Interview of the Week: Jacqueline Ettinger

This week we meet Jacqueline Ettinger, of glorybeherbals.etsy.com An experienced herbalist, Jaqueline is just getting started selling her homemade concoctions online on Etsy. In addition to her offerings of herbal remedies and body products in her shop, she can also make a custom remedy to cure what ails you. So read on to learn more about this talent of the week:

Corinne: Where do you get your inspiration?
Jacqueline: A new herb or essential oil inspires me.

Corinne: What sets you apart from your competition?
Jacqueline: I love to make customized treatments for a client.

Corinne: What is your title, I know it takes a bit more knowledge than the average bear to do what you do?
Jacqueline: I'm an herbalist and aromatherapist.

Corinne: It looks like you grow all your herbs. I'm so jealous! I can't grow a dandelion! Do you have a large garden?
Jacqueline: I try to grow as many of my own herbs as possible. It's nice to be able to grab something out of the yard when I'm feeling inspired. I also wildcraft from places that I know to be safe and buy some herbs dried. I do have a big garden but to grow the kind of garden I dream of would require buying a ton of land-maybe someday.

Corinne: I love the idea of your spirit spray! I have "cleansed" my homes for years with sage! What made you come up with that?
Jacqueline: I got the idea of the spirit spray so I could use it at work. You can't even burn a candle so I knew smudging was out of the question. So I decided to extract the sage and make a spray. The spray is wonderful and the infused oil is HEAVENLY!

Corinne: What product in your shop is your favorite right now?
Jacqueline: Sleep Balm-it smells SOOO good and is really relaxing.

Corinne: Your comfrey stick intrigues me. Tell me what you use it for.
Jacqueline: I carry my little comfrey stick with me at all times in my purse. I have tendonitis and the comfrey is the only thing that helps. It also helps with bumps and bruises and sore muscles. Plus it smells really good.

Corinne: Who is the artist who inspires you the most?
Jacqueline: Herbalists- Jeanne Rose, Rosemary Gladstar, Demetria Clark.

Corinne: Tell me about this Heart of Herbs program. You really know your stuff!
Jacqueline: I actually found the Heart of Herbs program through one of herbal suppliers. Mountain Rose Herbs (I highly recommend them) has a web page listing all of the programs that receive a student discount. Many of them offer correspondence courses. After I checked them all out I chose Demetria Clark's program. We also have a yahoo group where we stay connected with each other. It's a great way to learn from other herbalists around the world. Demetria will be putting out a book in June.

Corinne: Where in Kentucky are you?
Jacqueline: Lexington.

Corinne: Tell us about your family. Do they use your stuff too?
Jacqueline: My husband and I have been together for almost 19 years. We have a beautiful, smart, and very talented daughter who is 12. Plus we have a 4 year old toy poodle. Yes, they all use my remedies.

Corinne: What do you do to get over creative block or to take a break from creating?
Jacqueline: A walk in the park or some knitting/crochet.

Corinne: Do you have a website or blog in addition to your etsy shop?
Jacqueline: Not yet.

Corinne: If you could give just one tip to a newbie to selling their craft online, what would it be?
Jacqueline: I'm a newbie myself!

If you want to help Jaqueline, she loves to get insight on her Etsy shop from more experienced sellers. If there is one thing she DOES know, though, its about her wonderful and natural products!! Visit her shop at glorybeherbals.etsy.com to get your herbal treatments today!! Made with love in Kentucky!!