Adrienne Wilson has two shops on Zibbet. In addition to the popular Dancing Rainbows she owns Treasures from Nature, where you can buy photo cards made with her extensive collection of photographs from all her travels.

She is a frequent contributor in the Community Hub, always pleasant and someone special we are sure you will want to get to know.

We are delighted that Adrienne has chosen Zibbet to market her Dancing Rainbows. Please enjoy the interview, leave Adrienne a comment, and then use the Share tool so others can read it, too.

1. Tell us a bit about yourself?

   For the first 17 years of my life, “Home” was my Dad’s next assignment. I began in Birmingham, Alabama and, with my older sister, we moved almost every three years. By the time my Dad retired from the Air Force, I had enrolled in nine different schools including three High Schools, graduating in Tucson, Arizona.  When my parents said they were purchasing a home, I thought they were just kidding me. I loved moving which meant a new adventure.  I have always considered myself very fortunate to have been stationed in England and Taiwan, S. Carolina, Massachusetts, Georgia and finally in Arizona.

   I enrolled at the University of Arizona majoring in Art, Physical Education, boys, cheerleading, sorority and not necessarily in that order. Having always been on the move, I decided after a couple of years that it was time to relocate.

   In the early 70’s, I found myself in Hollywood, CA working for KiiS Radio and then for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences where I met my husband.  The Academy had moved to a new location in Beverly Hills, CA and was having a week long open house to celebrate.  My job that week was to give tours of the new building to the Academy members and to coordinate the events with the Police and Fire departments. My husband was my contact in the Beverly Hills Fire Department and as they say, “the rest is history”.   We just celebrated our 35th Anniversary.

   I have two wonderful stepsons, a beautiful daughter-in-law and granddaughter and in two months I will have another beautiful daughter-in-law.

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

   I am an outdoors person, so I enjoy “anything” that takes me outside. Living in Arizona, the weather is such that you can be outdoors almost 365 days out of the year.  Even though we’re one of the hottest cities in the country, you learn to re-arrange your life.

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

   I’m sure I was born with a bottle of glue in one hand and a camera in the other. I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t making something and then taking a picture of it. I see everything as a potential creation and find it a challenge to try and re-create it.

   The smiles on the faces of family and friends was all the encouragement I needed. I have always looked at other craft projects and thought, “I can do that”, then added my own touches and made it mine. No matter whether I am taking photos or creating sun catchers, I marvel at the colors and light in everything around me.

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

   I do have to say my parents.

   My Dad…the ultimate “nice” guy.  When my friends would come over to the house, they would end up talking with him. He was always the diplomat. I lost him at the end of 2010, a month shy of his 90th birthday. Up until the very end, he had such optimism, courage and strength.  He refused to give up. He taught me respect, tolerance, acceptance, that character matters and how to stay positive in the face of adversity.

   My Mom. Independent, smart…tough. She was an English teacher. No matter where we were, she was the Brownie and Girl Scout leader.  She taught the Vacation Bible School. She has taught me to appreciate the beauty of Nature and to take care of it.  Whether it was the baby bird we spent hours trying to put back into the nest or the plant that needed extra TLC, she’s always made sure I understood how important Nature was.  At 89 she still continues to teach and amaze me. From her I have learned grace, kindness, strength when everything is falling apart and to never compromise your principals.

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

   I love to play golf.   I started playing in 1980 so I could play with my husband who has played since he was a kid.  When I’m not on the golf course, I love to garden, paint, and sew.

6. What do you like most about Zibbet?

   I had no idea of what to expect.  Until one day when someone commented on an item I was wearing and asked if I could make them one and “how much”, I had never considered being a member of a selling venue before. I love the camaraderie. I felt welcomed with open arms and even though some of the members are seasoned sellers, they seem to never mind helping out a “newbie”.

   I greatly appreciate our “guys behind the scene”.  I checked into several different online craft markets before contacting Zibbet and I thank my lucky stars I chose Zibbet.

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

   Nothing…I love it just the way it is. Probably any suggestion I would have is already on the check list for the “re-build”.  I would, however, like to see the Gift Guide selection change.  Currently Premium sellers can have up to 50 items in their Gift Guide.  Many sellers have many more than 50 items; I would like to see that number increased.  Also, I know it has been talked about in the Community and I hope you include a “batch edit” feature.

8. How do you promote your work?

   Locally I do promote a lot by word of mouth. I hand out a card whenever I get the chance.  I also promote through word of mouth to school friends and they in turn have passed along my shop information.   I joined several of the Community groups including the Sample Z Box group which has brought a number of sales and Facebook has brought in many sales.

   I have two shops on Zibbet: Dancing Rainbows and TreasuresfromNature.

   I promote with my Facebook Pages: Dancing Rainbows on Facebook and Treasures from Nature on Facebook.

   I think some of the best exposure though, has come through the Community.  Other sellers have purchased some of my items.  To those, I am grateful.

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

   This is a hard question.  Even though I joined in 2009, I still consider myself a “newbie”.  I have commented to new sellers to take advantage of the “Community”.   I knew “nothing” when I first arrived and anything I know now, has come from the Community.   There is a wealth of knowledge and information in the forums and articles.

   I would also say, “never give up”.   Change things around if something isn’t working.   Do whatever it takes to make your creations irresistible and exciting.    It may mean new pictures, new descriptions or maybe even a new banner for your shop.   When you can’t touch or smell something, the picture is the first contact with a potential buyer.

10. In the future I’d like to be…

    I’m always saying “Hmmmm, I’d like to try that”.  My husband says I have too many interests and I want to try too many things.

    It’s hard to imagine not being involved in crafting or photography.  However, in my “next life”, I would still like to teach but instead of Phys Ed, I would like to teach golf.  I would also like to concentrate a little harder in the music and dance classes I took.   And, if all that fails, there is always Marine Biology, Archeology, Astronomy, Theatre, Film Industry/Special Effects, Graphic Design, Computer Sciences… .   I guess my husband is right… : ))

Tags: Dancing Rainbows, Featured Zibbeters