Shop Feature: The Book Whisperer

 

 This weeks shop feature is The Book Whisperer. The shop itself  specializes in  making smash books, junk journals, scrapbooks and photo albums. My favorite item is the decorative box from above. to find out more about this shop,  read below.

1. How did you come up with the Name of your Shop
  I’m a dog lover and one of my favorite shows is Cesar Milan’s program, TheDogWhisperer. I stole the name of my shop from him. (I hope he doesn’t mind.) When I first opened my shop, my artistic focus was on crafting ‘smashbooks’ by upcycling old books into new, gorgeous journals and scrapbooks. I felt I was rescuing and rehabilitating books, just as Cesar rescues and rehabilitates dogs. Since then, my focus has shifted more into the realm of Junk Journals, Photo Albums and other papercrafts… but the name is the same. =)
2. Tell us a little bit about your shop and what you think makes it unique?
  Every item in my shop is completely, totally, utterly handcrafted. I start with chipboard and glue and tape and pretty papers and buttons and… and.. and.. you get the point. I never know how an item will turn out when I begin, I just dig in and let the project flow of its’ own accord. Sometimes I’m really pleased with the final design, sometimes not so much. The beauty of papercrafting is that for those ‘not so much’ moments… I can always cover up the unpleasing area with something more pleasing.


 

3. What is your favorite item at the store and why?
  My favorite item from my shop is my offering of Custom Design Junk Journals. I love… no, make that LOVE.. doing custom designs. I ask my clients to tell me as much about themselves or the person they’re giving the item to, as they’re willing to share. Favorite colors, general theme, a quote, a favorite book or movie, a hobby, where they live… then I begin rolling all of that information into the design of their journal. Sometimes, as with a recent photo album for the new parents (major Yankee fans) of a new baby boy, I’ll choose one area to focus the theme, in their case baseball. Other times I’ll make a collage-type design that gives at least a nod to each interest of that person.
4. What inspires create your products?
Inspiration… hmmm.. that’s a tough one. Some days I sit down to work and nothing happens. I have no ideas, I have no visions. On those days, I just dig in and begin basic construction of one of my items, a junk journal, photo album or greeting card album. Once I fall into the familiar rhythms of construction, something will catch my eye, a scrap of paper, a word, an image…. And the rest is history! My process is very organic and freeform.

 

 5. Where can we find you?
  You can find me on Etsy at www.etsy.com/shop/TheBookWhisperer?ref=si_shop 

 You can e-mail me at BookWhisperer56@aol.com
6. Do you have any coupons or discounts for us?
I offer a ‘refer a friend’ free shipping coupon code. Refer a friend, have that friend mention your name in the comments section of their order…. And I’ll send you a coupon code for free shipping.


 

 7. What advice can you give for other sellers out there for their shop?
  A picture is worth a thousand words. I’ve worked on my pictures more times than I can count and was NEVER happy with them until I finally gave myself over completely to the advice of others. I built a lightbox, I got the right kind of bulbs, I found GOOD photo editing software… and finally I have good photos in my shop. Well, some of them. I have over 100 items and I haven’t re-photographed all of them yet. But it’s on my To Do List.
8. What is your Favorite Food?
Pizza and cheeseburgers. It’s a toss-up.
 
9. Describe us one positive event in your life in your life that you felt was a miracle to you or that you knew the Universe was there watching over you.
  There hasn’t been one single event, but rather an evolution of things over the past twenty years. In 1994, my husband died suddenly, leaving me with three children ages 10, 4 and 9 months. At first I thought, “There’s no way. No way on earth I can do this by myself.” But I kept getting out of bed in the morning and putting one foot in front of the other and somehow, by the grace of the universe here I am. My oldest daughter is a Registered Nurse with a Bachelor’s Degree, recently married to a GREAT guy. My son is a Petty Officer in the United States Navy, married and has given me the most adorably grandson on the planet. My youngest daughter is in her second year of college and has self-published two novels. All’s well that ends well.
10. What is your favorite vacation spot and why?
  My backyard. I’m pretty much a homebody and am generally content right here in my nest.
11. Anything else you like to share about you?
  Hmmmmmmmmmm…. I can’t think of anything terribly interesting to share with you! LOL! Just another boring old woman here!