Showing posts with label Tuesday Tales. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tuesday Tales. Show all posts

An Inspiring Interview & Giveaway from Happy Bee!

It's Tuesday again- can you believe it? Tuesday means only one thing in the world of Pepperberry & Co.- an interview with an inspiring artist through Tuesday Tales. Today we meet with Daniela, the self-confessed 'crafty girl since forever' who is behind the gorgeous goodies at Italian Craft and Quilt shop Happy Bee.

'I remember being a kid,' Daniela reminisces, 'and every Summer, Nuns would come to our small village and teach us how to sew and embroider.' The first thing that Daniela learned how to do was cross stitch, and since then she has 'always loved all things handmade and unique.'

Her Mother and Grandmothers inspired her to further explore craft, as 'one of my Grandmothers was great at knitting, the other one crocheted wonderful shawls, slippers, and scarves, and my Mom was a dressmaker,' Daniela explains. 'I grew up surrounded by crafty people!'

Years after first gaining some crafty skills, Daniela fell in love with the beautiful quilts that she saw in American movies. 'I particularly loved the oldest ones, so I decided to try to make them too,' she tells me. 'I took a class and learned basic quilt-making skills, and once I started… well, I couldn't stop!' she laughs.

Once she had the skills, Daniela began making quilts, table runners and wall hangings for herself, her family and her friends. It wasn't long until she expanded her repertoire and began sewing small items such as pouches, cases and key chains to give away as gifts on special occasions, and, she exclaims with modest surprise, 'people seemed to appreciate them!'

Once she realised that there was a market for her creativity, Daniela 'finally' decided to try to sell her things. 'When I found Etsy, I thought it was the perfect place for sell my crafts,' she smiles. 'It's so full of wonderful international artists selling their awesome items. So I decided to try this challenge!'

One of the first things Daniela had to do was come up with a name for her store. 'When I was thinking about the perfect name for my shop, my mind immediately went to bees,' she says. 'They are always so busy, doing lots of things in their lives; but they never seem tired and are always so proud and happy in their work,' she smiles. 'They really inspired me!'

Since starting her business, Daniella has found it easy to stay motivated. 'The main thing that motivates me to craft is the fact that I love to create new things,' she explains. 'I love to start with a few pieces of fabric and end up with a quilt!' she grins. 'It’s amazing what you can create with just some fabric and thread… the possibilities are endless. The only thing that limits you is your creativity!'

Daniela dreams of one day owning her ideal craft studio. 'My favourite place in the world is a little wood cottage I found during a trip to Colorado in the United States,' she recalls. 'It looked so amazing, all surrounded by woods and situated in front of a beautiful lake. All around it were mountains,' Daniela sighs happily. 'I immediately fell in love with it and thought that it would be the perfect place for my crafts, and especially to make my quilts, because it was so peaceful and relaxing!'

To follow Daniela's adventures through craft, make sure to check out her blog and Etsy shop. But wait, it's not over yet! The lovely Daniela has generously offered to host a giveaway for readers of Tuesday Tales, and the winner will receive their choice of a 4-in-1 Case from her Etsy Shop. To enter, simply become a follower of Dany's Happy Bee blog and leave a comment here letting me know which 4-in-1 case you would choose and why. Tweet, Facebook or blog about the giveaway and receive an extra entry for each!


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P.S. Sincere apologies for the delay in posting last week's giveaway winner! We fly out of Bangkok and back to Melbourne today after having lived here for 3 months, so as you can imagine, it's been a bit hectic.

Without further ado, the lucky winner of Jennifer's gorgeous Pink Lily Press giveaway is Monique from Your Cheeky Monkey, who said she would choose to have poppies printed as her custom notecards because it's 'a simple classic design that's just lovely'. Thank you for all of your entries- I was most inspired by some of your wonderful suggestions!
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5:46 PM | Category: , , , , | 65 Pepperberrians Said...

An Interview & a Giveaway from Pink Lily Press
Welcome to another Tuesday Tale! Today we chat with Jennifer from Pink Lily Press in Washington. As is the tale of many crafters, Jennifer first began selling her work as a way to make money to buy more crafting supplies. "A few friends that I was taking a jewelry making course with introduced me to Etsy, and I thought it was the perfect opportunity to make some money to buy more beads!" she laughs.

It didn't take long, however, for Jennifer to realise that jewelry is a challenging market to jump into on Etsy. "There are so many talented jewelry makers out there that it's difficult to stand out," she laments. Luckily, Jennifer had a back up set of skills: "I had been making greeting cards using scrapbook paper since college and I decided it would be fun to start selling cards."

After playing around with designing some of her own cards, Jennifer realised how few wedding invitation designers there were on Etsy. "As soon as I started designing wedding invitations, my business took off," she recalls. "I left my job in the mortgage industry in May of 2008 to focus on Pink Lily Press full time and have not looked back since!"

Through Pink Lily Press, Jennifer primarily designs and prints wedding invitations and personalized stationery. "I also make any paper items necessary for weddings such as favour tags, menus, programs, and other fun paper goodies like recipe cards and personal calling cards," she explains. Jennifer creates all of her designs by scanning in her own drawings and digitally enhancing them, or by manipulating her own photos.

"I love being creative," Jennifer grins. "I have always enjoyed drawing, doodling and learning new crafts, as well as things like cooking, baking, and decorating my home." She finds inspiration in the world around her, whether it's browsing through decorating magazines, going for a walk through the neighbourhood, or taking photos while on vacation. Add this inspiration to her love of computers and paper, and you have the perfect recipe for a stationery business.

Like many crafters and small business owners, Jennifer admits that she has a hard time sitting and doing nothing. "If I have the luxury of sitting on the couch to watch TV in the evening, I usually have a pencil and pad of paper on my lap!" she laughs. When she is taking time out, Jennifer adores spending time with her family ("the older we get, the more we enjoy spending time together!") and is passionate about her home. "Home has always been a very important place to me and making home feel like a warm and welcoming place is essential, as is entertaining family and friends."

Her business is also her passion, although Jennifer acknowledges that running a business by herself is incredibly challenging. "Not only am I responsible for the actual design/production aspect of the business, but also record keeping, tax filing, and all of the other nitty-gritty responsibilities that accompany running a business." She is still learning how best to balance all that is required of her, and thinks it will continue to be a learning process for as long as she runs Pink Lily Press.

That's not to say Jennifer doesn't adore every moment of her journey. "The best piece of advice I can give someone looking to start their own business is to do what you love," she smiles, "because in the end, that's what keeps you going on a daily basis when you're so busy that you don’t have time for anything else."

The key elements that Jennifer sees in running her business are time, a lot of trial and error, and being prepared to make mistakes and learn from them rather than letting them get her down. She also recommends a willingness to create custom items, as she has found that they have given her some of the best ideas for new products. Finally, she says, "Be prepared to evolve. As your business grows, you may discover that a different product is more likely to bring in more customers."

To continue following Jennifer's journey, you can find her at her blog, on Facebook and on Twitter. To check out her gorgeous goodies, head across to her Etsy shop, 1000 Markets shop, or her website.

Jennifer has generously offered a giveaway prize to readers of Pepperberry & Co.'s Tuesday Tales. The winner will receive a set of 10 Notecards of their choice, with the option to have them customised!

To enter, you must be a follower of Pepperberry & Co. and leave a comment letting Jennifer know what your ideal custom Pink Lily Press design would be.

If you blog, Facebook or Tweet about this giveaway, simply leave an extra comment for each to receive up to 3 extra entries. Good luck- I'm so jealous (as always!) that I can't enter!

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11:41 PM | Category: , , , , | 57 Pepperberrians Said...

Tuesday Tales: An Interview With... Um... Me?
Hmm. Due to some technical difficulties, today's Tuesday Tale interview needs to be postponed until next week- sincere apologies. But I have something... er... unexpected for you instead.

A few weeks ago, I applied for the Cruelty Free Etsy Team. As with most Etsy teams, I had to fill out an application form about myself, my goodies and my reason for wanting to join. Thinking it was just going to be read by the lovely Team Leader, I filled it out in true Sandra fashion- you know, waving my arms around, getting excited and putting in way too many exclamation marks.

Imagine my surprise, then, when I received an email saying my 'interview' had been 'published'. Say what?! I followed the link, and there it was... my squeal-filled, rambling rant. Oh, dear.

Should you... um... be interested in reading this instead of your regular Tuesday Tale, you can find it here. Thanks in advance for not commenting on how excitable a person I am!

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10:25 PM | Category: , , , , | 6 Pepperberrians Said...

An Interview with Inleaf: Tuesday Tales
On this second Tuesday in September, we meet with an artist who has combined her passion for design, gardening and sewing to create a breathtaking range of items. Lotta, the talent behind the Inleaf brand, makes hand-printed, hand-crafted art quilts, bags, towels, table linens, pillows, and sachets. Each piece is made using natural linen, organic cotton, hemp or reclaimed fabrics, and a unique medium called Leaf Printing.
Lotta explains Leaf Printing to me, as it’s a technique I’ve not experimented with before. “Textile paint is applied to the back of a fresh leaf or other plant materials, and then pressed onto the fabric surface,” she clarifies. “The fabrics are then steamed to make the paint colorfast, and then the items are constructed in my studio.”

The inspiration that nature brings to Lotta’s work extends further than just the pattern on her prints, however. “I take care to produce my work with minimal environmental impact,” she nods. “All inks and dyes are water based and non-toxic, and I use organic and domestically produced supplies whenever possible.”

As is the case for many artists and crafters, Lotta’s creative journey began in her childhood. “My mother was (and still is) an expert seamstress,” Lotta explains. “She sewed our clothes and wove rag rugs, blankets, and linen towels for our house. She made tapestries and knitted sweaters. She is a true artist and she taught me many of her skills along the way.”

Although the business idea for Inleaf came much later, Lotta’s mother was still a driving force behind it. “She was visiting from Sweden, and during an intense discussion about art, design, and life directions she suggested that I launch a creative business based on my big passions: design, gardening, and sewing.” Lota reflects. “We had both recently read about leaf printing, and the next day I started exploring the technique using leaves from my own garden and hobby inks from the local craft store.”

Through trial and error, Lotta learned which leaves will work for printing, which fabrics are most suitable, and which inks to use. It’s an ongoing process and she is still exploring how to quilt, embroider, and master other printing methods. “That’s the most intriguing part of being an artist,” Lotta smiles, “everything is possible and there is always room for new discoveries.”

Each of the Inleaf pieces start out as a sketch on paper. Lotta then cuts the fabric, collects the leaves, mixes the fabric ink, and does a few test prints. “I am a perfectionist,” Lotta admits, “and therefore I often spend way too much time on each object I create.” She smiles. “I have tried to be more efficient and streamline my work, but I still rather redo a seam or make an extra print if I am not absolutely satisfied!”

It is not surprising that the inspiration behind her gorgeous range comes from a myriad of places. The beauty in the world that surrounds her, the intricacy of nature, the simple pleasure of gardening, and the love and joy that her family bring are the first things that come to her mind. “Every day I marvel over the world we live in. It is so intricate, beautiful, and complex.” She says. “My two teenage sons are the joys of my life and my husband is my best friend and biggest supporter.”

She is further inspired by the historical importance of textiles, from the dowry of embroidered linens and sheets a bride brought with her into marriage, to the simple but beautiful patchwork quilts that were carefully created out of necessity and for warmth. “Beauty can be found everywhere.” She states. “It can be a smooth rock, a simple painting, an old piece of cloth, a pattern on a frozen pond, an iron gate, or a seed pod.” She smiles as she reveals, “I like to ‘collect’ beautiful images and ideas that can later be used for inspiration.”

The idea of ‘collecting’ inspiring ideas is just one of many clever pieces of advice Lotta has for budding artists. “Never undervalue your work.” She states firmly. “Pricing things low doesn’t always translate into more sales, and as your orders increase you will burn yourself out if you are not adequately compensated.” Lotta also recommends networking with other artists via blogs, social networking sites, and local crafts organizations and guilds. “It can be lonely working with, by, and for yourself,” she explains, “and I have found many wonderful friends via various art and craft communities.”

Finally, she suggests paying attention to presentation. “Make sure your website and Etsy shop are attractive and functional; spend time on your photography and invest in a high quality digital camera.” Lotta believes that beautiful photos will definitely get the attention of buyers, bloggers, and media representatives. “Little things like labels, business cards, and packaging are also important when you want to make a positive impression.”

Lotta has many artistic directions she is still eager to explore. “I will focus more on art pieces, like wall hangings and quilts in the upcoming year,” she says. “I also have a few exhibits planned for this fall and next spring, and I am looking forward to exploring, learning, and developing my work as I go along.” Although hand towels, sachets, and small purses will always be part of Lotta’s collection, she admits that she can see her bags and pillows become one-of-a-kind items in the future.

To keep in touch with what’s happening in the world of Inleaf, you can find Lotta at her blog, Etsy shop, website and Facebook Fan Page.

THIS GIVEAWAY HAS NOW CLOSED.
THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR MARVELOUS ENTRIES!

And, if you've been busy drooling over Lotta's creations, then don't miss the chance to be the proud owner of this magnificent Queen Anne's Lace Leaf printed Tea Towel from the Inleaf Range! To be eligible to enter, simply become a Follower of the Pepperberry & Co. blog (or tell me if you already are) and leave a comment telling me what most inspires you about nature. Tweet, Blog or Facebook about the Pepperberry & Co./Inleaf giveaway and leave the link as a comment to receive an extra entry for each.

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3:53 PM | Category: , , , | 62 Pepperberrians Said...

An Interview with Finki: Tuesday Tales

Welcome back to Tuesday Tales, Pepperberry & Co.’s new blog segment in which we meet and chat with gorgeous artists from across the globe.

On this first day of Spring, we meet with the appropriately vivacious Jay from Finki. Just like the new season, Jay is a bright, happy and sunny artist residing in the crafty city of Melbourne, Australia.

“I was born with a Lincraft club card in one hand, and a sewing needle in the other,” she laughs, and “so I was destined to be creatively driven, somehow.” The ‘how’ became apparent in July of last year, when Jay took a leap of faith and opened her Etsy store. “I had always crafted away at some project or another, but never had the confidence to believe in myself or my work.”

This is a common story for crafters at the beginning of their business journey, so how did Jay overcome this challenge? “Whilst on maternity leave with bub number two,” she explains, “I secretly worked away on a range of notepads, pen holders and journals.”

Secretly? I ask. “I say secretly,” she smiles, “because if I asked people opinions of my work, they would love it or hate it and all it took was one ‘hate it’ response for me to throw it in,” she sighs. “I most definitely cared too much about what people thought.”

Jay explains the tactics she used to keep her confidence, “I listened only to myself. I blocked my ears, so I wasn’t led or misled by outside influence, and I just worked away on a range of products to fill my little shop.” Having been a shopper on Etsy for more than two years, Jay felt comfortable making a foray into her much-loved environment. “It was also a bonus that I was somewhat anonymous!” she grins.

Jay’s work is highly eclectic, and she feels she is still finding my niche. “I guess that’s what happens when you hold off for so long,” she explains. “You’re like a kid in a candy store, and you want to do it all at once. I make notepads, journals, hand stitched penholders, bowls and baskets, all of which are reminiscent of the card craft of the 1950s where Nan would stitch up all her old Christmas cards into a bowl.”

Her talents don’t end there, however: “I also make glass pendants and rings, vintage fabric covered bobby pins and rings, and new to the range are my vintage tea towel covered stools. What a mouthful!” Jay laughs. Although her product range is so diverse, there are key elements that tie each Finki piece together: colour and a vintage feel. As Jay succinctly puts it, “If it’s a little bit retro and has a whole lot of colour, it’s got to be a Finki design!”

Where did such an incredible range of skills and the retro inspiration come from? “Mum taught me everything I know,” Jay says, and although she admits she’s spent time doing a Visual Arts Course and an Advanced Diploma in Engineering Technology (Jewelry), “the lessons from mum are what started it all!”

As with every crafty business owner, Jay faces daily challenges, “The biggest challenge in running a business is just keeping my head in the real world.” She smiles. “I’d love to have 8 hours a day where I can exclusively run Finki, but I have two kids, a part time job, and a house to maintain.”

How does she manage? “Well, quite often the house looks like a bomb hit it, the kids think I have become one with the study office chair, and my cats can’t remember the last time my lap was free for a pat and cuddle,” she laments, “but life is a juggling act. I have had to become the master of righting lists, prioritising and re prioritising, just so I can fit everything in.”

A smile crosses her face, “Truthfully,” she says, “if life wasn’t so busy in our little house, it just wouldn’t be us. We have always been the sort to be doing 10 things at once!”

Jay’s passion and time doesn’t only extend to the things she can create with her hands, however- her family, great Australian food, and helping other crafters also make that list. “I’m most passionate about doing something more than just selling craft, because it took me 33 years to build up the confidence to represent myself as a crafter.”

Born from the idea of helping other crafty individuals gain this same confidence was the Northside Makers’ Collective, a not-for-profit organisation Jay has founded with two other independent designers, Margaret from Konstant Kaos and Jennie from Cravings Frocks. “Even if we just create an environment where people can meet with like-minded souls and learn from each other, then I’ll be happy, but ideally we want to help them get their work out there into the community.”

As a mother, Jay hopes that this message will also be instilled in her children, “I love seeing my children grow into confident, creative and loving individuals. I want them to have the confidence that I didn’t have, to follow their dreams, wherever it may take them.”

With such extensive experience and knowledge, it’s not surprising that Jay has some wisdom to share with crafters just beginning their business journey: “Listen to your heart,” she states simply, “and follow not fad or fashion. Find yourself in your craft, and don’t keep it to yourself- share it with the world!”

She acknowledges that “not everyone is going to love what you do, but like-minded souls will cross your path and be inspired by what you bring.” A smile crosses her face as she says, “Open the doors for opportunity to come knocking, as it won’t find you hidden away on the couch!”

Our interview has come to an end, which is a surprise to the chatterbox that is Jay: “Oh my god, is this the end?” she exclaims. “I was just getting started!” she laughs. To hear more of Jay’s journey, track her down at her website, blog or Etsy store, or find her at some of Melbourne’s greatest markets: the Sisters’ Market in Brunswick, the Northside Makers’ Market in Northcote and the Made ‘N Thornbury Market in Thornbury.


GIVEAWAY!

In the spirit of sharing handmade goodness with the world, Jay has kindly donated an exclusive Finki item as a giveaway for Pepperberry & Co. readers.

The lucky winner will receive a gorgeous, hand-stitched, vintage-inspired set of four Finki Pocket Notepads in the theme of their choice: Phantom, Vintage Sci-Fi, Geisha, or Retro Cats!

To enter, simply become a Follower of the Pepperberry & Co. blog (or tell me if you already are!) and leave a comment letting me know which Finki PocketPad Set you would like to win and why.

For bonus entries, blog, tweet or facebook about this giveaway and leave a comment with the link!

I hope you enjoyed the latest installment in my Tuesday Tales! I look forward to coming up with another creative way of choosing this week’s giveaway winner...

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4:08 PM | Category: , , , | 30 Pepperberrians Said...

Tuesday Tales: An Interview With Apple & Eve
Welcome to Pepperberry & Co.’s Tuesday Tales!

As a crafter and small business owner, I am constantly inspired by my fellow crafters. Their stories, creations, challenges and successes all work to keep me motivated and to inspire me to dream a big crafty dream.

I have chosen to share this inspiration with you, my fabulous readers, through a new blog segment called ‘Tuesday Tales’. Every Tuesday, an inspiring crafter who runs her own business will be featured on the Pepperberry & Co. blog. This means that each week, you’ll get to discover new and exciting artists from across the globe, and will hopefully pick up some hints and tips on how to start or run your own crafty venture!


Today, we meet with Eva, the vibrant creator of the Apple & Eve brand, who is an Estonian girl currently living in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. In 2005, Eva was pregnant with her second son, and was looking to make him a special toy. She sketched a bunny, and her crafting business adventure began.

“After I sketched the bunny for my son, I went fabric shopping,” she explains, “but unfortunately, I came back with empty hands, because I didn’t like any of the fabric. So I decided to make a little white cotton bunny and embroider something simple and cute onto it.”

After the first bunny, Eva felt like she should make more of them. “It was just so calming and at the same time exciting to make little sweet toys,” she explains. Little by little, she made more and more bunnies, and after discovering Etsy and blogging, requests for other animals started flowing in. “After the bunny, there was a request for birds, then kitties, then hedgehogs...” she laughs.

Having a hobby and running a business are completely different realms, however. So what inspired Eva to take things to the next level? “Receiving positive feedback from customers, enjoying every second of crafting, and being in the awesome community of creative people,” she answers simply. The transition suits her perfectly. “My favourite element of being an independent crafter and business owner is the ability to make my own decisions about every little detail.” She ponders whether that means she is a control freak. “Maybe, but I just love to see things my way. The Apple & Eve way!” she giggles.
 Eva’s journey with craft began long before the concept of Apple & Eve was born. “I learned all my skills at school, where handiwork was taught as an obligatory course,” she explains. “From 4th till 11th grade we learned to sew, to knit, to crochet and to embroider.” Of these mediums, sewing and embroidery stimulated her the most. “Sewing is a very constructive medium,” she says. “You can create a whole three dimensional item from a piece of fabric. Embroidery is more like drawing or painting for me. Drawing with a needle, yes that’s it!” she laughs. “It’s also an unbelievably precise art. Every little stitch has to be perfect, so the result will look clean and perfect.”

To create her gorgeous critters, Eva goes through an intense process of research, sketching, and sewing. “First there is an idea of an animal,” she says, “then I go through many, many pictures of it- if I don’t have a certain image of it in my mind already.” Eva tries to capture each creature’s strongest characteristics, and then she sketches it “like a kid would do it- simple outlines, round forms, a few exaggerated details.” She also has to make sure her idea will be physically possible to sew.

The unique and beautiful embroidery that is a feature of Eva’s work is also inspired by hours of research. “I look at endless pictures and photos of flowers I want to make- Flickr is the best place!” she exclaims. After sketching her pattern ideas, she comes to her favourite part- embroidery. “Embroidering summarises the pleasure of the whole process,” she smiles.

The idea of making simple things for babies (and grown-ups!) is still the main inspiration behind Apple & Eve. It applies to the design of the toy itself and to the embroidery. Most of the flowers and plants you can see in the Apple & Eve store are from Eva’s own childhood memories, and reflect the things that she is most passionate about in life: “my family, good health, nature, good relationships, and sunshine,” she grins.

To further immerse yourself in Eva's lovely creations, track her down on her Blog, at her Etsy shop, on Flickr, on Twitter, or on Facebook.

I hope you've enjoyed your first Tuesday Tale! Stay tuned for more incredible artists over the coming weeks.

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9:33 AM | Category: , , , , , | 19 Pepperberrians Said...