etsy spotlight: sew much 2 luv

Ok, girlies...here's day 2 of my little series of Etsy seller spotlights.

Meet Karen, from Sew Much 2 Luv.
She's got such a fun style.
She makes a little bit of everything, kind of like moi.
She has a great choice of colors and fabrics...read on for more about Karen.

Your shop name and web address:


Blog: Sew Much 2 Luv
Shop: www.SewMuch2Luv.etsy.com




How long have you been in business and did you start on etsy or somewhere else? (craft show, etc.)


I opened my etsy shop in January of this year. I've been crafting since I was a little girl and with a professional seamstress for a mom, I ended up sewing on my own full sized Singer by the time I was 8. Over the years I've dabbled in jewelry making, painting, macrame, cross stitch, embroidery, sewing baby clothes, scrapbooking. Pretty much anything except knitting. I gave that a whirl but decided for the safety and well-being of myself and others, I needed to walk away from the knitting needles :) I've done a few holiday craft shows, and I've sold my crafts as far back as I can remember. My mom actually loves to tell the story about how when I was 6 I took seeds from wilted flowers in her garden and then made envelopes and drew detailed pictures of the flowers on them. Then I went around the neighborhood with my doll stroller filled with seed packets and sold them :)

What books, blogs, etc have you found helpful in running your Etsy business?


There are so many fantastic blogs and wonderful information online that it's hard to say that there is any one blog that inspired me, but rather the entire network of crafting women who continue to inspire me daily with their blogs and their willingness to share their talents and ideas. It's like an never ending library of craft books that gets updated daily. I love it!

Did someone inspire you to start a shop? (family, other bloggers/etsians, etc.)




I think my family have to be my biggest supporters and they definitely encouraged me to open my shop. My daughter and her hubby had my shop logo framed for my 50th birthday and it hangs in my craft room as a reminder of their love and support :)

Do you stock your shop with the same items or does it differ by the season, etc?




What I love about having the etsy shop is that my attention span is short and I don't enjoy making the same things over and over again, so I can add items as the mood strikes me and as inspiration hits me :)



What are your plans for the future of your shop...where do you hope to be in 3 years? 5 years?



I'd really love to see my shop business grow in the coming years to allow me to contribute to our household income while still being a stay at home wife. We have 4 grandsons, and 2 granddaughters and it's nice when Nana can spoil them a little every now and then. Fibromyalgia "retired" me 11 years ago and a successful etsy store would be a perfect fit because it would allow me to work when I feel up to it and rest when I need it. I think I've done some of my best work in my pajamas!

What's your favorite crafting snack?



I have to say that right now I'm loving Moose Tracks ice cream. The vanilla with swirls of fudge and tiny peanut butter cups. I mean, seriously....how can you go wrong with that?



What's your favorite crafting music?



I love listening to Mercy Me, Phil Wickham, Lifehouse, Jeremy Camp, and Brandon Heath. Contemporary Christian music just always puts me in a great mood!

Is there anything else my readers should know about you and your Etsy biz?



I tend to give away most of what I make. It's hard to attach a price to things I loved making. I guess in the end, I just want to know that whoever ends up with one of my creations, will enjoy it as much as I enjoyed making it.

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Well, Karen, I'm totally with you on that Moose Track ice cream and I just might have to get myself one of those little business card holders...so handy!

Thanks for joining us today!

Go check out Karen's adorable shop, Sew Much 2 Luv and come back tomorrow for another spotlight :)