Blog feature written by Elisabeth Walsh of aronawalsh.etsy.com
This Wednesday we would like to welcome out featured artist of the week. She is a well-known person in our CAST team discussion thread, and her beautiful items-vintage style toys for children-are adored by all who view them. Let's welcome Sheila of Sewfaithful! Sheila has kindly decided to offer a giveaway of an awesome upcycled denim cosmetic pouch set. To enter, go to her shop, then comment here with your favorite item; the winner will be chosen next week!
Sheila, tell us a little about yourself!
-Your shop name: SewFaithful
-Introduction on you: I recently turned 50, and am enjoying my life more than ever. I have been married to my HS sweetheart for almost 30 years and thank God for him every day. I could not have been given a better husband or father for my daughters, Megan 20, and Sarah 23. We moved to southern PA last year, after growing up and living in N Maryland all our lives. I am surrounded by rolling hills and farms, and can look out my sewing room window to a beautiful view of trees and a stream. I am soooo blessed...
-How did you get your start on Etsy? I don’t even remember how I started selling on Etsy. I guess I had been shopping on Etsy for a year or so, and then decided “I could do this”, and so I listed a few things. My first photographs were horrible, but with the help of fellow team members, and reading, reading, reading, on how to take better photos, I eventually got better. I’m still learning though.
-How did you choose your shop name? For years I’ve had a sewing business named SewSimple, but I decided I wanted to better reflect who I am being a Christian and a seamstress, so I came up with SewFaithful . I have basically supported my hobby (sewing) with my business in a number of ways; selling on Etsy, sewing for friends and word of mouth customers, and doing craft shows.
-What does a typical day look like for you? My Westie, Troy wakes me up about 7:30 to go out. I then have coffee and turn on the Today show for the news while checking my email and Etsy shop. I do the normal household chores, sometimes I sew, and 2 days a week I work at a Christian book and gift store where I am the manager and book/cd buyer. I love meeting and talking to the customers, many of whom witness to me, or I to them. It’s a job that I consider a ministry. Since my 2 daughters are grown, I don’t have many responsibilities, so my days are pretty much however I want to structure them. I can’t wait for my husband to be able to retire so we can spend more time together.
-If you could be anywhere in the world for one day, where would it be? If I was going out of the country, it would be Rome. I want to see the Vatican and all the surrounding historical sites and museums. If I stayed in the US, I want to see the Grand Canyon one day.
-What is your favorite Bible verse? Jeremiah 1:5
5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew[a] you,
before you were born I set you apart;
I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
I love knowing the Lord knew my destiny, and planned my life before I was ever born. It’s just an amazing thought to me that He knows everything about each and every one of us living today, and those yet to come into this world. This verse gives me such peace, because it reminds me that God is in control of my life, always has been, and always will be.
I
-What is your favorite Etsy item listing to feature? My favorite items are currently those that I make out of vintage or recycled materials. I love the hunt of looking for feedsacks in antique stores, or finding some really nice material from clothing at the Goodwill store. It makes me happy to know I am making something new out of something old or discarded.
-URLs to where else we can find you on the internet (Facebook fan page, Twitter, your own dot.com, your blog, etc) Anyone that knows me knows that I really have an aversion to social media sites. I feel that they have taken over our younger generation’s ability to interact with family and friends on a personal level. When I am trying to hold a conversation with someone, and they are looking at their cell phone because they are checking Facebook or texting, it drives me NUTS! I can’t stand the way it can be used as a passive aggressive form of bullying, or a platform to say things you might not say if you were communicating face to face. I know that not all people use it this way, and I don’t judge anyone for participating in it. I just choose not to. I did have a blog at one time, and may one day blog again. I just found it was taking up too much of my time.
So, in summary, if you want to find me: Call me on a phone, email me, write me a good old fashioned letter on paper and mail it in an envelope, ask my friends or family where I am, text me (I may not answer for a day or two, because I don’t keep my cell phone with me at all times. Or just stand outside and yell my name to see if I can come out to play (what we used to do when I was little).
Or better yet, visit her shop or convo her on etsy from there! Please don't forget to run over there so you can get entered in the giveaway for the upcycled pouch too :-)
And the winner from last week's feature on chopstickdreams is NewCreatioNZ! Someone will contact you soon for your information!
This Wednesday we would like to welcome out featured artist of the week. She is a well-known person in our CAST team discussion thread, and her beautiful items-vintage style toys for children-are adored by all who view them. Let's welcome Sheila of Sewfaithful! Sheila has kindly decided to offer a giveaway of an awesome upcycled denim cosmetic pouch set. To enter, go to her shop, then comment here with your favorite item; the winner will be chosen next week!
Sheila, tell us a little about yourself!
-Your shop name: SewFaithful
-Introduction on you: I recently turned 50, and am enjoying my life more than ever. I have been married to my HS sweetheart for almost 30 years and thank God for him every day. I could not have been given a better husband or father for my daughters, Megan 20, and Sarah 23. We moved to southern PA last year, after growing up and living in N Maryland all our lives. I am surrounded by rolling hills and farms, and can look out my sewing room window to a beautiful view of trees and a stream. I am soooo blessed...
-How did you get your start on Etsy? I don’t even remember how I started selling on Etsy. I guess I had been shopping on Etsy for a year or so, and then decided “I could do this”, and so I listed a few things. My first photographs were horrible, but with the help of fellow team members, and reading, reading, reading, on how to take better photos, I eventually got better. I’m still learning though.
-How did you choose your shop name? For years I’ve had a sewing business named SewSimple, but I decided I wanted to better reflect who I am being a Christian and a seamstress, so I came up with SewFaithful . I have basically supported my hobby (sewing) with my business in a number of ways; selling on Etsy, sewing for friends and word of mouth customers, and doing craft shows.
-What does a typical day look like for you? My Westie, Troy wakes me up about 7:30 to go out. I then have coffee and turn on the Today show for the news while checking my email and Etsy shop. I do the normal household chores, sometimes I sew, and 2 days a week I work at a Christian book and gift store where I am the manager and book/cd buyer. I love meeting and talking to the customers, many of whom witness to me, or I to them. It’s a job that I consider a ministry. Since my 2 daughters are grown, I don’t have many responsibilities, so my days are pretty much however I want to structure them. I can’t wait for my husband to be able to retire so we can spend more time together.
-What is your favorite Bible verse? Jeremiah 1:5
5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew[a] you,
before you were born I set you apart;
I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
I love knowing the Lord knew my destiny, and planned my life before I was ever born. It’s just an amazing thought to me that He knows everything about each and every one of us living today, and those yet to come into this world. This verse gives me such peace, because it reminds me that God is in control of my life, always has been, and always will be.
I
-What is your favorite Etsy item listing to feature? My favorite items are currently those that I make out of vintage or recycled materials. I love the hunt of looking for feedsacks in antique stores, or finding some really nice material from clothing at the Goodwill store. It makes me happy to know I am making something new out of something old or discarded.
-URLs to where else we can find you on the internet (Facebook fan page, Twitter, your own dot.com, your blog, etc) Anyone that knows me knows that I really have an aversion to social media sites. I feel that they have taken over our younger generation’s ability to interact with family and friends on a personal level. When I am trying to hold a conversation with someone, and they are looking at their cell phone because they are checking Facebook or texting, it drives me NUTS! I can’t stand the way it can be used as a passive aggressive form of bullying, or a platform to say things you might not say if you were communicating face to face. I know that not all people use it this way, and I don’t judge anyone for participating in it. I just choose not to. I did have a blog at one time, and may one day blog again. I just found it was taking up too much of my time.
So, in summary, if you want to find me: Call me on a phone, email me, write me a good old fashioned letter on paper and mail it in an envelope, ask my friends or family where I am, text me (I may not answer for a day or two, because I don’t keep my cell phone with me at all times. Or just stand outside and yell my name to see if I can come out to play (what we used to do when I was little).
Or better yet, visit her shop or convo her on etsy from there! Please don't forget to run over there so you can get entered in the giveaway for the upcycled pouch too :-)
And the winner from last week's feature on chopstickdreams is NewCreatioNZ! Someone will contact you soon for your information!
11:15 PM |
Category:
CAST Featured Artist
|
14
comments
Comments (14)
I could never pick of favorite of Sheila's items, I love them all too much. The new dolls of course have stolen my heart. It was nice to be able to read a little more about Sheila!
Okay lady...clearly her best item is the Lizzie doll *mutters under breath*. I'm just playing, but you know I had to add that one in there :-) A person gets their own doll named after em and you can't tell em nothin.
Sheila's work is just so cute!!! Especially this doll:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/76784321/unique-handmade-soft-doll
Sheila is a very special person who is well loved by all. Her work reflects who she is and her love for the Lord is evident.
♥♥♥
Sue
I love that little pink elephant. It looks so cute the way she photographs it in the teacup.
I'm with Angels....I love the pink elephant. Your photography is awesome now...I haven't been around long enough to have seen it when you started but you have a style that stands out. You are so good!!
SHEILA! SHEILA! CAN YOU COME OUT AND PLAY?
Loved reading this :-) I've known Sheila on the CAST discussion thread for a while and still learned some new things about her.
I loved learning a bit more about you Sheila! Love your toys, they are so sweet and the quality of your work is impressive. You are a delight and a blessing to all on the CAST thread!
Getting to know Shiela is like opening up a treasure chest. As you dig and paw through, you find more and more to be facinated by.
I'm lovin' watching the evolution of the sewfaithful shop on etsy.........
I love the lizzie doll!! Love the elephant, love the fishing game, love....ah shucks...what can I say Sheila's shop is so full of goodies it is difficult to choose a favorite. Be blessed! Tricia
Which is my favourite? Man, I love everything in Sheila's shop. I was going to say the little elephant, but then I thought about the sweet little sleep-over dolls she's done, and then the bigger dolls like the Lizzi doll, then I remember that I liked the pillow she used to have on her avi... And Sheila takes awesome photos!
I enjoyed the post!
I really want to buy the puppy in her sold items when I have the money. He is soooo cute and I like the idea of owning something made out of old feed sacks. My great grandmother can remember the days when flour, etc. was sold in them. I love the dolls she recently started making too. All of her items are cute!
Super cute stuff, Sheila! I *think* the fishing game is actually my favorite, since I saw it last week in the HandmadeTop10. :)
Thanks for all the kind comments. I am so blessed to be a part of this Christ filled team!
LOL Sue R - I'll be right out to play!!!