Getting to know Kelly of 5LittleMonkeys

I sat down for an interview with Kelly. Here is what we talked about. Be sure to visit Kelly at all her links.

Andrea : What region do you live in?
Kelly : I live in Queens, which is a borough of New York City. We live close enough to enjoy all the city has to offer, but far enough away to not be right in the middle of the insanity.

Andrea : What kind of items do you create?
Kelly : I like to make almost anything. I get distracted really easily because I want to try everything! I enjoy making jewelry and things for babies and little girls. I recently learned to knit, so that is my current obsession. Look for knitted items in my shop soon.
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8739926
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9262069

Andrea : How long have you been creating?
Kelly : Since I was a little girl, but now that my kids are getting bigger, I have a little more time to do things I enjoy.

Andrea : What or Who are your creative influences?
Kelly : Growing up, my mother was always doing some kind of needlework, whether it be knitting, crochet, or needlepoint. She inspires me to make beautiful handmade items. Etsy artist are also so inspiring. By seeing their beautiful creations, they make me want to go beyond the ordinary and make something really beautiful and one of a kind.

Andrea : Do you work outside of the home/studio?
Kelly : I have been a stay at home mom to my five kids for almost 12 years. I will be starting a part time job very soon as the swim coach for my kids' team, the Barracudas http://www.ciybarracudas.com/index.html

Andrea : If you could be in someone else's studio or kitchen, whose would that be?
Kelly : I'd love to spend time with Martha Stewart. She just has so many creative ideas for every area you could think of from meals to decorating to parties.

Andrea : Where do you see yourself in 5 years? What are your goals with your business?
Kelly : I hope to still be coaching swimming and helping those kids achieve their goals. As far as my business, I hope to be able to devote more time to it as my kids will be older, and have a customer base that comes to me when they need a gift or just want to treat themselves to something special.

Andrea : Do you sell wholesale/consignment?
Kelly : Not at the moment, but I am open to any and all possibilities.

Andrea : Where else {besides etsy} can your products be found?
Kelly : I have a few items for sale at Texas Art Spot in Corsicana,TX. I also sell on ecrater http://www.5littlemonkeys.com and http://www.madeitmyself.com/

Andrea : Are you a member of any organizations or have any affiliations?
Kelly : I am a member of FAM, Fabulous Artistic Moms { http://fam-fabulousartisticmoms.blogspot.com }and Etsymom { http://etsymom.blogspot.com }, both street teams on Etsy.

Andrea : What is your education as it pertains to your craft?
Kelly : I have a B.S. in business management. I'm not sure if it's helping out all that much at the moment, but I am trying to educate myself on all the marketing tools we have at our disposal on Etsy.

Andrea : What is your favorite part of creating handmade items?
Kelly : I love the whole process from coming up with an idea to gathering the materials to putting it all together. But my favorite part of all, by far, is when it's all done, and I can show off what I've done!