Her shop is full of vintage clothing and accessories, antique paper ephemera, handmade sachets (lavender, cinnamon, or anise scented), and upcycled trinkets. And even better, she donates 10% of her monthly proceeds to Poplar Spring Animal Sanctuary, a non-profit refuge for former farm animals! How cool is that!? But let's get into the interview...
What sorts of things do you offer in your shop?
I specialize in vintage ladies’ wares, paper ephemera, and items handmade using vintage components (hollow book safes and sachets for the most part).
How did you first start selling on Etsy? How long have you been selling?
I’ve been an Etsy fan for several years. When the results of various projects of mine started to pile up I decided to open a store of my very own.
I created my shop in February 2010, but didn’t start listing until December.
Woodland Life Vintage Ephemera
What are your favorite materials to work with?
I adore old books, lace, and chenille.
What got you interested in your craft?
I’ve been partial to vintage clothing and accessories for as long as I can remember. More than half of my wardrobe consists of vintage items. The quality and variety can’t be beat!
Old books make me happy, and turning them into quirky storage spaces is a great way to have more of them in my life.
And as for the sachets, who doesn’t like sweet smelling drawers?
Vintage Mod Floral House Dress
Are there other creative projects you are involved in outside of your work in your Etsy shop?
I’ve been experimenting a bit with photography, and I always love to make a mess in the kitchen!
Besides art/crafty stuff, what else do you like doing in your free time?
I’m the business liaison for my neighborhood citizens association, a Planned Parenthood clinic escort, and I organize a monthly vegan baking swap. I read quite a bit--fantasy-ish interstitial fiction for the most part--, and I garden. The lavender I use in my sachets is homegrown!
Handmade Lavender Sachets: Lavender Fields Forever
Does your queer identity come into play in your work?
All facets of my identity contribute to my interactions with the world in one way or another, but I’m not quite certain how this specific part impacts things.
Is there any advice you have for our readers?
Oh, gosh. I’m still trying to work things out for myself. Hmm. I suppose my advice is to do just that: experiment with different things and find out what works for YOU.
Be sure to look for Ottoline on facebook and twitter, and if you have another other questions, she can be contacted at ottolinesoddities@gmail.com or via Etsy of course!
