Meet: trolltracks

This week, we meet Dolores Marple, of Versailles and of Trolltracks. She writes, "I have so many ideas and fun things to do that I will never get tired of creating! Right now I have started making tutorials. My husband helps put my photos and instructions together. I have a passion for what I do and for Etsy!!"

Read on for more!

Name: Dolores Marple

City of residence: Versailles, IN

What's the origin of your shop's name? I made up a story about my little dog sniffing out trolls in the woods near my home, so she follows "trolltracks"!

Tell me about the items for sale in your Etsy shop: They're some of the residents of Hob Knobby Hollow --trolls of the Fuzzy Butz and Nakey Butz tribes, fairies, dragons and woodland creatures of all sorts.

How did you learn your craft? I was a wood sculptor before polymer clay was invented. I used to make realistic wildlife -- animals and birds -- but when the new polymer clays were invented, I gave up my messy woodcarving hobby. I read books and experiment with all types of clays and products to try to create my fantasy world.

What's your muse, or what turns that little creative light inside you on? Walking in the woods daily with my dog is the fuel that keeps me thinking about the creatures there.

What's your favorite thing about selling on Etsy? Etsy is my favorite place because I feel at home there. I have tried every other selling venue I could come up with and have now come to use Etsy almost exclusively. Etsy is where my items sell so it must be where they belong!

What are your favorite items in your shop?

• Nakey Butz troll (at top)
• Fuzzy Butz troll and friend (in middle)
• Nutterly a squirrel (at bottom)

How would you define "success" in terms of your Etsy shop? I feel that my shop is a success because I make what I like and find that people like them, too! I would love to make enough money to quit my day job, and I hope that will happen one day, but I do feel like a winner just based on the great comments from my wonderful customers.

What's the coolest compliment you've gotten from an Etsy buyer? The thoughtful and inspiring comments from my customers is really what keeps me going. I cannot pick from them.

Do you sell elsewhere, either online or in stores? I was selling elsewhere, but I'm pretty much all Etsy now. I may try to sell in stores if I can make enough inventory.

Where else can we find you online? I have a Twitter page but don't post too often there. I Facebook, too, where I mostly play games. I use Flickr and my blog where I tell stories with my trolls.

If you're a member of the INCrowdteam and would like to be featured in this blog Q&A, contact me at Jaclyn1423.