Member Spotlight: Einahpetsneleb

Meet Stephanie (aka Belen) of Belen's Boutique!

Stephanie is known for her super cute crocheted flower headbands and vintage-inspired dangly earrings.
To learn more about Stephanie, visit her blog!

1. What school do you attend?

I currently attend Riverside Community College in Corona, CA, and I'm hoping to transfer to Cal State San Bernardino by Fall '10.

2. What are you currently studying?
I'm majoring in Liberal Studies to become an elementary teacher.

3. What types of classes do you get to take? Which one is your favorite, and why?

I'm currently taking all the gen ed classes required to transfer to CSUSB, A few of them were early childhood development classes, which I enjoyed above all other classes I've taken so far. I love learning about the development of children, and knowing that we adults have the power to raise them so that they may one day become friendly, intelligent, and respectable adults.

4. What do you want to do when you get out of school?

Once I get out of school, I plan on finding a position as an elementary teacher of couse. But I'd also like to fit in simple fun and some traveling, because right now it's all work, study, school over and over again with a little bit of time to keep up with my blog, my shop, and sleep.

5. What are some of your interests and hobbies?

I love what any other person loves: watching movies, singing and dancing to music, hanging out with my friends, shopping, reading and definitely sleeping! I like to craft too, of course, but my main love is jewelry, which is obvious when you take a look at my Etsy shop. On my rare days of freedom, I like to relax with a good book and/or go on an adventure with my best friend to find antique shops to rummage through. I have an intense love for the dark and dusty antique stores piled high with all sorts of old, discarded things to take home, clean, fix up, and decorate my home with.

6. What is your favorite thing about college so far?

My favorite thing about college is the change of classes every few months and meeting new people in each time. Unlike elementary and high school, I'm not stuck with the same 30+ students for an entire year. I've enjoyed--and still enjoy--the many friendships I've made since my first day of college.

7. How do you manage your school work and Etsy shop?

I obviously give school top priority by staying a full-time student without piling too much on myself. I fit my work schedule around my classes by working a few nights and mostly weekends as a barista at Starbucks. With occasional days off from work and school, I do what I can to squeeze in time for crafting. But I do admit that there are times when the creative juices start flowing and I set studying aside for a couple hours to satisfy any crafting urges!

8. What is the best advice you can offer to a fellow college student crafter?

Always, always, always put school first. It's a common piece of advice given to every college student, whether or not you're a crafter, but there's so much truth to it. I've had a few slip-ups throughout my college experience, and lemme tell ya, I'm not very happy about that. When you get your work done sooner, you'll have much more time to enjoy keeping up with your projects and Etsy shop. You won't have the worries associated with an approaching deadline because you'll already be ahead!

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