Thanks to the buzzing hive of homemade wonderfulness that is Etsy, the crafty masses are no longer huddled in darkness, isolated from the world with the solitary clicks of their knitting needles. Etsy has liberated craft folk and artists from the seasonal event table, providing them with a consistent and global avenue of commerce for their wares. One such artist is Christine Blystone, who was wise enough to flee the sinking ship of sadness that is modern-day print media—okay, fine, she used to work here at the Mercury—and took to Etsy to peddle her homespun Flapper Girl line of everything from homemade retro aprons to cupcake toppers, and adorable plushie toy vampire bats that are so cute you want to bite them.

How did you fall into this line of work?
Well, I was working at the Portland Mercury at the time and needed to make some extra money [me too!—Ed.], so I started my own Etsy shop selling aprons and coffee cozies. I had some experience sewing when I first started my Etsy shop, but I also checked out some books from the library on the business side of selling handmade things.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to get into your line of work?
Go out and meet people who are making things and learn about what they do and how they do it. People in the crafty community here in Portland are very friendly and welcoming, and are willing to share information and help out fellow artists.

What advice would you give to someone who's just beginning college?
What do I look like... Dear Abby?

Visit Flapper Girl at etsy.com/shop/flappergirl

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