Friday Feature ♥ This Old Hen House

Hey friends! It's Friday, and time for another featured artist.
;)

This week I'm featuring two fantastic Etsy shops, created by one person. ThisOldHenHouse and TwistThis22501, both created by Amanda, are just awesome shops and both have such a life of their own.

Amanda makes eclectic jewelry as well as awesome bound notebooks in her two shops. And, when I asked her a few basic questions so I could draw from the answers to blog about today's Friday Feature, she replied back with such fun-to-read answers, that I've decided to leave them just as they are. So, scattered about will be pictures and links to her two etsy shops, as well as her creative mind... telling all. ♥

Where do you live?
I live in a little, no-ones-ever-heard-of-it kinda town in Western Pennsylvania, that's famous for flooding at inappropriate times. I'm a country girl!

How do your surroundings inspire you?
I find the most inspiration in my Children! I have 2 wonderfully rambunctious little boys who have such a zest for life. It amazes me when they see things in the world for the first time and are in such awe. As a result, a lot of my creations take on that innocent childlike mentality. Its ok to see the beauty and fun in things and I make creations that I like to think make people smile.

When did you first start crafting?
My etsy shop was sparked by meshing a love for paper crafting and a love for writing together. I've been an avid scrapbooker since my I got pregnant with my oldest son who is now five and I've been incredibly guilty of collecting hordes of pretty little papers and beads for as long as I can remember. I went to school at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown for creative writing and found myself less than inspired when scribbling my thoughts into plain old boring notebooks. Wanting something more stimulating to write in, I combined my two wonderful hobbies and This Old Hen House was born. Twist This came from wanting to finally do something with all of the little beads I've been hanging onto forever and not being able to find anything quite right when I would go jewelry shopping. I've always found it easier to just make things myself when possible.

How has that lead you to now?
I'm having fun! Creating something is so much more fulfilling than just going to your local mass merchandising store and buying it. There's something so thrilling about taking a pile of materials and turning nothing into something. I consider myself lucky because I know what makes me happy and I'm doing it.

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Isn't she just fun!!! If you enjoyed reading this Friday Feature, be sure to check out Amanda's Blog and please don't forget to visit her two etsy shops as well!

TwistThis22501.etsy.com
ThisOldHenHouse.etsy.com

Have a great weekend friends!
♥
Janell