I choose handmade for lots of reasons. When I buy handmade, I am supporting small business and wonderfully talented artisans. Handmade products are superior to mass produced and more personal too. Handmade artisans make me feel unique and special rather than just another body buying another whatchamacallit. It is a more personal experience buying handmade.
Dawnmarie Huerta
I could easily become the crazy cat lady. I only have one beautiful Siamese cat named blue, but I just love kitties!
I teach for AWANA - •Awana (derived from the first letters of Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed as taken from 2 Timothy 2:15) is an international evangelical nonprofit organization founded in 1950. The mission of Awana is to help "churches and parents worldwide raise children and youth to know, love and serve Christ." Awana is a non-denominational program.
I am a single mom of four great kids. Two of them are grown and on their own (my oldest daughter has her own daughter now :D) and the younger two are 9 and 8. My 8 year old is Andrea. I tell her that she will forever be my baby, even when she is all grown up. This is where I came up with the name for my shop, Forever Andrea.
I have another business called My Personal Assistant. It is a personal concierge company, helping busy people get their to-do lists done so they have more time to spend with family and friends!
What got you started crafting?
My mother is the most talented and crafty person I know. She can do anything! When I was about 6 I had a canopy bed. My mother hand made the canopy, the bedspread and matching curtains. I loved it! She also sewed a lot of my clothes, decorated our house with her own beautiful flower arrangements, wrote poetry and threw fun and fantastic birthday parties for me and my brothers. So I've grown up around crafting, but I did not get into crafting on my own until a few years ago.
What is your source of inspiration?
A lot of my inspiration comes from the materials I use. I love sparkle, and anything with texture. I might see some beautiful beads and immediately think, "oh, those would make a lovely necklace" and then I am on the search for the additional components I will need for that necklace.
I also get inspiration from nature. I live in such a beautiful place! Utah has stunning sunsets and striking fall foliage and I am able to draw on this creative resource.
My daughters are also a source of inspiration for me. I love to make girly girl blingy things for them to wear. Andrea has a large tote just to hold all the bows, flowers, barrettes and other hair accessories that I've made for her.
What have you made recently?
Recently I created a keepsake child bracelet in rose pink and gold. I wanted to do something beautiful in an unexpected kind of way. I found the perfect color of czech glass beads and then went on the search for accents that would really pop. I decided gold against the rose color was both unexpected and striking.
I wanted this piece to be something to make any little girl feel special, like a real princess. Something higher end that would be treasured. I also wanted this bracelet to be one that a little girl could wear and enjoy for years to come. . Adding the gold extender chain with a cute puffy heart on the end made this possible.
I am very pleased with the way this darling little bracelet turned out.
Where do you sell your crafts presently?
I sell on Etsy, andI have some items in a boutique on consignment and I have some other items in a jewelry store.
Why are handmade crafts important to you?
I choose handmade for lots of reasons. When I buy handmade, I am supporting small business and wonderfully talented artisans. Handmade products are superior to mass produced and more personal too. Handmade artisans make me feel unique and special rather than just another body buying another whatchamacallit. It is a more personal experience buying handmade.
Find Me
LocationUtah
Email Address
Dawnmarie Huerta
Personal Website
http://www.etsy.com/shop/foreverandrea
Store Website
http://www.etsy.com/shop/foreverandrea
@foreverandreadh
http://www.facebook.com/foreverandreagifts