- Petbed by Pipsqueak and Petunia - click to view in her shop
What is your first name and where are you from? (State or country only please)
My name is Kelsey. I live in a little condo in a little beach town in South Carolina.
What type of art or craft do you create and how did you get involved with it?
At the beginning of 2010, I was working from home as a medical transcriptionist and the company I worked for filed bankruptcy. I knew it was time to move to a new field, but I was injured a couple of years ago and am chronically disabled as a result, so the options for work are sadly very limited for me. My mom asked me what my passions are. Anyone who knows me could answer this one! I love animals and I am constantly creating, so it seemed natural I do something with one of those, or both, as it turned out!
Shortly before, I had made a bed for one of my cats because I couldn’t find anything cute in the shops. I have always loved design and having a beautiful home is important to me, as I am sure it is to most people, but finding pet beds that fit with your decor is difficult. Who wants an ugly dog bed in the middle of their living room? Designing pet beds seemed like a great way to combine my two loves, animals and creating!
What’s the name of your Etsy shop and when did you open for business?
My shop is Pipsqueak and Petunia. After several months of preparations, my shop opened at the end of May 2010.
What about your family? Are you married? Do you have kids? How do they feel about your business?
My husband, Dan, and I just celebrated our fifth anniversary. We have three furbabies; Bertie, our Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy, Marzipan, the matriarch kitty, and Truffle, our fat, lazy kitty.
What are the goals you have for your Etsy shop? Would you like to see it be your full time income, is it your full time income or do you just enjoy it as a hobby.
I am fortunate enough to be devoting myself full-time to Pipsqueak and Petunia.
I was telling my mom recently how I have become thankful for my disability. For so long I felt like my injury was like a straitjacket, holding me back from doing the things I wanted, but really my injury has been my liberation. Had I have not gotten hurt, I never would have felt like I had the freedom to pursue creativity full-time.
What tips or hints do you have for those just starting out or who are considering opening a shop or who are struggling with their existing shops?
Although I haven’t been an Etsy seller for long, I have worked at home for a long time. The best advice I can offer to someone starting out in a home-based job is step away from the computer! Working hard on your business IS important to make it successful, but if you devote all of your time to your business and become burned out, you aren’t going to be able to enjoy that success. Take some time for yourself and be rested enough to appreciate those successes!
Please provide your Etsy URL
Please provide your BLOG URL
theroadtoswellville.blogspot.com
2 Comments for “Featured Fellow Etsian – Kelsey of Pipsqueak and Petunia”
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Even though I already knew all this, I truly enjoyed reading about Kelsey and Pipsqueak and Petunia! I am very proud of my daughter, and she is often my inspiration! <3
I have known Kelsey for many years. We ‘met’ online through business, and she has been an inspiration ever since! So glad she has found something truley inspiring that fits her so well.