Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Member Feature: Jennifer Dickerson (ChefJen137)

Featured: ChefJen137
Interview by: MySelvagedLife

How did you get started in photography?
I decided I was going to try my hand at being a stay-at-home mom and was feeling fulfilled in every way but artistically...so I started playing around with my camera and it just "clicked".

What was your background in prior to photography?
I'm a semi-retired restaurant and private chef. I've been fortunate enough to be featured in Bon Appetit, Conde Naste Traveler, Gourmet Magazine, and a few others. I was a chef at KOTO, McEwen's on Monroe, and The Brooks Museum of Memphis. I've been out of the restaurant business for 2 years and my last 6 years was as a private chef.

How did you first get started on Etsy?
I happened across Etsy through flickr and was immediately attracted to the site.

What is your favorite part of being a shop owner on Etsy?
I love the community of artists, it's so welcoming and supportive

What is your least favorite part of being a shop owner on Etsy?
I DETEST editing!! I so wish there was a batch editing tool.

What challenges have you faced during the process?
The biggest challenge I had was understanding the way the site worked. People would feature me in treasuries and I was flattered, but didn't understand that I should visit it, reciprocate, etc. Now of course I know treasuries are the way you make the front page and how important it is to contribute and become involved.

What inspires you?
I love beautiful things, I love to find beauty in the unexpected, and I love originality. I'm inspired by the sculptural element in organic things.
originality. I'm inspired by the sculptural element in organic things.

Describe your average day in one word:
BUSY!

What is your favorite season?
I love spring in Memphis, but it's very close between Fall in Memphis...



Apart from creating things, what do you do?
I'm mother to three adorable kiddies age 9, 10, and 4, so I take care of them. I also cater part-time.

What advice would you give to sellers new to Etsy?
Become involved in a community, group, or team and photography, photography,
photography! It's so very important to showcase your talent with great pictures.


ChefJen137 Etsy Shop
  

  

19 comments:

Heather Kent said...

What a nice article! Jen is such a nice person, and it was fun learning more about her!

Heather

TheEye said...

Nice interview! Beautiful photos.

Aimee said...

What a sweet piece! I can't believe how much you get done with the three little ones around. Well done!

themagiconions said...

Love getting to know all of these super talented people... thanks for the window into your life.
Blessings and magic,
Donni - Fairyfolk

Waterrose said...

Great to know more about you Jen...and your family is lovely. Now when did you say you were coming to Phoenix to give cooking lessons?

Pegg said...

I love these features, what a nice interview!!
I would love to cook with you one day!
You also have a very gorgeous family!

Anonymous said...

thanks so much for the interesting questions, Heather. I really enjoyed the interview and look forward to learning more about other team members too!

*Evelyn* said...

Great interview...... it's nice to meet you Jennifer!

Sabahnur said...

beautiful artist,lovely family. love to know bout you!
:)

TheNightJar said...

nice getting to put a real face on you, not just an imagined one as I tend to do...and also great to see your lovely family. I assumed you must have been a Chef of some sort and wondered why your art was not fantastic food creations! Maybe you will have some tasty treat in another shop in the future??
signed, The Food Hound

(Tarra) The NightJar

TheNightJar said...

thanks for sharing these thoughts and photos with us-your family is very sweet looking. Maybe some day you can have a sweet shop on Etsy and I can taste some of that lovely food you were talking about (!)

signed
The Food hound
(NightJar)

MsLori said...

It was so great to learn more about you Jen! :) What a great interview!

Lori

Karen/Small Earth Vintage said...

I love getting to know more about other TeamT members! Jen, you're so talented and have a lovely family.

I think Jen, Sarah and Pegg need to put together a cookbook. :)

Karen/Small Earth Vintage said...

(And Jenny needs to have a section in that cookbook, too! How could I forget Jenny!)

Lamixx said...

Wonderful photos!! thanks for sharing Jen.

JenSan said...

Wonderful interview Jennifer. I didn't realize that you were also a chef or I would have been getting your opinion during the recent Food Network Star competition. And you have such a beautiful family.

Sandra

Beach Glass Shop said...

truly a nice interview - such a talent!

margotbianca said...

another great interview! now i'll get hungry every time i see one of your lovely photos!! you have a very interesting life and a beautiful family. that photo of them is just wonderful. thank you for sharing!

Lamixx said...

very lovely!! Wish you continued success..

xoxo,