Feature Friday - When Love Happens

It's Friday! That means we get to meet a new Sensation Shop! This week, we'll meet Joan from When Love Happens. I just LOVE her handmade weddings items, especially her sashes. So take a peek and enjoy!

1. How did you get into crafting?

I've always loved crafting. When I was young, I used to make handmade cards for birthdays, weddings and graduations. I experimented with woodworking, paper and scrapbooking, paint and sewing. All through my 20's, I enjoyed working with paper. I scrapbooked, made paper goods and cards and books.

2. How did your Etsy shop come to be?

My husband and I got married in June 2010 and during the year we were engaged, I decided that all the things I wanted for my wedding, I could make for half the cost. I spent that year crafting everything -- escort cards, menus, conversation starting books, ringbearer book, a sash for my wedding dress, fascinators for my entire wedding party and survival kits for my bridesmaids. I enjoyed myself so much and loved being involved in making a lovely wedding that I decided I could make quality wedding related items for a much more reasonable cost than other wedding vendors. I was already familiar with Etsy so I thought this would be the perfect place to showcase my items.

3. What is your favorite part about being creative?

My favorite part is experimenting with color, texture and design. I love figuring out how to make new items and creating new combinations. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. I also love spending hours and hours at fabric shops looking through the various materials and fabrics they have.

4. Are you a full time crafter or do you have a "day job?"

I am a 4th grade teacher in California and have been teaching for 5 years. Etsy allows me to do two things I love - teach and craft. If there were more hours in a day, I could do a lot more of both!

5. If someone were to buy you a birthday gift on Etsy, what 3 words would they use in their search?

Romantic because I'm a closet sucker for romance. Love because it's one of the most important things in my life - showing love to everyone around me. And...Hello Kitty. Can that just count as one word? I can leave out the space so that it's just one work. I never grew out of HelloKitty, but my students and I have something in common through our love for Hello Kitty.

6. How do you create your designs?

I've mastered how to create six different types of flowers. I use basic artistic principles such as composition, color and size to help my create my designs. But, I stick with my instincts. If I'm not happy with something, I'll stop and work on it until I get it right. A lot of it is trial and error. If I come up with a solid design, I'll try it out in different colors, then tweak little things here and there to change the look of it.

7. What's in your Soundtrack to Sewing?

I like to listen to mellow music while I'm crafting. I don't like to feel rushed. I want to take my time to make something that's beautiful for my customer. So I listen to a lot of Coldplay, John Mayer, Jack Johnson and John Legend.

8. Favorite spots for inspiration?

I find inspiration in many places, but I am an avid wedding blog and home design blog reader. I also love going to stores like Pottery Barn, William Sonoma, West Elm and Anthropologie.

9. Who inspires you?

I know it sounds cliche, but my husband! He was the one who encouraged my talent and craftiness. He would talk up the things I made to our friends and family and finally suggested that I find a way to bring my items to the public. He challenges me to constantly become a better version of myself. His high opinion of me makes me think I really am that great!

10. If you had to choose one item in your shop as a signature piece, what would it be and why?

I'd have to say that this sash in taupe, coral and ivory is my signature piece because it encapsulates my aesthetic well - airy, romantic and sweet. You'll find a variety of pieces in my shop because I know that there are brides with varied tastes, but if I had to pick one, this one is it. I wear it to weddings, special events and even over my favorite casual dress or cardigan to add a little sweetness to my everyday outfit.

Thanks so much, Joan, for sharing your story! Don't forget to check out Joan's blog, which documents her wedding and her creations as well. 

I had hoped to have a project to share with you this week, but the back is acting up something fierce! It better get its act together by Monday, because that is when I start my new job as a nanny. When I DO feel better, I am going to make a skirt or a top with a zipper...yep, a zipper! Woohoo!