What a treat we have for you this week with our Featured Zibbeter, Spanky Luvs Vintage 2. With over 1,300 items in Rhonda’s shop, we are sure you will find something for many people on your shopping list.

Rhonda sells vintage jewelry and she recycles old jewelry into fabulous new creations. She also sells other vintage items, so be sure to browse the whole shop to not miss that special treasure.

Please enjoy the interview, leave Rhonda a comment, and then use the Share tools to “Spread the Zibbet Love.”

1. Tell us a bit about yourself?

   If I had to describe myself in only two words I think I would choose “Easily Amused.”  Sometimes people think I’m pretty goofy because I constantly laugh about the stupidest things…but that’s just how I roll . The photo that I chose to share is one of me with two of my sweet Nieces.  It was taken in May 2010 on the day of my Mothers’ funeral.  This has so far been the saddest day of my entire life, but I know Momma would be proud that I still managed to get in a few smiles that day.

   I am 50 years old  ..DANG—I actually made it to this point and often think Whoo hoo! and WOW!???  My hubby and I share our domain with 6 dogs in a little 2 bedroom  house that was built in the 50’s.  People often tell me it looks like a little “doll house”—my collections and things I love are grouped all over the place—the new and the old mixed in with plants everywhere.  (Several years ago when I was into what I call my “mosaic mood” my son told me that when I ran out of walls he knew that I would probably just start sticking stuff on the ceiling—but I haven’t reached that point yet.)

   On my blog I often open up and share my very simple life and to me it is important to simply share what you think is real and touches you in your everyday life.  And who cares how many people actually read it?  The fact that you take time to write it down and are willing to share it with complete strangers is what I love about the “blog world.”

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

   I have worked most of my adult life for our family owned furniture stores.  My only regret is that I took time off from “creating” for way too long.  In the 80’s – 90’s we manufactured sofa sets  and  I made all of the patterns and cut and sewed all of the sets that we sent out in the first few years of manufacturing.  We later hired more help , but I truly got burnt out on “creating” after a 60+ hour work week of cutting fabric and sewing all of the time.  Granted, I still made a few household items and gifts, but I wasn’t exactly a “crafty critter”.

   Several years ago I found eBay and was a true addict of the site and spent a lot of my spare time there.  Then I finally realized that I have so many things that I need to share and I started creating once again.  My new mission is to simply try and share my love with everything vintage.  Oh Snap!  I’m not in it to quit my day job—I’m here because I love Zibbet and my biggest hope is that Zibbet continues to grow.  I have felt the “Zibbet Zensation” and I want to spread that around as much as I possibly can.

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

   My moms’ mom- my Grandma Ethel- she taught me many things like how to bake, sew, and embroider. She taught me how to sew on an old treadle sewing machine and some of my best doll clothes and pet outfits and uniforms were made on that beloved machine! Wow I really miss that old machine and my memories of my times spent with my Grandma Ethel and remembering her beautiful smile and her patience with me when she was teaching me a new “craft” is something that I will always carry with me and it gives me a lot of inspiration.

   I cling to my roots and things from my past and am blessed that I have those good memories to cling to and I know this is what makes me the person I am today. My love for vintage, eclectic, unique, odd, geeky, and unusual is what inspires me to create new things out of old things and to give them new life.
   

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

   I actually look up to so many different people and things that it is hard to pick just one.  But I think that the lovely dove couple who have visited my porch for many many years have attributes that I really admire.  Almost every year either a cat or a blue jay gets their babies but they have absolute blind faith and do not give up and they keep coming back year after year and it simply amazes me.

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

   I am most passionate about my family.  I have a new Grandbaby Chloe who has brought so much joy into my life! I love gardening… I love cooking…. I love my animals… I love reading.  When I was young we had a Grocery and Tackle store and most of our family vacations were centered around fishing.  I still love to fish and our last trip to Trinidad, Ca. and halibut fishing with my dad was such a blast!  I love being amazed.. and as already stated I’m pretty passionate about being amused!
   

6. What do you like most about Zibbet?

   My favorite thing about Zibbet is that I believe in the good intentions of the site.  From the CEO (our wonderful Jonathan) to our site admins to our community—it is a genuine attempt to make new members feel welcomed and appreciated. It is hard to find that “hands on interaction” on other on-line selling venues.

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

   They are constantly working on new ideas and features and I can’t think of anything new that hasn’t already been suggested.

8. How do you promote your work?

   I Twitter, Facebook, and blog.  I also belong to the Zbox promotion team and think it is a great way to get your product out there.  But I find that wearing my jewelry is my best promotional tool.
   

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

   I would say first of all that new members should check out the fabulous Community that we have here.  I would also say to seriously take a look at your “expectations” and to never expect more than what you are willing to put into this awesome venue.  The bottom line is that everything you do to promote this site and to get it noticed can only end up benefiting you in the long run.  And if you are in it for the long run…. Don’t just simply import a few items from your other venues and expect things to magically fall into your lap— you yourself have to make it happen.  If you are willing to spend some extra time to go the extra mile, I honestly believe that one of these days you will indeed reap the rewards.
   

10. In the future I’d like to be…

    enjoying the same things I enjoy today as I am answering these questions.  Sittin’ on the front porch…. barefoot….. cup of strong coffee in hand…. happy to still be here to be able to enjoy what life has to offer.

Tags: Featured Zibbeters, Spanky Luvs Vintage