DanaLaymon got her first camera at 8 years old. The rest speaks for its self!
How long have you been making the craft/art that you sell? What started your interest in it? How did you learn?
I have been taking pictures for as long as I can remember. My mom was always into photography. I remember I got my first camera at Disney World when I was probably 8. I really became serious about it when I went to college and was able to take classes 6 years ago. I took classes where I live in Wilmington and I also went to summer school at Parsons School of Design in NY. But the best way to learn is practice practice.
What made you decide to turn your art/craft into a business? What support or inspiration have you had along the way?
I really started making money when I did an internship in college for a videography company and they decided to add me on as their photographer after my internship. I was doing weddings and realized I could really do this for a living. My husband always supported me from the beginning and I really love him for that because it's not always easy letting me spend money on the equipment i need :) And I just found photographers who had great work from all over the place and began to set a high bar for myself because I want to achieve the level they have. I definately have a long way to go though. I love one photographer from Wilmington who did our wedding and she will always be my favorite!
Do you have any other hobbies / interests?
hmmm hobbies, where do i begin? I love sports, esp. tennis and working out. I just got a little golden puppy so I enjoy taking her to the beach and playing around and doing some surf photography which I will have up hopefully this month. I love working on my house, updating it, decorating, and renovating. I'm also very involved in my church and love my family there. And I love traveling with my husband and family. I'm actually heading to Mexico this Saturday so I'm excited for a vacation!
How long have you been selling on Etsy?
I'm a newbie to Etsy. Hi, my name is Dana and I'm a newbie. I just opened my shop at the end of January this year. No sales yet so you could be the first! :)
Do you sell outside of Etsy? If so where?
I don't sell outside of Etsy. I do a couple of art shows a year but that's about it. I'm still recouping from the last one.
What is your favorite way to promote your Etsy store?
hmmm I've really searched on Etsy to see how people are making sales and so far I've set up a twitter account, my own website (hope to be done with it next month), my husband's facebook account ( i refuse to get my own, I'd be easily addicted) and i work for a large company so I rely a lot on word of mouth. oh i also have some work hanging in shops around Wilmington.
Do you have a blog? If so what is your blog address, and what do you feature / write about?
oh yeah and my blog- it's not a blog per se, i just use it for my website to keep a collection of pictures I like and think are interesting. The address is
http://www.danalaymon.blogspot.com/.
Where do you hope to see your business / Etsy store in the future?
my dream? to be able to quit my day job and play on Etsy all day! I would love to make a full time business out of it. Really because that would mean people really enjoy my pictures as much as I do.
What is something that you want to make SURE you do in 2009?
like a resolution? I'm really bad at goals. I would say to stay in the profit margin ;) Because right now it's not lookin' so good. Like I said my husband is very understanding.
What is the thing that you are most proud of?
my marriage and my family- i love them so much!What do you wish you had more time for? prayer and time with the Lord
What is your favorite part of the day?
getting to go home to see my hubby and work towards my dream job
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