A Look into EarthMotherMosaics

 Building Bridges: Tell us a little bit about you, your family, and what you like to do for fun!

Cindy White: I'm almost 60 and have done something creative every day since I was a pre-teen. I live with my oldest daughter and her family taking care of my grandson who is in kindergarten while Mom & Dad work.

Building Bridges: What other hobbies do you have?

Cindy White: I like to mosaic, paint, paper art and most recently have been searching online for good gluten-free recipes.

Building Bridges: Why did you choose the name of your business? Is there a special meaning behind it?

Cindy White: Right around Christmas time, in 2008, a co-worker called me "Elf Mother" (my height is under 5 feet) and that quickly changed to "Earth Mother". Adding "mosaics" on the end of that seemed like a natural thing to do.

Building Bridges: Why did you decide to open your shop and why sell on Etsy.com 

Cindy White: Many friends and family encourage me to keep going with my art. After selling some trivets and vases I did mosaics on, I decided to open an online shop. I've had my Etsy shop since 2009 but didn't become active with it until 2010.

Building Bridges: Do you remember your first product that sold, what was it?

Cindy White: On Etsy, I sold an art pendant to a family friend. I did some selling of items before I had the Etsy shop, though, the very first ever mosaic that I made and sold was a stained glass vase.

Building Bridges: Do you take custom orders?

Cindy White: Yes, for some items I do. I am open to doing most anything if I feel comfortable in doing something. I prefer to do crescent moons, suns and gazing balls. Sometimes when someone contacts me asking if I'll do certain mosaics I'm not qualified to do, I try to send them to another shop or artist.

Building Bridges: Why Make handmade products?

Cindy White: There's nothing quite like getting a handmade gift or item especially made for you. I love to make them and I love to receive them. It's the best!

Building Bridges: What do you love or hate about selling?

Cindy White: Right now I have a frustrating situation in that I'm not selling enough to pay for renewing listings. Sometimes I make 2 sales a month, other times I wait 5 months or more in between. I use the sale money to buy supplies to make more mosaics and to pay the Etsy bills since I don't have another income. It can be discouraging to try to find ways to promote my shop in new venues. Lots of folks think it's easy to run an online shop. I have 6 of them (2 on Etsy) and it's not easy. Networking/marketing/promoting is a big part of getting noticed. It's hard to find the balance to create and promote.

Building Bridges: What is your favorite part about owning your own business?

Cindy White: I love to make mosaics. The fact that others seem to like them too is my favorite part about it. I will always make them whether I sell them or not!

Building Bridges: Do you have a product that you prefer to design/create over others?

Cindy White:  I like to make hippie designs that I've become sort of noted for. I love to mosaic suns and moons, stars and peace signs.

Building Bridges: Best advice you received when you went into business for yourself?

Cindy White: Follow your heart.

  

Building Bridges: Did you always see yourself becoming an entrepreneur?

Cindy White:  I never saw myself as an entrepreneur but that IS what I am according to online sources such as Wikipedia. I always knew I'd be creating art, but not specifically what kind.

Building Bridges: Do you use your own products?

Cindy White: Yes, I wear my jewelry, light candles in the candle holders, put flowers in the vases, put cold cans on the coasters, etc. I love to line up the trivets in all sizes on the windowsill and allow the sun to shine through them. There's nothing quite like that light show!

Building Bridges: What is your most popular product on the market right now?

Cindy White: I don't have one. I make a lot of different things; my style is eclectic in nature. What sells are the small items, jewelry, candle holders, trivets with an occasional custom order here and there for a crescent moon or gazing ball.

Building Bridges: What is the favorite item you make and why

Cindy White: I honestly love everything I make. Whatever I'm working on, be it a mosaic or a dot painting, paper art, etc, I love it all.

Building Bridges: Thank you Cindy for sharing your shop EarthMotherMosaics with us! Readers you can buy, follow, and adore on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter,  Instagram, Website,  & Blog. Thanks for reading on another fabulous Etsy shop, we hope you enjoyed this peak into the wonderful world of a mosaic crafter. Have an amazing week everyone! Peace!