The Spirit of the Island

Random Facts About You?

- I won 2nd place in a mustache contest, because I have a little french mustache tattooed on the inside of my right index finger. Its a great way to break the ice or make people laugh when they're sad, I just point out my finger and wear a mustache and voila! A smile! :)

- While I currently live on Martha's Vineyard, I grew up in Cleveland, Ohio and I consider myself a Midwest girl at heart. I've lived on both the west and east coast, in a few different locations... from LA to Seattle to Boston to Cleveland, I've called a lot of places home. Travel is so fun and inspiring!

- I'm a huge Harry Potter and Doctor Who fan. Even though I'm 28 years old, I'm still waiting for my letter to Hogwarts. Failing that, I'll gladly accept the TARDIS showing up at my doorstep.

- I consider myself a Jack of all trades: while I started going to college on a music scholarship, I switched during my sophomore year to Art history, and then spent two more years in the English department. I later studied Horticulture and Theatre, and while I don't have a degree anywhere, I've attended school in two states and consider myself a lifelong student. This sort of scatter-brained, eclectic approach extends to my Etsy shop, where I can't seem to stick to just one thing! I gotta make it all!

What got you started crafting?

I've been crocheting since I was a little girl and my grandma showed me how to make simple house slippers to slide over your socks. It all started with one chain. . . (Thanks Grandma Jenny!)

What is your source of inspiration?

I'm inspired by both nature and raw materials. Where I live in the woods, I am surrounded by nature. Beautiful sunrises and sunsets, the call of birds, the silence of sunshine and flowers blooming. And I am a HUGE craft supply junkie, so just staring into the swatches of yarn or a bag of embroidery floss, I'll suddenly see the orange of the Butterfly Weed in the garden, or a mint green like the moss on our stone walls, and I'll immediately feel invigorated with creative energy.

What have you made recently?

I've been making button jewelry recently. My cousin's grandmother passed away recently and she inherited an enormous, antique tin of buttons - odds and ends that granny had collected over the years. She asked if I wanted it, and after sending me a quick snapshot of the buttons, I quickly agreed.

Picking through this ancient tin of buttons and beads is like looking into an old treasure chest. I see the colors, the old vintage styles, and I immediately start forming a collage in my mind. It's like I'm giving new life to old things, in a new funky way that Granny probably never thought of!

Where do you sell your crafts presently?

While there are a great many boutiques and artisan's fairs on the island, especially during the summertime, there is a lot of cost associated with selling in person. Artisan's festivals charge a rather large fee to even rent a stall, much less set up an attractive display, and boutiques and local shops will charge a mark-up for retail. Every seller encounters these costs, and most pass on the cost to you - the buyer.

Selling on Etsy allows me to reach anybody, anytime, anywhere in the world. My Etsy shop is open 24/7 and I can ship to you within 48 hours of your purchase. Since I take both Direct Checkout via Etsy, as well as Paypal, people can pay me however they need to - and I can mail them the item, with minimum overhead cost.

No expensive brick and mortar store, no costly ads, no artisan's booth or stall fees. Just my goods, directly to your mailbox, through Etsy.com

Why are handmade crafts important to you?

I think that in this crazy life most people lead, its a lot easier - and more economical - to just go with what's at hand, what's ready made, what's on the shelf at Target or Wal-mart.

I try to price my items so that people can find room in their every day budget to shop and own handmade items. So they know that their money goes to support someone like me - someone who is not in a factory or a sweatshop, and someone that put a lot of heart and soul into what they are selling.

I feel like - in the age of the internet, where we are all so connected - it is possible to reach out and connect with a handmade seller... Where single artisan shops like mine can sell their goods to people all over the world, day or night, who buy because they know their item was made with care.

Find Me

Location
Martha's Vineyard

Email Address
Maggie Dempsey

Personal Website
http://www.BeachPlumCottage.Etsy.com

Store Website
http://www.BeachPlumCottage.Etsy.com

Twitter
@beachplumstore

Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/BeachPlumCottage