Our Featured Artist this week is Melanie from Forever Cherish Design

Melanie, please tell us a bit about yourself.

I opened my shop in February 2011 and I love having an outlet to sell my creations.  I left a career as a floral designer many years ago to work in several other fields that opened to me, none of them in any way creative.  I am so thankful now to have the opportunity to be creative on a daily basis and be my own boss!   I’ve been married for 32 years to my pastor husband and have four grown children, one daughter-in-law and five grandchildren.  I‘m blessed to be able to stay home, be creative and build my business, and be available for our ministry work.

How did you get your start on Etsy?

I actually heard of Etsy on Good Morning America several years ago, but didn’t even take the time to look at the site.  A year and a half ago, I wanted to make something special for my niece’s wedding gift and came up with my Wedding Keepsake Art.  After friends and family saw it, everyone insisted that I need to make and sell them.  I didn’t pursue it, but a couple of months later, my son began dating a young lady in Toledo, Ohio, where he still lived and where we moved from to our current location, and he began to tell me about her mom and how she was so much like me.   She was always sewing and crafting and she even sold her “stuff” (his word) on line.  After several months, I contacted her to introduce myself….our children were dating after all….and we began to talk about her business on….Etsy!  Cherie Wheeler is actually a member of this team and has been a huge blessing to me!  She encouraged me to give it a try….so here I am!  And, yes, our children are still dating…..maybe another daughter-in-law to add to our family?  :)

How did you choose your shop name?

Since I started with the Wedding Keepsake Art, my name came from the fact that a wedding day was a forever cherished day in our lives. Since adding my hair accessories, I found that they are often being purchased for special occasions and cherished events, so the name has worked well.

What does a typical day look like for you?

I usually begin the day quite early with some form of physical exercise, then some spiritual exercise with my Bible and then once I see the family off to work, I begin to tackle my plans for the day.  That could include caring for our home, working on the business, or ministering to God’s people.

If you could be anywhere in the world for one day, where would it be?

Growing up in a constantly moving military family, moving several times for our ministry work and having the opportunity to do quite a bit of traveling on missions trips, I have been blessed to see many places in our beautiful world.  While there are a few places I still would like to travel to, I would choose to have all of our children and grandchildren gathered together in our home.  Those rare occasions are a blessing greater than seeing a far off place!

What is your favorite Bible verse?

Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

Even though, I don’t always understand His leading and direction, I want to trust that His plan is best for me.

What is your favorite Etsy item listing to feature?

My cobalt blue accessories have been my most popular item for this prom/bridal season.

Please share the URLs to where else we can find you on the internet (Facebook fan page, Twitter, your own dot.com, your blog, etc)

Facebook:

 https://www.facebook.com/ForeverCherishDesign

 Melanie is graciously offering this lovely White Embroidered Flower Hair Clip as a giveaway. If you want to be entered in this giveaway, please visit Forever Cherish Design then share one of your favorite items in your comment. If you don't wish to be entered in the giveaway, please leave a comment of encouragement for Melanie.