69 Fastback. I am also mommy to a 5 year old and a 2 year old. :] They keep me on my toes!

If you had to describe yourself in a word, what would that word be?

Hmm… I would like to say “considerate” would best describe me… But unfortunately, I think I need to work on that a little more.

What made you decide to open up shop?

The need to create, and the thought of making a little extra money while still staying home with my girls. Never would I have thought that things would take off so quickly with my shop!

Name your favorite thing about selling handmade.

Feeling like I can stand behind my product, and the fact that I send a little piece of me out with every package. :]

Do you have a day job or sell on Etsy full-time?

Being a mommy is my day job, but I manage to work in my etsy time. :]

Give us a little glimpse into what a typical day in your life looks like.

Well, really I’m currently trying to work back into a normal routine day. My oldest just started kindergarten a couple days ago, and our day is super unorganized. Me and my youngest are having withdrawals! Generally, I wake at 6:30 with my husband, I pack his lunch and put together a quick breakfast, I fix his coffee and get him out the door. After that we get my daughter ready for school. Around 8:00 I start checking and responding to e-mails, I’m usually off and on the computer throughout the morning. Around 12:00 I fix lunch and my 2 year old settles down for a nap. During this time I try to make important phone calls, and get in the bulk of my computer time, or if it is an order day, I print and package orders. Around 2:00 she wakes and I usually do laundry or pick up toys from the morning. Around 4:30 I start thinking about making dinner. :]

Share with us a favorite Etsy purchase or shop.

I LOVE Warm Sugar. Shannon makes the cutest handmade dolls, and she is as sweet as can be. We’ve collaborated quite a few times over the past 3 years. Although we’ve never met, I think we would get along really good if we ever did! :]

List a few of your most favorite pastimes.

Cuddling with my girls, gardening when the weather is just right, snuggled on the couch with my husband, and shopping at Ikea. :] Our closest one is 3 hours away…. *sigh*

Read any good books lately?

Well, not really! I don’t get in much reading lately… I’m afraid to start a book for fear I wont want to put it down! :]

What is your most prized possession?

My most recent favorite possession is the start of a quilt my late great grandmother started 25+ years ago. The story goes that it was made using pieces from clothes my grandma and her siblings outgrew. :] She never finished it, but I love it just the same. I used it as a backdrop in this picture below:

What are three of your favorite foods?

I love barbecued Hamburgers, Olive Garden’s Steak Gargonzolla, and stuffed crust pizza! :]

What would you like to learn to do?

I would love to one day learn how to sew!!

What are you listening to right now?

Peace and quiet. ;]

Name one place you must visit in your lifetime and why.

I would LOVE to one day visit Ireland. I’m not sure why, I guess I just love the scenery…