BBEST-Boomers and Beyond Etsy Street Team

The next Boomer Member to be interviewed is Berit of clingingimages!
1.What is/are the name of your shop/s?

clingingimages and NiceOldStuff

2.What kind of items do you sell?

I design and hand paint static window clings that have the look and texture of stained glass, yet are removable. I also have some prints and ACEO’s of my watercolors in my shop, but the window clings are my passion right now. They are so much fun to make, and such a beautiful and versatile home decoration. I love that they can even prevent birds from flying into windows!

In my vintage store I sell collectibles and other old but nice goodies I find when I’m out antiquing and scouring garage sales.

3.How long have you been engaged in your art/craft?
I started painting window clings about nine months ago. I haven’t been able to stop!

4.Do you consider yourself a hobbyist or a professional craftsperson?

Well, in my twenties and thirties I was a professional artist with credentials! I have a BfA in Ceramics and used to teach and have regular shows. This was when I lived in Europe, but I decided to let that go when I moved to the USA some 12 years ago. Now I consider my window clings a hobby, albeit an addictive one.

5.What inspires you?

It could be anything I come across on a given day. I’m always on the lookout for images. Animals and nature are high on my list.

6.Please share with us what a typical day is like in your workshop or studio?

My “studio” is a large desk with surrounding countertops in a corner of my living room.
My typical day starts with coffee and etsy. I usually draw and paint in the morning, because I have a part time job. On my days off you might find me at my desk until my neck gets too stiff to continue!

7.What keeps you company while you’re working on a project?

My cat Charlie! I live out in the country and enjoy to work in quietude and silence.
When my husband and I are both home at night, I like to paint while he watches TV or plays on his computer.

8.What is your favorite 'task' related to your art/craft?

Apart from designing new images that would be coloring in the outlines! Those are the two things that involve most of my creativity.

9.What is your least favorite 'task' related to your art/craft?

Having to cut out the forms. I should hire someone to do that for me.

10.What are some of the venues you use to promote your shop/ware?(Do you blog? To which teams do you belong? Do you use other sites? Which ones? etc.)

I have a blog, but it’s shamefully neglected. I signed up for DaWanda, a European site, and iCraft from Canada, but I gave up on those after a few weeks, because I was spreading myself too thinly.
I am a member of the Freethinkers team, Bbest, the Interiordesignteam and WIST, the Wisconsin street team. However, I find that I am most active with the Freethinkers and Bbest.
I’ve done a few craft shows this year, but I find those rather frustrating.
One thing I’m excited about is a booth I just rented in a local craft mall! I live in resort area with lots of tourists, and this mall is huge and gets lots of customers.

11. Tell us about a funny, strange or unusual situation, related to your craft that you found yourself in.

I haven’t done this for very long yet, so there’s not really anything I can think of, except for getting washed away by weather at a craft fair. But I guess that’s not very unusual!

12. Tell us something about you that we wouldn’t necessarily know by talking to you in the forums.

I’m seriously considering becoming an American citizen.

13. What’s your favorite book and why, favorite movie and why, favorite kind of music?

My favorite book is A Course in Miracles, because here is finally a piece of scripture that makes sense to me. My favorite movie is Groundhog Day, because it shows exactly what we do as human beings when we are asleep and unconscious, and how everything changes when we finally wake up. It does this by using humor and without being preachy! My favorite kind of music is classical, but I like all kinds of music depending on my mood!

14. Would you care to share any 'words of wisdom' with other aspiring artists or crafters?

Stay true to yourself yet be open to change and improvement. Give it all you’ve got yet don’t take yourself too seriously, Throughout, a sense of humor is a good thing to have!

Please leave a comment for this wonderful artist! Surely she would love to hear from you!