Written by Elisabeth of Aronadesigns


Let's all welcome Colleen Burdsall from Five Sparrows! She has generously offered a giveaway of these lovely salmon swirl earrings! To enter please go to her shop, pick your favorite item, and come back and tell us in the comments (remember a simple comment won't enter you.) Please don't forget to include your email address so that we can contact you!
Tell us about yourself! I hang out in a small Iowa town with my wonderful husband, some adorable kids, and an old slow basset hound. In between being mom, baking gluten free foods, and occasionally cleaning, I create stained glass. I first fell in love with stained glass in college when I taught others how to do it at a conference center. The perfect summer job-I learned how to do stained glass, and then helped others create a project while they stayed at the center. Since then I have kept creating off and on just for gifts, until the kids got older and I realized etsy existed! 


How did you get your start on etsy? I started on Etsy three years ago when my mom mentioned reading about this great online site where you can sell handmade. I loved (and still love) the idea of getting out of it what you put in-I could start out casual and have a way to express myself creatively. Since then I have grown my shop as I have had more time and more ideas for new things to try! 

Where did you get your shop name? My shop name comes from the scripture "Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God." Luke 12:6 
I love the idea that God cares for everyone, even the smallest, and wanted to have the constant reminder of my value to Him while I created. An added bonus is the unique name that works well with our family of five with “bird” in the last name! 

What does a typical day look like for you? A typical day varies a lot between the school year and summer! During the school year I spend some time in the morning with some coffee checking some things online, or wrapping up orders. Then I tend to make glass items in batches-I will cut the glass for two or three pieces, then get all the grinding done. When I wrap the pieces in foil I can do that in the kitchen, so a lot of times I leave that for times when the kids are home and I can multi-task! If the sun is shining then it is drop everything else and take some photos so I can edit and list items at night. During the summer…I don’t get much made at all, but I have fun with the kids so it’s all ok!





 If you could be anywhere in the world for a day, where would you go? If I could be anywhere in the world…there are so many places I would love to see-England, Ireland, Israel, Australia…but if I could be with my entire extended family all at once, then I would be happy pretty much anywhere in the world! 


What is your favorite bible verse? Philippians 4:13 I can do everything through Him who gives me strength. 

What is your favorite listing in your shop?: Bluebirds and trees listing! I have many, but this is one of my current favorites because it reflects what I have been trying right now by integrating glass and wire. 

www.fivesparrowsglass.com my website 

www.facebook.com/fivesparrows my face book page 





Thank you for agreeing to be featured! Everyone please go show some love to Colleen's shop! 




...and now, the winner from last week's featured artist is: Julia Badgley. Someone will contact you soon Julia! 

Comments (11)

On June 13, 2012 at 1:11 PM , MYSAVIOR said...

I love this ballerina from her shop. She does beautiful work - so glad to get to know her.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/20306681/ballerina-stained-glass-layered

♥♥♥
Sue

 
On June 13, 2012 at 1:15 PM , Jennifer Hine said...

Thanks for letting us know a little bit more about Colleen! I love the shop. I think that the 3D butterfly (http://www.etsy.com/listing/85438235/aqua-butterfly-3-d-stained-glass) is my favorite. I'm impressed by all the wonderful things you can do with the stained glass!

elegantquirk@gmail.com

 
On June 13, 2012 at 1:44 PM , Luella Newkirk said...

Great to get to know you better, Colleen. Your shop is delightful! I was going to choose the mouse or one of the turtles until I saw this little pair of earrings. I love what you did with the wire and the little red bead.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/97033511/green-and-silver-circle-stained-glass

 
On June 13, 2012 at 6:30 PM , sammysgrammy said...

Enjoyed reading your interview - pinned your little house pendant

 
On June 13, 2012 at 6:37 PM , Unknown said...

I like this blue Celtic Knot: http://www.etsy.com/listing/95097870/elaborate-celtic-knot-in-royal-blue-and
Very pretty!

 
On June 13, 2012 at 9:59 PM , Aloquin said...

I love the fish glass, and the floral pieces, but I'd have to say that this is my favorite of all: http://www.etsy.com/listing/93166563/square-candle-holder-of-textured-clear for it's Piet Mondrian-esqueness :) Great work!!!

tracksaloquin@yahoo.com

 
On June 14, 2012 at 11:19 AM , Cynthia said...

I love all of your art! It is beautiful. Many blessings! ~Cynthia

 
On June 14, 2012 at 3:16 PM , Mathilda said...

Wow, I find many favorites in this shop.
I like this little ballerina most.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/20306681/ballerina-stained-glass-layered

Mathilda
thilthings@solcon.nl

 
On June 17, 2012 at 8:26 AM , Crafty Mommas said...

beautiful items

 
On June 18, 2012 at 5:51 PM , Colleen said...

Thanks all!! I really appreciate your nice comments!!

 
On June 18, 2012 at 5:52 PM , Colleen said...
This comment has been removed by the author.