Dew on a Petal Interview

Our next Interview is with Dew on a Petal..

1) How did you come up with the name to your shop?

 It was a name I came up with many years ago. I tossed around a few ideas and this just sounded not too restrictive yet friendly

2) What was the first thing that you created & sold that made you think- Wow- I CAN do this?

 I started out making jewelry. I took classes at the pca.pittsburgharts.org/ in lampwork beadmaking and jewelry construction back in the 80s. I moved on to fiber jewelry because I have been a crocheter all my life. I have many skills such as machine knitting, crochet, embroidery and sewing, but have little time for that now.
3) Who or What started you on this path?

Honestly? Money. I wanted to find something I enjoyed doing while making a profit doing it. I had just put 2 girls through private college (including Juilliard) with no help from their father and was desperate when it came time to start repaying. I was living in Manhattan which as you may know, has almost no middle class. I was still working fulltime making enough to pay the rent and bills but little else. I opened up an Etsy account to sell jewelry but decided that it was too competitive. I had put all my candle supplies in storage (a former hobby) but I decided to take then out of storage to make candles as gifts for my co-workers. At that time I discovered soy wax and experimented with it and fell in love with it. Shortly after that, I received my first wedding order and the rest is history. I now do custom color matching which I think is unique to the industry.
4)What is the Favorite tool of your trade and why?

I have tons of molds and love experimenting with the qualities of each one. I have also expanded to include other fragrance products such as diffusers, soap and sachets. I developed a recently candle with a tea light insert to create a ForeverCandle.
4) What is your best advice or tip to give another vendor?

Always be open to change. Make what sells. Find your niche. I started out with jewelry, moved on to crochet jewelry and stickpins, then on to home goods, then to candles. I have found my niche in wedding and custom candles. If my customer has an idea, I will do my best to create it for them. In 6 years I have perfected the art of making candles.
5) Are you doing any craft shows this year? or are you selling in any co-ops or shops?

I do very few shows now and keep them closer to home. I love meeting customers face to face when I can. I always do the Indie Garage Sale in Utica a few times a year, Whitney Point Fall Festival, Skaneateles and a few others. My candles are in a few shops now, including The Barstow House and a shop in LA. Most of my business is now wholesale and making blanks for PersonalizedCandles www.etsy.com/shop/PersonalizedCandles

6) Pease Pick the fave thing in your shop.. and provide the link to it.. and tell why you like it best.

Soy pillar candle set of 4 with tea light inserts 4" diameter ForeverCandle.  I like it because it’s a unique product.

7) This os one of the things I like in her shop:
 
Fireplace Soy Candle, Travel Tin, Wood Fireplace, Winter Fire $8.00

8) Please provide your links
www.DewOnAPetal.com
. www.facebook.com/DewOnAPetal
twitter.com/dewonapetal

Thanks Marty.. good interview!

Interview with ALynnCeramics

Our next Interview with ALynnCeramics:

1) How did you come up with the name to your shop?

A Lynn is the first letter of my first name and my middle name. As an undergraduate student, my name (Amanda Chestnut) was long enough that I didn't like signing it on my work, so I chose a shortened version.
2) What was the first thing that you created & sold that made you think- Wow- I CAN do this?

I receive encouragement from one of my first customers, who is a friend of mine from high school. Lisa is also my biggest fan, and it's amazing to me to hear her rave about my work to anyone who will listen. She helps me believe that I can do this!
3) Who or What started you on this path?

 I've been making in one way or another for almost 15 years. Selling on Etsy, as well as in other venues, was a logical progression.
4)What is the Favorite tool of your trade and why?

Right now I've just discovered some copyright-free antique medical images, that I'm experimenting with transferring on to surfaces and incorporating in my work.
5) What is your best advice or tip to give another vendor?

Make what you love! As soon as you stop loving what you're making it starts to feel like work. Being a maker, if you love it, will never EVER feel like working.
6) Are you doing any craft shows this year? or are you selling in any co-ops or shops?

 I'm currently selling at Chartreuse on Park Ave in Rochester, New York. I'm planning on submitting applications to judged shows for the first time ever this summer!
7) Please pick a fave thing in your shop.. and provide the link to it.. and tell why you like it best.

 www.etsy.com/listing/61948098/platter-in-rustic-red-for-baking-or
This is the first large platter I ever made, and I love it. The color is great, and it has such a sturdy hand-feel. It really is very usable in the kitchen!
8)   There was so much in Amanda's shop that I love that it was hard to pick just one.

I like the simplicity of this bowl and the color calls me. I think this would go perfectly in almost any decor. How pretty would it look on a table?
blue-bowl-for-babies-condiments-or  $12.00

9) Please provide your links :

www.facebook.com/ALynnCeramics
 twitter.com/manda_nut

Thanks Amanda! Great items..thanks for sharing!

K. Michele Creations Interview

Thank you, Karen for the Interview...

1) How did you come up with the name to your shop?

The name for my shop has had many transformations until I settled on K. Michele Creations. I just went with my name and it just seemed to fit and allowed me to just create anything I wished without being confined to one idea since my interests vary from time to time.
2) What was the first thing that you created & sold that made you think- Wow- I CAN do this?

           The first piece I ever sold was one of my mixed media art pieces called A Mother's Love (faery edition). I had just learned about mixed media and had been experimenting with it. I was super excited when it sold.
3) Who or What started you on this path?

   I am the only one in my family who is artistic in anyway. I like to believe I got my love of creating and of handmade from my late grandmother. She was always crafting something and always had a handmade gift for all 8 of her grandchildren when we'd go and visit. But it's my whole family who has encouraged me on my artistic endeavors and who've always told me I should sell my creations. So here I am on Etsy.
4)What is the Favorite tool of your trade and why?

             My hands, they are my instrument of creation.

5) What is your best advice or tip to give another vendor?

    Be patient and be diligent. It doesn't happen over night. It takes a lot of work and diligence to build your shop. And it's something that I am constantly working on.
6) Are you doing any craft shows this year? or are you selling in any co-ops or shops?

  At the moment, just Etsy. I am looking into possibly doing some craft shows this year.
7) Please pick the fave thing in your shop.. and provide the link to it.. and tell why you like it best.

   Hello Friend has to be one of my favorites. As a kid, I'd sit outside under a full moon and just talk to it, getting everything that's been bugging me off my chest. I love faeries and this piece reminds me of those nights talking and sharing secrets with the moon. www.etsy.com/listing/99611771/hello-friend-mixed-media-original-9x12

8) I really like this print. I think it would make a really nice Mother's Day gift or something Nice to put in the Baby's room..

                             
A Mother's Love Mermaid Edition - Original Mixed Media Art $25.00

9) Please provide your links 
                 Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/kmichelecreations
Facebook: www.facebook.com/kmichelecreations
Blog: kmichelecreations.blogspot.com/

Interview with In Fine Feathers

Our next Interview with In Fine Feathers ...

1) How did you come up with the name to your shop?

 I began my business under the name "Fine Feathered Finds" . After a year or so of tongue twisting and attempting to shorten my business name in conversation I decided it was time for a new name! I came up with In Fine Feathers because I didn't want the new name to be too different so everyone would still know it was me. To be "In Fine Feathers" to me says a lot about someone. You are someone that appreciates the handmade, original wearable works of art. You are not afraid to display your feathers like a proud peacock would. Also, the feathers must be fine, as in fine jewelry. I use cruelty free naturally molted feathers for most of my items. I complete the process from sanitation, to dyeing them and finally using them for headdresses and other items you find in my shop.

2) What was the first thing that you created & sold that made you think- Wow- I CAN do this?

The first item I sold in person was a beautiful little flapper hair clip with a peacock feather sticking out. The first item I sold online was a very cute flower hair clip with little blue and purple flowers and purple and teal feathers coming out of the sides. I sold it for $10 and it took me 4 months to get my first sale!

3) Who or What started you on this path?

 I have always loved to dance. Dancing is the inspiration behind the items I create. I love the way costumes and accessories add even more beauty to the dancer! I also love that everyone seems to be getting in touch with their inner-dancer and realizing how healthy it is and how much it enhances your well-being. I think that somehow down the line we became too busy to dance, to dress up and to be creating beauty in the moment.

4)What is the Favorite tool of your trade and why?

 My favorite tool of the trade is a toss-up between my hot glue gun and sewing machine.

5) What is your best advice or tip to give another vendor?

 My advice: You're business is only going to be as successful as you believe it will be. Another good one is: Your business is only as good as your word. Those are two business mantras I repeat pretty much on a daily basis.

6) Are you doing any craft shows this year? or are you selling in any co-ops or shops?

 I do vend mostly at music festivals such as Sterling Stage Folkfest, Ameribeat and Last Daze in Sterling, NY. I also am going to vend at Upstate Live's music festivals Spring Revival and Fiddler's Picnic. You can also find me at Oswego Farmer's Market every Thursday from 4-9 during the Summer. I do vend at Beaver Lake's Golden Harvest, Lioness Apple Festival and with CNY Arts at Harborfest. I am sure to be adding many more to the list but those are my definites.
7) pick the fave thing in your shop.. and provide the link to it.. and tell why you like it best.

My current favorite item is my Mayan Empress Headdress from A Vintage Privilege Collection, my newest item.  I choose these headdresses because they make a statement and are powerful. They are each strong and demand your attention but at the same time are feminine.



Here are a couple things that I like in this shop:

Life Is A Carnival Hand Dyed Colorful Feather Hair Extension Clip In ($18.00)

And I like this too..

SALE Moon Glow Vintage Inspired Lace Headband Dance Headdress Petals To Metal Collection
($22.99)

Here are her links:

You can find me on Facebook! www.facebook.com/infinefeathers
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/infinefeathers
Twitter: www.twitter.com/fine_feathered_
Follow my Blog: www.infinefeathersshop.blogspot.com
and of course Etsy: www.infinefeathers.etsy.com

Thanks for the Interview!

East Street Tins Interview

Our next Interview is with East Street Tins


1) How did you come up with the name to your shop?

    I live on East Street and it seemed an easy name

2) What was the first thing that you created & sold that made you think- Wow- I CAN do this?

 I started out making brooches out of zippers and approached a few shops and they were interested.
3) Who or What started you on this path?

Then I took a two week course at Haystack Mountain School of Crafts using many different kinds of materials to make wearable art. The material I liked best was tin because of the color and recycling nature of the cans. I came right home and set up a studio in my basement and started production.
 4)What is the Favorite tool of your trade and why?

Probably the thing I use the most other than my eyes for color, is my flex shaft machine for sanding and drilling.

5) What is your best advice or tip to give another vendor?

When it is slow on Etsy, pack up your merchandise and go on the road. Look for shops to carry your products.

6) Are you doing any craft shows this year? Where can others find you?

I hope to do some craft shows this year. At the present I am signed up to do one at Baltimore Woods in May. Last year I had successful shows at MayDay Underground in Rochester and the Pepper Market in Syracuse. I sell my jewelry at Imagine in Skaneateles, Craft Co.# 6 in Rochester and the Schweinfurth Art Center in Auburn. Always looking for more.

7) What is the favorite item in your shop and why?

My favorite item of the week is a necklace I just completed using a tin mold and tin from a variety of vintage cans. I love the mix of colors and textures.

 

 Into the Sunset-Mixed Recycled Tin Necklace- Statement Travelers Necklace-Sailing Ships ($72.00)
8) My favorite picks for this shop are: 
 

 
Black Turquoise Medallion Disc Earrings-Recycled Tin-Ornate Patterns-Lightweight Earrings ($22.00)

I think these are so pretty. Something different.


Necklace: Mixed Metal Disc -Purple Necklace- Recycled Tin- Long Necklace- Handmade Steel Chain ($82.00)

I like one because it is simple and pretty.

8) Please tell us your links (ie facebook/twitter/web site etc).
 Her links are:
www.eaststreetpins.blogspot.com
www.facebook.com/EastStreetTins
vimeo.com/35467991

Thanks, Betsy...good answers

Interview with KC Fabric Ornaments

Our next Interview is with KC Fabric Ornaments


1) How did you come up with the name to your shop? 

KC Fabric Ornaments, the K stands for Kim and C stands for Chris. We are a daughter/mother team that makes fabric ornaments for Christmas and many other occasions.
2) What was the first thing that you created & sold that made you think- Wow- I CAN do this?

We sold one of our Christmas ornaments locally and received positive feedback from many people. It gave us the reassurance that we create quality ornaments.

3) Who or What started you on this path?

We have always been into doing crafts. Last year we were looking for something new to make for Christmas and came across the quilted fabric ornaments online. We made over 50 ornaments in a few months span and we wanted to share them with others.
4)What is the Favorite tool of your trade and why?

We LOVE fabric. We enjoy the creative process of picking fabric and combining them to make a beautiful ornament. The choices and combinations are endless.

5) What is your best advice or tip to give another vendor?


To do your research for pricing your items. We also suggest joining teams and circles on Etsy to try and get your shop name and products out to as many people as you can.
6) Are you doing any craft shows this year? Where can others find you?

We will be building our inventory this coming year, and intend on doing a couple craft shows in the Ilion, NY area in the Fall of 2013.7) My favorite picks for this shop are:

  Ornament with Dog Bone Fabric: http://www.etsy.com/listing/124409125/quilted-no-sew-fabric-ornament-white

 

And this one...

One for St Patrick's Day- http://www.etsy.com/listing/121323338/quilted-no-sew-fabric-st-patricks-day?
 

 

8) Please tell us your links (ie facebook/twitter/web site etc).
Etsy  www.etsy.com/shop/KCFabricOrnaments
facebook  www.facebook.com/KCFabricOrnaments

Thank you for the Interview..it is being posted about 3 months later than it should..