Please Welcome Marilyn from BeachSeaCrafts on Etsy

My name is Marilyn and I’m married to a wonderful man for nearly 33 years.  I live in Fort Mill, SC, a small southern town in the upstate. I moved here 20 years ago to be closer to family and opportunities for my children. I fell in love with the area and wow; so close to the beaches. After visiting Hunting Island State Park, in Beaufort SC I was hooked for life.  I like to fish, go crabbing, beachcomb and find shark teeth and fossils.  I create art in many forms; like drawing, making shark tooth jewelry and hand painting sea shells. I create art from Mother Natures treasures. I camp and have fun exploring.  I love being organized.

After making so many shark tooth necklaces and shells for family and friends, my entrepreneurial spirit was surfacing. I started by contacting a beach shop owner and asking for a possible consignment for my shark tooth necklaces in his beach shop.  After sending a few emails over a 6 month span, the owner contacted me with an order.  Persistence paid off, I thought to myself.  Never give up if you want something bad enough.  I thought he might want to order 20 or so necklaces; he ordered 400.  I just about jumped out of my skin. Barefoot Bubbas is the shop and located on Sea Island Parkway right beside Hunting Island where it all began. With a deadline of two months, I immediately started counting shark teeth and started an assembly line on the dining room table.  A business was born.  A lot of late nights, but deadline was met and I hand delivered!  I now have turned the spare bedroom into a studio and office.  Who knew?

I chose Etsy as my venue to grow my business and to be with other artists for inspiration. 

What are some things that bring you joy or inspire you?

So many choices; it would take up this whole article.  Here’s a few:

·        I love to walk barefoot on the sand and surf and watch nature at its very best.  Beachcombing is so relaxing to me. There is such a peace in my heart when I am on the beach. You couldn’t be closer to God and see his finest creations and awe.  No other feeling like it in the whole world. Those of you that love the coast know exactly what I mean. Each new piece or treasure found while beachcombing, I am constantly thinking; oh I can use this!  I love camping and find joy in natural places. 

·        Drawing in pencil and animation is another love of mine.  I find that it’s amazing what you can draw on paper with just a pencil.  I use q-tips and my fingers for shading. Sometimes things just flow right onto the paper. Drawing cartoons and creating some of my own fun characters is great fun!

·        My children and grandchildren are so fun and such a blessing.  I have a grown son and daughter that are supportive and encourage me to pursue my dreams.  I appreciate them dearly.  My grandchildren are two girls and two boys….who live near the Alabama coast and always want to come and see “Nana”.  To see things through the eyes of a child again is wonderful.  I adore them.

Do you work outside the home, or are you self employed?

I work full time outside the home as an Administrative Assistant for a National Tool Company. I have worked most of my life outside the home.

 How long have you been creating, and why did you begin?

Ever since I can remember…I once hand gathered grapevine from the woods near my home once and made 100 wreaths to sell to a local shop when I was young. The owner bought every one of them.  So my business spirit was evolving at an early age. 

I come from a long line of very creative and talented people.  My mother is an accomplished seamstress (from pillowcase dresses to wedding gowns); my sister is an interior designer, my brother – a cabinet designer and carpenter. I can remember my mother making crafts and sewing most of our cloths and working part time outside the home in a craft store.  She always had something new to teach us.  From cross stitch to painting.  The drawing and painting was my niche.  Thanks Mom!

 What are some of your favorites (websites, materials, foods, books, other people’s work, etc.)

·        I love to cook outdoors over a fire and grill; especially fresh seafood and steaks. 

·        Don’t get me started on craft shops…The Hobby Lobby is big favorite. 

·        I love Amazon, and of course ETSY.

·        I love classic rock and music.

·        Riding my bicycle on the beach.

·        Relaxing on Sunday afternoon with a cup of coffee and skyping with the grandchildren.

·        Favorite book: Angels in Our Midst, by Billy Graham.

·        Favorite movies:  Forrest Gump – with Tom Hanks. I must have watched over a 100 times.  Go ahead ask me any trivia from Forrest.  Parts of this film were actually filmed on Hunting Island and Beaufort where I gather my shells. 

AND  City of Angels – with Nicholas Cage and Meg Ryan. 

·        Favorite peoples work:  Walt Disney! He was such a talented man.

·        Favorite Estians:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/junkyardglitter

http://www.etsy.com/shop/seaandasters

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Glassnfire (a must see)

http://www.etsy.com/shop/NaturesCall

http://www.etsy.com/shop/IntoTheTrees

·        Favorite Materials: driftwood, clamshells, conchs, sand dollars, paints and natural products.

 Where do you live, and do you hope to live elsewhere?

South Carolina, nothing could be finer!  I plan to retire in about 10 years and devote my time to my business and move closer to my passion…the beach!  Beaufort, SC here I come!

What are some of your short term and long term goals overall.

A short term goal would be to network and market more in my community.  Beach Sea Crafts will become a supplement income in retirement hopefully. How about a hand painted conch shell or shark tooth necklace in every household?  Wouldn’t that be great! 

Long term: Traveling across the USA with my husband and camping along the way.  We plan to travel to as many national parks and of course the beaches as we can.  Who wouldn’t want to see the California parks and the Grand Canyon?

 What is your most treasured possession, and why?

First, my grandmothers eyeglasses and one of her handkerchiefs.  She was a wonderful person who treated me like royalty.  She was a true joy in my life and I lost her way too soon.  I can still hear her singing to me while playing her old stereo.

Second, a signed drawing (that I drew) of Goofy at Disneyland.  I drew with an animator for a 15 minute session while visiting Florida. The animator “Ike” signed it for me, “great job” and I was in awe! He also took my picture holding my drawing inside the studio. Both are framed and hang in my studio. Touring the animation studios and seeing replicas of Walts studio along with his desk and chair was very exciting.  A life long dream came true. 

Do you have a religious or spiritual background?

Yes, I am a Baptist Christian woman.  I believe in angels and miracles too.  They are all around us; if we take time to listen.  Take some time!

It is so nice having you Marilyn on our blog!  We wish you all the success in the future.  Thanks for sharing with us all!
-Lynnette

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