The Artist Behind The Etsy ~ 20 North Ora

 

Being a part of the Etsy community, not only as a seller but as a customer, I have come across many talented individuals.  With this series, I hope to introduce you to some of these creative people, finding out where they find their creativity, and a little bit more about them.

This week, we welcome Judy from 20 North Ora, which is also the name shared by her blog.

 

Hi everyone!  I'm Judy Clark from the Etsy shop 20 North Ora.  Everyone always wonders where the name came from.  That is my parents' one and only address of their home.  It is where I grew up and learned to sew and do all kinds of arts and crafts.

 

 

 

I am an Interior Designer but have always loved to make pillows and anything else using a sewing machine.  I have done many large arts and crafts shows up until three years ago when I started my Etsy shop. 

 

 

 

I love the freedom of my Etsy shop - no more of that cramming, getting everything finished and then, being on your feet for 2-3 days at a craft show - and that's after you've loaded and unloaded everything and put up your display.

 

 

 

So, in August of 2010, I started my Etsy shop - 20 North Ora.  The photo in the header is my folk's little house at that address.  I started with about 100 pieces - mostly pillows and it really took off.

 

 

 

Needless to say, my busiest time of the year is usually October thru the first of December.  I do a lot of Christmas stockings, pillows, tree skirts, etc.  I also do a Christmas in July sale where I try to list a new Christmas item each day.  I started doing that because I could not handle the quantity of orders coming so close to Christmas.  This way, they can order and I have plenty of time for custom orders and/or multiple orders of one item.

 

 

 

I get my inspiration a lot from fabrics.  I love to mix and match fabrics and trims.  When I look at a fabric, I just automatically think of what would go with it and then start the hunt in my craft room.  I usually always find something that will coordinate with the original fabric.

 

 

 

I love the option of working either full time or part time as I want.  I try to keep enough items in stock and add to them when I have the time.  The shop has been especially great for me this year because my husband has been very ill and I can work when I can from home.

 

 

 

I have never regretted starting my Etsy shop and thoroughly enjoy all of my customers. 

 

I have a great love of vintage fabric, lace and doilies.  I love using them when I can.

 

 

 

Probably my most requested items are my Memory Pillows.  I make them out of vintage lace and doilies and always put a reproduction of a vintage photo and a vintage postcard in the pocket that I created out of the lace and doily.  They are especially great for Mother's Day, but I also do them for Christmas, birthdays and other occasions.

 

 

My next venture for my shop is to start selling vintage items.  I go to a lot of flea markets and Estate sales and am going to start listing various items.

 

 

 

 

I started a blog by the same name http://20northora.blogspot.com and have enjoyed getting to know so many people between the two avenues - like Kathy.
 

 

 

It was not hard at all to start my shop - I was very computer illiterate - but I got it started and it has been a real pleasure and blessing.

 

 

 

I was also fortunate enough that last year Romantic Homes did an article on my dress form - Miss Begonia.  She is completely covered in vintage lace, doilies and buttons.

Thanks so much to Kathy for including me in this series.
 

Please come visit me at www.20northora.etsy.com

Enjoy!

Judy

 

Thanks so much for sharing your story with us, Judy! I think many of us are in love with your beautiful dress form.  You can visit Judy’s Etsy shop here and her blog here.