Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Interview with Pamela from SeeingIsBelieving

I think you will enjoy hearing about Pamela and seeing her beautifully organic shop with its wonderful works of art. She also has some great advice for us.

First off so everyone can get to know each other better what is your 'real' name? And where do you live? Tell us a little about yourself.

My Name is Pamela Petry and I live in Moses Lake, WA - a small town in Eastern Washington - with our son Skylar and our 3 dogs. I am originally from Michigan and moved to the Seattle Area about 17 years ago. Then moved over to Moses Lake about 3 years ago. I went to college for graphic design and chose Fashion Design as my Focus but never wanted to live the high pace lifestyle of the truly big cities. I developed a career in the sign industry from designer to production, all the way to sales. I hit pretty much every as aspect in the sign industry. Now I am a SAHM trying to make a name for myself with my art.



How did you learn about Etsy? How long has your shop been open?

I have known about Etsy pretty much from the time the site opened but never made the jump into it until I became a SAHM. But actually my friend Tracey of Summerone gave me the push I needed to actually do it. My shop now has been open about 8 months.


How did you come up with you shop name?
I have known since I was about 25 what my 'someday' business name was going to be. Luckily, it wasn't taken by any other person. I just figured that it could be incorporated with about anything I wanted to do, anything that I would eventually create.




What do you like most about your shop appearance? What would you like to improve?
I, actually, like everything about my shop. I have taken my banner and have created it into my logo and blog site now. The feel of the shop is how I want to portray my earthy pieces of art. The thing I would like to improve is the wording. I am not much of a writer, so, honestly, most of the similar items are cut and pasted with a few different words thrown in here and there.

What is your creative style? Is your work area neat and tidy or a disaster? What inspires you?
EARTHY is my style if you can't tell. lol I love nature and want my pieces to represent that. But I also have a whimsical side which you will find in my paintings usually. As for my work area, I would most likely say my work space is a semi organized... for me. You won't say that, looking at it, though. Before I get to making the pieces, I have to clean it up every time I get ready to create. My shop is in our garage and it just happens to be a collect-all place at the moment. But what Ceramic studio is spick and span?



What is your favorite Etsy story?
Not sure if it's a great story, but it made me feel great. I was at an art show one year and picked up a business card from the Artist to put in my "future have to have something from them one day" and tucked it away. Then when I became a member of INWteam I had notice that same artist CORID was in the group. I had written her to let her know I loved her pieces so much and at the same time she was writing me and telling me she liked my pieces and that I should make and sell beads. She was sure I would do well selling them. I have to say, my first sale WAS a set of beads that I created just because Cori said she believed in my pieces.


Do you have any advice you’d like to share?

Photos are the key. Practice, Practice, Practice. Get to know your camera and create a coherent look for your shop with photos, banner, copy etc. This doesn't happen overnight. And go on Etsy Success to find helpful hints for just about anything


Enjoy some of the great treasuries that have featured SeeingIsBelieving:


http://www.etsy.com/treasury/NTgxMzQ4N3wzOTYyNDI2Nzg/upcycled-sun-bathed-beauties
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/NTA2NTMxNnwzOTg0MzI5NDA/the-woman-behind-the-work



2 comments:

Lori said...

Great interview! Pamela's things are so unique and pretty, keep up the good work!

Pamela Petry said...

Thanks Lori! I do love creating when I have the time.