Spotlight on Bevspaper

Today we shine the Giant Squid Spotlight on one of our Greeters, Bevspaper

Bevspaper tells us about her other endeavor, The Paper Trail, shares her favorite lens with us and more.

1. Tell us a little about your other endeavor, The Paper Trail.
I started my online business in March of 1997 specializing in ephemera or paper collectibles. In the beginning I concentrated specifically on the advertisements from old magazines. My little business has evolved since those early days to include all forms of ephemera. “What the heck is ephemera”, you ask. It is a branch of the antique and collectible industry that includes items that were meant for one use or a short term use and then thrown away. Pretty much if it was made with paper, my shop The Paper Trail carries it. Much of my inventory is also displayed at a local brick and mortar Antique Mall that I help to run here in Central Indiana. It is my love of the illustrators of the past that keeps me excited about the advertising in the magazines, the cover art, and the illustrations in old books that feeds my passion for my busin
ess.

2. In addition to being a 100 Club member you are also one of the Giant Squid Greeters. Which part of that job do you enjoy most?
The very best part of my job as a Giant Squid Greeter is meeting new lensmasters and encouraging them on their journey to becoming a Giant Squid. Sharing tips with them and watching them grow in their lensmaking skills is truly rewarding. I love helping them find answers on how to do things and just letting them know that they are a part of the Squidoo Family. I remember how good it made me feel when a Giant Squid sent me a little note of encouragement and it feels really wonderful to be able to be that person for someone now. It gives me a sense of giving back to the community that helped me along. A pay it forward, if you will.

3. Which of your many lenses is your favorite and why?
There are several that I really had fun writing and researching. The one closest to my heart and the one that was the most difficult to write is He Chose Suicide. Writing it allowed me to let go of some pain that needed released. It also gave me an opportunity to reach out to people who are grieving over the same loss and to let them know that they aren’t alone. And if by reading the lens, one person changes their mind…well that is pretty powerful.

4. Fiction or Non-Fiction?

Most definately – Fiction. It’s nice to visit a make believe world and escape the pressures of every day life.