[To see the first interview with M and J Designs, check out this post. To be featured in this weekly interview, check out this post on the Google Group.]
This week, we're taking a trip back in time with Eileen, the creative crafter behind MrsTalbott. A wonderful selection of crafts that celebrate history and the history of crafting (sometimes with a modern slant), awaits you in MrsTalbott's shop---can you say, "great holiday gifts!?" Let's get started!
Tell us a bit about yourself.
Hi, my name is Eileen Hook and I live in the South Land Park area of Sacramento. My shop’s name is ”MrsTalbott” after my character name at Sutter’s Fort. I've been a living history docent at Sutter's Fort State Historic Park in California since 1980. One sentence, hmmmmm, that’s hard ‘cause I have lots of ‘hats’! OK – Mom to my kids (and the dog & cat), a voracious reader, avid gardener, and living history enthusiast.
When you aren’t crafting, what else are you up to?
Reading, gardening, cooking, working for the state.
I've been hand-crafting most of my life in one form or another. Many of the crafts I do now are things that can be used at the Fort or that were popular in the mid-19th century. I got started with craft shows by participating in the Traders’ Faire at Sutter’s Fort (3rd weekend in April each year – all items sold must be of the type available in 1850 or earlier). With the current economy and a furlough paycheck, I decided to expand to other craft venues.
Describe your creative process. What do you do to get inspired? How do you make your pieces, when do you work on them, what materials do you use?
I have trouble just sitting and watching TV in the evenings unless I am really tired. I always have a knitting or sewing project at hand. Must keep my hands busy!! Furlough Fridays are good for crafting too. I belong to a couple of chat boards for mid-19th century living history enthusiasts and sometimes ideas come through there. Or I’ll be reading something and an idea will evolve. Or talking to friends about how to make something. Or in the shower, or just before I fall asleep or as I’m waking up. You never know when an idea will sneak up on you!
Give me natural fibers or materials to work with and I'm a happy camper! Cotton, wool, linen, beeswax, lavender, etc.
What handmade possession do you most cherish?
Some crocheted items made by my maternal grandmother
Name your top 3 books, movies, musical groups and websites.
Books: the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon, J.D. Robb’s books, and the Stephanie Plum series.
Movies: Pride & Prejudice, Star Wars 4: A New Hope, Jumpin’ Jack Flash
Musical Groups: The Beatles, the Derek Trucks Band, the Blues Brothers
Websites: Facebook, The Sewing Academy, and my e-mail.
What piece of Etsy advice can you give your fellow team members that has been most helpful to you so far?
A picture is worth a 1000 words. Only post good photos
How do you promote your Etsy shop/products?
Word of mouth, and by business cards at craft shows
What is your ultimate goal with your Etsy shop(s)/crafting/artwork?
Bringing the 19th century to the 21st century – hand crafted items made in the style of another time work as good or better than today’s!
Where can we see you online?
My blog
My Etsy Shop
As always, thanks so much for reading, and thank you Eileen for sharing your creative life with us! Remember, we'd love to feature each and every SactoMetro Etsian in this series, so please go check out this post in the google group and get your questionnaire filled out and sent to us!
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1 comments:
Great interview! Thanks for submitting it, Eileen. Thanks for turning it into a beautiful blog post, Nicole. I love this series. SO MUCH FUN!
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