Spotlight: db boutique

You all know that I love accessories, especially ones that look like flowers and come in all kinds of pretty colors! So it goes without saying that I love today's Spotlight artist, Stephanie of db boutique, and I think you will, too.

Tell us a bit about what you create
I create fabric flower accessories. My flowers range from everyday to glam, from babies to fashionistas, hostess gifts to custom bridal pieces. I make my flowers into headbands, corsages, hair clips and brooches.

Where are you from originally and where do you currently call home?
I grew up on the Southern Oregon coast and now live in Sacramento, California.

How long have you been selling on Etsy?
I began in November 2010.

Do you sell on Etsy full time or do you have a day job?
I do some part-time book keeping.

What made you decide to open up shop on Etsy?
I made a casual flower wrist corsage and got so many compliments that I decided to see if I could produce enough to open a shop. And I did! (I'd already been a long time fan of Etsy).

How did you come up with your shop name?
My shop is db boutique - the "db" stands for dinky bird. The Dinkybird is a poem by Eugene Field. My mom loved it, and as a child I memorized it. To me, the poem is all about the fancies of imagination - and that's what I feel when I'm designing - full of endless imagination!

What inspires you?
Nature, for sure. Also, customers that come to me with custom requests. They inspire me to think of color combinations or a design in a new way.

What do you like least about your craft?
The detail work (attaching the pins and clips). I love the designing part so much that that's all I want to do!

Do you have any advice for other sellers on Etsy or those thinking about pursuing their craft?
Research your product, know your materials, where to get them (keep good records), and keep track of your costs. try to find out as much as possible about who will be buying your stuff (your customer base).

Five Etsy Shops you love
Heathermurrayart - a great collage and paint artist
Staccato - beautiful stationary
Tumblefishstudio - another amazing artist
SalvagedbeautybyNM - great jewelry
Thefancylamb - cool vintage stuff, including repurposed vintage book journals

Five things you love
Books
Writing
Fabric
My family
Stinky Pete, our cat

Five things you dont
Bad attitudes
Relentless overcast skies (which, thankfully, isn't an issue in Sacramento)
Paying good money for bad food (we're foodies)
Traffic
Kim chee

Where is the coolest place you have ever been?
ha! We happen to be there right now (as of when I'm writing this). The Hyatt Grand Resort in Po'ipu on the island of Kaua'i. It's an incredibly relaxing, beautiful corner of paradise.

Share some of your guilty pleasures
Butterhorns, naps and long baths

Favorite junk food
Mint It's Its

Share some of your favorite music
Weezer, Death Cab for Cutie, Enya and The Shins

What does the future hold for you and your shop?
I hope to continue building my business, working with more customers to create the perfect flower for their prom, baby homecoming, wedding or special night out and expanding my designs and skills.

You can also keep up with Stephanie and her work by visiting her blog, stephanieboman.blogspot.com.

GIVEAWAY!

Stephanie is giving away the adorable Sunshine Yellow Organza flower shown above with your choice of a pin or alligator clip backing.

HERE'S HOW TO ENTER:
Please leave a comment on this post with your favorite piece from db boutique along with what you'd like to see more of — styles, colors, accessory type, etc!

You may 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 Twitter or my Facebook

Follow or subscribe to Stephanie's blog

(You DO NOT need to leave separate comments for additional entries, just list which apply)

You have until Sunday, July 31 at 10 pm (est) to enter and I will announce the winner Monday afternoon. Thanks for visiting!