We asked Autumne a few questions. Let’s hear about more about her talents.

RWACGW: Where are you from and how long have you been doing crafts/ art?

Autumne: Maryland. I've been doing crafts in one form or another for most of my life (don't ask!) I've been teaching decorative painting for 6 years and LOVE it!. I can remember my first grade teacher, Miss Straser, asking us to paint a self portrait in class. I painted myself at a blackboard with a ruler in my hand, teaching. Who knew that *mumblemumble* years later, I'd actually be a painting instructor?

Currently, except for one show I do in the fall, my 'crafting' has gone by the wayside. I've found teaching more rewarding (and profitable), however, when I did crafts, my projects almost always incorporated some form of decorative painting. My best seller was (and still is) my hand painted wine bottles with lights. Each winter holiday, I paint a different design. Last year's design was a penguin and snowman standing in front of pine trees. I've got 'regulars' who come to me every year to purchase the latest design.

RWACG: Do you have formal training or certification or did you learn on your own by attending a class or just reading a book?

Autumne: Yes, yes, and yes. I started with books and videos and took 2 decorative painting classes at a nearby craft store about 8 years ago. It really snowballed from there. I developed a website to show family and friends some of the items I'd painted and sold at craft shows and received a phone call one day from Plaid Enterprises (they're a nationwide distributor of acrylic paints and artist products). Plaid needed someone to do the painting demo at a grand opening for a new Michaels opening nearby. They had called and asked the instructor I had taken my 2 classes from a couple years before but she had a scheduling conflict and couldn't do the demo that day. She referred them to my website and recommended me. I said 'You want to PAY me to stand there and paint for 3 hours?' (I thought they were kidding!) The day after the demo, they called me again and asked if I would take the painting instructor job in the new store. I became a certified instructor in 2004 and am a member of the Society of Decorative Painters.

RWACG: Have you sold your items?

Autumne: Many, many!

RWACG: Can you give price ranges of the items?

Autumne: I currently only do one show a year now. (Did I mention I also work fulltime at a university?) I try and have a basket of $1.00 hand painted jingle bells for children to purchase (they love to shop and buy something special!). Generally my items are priced between $20-$50 and I don't usually have anything in my display for more than $75.00 although I'll take special orders for custom gifts and walls/murals.

RWACG: Do you give lots of your work for gifts?

Autumne: I do. But I usually invite my family/friends to walk through my house and select what they'd like to have.

RWACG: Ever enter any competitions?

AUTUMNE: Yes, I entered a county fair with a very old wooden telephone stand I bought at a yard sale for $4.00 and painted ivory with pink roses and lace. (I eventually sold that stand for $50).

RWACG: Have you won?

Autumne: Yes, I took the blue ribbon for that table. My boss' wife called me and asked if I painted because she was looking at a table at the county fair painted by someone with the same name and it had been given a blue ribbon. (Nice surprise!!!)

RWACG: Is it an expensive hobby to start up?

Autumne: Painting is probably the least expensive hobby! Water-based acrylic paints can be purchased for $1 a bottle. Of course, I do have over 500 bottles of paint. (*yikes* Did I really admit to that?).

RWACG: Are there specialty tools to buy?

Autumne: Nope. Paint and brushes, that about sums up your supply list. .

RWACG: Your crafting area.. Do you set up at the kitchen table or do you have a designated area in your home?

Autumne: I have sent a photo of my work area.

Thank you Autumne for taking the time to tell us about yourself and your crafts. Everything is just lovely.