What do you do?
I am a graphic artist, print & website designer

What DID you want to be when you grew UP?
Through grade school I wanted to be an artist. I LOVED drawing, painting etc. Once I got to high school / college I put most of my efforts towards business. I studied Marketing, Accounting, and Consumer Studies and went to college for business. What's funny is that I failed computers in College, and that is all I work on now! I am actually doing both of the things I wanted to do growing up!

About Kountry Home Printing:
I offer custom graphic design, all types of printing layouts & print. Country Kraft business cards, tags, labels, catalogs, brochures, flyers etc. I offer to design and some clients either have me print them or they can print their own. I have had many clients that just can't seem to get the right *look* so they come to me to help them out. I have many satisfied clients.

About Auction Template Central:
I offer graphic templates to dress up Ebay and other auctions. I have many country & primitive graphics as well as a few shabby chic type graphics. I also offer image hosting, a place to store your auction photos and link them in your auctions.

About Kountry Home Market:
If you are here, you already know what it's about ;o)

When and how did you get started in this business?

When I started, I did not plan to do what I am now. About 6 years ago I had a tiny painting business (I did it more as a hobby and a way to earn some extra money for Christmas) painting store windows for Christmas. I did a couple of coffee shops for 3 years in a row. I remember having people sit there the entire time I was drawing and painting in awe. I did them all free-hand. No stencils, just a small picture that I drew from.
I have worked with all different kinds of crafts. Painting on plaster, needle point, plastic canvas, cross stitching, and just doodling.
What got me doing what I do now was a gradual process that actually took me by surprise. I started off making little Slide show type presentations in July of 2002. Taking pictures, adding transitions & music and putting them on discs to watch in your DVD player. I wanted to offer them online, so I needed a website. I taught myself how to design one. I needed some graphics to *dress it up* So I tried my hand at drawing with a mouse. That became addicting. I ended up starting a new website drawing graphics and doing web design in October 2002. The slide show business kind of fell through, and my graphics site wasn't doing very well either. I ended up working for Donna @ Gone Country Graphics. I helped her out with monthly updates for her clients' web sites. I worked for her for about 8 months or so and every once in awhile she would have a client ask for business cards or hang tags printed. I started designing these for a few and soon found that this was my niche. In May 2003 I designed my Printing website. At the time I was 6 ½ months pregnant with my son. It took about 3 months to really get going, but by the time I had to take time off to have Bryson, things had gotten busy!
I took only about 2 weeks off for maternity leave and then it was back to work. I couldn't believe how many people were waiting for me! I don't think things have slowed down at all since then.
In February 2004, Donna was approached by Heather of Snickerdoodle Dreams, about purchasing her Auction Template business. Donna then brought the idea to me. Our plan was to have us be partners in this business venture, but Donna decided to let me run the show! She told me that if I needed her help financially, she would be there for me. It turned out that I didn't need her help at all. I started running Auction Template Central March 1, 2004 (with some instructional help from Heather) and in September 2004, I took over ownership officially. It has been wonderful for me and my family!
I have the Perfect business for me! I am doing something that I LOVE to do and am doing it from home!
Kountry Home Market has been an idea in the works for about a year now. I had registered the domain name with every intention of setting it up, but things got busy here! I finally took some time to get it going and hope that it will be a HUGE success.

What mediums do you design with & which are your favorites?
The computer!! I mainly use Paint Shop Pro to do my graphics and Avery Design Pro to design my layouts for printing. What are your hopes and dreams for your business? I hope that my business grows even more. Will eventually help me buy my OWN house and provide for my children without having to struggle.

What or who inspires you?
My children and the idea of being able to buy my OWN house keeps me motivated.

Do you have a work room or designing area?
My home office is upstairs. I have a desk set up with both my laptop and my PC which are on a wireless network that goes to the downstairs Printing Room where I have 2 laser printers set up in and my office/paper warehouse. I also have a cutting station set up where I do all of my cutting & packaging. It's nothing glamorous but it works for me.

Where do you sell your designs?
The majority of my business comes from online. I have not done any type of Craft Show or sent out flyers around my area. I would say that 99% of my clients are out of the country (all based in the U.S.)

How did you get the opportunity to have your own business?
As a struggling single mom, after being in bad relationships and working as a bartender for 11 years, I decided that I had to do something that I loved and do it from home! I remember how everyday when I just had the 2 girls, they would ask "Who is babysitting us tonight" and I didn't want to do that anymore. Since becoming a stay at home mom when I was 8 weeks pregnant with my now 3 yr old, I started playing on my computer. I tried different things, being creative in different ways. I brainstormed to find some way to make money *playing* and so far I'm doing pretty well! I love what I do and never get tired of reading or hearing the excitement of my clients when they get their orders.

What was your first encounter with primitives?
When I first started drawing graphics, most of the tutorials and such were all country things.

Who introduced you to Primitives?
Donna @ Gone Country Graphics really got me started and introduced me to the Country / Primitive online community and graphics.

What was your first piece of primitive that you bought?
I love primitive candles and prim wax dipped teddies. I can't wait until I own my own home and can start decorating with more primitive/country decor.

What is your favorite thing to collect?
Candles! I can't get enough of them! I love anything in fruity or bakery scents! I have my children hooked on candles too. "Mom, light THIS one this time!!" They just love the smell when they come in from school.