TDIPT Presents......

Mandy Broome

of

Fiddlestix Studios

Mandy with one of her favorite papier mache dolls from circa 1870

We asked Mandy:

Where do you live?
I live in Dalton,GA~the Carpet Capital of the world! The Chenille bedspread industry was also founded here by a woman named Katherine Evans Whitener in 1895 at the age of 15.

Can you tell us a little about your family?
I am married to my husband of 16 years,we have three children ages 16,7&4.My husband also loves to create. He works in custom cabinetry,but also makes furniture and wooden dolls.

Do you work outside the home?
No,I am so fortunate to be able to stay home with my children,and do what I love.

Napoleon, the newest member of the Broome family

Do you have any hobbies/what do you like to do when you're not creating?
I LOVE books.Books about History,art,creating&old homes.

What are some of your favorite things?
DOLLS! I love to collect antique dolls,especially the tiny bisque dolls,as well as the old papier mache dolls.I also love old dollhouses,and the joy of collecting furnishings for them.

Mandy's China doll collection helps to gussy up her mantle for the holidays

How did you get your start in your creative business? When?
I've always loved to create,and I've always loved dolls,so about eight years ago,my love of collecting dolls just sort of lead to me making dolls.I eventually discovered the prim world,and have been in love ever since!

Tell us how you got your business name?
My business name is very special to me.My Great~Grandmother that I absolutely adored,and was an amazing woman,used to always say"Oh Fiddlestix!",and I just remember her saying that all the time.So when I was trying to come up with a name,I kept thinking of her,and it just came to me.

The tiny doll in the sleigh was Mandy's Great Grandmothers

Is it in the genes......does anyone in your family, now or generations before create?
Yes,I owe so much to my Great~Grandfather! I spent so many wonderful weekends at my Great~Grandparents home!He made dollhouses,and had so much love for making them,and all things miniature~I know that's where I got it!He built me an amazing two story house,filled with hand made wooden furniture,and every little accessory you could imagine!Every Christmas when I was little,he'd give me a new piece of furniture that he'd made for me.He also loved collecting little curiosities,that he filled little wall cabinets to the brim with!

How do you keep ideas coming?
I love art & doll magazines,they are great for inspiration,and to keep my ideas fresh and changing.

Who/what inspires you?
Antique dolls and toys inspire me the very most.

Do you have a studio or do you work in different parts of your home?
I have a very large art cabinet that my husband made in my bedroom that is overflowing with fabric and art supplies! My big farmhouse dining room table that my husband also made is where I do all of my sewing and creating.I hope to turn a barnwood building in my backyard into a studio very soon.

A peek at Mandy's workspace

How do you organize your supplies?
I organize my fabrics by season,and my ribbons and trims are seperated into the drawers of a wonderful antique cabinet that someone was throwing out!

Do you like to listen to music while you work, if so what ?
Absolutely!Loreena Mckennitt (medieval Celtic style music)is my absolute favorite.It's very peaceful,and easy to create to.

Do you have a favorite piece of art that you've created?
One of my favorite pieces would be a Santa and witch riding a crow.

What have you learned about marketing?
Advertising is very important,and like it or not,you have to incorporate what's popular at the time into your artwork.It's also very helpful to join websites that have a high traffic volume to give yourself good exposure.

What keeps you motivated ?
Simply the strong need I have to create!


Do you have any tips you would like to share?
Create what you love,and if it is a passion,don't give up,just keep working,and your art will evolve into something you're very proud of!

A big Thank you to sweet Mandy for letting us put her in the TDIPT Spotlight!