August packages included an amazingly adorable journal (that I've seen a few of you using!!).  Meet Dianne the woman behind Jotters and Journals.

Dianne is a mixed media artist from Columbia, Tennessee, located just south of Nashville.  Mom to two great adult kids and married for almost thirty years, she recently made the move to full-time artisan.  She was a contributor to Somerset Studio’s Artist Trading Cards publication as well as Larks’ Make It In Minutes Mini-Books, authored by Roxi Phillips.  She loves working with many mediums and styles.

 How do you stay inspired when in a creative rut?
I have to say that I’m seldom in a creative rut!  I enjoy so many things that when I get a bit bored with one,  I simply move to another.  I love to paint but when I feel like taking a break, I’ll pick up my camera or maybe work with paper.  I love my Kindle and unwind by reading in the evenings.

What are your goals for your shop this year?
It’s my first year as a seller on Etsy so I’m trying to learn as much as possible.  From watching online labs to taking advice from other team members, I’m just soaking it in.  I’ve started with paper goods in my shops but ultimately I want to bring in my mixed media work.

How did you start your business?
I think starting my business was just a natural progression of where I’ve been heading for a long time.  Over the years, I’ve taken classes and workshops, swapped art with others, and volunteered my creative efforts and one day it just felt like the right time to open a shop.  I began by creating several items so I’d have a bit of inventory to get started.  Since Etsy is an online store, the effort was fairly easy.

Apart from creating, what are some things you like to do?
It doesn’t take much to make me happy!  Something as simple as going for coffee with my daughter or going to a movie with a friend…these things make me happy.  I’m a thrift store addict and have to check out the latest treasures at least once or twice each week.  It feels absolutely wonderful to snag a bargain and support these organizations at the same time. 

Beyond the day to day stuff, I love trips.  My favorite family trip is to Mackinac Island.  It has to be one of the most inspiring and relaxing places I’ve ever been.  It is beautiful and low-key and there’s no motor vehicles allowed.  Every time I go there, I leave with a longing for a slower-paced life.  I absolutely love, love, love girl trips too.  I visited Seattle last year and New England the year before that and have no idea where we’ll go next but I know there will be other trips! 

JOTTERS & JOURNALS
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