Etsy Around the World: punkynmunky

If you are looking for the cutest hair clips, you need to check out Punky n Munky's shop.

Who are you (actual name and/or shop name)?Who are you (actual name and/or shop name)?
Hi! My name is Wendy O’Laughlin, I am the creator of the Etsy shop Punky N Munky.

Where are you located?
I live in the Far Northwest Suburbs of Chicago, Illinois.

What do you create?
Currently for my Etsy shop I make Ribbon Sculptures, Hair Bows, Clippies, and instructional Ebooks.

Have you ever visited North Carolina (if so, what was your favorite part of that trip)? Unfortunately I have not yet been to North Carolina, I hope to someday!

What is your favorite place to visit in your hometown (and why)?
I love to go into the forest preserves nearby to enjoy nature. We also love to bike on the miles of bike trails. Since there isn’t actually too much around this small town, we like to go into Chicago and enjoy the museums. The Shedd Aquarium is always a good time!

What inspires you?
My daughter is my main inspiration. I used to sew Halloween costumes and fun outfits for her, I started making hair bows to match as well. My favorite thing to hear from her when we are out shopping is “Hey Mommy, can you make me something like this?” It’s so much better than hearing “Hey Mommy can you buy me this?” She is often asking me to make her hair clips made to look like this or that. I try to accommodate as much as I can. I really enjoy the process of creating something.

Where do you create?
I would love to have my own room to be able to close it all off or close myself away from all distractions. Maybe someday, for now I have a corner of our kitchen/dining room that is full of plastic totes, shelves, and a small desk. Anyone who comes over just has to overlook it!!

Why did you choose your shop/company name?
I never actually intended for Punky N Munky to be my shop name. But it was a name I used when I needed a username on a website. “Punky” is short for “Pumpkin Pie” which is my 5 year old daughter’s nickname. I think I call her “Punky” 99% of the time instead of her real name. And “Munky” is short for “Munchkin Man”, which is my 2 year old son’s nick name. When I signed up on Etsy I never intended to actually open up shop. Then when I did, I learned that you cannot change your username, which is your URL. So, I thought, what the heck, I’ll just keep it! I love it now!

What is the most time consuming part of your craft/art?
Depends on what I am doing exactly. For new Ribbon Sculptures it is definitely figuring out what lengths of ribbon to cut and how exactly to fold it to get the effect I want. I’ve learned to write it down as I go. Otherwise if I try to make another one, I find I have to spend a lot of time refiguring it all out! Finally I started to make instructions based on those measurements and notes that I take. To make the tutorials is very time consuming. It can take several hours from start to finish. But it is worth every minute! I love to see the finished result of what I make, and to be able to help others enjoy the craft is very rewarding!

What is you most popular item that you create (any why do you think that it’s so popular)?
My Ribbon Sculptures and Tutorials are my most popular. I think my Ribbon Sculptures are unique and can be used a variety of ways such as hair clips, pins, magnets, ornaments, gift toppers, scrapbooking. The possibilities are endless. The Tutorials are written for other crafty people who love to do it themselves! I take a lot of the time