Handmade Shop of the Week: Mommy's Dream Creations

Cindy Wilson, Mommy's Dream Creations, has been selling her glassware on etsy since October, 2009, but longer at craft fairs around NJ. She adds beautiful imagery to glassware that can be used everyday or for special occasions.

Why did you decide to open your handmade shop?
I have been selling my glassware and ornaments at craft shows for three years and wanted to branch out to the internet. I heard about Etsy from one of my fellow crafters and once I saw the site, I was hooked!

Has your inventory changed much since you first opened?
My inventory hasn't changed much, but I'm still a new store. I'm in the process of working on new designs for this spring. I am currently using a paint that is very transparent (think suncatchers) and it has proved to be amazing for the butterflies I'm painting!

Who are the majority of your customers? How did they find you?
The majority of my customers are other amazing Etsians! I think in the beginning most customers found me by a keyword search so taking time to be accurate and creative in my tags and item descriptions was really important.

What inspires you to create?
My inspiration comes from what I can see. Beauty is all around us and sometimes we get so busy that we forget to stop and just look around. Life is just too short to forget to look for the details.

What is your favorite item in your shop currently? Your most popular item?
I guess my favorite item would probably be what I am currently working on--which would be designs with butterflies like the Monarch Butterflies Wine Glasses. I also like snowmen and I always have the most fun painting scenes with them as with Snowman Warming by an Open Fire Hand-painted Glass Ornament
My most popular item is a set of glasses that has a garland of shells painted around the entire glass. The design is painted in neutral colors (with a bit of peach), but I have had requests to make it more playful with shades of blue. I love custom orders! Shell Garland Wine Glasses
What has been your greatest resource to make your shop successful?
My greatest resource has been to constantly put God in first place in everything I do, followed by making sure that each piece is the best I can do. I won't offer something that I wouldn't be proud to put on my own table. After that, it all depends on whether my designs are what the customer is looking for!

Any changes coming to your shop in the future?
Just new items as the year goes on! I will be trying my hand at different glass items (picture frames, styles of glass) as well as seeing what I can do with wood and fabric. I like the idea of people being able to use and wear my art!

How else can we find you online? Any team affiliations?
My Facebook page: Mommy's Dream
My blog: Mommy's Dream Blog
SHE Team (Schooling at Home Etsians tag: sheteam)
CAST (Christian Artist Street Team tag: castteam)
EtsyNJ Team (tag: etsynj team)

LETS DO A GIVEAWAY! I would like to do a giveaway for a custom set of four wine glasses. You choose any design in my shop and pick the colors that will match your home! If you really like a current design, I will add something to it that will not be added to any other set, so it will always be one of a kind. Giveaway ends April 5th, 2010.

One entry for each of the following options:

1. Heart my shop ( Mommy's Dream ) If you already heart the shop, heart an item and let me know which one!

2. Become a fan on my Facebook page ( Mommy's Dream on facebook ) or if you're already a fan, mention my shop (and link) on your page. Pick an item to highlight! Be sure to include a link to this site ( http://www.traceyknits.com/ ) as a "thank you" as well.

3. Post about my shop on your blog and be sure to let me know about it! Please be sure to mention this site in your blog as well ( http://www.traceyknits.com/ ).

4. Talk about the shop on Twitter, MySpace, and any other forum you are on, as well as a shout-out to this site ( http://www.traceyknits.com/ ).

5. TWO TIMES THE LOVE...make any purchase at my shop and I will double your entries!

Interested in being Handmade Shop of the Week? Email me for more information.