De Lavande Handmade Jewelry: This Weeks Shop Feature

Getting to know the Inspiring cinnamonspice ...

Name

Kim aka Cinnamon

Gina aka Spice

Hobbies (or just random interests):

Kim - Travel, mostly outside the U.S., reading, crafting with my kids

Gina - refining and expanding our Pillow Kid family, art museums, Chicago history, crafting, learning to play my guitar, and yearning to return to the Carribean seaside.

Tell me about yourself?

Gina - I've been an empty nester for the past several years. I am approaching my 22nd year with the Federal Service. I grew up in the Washington Metropolitan area and relocated to Chicago Illinois in October of 2000. I think that Chicago is a fascinating city. It's got that small town ambiance with a big city flare. Cinnamon & Spice Crafts is a dream come true for me. The foundation of our business is quality, honesty and creativity. I love the fact that my partner and I can critique with open minds for the better of the final product without any hangups.

Kim - I recently left a 15-yr career with the government to stay home with mt two little ones! During this period I've had more time to let the creativity flow and realize a life-long goal of working for myself.

Other etsy shops cinnamonspice loves :

Sincerely.etsy.com ,
xueoriginals.etsy.com,
Sybile.etsy.com,
sweetdreamsdesigns.etsy.com,
muyinmolly's shop,
moonmum's shop,
littleglimpses's shop ,
mommymafia2008,
Nikki’s Nacs,

A little about the Store

How long have you been on etsy?

We've been on ETSY since January 2008.

What exactly do you do (What do you make?):

We specialize in paper goods, altered art and needlecraft gifts for all occasions. We have a line of multi-ethnic, customizable, crotcheted dolls aka Pillow Kids. Gina's currently working on a smaller version which will be viewable on the blog within the next several weeks. Kim's niche is paper crafting. I began with custom scrapbooks and altered frames, and have expanded to making vintage cards and embellished gift tins.

How did you first pick up your

craft?

Kim - I began scrapbooking or "cropping" about 10 years ago. I still remember my first album, a Christmas gift for my boyfriend who is now my husband. I used glue sticks and construction paper, thank goodness my techniqes have evolved!

Gina - with regard to crotcheting my aunt taught me when i was about 7 or 8. From there I just experimented over the years. I've always had an interest in crafts. My grandma used to buy craft kits for us when we were kids. I guess that's where my interest began. The first pillow kid I made was for my daughter when she was about 10 years old. So many people liked them I began to make and recreate them over the years.

Favorite thing about it:
Gina - the flexibility of working your own hours, having the freedom to create, exchange of ideas

Kim - The joy that comes from making a treasured gift for another person! Once, after I designed an album as a gift, the recipient called me and tearfully thanked me for a speciall gift. That's what I live for!

Any inspirations?
Kim - I love the holidays and "baby" related items, so ?I usually draw upon those themes.

Gina - everything I see and do inspires me