The June 2008 interview is with photographer Christina Perdue. Christina does lovely work, and is sponsoring this month's Gold Star Giveaway! Thanks Christina!!

Now, find out more about this super-talented photographer!

Q: How did you get started with your company?
 
Christina: It was an accident. I had finally accepted that I was meant to be a photographer and switched my major from political science to art. My next step was I needed to start getting my name out there. My plan was to create an online portfolio and join some online forums. I had no idea how to go about selling my work until I ran across Etsy.
I now have an Etsy shop and sell from my domain as well.

 
Q. What is the best thing about what you do?
Christina: I love that I get to spend most of my time outside. I'm not stuck inside at my computer all day or even at a crafting table. I'm out in the world exploring and seeing.

Q. What's the hardest??
Christina: Scanning images. It's not really hard but time-consuming and boring. I shoot in film and develop it myself. I also enlarge the initial print in a dark room. This means that I have to
spend a lot of time scanning my images onto my computer so I can order prints, add them to my site, and share them with the world.

 
Q. Were you a crafty kid? If so, what did you make?
Christina: I actually wasn't. I was really into reading and taking in as much knowledge as I could. I enjoyed school and the book-learnin' aspect of it. I didn't embrace my artistic/crafty side until a few years ago but it has become such a major part of my life since.

 
Q. What kind of music do you craft to?
Christina: I'm really into mellow music that I feel helps me tune into nature. When I'm out shooting my iPod has a lot of Ben Harper, Jack Johnson, John Mayer, Collective Soul, and Paolo Nutini. I take a completely different approach when I'm editing images,though. I like to crank up the Michael Jackson and Prince during this time.

Q. What does your crafty workspace look like?
Christina: It's a mess! I've always been a very clean and tidy person but for some reason my workspace always looks like a tornado just blew through. There's two computers, a scanner, lots of little knick-knacks, piles of papers, and post-it notes (self-proclaimed addict) are just everywhere.

 
Q. What was your latest great indie purchase?
Christina: For me this is one of those "why didn't I do this sooner" moments. I just switched to buying handmade soap (which I fully recommend to everyone!) and my first bar arrived a couple of weeks ago. I'm so in love with handmade soap and Dennis Anderson. I bought a bar of the Strawberry Grapefruitand it has just been heaven.

 
Q. Is there anything else you want to share about your business?
Christina: I have fallen in love with what I do. You find that a lot in the indie community and I am so thankful to be a part of that atmosphere…being around so many people who truly love their art/craft is inspiring.

I also wanted to share that $2 from each 8×8 and 8×10 print sold goes to help end the genocide in Darfur.