Interview with Karen Moser of The Pond

BenSpark

I’m very excited to interview my friend Karen Moser because I’ve actually met her in real life, two times once at Postiecon where we were part of the Fab 4 panel and then I visited her on my mini Blog America Tour. Back in January of 2008 I spent an afternoon talking with Karen in her home. She was such a sweet and welcoming person and I’m so happy to introduce you to her. Or rather let’s have Karen introduce herself and tell us why she started blogging.

Karen

I started blogging in 1998 as a way to journal and keep in touch with ladies I met online. That was back in the day when we sent funny sounds and symbols to each other via (can’t remember what those were called. I would type in something and others would respond. The thing was live and constantly updating. Drew, do you know what I am talking about? A MUSH or a MUD or something like that, chatroom sort of thing, I remember playing with those in 1996 so not sure which platform you are talking about though, sorry.). I used to stay up until one in the morning learning code so I could post a crazy laugh or a silly song. I still visit the blogs of some of those friends. We have raised our kids together. I have been instructed to post pictures of our son’s wedding, which takes place next month. Some of these bloggers where with me when Greg was suspended from middle school. They assured me things would turn out okay. I guess they were right! Greg recently received his master’s degree in communication studies and starts law school in August!

BenSpark

I’ve read Greg’s blog as well as your daughter’s blog. You’ve got some great kids. I’m so happy for Greg getting married and his accomplishments. Family is really important to you and that comes across on your blogs and that is wonderful, could you tell us about your blogs?

Karen

One of those friends introduced me to PayPerPost and I began to earn money from my blogs. I am one of the top earners there and have branched out to IZEA’S Social Spark where I make decent money. I am also working for TextLink Ads and Parent Reviewers. Each of these affords me a little cash to support my fabric habit. I make quilts and purses which I regularly display on my Winding Threads blog. Ooops! There I go, off on a tangent.

BenSpark

I was cheering the day that you made top earner. I couldn’t wait till you took the top seat, you deserved it for all the hard work that you did with PayPerPost. Now you are in the best crew on SocialSpark (shameless plug I know). So other thna being a part of the I’m Not a Famous Blogger Crew what is your favorite feature of SocialSpark?

Karen

Social Spark has been great in that I am not tied to my computer while waiting for opportunities to appear. I check in now and then or receive an email noting an opportunity to check out. I am more particular of which ops fit with my blogs these days. I doubt I will ever get my page rank back but one can hope. I believe in disclosing which of my posts I’m paid to write. I do think that people should be intelligent enough to check out something for themselves. I have been very pleased with the advertisers who have chosen to use SocialSpark. It is so much fun to write about things that really interest me. I could talk about Branson for days and not run out of good things to say. I would love to see craft supply manufacturers use Social Spark.

BenSpark

I love your quilts and I think that many craft manufacturers are missing the boat on SocialSpark, there are many people who do some amazing crafting. What is the first thing you do when you fire up your browser?

Karen

The first thing I do when I log onto my computer is check who the blog of the day is at PayPerPost. I then move to SocialSpark to check out the ops and my messages. I read my email messages and respond to comments. I always leave comments on the blogs that have left comments on my blog. I have built friendships that way.

Back in 2008 when I visited Karen at her house, she is pictured here with her friend and fellow blogger Tina. I’m also there and I can explain the tie and button down shirt. I was just coming from a work demonstration. I am usually much more casual.

BenSpark

Karen, that sounds like a great start up to the day. I respond to every comment I get but I don’t go to the blog itself. I need to do that much, much more. You must read a ton of great posts. I’m interested in what you think is your best post ever, could you tell us about that?

Karen

I think the best post I have written to date has been the Stolen Quilts, Stolen Hearts post. I can only hope that these quilts are found. I know the time and sweat involved in creating a quilt and would be devastated to lose one.

BenSpark

That is a compelling post. Okay enough with the serious questions how about some random stuff. Pirates or Ninjas?

Karen

I am definitely a fan of pirates. My daughter is, after all, in the Coast Guard. She works on Dolphin helicopters in the effort to wipe out drug trafficking. We think of her as a pirate.

BenSpark

Your daughter is definitely a hero. I hope to meet her and Greg someday, maybe IZEAFest? Coastguard = water. Water = fish. Fish = SeaWorld. Make it happen. I’d be great to have the whole blogging family together at IZEAFest, what a great way to connect. Think about it. So, outside of blogging what are your other interests?

Karen

The internet has given me a place to stay connected with other people while working full time in our floor covering business. Working full time used to make me feel isolated when the only people I met were customers and sales representatives. I have made so many true friends online, some of whom I have met IRL (in real life). I have friends who are experts when it comes to html. They taught me how to create and manage a blog on my own domain.

BenSpark

You’ve met some fantastic people, myself withstanding, and made so many good relationships. You visit so many blogs daily, Do you have a few favorites?

Karen

Here are my favorite blogs:

• Sewing Mom
• Freaky Frugalite
• Mom Knows it All
• Margie and Edna’s Basement
• Red Pine Mountain
• The Natural State Hawg

BenSpark

Do you listen to or watch any podcasts?

Karen

Podcasts? What’s a podcast? LOL Seriously, I don’t have time.

BenSpark

I am so happy to have Karen on the I’m Not A Famous Blogger Crew, she is a wonderful host, friend and blogger. I was very happy to be able to introduce everyone to this wonderful friend. Check out her blogs and visit her on SocialSpark, her profile link is http://socialspark.com/bloggers/karen

Tagged as: Carpet, Coast Guard, Etsy, Family, Flooring, Quilt, Quilting, The Pond, Winding Threads