Catherine Denton: Pinwheels

I'm thrilled to be chatting with Candace from Paper Polaroid today. I invited her to show her beautiful paper creations and answer a few of my not-so-normal questions. Enjoy!

Paper Polaroid

1. How did you get started in paper art?

In 2007 my sister in law invited me to a card making workshop and I was hooked! The instant gratification that came from creating a simple card made me not want to stop!

2. What are your favorite tools?
Paper, naturally! Along with paper, I am never far from my paper cutter and scoring tool (I use a bone folder)

3. What advice would you give a new craft business owner?
Do what makes you excited and do not stop. I was so convinced that I needed to share my love for paper crafting with the world that I signed up to be a teacher at JoAnnes(the craft shop). I think I only had three students total, but that did not make me stop going. The students that I did get to teach were so pumped up after the class, it got me even more thrilled about paper crafting . I held craft classes at my home. When I visited my mom out of state, I asked her to invite a few ladies over to craft. I would spend hours at night, too excited to sleep, dreaming up ideas and concepts I could teach. I remember my husband, who has always been supportive and on board with my sometimes 'wild' ideas asked me one night, "Do you think we could do this and sustain a living?" and without hesitation I quipped, "YES!"

We were not making any money at all from my crafting classes, the money that came in went right back to purchasing materials for the next gig. Having an etsy shop was on my bucket list of things to do, so one day I just did it! I had $10.00 in my pay pal account and I decided to make that grow without dipping into my family's budget. And it began to grow...and grow. It grew into something that could sustain a living.

Last summer we decided to close our restaurant and Erik (my hubby) and I now work from home running our 3 etsy shops: Meadow Tea, Sideshows and Paper Polaroid. We have been amazed to see the response our pinwheels and garlands have gotten. We've been featured in Shape, Good Housekeeping, Brides, Cosmo Australia. We have had celebrities purchase our party decor, been in the shop front window of Ralph Lauren NYC store. Companies like MAC cosmetics and Coldwater Creek have purchased our items to be used in photo shoots. We've even been in a commercial (well our pinwheels have).

One of the full circle moments for me came when I got a message that a few of my heart garland photos were to be purchased to be used as craft ideas in shops around the country like JoAnne's and Michaels. We have sold items to every state in the country and many countries around the world. I am convinced that God answers prayers and honors dreams. My number one dream has always been to be a stay at home mom and my husband made that happen at the birth of our first child. I have never had to leave my children to pursue my other dreams. God has blessed Erik and I to be able to do what we love and do that from home. We are grateful and would tell anyone who is interested in a craft business to be original, be prepared to work hard, and to follow your passion!

Paper Polaroid

4. If you were a famous actor/actress, who would you be?
I would be me!...but to be fun and answer the question I would say based on looks and talent, I would have to choose : "Jack Black"

5. And a few either/or questions just for fun:
Ireland or China? Ireland (my hubby's part Irish)
Pringles or Sunchips? Sunchips..I like salt
Leggings or Tights? Not sure how they are different? but I'll say leggings as tights sound very Jane Fonda-ish :O

Thank you Candace!