Thursday 9 June 2011
Roomeleven's seller interview!
Tell us a bit about who you are and what you do.
My name is Ellie and I design and make a range of jewellery and accessories. I have recently started selling them under the name Room Eleven on Folksy.
What made you start?
I have always been crafting in one way or another. I was that typical Blue Peter kid who got stuck to plastic yoghurt pots with PVA glue whilst making a bird seed feeder or some other highly advanced project. But the jewellery making only began about a year ago, when I had to spend some time in hospital. One of the nurses showed me some basic beading techniques and I was immediately hooked. I found beading to be one of the few ways available to cure my crippling boredom!
What do you want your business to grow into?
My 'business' still feels like a hobby more than anything right now. This whole project is very much in it's infancy. But I believe that's how good projects begin and am hoping for it to continue to grow and take me in different directions. Already, it has been a massive learning curve.
Do you prefer handmade or high street?
Handmade all the way! There is nothing better than buying something that has been carefully made by somebody else. The amount of mass produced, uniform, uninspiring things you see on the high street makes me genuinely sad. Handmade provides an alternative to this which I hope more people will come to embrace.
If money was no object, What item would you buy "just because you can"?
Probably a house! With a craft room where I could spend my days beading to my hearts content.
What's your "secret vice"?
I recently started watching the drama series 'Mad Men' and I think it should come with a warning label about it's addictiveness. It's getting to the point where I could easily watch three or four episodes back to back. Somebody save me from myself!
One thing you wouldn't tell your parents?
Shhhhhh. I can't tell you that!
And finally, What's you idea of a perfect Sunday?
My perfect Sunday would be lazy and relaxing, involving good food, good company and lots of crafting
My blog: http://roomelevenblog.blogspot.com/
My shop:http://www.folksy.com/shops/roomeleven
My name is Ellie and I design and make a range of jewellery and accessories. I have recently started selling them under the name Room Eleven on Folksy.
What made you start?
I have always been crafting in one way or another. I was that typical Blue Peter kid who got stuck to plastic yoghurt pots with PVA glue whilst making a bird seed feeder or some other highly advanced project. But the jewellery making only began about a year ago, when I had to spend some time in hospital. One of the nurses showed me some basic beading techniques and I was immediately hooked. I found beading to be one of the few ways available to cure my crippling boredom!
What do you want your business to grow into?
My 'business' still feels like a hobby more than anything right now. This whole project is very much in it's infancy. But I believe that's how good projects begin and am hoping for it to continue to grow and take me in different directions. Already, it has been a massive learning curve.
Do you prefer handmade or high street?
Handmade all the way! There is nothing better than buying something that has been carefully made by somebody else. The amount of mass produced, uniform, uninspiring things you see on the high street makes me genuinely sad. Handmade provides an alternative to this which I hope more people will come to embrace.
If money was no object, What item would you buy "just because you can"?
Probably a house! With a craft room where I could spend my days beading to my hearts content.
What's your "secret vice"?
I recently started watching the drama series 'Mad Men' and I think it should come with a warning label about it's addictiveness. It's getting to the point where I could easily watch three or four episodes back to back. Somebody save me from myself!
One thing you wouldn't tell your parents?
Shhhhhh. I can't tell you that!
And finally, What's you idea of a perfect Sunday?
My perfect Sunday would be lazy and relaxing, involving good food, good company and lots of crafting
My blog: http://roomelevenblog.blogspot.com/
My shop:http://www.folksy.com/shops/roomeleven
Sunday 5 June 2011
A interview with KonnieKapow!
Hello! We are Konnie and Mr Kapow! Two superheroes fighting to save the world from dull and namby pamby greeting cards!
What made you start?
I was off work for quite a while a couple of years back suffering from depression and anxiety and most days it was almost impossible for me to even leave my own home. I was so bored though! I got fed up with tv very quickly but found I lacked the concentration to read so I was at a bit of a loose end.
I still had lots of card blanks left over from the thank you cards I had made after our wedding so I started pottering about with them. I showed what I had done to a few friends as well as using some of them and people started saying I should sell them straight away as they're not your run of the mill greeting cards and there might be a gap in 'the market'. I was already a huge fan of Etsy having bought several items for my wedding there so I googled 'UK equivalent of Etsy' and came up with Folksy.
I love 'setting things up' so had a shop very quickly and got my first sale, to my delight and horror, that week!
What made you choose the craft you did?
I've always made my own stationery since I was little. Coming from a small island in the Inner Hebrides with no one to play with but my little sister I put an advert in my favourite magazine for penpals. I got over 50 replies and dutifully replied to all of them, many of whom remained in correspondence well into my teens! That's a lot of writing paper though so I started to make my own! I would have liked to be able to create beautiful, delicate, classy stationery but what came out was a bit offbeat and always always silly! I guess you need to stick to what you're good at!
Do you consider yourself/the business a success? Why is that?
I do. Ok I'm not selling enough to make a living but I have regular sales and that's good enough for me! I started doing this when I was at a very low ebb, I pretty much hated everything about myself and thought I had no descernable 'talents' but I proved myself wrong without even meaning to! I've had 178 sales on Folksy to date and a few sales on Etsy and Zibbet although I don't really keep those shops up. I have my own website too which I get the odd sale from. That makes me so happy!
The thing I love the most though is my blog which has a small regular readership and has earned me a role as columnist for Folksy's own blog (Kapowder Room Secrets http://blog.folksy.com/category/crafts-and-craft-genres/craft-genres-the-kapowder-room-secrets). I really feel like a part of a 'community' on Folksy and it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. Ahhh.
What do you want your business to grow into?
This is a very good question. I am currently between jobs and Mr Kapow has just been made redundant so if there was ever a time to try and make a go of things it would be now! He's a talented artist and I reckon there's something we can do full time. Watch this space!
In the meantime though my dream is to be involved in the crafting world on a full-time writing basis, I have a real passion for writing but lack the confidence to push myself.
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Is this what you thought you would be doing when you left school, What were your dreams?
Funnily enough, my dream was to be a journalist or writer in some capacity but I've never been one for 'ambition' so to speak. Yes I make opportunities for myself and take them when they happen along but I'm quite happy just tootling along too. I love my home life and have always known I wanted a family so I guess crafting is a good start on the road to working from home!
Do you prefer handmade or high street? What are you favourite shops?
Handmade, I hate hate hate the high street. I go out shopping there and everything looks the same, particularly the people. Sometimes I'll buy a dress or something from New Look or Primark and then realise down the line that it was a moment of madness where I was trying to be someone I really am not. I mostly only ever wear dresses which is in a way due to my height (5"11) and an 'above the knee' is a bit indecent from the high street so I do most of my clothes shopping in charity and vintage shops where I find stuff that better suits my style.
If I'm buying a gift or jewellery etc I try to always make it handmade though, my favourite shops on folksy are Silk Purse, Sow's Ear, and Little Wren Pottery.
If money was no object, What item would you buy "just because you can"?
Definitely a house! We're renters and have had some pretty bad luck in the last couple of years with having to move out of places we were really attached to!
If that's too practical then I would love to have the money to buy something I fancied from every single shop on Folksy! Howzat!?
Whats your "secret vice"?
Popcorn. Oh how I love popcorn! Oh and red lipstick, I'd have one from every brand if I could!
One thing you wouldn't tell your parents?
Nothing! I've always told my parents everything, and I mean everything! I need to learn now though that sometimes I should keep some stuff to myself, especially now that I'm a grown up. I need to learn enigmacism!
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And finally, Whats you idea of a perfect Sunday?
A sunny day out in the garden with a radio and some weeding followed by a wee glass of wine with Mr K. Oh and popcorn.
Links:
http://www.konniekapow.co.uk/http://www.folksy.com/shops/konniekapow
http://www.facebook.com/konniekapowpagehttp://twitter.com/#!/konniekapow
http://konniekapow.wordpress.com/
What made you start?
I was off work for quite a while a couple of years back suffering from depression and anxiety and most days it was almost impossible for me to even leave my own home. I was so bored though! I got fed up with tv very quickly but found I lacked the concentration to read so I was at a bit of a loose end.
I still had lots of card blanks left over from the thank you cards I had made after our wedding so I started pottering about with them. I showed what I had done to a few friends as well as using some of them and people started saying I should sell them straight away as they're not your run of the mill greeting cards and there might be a gap in 'the market'. I was already a huge fan of Etsy having bought several items for my wedding there so I googled 'UK equivalent of Etsy' and came up with Folksy.
I love 'setting things up' so had a shop very quickly and got my first sale, to my delight and horror, that week!
What made you choose the craft you did?
I've always made my own stationery since I was little. Coming from a small island in the Inner Hebrides with no one to play with but my little sister I put an advert in my favourite magazine for penpals. I got over 50 replies and dutifully replied to all of them, many of whom remained in correspondence well into my teens! That's a lot of writing paper though so I started to make my own! I would have liked to be able to create beautiful, delicate, classy stationery but what came out was a bit offbeat and always always silly! I guess you need to stick to what you're good at!
Do you consider yourself/the business a success? Why is that?
I do. Ok I'm not selling enough to make a living but I have regular sales and that's good enough for me! I started doing this when I was at a very low ebb, I pretty much hated everything about myself and thought I had no descernable 'talents' but I proved myself wrong without even meaning to! I've had 178 sales on Folksy to date and a few sales on Etsy and Zibbet although I don't really keep those shops up. I have my own website too which I get the odd sale from. That makes me so happy!
The thing I love the most though is my blog which has a small regular readership and has earned me a role as columnist for Folksy's own blog (Kapowder Room Secrets http://blog.folksy.com/category/crafts-and-craft-genres/craft-genres-the-kapowder-room-secrets). I really feel like a part of a 'community' on Folksy and it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. Ahhh.
What do you want your business to grow into?
This is a very good question. I am currently between jobs and Mr Kapow has just been made redundant so if there was ever a time to try and make a go of things it would be now! He's a talented artist and I reckon there's something we can do full time. Watch this space!
In the meantime though my dream is to be involved in the crafting world on a full-time writing basis, I have a real passion for writing but lack the confidence to push myself.
Is this what you thought you would be doing when you left school, What were your dreams?
Funnily enough, my dream was to be a journalist or writer in some capacity but I've never been one for 'ambition' so to speak. Yes I make opportunities for myself and take them when they happen along but I'm quite happy just tootling along too. I love my home life and have always known I wanted a family so I guess crafting is a good start on the road to working from home!
Do you prefer handmade or high street? What are you favourite shops?
Handmade, I hate hate hate the high street. I go out shopping there and everything looks the same, particularly the people. Sometimes I'll buy a dress or something from New Look or Primark and then realise down the line that it was a moment of madness where I was trying to be someone I really am not. I mostly only ever wear dresses which is in a way due to my height (5"11) and an 'above the knee' is a bit indecent from the high street so I do most of my clothes shopping in charity and vintage shops where I find stuff that better suits my style.
If I'm buying a gift or jewellery etc I try to always make it handmade though, my favourite shops on folksy are Silk Purse, Sow's Ear, and Little Wren Pottery.
If money was no object, What item would you buy "just because you can"?
Definitely a house! We're renters and have had some pretty bad luck in the last couple of years with having to move out of places we were really attached to!
If that's too practical then I would love to have the money to buy something I fancied from every single shop on Folksy! Howzat!?
Whats your "secret vice"?
Popcorn. Oh how I love popcorn! Oh and red lipstick, I'd have one from every brand if I could!
One thing you wouldn't tell your parents?
Nothing! I've always told my parents everything, and I mean everything! I need to learn now though that sometimes I should keep some stuff to myself, especially now that I'm a grown up. I need to learn enigmacism!
And finally, Whats you idea of a perfect Sunday?
A sunny day out in the garden with a radio and some weeding followed by a wee glass of wine with Mr K. Oh and popcorn.
Links:
http://www.konniekapow.co.uk/http://www.folksy.com/shops/konniekapow
http://www.facebook.com/konniekapowpagehttp://twitter.com/#!/konniekapow
http://konniekapow.wordpress.com/
Friday 3 June 2011
Dollipop's Boutique interview!
Tell us a bit about who you are and what you do.
I am a 20-something primary school teacher from east London, with a keen interest in arts, crafts and Irish dancing!
I am a 20-something primary school teacher from east London, with a keen interest in arts, crafts and Irish dancing!
What made you start?
While I was at university I started buying bits and pieces to make my own jewellery, started it giving them to friends as presents and keeping some for myself, of course. Word got around and people began putting in orders for certain necklaces and charm bracelets and it escalated from there really! I originally started selling on ebay and had my own website for a bit but as I'm so busy with work I didn't have time for the upkeep of a personal site so figured Folksy would be a lot more manageable.
Do you consider yourself/the business a success? Why is that?
I feel proud of what I do but still think there are lots more successes to come for Dollipops Boutique!! I do sell lots of items on and offline and feel so happy when I when see someone wearing a Dollipops product... it gives me butterflies!
What do you want your business to grow into?
My dream would be to have my very own little Dollipops Boutique shop in Brighton or somewhere just as quaint! I can't imagine completely giving up teaching so maybe I'd just do a day here and there in a school.
My dream would be to have my very own little Dollipops Boutique shop in Brighton or somewhere just as quaint! I can't imagine completely giving up teaching so maybe I'd just do a day here and there in a school.
Is this what you thought you would be doing when you left school, What were your dreams?
I also dreamed about being a teacher, so never imagined that I would have my own online business! Although saying that I used to make friendship bracelets when I was in primary school and sell them for 20p each so maybe it's always been my destiny!
I also dreamed about being a teacher, so never imagined that I would have my own online business! Although saying that I used to make friendship bracelets when I was in primary school and sell them for 20p each so maybe it's always been my destiny!
Do you prefer handmade or high street? What are you favourite shops?
I LOVE handmade items and find myself lost in a Folksy world, trawling through shops selling handmade items for hours. Then again, I spend just as much Time in Matalan (no Topshop for me!!). I do find myself buying more and more handmade products these days though and am constantly telling people to check out handmade shops online.
I LOVE handmade items and find myself lost in a Folksy world, trawling through shops selling handmade items for hours. Then again, I spend just as much Time in Matalan (no Topshop for me!!). I do find myself buying more and more handmade products these days though and am constantly telling people to check out handmade shops online.
Waking up on a nice sunny Sunday, going for a stroll in the forest and coming home to have a big fry up, with copius amount of tea. My afternoon would be spent sewing and jewellery making, with roast dinner at the 'rents. Nothing overly exciting, it's the simple pleasures that make Sundays perfect for relaxing and chilling out!
Thanks for popping over Lauren!
You can find out more about Dollipop's here
Shop: http://www.folksy.com/shops/dollipopsboutique
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/dollipopsB
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/dollipopsB
Blog: http://dollipopsboutique.blogspot.com/
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