Tulle Flowers and Hometown Girl

photo by me

Today I want to share someone with you that is sweet as can be and very talented.

Do you remember my post about my daughters' room?

Well after I posted about their bedroom redo, I decided I wanted something to go in my girls room that would resemble those pompoms. I knew just the person to ask to design something that would give a similar look, but would be made of fabric, not paper.

Her name is Susan!

She is the author of the wonderful blog Hometown Girl.

Susan is so talented. Her etsy shop, Paperhill is filled with the loveliest items.

I am going to show you some photographs I took of the tulle flowers Susan made for my girls room. I think these would be great in a nursery or any little girls room. You will also notice I put them on the back of my bistro chair, I thought that would be a fun way to use them either for a wedding, a bridal shower, or a baby shower.

Just an idea!

I think Susan could easily get a job working for

The Martha Stewart Weddings Team.

I am not just saying that either. After Susan sent me these lovely tulle flowers, Martha Stewart Weddings came out about a week later with an entire story on how to use tulle flowers.

I hope you enjoy my interview with the talented & beautiful Susan!

Hello Dreamy Whites readers,

I can't tell you how excited I was when Maria asked me to be a part of her lovely blog. I adore Maria, she's not only super talented she is such a sweet person! Thank you so much Maria, I'm honored!

What inspired you to start a blog?

I met a girl at an estate sale and while we were chatting she told me about her blog. I went home that day and looked her up. I'd been so busy raising our three young children I barely knew the blogging world existed. My shop had been open for awhile and I had some Etsy friends who had blogs. They encouraged me to join them. I thought it might be a nice extension of my shop but at the same time I wanted my blog to be about more than that. I have so many interests! I love to cook, I love to take pictures, estate sales & flea markets, I love to create, the list is endless.

I love the name of your blog, Hometown Girl. What is the story behind the name of your blog?

I decided to name it Hometown Girl, and if you read my answer to the next question it makes sense!

Where are you from?

I live a in a suburb of Buffalo, NY where I have spent my entire life. My husband & I bought an old farmhouse built in 1890, a home I had long admired and my parents live two minutes from us in my childhood home. Buffalo tends to get a bad rap but it's really a lovely place. Despite our long winters (which you get used too or become a hockey fan to pass the time!) the seasons are beautiful and the people are really great. My blog encompasses my love of my family, our home and my long list of interests.

Tell us about your lovely etsy shop, Paperhill.

I've had my shop nearly three years, it's definitely evolved and continues to. I create items using mostly vintage materials. From ring bearer pillows made from old wedding dresses, jewelry using vintage pieces, frames covered in vintage wallpaper & home decor items like pillows made from my extensive vintage fabric collection

(thus my second shop Paperhill Fabrics).

What inspired you to start an etsy shop?

As a Mother I felt like I was getting a little lost taking care of the kids and the household responsibilities. Up until I had my children (and got married) I had a place of my own, a job and my own identity. With that said I didn't long to go back to work and was fortunate enough to be able to stay home which is really where I wanted to be but I needed an outlet of my own. I starting buying some old things, using them in new ways and then I found Etsy! I was thrilled to find I could set up shop for very little money and off I went!

What is your best selling item?

I have a few things. The sheet music pockets are a big seller. I've folded over 600 of them since I starting making them. My fabric cuffs and ring bearer pillows have been good sellers and my rosette tutorial has been a hit as well.

What is your favorite thing to create?

Anything new! I'm not the type of person who wants to make too many of one thing (despite the pocket sales!). I lose interest making the same thing over and over. For me it takes the joy out of creating. With that said, I do take on orders because it's nice to also make a little money. My shop runs itself. I don't spend any household money to run my business and I get to buy and save for some fun things with what I make. I also use some of the money I make to pay some small household bills which makes me feel good.

Where do you look to find inspiration for creating all of your beautiful items.

It comes from a lot of different places. I love design shows and if I have the TV on it's either HGTV or Food Network. I'm a total junkie when it comes to magazines. I love weddings too, they are a great place for inspiration. Often the items themselves inspire me to reinvent them. I'm a huge Project Runway fan, I love to see the creative process of others. Last but not least I'm inspired by many bloggers and artists as well.

Do you have any advice to give to other women who are thinking about
starting an etsy shop?

Do a little research on the items you think you might want to create and sell. Get your tax ID and file your DBA so your business details are in order. Find a friend you can ask questions, a mentor, someone who will be your cheerleader when things don't go the way you imagined they would. There are lots of ups & downs (at least there has been for me) but I have some really super friends who keep me going when I'm in a creative slump or my sales slow down. It's all part of the process and with each new thing you learn. Taking really good pictures is a very important part of selling online and learning to use editing software can't hurt either! My last bit of advice, dream big and go for it!

Thank you Susan!

You will also notice I put them on the back of my bistro chair as well.

I thought that would be a fun way to use them either for a wedding, a bridal shower, or a baby shower.

Just an idea!

I just want to add that the tulle flower in the above photo, Susan made from the underskirt of a vintage wedding dress, I love it!

The pictures below were all taken by Susan.

I love this table setting she put together.

It is beautiful!

photo courtesy of Hometown Girl

You can read about it here

photo courtesy of Hometown Girl

I also love this photograph she took of this barn!

Susan loves barns, and so do I.

photo courtesy of Hometown Girl

The photo below shows a small sampling of what you will find in Susan's beautiful

Paperhill etsy shop!

She is one talented girl!

Thanks again Susan for letting me interview you and borrow some of your beautiful photos.

Hometown Girl

I love her blog!

photo courtesy of Hometown Girl