Hall of Fame {Pook & Thy}

Welcome back, everyone! You're in for another treat this week. I feel so privileged to be able to introduce you to these fabulous Etsy artists. After each interview, I feel as if I've made a new friend. I hope you will too. . .

Meet Wendy, the seamstress behind the sweet Etsy shop Pook & Thy. Her shop is filled with hand embroidered cards and tags, clutches, scarves, bibs, and handbags!

Wendy is a mother, nurse, thrift store addict, and artist who makes her lovely pieces mostly out of recycled materials.

Read on to learn more about her busy life, how she learned to sew, and just who is Pook. You'll also get to meet her adorable assistant! ;)

What inspires you?
I am inspired by colour combinations and elements of style all around me. I am an avid people watcher. I might see someone perhaps wearing a blouse with a certain type of ruffle which might inspire me to create something of my own with a ruffle as an accent. Also I have always had a love for vintage and classic things which truly never go out of style.

Where do you call home? Are you from there originally?
I am from Toronto and have lived within the same neighbourhood since the age of 8. I guess you could call me a real homebody. I'm really not that adventurous or a world traveler. I prefer to stay at home with my sewing machine.

Name something unique to where you live.
In downtown Toronto there is a textile museum and every year they have a massive fundraiser sale of donated textiles and vintage fabrics. For me this is like Christmas. I'm like a child in that I can barely sleep the night before the event.

{Wendy's "assistant" ~ click to enlarge}

Share an interesting fact about yourself.
I also work outside of the home as a registered nurse in an occupational health capacity. I started my nursing career working in maternity and labor and delivery.

If you had to describe yourself in a word, what would that word be?
Wow, this is a really tough question! ...so many options... how bout silly? I love being goofy sometimes, especially with certain friends.

What made you decide to open up shop?
I had been talking about doing something like a shop on another e-commerce site which shall remain nameless and then one of my best friends introduced me to etsy. She apologized when she told me about it because she said it was very addicting. She was right! My shop slowly evolved from there and I'm experimenting with new designs all the time. Sometimes I think my shop is too busy with too much variety and not enough consistency i.e. one item in many different sizes and colours etc., but then again I'm an artisan and not a catalogue company.
How did you come up with your shop name? Any special significance?
Pook = my 5 year old son's nickname
Thy = my dear friend Thyra - whom I met in nursing school and also loves to sew.

Name your favorite thing about selling handmade.
I LOVE to think there are people out there all over the world who love my work and are wearing my unique creations.

Do you have a day job or sell on Etsy full-time?
***see above.

Who taught you to sew and when?
My mother was trained as a family studies or home economics teacher in the 60s. She is an amazing sewer and actually taught me to sew on her vintage Singer machine when I was 5. This was after having sent back my plastic Holly Hobby machine for repairs for the upteenth time.
Give us a little glimpse into what a typical day in your life looks like.
Every day is quite different really at the moment because I am off work on maternity leave with a new baby who is now 4 months old. Between feeding the baby, getting Pook back and forth to Kindergarten and keeping the house in order I try to sneak in some sewing and etsy here and there.

Share with us a favorite Etsy purchase or shop.
Definitely I have to say that I'm addicted to mother of pearl buttons and belt buckles from grlyhead's shop on etsy. Lately I've also developed a rhinestone button and buckle fascination too.

List a few of your most favorite pastimes.
I love to sew (obviously)
I love love love to thrift shop
Hanging out at my parent's cottage in Muskoka and checking out the garage sales up there.
Playing with my kids and spending time relaxing at home with my husband.
Swimming and downhill skiing

Read any good books lately?
I have to say that I really don't have very much time for reading. I am trying to finish up My Sister's Keeper but it's taking about 6 months, lol.
What is your most prized possession?
Definitely my Singer Featherweight sewing machine. It's so beautiful - all glossy, gleamy and black - and sews like a dream.

What are three of your favorite foods?
Perogies for sure! (must be homemade)

What would you like to learn to do?
Speak Spanish I guess, I'm already bilingual in French.

What are you listening to right now?
My fussy baby, Lol. He likes to be held ALL the time and doesn't like that I've put him down.
Name one place you must visit in your lifetime and why.
Paris! Paris! Paris! Who doesn't want to go to Paris??? Well it's the french in me I guess and the style there of course.

Wendy, thank you for stopping by to share with us. It was a pleasure getting to know you better.

Time for a Giveaway!
This week's winner will receive Wendy's Pink and Black Tie Clutch. Lovely!

To enter, just leave a comment on this post with your favorite item from her shop. Don't forget to include your name and email address or Etsy username!

Good luck!

For extra entries you can:
Tweet this giveaway: 2 additional entries
Follow my blog: 5 additional entries
Blog about this interview/contest: 7 additional entries
Purchase from Pook & Thy: 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, November 22nd at 11:59 pm EST. Winner will be chosen by traditional drawing and will be announced Monday, November 23rd.