Feature Friday: PrasadDesigns

Good morning everyone,,

It's finally Spring! Yesterday the sun was shining so bright. I think it will keep on shining today as well, and maybe we will even have a sunny weekend *needles crossed* :D

To celebrate this good weather, I have a new feature with PrasadDesigns. She has some lovely bright and handmade jewellery. Fit for Spring.

find item here

1. Tell us a little bit about your shop; how did you start? How did you learn your craft? Why did you start? What do you sell?


I've been making jewelry since I was a child. I have taken a couple jewelry classes to enhance my skills. PrasadDesigns was created to share my passion for jewelry with the rest of the world. I have always wanted to start my own business, so doing this was the perfect opportunity. Etsy is a great
website to allow me to have my own shop and start my jewelry business.

2. What inspires you? Is there a special place that you like to go to get inspired? What is it? Any favorite galleries or exhibits that inspire you?


Whenever I go shopping or see someone, the first thing I do is look at the jewelry and this usually give me some sort of an idea for another piece I can create. So just about anything can inspire me when it comes to creating jewelry.

find item here

3. Who is the biggest supporter of your craft/Art & business?


I would have to say that my biggest supporter right now is my friends and family. They are all proud of me and fully support me.

4. Are you part of a crafting group?

No, I am not. I am currently a college student and it is difficult to keep up because I am constantly in classes or studying. Whenever I have free time, I work on the business. I would love to be part
of a crafting group though!

5. What do you enjoy making the most? 


I love making all types of jewelry. Making jewelry is a passion of mine and I love being creative with it. I enjoy using my imagination and just going with it.

Find item here

6. What is the story behind your shop's name?


Prasad is my last name. Therefore, I named it PrasadDesigns. Maybe in the future I will rename my shop and come up with something more creative.

7. What do you like to do for fun?


I enjoy traveling. I also love to read and watch new movies.

8. Do you have a crafty room?

I do not have a craft room. I currently make jewelry in my dining room, believe it or not. I would love to have a craft room where I can just lay out all my designs and have the whole room dedicated to just jewelry making.

Find item here

9. How do you find selling offline? How is it in comparison with selling online? 


I don’t usually sell offline. I do gift my jewelry to friends and family though. But I primarily sell on Etsy only. I have hopes that my store will be successful and I can increase sales.

10. Do you have any tips for people who want to start making their
hobby into their business? 


I believe hard work is the most important factor into making a business a success. You have to be able to market and promote the shop and continually create new pieces. Setting time aside for the business is
extremely important.

Find item here

To keep in touch with the latest news and designs from PrasadDesigns, follow her link below:

Etsy Shop
Facebook
Twitter
Wanelo
Blog
Pinterest

Feature Friday: WellRavelled

Happy Friday! 

This week I am featuring a fellow crocheter, Melissa. It is always nice to meet other crocheters and their fabulous designs. She has ready made products, and crochet patterns in her Etsy shop WellRavelled. She has a lovely range from infinity scarves to hats and many creations in between. 

Melissa crocheting

1. Tell us a little bit about your shop; how did you start? How did you learn your craft? Why did you start? What do you sell?

I started crocheting in 2009, when a new friend introduced me to it. Before long, it was impossible for me to sit anywhere without my hands busily working!  I decided to start my shop in 2011 because I didn't know what else to do with all of my creations.  I never dreamed it would become a full-time business.

2. What inspires you? Is there a special place that you like to go to get inspired? What is it? Any favorite galleries or exhibits that inspire you?When I'm feeling uninspired, I love browsing the treasuries on Etsy. They remind me of the beautiful items that human hands can create, and how we can tell a story through handmade items.

lace collar here

3. Who is the biggest supporter of your craft/Art & business?Without question, my husband Kyle has been unfailingly supportive since Day One.  Not only does he do the photography for my shop, but he spends his time on weekends helping me buy, organize, and inventory my yarns. That's real love!

4. Are you part of a crafting group?
I'm not, and it's honestly because I don't have the time! But one of my goals this year is to learn to knit, so I'm considering finding a local group to help me take on the challenge.

5. What do you enjoy making the most? 

My passion is big, big, BIG scarves. There's nothing cozier than a soft, luxurious, enormous scarf. Unfortunately I live in a tropical climate, so I only get to wear them when I model for my shop!

find this awesome cowl here

6. What do you like to do for fun?I am absolutely in love with Tampa, so our favorite activity is to leash up the dogs for a walk, and explore! We enjoy seeing new neighborhoods, parks, and beaches.  There are so many beautiful places waiting to be discovered.
7. Do you have a crafty room? 
I don't have the space for one in our current house, but I often dream of what my future room will look like! I want wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling open shelving for my yarn. When I walk into the room, I will be greeted with yarn in every color of the rainbow.

find this pompom hat here

8. Do you have any tips for people who want to start making their hobby into their business? 
Hobbies are fun, but a business is work. Sometimes, you have to forget about what you love making, and focus on what sells. And if it sells, you need to keep making it 5, 10, or 100 times in a row, even when you're tired of it.  My business is hands-down the most fun and rewarding job I've ever had, but this is also the hardest I've ever worked!

Thank you Melissa! that's a great tip and great answers!

keep in touch with Melissa and her cozy pieces through these links:

Etsy
Facebook
Pinterest 

Feature Friday: Alex's Canvas

Greetings Creative World! 

Hope you all had a creative week! mine just went by SO fast, I can't even believe it is Friday! I still got many projects to do and work on :O too much work, so little time. Enough about me!

Today, I am presenting Alex's Canvas, a painter from Greece, who makes the cutest personalised canvasses. Over to Alex,,

  

1. Tell us a little bit about your shop; how did you start? How did you learn your craft? Why did you start? What do you sell?

I sell original paintings for the nursery, birth canvases and personalised /custom paintings for kids and grown-ups. I create my pieces the old-fashioned way: it's just me, my brushes and my paints from beginning to end (no print-on-canvas stuff). I've been drawing and painting ever since I can remember myself, so it's what comes natural to me! My mother is a self-taught artist and I used to watch her paint in our balcony when I was a kid. There's nothing more mesmerizing then colours being mixed in order to produce entirely new shades... And a rough sketch slowly taking an almost 3D shape in front of your eyes! People and animals were always my favourite subjects -I was known at my primary school for making portraits- though sometimes I would paint landscapes too.

I knew from very -very early on that I would paint my whole life, so it made sense that I would study fine art, rather than anything else. I trained in charcoal, oil and acrylic nudes and landscapes for a year, in an art school in Athens, and then I moved to Bristol, UK, where I studied for a BA degree in Fine Art. After I graduated and returned back home, though, the jobs awaiting for me had little to do with my studies. They offered wonderful experiences, however! So, fast forward almost a decade -during which I paint mainly for myself and few selected friends- I find myself married with a child, living in a farm (oh yes!), having just resigned from a kick-butt job as editor in Chief of a well-known magazine in the city.

Once I settled into motherhood, I start to feel restless, I turn our conservatory into a studio and begin to paint more regularly. And then, one day, a friend asks for a “birth certificate” canvas. A painting that would capture the name and birth stats of her daughter. That was the first one I ever made and from then on, Alex's Canvas took off! I set up a facebook page, opened a shop in Etsy, amongst wonderful artists and crafters, and have now regular sales (most of them off Etsy, as my shop there is quite new). I mostly make nursery paintings, personalised art for children and birth canvases of different sizes and shapes (my mini triangles are a big hit!). However, I've also had customers commissioning other kinds of paintings from me, such as personalised home “signs” and fine art paintings with their own personalisation on. I absolutely love making all kinds of custom and personalised paintings, whether it's for little ones or grown ups. It's magical!

Find item here

2. What inspires you? Is there a special place that you like to go to get inspired? What is it? Any favorite galleries or exhibits that inspire you? 

Nature and everyday life provide a great deal of inspiration for me. My studio is actually a tiny conservatory with glass all around, allowing me to look at endless green fields (and -occasionally- sheep!) while I paint! We have hedgehogs and turtles around, as well as a family of owls which I like to spy on in the evenings. Animals at the local zoo are also a great inspiration. So is travelling: new places, new colours and change of scenery often give birth to a new idea for a theme or colour combination. Last but not least, there's the museums and galleries, the big ones around the world with artwork you are in awe of, but also those cute little galleries in some remote Greek island – a small haven of wonderful art when you least expect it! If I have to be totally honest, though, life itself is where I get the biggest part of my inspiration from. One of my little boy's toys. A phrase in one of his storybooks. A cute photograph of a baby seal in a magazine. Anything that sticks to my mind and makes me obsess about it, until I take my brushes and paint it on a canvas!

3. Who is the biggest supporter of your craft/Art & business? 

I have to say my husband (without his support and understanding it would be impossible to find any time to paint), my mother (who is my biggest fan) and my 2 year old son, who gets totally excited when he sees my canvases and has a habit of blowing kisses to his favourite ones!

How cute is this! Find item here

4. Are you part of a crafting group? 

I recently became part of Etsy, an amazing global community of artists whose creativity can blow your mind! And I'm really happy to be a small part of it, and of some great teams on there!

5. What do you enjoy making the most?  

Hmm... I feel like I have to choose between my “children” and I can't really answer that! I love painting for small babies that just came into this world, but painting for older kids and grown-ups is great fun too! Theme-wise, I go through periods of falling in love with a specific kind of animal, colour or motif, till a new one sweeps me off my feet! Currently I'm loving woodland creatures, owls, foxes, hedgehogs, the lot, but I'm also preparing a new “line” of some other pretty cute creatures that children love. Stay tuned, they are coming very soon!

I LOVE the big eyes <3 find item here

6. What do you like to do for fun?

Painting is what I do for fun- I'm just incredibly lucky and thankful that I get paid for it! And, of course, spending time with my family, whenever that is possible. There's probably nothing better in this world than the three of us hanging out, at home or at the seaside. I also tend to spend quite a bit of time on the internet, keeping in touch with the world “out” there (you know, the one away from diapers, green fields and the sound of sea). Oh, and I love watching Modern Family. There, I said it!

7. Do you have a crafty room? 

Yes. It's a very tiny space at the moment, but does the trick for now. I love the view so I can't complain.

8. Do you have any tips for people who want to start making their hobby into their business? 

Oh, I don't think I'm the one to give advice as it's only just recently that I turned my passion into my business. The only thing I can think of is a big cliché, but obviously there is a good reason it became one: Believe in what you do. It's very easy to start doubting yourself -especially at the beginning- but it's so important that you don't give up. If you don't believe in yourself, who's going to do it for you?

Oh, and if you work from home (like lots of hobbyists -turned- into- business people do), try to establish a clear schedule of working times. Otherwise you may end up working 24/7 (neglecting all other areas in your life) or you could end up slacking, as there is no boss to crack the whip.

Make sure to checkout Alex's Etsy shop and FB page for more awesome paintings! 

Etsyshop

Facebookpage

Feature Friday: WoodsyWools

Today is really awesome I decided that we need double the inspiration, so here's another feature, and it's for OWL lovers (MEEEE!) It's a gorgeous American handmade shop with lots of adorable owls (I am dying to buy them all!), say hello to WoodsyWools!

find it here

1.Tell us a little bit about your shop; how did you start? How did you learn your craft? Why did you start? What do you sell?
WoodsyWools is my on-line collection of little hand knitted owls. Each owl is one of a kind and knit with lots of love. My shop was really born out of my love for giving handmade gifts to my loved ones. One year, I added a little owl to all of my Christmas gifts, and everyone loved them! So, these little hoots became my favorite way to add some cheer to someone’s day. My knitting craft all began a few years ago when my grandmother taught me the ‘basic’ knitting stitch. From that point, I self-taught the rest. After a good year of knitting too many ‘baby’ blankets for my sweet tuxedo kitty, I came up with my owls. I don’t knit from patterns, so there was a little trial and error before I produced an owl that resembled what I was picturing in my mind. Knitting free-hand without patterns has really allowed more room for the creative process. I also hope that this technique keeps my hoots all looking unique! I always attached the heart buttons and called them ‘love owls’ because what I wanted most was for the recipient to feel loved! It was really the positive
response from family and friends that led me to open my shop on Etsy. Over the years my owls have evolved, and I get so much creative satisfaction in this process. I love to come up with new ideas for them.

find this  couple here

2. What are the main uses for your gorgeous owls?
These little hoots are so happy to nestle on book shelves, mantels, bedside tables, anywhere one might desire. They are so warm and cozy to hold and make a perfect little gift of love…a great way to warm up someone’s day!
3. What inspires you? Is there a special place that you like to go to get inspired? What is it? Any favorite galleries or exhibits that inspire you?
I am highly inspired in general by nature and my love for animals. A walk outside, listening to the birds is a wonderful way for me to clear my mind and get the creative juices flowing! Sometimes new ideas will pop up late in the night, just before I nod off to sleep. I am also simply inspired by my collection of yarns and buttons. I find that just looking through my supplies, I come up with new ideas and yarn combinations.

find this owl here

4. Who is the biggest supporter of your craft/Art & business?
My friends and family are a huge support. They are always encouraging me to find new ways to ‘grow’ my little business.
5. Are you part of a crafting group?
I am not part of a crafting group at this time. I do envision this in my future someday when I have more free time to devote.
6. What do you enjoy making the most?
My little owls. I get so much satisfaction from start to finish with each one. I really love to make them!

how can you resist these eyes! find it here

7. What do you like to do for fun?
I love to walk outside, and observe the beauty in nature. I also enjoy painting, cooking, and getting together for coffee or dinner with friends and family as often as possible. Of course I find great enjoyment in my craft!
8. Do you have a crafty room?
No I don’t have a room. However, my dining room table has been fully devoted to my craft for about a year now. Dinners are eaten at my coffee table in my living room! I sit on a giant yoga ball, and I have even moved some storage pieces into my dining room to accommodate my craft. So perhaps this IS my crafty room after all. I would love to have a room with more space. More work tables and storage. A place to really let the ‘mess’ of creativity go. I am always tidying up my dining table!

get it here

9. How do you find selling offline? How is it in comparison with selling online?
I don’t have a lot of experience selling offline, other than a couple B&M shops that I wholesale to. I think being able to sell online is wonderful. I mostly love the fact that I have a world-wide audience to sell to. I have shipped my little owls all over the world!
10. Do you have any tips for people who want to start making their hobby into their business?
Yes. If you have creative talent, and you find something that you like to produce, just go for it! It is so easy now to set up shop on the internet. In my opinion, Etsy is a great host website to get started. Just be aware that it does take time and work to run your business no matter what it is. And not everyone is an overnight or even an over many years success. I am still working my day job, but the bits of extra money I earn selling my owls is quite satisfying!

Make sure you checkout WoodsyWools shop for more gorgeous owls <3

Feature Friday: Charmed By Wine CBW

Finally, it's FRIDAY! and we got a new artists to feature today! With us is Mary the maker and owner of Charmed by Wine, and as you all know I don't drink, but the little cute wine charms could be used for ANYTHING! (read answer 6 for details!), the story of how she started is cute and def a romantic way to start February (can you feel the love already! I am sharing it with cakes this year!). Now, over to the artist herself:

1. Tell us a little bit about your shop; how did you start? How did you learn your craft? Why did you start? What do you sell?

I recently got married in August 2012.  My husband and I had a beautiful wedding inspired by my Italian heritage, our love of clean and classy styles, Sinatra, food and wine.  As part of the planning process, I thought it would be a cute idea to give wine charms as favors.  The ‘wedding’ sets I was finding were so expensive, and they weren’t very personal.  I googled ‘how to make wine charms’ and found that it was really quite easy, and that if I used a certain kind of wire, they were actually more durable and less complicated to use!  So, I set to work…

Mary's Wedding Set

My original ‘wedding’ set (picture above) represented my husband and I with charms like ‘love’, ‘thank you’, a wine glass, a blue bead representing the college where we met, our initials, and a tag with our names and wedding date.  I made over 1300 wine charms (which took me the better part of 6 months to do!).  With about 400 charms to go, I realized that I enjoyed making them, but was getting so sick of the current design.  I started imagining other options and designs for wine charms.  I had a bunch of supplies left over at the end, and so I began researching online selling venues like Etsy and learning about how I could create and sell my wine charm designs to others – mainly because I knew that if I didn’t sell them, I’d end up with a houseful of wine charms!

I opened the shop in November 2011, however with the wedding plans, a house purchase and kitchen renovation, I didn’t really start creating items and putting time into the shop until about October 2012.

Speaking of the month of love, find these here

2. What inspires you? Is there a special place that you like to go to get inspired? What is it? Any favorite galleries or exhibits that inspire you?

I enjoy browsing beading websites and looking at all the types of beads, color combinations, charms, glass beads, etc.  I tend to purchase the items that look interesting to me and then play around with them in combination with all sorts of things until I come up with something I like.  Sometimes I’ll see a photo of a tablescape and wonder what I could make that would fit the theme.  For example: My own dishes are black and white…and when I pair that with black and white linens, I love how the ‘Vibrant Vino’ wine charm set can really stand out on the table!

3. Who is the biggest supporter of your craft/Art & business?

Definitely my husband.  He has constantly pushed me to express myself and take risks – first through blogging, and now my Etsy shop.   While I’m nowhere near doing this full time, he is supportive of me learning about running a business, and is a great sounding board for new item and marketing ideas.  He is a photographer on the side, so actually, many of my item photos were taken by him!  I’m learning a bit of photography now, too, which adds to the fun.

Find item here

4. Are you part of a crafting group?

Other than a few teams on Etsy… no.  Between my 9-5, work to be done on our home, and our other personal goals…there is little time to join other groups.  I would like to eventually get together with other sellers though!

5. What do you enjoy making the most?

Holiday designs are fun.  The supplies are more expensive, and there is a bit of a time crunch with creating/photographing/listing…. But the designs are fun to create!  My “12 days of Christmas” set was a huge hit and earned me my first sale (woohoo!).  It reminded me of the 12 days of Christmas water glasses that my grandma has, only in wine charm form.

12 Days of Christmas, find it here

6. What other uses could your Wine charms be used as? (for people who love your items but don't drink)

This is actually something that I had to stop and ponder a few weeks ago.  I was approached to have my items featured as part of a baby shower function and photo shoot, and all I could think of is “but she can’t drink!”  I wandered around the house and came up with a realization that my items can actually be used in various other ways, including:

- coffee mug/teacup charms (on the handle!)

- water goblets or any other stemmed glassware

- christmas tree ornaments, or other holiday décor

- plant décor (add a little sparkle to your house plants/tree branches)

- gift tags or part of gift wrapping

- tapered candle charms

- charms on any stemmed candle holders

- hair accessories (sounds odd, but I’m sure someone would make it work!)

- GIFTS! (hostess gifts, holiday gifts, party favors, wedding shower or wedding favors, etc)

….many other types of uses!

Some of those are a bit ‘outside the box’, however who am I to judge what other people enjoy putting in their homes!  Also, although the purchaser might not drink, my wine charms are GREAT for parties and holidays when guests might be drinking and would like a way to identify their glass.  Paired with a bottle of wine, they also make fantastic unique gifts.

find item here

7. What do you like to do for fun? 

I’m an athlete at heart, having been a gymnast and track and field sprinter/hurdler.  I’m a hockey and football fan as well.  Most times, I’m in front of the TV as I create charms – either watching a sporting event, DVR’d shows, movies, etc.  I even get into books on tape every once in a while!  As a newlywed and new home owner, there are also TONS of ‘house’ related projects that I’m enjoying as far as decorating, room planning, learning recipes, etc.  I like being active, making healthy choices, and learning/creating.

8. Do you have a crafty room?

Sadly, no.  But we do have a small spare bedroom and office loft space that are still ‘in progress’ as far as room layout, design and function.  I’m currently gathering inspiration and hoping that I can reserve some space in either one of those rooms to house all my supplies.  

Craft Room Inspiration from this blog 

Right now, all my supplies are in a cardboard box, and my over-organized self is hating it!

9. How do you find selling offline? How is it in comparison with selling online?

I actually have not yet sold offline.  Once I am a bit more settled, I have plans to research some local craft fairs and possibly talk to a few local businesses. I want to make sure my online presence is strong enough so that I can refer in-person sales to my online shops to encourage repeat business!

10. Do you have any tips for people who want to start making their hobby into their business?

Do a LOT of research and planning ahead. A LOT. Learn about all the tasks you’ll have to manage (financial tracking, taxes, inventory management, marketing, website design, creative /crafting time, packaging, shipping, tracking, pricing and listing, etc). Consult with other small business owners to learn about tools or tips that might help you.  Be patient and realize you won’t be great at everything right away.  Have a backup plan or an “if I fail” plan.

For me, the business end of things is still pretty vague.  I’ve learned SO much over the past few months, and am continuing to learn all I can. I definitely won’t make any huge business decisions or shop changes until I’m more comfortable and can handle what I already have. Baby steps!

find item here

Feel free to share any other comments you might have!

For me, creating wine charms is about adding that little extra something to a party, dinner, evening alone with a movie, whatever.  It’s about gathering with family and friends.  It’s adding a little personality to someone’s life, or sparking a conversation between two people.

So yes, it’s a relaxing hobby for me to dream up ideas and create sets of charms…. But it’s also a hope that perhaps my charms can bring a few more smiles and laughs to those who use them.  With all my charms, I send along a simple wish – That you have as much fun using them, as I did making them. =)

Make sure to checkout Mary's links for more exciting charms :)

Etsy Shop

CBW Website

CBW Blog

“New”Myspace

Feature Friday: Sweet Shop Creations

Hello Everyone! hope you are enjoying your Friday :) I finally had to stay longer in bed. This week was full of uni workshops,, so ready for the weekend! 

Today I am featuring a dear friend, and a big inspiration. I met Mel in Manchester in a local knitting group that we both went to. She really encouraged me to take my hobby further and she was the one who told me about Etsy (my starting point!). We shared so many wonderful craft-noons eating cakes and crafting. She just moved back to the US, and redid her shop. 

Read on and be inspired :)  

find hat here

Tell us a little bit about your shop; how did you start? How did you learn your craft? Why did you start? What do you sell?
Well hello Esra! Thanks for the opportunity to be interviewed! I’m Mel of SweetShop Creations, which can be found at http://sweetshopcreations.etsy.com. I started the shop in December of 2010. At the time, I was unemployed and having a pretty hard time of things—I was staying in a friend’s spare bedroom, I couldn’t find a job, my health wasn’t great and so on. I wanted to do SOMETHING, however, so I went and raided my grandmother and great-aunt’s closets for spare yarn and started making crochet hats and accessories. I sold a few, and listed a few more on etsy.com which then started bringing in a few sales. It wasn’t enough to replace a full time job, but it kept me from going crazy while I was looking for one, and it opened up this incredible world of professional crafting to me, which I really enjoy.
I sell hats, scarves, and earrings currently, all hand-crocheted by me from original patterns I write for my slowly developing SweetShopCraft brand. I learned to crochet a simple chain years ago from my grandmother on a family vacation, but I didn’t learn to actually create garments until I picked up the book Stitch N Bitch Crochet; The Happy Hooker in 2009.

What inspires you? Is there a special place that you like to go to get inspired? What is it? Any favorite galleries or exhibits that inspire you?
I’m a musician, writer and herbalist as well as a yarn crafter, so my original hat-making inspiration came from sitting down with some good music and a cup of restorative tea. A lot of people get their ideas from looking at other people’s work, going to museums, galleries and plays--and I do that too. I think that creativity is a flow, and enjoying other people’s creativity just makes your own flow that much stronger. But I enjoy less obvious sources of creativity too. I just made a hat that was partly inspired by looking at a surveyor’s grid of the streets in Denver. I guess I don’t have one specific source of inspiration—everything is inspiration, when looked at in the right way.

Who is the biggest supporter of your craft/Art & business?
I am incredibly thankful to my friends and acquaintances who’ve ordered from me online and in person and kept me going these past few years. I won’t mention anybody by name, but these folks will know who they are by their descriptions—a college friend who once ordered a scarf all the way from Qatar, a fellow traveller who custom ordered a fabulous woolly turquoise hat, and an old colleague who is the fiercest earring and eye shadow wearing diva EVER have all touched me enormously with their support and kindness, especially recently. The owner of Akhu Designs ordered a loc soc for her son that he apparently wears everywhere, and it tickles me and makes me secretly proud every time I see a facebook post of him wearing this funky hat I made! There are a few people who never order online but never fail to order custom items from me whenever I’m in their city in person that really encourage me as well. There’s also the friends who put up with me trailing yarn all through their house and turning their back bedroom into a makeshift studio when I was unemployed and tired of life—their patience and un-judgmental support got me started on this and many other things, and I will always be grateful to them. Honestly, there are too many people to mention. Lots of people have supported me in what may seem to be small ways, but it has meant the world to me. I can honestly say that the best thing about doing this is that I’ve never really sold to a stranger—every person I’ve made something for or sold something too has become a little bit of a friend, if they weren’t already. 

find earrings here

Are you part of a crafting group? 

I’m a little bit involved with the Denver Crochet Guild at the moment and have posted about it on my blog, but I’ve been in the process of moving countries for about six months and haven’t really had time to get hooked into a crafting group consistently. I hope to be soon though!

What do you enjoy making the most?
I have to say that I LOVE making sweaters. A hat is nice, but a sweater is a massive accomplishment, and a sweater pattern is truly a labor of love and effort. There are so many different styles and ways to create large garments like that. The strange thing, though, is that I never really make sweaters to sell—I only ever make them for myself or for friends. (I have one friend who has about four SweetShop sweaters, lol!) The only reason I don’t really make them to sell is because they are time consuming and expensive to make and I don’t know if I could market them effectively enough yet. That may change in the future though.

Do you craft in public? Where do you do it?
I do…I don’t have a car right now, so I take public transportation a lot. I do have a big handbag, so it’s easy to stitch a bit while on a long bus or tram ride. I also spend a lot of time in coffee shops waiting to meet up with friends, so that’s the perfect time to finish a few stitches too.

find hat here 

What do you like to do for fun?
Besides crafting? I LOVE music and usually do a little singing wherever I can. I also really enjoy languages, reading and long walks on the beach. Scratch that last one—I don’t even live near a beach. What I meant to say is I love learning new languages, reading, writing, cooking, and hiking. 

Do you have a crafty room? 
I wish! Like I said, I’ve been moving or planning to for about a million days (it feels that way, anyway) so no crafty room for me right now. I hope to get at least a crafty corner set up when I finally finish moving and am a bit more settled, though. I like light, open space, and easy organization—I’m looking to have a nice wide table with a measuring tape blocked out on two edges(like the ones they have in fabric shops), a few large clear bins and crates to organize all of my brightly colored yarn by color and weight, and a dressmakers’ dummy. I’d also make a few hanging hook and needle organizers to hang on the walls so that everything would be reachable. Right now all of my hooks and needles and things live in a shapeless denim bag and it drives me nuts.  Add a comfy chair, a stereo, and a kettle and I’m set. While I’m dreaming, by the way, I’d also like a pony and a hot pink 2013 Fiat Spider so that I don’t have to take the bus anymore. :-p

Do you participate in craft fairs or do wholesales? Is there enough support for these types of things?
I don’t do wholesales for anything but earrings because I craft far too slowly to make lots of similar things and because I also like to think that a handmade, one of a kind, original pattern hat is a work of wearable art and wholesale isn’t really the market for that. I do craft fairs, but once again, I’m a slow crafter and I don’t really keep enough stock perpetually on hand to do a lot of fairs. I find that craft fairs are a lot of fun and a great networking opportunity, but I don’t think people come to craft fairs expecting to buy hats and scarves and sweaters, necessarily. For my personal business capabilities and state of constant international transience, I find that online sales and custom orders in person are just more appropriate.

Where do you get your supplies; online, local shops, vintage stores, from friends, recycled materials or others? How easy/hard is it to get supplies & why? Are craft shops missing something?
I get my materials from craft shops and online mostly. I also have a grandmother and a great-aunt who hoard yarn seriously and every time I go to visit, I walk away with a bag full of yarn. I can’t even lie—that’s my BEST source. But as far as buying supplies, I tend to stick to online sources, chain hobby stores (like Hobby Lobby and Michael’s in the US or Abakhan and HobbyCraft in the UK) just for cost-effectiveness. I hate to say it, but I tend to avoid specialty yarn shops like the plague. They’re lovely for atmosphere and for buying patterns, but for yarn and supplies—the prices tend to be too prohibitive for me unless it’s for a custom order. There is a specialty shop in Denver called LambShoppe which has an excellent clearance section, reasonably priced yarn, and an onsite café that is the exception to the rule—I go there fairly often.

How do you find selling offline? How is it in comparison with selling online?
I tend to get a good amount of custom orders via word of mouth, and that is actually my bread and butter, craft sales-wise. If you look at my etsy shop, you can see that I don’t actually sell that much online—but what I do get is people who see the shop and e-mail asking if I can make something specific for them. In person, I tend to sell reasonably well at craft fairs, but they’re such a huge investment of time and craft that I only do them rarely. Honestly, even though I’ve been doing this for a few years now, I have yet to really figure out the best sales model for me. I appreciate every sale I’ve made, but I don’t really know what works best because everything so far has been so diverse! Sometimes I get a lot of custom orders, then I’ll have a rash of sales online, then I’ll do a craft fair, sell everything, and have to start all over again by making stock. It’s a process, and not a perfect one.

Find item here 

Do you have any tips for people who want to start making their hobby into their business? 
I’m sure this is what everyone says, but the biggest tip I have is to figure out what works for you and do that. The world is a big place, the internet makes it accessible, and if you have a solid business model and are very aware of your strengths and weaknesses, you’ll find a market. It’s fine to be teachable and learn from what other people are doing, but don’t get too caught up in other people’s ideas and business models. People buy handmade, hobby craft items because they are high quality and individual—remember that and focus on what makes your work high quality and individual. Do that, and network, and the rest will follow.

I miss Mel after this feature now! hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did, make sure you follow her to read more about her items, and adventures

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Feature Friday: Little Green Guy

The first time I virtually met Brittany -the awesome maker of Little Green Guy- was on one of the Etsy teams; In Your Face, in fact it was the same team where I met Debbi-Twisted Pixel Studio (featured last week), and I instantly LOVED her shop character: little green guy. I was fascinated by the amount of looks she could do for it, and for all the artistic method she uses.  

Then I got to know Mr.Little Green Guy (aka LGG) first hand in a crafty game called craft it forward, and received my VERY OWN LGG, and it was customized with yarn and needles (how can I not FALL in love with it!) 

Now over to Brittany

1. Tell us a little bit about your shop; how did you start? How did you learn your craft? Why did you start? What do you sell?

Little Green Guy features handmade plush toys, sculptures and paintings, all featuring an adorable green monster!

The first Little Green Guy plush was made as a gift on July 26th 2011. It was very random in creation, and later that evening I did a quick watercolor of my little monster. My art has always been serious in nature, I was drawn to precision and realistic paintings/sketches. So when I posted the first painting, people started responding and I was a bit surprised ! But I realized, I had created this painting and didn't stress over the details one bit. I enjoyed myself, I was relaxed, and pleased with the outcome. And my little green monster seemed to make others smile!

I had just taught myself to sew (trial and error) earlier in 2011, so my plush line grew as I did. The first Little Green Guy's (in plush form) were not very detailed. But as I have learned my plushies have become more detailed, and I couldn't be happier.

I have always loved painting and drawing, I focused heavily on it in high school, taking advanced art classes, and learning greatly from my favorite teacher. Then in college I dabbled a bit.

find item here

2. What inspires you? Is there a special place that you like to go to get inspired? What is it? Any favorite galleries or exhibits that inspire you?

My children inspire a lot of my paintings. If you look at some, especially when Little Green Guy is being mischievous, you can envision a child doing the exact same thing, with the same expression. I don't have to be any specific place to be inspired, the wonder of being a mother has trained my brain to function in all sorts of chaos, so I do not need "quiet" or alone time to be inspired. I carry a sketch book with me everywhere to jot down random ideas, that later may translate into a painting or sculpture of some sort. When I was writing my children's book I would use the recorder on my phone to remember lines that would pop in my head randomly.

3. Who is the biggest supporter of your craft/Art & business?

My husband by far. He may not always "see" what I see, although in his defense I do spout off at least 20 (not kidding) new ideas every day. Once I have created something he is very good at giving me honest feedback, and being supportive when my creating has once again spilled out of my work area, and has begun to eat the rest of the house.

4. Are you part of a crafting group?

hmm, no not exactly. Although I do believe I would be lost without my friend Tara, she is owner of Fuzzy Toes. We text constantly, bounce ideas off of each other, send countless pictures while we are creating, either asking for advice or as a sound board. I can honestly say, having her be so supportive is a real boost to my creating process.

find item here

5. What do you enjoy making the most?

This varies depending on my mood. I am so happy that Little Green Guy lets me use three different areas of art. For example, if I am bored of sitting at the sewing machine, I may hop over to clay, if I want to give that a rest I hop to a painting. I am not stuck doing the same thing over and over if I don't want to. I will get on a kick of just clay work, or just sewing etc for a while, then hop around until I've come full circle.

6. Do you craft in public? Where do you do it?

No, it makes me a bit nervous feeling, I don't like everyone watching me. Let me create without eyes on me, but I'd be happy to show it to you when I am done 

find item here

7. What do you like to do for fun?

Well crafting and creating really is fun for me. I read nightly, it is the only way I can turn my brain off, otherwise I would (and have) work all night.

8. Do you have a crafty room?

YES! Well, a closet to be exact . My husband had, what turned out to be a fabulous idea. We took everything out of our master closet (which I do believe is 6ftx5ft) and he built a second, smaller closet to house our clothes. Then turning the walk in closet into my studio area. I love it! I went all out funky when decorating. Bright walls, and fabulous wall paper. I also have an art wall, where I hang my favorite paintings from fellow artists, it is such an inspiration!

Although I LOVE my little studio, I would eventually like an entire room. I do at times still spill out onto the kitchen table to work .

find item here

9. Where do you get your supplies; online, local shops, vintage stores, from friends, recycled materials or others? How easy/hard is it to get supplies & why? Are craft shops missing something?

I get my supplies mostly at JoAnns, Michaels if their clay is on sale. I try to keep my prices reasonable, and you really can't beat the coupons these stores put out! I am intrigued though by crafters that use reclaimed/thrift-ed fabric, it is something I may try in the future!

10. Do you participate in craft fairs or do wholesales? Is there enough support for these types of things?

I have done craft fairs. I have had good experiences and bad. I didn't participate in many this year mainly because I have been too busy to squeeze them in. My best advice would be to really research the fair you are signing up for. It is a lot to prep for, but worth it if you know that the people shopping are into what you are selling, and you are in the right price range for the area.

11. How do you find selling offline? How is it in comparison with selling online?

I am in 3 (soon to be 4) local stores. It is a joy to come in and see my displays at these business's, but I am still trying to find the balance between keeping them stocked and keeping my online store up to date. I like selling in a store and selling online. Both have their pluses and minus's, on one hand you are in complete control of your online store, but learning tagging tricks and marketing yourself can be time consuming. Where as offline the store you are in (normally) attracts it's own foot traffic, but you do have a store taking a percentage of your profit. I really would try both! See what fits you best!

12. Do you have any tips for people who want to start making their hobby into their business?

Research what you want to sell/make a bit. Look at the prices of others, don't low-ball yourself . Really dive into social media, I love interacting with people on Facebook, and it really is a great soundboard for an idea you may have. See if their are any government requirements (especially if you are selling children's items) and verse yourself on that right off the bat (for example, my plushies are required to have certain labels on them explaining content etc as required by the CPSIA). Most importantly love what you do! It's not easy really getting out there, you will put a ton of time in. But if it's something you love it won't feel like a chore!

find item here

For updates and great products:

Like on FB: https://www.facebook.com/LGreenGuy

Follow on twitter:  https://twitter.com/littlegreenguy1

Check her blog: http://www.littlegreenguy.com/ 

and remember to look at her shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/LittleGreenGuy