I always look forward to Thursdays, because Thursdays mean I have a brand new handmade interview to share! I am constantly inspired by the passion and the joy of making that so many handmakers share.
Regina from Every Eskimo is no exception! She has create a shop that combines vintage and handmade treasures in the sweetest way.
Regina and a few of her finds
Q. Hello Regina! Could you tell us a little about yourself?
I’m a writer by trade, and a collector by nature. I love words and I love beautiful things. Although, my definition of “beautiful things” doesn’t always fit everyone else’s! I’ve been collecting vintage since I was a little girl… decorating my room with teapots and wooden boxes pulled from old barns. (and yes, I’m still using those teapots and boxes today!)
Q. Your shop is so lovely and adorable! I love the mix of handmade and vintage! How do you approach curating your shop?
Quite simply, I buy and make what I love. Of course, it makes things endlessly hard to part with but I console myself by thinking that the new owner will be just as excited, and find the perfect place for their purchase. It’s funny, when I try listing things that I know other shops sell quite well, it never works for me – perhaps because I can’t muster the proper enthusiasm. My shop and I are much happier when I stick to what I love.
Q. What’s your favorite vintage item to work with?
“Things that hold other things.” It’s my hands-down favorite vintage category. I like to stay organized and I’m always looking out for a vintage way to do that. (And since most older spaces were small spaces, I have come across some ingenious storage pieces.)
Q. Do you have a favorite little critter?
I do. He’s a small white arctic fox named Paul (because the soft round sounds of “paul” remind me of a heavy snowfall.) And I’m very lucky that he found a home with one of my dearest friends (she runs the shop amradio.etsy.com) and I get to visit him every so often!
Q. What’s a normal day like for you?
Absolutely nuts! Right now I’m still working full time and I’m running my schedule like a puzzle, trying to make the most out of every free minute. I drop packages off at the post office on my way to work. I run home at lunch and take a few pictures… natural lighting is a must for me and I have to work around the sun’s schedule. Luckily, I live quite close to work. I’ll answer a few convos & set up new listings during slow moments at work. (Shh, don’t tell!) At the end of the day, I’ll spend an hour with my husband and our three dogs, and then head up to my attic studio to sew, work and prep packages to go out the next day. I’m often wrapping up boxes late into the night. Things slow down a bit on the weekends… flea markets, thrift stores, estate sales. I can just wander and wonder to my heart’s content. I love to hunt & gather new vintage, and I love to chat with the previous owners, it makes my find even more special.
But this year is going to hold some very big changes for everyeskimo… and I bet that whole schedule will be completely different in a few months!
Q. What inspires you most of all?
The story. I love the stories behind vintage pieces, and I can’t help but create stories for my little stitches. Sometimes I know the story as I’m stitching, and sometimes they refuse to tell me until I’m ready to photo and list them. But those words always give a deeper meaning to the pieces in my shop… the same way a really great song can be even greater because the title strikes you just right.
Thank you so much for having me on your blog… it’s been an absolute pleasure!
xo. regina from everyeskimo
Ways to keep up with Every Eskimo:
everyeskimo.etsy.com
everyeskimo.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/#!/everyeskimo
abby on 
Courtney on
What a beautiful shop, and those little creatures are so adorable! (I think I see one of those little guys in my future). It’s so cool to see that she’s from Royal Oak too!
How sad/strange that the everyeskimo shop is “on vacation” right when you’ve posted this interview! I hit the link prepared to buy!
Hi Cynthia! I’m sorry for the bad timing! I didn’t realize that every eskimo was going on vacation either.
I did a little snooping for you and Regina is still checking her Etsy convos. That’s a good way to get in touch with her if something has caught your eye. And I can’t blame you if something has! So many cute and pretty things over there!