On April 27th, I contacted Rachel at The Hobby Shoppe to offer her a review of her wonderful unique gifts. She was so excited and shipped a lovely shabby chick wooden welcome frame. My first opinion was wow! That was FAST shipping. She had it to me in 3 Days!! From kentwood, Louisiana to New York. She packaged it very nicely. Wrapped in a very colorful tissue paper. And with it a business card and a personal note... With the way it arrived I wouldn't have had to do anything to give it as a gift. It was so nicely wrapped and tied with a piece of twine. Very nice presentation.

I love this Frame. looks rustic and antique like. The welcome design is so simple and stylish. Behind the letter is a print of scenery. It looks to be some roosters, trees and women. It's very beautiful. It also features a hook. I'm not sure what I would hang on it. Maybe a scarf or something simple.

I am very pleased with this piece. I have decided to hang it near the entrance of my home....
Here is a bit about Rachel...

How did you get into making Personalized Gifts?
I began scrapbooking when my oldest boys were younger but I grew tired of just scrapbooking. I found a lot of beautiful paper and that with decoupage medium, I could put paper on different things. I like to take old or used items and repurpose them or make them better. I love pictures especially of my family and discarded frames are very easy to find. But I like to take old wood to make plaques with different sentiments.

What is your favorite item from your line and why?
My decorative hooks are one of my favorite although I made several plaques with saying on them that I like too. I really like to put names on different items so that they are very personal for the person receiving it.


Is there something you have always wanted to make but haven't had the time?
I want to make baby books out of paper bags...I made one my for niece and her new son last year. I'm just kinda stumped on how to begin those. But in general there's not enough time in the day to make all the things I want to make.


How long have you been selling on Etsy? Do you sell on Etsy full time or do you have a day job?
I have been with Etsy since March 13, 2010. At this time, my shop is my full time job although I'm far from making full time pay.

What, if any, formal training have you had in your craft?
I don't have any formal training in my craft. I have been to several scrapbooking events and workshops. I grew up with do it yourself parents who always had a project going. The day was not accomplished if you didn't sew something, fix something or build something. My parents also did their own home improvement projects so I learned to do things to help fix up my home. Repurposing items helps to save money and our planet.


What made you decide to open up shop on Etsy?
I found Etsy several months before Christmas last year after goggling on the internet. I always wanted to open a shop but a physical shop has lots more overhead. I was so busy with work and my family that I didn't have time to make my items, I made a few here and there for gifts. I was laid off from my job at a local hospital in March 2010 and the next week I opened my Etsy shop. I feel it was God who worked all things out so I could open my shop.

Where did your shop name come from?
When I was a little girl, there was a store near my home called The Hobby Shop. They made big fluffy dolls with long yarn hair. They also taught sewing and ceramics classes. The Hobby Shop has long closed but I still remember going in there and seeing people make stuff. It inspired me. Even though my shop is called The Hobby Shoppe, I want to make this my business so that I can stay home and take care of my husband and 3 children and contribute some to the family income.

And there you have it, Rachel and The Hobby Shoppe. I had such a great time working with Rachel. She was kind enough to provide this beautiful rustic wall hook frame. She is very friendly and fun to work with. All the above is my opinion, I hope you enjoy!
-Misty