Thursday, June 12, 2008
A mad hatter's Pottery
Truly, her works are exquisite.
Mad Hatter’s Pottery
Website: http://madhatterspottery.etsy.com
Blog: What’s a Blog? JK….
Products: Artisan soy candles in handmade pottery
Country/Location: Divide our time between Jupiter, FL and Blowing Rock, NC, USA
Can you tell us something about yourself?
I have spent most of my life with my head up in the clouds. A self-evowed right-brainer, I would rather be creating than doing something “responsibly productive” (read: making money). Was a corporate girl for too long. It was eating away at my soul. Now, I am in a place that allows me to create and be true to myself.
What are your goals for your crafting?
Hmmmm…to sell something!
Where do you find the inspiration for your designs?
Throwing pottery is therapy. To feel the cool clay beneath my fingers and be able to create something useful from it still amazes me. I love to go to “work.” And I am inspired by certain scents. I still remember the smell of Ivory soap in my grandmother’s house. Certain scents that I use in my candles spark such memories. The Sun and Sand one reminds me of long days at the beach when I was a teenager. Ah, those were the days!
Describe your daily routine.
Get up, coffee, coffee (did I say coffee?), check email, my Etsy site, forums, work out (sometimes), then get to “work.” Every day is something new. Either I am throwing, glazing, firing, pouring candles, photographing. I am never bored doing the same thing over and over.
How long have you been crafting?
Since I was little. I was born an artist, as some people are born singers, musicians, etc. I think it is very genetic. I come from a family of artists.
Are you a full time or part time crafter?
Depends on the day!
What made you decide to focus on your crafting and make it a business?
I had to do something with all the pottery around the house! I started making teapots and I am not even a tea drinker! Then someone gave me the most luscious soy candle as a gift and, voila! Lightbulb moment! I could make my pottery into candles and enjoy two things at once. And it occurred to me that no one else seemed to be doing it.
How do you market or promote your items and where can we see it?
I am not good with promotion. I have a booth at the Shoppes at Farmers Hardware in Boone, NC. And my shop on Etsy. I try to show my face on the forums, have a Flickr account, have my own website. Next season, I will be at the local greenmarket. In this economic environment, I am not dismayed by sales being down. Let’s face it, most people are just trying to put gas in the tank and keep food on the table. I am looking forward to the holidays, though! I have a product that is great for gift giving!
What can you say about your choice of work?
Pottery, today, painting tomorrow. I wrote a book last summer. If I am creating, it is all good.
What can you tell your other fellow crafters?
Have fun! It’s not the destination but the journey. Okay, overused saying, but still so true. If you are not having fun, then it is just another “job.”
What's keeping me busy?
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Need A Pattern? Check out Sew Bettie's - Urban Whimsy
Website:
Etsy: http://www.sewbettie.etsy.com
Blog: http://craftyourselfrich.blogspot.com/
Products: Sewing Patterns and Crafty Kits
Country/Location: Chicago, IL
Can you tell us something about yourself?
Mark (my boyfriend) and I are the designers, writers, crafters,
shippers, and business managers behind Sew Bettie. Mark is a graduate
of the Art Institute of Chicago. He is a practicing oil painter and
multi-faceted designer. I studied history at Swarthmore College and a
medical student now. I am a lifelong crafter who learned from the best
- my mom.
What are your goals for your crafting?
Crafting is a way for me (Cara) to lose myself and focus on creating
something whimsical. My goal is to inspire creativity in other people
by providing them with patterns to learn new crafty skills.
Where do you find the inspiration for your designs?
I am most inspired by rows and rows of bolts of fabric in textile
shops, old-fashioned street markets in other countries that sell
notions, and the endless possibilities of buttons.
Describe your daily routine.
Check email. Walk the dog. Go to school. Obsess over how great etsy
is. Check out my website/respond to emails. Craft. Study. Craft.
Study. Repeat.
How long have you been crafting?
Forever!
Are you a full time or part time crafter?
Part time since I am also in school. Mark works full time as a graphic
designer for a publishing company in Chicago. Some day we'd like to be
able to devote even more time to Sew Bettie.
What made you decide to focus on your crafting and make it a business?
I'd have to say that etsy really inspired us because it made it so
simple to open a shop.
How do you market or promote your items and where can we see it?
We haven't done any paid advertising yet, but that is definitely on
our to do list this summer now that we've built a website. We have a
monthly freebie alert email where we keep in touch with Sew Bettie
fans. We share new products, contests, and big discounts. You can sign
up at http://sewbettie.bigcartel.com/freebie-alerts.
What can you say about your choice of work?
I take so much delight in being part of the DIY craft movement. I
think in this post-industrial world it is such a treat to touch and
interact with a product that is hand made with love. I love sharing
that opportunity.
What can you tell your other fellow crafters?
I think that people that are thinking about selling their goods should
just go for it! Etsy makes it really inexpensive to set up shop and is
a great place to start. Local craft fairs are also an awesome
opportunity.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
