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| Me |
I'm The Bunny! Also known as Drea Carbone, and I have two shops on Etsy: BunnyBeads and BunnyBaubles. I sell beaded jewelry in my BunnyBeads shop (it's actually DreaBunny.etsy.com) that's a mix of earthiness and glitz...a lot of natural stones and vintage metals mixed with sparkling crystals. BunnyBaubles is my shop for hair accessories, loaded up with super-colorful vintage plastics. It's a bright and happy shop that's funky and fun.
Tell us a little about your family.
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| The Family |
Where are you in Maine and what’s it like?
Are you a native Mainer? If so, what’s kept you. If not, what brought you here?
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| Big Family, Shared Birthday Cakes |
I grew up in Bradford, Massachusetts. It's like Brunswick, but not as awesome. Living in Brunswick I was so happy...there is a great small-town feeling there, locally-owned businesses all over Maine Street downtown and no one ignores you when you say "hello!" in passing. Close to the ocean, the mountains, a couple big cities and several secluded retreats...Brunswick was perfect.
At my first opportunity, I am coming straight back up I-95 (then to 295, and rt 24...) and HOME to MAINE!
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| Me |
How long have you been making your craft and what got you into it?
When I was a little girl I would make beaded bobby pins thanks to a Klutz book and kit I received as a gift. I would sit for hours and hours making seed bead daisy chains and dragonflies that matched my school uniforms. In high school I made and sold them to friends to wear to proms. Later, after I got married and moved to Maine, I worked at The Beadin' Path in Freeport. I learned so much more and got into jewelry-making thanks to that job. Now it's a great hobby I can take almost anywhere.
Do you feel your craft is related to where you live?
Most definitely. After leaving Maine to live in hot and humid Florida I took a very long break from creativity. Florida was so draining for me, whereas Maine was always an inspiration. Now I am about to move to Maryland, and living so close to Washington, DC is bound to give my imagination a jump-start. I've missed having seasons and being outside!
How has being a part of the Etsy Maine Team helped you?
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| Mallory Shortie Bobbies |
What are some of your favorite shops on Etsy?
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| Bria Necklace |
From the Maine Team:
Lisa makes the most amazing jewelry designs in PMC at www.etsy.com/shop/willowandme
Bonnie has the craziest, funniest stuff! Chess sets and zombies and Einstein ornaments! Love it! www.etsy.com/shop/psandqs
I love Casie's magnets, I have a bunch of sets on my fridge www.etsy.com/shop/littleputland
Kristin is one one of the most creative jewelry designers I know...and she is a great baker to boot! www.etsy.com/shop/burntmeadowbeads
Peggy has a few shops, and I have something from each...aprons, fingerless gloves, coasters, sachets...love her work! It's always impeccable www.etsy.com/shop/magentaskystudio
I love Lauren's maps and aesthetic. She has some beautiful artwork here www.etsy.com/shop/silentlanguages
Jamie is another favorite artist, I love her oil paintings and she taught me how to paint with encaustics. Loved her homemade wax paints as well! www.etsy.com/shop/jamieribisi
Someday I will own a pair of these sneakers...way too cool. www.etsy.com/shop/prettysneaky
I am always amazed by Becky's intricate weaving...incredible! www.etsy.com/shop/beckyrose
Jen has some of my favorite jewelry out there...I have a gorgeous cocktail ring she made from a vintage button, I am obssessed with it and wear it constantly. www.etsy.com/shop/quenchmetalworks
Lynn is such a wonderful person and I think it shows in her paintings. I bought a print of one of them for my parents, which now hangs in my mom's kitchen...I love seeing it and thinking of Lynn's smiling face. www.etsy.com/shop/lynncyrart
Do you want amazing skin? GO HERE. Jes makes the best sugar scrubs ever. EVER! www.etsy.com/shop/sweetmojoapothecary
I have several photograph prints from this shop, I get lost in their beauty. I have three Maine landscapes hanging in my studio, they make me homesick! www.etsy.com/shop/NatureMandalas
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| Hot Lace Pink Barrette |
One of my favorite Etsians, Bria, makes some super-cool jewelry www.etsy.com/shop/handmadebybria
I love my puppy! And this shop! www.etsy.com/shop/thelab
Hungry? Me too. www.etsy.com/shop/nikid
One of Amy's paintings hangs proudly in my living room. I want a collection of her art, I adore it www.etsy.com/shop/AmyGiacomelli
Joe is so talented! www.etsy.com/shop/papercutsbyjoe
Just try to tell me these aren't friggin' adorable. I dare you. www.etsy.com/shop/bubbletime
Where do you see yourself and your Etsy shop in the future?
Like I mentioned above, I think living in a new place with give my creativity a kick in the butt...so I am hoping to add a lot of new items and two new lines soon. I'd love to get back into submitting to beading magazines and selling in brick-and-mortar shops as well! There are some really cool shops in Alexandria, VA, and National Harbor, MD that I would love to see my jewelry in!
Where can we find you online and locally?
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| Josephine Earrings |
BunnyBeads Shop: www.etsy.com/shop/DreaBunny
BunnyBeads Facebook: www.facebook.com/DreaBunnyBeads
BunnyBaubles Shop: www.etsy.com/shop/BunnyBaubles
BunnyBaubles Facebook: www.facebook.com/bunnybaubles
BunnyBlogs (so in need of an update....yikes!): dreabunnyblogs.blogspot.com/
Thanks Drea for sharing a little about yourself and how the wonderful state you live in helps you create!
Be sure to check out all the other awesome Maine artisans on Etsy, by searching "maineteam."