Featured Zibbeter - ItsMyThingDesigns

Wanitta Ranson is a friend to many in the Zibbet Community and we’re sure she’s going to have a lot more friends after you read her interview.

Wanitta runs two shops on Zibbet: Its My Thing Designs and Stash Box Treasures.

At Its My Thing Designs you’ll discover that her creative talents are many. From jewelry to crochet and designing her very own amazing cross stitch designs, we think she is a very talented lady.

There is no shortage of places you can find Wanitta around the Internet. You’ll find Wanitta on Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, My Craft Corner, Stumble Upon, and the Zibbet Community Hub.

We are very happy to have Wanitta as a member of Zibbet. If you love this interview please use the “Share” feature so that others may enjoy it, too.

  1. Tell us a bit about yourself?

    My name is Wanitta Ranson. I am 48, have two fabulous kids, 20 & 22, and have been married to the same great guy for 23 years!

    I was born in Vancouver, British Columbia but moved to Northern Vancouver Island when I was ten years old. We moved around a lot but finally settled in Duncan, which I would consider my home town.

    After I left home I attended Camosun College in Victoria, British Columbia. My studies included Art History, Anthropology, Introduction to First Nations Law and Canadian Studies focusing on First Nations Culture and History.

    While living in Victoria I met my husband, who was attending the University of Victoria, and we quickly became friends. Although he moved back to Alberta and I moved to Vancouver later that year we continued our friendship through letters for the next two years. One of my last letters to him asked “what if you were in love with someone but were afraid to say because it might ruin the friendship”.  Not too obvious. He called me after reading the letter and said he hoped I meant him. Fourteen months later I moved to Alberta where we were married. The rest, as they say, is history.

    Over the years I have engaged in many community activities such as a volunteer craft instructor at a nursing home, sang in a community choir, volunteer costume designer and maker for a local children’s musical theatre group all the while being a stay at home mom and “living” at the kids’ schools doing various volunteer work. I took on odd jobs during school hours to keep my feet wet.

    I love life, adventure, family, photography and creating. As I say “It’s my thing and I love it!”

  2. Apart from being ‘creative’ what do you do?

    When I’m not being creative I am a professional practical joker and part time Ninja. Seriously though, I worked full time for three years as a warranty administrator but retired from the workforce to pursue my on line business full time. With five on line stores, an auction site, craft shows throughout the year as well as selling my fingerless gloves at a local swanky spa I keep pretty busy.

  3. What inspires you to do the kind of work you do?

    Designing is my passion! Whether it is a new pair of earrings or a cross stitch chart, I love the satisfaction I get from creating something new. Much of what I create is influenced by my interests in ancient and contemporary textiles, architecture and art alike. I have been designing cross stitch charts for over 20 years and they reflect hints of such cultures as the Incas, Paracas, Celts and Egyptians. I have been designing fashion jewelry since the fall of 2006 and my styles range from Victorian Gothic, Art Deco and Art Nouveau to Modern Elegance, Rock Chic and the just plain fun. There is nothing better than sitting in front of a pile of new charms, beads, findings, etc., and coming up with new ideas.

    If you would like to know about my early inspirations please feel free to read “Jewelry – Not Just About the Bling” on my website.

  4. Do you look up to anyone? Who? Why?

    I have four people in my life that I really look up to. First on my list is my husband. Besides being my best friend he has always been a wonderful, supportive partner and father. Second are my kids. Despite all the outside peer pressure, negative temptations and influences in the world they have both grown into remarkable human beings.  Last but not least is my Mum-in-law. She could be the poster woman for awesome moms and grandmas around the world.

  5. What other passions do you have in your life?

    My other passions include thrift store shopping, going to garage sales, furniture refinishing, photography and hanging out with my friends.

  6. What do you like most about Zibbet?

    I love Zibbet! There are so many favorite features, but if I can only pick one it would have to be the ease of listing.

  7. What ‘new’ things would you like to see added to Zibbet?

    Something that I would love to see added is a super easy collection builder. This is a really fun way to share the works of other sellers. Maybe it could be as simple as pulling items from our ‘favorite’ file.

  8. How do you promote your work?

    While I do self promote I find that sharing the works of others gets me noticed too. Some of the ways I promote my work are to auto-Tweet from my business Facebook page, build ‘collections’ on another site, share good news on my website and other social networks such as Zibbet Community and last month I started a customer appreciation coupon program to drive traffic to my Zibbet shop. Each customer that makes a purchase from me, no matter what other site they buy from, receives a discount-off coupon with their order. Along with other awesome sellers I also contribute samples and coupons to the Sample ZBOX shop. With regard to promoting others I recently started a discussion on Zibbet Community called “Saying thanks to fellow sellers who shop at your stores. Post your thanks here :D ”

  9. How would you recommend other Zibbeters make the most of Zibbet.com?

    I would recommend that people join fun groups on Zibbet Community. There seems to be a core group of us that keep bumping into each other on other social sites and a lot of support and wisdom can be found by hanging out with us. Many of us met through Zibbet. I would also recommend that you go Premium if you can. With over 500 handmade-by-me items in my shop I couldn’t have done it without the Premium features.

  10. In the future I’d like to be…

    In the future I would like to be the Empress of the Universe… and have a sea-side brick and mortar shop when we retire to Vancouver Island.

Tags: ,

30 Responses to “Featured Zibbeter - ItsMyThingDesigns”

  1. April 4th, 2011 at 4:55 pm LOCDesignStudio

    Congrats on a great interview Wanitta. Loved the story about friendship/courtship. Best wishes for much success on Zibbet! Vicki

  2. April 4th, 2011 at 5:08 pm handmadefuzzy

    thanks to let us peak into your life!

  3. April 4th, 2011 at 5:22 pm itsmythingdesigns

    Thanks so much girls! It was a lot of fun to write :D

  4. April 4th, 2011 at 6:03 pm PaperOnParade

    Super article! Thanks for sharing your life story and love of crafts. You are a very talented lady!

  5. April 4th, 2011 at 6:06 pm RaigeCreations

    That was a great interview. I loved the energy it gave off! You do so much, and are always so friendly - inspiration to us all.
    Rebecca

  6. April 4th, 2011 at 6:20 pm PortableGraffitiGraphics

    Wanitta, I loved reading your interview and I hope you get to be “Empress of the Universe.”
    Judy

  7. April 4th, 2011 at 6:28 pm texaseagle

    Wanitta, I expected a fabulous interview from you….and you delivered! You rock my friend!!!!

  8. April 4th, 2011 at 6:30 pm GrandmothersHouse

    Another exciting interview! It is SO good to know you, Wanitta - and you have a beautiful life story being written - you have, and will continue to, accomplish so much with each passing day. It’s a wonderful thing!
    Grandmother Carolyn

  9. April 4th, 2011 at 6:31 pm RWestDesigns

    I think you already are “Empress of the Universe” and am very glad to have met you here on Zibbet. Thank you for being the wonderful person you are!
    ~ Becky

  10. April 4th, 2011 at 7:05 pm JudysDesigns

    It’s nice to see familiar faces and so I’m so pleased to see you featured. It’s a wonderful post. Congrats.

  11. April 4th, 2011 at 7:50 pm itsmythingdesigns

    Thanks so much for all the wonderful comments! You are all so awesome and I am very glad that I have gotten to know you over the last year.
    Hugs to all :D

  12. April 4th, 2011 at 8:24 pm AllAboutTheButtons

    Great interview from a wonderful, supportive fellow Zibbeter.

  14. April 5th, 2011 at 12:03 am NOVEMBERBUTTERFLIESJEWELRY

    I absolutely adore your love story with your husband! Thank you for sharing that personal bit about yourself. It made me smile =)

  15. April 5th, 2011 at 1:29 am bhbkidstyle

    Yay! Great to ready about you, Wanitta!

  16. April 5th, 2011 at 5:00 am MillionsofStitches

    So nice to read about you Wanitta. I love the level of energy that came through the words. Your work is wonderful and I’m glad that you love doing it - that’s the key!

  17. April 5th, 2011 at 10:44 am NiftyKnits

    Good luck with becoming Empress!

  18. April 5th, 2011 at 10:48 am LorisStylingHairStuff

    Thanks for sharing your story. You seem like a very creative and passionte person.

  19. April 5th, 2011 at 11:32 am WoodcotDesigns

    Wanitta, I feel like I have been stalking you from site to site forever and you were always there with a friendly greeting upon my arrival. It has been so comforting to find a fellow Canadian with the same kind of work ethic who also had a willingness to reach out to any newcomer who needed a hand up. I am so proud to call you friend. Hugs, Faye

  20. April 5th, 2011 at 7:16 pm Theartfulbadger

    Loved reading your story Wanitta! I am originally from BC too. :)

  21. April 5th, 2011 at 8:56 pm spankyluvsvintage2

    What a lovely interview Wanitta ! You are so genuinely nice and what a pleasure it has been to meet you here on Zibbet! <3

  22. April 6th, 2011 at 6:39 am HollysHobbies

    I love reading these interviews and Wanitta is so inspirational!! Thank you for your words of wisdom…

  23. April 6th, 2011 at 12:12 pm wildbraidart

    Congratulations Wanitta. It’s so great to know you garnered this spot. Wonderful interview. Best of Luck.

    Marlene

  24. April 6th, 2011 at 12:39 pm HeltonArt

    Wonderful to read about you! Beautiful work! It’s quality shops like yours that will make all of Zibbet successful!

  25. April 6th, 2011 at 4:51 pm madeonfifthstreet

    Yay! Another BC Zibbeter! So glad there are a few of us around.

  26. April 6th, 2011 at 11:35 pm itsmythingdesigns

    I’ve been busy the last few days getting ready for a big show this weekend…2X 8 foot tables to fill (and still not enough room) new displays and a lot of inventory. Add in helping out a friend yesterday and restocking jewelry that is on display for sale at a local swanky spa while helping a new consignee hang her gorgeous photos and that spells ‘I need a nap’!

    With that said I finally got a chance to catch up on all the new comments tonight. All I can say is WOW! It’s so overwhelming to read such wonderful comments from everyone. Made me a little teary eyed. As some of you know I have enjoyed mentoring new on-liners & am always glad to help where I can. Not that I look for any recognition but this all makes it even more worthwhile. Thank you all so much!

    …and Faye, you can stalk me anytime! LOL

    Hugs to all :D

  27. April 7th, 2011 at 8:45 am PartyPeople

    I just stopped by to say great story and how inspiring it was to me (thanks for the great seller advice!), BUT, you were nowhere to be found….must be the ninja side of you. Way to go ninja - way to go! ;)

  28. April 8th, 2011 at 2:57 pm BeadNKnot

    Recognized you from the “e”. Off to fav your studio on here.

  29. April 8th, 2011 at 6:04 pm CreativeAccents

    LOL! I LOVED it! I definately got a chuckle or two(empress of the universe, ROFL!) but I also almost teared up a few times :) Great job!

  30. April 11th, 2011 at 3:50 pm itsmythingdesigns

    Thanks bunches girls! I’m as illusive as the Scarlet Pimpernel & madder than the Hatter at times. LOL. Glad everyone enjoyed my interview.

    Well, back to work for me. Digging my way out of inventory & displays from this weekend’s show. I’m sure I will find my glasses somewhere in the excavation!

    Hugs to all :D

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Popular Posts

Read more...

Meet Our Columnists

Judy Youngquest
Judy runs the 'Fantastic Five' column where she features her favorite 5 Zibbet items every week. It's a must read!

Vicki Schofield
Vicki runs the 'Success On Zibbet' column where she covers all aspects of selling on Zibbet and having the most successful shop you can.

Recent Comments

Places you can find Zibbet