by Cindy of cksilver
Please welcome our Wednesday featured artist Hannah from the shop
bananaorangeapple. Hannah has kindly agreed to a giveaway of your choice of baby dress or set from her shop! To enter, go to her shop, pick a favorite item and then come back and comment on it. DON'T FORGET to leave your email address, and an item (regular comments without an item won't be counted.)
Introduction
I am a teacher, married for twelve years and have a ten year old daughter named The Pickle. She got her nickname from a VeggieTales dvd my husband used to show the kids at youthgroup. For almost two years now we have been living on 13 acres just outside of the capital of Australia, Canberra. We are about 15 minutes drive from town but when I look out my windows all I can see are paddocks, tall gum trees, plenty of little trees that I have planted and the neighbour's horses. It is so peaceful here. We'll get some four-legged lawnmowers just as soon as we can fence off our baby trees. Our pets are a fluffy grumpy shih-tzu named BJ and a very energentic, tennis ball obsessed kelpie named Maggie.
How did you get your start on Etsy?
I am a bit of a greenie, I think it comes with teaching Geography, and I hate to see things go to waste. Since I grew up as a PK we did a lot of our shopping at the thrift store, or Op Shop as we call it in Australia. Once The Pickle came along and grew like crazy I thought it was wiser not to spend too much on her clothes, and of course I sent them back to St Vinnies once she'd outgrown them. I love to rescue vintage sheets and pillowslips, leftover sewing materials such as patterns, zippers and fabric, unwanted mens shirts, tablecloths and tea towels - whatever I can find that has appealing colours or pattern.
I have been sewing my whole life, since my mother taught me as a young girl. I have way too much fabric in my stash and can't seem to stop bringing more home so I thought I'd start selling my creations. On the 10th July 2011 my etsy shop was opened. Mum gave me some of her old patterns that she'd used to make clothes for my sister and I back in the 70s. I really love the retro look of the baby dresses in my shop, so I have been making as many of these as possible.
How did you choose your shop name?
My shop name come from a song we used to sing at camp. It goes "You are the light of the world (banana-orange-apple) You are the light of the world" etc etc. Since my nickname was Hannah Banana, or just Banana, the song seemed to fit. By the way, you have to say Banana with the emphasis on the second syllable (kinda like Obama)
What does a typical day look like for you?
My typical day: I work at a Christian school, which I love. But teaching teenagers all day can be somewhat stressful. My daughter attends the same school, and after work we like chill out, browsing at our local St Vinnies or Salvo's store before we head home. In my spare time, while hubby kills some zombies in Playstation land, I hang out in my sewing room turning unwanted fabric into cute dresses. I usually listen to a podcast while I sew, my favourite ones are "A history of the world in 100 objects" from the BBC, "The Great Train Show" from the ABC, and Chuck Missler's "66/40" which I get a lot out of. I always have at least one book on the go, and I like to read for an hour or so before I go to sleep and at breakfast time as well. On the weekends, my husband likes to take us out for coffee, we have horseriding lessons for The Pickle on Saturday and church on Sunday.
If you could be anywhere in the world for one day, where would it be?
One place I would like to be is Japan, but I can't decide if I want to see the cherry blossoms in bloom in spring or the maple leaves in autumn.
What is your favorite Bible verse?
I have two favourite Bible verses:
Isaiah 55:1 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
I love this one because God is extending an open invitation - his salvation is available for all who are looking for it and we don't have to meet any prerequisites apart from accepting his free gift.
The other one is 1 Timothy 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain
I take this one to mean be happy in yourself and in the situation where God has placed you. Stiving after riches or status or goods will not bring happiness. If I can trust in God and have enough money to live on what more is there in life? This verse is the antidote to worry.
What is your favorite Etsy item listing to feature?
Any of my baby dresses would be a favourite item to feature.
What are some other URLs where we can find you on the internet?
Shop:
http://www.bananaorangeapple.etsy.com
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/bananaorangeapple1
Blog:
http://bananaquilts.blogspot.com
Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/banoranapple
And the winner of the beautiful lovely personalized hand-stamped copper necklace from the last featured artist (
eagerhands) is
ZudaGay!
