1. Can you tell us a bit about you and your background...
I grew up in Springfield, Missouri.
I met my now husband when I was only 11 years old, where we went to the same small private school.
I always knew that I wanted to be an artist, and studied Design and Fine Arts at Drury University.
Upon graduation, I drifted a bit from my passion for art and instead worked at a coffee shop while my husband studied Math.
After the birth of my 1st daughter, Violet, I could not find any nursery art for her room,
so I made my own!
My husband encouraged me to try and sell my artwork on Etsy (which was relatively new at the time).
Over the course of my first year, things were very slow.
But soon my work picked up momentum and I was a featured seller on the Etsy Blog!
After that blog post went live, I had enough sales to quit my day job and focus exclusively on Gingiber.
2. What books/ magazines are currently on your coffee table?
The New Bohemians & Pretty Prudent Home!
3. Who are your design heroes and what keeps you inspired?
I am inspired by Charley Harper's illustrations.
I can't say that I have a "design hero".
I very much enjoy bright colors and pattern, so finding new ways to play around with those elements keeps me excited about design!
4. Tell us about a typical day for you...
Everyday is totally different!
I have 3 kids and a husband who commutes 1.5 hours to work each way.
We wake up at 6, make breakfast, by 7:15 we are out the door to drop the oldest off at kindergarten.
We mosey over to my studio by 9 and I spend that time until lunch working with my 2 younger kids in tow.
I use that time to prep orders, answer emails, organize new projects, and basically chase my kids around.
We go home by 2 and have family time, and by 3 we are picking up my oldest from school again!
While we wait for my husband to get home from work I give my kids a snack and then I sketch!
Honestly right now I don't have a lot of free time, but somehow (mostly) everything gets done....
5. When and why did you open your etsy shop, and how did you decide on the name ‘Gingiber’?
I opened my Etsy shop as a means to try to get my artwork out there!
Etsy was much smaller then.
It was easier to be seen.
And Gingiber was picked from an old Latin dictionary.
6. Can you give us an insight into your creative process?
In a perfect world, I would sit leisurely in a coffee shop and sketch for hours.
As it is now, I just have to carve out any bit of time I can find and "deliver" good work.
I have learned to be much faster in my creative process just out of necessity.
But if I am in the "zone" things come together much more quickly.
I now sketch with a theme in mind.
We release 2 new collections a year (1 to coincide with the National Stationery Show in May, & 1 for holiday).
I find keeping it structured in that timeline keeps me on schedule and allows me time to really figure out what I want Gingiber to say!
7. What are your big loves?
I love coffee. I love food! I love television. I'm pretty typical.
8. Do you follow any blogs? What are your top three?
I read "A Beautiful Mess", "Design Sponge", and "Oh Joy".
9. What are you working on currently?
And any big plans for 2015?
I am gearing up for the National Stationery Show, which is NEXT WEEK! We just moved into a new studio and are opening a little showroom space with limited retail hours!
Lots happening right now.
10. What’s the most popular item for sale in your etsy shop?
Right now our Black Sheep Prints and Pillows are most popular!
11. What makes you laugh?
Anything that involves Tina Fey! She is my spirit animal ;)
12. What’s the most rewarding thing about being a designer/illustrator?
