Meet Dana of "JL Plates and Platters" and "3 Etsy Mamas"

You can browse my Etsy Shop called JL Plates and Platters and order cake stands and other vintage items here:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/jlplatesandplatters

The first quesiton to find out is what is a person with a bachelor's degree in recreation management administration who was trained to run a city recreation department and sports camps doing making such pretty, feminine products for a shop on Etsy?  Let me explain....

One of my favorite 3-credit college classes was a course on party planning.  We were tested and graded on what it takes to throw a great party and had the "oh-so-challenging" assignment to plan and host several parties through the semester-- I think this is where my love of making things for special occasions stems from.

Going back even further, when I was growing up, my family ran a local store, where I spent a lot of time as a child.   On top of being exposed to customer service through our family store, my grandmother had a side business making and selling dolls which she included me in (she even let me make porcelain dolls as a child).  I learned a lot about customer service and creativity through both family businesses.

Fast forwarding many years later, it is no wonder that in the recreation management field, customer service and crafts became my specialty.  In my present day world, instead of spending time in the family store-front or making dolls with Grandma, I am spending time with my family for our On-line Etsy Shop making pretty things.  I am so thankful for the many life experiences that have taught me about customer service, designing, expressing, and feeling fearless in the creation process.

And I believe in our product.  In my party planning class, I learned the importance of celebration.  It feels so great to create things that mean so much to people for their special occasions or homes.  Whether it is a product for a bridal shower or wedding, or something to beautify the home, there is nothing more important than the people around us and living life to the fullest with them.  If something we create enhances that event or moment in time that we have with each other, I feel thankful I could be a part of that in a very small way.

Upcycling is my favorite form of art.  I makes everything from cakes stands, to candles, to frames, to home decor using mostly vintage or antique pieces. I do special orders as well, so e-mail me if you need something done in bulk for a wedding, shower, or party.  I'd be glad to help you out!