Spotlight on Queer Team member BackseatBettyBoutik

BackseatBettyBoutik interviewed by fauxsure

What sorts of things do you offer in your shop?
I currently offer Steampunk-inpired and handcrafted jewelry. There are a ton of things I'm learning and will be adding more variety in the near future, but *shhhh* it's a secret ;)

How did you first start selling on etsy? How long have you been selling? Do you sell anywhere else?
The instant I found Etsy, I became addicted. Etsy has seriously been unhealthy for me! So, of course, I decided to join. I'm a total newbie, so I'm still adjusting to everything. I'm also new at selling my jewelry so I have a lot to figure out.



Tell us a little about your typical creative process and how you go about making your work. What kinds of steps do you usually go through?
I'm thinking about creating pretty much 24/7. Every time I get a vision in my head during the day, or when I wake up at night, I write myself a little note. I frequently save pictures from other jewelry artists online which inspire me. When I'm ready to sit down and have time to make something, I pull from either my notes or visual inspiration. Depending on the materials I have on hand, I start with a specific idea in mind. Then it sort of evolves into its own monster from there.

What are your favorite materials to work with?
I love anything mixed media, which is why I love Steampunk so much. I'm having so much fun collecting watch parts and other random items. I really want to get into metal clay but my budget keeps telling me "you wish!"



Are there other creative projects you are involved in outside of your work in your etsy shop?
I'm a freelance writer so I get to be creative with yummy words all the time. I write poetry and other random diatribes when I'm not immersed in school work and studying.

Besides art/ crafty stuff, what else do you like doing in your free time?
dedicate a lot of my time to spreading the word about my side-project "Backseat Betty" (which is the mother identity to my Backseat Betty Boutik). Backseat Betty is my feminist identity/brand that I use to spread awareness and information about all feminist ideologies, including equality for everyone, ethnic & cultural studies, LGBTQ awareness, social constructionism, pop culture analysis, and sociology. Feminism is much more than discourse about women; for me it's a platform for re-thinking the world around us by resisting the patriarchal norm and implementing a more womyn-centered way of living in compassion.



Does your queer identity come into play in your work?
Since I identify as queer, it's impossible for my identity to not come into play. I create whatever speaks to me and whatever I like, which, in essence, is my identity. Does that mean that my work is geared specifically to queer peoples? Some items may be and others may not... I guess it just depends on the particular piece.

What are your hopes for the Queer Etsy Street Team? What brought you to join?
I love the idea of having a safe place for connection and networking with other queer-identified people on Etsy. Supporting each other is a great way to increase our visibility!