Thursday, June 12, 2008
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.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Crafter on the Rise
Website: http://www.holycraft.etsy.com
Blog: http://www.holycraft.blogspot.com
Products: a large variety of great gifts! Maybe I should pick a few and stick to them, but I have too much fun with new projects!
Country/Location: USA - Michigan
Can you tell us something about yourself?
I'm a stay at home mom to two crazy kiddos--Ashlyn, age 3, and Maguire, 17 months. I've been crafting for as long as I can remember. My first "business" was called Wedgewood's Woodworks. My best friend and I made things out of popsicle sticks and set up shop at the ends of our driveways! Our street was NOT busy and--unbeknownst to us--our moms would often call the neighbors to come buy things from us :) Since then I like to think that my style and craftiness has improved!
What are your goals for your crafting?
I'm in the process of building a e-commerce website where I can have an actual online store. I'd love for my crafting to actually make a noticeable contribution to our family's bottom line. If nothing else, I want for my sales to support my crafting addiction!
Where do you find the inspiration for your designs?
Anywhere, really--TV, fashion, my kids, fabric/craft/hobby stores, websites...
Describe your daily routine.
I get up as soon as my son decides that it's time for me to get up. I get him breakfast and play a bit until my daughter wakes up and/or I put Maguire down for his morning nap. Ashlyn gets brunch (she often sleeps until 10:30 or later!) and then sometimes I get a shower :) If it's nice outside as the kids love being outside. Throughout the day I'm online checking email, etsy, and updating my blogs. If I'm lucky Ashlyn and Maguire both take a nap around 1:30. At that time I'll work on any orders I have or new projects. Around 4:00 I start thinking about dinner. Once my husband comes home we eat and then he takes over for me with the kids. Then I can clean up around the house. At 7:00 it's bath time and bedtime for Maguire with Ashlyn shortly after. At night I usually watch some TV while catching up on whatever didn't get done earlier. I then proceed to stay up WAY too late either crafting, blogging and/or reading!
How long have you been crafting?
Let's see...I'm 29, so...probably 27 years or so!
Are you a full time or part time crafter?
I think I have to say part-time because my full-time job is being mom to my two kids, but about 75% of my "leftover" time is spent crafting!
What made you decide to focus on your crafting and make it a business?
My daughter is starting preschool in the fall and my son will be starting school a few years later. My husband and I were recently discussing what I'd like to do for a job once the kids are in school. He asked what gives me joy, what fills me, what energizes me. The answer is clearly crafting! I, then, decided to start my blog to see if people would be interested in what I have to sell. So far, so good! That was about 2 months ago (April, 2008)
How do you market or promote your items and where can we see it?
Right now I'm selling my items through my blog (http://www.holycraft.blogspot.com), etsy (http://www.holycraft.etsy.com) and a few other smaller venues. I'm trying to get listed, linked, featured on other blogs and basically trying to get exposure however I can without shelling out a bunch of money. I'm working on getting an actual website--I'm designing it myself, so it's a bit slow-going :)
What can you say about your choice of work?
This is my "dream job!"! If I can accomplish my goals I'll be thrilled! Crafting and creativity is one of my greatest God-given gifts and I'm thoroughly enjoying using it!
What can you tell your other fellow crafters?
I love to support other crafters and I'm willing to help promote them on my blog as well--let me know if you'd like to be linked on my blog!
Friday, May 30, 2008
Want to be showcased?
Accessories, artworks, crafts, bags, things that you think will sell.
Please answer these questions and please submit to
craftsaroundtheworld@gmail.com
Website:
Blog:
Products:
Country/Location:
Can you tell us something about yourself?
What are your goals for your crafting?
Where do you find the inspiration for your designs?
Describe your daily routine.
How long have you been crafting?
Are you a full time or part time crafter?
What made you decide to focus on your crafting and make it a business?
How do you market or promote your items and where can we see it?
What can you say about your choice of work?
What can you tell your other fellow crafters?
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