Name: Julie (or Rairen, my art/pen name -- I respond to this irl haha)
Birthdate: 06.05.88
Location: Vancouver, BC (Canada)
Shop Name: Rairen
When and why did you first join Etsy?Feb. 2 ,2007 - I don't really remember why besides it was a new place to shop. But I left Etsy and didn't go back to it for a year. Then it became a serious addiction haha.
Did you open your shop right away?No. I was a buyer first :) I opened November 2008.
Why are you a member of EtsyTeaParty?Love love love Lolita lovelies, making and buying. I'm not a true Lolita yet but I will be someday! :D(still a closet Lolita somewhat, until I get my hands on a REAL dress mm)
Easy one, what is your favorite color(s)? 
White, cream, gold, silver, (anything metallic) brown, red.
How did you choose your shop's name? It was already my art / pen name so I decided to stick with it for Etsy too.
What is your favorite item that you have listed in your shop and why (add URL)?Oh my that's a hard one.. because I like everything I've listed (or else I wouldn't even bother making it!)
But my favorite favorite would probably be
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=31341340 because I was able to take something made by another artist, be inspired, and create something new. To me this is what art is about these days, to borrow elements from what you see out there already, and create anew. So this item was a challenge for me, and I'm happy with how it turned out :D
Do you have any other hobbies besides crafting/creating gorgeous handmade things for Etsy? Drawing, animating (hobby and for school), reading good fantasy books, and playing video games! OH and yes, browsing other sellers on Etsy.
Do you have any pets?Not here in Vancouver but two loveable kitties back home in Maryland at my parent's house :D One's a dummy but he's super cute and snores, the other's a fatty but super smart! (So smart that she can be in a room farthest away from the kitchen, with the tv on loud, and she'll STILL know when you've opened a can of friskies lol no food escapes her!) I miss them lots!
What is your most cherished possession and why?I have a couple. A blanket I've had since I was a kid, I'm a miserable insomiac without it :(
My external hard drive, it stores EVERYTHING in my life. Images, music, artwork, I'd die if it died. (Because I have a terrible memory, I need it!)
Three rabbit plushies that my mom sadly threw away without asking me while I've been away at uni. :( Luckily I have photos of them! They were super beat up and raggedy, but all those memories!
What is/are your favorite item(s) that you bought from Etsy?http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=18646260http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=14283034 http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=14048958 http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=13560613
http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=13383741
1. Even though there was a bit of a problem with the transaction because she was sick, it's still one of my favorites because it looks like a tattoo design I came up with that I've yet to get. (Needle fear that I need to get over aha)
2. I use this on.. almost everything. Sketchbooks, packages, etc. So awesome that it was invented.
3. Sadly I can't wear this everyday or some homeless person might follow me while walking to school D:
4. This little guy makes me go "awwww D:"
5. Keeps my hands super warm, whether outside or inside. My hands get cold very easily ):
But there's a ton of items I would buy if I could! (Oh the woes of being in university)
Tell us about your family members.I have a mum, dad, and older brother. They're frustrating to live with (partly why I went so far for uni) but otherwise they're great! Always there for me when I need help, and great for letting me live my life the way I want and not forcing me to study something I don't care for. My brother is my tech support haha.
If you were stranded on an island and could only bring three things, what would they be?Even though they wouldn't be very practical / help me, the blanket and external hard drive mentioned before and a flashlight. (I hate the dark, especially water at night... funnily enough, my dad does too.)
I think I'd be able to survive as long as there was edible things and trees & rocks on the island :O I'm fairly resourceful!
What things inspire you to craft/create?Supplies usually, if I see a supply I like, I try to find a way to use it to make something. Other times it's what I want to wear that I think other people would like as well.
What advice do you have for fledgling Etsy sellers?Stick to it no matter what, but don't be blind. If your items aren't up to a level of selling quality, of course no one will want to buy! Be honest and true to your customers, they'll want to come back that way :D Even when days are slow and you haven't had a sale (ever or for a while) keep at it and make new items!
What girl doesn't love Barbie? She always looks so pretty and ready for a night out on the town! She is picture perfect from her stylish hair, to her glamorous outfits and her pretty heels. 
Her blinged out accessories are like the icing on the cake. Why not feel pretty and dress up just like her for a day--or maybe two or three days?! Here's an outfit I threw together using some goodies from the shops of some members of the Etsy Tea Party Team!
Rock and Roll Barbie tshirt From Imyourpresent $28
Baby Pink Vinyl Fancypack from carrotcake $44
Silver and Black Trashy Polka Dot Tutu Skirt From SugarpopClothing $40
Massive White Bow Necklace From Gingerbread Jewelry $16
