I am very excited to introduce what I hope is the first in a long-running series of interviews with various Etsians, bloggers, and other folks I find interesting 
Today I’d like to introduce you to Debra from gilstrapdesigns; I discovered this gem of an Etsy shop as I was “window” shopping for my birthday wish list – you might remember the awesome teacup wall décor I posted. She was kind enough to sit down and answer some questions for me!
So, let’s get started!
TPM – Hi Debra! Thanks so much for participating in my blog interview – I really appreciate it!
Debra @ gilstrapdesigns – Hi Kim!
TPM – Tell us a little about yourself.
Debra @ gilstrapdesigns – My name is Debra Gilstrap and I live in Dallas, Texas. I’ve been married for 31 years to my best friend, Don; we have two adult children – Brandi she’s 30 year old, and Brandon (deceased) this past September was 29 yrs old. We have two grandsons Dorian, Brandi’s son, he’s 3 years old and Tyrin, Brandon’s son, and he’s 9 years old.
TPM – Have you always been interested in creating? Do you have a favorite medium? What kinds of things inspire you to create? How do you mange to stay inspired and creating while juggling every day life? (lots of questions, I know…)
Debra @ gilstrapdesigns – My husband Don and I are both mixed media artists, jewelry designers, and home decor designers.
I’ve always wanted to create I just didn’t exactly know what. My mother is a landscape artist and my father was a jazz musician. I can’t draw so I had a hard time figuring out just what I wanted to do but I’ve always loved art and creating. I decided to express myself through mix media art collages, assemblage, and creating and designing jewelry.
Now that I’ve opened up to my creative side I see everything different I look at everything different now whether it’s trees, flowers, I love to ride and look at buildings, especially old buildings, the colors and the structure – that’s all so inspiring to me.
I was laid off from my full time job this past September; that just opened up the gate for me to be able to do what I love doing all day, everyday. I’m more relaxed now, not as stressed out, and it shows in my creations. It’s what we do everyday and it is so much fun – and it’s just us; the kids have been grown for many years so it’s been a lot easier for me because I don’t have young or teen age children.
TPM – You have a shop on Etsy – are you pleased with how it has done since opening it? What are your favorite Etsy features (Treasuries, Shop Local, Pounce, etc)?
Debra @ gilstrapdesigns – I remember I loved ETSY from the first time I stumbled up on it; I was looking at artwork and the wonderful artisans here. I loved the website in itself so when we decided to do something, I knew ETSY was the place for us. Everything that I’ve learned about having a shop and online I’ve learned through my ETSY community: the forums, blogs, Storque articles, etc.
Our sales have really picked up this last year and we are so grateful and thankful, even when it’s been really, really slow for us, we are always excited to look at our shop! Every time I open it up and say “WOW! I still can’t believe we did all of this – this is us!”
My favorite Etsy features are “Shop Local” and “Rearrange Your Shop.” I also love the forums; everyone is so encouraging and helpful – there is a wealth of knowledge there.
TPM – Do you have any advice for craft mavens thinking of opening a shop?
Debra @ gilstrapdesigns – My advice to anyone wanting to have an online shop is to try ETSY; it’s free to set-up, and it’s not expensive to list items. You have soooo much help through the community.
TPM – Do you have a blog? If so, tell us a bit about it. And while you’re at it, do you have any favorite website, shops, blogs, etc?
Debra @ gilstrapdesigns – I don’t have a blog but I love to read and comment on other peoples blogs I have my regular favorites.
Favorite blogs:
The Peach Martini (TPM – oh shucks, now you’re making me blush!)
Funny Sky
I Dreamed, I Saw
Make Room for Living
Lola B’s
Favorite ETSY shops:
Age Before Beauty – Heirloom jewelry made from vintage heirlooms
tallistreasures – Photography, Graphic Design, and Jewelry
ThePeachMartini (TPM – Again with the blushing!)
TPM – I love to learn new techniques and crafts; if you could learn one new crafty skill, what would it be?
Debra @ gilstrapdesigns – I would like to learn to screen print.
TPM – Well, I can’t rightly close out this interview without asking a totally random question…If you had to give up one craft/art addiction for a year, what would it be? I know, I know – it’s too painful to even think about!
Debra @ gilstrapdesigns – If I had to give up one of my crafts for a year it would be…oh this is hard…I’m sorry I can’t do it! NONE OF THEM – I just can’t give any of them up!
Don’t worry, Debra – I couldn’t give up any of my crafts either! They are too much a part of me!
I want to thank Debra @ gilstrapdesigns for humoring me and answering my silly questions. I hope you’ll check out her fabulous shop, and stop by soon for more interviews!
If you’d like to be interviewed for The Peach Martini’s blog, please contact Kim via email: thepeachmartini [at] gmail [dot] com!
