YOOPER BOUTIQUE ****** SAULT STE. MARIE, MICHIGAN

Many of us have been on diets. The ‘fridge is NOT our friend if it contains anything other than rabbit food and other diet fare. Dieters with families to feed are going to have some “no no’s” in there, tempting their taste buds. Michelle Anderson’s “I’m watching you” fridge magnets might be just the thing to bolster your resolve to stay on that diet. I know I’d think twice before opening my refrigerator for a forbidden snack!

Michelle’s magnets are what drew me to her shop but her other creations kept me there. I have been looking for a cute apron for ages because, when I cook, I generally manage to get some of whatever I’m cooking on my clothes. I’m old enough to remember when women wore aprons and, in fact, made one for my mom in Home Economics class in the 50’s. Michelle loves aprons; her Grandma Demour, from Canada, wore a full apron from the time she got dressed in the morning until she went to bed. She made aprons for her Grandma because they were almost impossible to find in the “90’s. Grandma Demour has since passed away, but the memory of her in her apron lives on.

The other apron I must have is one of Michelle’s vendor aprons. They have big pockets in the front, perfect for stashing all the money you’re making….pen, pad, whatever you need handy. She has so many to choose from, the decision is going to be hard. Hmmmm, maybe the one in the photo.

Michelle has been sewing for years. When someone wanted bridesmaid dresses, a prom dress or a quilt, she was happy to do it. Her favorite thing is quilting, which she learned to do at 19. She also likes to hook rugs and even designs them herself. An example is the Mariner’s Compass in her logo (you can see it on the home page of her Etsy shop).

Like many artists/crafters, Michelle does not like assembly work. The joy is in the creating, not churning out the same item over and over again. She no longer does craft shows because having to make 50 of something becomes boring and tedious. She doesn’t have a website or blog and doesn’t sell anywhere other than Etsy unless someone she knows asks for something. She is more of a “give away” person.

Michelle loves the Internet because it allows her to “meet” people with similar interests, through blogs and Etsy, she would otherwise never know existed. She enjoys reading about, and seeing the work of, other artists and crafters from the USA and abroad. It brings home the fact that people “really are alike no matter where they live”.

Visit Michelle’s Etsy shop by clicking here .