Inspiration Sunday with Ursula Markgraf

Hands up if you love buttons, what, you haven't got your hand up? What have you got against buttons eh? Well, for all the button lovers out there I have a special button lady on the blog today! One of the cool things about having a net based business is getting to meet amazing people from all over the world, today is no exception...

1. Tell us a bit about yourself.... 

My name is Ursula and I live in Germany. I love everything creative and my brain just won't stop creating new ideas! By now my husband gets scared as soon as I utter “I have an idea”. ;-) 

We have two wonderful kids and a dog. And when I do not spend time with my family or on the internet I am most likely making something – sewing, painting, drawing, knitting, crocheting, … and making buttons of course for my little handmade button online-shop. 

I love love love tea. Black tea with sugar and a little milk! HEAVEN on earth! Seriously! 

What I hate is that many people think being creative is something you are either born with or you will never be. I deeply believe that everyone is creative.

Image Credit: Ursula Markgraf

2. Where do you get your inspiration from? 

To be honest, often I am not even sure myself what inspired something. I get inspired by the “usual suspects” like nature, my kids, books, art ... but also by things like talking to people … Sometimes it is just seeing a pattern somewhere - on a cup, a wall, a shirt - and I know I have to create something with it. Sometimes I have no idea where my ideas actually started! They just pop up and annoy me until I let them come alive. ;-)

Image Credit: Ursula Markgraf

3. Tell us about your business...

I want to make the world more creative – and started by making gorgeous one-of-a-kind buttons by hand. I sell these with the hope they inspire others in turn to be creative and unique. In the future I plan to add other creativity-centered products to inspire others to live creatively – their way.

Image Credit: Ursula Markgraf

4. What led you to start your business.... 

Me wanting to live my life MY WAY and according to my priorities! 

I was sick of having to put my (old) job first – above my small kids, my family, anything really. Don't get me wrong, my job is important to me! But my kids are far more important than any job will ever be. 

Image Credit: Ursula Markgraf

5. What does an average day look like for you?

Building a small business while raising two kids somehow does not add up to average days for me. :-) 

To be honest this used to frustrate me a lot until I embraced it and just started to work with it. Now I do not have a set schedule but rather a flexible system which I change and adapt according to what I need this very day. 

There are however some common things that appear again and again in my days. They include 

-at least two cups of tea – otherwise I can not function! ;-) 

-working on my computer when the kids are busy playing or hubby is home 

-”making” something – this can be a sewn coat, a batch of buttons, a row of knitting or just a doodle 

-cuddles and giggles with my kids 

-scribbling into my notebooks 

-staying up too late working on my website or answering emails 

There is still a lot to improve about how I handle business and family – but I could not be happier! :-)

Image Credit: Ursula Markgraf

6. What is the one thing about your job that makes your heart sing? 

Freedom! And making things! 

(I know. Those are two things. But come on – if you have the most awesome job you can imagine it is really hard to even narrow it down to two!)

7. Share a secret with us that has never been shared online before 

Confession: I LOVE doing laundry. 

Okay, now it is out. Please don't judge me. I do hate ironing, though, if that makes it any better.

About Ursula:

Ursula is a creative, free-spirited, yet structure-loving artist who creates beautiful unique handmade buttons. They are meant to inspire women to be creative and unique and live their life their way. I just opened my online-store and am in the process of filling up my shop with lots of handmade button goodness. So come on over and have a peek – and feel free to jump on my list to stay informed. You also get a fun set of printable mini-posters/ postcards when you sign up.

Image Credit: Ursula Markgraf

Find Ursula....

Website : http://www.ursulamarkgraf.com/