All about me!

I know I don't post a whole lot of stuff about me on my blog, my creations are more interesting than I am!!! Since I have a fair amount of followers now, I thought it would be kinda cool to interview/introduce myself. I have been thinking about interviewing other people as well, so if you want to have a spot in my blog, let me know! So, heeeeere's Carol! My picture was taken in 2004, so it's a little old. :) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

About me:
My name is Carol and I am originally from the Chicago suburbs-Joliet, IL. I moved to Tucson with my daughter and my family in 2000. I love the winters here, no snow to shovel! I have always had an interest in creating things. I can remember making wreaths and other wall decorations as a teenager. I also made macrame plant hangers that I learned how to make in Home Ec in junior high. A few years ago, I made hair barrettes from beads and safety pins, then jewelry, bottle cap stuff and now pendants. I enjoy cooking and baking as well. I am an evening shift supervisor at one of our local community colleges. We make pre-packaged food items for all campuses. It's fun and I like my job.
I got into the bead biz first on eBay about 6 years ago. I began selling beads after a failed attempt at making hair barrettes from beads and safety pins. I sold off the rest of the beads that I had and found that the beads sold better than the finished products, so Beads Out West was born. I bought beads in lots and divided them up and sold them. I began attending the annual gem and mineral/jewelry/bead shows here in Tucson and bought things there for my shop. I left eBay after the last fee increase nearly three years ago and found Etsy shortly after. I opened my supply shop on Etsy and about a year later, I started making things again-mainly earrings and bracelets and decided to try to sell my finished work. It was not very successful, so I tried a new craft with making things from bottle caps, it's going okay. I love making things with bottle caps. I finally sold off the rest of my beads and closed my bead shop in August 08. So, around Christmastime this year, I decided to try yet another craft, seriously trying to find my niche...I started to plan out a new shop, took a LOT of notes, wrote down a ton of ideas and Pendant Patch was born. I have only about 20 things listed so far, I am waiting for a shipment of bails to come in so I can list some more of my wooden tile pendants. Crossing my fingers that this is my niche!
My online presence:
Etsy: bottlecapsgalore.etsy.com and pendantpatch.etsy.com
blog: oldpuebloearringco.blogspot.com
Flickr photos: flickr.com/photos/beadsoutwest
Twitter: bottlecaps
My Space: myspace.com/cantinacarolina
ArtFire: artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&seller_id=10543
IMadeitMyself: madeitmyself.com/user/pendantpatch.aspx

Where do I get inspiration?
I get inspiration mostly from reading bead magazines and craft books. Sometimes ideas come to me when I am browsing the craft shops. Bead Style is my favorite magazine. I check out craft books from our local library. I also like Tammy Powley's work. Etsy sellers are also a great inspiration for me. If they can do it, so can I!!

The next craft I want to try:
I want to start making soap again. That is also a lot of fun.

What I am working on now:
My next creation will be more pendants! I have a bunch of graphics that I need to print and get busy!

I have so much ambition, but not enough money and time to do it all. So I guess I will take it one baby step at a time.

Thanks so much for learning about me. I hope you found it interesting and entertaining...LOL