I am very happy to share this interview she did with me in March of 2011.
1. Tell me about your leap from cooporate America to crafter
extraordinaire. What fueled the decision and has the result been what
you were hoping for?
This question took me several days to answer. My "leap" was more of a
shove. I was laid off from my beloved job in corporate America- one
of the more devastating events I've had to face in recent years. It
took me a while to digest. Since I loved my job and the people I
worked with so dearly, it was hard not to take it personally and feel blue.. I started blogging about my crafts simply because
I needed to carve a new path for myself. I needed something to look
forward to every day. I've always been crafty, and the more I blogged,
the more strongly I felt that this was my opportunity to make a
living by writing and crafting. I feel like I'm gaining momentum
with this decision, but I still have lots of goals I'm working on. I
think that writing a daily craft blog has re-ignited my creativity and kept me focused on what I want my career to be. By making something new every
day, I am constantly learning, pushing myself, and growing- and that's
very important to me.
2. Do you have any words of wisdom for others hoping to make the same change?
Work hard, be nice to others and keep your chin up!
3. Between crafting, playing in the kitchen and gardening, what do you
like to do best?
Oh man. That's like asking to choose a favorite child! I try to keep a
balance of all of them so that I stay inspired. Lots of times those
three things feed each other. I've made cactus cupcakes out of
marzipan, crafted up gardening aprons, and cooked rad dinners from my
garden harvest. I can't choose one that I love more than the other. I
love them all!
4. When did the baking bug bite you?
Probably a lot later than most people. My mom was such a strong
presence in our house and kitchen that I was really lazy about food
growing up. I knew my mom would whip something yummy up... so I didn't
even try to cook or bake for myself until well after college...
5. What has been your most epic baked (or cooked) creation?
I was REALLY proud of the souffle I baked over the holidays. I'd been
sooooo scared of souffle for so long, and since I now finally live in a
place with an oven that has a window (so modern, I know) I went for
it. It was totally delicious and empowering.
6. What about your most epic fail in the kitchen?
My most epic fail in the kitchen was easily the birthday cake I made for my husband�s 40th. We had just come home from a family camping trip in the desert during the hottest week of the year. We were exhausted. I was groggy and dehydrated as I baked� I ended up dropping his cake on the counter, breaking it into several pieces� I think what made it really unfortunate though, was that due to a baking substitution, the cake was also slightly poisonous (read about it here) My husband and I survived, but he didn�t eat anything I baked for a while after that�
7. Are there are crafts you have on your to-do that you haven't tried yet?
SO MANY. I wish I'd taken furniture classes in college. I'd love to be able to say, "Oh, you like that chair? Yeah. I made it."
8. Do you have any tips for wanna be gardeners?
Grow for it! (Har har...) The smallest spaces can be converted into
container gardens. Vegetables, flowers, succulents or carnivorous
plants are all within your reach! Even if you live in a super dark
cave, there are some plants that like that... look at your home
environment inside and out, and then look for plants that thrive in
those condition.
9. What do you love about Los Angeles?
Food Trucks, The Urban Craft Center, Seed Bombs in Vending Machines,
Living Walls (like at the Smog Shoppe), and yes, the occasional
celebrity sighting- I've almost run into the entire cast of Modern
Family while running errands.
10. What are you reading now/read last?
When I'm in my car, I'm listening to How Evan Broke His Head and Other Secrets -
Garth Stein (audiobook) and before bed, I've been reading Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer (My
sister-in-law's copy)
11.What are your 5 fave songs right now?
Kiss With A Fist - Florence + The Machine
My Body - Young the Giant
This Tornado Loves You - Neko Case
Rollin In The Deep - Adele
My Philosophy - Ben Folds
