Hall of Fame {Lynsey & Harper Confections}

Happy Monday everyone! You're in for a mouth-watering treat today. For the first time, this week's interview features a lovely little shop that is sure to tickle your taste buds.

Meet Brienne, the talented baker behind Lynsey & Harper Confections.

Brienne Lynsey, and her partner Tevye Harper, are the creative duo behind the shop, which in Brienne's words was, "Created from brilliant minds over a glass of wine under a starry sky."

Read the interview below as Brienne divulges a bit about herself. After all, "Cookies are always better shared!"

What inspires you?
People with passion. There is nothing like someone who is passionate about what they are saying or doing. It really makes me want to do more and pay attention to what makes you smile at the end of the day.

Where do you call home? Are you from there originally?
California is home at the moment. It’s home because most of my family is here now. Originally, I am from Maui. Ok, well born in California, but we moved when I was little. Most of my earliest memories are from our life in Maui.

Name something unique to where you live.
Wineries. I was surprised to see such a variety of wineries right around the corner from us. It is so desert like out here, figured that was the last thing I would find. Low and behold, the wineries are really popular and a lot of fun. Great weekend getaway, even if it takes only a few minutes to get there.
Share an interesting fact about yourself.
I have my own language! Yeah, I switch it all up. I will be surprised if you don’t come across something I have written and you have to ask yourself what I am trying to say! Nicknames end up being crazy too. Example: My cousin’s name is Nathaniel.. So it went from Nate to Nattie to Fattie (yeah he is far from fat..it just rhymed) to Fattalina. Yeah he is a trooper.. and yeah I am goofy. My sisters are always laughing at me!

If you had to describe yourself in a word, what would that word be?
Loyal. There is not enough loyalty in the world anymore. It can be hard to keep that up when you don’t always get that in return. But at the end of the day you're always happier when you are being true to yourself.
What made you decide to open up shop?
Actually the thought came to me a while back joking with a friend about selling cookies to the neighbors to make extra money. My partner at the time loved my Peanut butter Cookies and so watching GMA one morning I decided that was what I was going to do. Sell delicious cookies. Single mom, needing to provide for my son really helped me stick to my guns and really follow through. Now I get to stay home with him, even though I am still pretty busy.

How did you come up with your shop name? Any special significance?
Yes, my middle name is Lynsey and two of my favorite people share the last name Harper. Between the three of us there is a great deal of inspiration.

Name your favorite thing about selling handmade.
I like that it is from the heart. To make it handmade really shows the joy and passion one has for what they do. I love to see it expressed!
Do you have a day job or sell on Etsy full-time?
LHConfections is my full-time job. That and being a mom of course. I wasn’t sure if it was more a hobby until I first listed my items and actually got orders. They kept coming and I have gotten some amazing feedback and things are looking promising. I still can’t believe I own a business. Etsy is rather addicting if you ask me. There is so much going on, time gets away from you.

Give us a little glimpse into what a typical day in your life looks like.
Typical day? Well Khyre, my nine month old, usually wakes up smiling around 7a.m. I get up with him and start the coffee. He has his Cheerios and I have my java. Then off to work for a bit in between feedings, naps, playing, diapers, you know, the usual mommy stuff. I try to give myself a “To Do” list every night before bed so I have a game plan for the day. Doesn’t always get accomplished but I try. Then Khyre goes off to bed about 7:30p.m. That is when I get a few hours usually to myself. Usually I try to finish anything I have had to hold off on due to taking care of the baby. I just try to maintain some sort of balance, which is always a work in progress!
Share with us a favorite Etsy purchase or shop.
Hard to say, my favorite. Well I have a lot of favorites, especially the children’s shops. I love them. They are so tempting! I do definitely have a FAVORITE item. The Sock Monkey Shoulder Bag from iSew. I hope it doesn’t sell before I can grab it!

List a few of your most favorite pastimes.
Rollerskating.. No bed time!.. Sitting at the beach with my cousin, Nate, reading and chatting about nothing.. The Chocolate Affair! (wink wink).. Cake decorating with my bestie!

Read any good books lately?
Haven’t read anything since the baby was born. Guess the last book I read was What to Expect When You're Expecting.

What is your most prized possession?
At the moment Khyre’s pacifier!!!!!!

What are three of your favorite foods?
Chips and salsa… My dad’s preferably… Cookies of course… Anything Tevye makes!
What would you like to learn to do?
Kind of weird.. I would love to be able to chop like the pros!

What are you listening to right now?
Sesame Street is on!

Name one place you must visit in your lifetime and why?
Wow that list is kind of long. I think about all the places I can’t wait to take Khyre. His first big adventure was the beach and the next will be Disneyland when he turns one. How fun is that going to be!! I can’t wait, he has no idea!

Brienne, thank you so very much for sharing with us! It was a pleasure getting to know you...

Please stop by her shop and blog. You'll be glad ya' did!

Now, on to the good stuff ;)

Time for a Give-
away!

This week's winner will receive a sampler package like the one pictured to the right.

That's a DOZEN COOKIES!!
You get to choose four flavors, and will receive three of each. Yum!

Brienne would like to know what your favorite kitchen gadget is!

To enter, leave a comment on this post with your answer. Please be sure to include your name and email address or Etsy username.

*Important Note: This contest is open to residents of the US only.

For extra entries you can:
Tweet this giveaway: 2 additional entries
Follow my blog and/or Brienne's Blog: 5 additional entries
Blog about this interview/contest: 7 additional entries
Purchase from LHConfections: 10 additional entries

(Please include this info, if applicable, with your comment for additional entries. You do not need to leave separate comments for additional entries. Important: Don't forget to include your name and contact info!)

Contest ends Sunday, September 20th at 11:59 pm EST. Winner will be chosen by traditional drawing and will be announced Monday, September 21st.