Member Feature: Cupcake Dream

Tell us a little about your shop:
Cupcake Dream specializes in decoration and digital designs for children. Add a personal touch to a special event or nursery with these vibrant, whimsical creations.

What brought you to etsy?
I found Etsy when I was planning my wedding years ago. After becoming pregnant, experimenting with different crafts for my daughter's nursery was a regular thing. When a friend saw some of the things created for the room, she suggested I start up a store of my own. Since an actual store front was not possible at the moment, I decided to give Etsy a try.

How long have you been crafting?
Even as a little girl, I loved making things. In school, I was always labeled, “creative” but had a really hard time sticking to one thing. Since then, I have done my best to expand my creative hobbies. Each new chapter of my life has given me more opportunities to experience something new. I've tried everything from scrap booking to sewing, graphics to wood work, and painting to jewelry making .

What is your favorite item in your shop right now?
It would have to be a tie between the polka dot cupcake invitation or the owl nursery closet dividers.

What is your "day job?"
My day job is taking care of my beautiful, amazing daughter. I really love being a stay at home mother and sometimes I can get a little crafting in during nap time.

Where do you find inspiration?
My kids give me all the inspiration. Being around such colorful personalities allows me to create playful products for the store. Sometimes I pull colors from the clothes they wear, or design based on a favorite toy or character they love.

What is one thing you wish you could do better?
I would love to be able to draw better. Give me a computer and I can create just about any design. Give me a pencil and paper and you'll get an amazing stick man.

What is one crafting tool you couldn't live without?
My designs would be nothing without a computer.

What is your favorite book/movie/song?
Book: Not a big fan of books. Movie: Dirty Dancing Song: I Saw God Today by George Strait

Where else can we find you?
Etsy
Facebook

Member Feature: Loobie Labels

Tell us a little about your shop.
My shop sells personalized party items, as well as small gifts. My biggest sellers have always been personalized candy bar wrappers - Hershey bars, Kisses, Miniatures, etc. That was all I started out with when I first began. Now I'm branching out. I sell gifts, photo candles, bottled water labels, custom made business fliers and a lot of other items that will soon be listed. My shop is still fairly new, but I'm working on getting my entire arsenal listed so people can see the true scope of my capabilities.

What brought you to etsy?
I got tired of people asking me "What's your website?" lol. I tried to do my own website but I'm pretty computer illiterate and it was a huge flop. I had already created an etsy account for buying, so I figured why not go with a shop here? Now my repeat customers have a place to go if they want something, and I can reach out to new customers and show them what I have to offer.

How long have you been crafting?
I've always enjoyed crafts and creating in general, ever since I was a child. But I've been doing the custom labels for about 3 years now.

What is your favorite item in your shop right now?
I really like the photo wedding favors. We're planning a destination wedding and it's a great way to show off your wedding location. I'm also working on samples for at-home weddings.

What is your "day job?"
During the day, I do in home daycare. I also work as a respite worker, which is basically a very well-trained babysitter who has the skill and knowledge to take care of special needs children. I have a degree in social work, but gave up my career to stay home when my daughter was born.

Where do you find inspiration?
I get my inspiration from the people around me. They all have reasons to celebrate, and every item in my shop is the result of a celebration that someone I know and love has had. I go to weddings and birthdays, graduations and Baptims, and I think "It would be cool if I could make......" Then I go home and turn the idea into reality.

What is one thing you wish you could do better?
I really do stink at photography. That's a bad thing.

What is one crafting tool you couldn't live without?
My printer! I'm the one who got the ladies on the DIY board all excited about the Canon Pixma MP 620 when it first came out, and I'm still using mine! I know all its features and all the little tricks to make it perform at its highest level.

What is your favorite book/movie/song?
My favorite book is Flowers in the Attic by VC Andrews. My favorite movie is Clerks 2, and my favorite song is "My Wish" by Rascal Flatts. (That song has a special place in my heart, because it was the first song I sang to my daughter when she was in the NICU after she was born. Every time I hear it, it brings tears to my eyes.)

Where else can we find you? Right now, I'm focusing mainly on my shop so I'm not into the social networking scene much. Aside from my etsy shop (Loobie Labels) you can find me on facebook.