Interview with Bonnie From Going Home to Roost

I had the great privilege of interviewing a handful of awesome bloggers from the design scene for my book How to Make Money using Etsy.   Here is the interview with Bonnie from Going Home to Roost.

Bonnie Forkner
goinghometoroost.com

1. Tell us a little about yourself.
hello lovelies! my name is bonnie and though i was born and raised in the smoky mountains of western north carolina- the hub and i just relocated to colorado.  wherever i am, i love to roost, which to me means nesting in my home and doing the things that i love.

2. Why did you start blogging?

the easiest answer?  because i’m always doing a project and then on to the next creative endeavor, and i longed to share them with others in the handmade community.

French Decor

3. Where does your inspiration come from when writing articles?

everywhere! i turn to other blogs, books, magazines, nature and all of my surroundings.  i keep my camera or a notebook with me at all times so that i can log what inspires me.  i keep what i call ‘style files’ and refer to them anytime i need a little inspiration pick-me-up.

4. Who taught you or how did you learn the technical (design, setup, etc)side to blogging?

haha, i’m not sure that i ever learned!  much self-research and trial and error has been the major source of info for me. i’ve always hired out help for the design of my blog, but have learned how to tweak things along the way.

5. How do you build a community around your blog?

i stay true and loyal to my readers, and everything that i do is for them.  i write honestly, ask questions and always try to stay engaged and personable.

6.  How has Social media like Twitter and Facebook helped your blog grow.

oh my, they have helped so much!  some of my larger sources for traffic are from them both.  when i started i had no clue how to use them, but as i have grown and really gotten to know how they are most beneficial, they seem to be major facets of going home to roost.

Keep your creative space inspiring

7. Any specific tips you have for newbie bloggers who want to make it in the

blogosphere?

as i sorta mentioned before, stay true to yourself and right from an honest place.  don’t be so concerned with the numbers, but just with being who you are and making connections.

8.What is one thing you do that drives the most traffic to your blog?

most certainly, social media!

Tick Tock Cutesy Clocks

9. Name 10 blog post ideas for a blogger in the handmade scene.

ooo, how fun!
1) write a tutorial on a craft
2) give a crafty book review
3) post a photo log of a recent trip you took, maybe to a handmade storefront
4) how to do a diy project
5) before and after pictures
6) do a trend round up of handmade items
7) feature other handmade inspired blogs
share some of what inspires you
9) share with them your workspace
10) interview a handmade artist

10. How has your blog helped your Etsy shops?

oh, i would say say it’s helped from the start. i started both my shops and ghtr at the same time, so they have grown and supported each other the whole time!

11.  Name three websites you couldn’t live without.

etsy, of course!
scoutie girl
design*sponge