A Timeless Journey

We, the Etsy Paper Team, are resurrecting OUR blog. We are going to be highlighting an Etsy Paper Team member once a month. So, for our first Etsy Paper Team Member for 2011 is...

...Laura with Timeless Journey. Enjoy the read and leave some love. Take a look at her studio! What a dream come true for Laura!

Tell us a little about yourself.
My name is Laura Cole and I am the owner and creator of Timeless Journey. I have been married to my best friend for 14 years and we have 4 boys from 6 to 13 years old. For my day job, I work part time as a preschool teacher. I teach Art, Music and Sign Language. I love teaching and interacting with others. However, I also enjoy getting away from the everyday commotion and spending time alone in my craft room.

When did you open your shop on Etsy?
I opened up my Etsy shop in March 2009. I realized I needed to find a way to support my habit of buying scrapbooking materials as well as bring in some extra money to the family. A friend told me about Etsy and then I was hooked.

Tell us about your shop.
I LOVE vintage items as well as making things out of recycled materials. The main items that we sell in our Timeless Journey shop are items made from paper and barn wood. Our main sellers are our pre-made albums, money organizers, and chalkboards.

When you look at some of the first projects you made, do you want to:
a. tear them up and start over;
b. get out your new product and add some new stuff to your old project;
c. sit down with a cup of tea and look at it lovingly for a while;
d. wonder where the time has gone?
I started scrapbooking when my first son was born 13 years ago. When I look back at the first pages I made, it always amazes me on how far my scrapbooking has come. The techniques and products that I use have also advanced for the better. A part of me wants to redo the pages. Then I look at them and think, just like the pictures that are on them, they too are memories.

Do you have a day job? If so, are you up all night crafting?
Yes, I work during the day and spend the evenings running all the boys to their activities. Because of my busy days, I have to do most of my work after they go to bed. I have even been up as late as 6:00am working on a huge order.

Are you a clean or messy crafter, do you have a special space for your crafting, or does the kitchen table do double duty?
I am defiantly a messy crafter. We moved last year, and one of the must haves of the new house was an extra area to use as a studio. Since I am such a messy scraper the family was tired of the kitchen table always covered. My handy husband finished off what once was a concrete storage room into a fantastic studio for me. He also added a closet/room to use for shipping. Because I live with so many men, I wanted a girly room with even a little pink chandelier.

Name top (3-5) items (for crafting purposes) that you cannot live without.
The best part of my room is the fact that that I can have my items that I use every day right at my fingertips. My computer and printer, paper, trimmer, crop-a-dial, Scotch’s fast drying glue, and most importantly all my ribbon are used in just about everything I make!

Do you sell mostly online or at craft shows? How many different selling venues do you use?
I sell almost solely through our Timeless Journey Etsy store. However, I do one local craft fair every year. I’ve tried to do more local fairs but I can never seem to get enough inventory accumulated.

How do you package your items?
I think its fun to feel like you received a gift in the mail when a package arrives. For that reason, I wrap the items in brown paper and tie them with twine.

How did you learn your craft?
I learned how to scrapbook from trial and error. I have never taken any classes or and workshops. I have however, taught several in my home and at a local scrapbook store.

What equipment/supplies do you use? Where do you purchase them?
Most of the local scrapbook stores in my area have gone out of business. For this reason, I have to purchase most of my supplies online. A few times a year, I take a road trip with my mom to find new scrapbook stores. I try to stock up on as many items that I can then.

Do you prefer to work alone...or with a friend?
I prefer to work alone. Sometimes I like to have friends over to work on projects. However, since I’m a talker, I always feel like I could have gotten more accomplished if I was by myself. Plus, I love listening to music. It’s almost always Contemporary Christian. Although, if I’m working on Christmas items, I like to listen to Christmas music. Most of my friends think I’m nuts when the Christmas music is on in the summer. Yet another reason I like to work alone.

We know that Laura would love some comments. Check out Laura's Timeless Journey shop, too! If you are looking for other Etsy Paper Team members, all you have to do is go to Etsy and type in the key words Etsy Paper, or Etsy Paper Team.

Thanks for stopping by!
The Etsy Paper Street Team