Spotlight: OhMyAmpersand

She's a wife, a mother and a designer who loves her family, tall trees, vintage patterns and typography. Meet Cheryl of OhMyAmpersand. Balancing a full time job and her family, Cheryl finds Etsy to be the perfect outlet for her overflow of creativity. In her shop you'll find the coolest prints, card sets and unique wooden brooches, but this talented lady is only just beginning.

Read on to learn more about how she got started, where her shop name came from and what she has planned for the future. You can also enter to win a print or card set from her shop!

Where do you hail from and currently live?
I grew up in the small northern town of Kapuskasing, Ontario, Canada. I moved to Ottawa, Ontario to go to college and lived there for 18 years. Then, I moved to Wakefield, Quebec two years ago (but still work in Ottawa). Wakefield is located in the beautiful and picturesque Gatineau Hills. I can't imagine living anywhere else. Four deer ran across our yard the other day! The trees are tall and the air is clean. We share a beach on the Gatineau River with our neighbors and the view of the village, ski hill and old red covered bridge take my breath away.

How long have you been selling on Etsy?
I have been selling on Etsy for 7 months.

Do you sell on Etsy full time or do you have a day job?
Although I dream of being able to sell on Etsy full time, I do have a day job. I am a full time Graphic Designer for Canada's Library of Parliament.

What, if any, formal training have you had in your craft?
I completed the Interior Design and Graphic Design programs at Algonquin College in Ottawa. After 5 years of school and 14 years experience working as a Graphic Designer, I gained valuable experience that has shaped my ideas into reality.

What made you decide to open up shop on Etsy?
I needed a creative outlet where I could make things on my terms. So many ideas float around in my head. Etsy is a place where I can express my craft…like a portfolio of sorts!

Where did your shop name come from?
My favorite character is the ampersand (I also like a, e, g and m). I wanted a name that would reflect who I am and what I do for a living. It took a long time to decide on a name. You should have seen the list!

What inspires you?
Everything! Nature is currently a main theme in my Etsy shop. Mother Nature is fascinating! I am in love with vintage wallpaper. Old patterns make me swoon. Art deco, art nouveau, the arts & crafts movement, mid century modern, op art... I appreciate it all. The stack of vintage curtains in the corner of my living room keeps getting higher!

What do you like least about your craft?
Finding the time for it. I need more time! I would love to do more woodworking, but the garage in my life has not yet been built. I am patiently waiting for the mild weather of spring so I can cut and sand my already collected wood outside.

Do you have any advice for other sellers on Etsy or those thinking about pursuing their craft?
You've heard it before: do what you love, and make if come from the heart. It is most satisfying to accomplish your goals! Make something to be proud of!

Five Etsy Shops you love
What? Only 5?!
groundwork
enhabiten
ForetLA
oneblackbird
haveitconfections

Favorite Etsy purchase
A gift for my daughter: Magic Jewel Bears Limited Edition Print by zukzuk. The bears’ body language looks like the love coming from our little family!

Five things you love
my family, my home, vintage patterns, making things, typography + design

Five things you dont
angry, mean people, olives, scammers, spiders, chores like laundry, ironing and mopping floors

What is the stupidest thing you have ever done?
I got lost in the forest ― at night!

Share some of your favorite music
Broken Social Scene
City And Colour
Coeur de Pirate
Danny Michel
Forest City Lovers
Hannah Georgas
Madeleine Peyroux
Metric
Miss Emily Brown
Plants And Animals
Reverie Sound Revue
Sarah Harmer
Silver Starling
Tegan and Sara

If you could be a superhero, what would your powers to be?
Change evil to good! Do you know someone who tells bad jokes? I'll fix that and fill their brains with good jokes! Is that radioactive glob in your garden preventing you from growing beautiful healthy tomatoes? I'll turn it into organic compost! All humor aside, there are too many wrongs in this world that need to be corrected. It would be incredible to make it so we can all live peaceful, happy and healthy lives.

What would you like to learn to do?
Someday I would love to screen print and work on a really old letterpress. Maybe even combine the two!

What does the future hold for you and your shop?
I will expand my list of items and add variety. Lately, I have been working on collage pieces. My ACEOs include vintage foil/flock wallpaper and finches. I will be doing a series of 60s floral photo/mixed media pieces. My woodworking may expand to garlands and pendants. Did someone say papier machée? Who knows… I am always wondering what to make next! ;)

You can keep up with Cheryl and her work by following her on Twitter.

GIVEAWAY TIME!

Cheryl is offering one lucky winner their choice of any print or card set from her shop!

HERE'S HOW TO ENTER:
Please leave a comment with your favorite item from OhMyAmpersand AND ALSO what three animals (or three things) you would like to see on a new card set.

You can enter once per day and YOU MUST INCLUDE your first name -AND- etsy username or email address with every entry. (If you are worried about email spam, you can spell out the 'at' and 'dot' rather than using the standard email format.)

Receive additional entries (one each) if you:

Follow or subscribe to this Blog, my Facebook or my Twitter

Follow Cheryl on Twitter

Twitter/Facebook/Blog about the giveaway

Please leave a separate comment for each additional entry.

You have until Sunday, February 14 at 10 pm (est) to enter and I will announce the winner Monday morning. Good luck!