Talk to Me Tuesday!

This week I interviewed Youniquelyours. I love the name of her shop. It really is a perfect match to her items and how she serves her customers.

Please give us a little background of you as an artist.

As long as I can remember, I have been making handmade cards, putting scrapbooks together, and making blankets! I Could never find exactly what I wanted to send, so I started making things myself! I love the idea of having unique gifts that are versatile, classic, yet unique! Crafting and sewing refresh me, and give me a sense of accomplishment after a long, rewarding day of being a SAHM! 

Does your shop have a “mission statement?” If not, what do you think one would be?

When thinking about my products and why I do what I do, I always come back to the fact that serving people and making them feel like the most important person is my ultimate goal. I am not flashy at all, but rather classic, simple, and functional. My mission is to make “every day gifts with a touch of “YOUnique!” And passing along those gifts that people keep forever with a lasting memory!

When did you start your craft?

I have been crafting since I was a young teenager, exploring, trying new things and teaching myself along the way. You don't know if you can do something if you don't try and I am a true believer in that! I never stop learning and trying something!

What are 3 words that describe you and/or your shop? 

Whether you were to ask my family, friends, or myself what 3 words would best describe me, I am confident they would all answer the same way: passionate, loyal, and encouraging! My shop and all my work 100% reflects these. I am loyal about serving people and my mission to make them feel like most unique and special person that they are, passionate about my crafting, sewing, and people, and I value encouraging because people thrive off of a special word or something that extends the message that they are important enough to stop and think about! 

Who or what inspires you? 

I think my kids inspire me the most! They push me to love more, serve more, and think more creatively!

What time of day are you most productive?

I would love to be most productive in the morning, but Pre-school and park district classes take up that time. So I escape off at night to rejuvenate myself in between QT with my hubby!

What is your favorite item in your shop right now? 

May favorite things in my shop are my blankets, especially the ones I have made in honor of my kids. They are central to my husband and me, and my business. I take them to the fabric stores with me and they pile the cart high with fabric. That way I know it is " KID APPROVED!" I strive for that stamp of approval! I chose one piece of cut fabric for each of my kids that most reflected them, and dedicated a blanket to them, in their name. I also love my cards, as they are practical and classic! 

What is one thing you can't live without? 

I could never live without my family and husband! Oh yeah...and the homemade blizzards (chocolate ice cream with peanut butter and waffle cone!) We are a homemade kind of family!

Where do you see yourself/your art/your business in 5 years? 

I just hope to be doing what I love and loving what I do, and that is crafting and sewing. Realistically, I would have established myself some more and have a regular flow of business. Ideally, I would love to have a cute little store front with a “YOUniquelyyours” sign outside and have people walk in to a comfortable, affordable, inspirational boutique they could connect with and see things they feel they could touch another's life with! (All while eating some free baked goods...I love to bake as well!)Then my mission would be accomplished!

Anything else you would like to share?

I have a website: www.yours2give.com

a blog: www.youniquelyyours.blogspot.com and 

my etsy shop: www.youniquelyours.etsy.com