MEMORIES FOR LIFE SCRAPBOOK

INTERVIEW WITH EDI ROYER OF MEMORIES FOR LIFE SCRAPBOOK


Tell us a bit about yourself (name, location, personal stuff).
Hello, my name is Edi Royer. I live with my boyfriend of 8 years, Jesse, and our pomeranian, Harley. We live in rural Iowa and love the piece and quite of the country. For my 'real job' I work in a factory that makes and assembles semi transmissions where I run machines. The bright side is that they pay for my schooling. I am working on my MBA right now and have yet to choose a concentration. When I'm not scrapbooking, I enjoy snowmobiling, mud dragging, and spending time with my family and friends. I love being out, but am a home-body by nature.

Are you a full-time artist/crafter?
I sure wish I could scrapbook for a full-time job, but it's not happening yet. Right now my sales just support my ever-growing stash of new supplies :)

What percentage of your income is from 'online' sales?
Right now about 15% of my sales are from online. I do craft shows in the fall that really help my local income. I hope to make this about 50% by the end of the year when my shop gets going a little more. I just opened my Etsy store in January of 2008.

Please share why 'buying/selling handmade' is important to you...
Buying handmade helps out the little guy...like me. Buying mass-produced products has its place in things like toilet paper, but not in crafts. Crafters do their thing because they enjoy it and want to share it with the world. I started my business by realizing there were people out there who wanted scrapbooks made, but either didn't have the time or didn't want to invest in all the supplies. I love everything about paper crafting and saw this as the perfect opportunity. Why not do something I love...and make money at it :)

What do you utilize most for INSPIRATION?
The world around me is my inspiration. I see color combinations everywhere, page designs in junk mail, etc. Inspiration is truly everywhere! As for specific scrapbooking inspiration, I find tons in magazines dedicated to scrapbooking. Creating Keepsakes, Scrapbooks Etc, Simple Scrapbooks (which I was featured in!!!), Memory Makers, etc. I love the website www.twopeasinabucket.com for great inspiration. Their member gallery is the best :)

What do you love most about what you make?
I love the fact that I am helping to preserve peoples' memories for a lifetime. That is why I named my company Memories for Life Scrapbooks. Being a part of a person's life and story through their scrapbooks is truly amazing. I love helping people create treasures that they will have to pass down for many generations. And, of course, I just love the process. I love working with my hands, getting them dirty, and seeing my finished product.

Do you offer any services such as, wholesale, custom orders, swapping or bartering?
My business is based around custom orders. I do make pre-made albums, greeting cards, etc. But the main party of my business is making custom albums and wedding invitations for people. I am able to customize any of my pre-made albums as well. I love doing custom work :)

What advice can you share with other artists/crafters?
My best piece of advice: 'Enjoy the Process.' This is my personal mantra when it comes to scrapbooking. Don't make a job out of it...have fun with it!

Do you have studio tips on staying organized, and working efficiently?
I like to keep items for projects together so when I get time to work on a specific project, everything is already together and ready to go. I also like lots of shelving and containers to keep my supplies in.

Where would like to be in 10 years?
Of course I would love to be crafting for a full-time job. But if that doesn't work out, I would like to be a manager...but still not sure where or in what type of area. I just know I don't want to run a machine for the rest of my life. I'm keeping my eyes open for new positions all the time.

VISIT MEMORIES FOR LIFE SCRAPBOOKS AT ETSY, AND DON'T FORGET ABOUT EDI'S BLOG UNDER THE SAME NAME, WHERE SHE BLOGS ABOUT HER ETSY SHOP, NEW PROJECTS SHE'S WORKING ON, WHERE SHE'S FINDING HER INSPIRATION, AND OTHER PERSONAL RAMBLINGS (DAY TO DAY) FROM HER HEART.