Etsy Love: Dainty Hippo + giveaway

'Etsy Love' is a brand new feature, offering exposure to those running creative businesses. Every other week, I will showcase one Etsy shop, and meet the face behind the shop. If you'd like your business to be featured, email me at pixiemama@live.co.uk

Hey there! Tell us a little about yourself and your shop

I graduated from college about 2 years ago from a school in New England and moved back to be closer to my family during some big family trials and changes. I majored in neuroscience, but I don't know if that's what I really want to dedicate my life to. I've been really inspired to work in the media and try to change some of the trends and attitudes that are damaging our cultural discourse, especially towards women and children. I want to do a million different things, so that might easily change again! 

During my free time, I run the daintyhippo shop on Etsy--it's been a great creative outlet for me to bring to fruition all the things buzzing around in my head. I love to create beautiful additions to brighten peoples' lives. I began making simple bags using fun fabrics--makeup, toiletry, supply bags that so many of us need to organize all the little things in our lives...why shouldn't they have fun patterns and colors to reflect our personalities? I then added fabric flowers to my brand. I love finding bright colors and experimenting with new shapes and sizes. I wear flowers in my hair or on my clothes almost everyday, so it's an integral part of my style.

About 6 months ago, I saw a big box of battered books that were destined to go to the local incinerator. The bindings and/or covers were ripped or broken, but the pages inside were still beautiful and I wanted to give them a new life. From that experience, the paper line at daintyhippo was born. The vintage paper flowers, wreaths, etc. have definitely been the most popular items in my shop. I love how unusual they are and that I'm able to save the books from being thrown away. I've made a bunch of flowers for weddings and parties, as well as personal accessories and home decor. I've also started using maps to make the same items as well. Maps are great because I've been able to create customized orders from specific geographic locations.

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I'm always looking for new things to experiment with. I just started selling coasters and lightswitch plates using fun papers, the vintage book pages, and maps. I have a bunch of new ideas I'm still itching to get started, so I'm excited to announce the new additions via my Facebook page as the holiday season progresses.

What is your inspiration?

I find a lot of patterns in the real world I want to replicate somehow with unexpected objects. Or like typical home items made with unexpected parts. Example--right now I'm stuck on this idea of making a coat rack with round antique doorknobs as hangers instead of hooks. I love using bold and bright colors and patterns in my fabric items. I love giving new life to old items.

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Have you always wanted to have a creative career?

I always knew I did not want to have a 9-5 cubicle job. I know I'd be good at administrative-type jobs, but the thought of it gives me no pleasure. I knew I wanted to do something creative but I didn't know what it was. I am a classically trained musician and entertained that idea for a career for a long time. As a scientist, I think there's something very creative about the research process and I love that. Ideally though, my dream would be to work in the media somehow or expand dainty hippo into something to support myself.

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Describe a typical day in your life

Disclaimer: This day is SO not going to sound glamorous or exciting. I spend the majority of my day working in a local school as a volunteer doing consultant work and educator support. After work, I usually have some kind of volunteer work to do with/for my church. I try to spend a little bit of time everyday working on the dainty hippo brand--anything from product design, filling orders, shopping for supplies, social media marketing, etc. I have dinner with my mom almost everyday recently. I just moved as well, so I'm doing a lot of unpacking and organizing. I then drag myself to the gym later at night after all the huge grunting guys leave :). Rinse and repeat the next day.

What are you currently obsessed with?

Pinterest. The addiction is BAD. Also, probably because of the recent move, I'm obsessed with interior design and home improvement. Clothing wise, I'm always addicted to wearing dresses/skirts. I haven't worn a pair of jeans in over 2 years.

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Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

Hopefully married. Maybe with a baby or one on the way. In 5 years, I hope to have an amazing and fulfilling career I can be proud of. I hope to be able to serve others with the same passion and energy I have today.

ETSY / FACEBOOK

 enter NOVEMBER15 to recieve 15% off the Dainty Hippo shop until the end of the year!

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Dainty Hippo is offering a $15 gift certificate to one lucky person!

To Enter: 

Follow Pixiemama with GFC and tell me your favourite item from the Dainty Hippo Shop

For optional extra entries you may:

Follow PixieMama on Bloglovin
Follow PixieMama on Twitter
Follow @pixie_polly   
Like PixieMama on Facebook

Favourite Dainty Squids Shop

Like Dainty Hippo on  Facebook

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This giveaway will end 13th November at midnight GMT and a winner will be announced on the 14th November.