Off to Flower Mound, Texas we “flew” to interview Sissy Benedetto about her birdhouse business called ABC Birdhouses. Sissy loves the birds on her property. You can enjoy them, too, when you buy a high-quality birdhouse that stands up to any weather.

All her birdhouses are hand-crafted with cedar. One side opens for easy cleaning of the house. The bottom has drainage holes and the sides are vented. Each house has her ABC birdhouses logo on the side, so you know whether you are getting the real thing!

Please enjoy the interview, leave Sissy a comment, and then use the Share Tools so others can read it, too. Please spread the Zibbet Love!

1. Tell us a bit about yourself?

   I am originally from New Orleans, LA but have been living in Texas for over 20 years.  I love being outside whether it is working on my birdhouses, watching birds, planting, exercising, playing with my two dogs or just enjoying a glass of wine in our cabana.

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

   I work in my home office for my husband’s business as a booker/treasurer.  This allows me to devote time to my birdhouses several hours a day.  I can spend hours working in my shop with my music on and lose track of the time.

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

   Well, I have like birds, birdhouses and all types of yard art.  I wanted a hobby so I decided to create birdhouses that would be different but also sturdy.  I came up with putting initials on the birdhouses to identify a person’s name.  This lead to making collegiate, sport teams, holidays and other themed birdhouses.  My flower stakes came from using my scrap wood instead of throwing it away. You can say I went GREEN with my scrap wood.  I created a Picasso-looking flower stake.  Many people tell me that they look like real flowers from a distance and NO water is needed.

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

   My husband has always supported me in every venture. He is constantly into new things and comes up with some great ideas. He taught me how to design the birdhouses and to use the electric saw and power gun.  It took a while to get use to these manly machines but I finally overcame the fear of using the equipment.

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

   I am into speed walking; walking my dogs, biking, music and my favorite passion is Zumba.  I can go to Zumba classes 4 or more times a week without getting bored.  And, of course, I enjoy a good glass of wine on the weekends.

6. What do you like most about Zibbet?

   Very easy to work the program when listing, editing and communicating with other shop members and buyers.  I like all the helpful information I receive via email from Zibbet.  I especially appreciate all the photos allowed for listings.

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

   I think Zibbet is doing a great job getting their name out there and hope more people will become as familiar with Zibbet as they are with Etsy.

8. How do you promote your work?

   I am on several websites, I have my own website where I sell most of my items, I do craft fairs, I donate to charitable organizations, Facebook, Pinterest. I belong to several teams.  I provide sample giveaways through ZBox on Zibbet.  I have a twitter account but do not keep up with it very much.

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

   Everyone says listing often helps and I believe this is true.  My items take longer to make, so I cannot list as often as other shop members do. Being on teams will help.  Read the articles Zibbet provides and visit other shops on Zibbet.

10. In the future I’d like to be…

    I believe my future is now.  I enjoy my life, love my hobby and I am happy many people really like my birdhouses.  Sure I would love to have more sales on Zibbet but combined with my other websites, I am doing fine.

Tags: ABC Birdhouses, Featured Zibbeters