Interview with Blue Girl Ink *Updated*

My next interview is with Kellie of BlueGirlInk and I'm so excited to share her creative spirit with you. From being a mom to running her shop to worm composting, she finds the time to be passionate about each part of her life. Here is the interview with Kellie.

TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF: Since I was young, my sister and I were encouraged to create. When I was in middle school my grandmother enrolled me in the Saturday morning classes at CCAD. This helped to make up for what the public school wasn't teaching. Growing up, we never had a dining room table. My mom always had a project going on, for holidays or gifts, or just because. Anything from knitting, to clothespin dolls, felt ornaments or Halloween costumes were lying on the table. My dad would always ask when we could have the table back. I have carried on that tradition. And yes it drives my husband, Germ, crazy just like it did my dad. But to me, the best times are at that table, creating with my two kids Casandra, 9 and Milo, 5.

Since my husband is a chef and a self-appointed food nerd, we have a strong food influence in our home. Our kids request things like stinky goat cheese and mango cobbler.

I work full time at Hamilton Parker Company and on the side my husband and I are in the process of building an urban farm and also have a worm composting business called One20 Farm.

So it makes sense why my art is influenced by food and farmland. I love aerial farmland photography. It was the subject of my fine arts thesis in 2003 and I haven't stopped since. I have always dreamed of pear trees and goats, feeling like the earth girl trapped in the city.
FAVORITES: Movies are very influenced by what my kids watch. I do love comic books movies like Hellboy and X-Men. I have recently enjoyed reading In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto which is an incredible eye-opener for anyone who wants to know truths about what they eat. I also read anything on Altered Art Books. I love altered artwork and have a round robin altered book group online that has several members from around the USA.

WHAT KIND OF ITEMS DO YOU SELL IN YOUR ETSY SHOP: Bluegirlink is my Etsy company with a variety of items. Glass mosaics, mixed media collage paintings, mini books, and supplies. One of a kind artwork is hard to keep listed. Right now I have been having fun creating mini artwork magnets. Affordable little pieces of artwork.

WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO ETSY: There was a woman in one of my altered arts groups that made hand dyed fibers and sold them on Etsy. I started looking around and was hooked. Six months later I found out about Etsy Team Columbus while I was at a show in Westerville.

HOW DO YOU PROMOTE YOUR SHOP: Not sure if I have found the perfect method yet. I am always bouncing new ideas from my blog, to ads online and Etsy listings. My goal has been to do better with keyword search this year. Trade shows and charity trade shows have been a plus. I love doing shows that benefit local charities. I feel that God gave me a talent and I want to use it to help others and give back to the community. On November 22, 2009 I am hosting the Pride and Joy trunk show with Etsy Team Columbus, which benefits kids at Indianola Middle School.
On March 6-7 I am hosting a show with Etsy Team Columbus that will benefit Local Matters. This show will take a closer look at food and the arts. This is the promotion I prefer, because others benefit as well.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ITEM IN YOUR SHOP RIGHT NOW: Right now I love the magnets and cork strips. The magnets are fun to make. It is hard not to keep each one. The 2x3 mini artwork magnets are one of a kind. Made from recycled materials like found wood and collage materials. I collect the corks for the cork boards from local restaurants and save the corks from the landfills. This is a great idea for keeping business cards and post it notes clutter free.

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SHOW GOALS IN THE NEXT SIX MONTHS: Organize and simplify. I am like a raccoon when it comes to the art world. Easily distracted. It is so easy for me to do a little of everything. I am going to focus on doing a few of the items in my shop and not having such a variety.

Kellie, thank you for the great interview. Best of luck to you on all of your ventures and with your wonderful shop!

*Updated to add a GIVEAWAY!!!*

DETAILS: Leave a comment on this post by Saturday at NOON (eastern)

YOU'LL WIN: A PAIR of patterned clay magnets (similar to this one) from bluegirlink's etsy shop!

Good luck :)