Feature: Write Before Your Eyes

Meet Shannah! A creative jewelry-making pen-pal enthusiasist from the South! She runs a great little blog, Write Before Your Eyes, focusing on her love for all things snail mail, including her newfound love for mail art ! (Which I must say, she is excellent and super creative!)

Location: Louisiana, U.S.A.

Click here to visit this great blog !

Tell me a little about yourself.

     Hello, my name is Shannah and I am 21 years young! I was born and raised in “the toe of the boot” in Louisiana and the scenery I grew up around is absolutely breathtaking! Living in the country has taught me the importance of family and finding a purpose for everything. I have been crafting all my life and my mind is always jumbled with ideas of what I can make next.

      I also enjoy exercising and eating healthy. I believe that is a very important part of life and can make all the difference as you age. In high school I lost about 40lbs in 4 months when I made the dance team and later became dance captain. I still exercise daily and don’t skip a beat!
      I am a bit old fashioned when it comes to most things. I feel like I could become one of those wives/mothers who stay at home and cook, clean, sew, garden! However, I do like to dress up and do it big when I go out to a restaurant or something. ;) Photography is a major part of my life as well. I have done a few local photo shoots for some families and students. I am hoping to excel further in that in the near future! All in all I am just a small town girl with more than one dream and I am trying to fulfill them all!

What made you start your blog “Write Before Your Eyes”?

Well, back in January of this year I was actually searching online for penpal ads because I wanted to expand my experience to other parts of the world. I stumbled across other lovely penpal blogs along the way and thought they were so amazing! I couldn’t believe so many other people out there still penpalled! I mean, hand written letter writing is such a lost art. Though it is dying down, I decided I’d make a blog as well to aid in its slow recovery. I want people to know how fun and rewarding it can be to receive items from different states and countries! It’s also very educational. Maybe one day my blog can inspire everyone that stumbles across it to pick up a pen and paper and write a letter. It could be to your mom, best friend, aunt,.. grandparents. Maybe send a note to the homeless shelter or to a nursing home. You don’t necessarily have to mail a letter in order to have a penpal. I started this blog for the inspiration!

How would you describe your blog?

Write Before Your Eyes was hastily made, because I wanted to get started right away! It mainly stays on the topic of penpalling, but sometimes I do venture off and share pictures of my life or crafts that I’m working on. I try to keep it on the penpalling track though, to fulfill my goal!

During your time blogging so far, what has been the most rewarding?

The most rewarding part is reading all the sweet and encouraging comments my wonderful followers leave. I’m glad they have all been positive comments so far. I strive for positivity in my blog posts. I never put down on anything or anyone. I also love the participation my followers have on my blog. When I have a giveaway or a project, they jump right in to join in on the fun!

When you started your blog compared to now, is your blog going in the same direction & what would you like WBYE to achieve in the future?

Actually, no. It’s doing even BETTER than I expected it to go. I know it doesn’t seem like much, but going from zero to my (currently) one hundred twenty two followers in roughly 4 months is a big deal here in the “penpalling world.” As I said earlier, I made my blog to inspire others. If I have inspired just one person to pick up a pen and write a letter, I have accomplished something major in my book. I would also like as many people as possible to follow me. I mean, what blogger doesn’t like followers? J

How did you get into Pen Paling?

Eight years ago when I was 13, my grandmother showed me these penpal ads in a CountrySide magazine and told me it’d be a fun thing to do. She said all 3 of her daughters (including my mother) had penpals when they were younger and they loved it. I immediately fell in love with the idea so I wrote to a girl named Gabrielle from California, and she wrote back! To this day we are still penpals! <3

How many pen pals do you write on a regular basis and from what states, countries?

Hmm, that’s a tough question.. I write to roughly 30..ish lovely people. Let’s see, I may leave off a few states and countries, but these are the ones I can name off from the top of my head; U.S.A.-California, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, Missouri, Michigan, Washington, Arizona, Kentucky, Kansas, Texas, Ohio, Maryland…France, New Zealand, Australia, New Mexico, South Korea, England, London, Singapore, Germany

Etsy store: http://www.etsy.com/shop/ShannahsCraftCorner

What kinds of items can be found in your store?

My theme is generally based on the country/Victorian/fashion theme. I am currently in the process of brainstorming what I can make to build my inventory. I want to make accessories that are so unique and one of a kind. That way you can go to a get together and not be wearing the same thing as someone else and people will ask you where on Earth did you get that. J

What do you hope to add to your store in the future?

I hope to add more wire wrap based jewelry. I have the cutest idea in mind for a whimsicle ear cuff. Hmm, just keep your eyes peeled on what I may have up my sleeve in the very near future! ;)

Favorite Blogs?

I’m glad that I stumbled across Something Like Glamour! Sometimes some of the best blogs are found by accident. Your blog is now in my top favorites! .. It’s very hard to pick favorites because I love all my follower’s blogs! I basically like the penpalling blogs, DIY blogs, excersise and healthy eating blogs.. in those categories.

Anything else you would like to add just type it below !

I am so glad for all of you who took the time to read my interview. I hope I didn’t bore you too bad. I also have a new blog in the making called morethanonedream.blogspot.com. It’s still under construction, but it’s about my dreams of modelling, photography, crafting, health, exercise, and fashion if you’d like to check it out! I follow back. J

I hope everyone has a wonderful day. If you have the time, sit down and scribble a little ink on that paper!

Toodles,

~Shannah~

She's such a great girl and I'm so glad I had the opportunity to interview her ! Make sure to check out her blog, let me know in a comment below that you did, include your e-mail address and you'll get a little surprise, shussh not telling ! Have a great day everyone !

~Amberlynn