Interrogation::: Mollie {Wild Olive}

Good Day Friends!


Once again I am honored to bring you today's "Interrogee". Mollie Johanson of Wild Olive is an absolute joy. I can't remember how I came across her blog, but I'm so glad I did! Her embroidery is wildly {hehehe} inspiring, and Mollie is so sweet. I've had the privilege of sponsoring Wild Olive for a couple months now and it's been so much fun. Mollie's creativity inspires me everyday. I'm sure those of you who don't know her already will find her just as inspiring as I do!

1. Tell us a little bit about you as a person 

   
   Most of all, I love Jesus, and that shapes everything else about me. I love creating things, and trying out new ideas. In fact, there are a lot of new ideas and half ideas spread out all over my desk and work space. I'm single and live with my amazing, inspiring and supporting family. They are they best. I also like singing and doing fun things with the pre-schoolers at church. Oh, and coffee is my bestest friend.

  

2. Tell us how/why you started Wild Olive
  
   I started Wild Olive at a time when I was in a stressful work situation. I was working at all hours of the day, and rarely taking time to do things for fun and just for me. The blog was almost like a way for me to be accountable to doing things so I would have something to share. It has changed over the years, but it still keeps me looking for creative things. I love that.



3. What are some of your favorite things about blogging and your blog in particular? 
   
   I really love how blogging lets you be yourself (hopefully!), and find other people who feel the same way. There are so many places in “real life” that don't allow you to really share certain parts of yourself, and if you do, people often don't understand and they look at you funny. Through blogging I've found so many people who love the same things I do!



4. What do you do when you're not blogging? 
   
   My days are filled with family, freelance graphic design, church ministry, helping homeschool my siblings when possible, drawing, planning, stitching, and of course, drinking coffee.

 
5. What networking do you to that you feel most helps your blogging business?

   I'm not especially purposeful in my networking. In the last year or so, I've starting sponsoring other blogs, I have a Facebook page that I try to update at least a few times per week, and recently I joined Twitter (yes, finally!). I read and comment on blogs that I enjoy, and sometimes send an email. But I do what feels natural, never really trying to push too much.

6. What can we look forward to on Wild Olive

   I'm not sure exactly because as much as I plan, I also go with what feels right at the moment. However, I know that I'm always working towards making Wild Olive a better blog. You can count on more regular ideas and tutorials, because both my readers and I enjoy that sort of thing, and maybe even an e-book or two.

7. Tell us about your craft and how you got started

   I love illustration, and overcoming all of my doubts in myself, I decided to try it myself. From there, I looked for ways to incorporate my doodles into projects, and patterns and printables felt like a perfect fit.

 {{{Click on the pattern above to visit Mollie's Etsy shop!}}}

8. What has been your best experience through your Etsy shop?

   Definitely, my best experiences have been when using my shop to raise funds for World Vision Caregiver Kits. You can sense a certain buzz, and my customers become extra-generous. And then there's the part where you get to send off cases of supplies to people in need. It's pretty amazing.

9. What is your favorite item in your shop and why?

   This is a hard one! I really, really love my Sweet Otter because I designed it for my sister. Plus it's one of my few animal drawing successes. But I also like all of the Teeny Tiny items...little is cute!

10. What is your favorite item in someone else's shop and why? 

   There are too many amazing shops and lovely things out there, but one thing that I would love to own is a Paint-by-Number USA from Something's Hiding in Here. (http://www.etsy.com/listing/71745383/vintage-paint-by-number-usa) Seeing something old become something new is fantastic, and I love how Shawna and Stephen work to make such special items.





Thank you so much Mollie! I love scrolling through your blog and flickr looking at all your beautiful photos and all the smiling faces! Thank you for being such a great friend :)

GIVEAWAY

{{{YOU MUST BE A FOLLOWER OF YB,YB TO WIN}}}

What you will win: Any three patterns from Mollie's shop!

How to enter: Become a follower of Yellow Bird, Yellow Beard as well as Wild Olive and leave me a comment telling me you have done so.

Additional entry #1: Leave me a comment telling me which pattern of Mollie's you like best.

Additional entry #2: Blog, Tweet, Facebook, Etc. about this giveaway and leave a comment telling me you have done so.

The giveaway will be running till midnight on Friday and I will announce the winner on Saturday! Good luck everyone!

xoxo
Janee