Enjoy our exclusive spotlight interview with…
the Etsy shop owner of The Feral Pony.
Tell us about your shop name…
► Assateague Island is one of my favorite places. Feral ponies roam the island and frolic in the surf. Magic. Also “Feral Pony” just sounds kind of pleasantly crazy and that was the vibe I was going for. Industry mentors advised me to use my name for my illustration business. But I dislike being a public personality. This shop was also part of me reinventing, starting fresh, and tossing out rules that just weren’t working for me. So “feral” felt especially right and “pony” could never be wrong!
Tell us about your logo…
► My logo is the shield with my hand lettering. For my Etsy shop banner I drew three wild ponies to accompany the shield. I was hoping the ponies seemed like they were running in a little herd.
Tell us about your shop…
► After years in the conceptual fine art world I remembered why I like to draw and make things. The graduate art school experience felt anti-creative and without joy. Life is too short for that malarkey so I decided to abandon ship. I wanted to make fresh, playful, whimsical images and engage a larger audience. Etsy seemed an obvious place to do just that.
Tell us about the items in your shop…
► I currently offer art prints, notecards, greeting cards and pin sets. I use eco- friendly elements when I can – my prints are printed on sustainably-harvest bamboo paper, the notecard and shipping envelopes are made from 100% recycled material.
Where do you get your inspiration?
► Nature walks and fiction books.
Where can we find your work?
► Website – www.feralpony.com
► Etsy – www.etsy.com/shop/feralponyshop
► Blog – feralponyillo.blogspot.com
► Facebook – www.facebook.com/FeralPonyIllustration
► Pinterest – pinterest.com/feralpony/feral-pony/
You cannot live without…
► Nature, fresh air, wild creatures and wild places. Paper, pens and a good cup of tea are also important.
You‘re not a fan of…
► quite a few things but I try not to let them ruin my day.
We wouldn’t guess that…
► I am a Blawkhawks fan. But I really am. It may be my husband’s proudest achievement. Go hawks!
One day, you hope to…
► Illustrate and write a children’s book. And live in a cottage on the edge of a forest and overlooking the sea.
Do you have advice for other Etsy shop owners?
► Photography is very important if you want your items to be featured in treasuries and blogs. If you can’t take great photos on your own, hiring a professional is a worthwhile investment. I still have plenty of room for improvement in this department- it is on my to-do list! Also read Etsy’s Seller Handbook. Etsy offers tons of helpful information and tutorials. Take advantage of them!
Other Etsy shops you love…
► www.etsy.com/shop/devotees
► www.etsy.com/shop/ForStrangeWomen
► www.etsy.com/shop/ChristineDomani
► www.etsy.com/shop/ARMINHO
► www.etsy.com/shop/mleppo
Visit her shop or other sites to stay connected to this very talented artist!
