Where are you from and tell us a little about yourself?I’m originally from New Jersey, but am currently living and working in Ann Arbor, MI. I love traveling and adventure, and there is not really one place that I call home. Home is where I am, where my loved ones are, and where adventure awaits. I love creating things out of nothing, chirping birds, dew-covered grass, crisp pages in books, gardening in the dirt, rocking chairs, and laughter. I’m pretty easy to please, and you’ll most likely always find me with a smile on my face.
Why did you start your Etsy shop?
I started my shop because I wanted to share my creations with other artists and people around the world. I had long been a lover of the Etsy world, stalking all the beautiful shops and drooling over the items, and I wanted to be a part of the community.
How did you come up with your Etsy shop name?
My shop name, Walking Softly, is a little tid bit from a lesson an old mentor once told me, and it’s a motto I try to keep in the back of my head at all times. It basically amounts to being more at one and more gentle with this world we call home and also appreciating and respecting all the other creatures and life that are our neighbors! For the full story, please come and visit my shop’s profile section!
What is your favorite item in your shop and why?
My favorite item…that’s a tough one! I love all of my “Berry Dangle” earrings because they are so crisp and colorful, but my ultimate favorite is actually my “Personalized Family Pomegranate Painting.” I love it because it’s something completely unique, and I think it’s beautiful. I wanted to create a painting that celebrated family, but I didn’t want to do a typical family tree, so instead I made the Family Pomegranate! Come and check it 
out here: www.etsy.com/listing/63355915/family-pomegranate-because-who-says-it
Do any of your pieces have a memorable story behind them?
I think they all have their own story, but that would be way too much to discuss here! In general, a lot of my earrings and paintings have objects or images I have collected and remembered from my journeys and experiences. For example, one pair of earrings I sold featured 2 lovely beads I found while working with a community in Lesotho, Africa. Other earrings feature beads taken from old vintage pieces, and my paintings right now showcase my emotions after studying and living in Israel. That’s the beauty of handmade objects – they all have a meaning, a story to share!
What message, if any, do you want to convey with your art/craft?
It’s simple: to share, reflect upon, and embrace the beauty of the world in which we live.
How did you decide what medium you wanted to work with?
Well, I guess I haven’t really decided still! I work with jewelry, paints, and clay for the most part, and I love them all. I have often thought to myself that I need to focus more seriously on just one, but it’s too hard to decide! I love anything that I can start with literally nothing and end up with a beautiful work of art.
If you had to choose one other medium in which to display your “creativity”, what would that be, and why?
Another medium…aside from those three… I think I would really connect with woodworking. I would really be able 
to connect with nature in that medium, and continue to express my message of natural beauty.
Why should people buy handmade?
Handmade objects are always one-of-a-kind. They are beautiful and unique. They all have their own story. And finally, when you buy handmade, you’re supporting local artists and artisans, not the huge factories and companies that we so often support out of habit.
Any advice on selling things handmade?
Stick with it! It can be hard when you feel like you aren’t getting noticed, but if you keep working on creating and sharing your work, you will be found! I know it’s said so often, but when selling handmade online, pictures are key – make sure they’re amazing! Also, don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and ask the community around you for critiques and advice. People are always willing to help out, and I’ve gotten some of the best advice from fellow artists!
Apart from creating beautiful pieces, what else do you
do?
I love gardening, and I’m getting really excited that it’s almost time to start planning this year’s garden. I also love to cook, play board games, and read! I’m in a new city, so I’ve been spending quite a bit of time exploring and finding my way around. Of course, I also work full time, so that takes up a large portion of my week, but there’s always time to have some fun!
Do you have plans for expansion?
Right now, not really, just the usual new items every week or so. I’ve actually been a little bit MIA on Etsy since I moved, but I’m definitely going to get back into the swing of things. So stay tuned for more pieces to be posted!
Any other sites you can be found on?
My sister has a photography fan page, and I sometimes collaborate with her, so check her stuff out as well! www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=46900209#!/kdrapkinphotography
Anything else you would like us to know?
Thanks so much for taking the time to get to know a little bit about me! Please come and take a peek at my shop, and shoot me a little message if you’d like (I love hearing from you!). Remember to keep walking softly!
**Please take a moment to visit Walking Softly. If you comeback here and leave a comment with your favorite item you can have a total of five extra entries to leave on any or a combination of my current giveaways. You MUST leave the comments for the extra entries on the giveaways you would like to be entered into. This offer ends on 2/3 at midnight.
