Tell me a little bit about yourself.
I turned thirty this year, and was overjoyed to find life didn’t end! I live in Bend, OR with my partner, Jeff and our beautiful daughter, Marley Skye.

Where can we find you?
You can find me on Etsy at elanvitalanthology.etsy.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/elanvitalantho
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bend-OR/Elan-Vital-Anthology/112002598669?ref=sgm
AND find other featured Etsyians as well as cool finds from the Web at my blog: http://elanvitalanthology.blogspot.com


What first got you interested in your craft?
I’ve been creating art since as long as my memory goes back. My childhood and adolescence was full of painting, drawing, photography, poetry, etc. There was a time when I was working very hard as an accountant, when my creativity seemed to disappear into a blackhole. While pregnant with Marley, I had to go on bedrest. Which meant shopping online for everything. I couldn’t handle the “girls are pink, boys are blue” philosophy of big merchandisers; and so I found Etsy. It was then that my creativity was renewed. I was so inspired by all of the wonderful artisans at Etsy (and still am), that I slowly began to delve into making clothing and toys for my daughter. Then I started making things for our home…and then I thought – I’ll give Etsy a try!

Please describe your creative process.
My creative process always involves music. When I’m shooting – the iPod is with me; when sewing, the stereo’s on full blast – whatever it is, I need the music. The rhythm channels through me into whatever it is I’m making. It affects how I feel, which affects what I make.
There’s also a lot of research that goes on for product development – as well as a lot of trial and error. I’ve been working on organic all-natural perfumes for a few months now – and JUST got it right!! It can be frustrating, until I think – I could be filing taxes right now instead of making perfume, taking photos, sewing, etc.

Apart from creating things, what do you do?
Aside from being an artist, I really strive to be a wonderful, knowledgeable mother. This involves a lot of reading parenting books, education books, etc. I’m hoping that the Etsy shop has better sales, allowing me to home school Marley using the Montessori method. I’m very interested in education – I had a wonderful experience in school as a young girl, and I want the same for my daughter.
I also love to keep up with a daily dose of “Talk of the Nation” (NPR), follow politics, find new music. But right now most of my time is spent building up knowledge of my Etsy shop – which means NETWORKING!!! And lots of it.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?
I’d also like to add that 1% of sales from our shop goes towards Healthy Child Healthy World a 501(c)(3) nonprofit inspiring parents to protect young children from harmful chemicals.

Where can we find you? (website, craft shows, etc.)
Etsy Shops
auntflospads.etsy.com
holisticallyheather.etsy.com
Artfire
holisticallyheather.artfire.com
Blog, Myspace, and Twitter
holisticallyheather.blogspot.com
myspace.com/holisticallyheather
twitter.com/fortheloveofveg

This summer is full of craft shows and events, just last night Holistically Heather/Aunt Flos Pads were at a CNY roller derby bout! It was awesome and really inspiring, I’m even considering trying it out for a while. Next Saturday, we will be at a huge Art and Music Festival in Clinton NY, and Veg Fest in Syracuse NY the following weekend. Things are really hectic around here with all of these events and projects in the works, but thats just how I like it. Nice and busy!

What first got you interested in your craft?
The idea that something as beautiful and truly amazing as menstruation and giving life is looked down upon as dirty and shameful has always bothered me. When I started looking in to the different industries that profit off of womens bodies and insecurities I became angry, thats when I decided it was time to make a change. I started designing and making reusable menstrual pads about 5 years ago, always tweaking and perfecting my patterns, and it feels great to take less of a toll on the earth. The average woman uses approximately 16,000 throw away menstrual items in their lifetime, spending an average of $960. Reusable menstrual pads arent full of all the harsh chemicals, therefore are better for your body, and on top of that they dont fill up landfills at an alarming rate! My pads last at least 5 years, and can last even longer depending on how you care for them.

Please describe your creative process (how, when, materials, etc).
I swear I could probably cut pad fabric in my sleep, since I have done it so much. It’s the sewing that takes a lot of time. I get all of my fabric cut out, line it up and sew it up, then i put on the waterproof layer and sew it again. Each pad is double sewn for strength and durability. I used to sew on the snaps for every single pad, but now I have a handy dandy snap tool and it’s so much easier and looks better too. If you asked my roommate about my craftiness, she might shriek. Right now, because of all the fairs and events coming up, there is fabric from one of the house to the other, some cut up and ready, some half cut, and some just sitting in big totes waiting for their chance to be made into something great! I have a craft room, where these things would be, ideally, but they aren’t, as my craft room is just too small for me. I need a craft garage, well that is my dream anyway! When I create my pads, I try to use as many organics as are available, I made a line of pads that are all organic even down to the thread! But I also have funky cotton fabrics with all different patterns, which I can’t seem to find organic. I am hoping that the love for organic fabrics will catch on and be available in more designs and variety. For now, I am using what I have stored away and then I will be switching to all organic and fair trade materials, because I think that is important!

Apart from creating things, what do you do?
In my spare time, when I’m not cutting or sewing fabric, I like to ride my bicycle. I ride it everywhere I go and we are really fortunate here because there are awesome bike trails that ride right along the Erie Canal. We can hop on our bikes and ride 20 miles to the next city where my roommates parents live, which we do every Sunday (a great big Italian dinner every Sunday, can’t go wrong!) We also like to take the dogs hiking and canoeing in the nearby Adirondack Mountains, it is so beautiful up there, its a great getaway from city life. If I ever have any spare time after all the outdoorsy and crafty things we like to do, I love reading.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Yes, I would like to offer a 10% discount to anyone who reads this feature and is interested in trying reusables! Swing on over to any of my websites, if you find something you like just put FEATURED CRAFTER 10% in the notes to seller and wait for a revised invoice!
I am also always available to answer any questions about the items I make and love good conversation with great people!