Meet Liz of KittyDearest!

Liz

Name: Liz Sindler
Birthdate: Sept 12 (a girl never tells her age *blushes*)
Location: Chattanooga, TN
Shop Name: Kitty Dearest

When and why did you first join Etsy?
i can't remember exactly when i joined because i deactivated my first account. but i joined spring 2008.  i joined to buy my boyfriend a hand crocheted pillow shaped like boobs as a funny gift *blushes*.

Liz & Kent, Halloween

Did you open your shop right away?
not right away. for a long time i just looked at things and admired other sellers. i kept talking about how i wanted to open a shop, and my boyfriend kept encouraging me to. he kept saying he would be so proud and excited if i opened a shop! so a great deal of the credit goes to him. (he is the sweetest and most thoughtful boy, i love him dearly!)

Why are you a member of EtsyTeaParty? 
the biggest reason is how sweet and supportive every member is. no one is stuck up, and everyone really just enjoys being part of etsy and part of a wonderful, great team! really, i am so impressed by how wonderful everyone is! it's just so much fun! i love all our sweet girls!

Easy one, what is your favorite color(s)?
actually... that's not really an easy one. it changes constantly and depends on what it is in regards to! but i think a failsafe is pale green - it is calming and comforting. i'm obsessed with mustard right now, but unfortunately it looks terrible on me.

Azlan

How did you choose your shop's name?
i wanted a sweet name, and i wanted it to have to do with my life which my kitty azlan was a big part of. he passed away, but i have two new wonderful kitties!

Saffron Mesh & Lace Tunic

What is your favorite item that you have listed in your shop and why?
my saffron mesh and lace tunic. i love the color and i'm obsessed with ultra fine mesh right now. the inset is the shape of a bustier. i thought it would be an interesting visual to have the representation of a tight fitting, structured item of clothing floating on the outside of a diaphanous, free fitting piece of clothing. it's really sexy in a different sort of way, and i'm really happy with how it turned out. it's great for layering, and has so many possibilities! belts, leggings, contrasting tanks underneath, slouchy sweaters.... and the list goes on! i'm going to make one for myself!

Do you have any other hobbies besides crafting/creating gorgeous handmade things for Etsy?
i love indie, foreign, and offbeat comedy films, and music - although i couldn't tell you what they're playing on the radio these days. also i am part of a bike coop where you build your own bicycle, and then help others and volunteer time! i loooove horseback riding, but rarely get to. i learned english style as a kid.

Sebastian, Liz, & Max

Do you have any pets? 
yessss! my two wonderful kitties max and violet, and my puppy sebastian!!!! i got violet first, from a shelter. she is a cross-eyed siamese who is very clumsy. then i have max who is still a bit of a kitten who i recently rescued from a bad home. he is a flame point siamese, and really really rambunctious, but very slowly recovering from a bad illness! (their alter egos are violent and mad max). two weeks after i got max i found sebastian (a little chocolate brown mix terrier) as a stray wandering around downtown through traffic! i followed him all around town for about 45 min. trying to coax him over. finally i had a friend meet me with some food and a blanket, and we carried him home. it was love at first sight! i also found a baby squirrel about a year ago and nursed him to health until he was better to go back out into the wild! her name was equinox b/c i found her the day of the fall equinox.

Baby Equinox

What is your most cherished possession and why? 
my pets of course. and then probably my pink blanky that i've had since i was a baby which is now just in shreds from being loved so much. although, if there was a fire i'd probably also grab this gorgeous vintage wire and wood birdcage that a dear friend from college found in a dumpster. i also love my hand-built bike from vintage parts!

Violet

What is/are your favorite item(s) that you bought from Etsy? that is realllllly tough. there are things that my boyfriend and family have bought me that are awesome! and tons of vintage and handmade i've bought myself. ok, actually that question is impossible! so, here are two things among many many wonderful things! these earrings were a trade with lovely seller windup girl. they are perfect statement earrings! and these handlebar wraps b/c i love my bike (it's my only mode of transportation and handbuilt by me) and they were part handmade by me too because you get to sew them on!

Tell us about your family members. they are so great!
we are really close, have a great time hanging out, and have a goofy sense of humor. we like to get together and have great food and wine, and watch good movies. i don't know what i'd do without them.

If you were stranded on an island and could only bring three things, what would they be?
my boyfriend Kent. laphroaig scotch. first aid kit because i am accident prone.

What things inspire you to craft/create? 
nature, and the love of beautiful things. also work from countless other artists!

What advice do you have for fledgling Etsy sellers?
plug away and don't get discouraged. enjoying what you are doing and staying true to your own inspiration is the most important! the presentation and titles of your items are really crucial too. photography is a challenge, but i think the best thing you can do is use tons of natural light if you don't have professional lighting. light bulbs just don't cut it. also, i'm really bad at social networking, but i think that is majorly important in today's environment, so joining a team can be a big huge help! also, use your etsy resources! there are tons of awesome tutorials and advice from admin and other sellers! organization is key. keep inspiration handy. i like to take magazine clippings, fabric swatches, photos and more on a design board with a theme to keep me inspired and my collection cohesive.