Meet Sperlygirl Suzanne Sperl

As an Etsy artist/shopkeeper, Katy (KT) Keuter knows that starting up one of these on-line shops means that you are but one fish among many in this virtual world. Budgets can be tight or non-existent. A shop owner might be juggling kids a job or both, but still finding pockets of time to work on her shop….because it really means something to her and being one among many can also be inspiring when each one is creating something that truly comes from within.

Katy hopes to be able to interview Etsy shop owners when she can and give a little exposure to fellow on-line artist /shopkeepers……..supporting others that are creating things that simply add more beauty to our world. As she says, “As far as I am concerned it is a win, win situation.”  She and her interview subject were kind enough to share her first profile with us a FinallyMe.

So here’s Katy’s first interview, this time with artist & shopkeeper Suzanne Sperl, the very talented owner of Sperlygirl.

Hi, I am Suzanne. Thanks for having me here.

© 2011 Suzanne Sperl

kt: Hey Suzanne I am so glad you agreed to do this interview! So let me start off with this question “What made you open up your sperlygirl etsy shop?”

suzanne: I wanted to challenge myself creatively. I am always making little things and giving them and I wanted to take it a bit further to see where it may lead.

kt: What memorable responses have you had to your work?

suzanne: When someone has taken the time to tell me that what I created has spoken to them and meant something to them – those are the comments I hold tenderly in my heart. Those are the greatest rewards I could hope for.

© 2011 Suzanne Sperl

kt: What types of things (people, music, etc..) inspire you?

suzanne: I find inspiration everywhere but especially in the little things in life – ordinary moments, the ones that many could easily pass over as uneventful or quiet – it’s there that I find life’s magic.

time spent by the sea; my babes; my husband, my tribe of incredible girlfriends; music (especially heartfelt lyrics); yoga: the peace i find running: are all sources of inspiration for me.

kt: How would you describe your style (vibe)

suzanne:  Eclectic and constantly evolving. Personal style is an art form itself and mine is a reflection of all the things I am interested in and hope to become.

kt: If your shop was not virtual but in an actual building what colors would the walls be painted or would they be painted (collages)?
suzanne: Each room would be a different color. They would be bold and bright to evoke emotion but yet not enough to overwhelm. Right now, I am really into blue and oranges together in various shades and intensities. Combined, they feel energetic, vibrant, and joyful.

kt: What is the best piece of advice you’ve been given?

suzanne:  My senior show in college, a video installation, which was a tryptich of three original poems projected on a large scale of sheets of handmade Japanese papers that were hung from the ceiling. The poems and images depicted my journey out of grief. This show was deeply personal. I had worked hard to create this natural setting in the gallery to contrast the medium of technology. The videos were supposed to play one after the  but as my professor arrived, everything seemed to get off kilter and they started playing over each other. I was mortified. He turned to me and gently said,“It’s just like life, isn’t it? You cannot predict or plan in.”  His words and reaction brought much comfort to me then….and has stayed with me since.

kt: Okay, I am going to end this interview with a fun and silly question. “What superpower would you have?”
suzanne: Oh, I’d so love to fly.

If you are interested in purchasing any of Suzanne’s original work her shop is sperlygirl. She shares more about her life on her blog and you can always chat with her on Twitter: sperlygirl.

Thanks so much Suzanne for taking the time out to do this interview. I loved meeting the artist that belongs to the sperlygirl shop.

kt

Note from Meri:  Katy’s Etsy Shop isHERE and you can enjoy her blog HERE.  It’s colorful, whimsical, and charming.