Showing posts with label etsy feature. Show all posts

Friday, September 23, 2011

Friday Feature: Samantha from Gilded Rose Studio

This week I am very delighted to be able to share the work of another Rollergirl! It is also very interesting how similar we are. We both do some tattoo inspired work, both are mommies, both play roller derby, and both love to juxtapose contrasting ideas and themes.

I have placed an order with Samantha, I am very excited about it! Please visit her store: Gilded Rose Studio

Tattoo Rose Onesie

Tell me about your store.

Well! I had started out designing Roller Derby-themed Onesies...with clever baby-related Derby Names. Created the Old School way...with stencil and fabric paint. I still think the names are great, but I was not entirely happy with the finished product. So, I can see why they never sold. I don't consider it a complete failure...it opened me up to other ideas. Traditional Tattoos on babies! So complete polar opposites, but totally cute-able when you add hand-embroidery. And I didn't even know how to embroider. Go figure :)

"MOM" Tattoo Onesie

How would you describe your style?

I used to have oodles of style. Coming out of the seams...that's how much style I had! Now I have a baby. I don't feel I need to elaborate any further. In my mind, reminiscing on my "old life", it was a mix of preppy, classic and envelope-pushing. Back in the day when I worked in corporate finance, I would wear all sorts of interesting outfits. A knit royal purple printed shift dress with knee high brown heeled boots, complete with my favorite Forever 21 junk jewelry. I loved mixing up the expensive stuff with the cheap stuff. (but you had to be selective when it came to the cheap stuff otherwise it doesn't work!) One of my favorite flirty outfits was this black and white mini polka dot cap-sleeve dress, sheer button up over a slip from H&M, black leather vintage-style Coach shoes with teardrop cut-outs over the toes (the only kind of Coach anything I will wear) and bright red lipstick. I'm constantly inspired by pin-ups. I don't try to dress like an exact replica of them, but I will channel their style (if I can!) ::sigh:: Those were the days.

Samantha and Her Daughter

What inspires you?

It may not be blatantly obvious in my creations, but my surroundings in the mountains inspire me a great deal. They remind me to keep things simple, use pops of color when it calls for it. Not to over-embellish. I suppose that might be how one would describe traditional tattooing. I love contrast, the use of opposites. I use backdrops highlighting my natural surroundings in my pictures. My newest favorite backdrop is the meticulous way my husband stacked one of our woodpiles for winter.

Summer Mountain View

Do you sell in other venues? Yes! I have a collection featured at Mother & Child in Nashua, NH as well as a collection at Live Wire in Westerly, RI. I'm working on my website right now, it will be a process! I'm currently gearing up for Fall Craft Fairs in the New England region.

What networking do you do that you feel helps your business? Person-to-person and word of mouth will always trump anything online. But promoting on Facebook, no matter how annoying it must seem to my friends and family because the only updates they see from me are pictures of embroidered baby onesies, seems to draw in a good deal of views and word of mouth sales. I discovered the Business Forums about 2-3 weeks ago...as slimy as it sounds, showing my face on that forum (not even for selfish reasons!) appears to be working for me as well.

-Just a side note, I found Samantha's shop in the forums :) -

Mermaid Tea Towel

Share one random fact about yourself… or more if you wish.

I like tuna fish sandwiches. But I cannot eat chicken salad, even though they are the same consistency. Speaking of food...sometimes, when I'm standing up and snacking, I will do a little happy-dance-kick a la "A Chorus Line".

What is your workspace like? It is CRAZY! I had taken over my husband's drawing table because he wasn't using it, but I have recently been kicked off the drawing table because (I feel) my husband doesn't want to share. I now operate out of my handy storage container and embroider wherever it's comfortable. I also will embroider standing up on occasion...I sit far too much than I would like to admit due to creating for my store! I'm still thinking of a better "home" for my little operation.

Winter Sunset

Thanks to Samantha for letting me do a feature on her store and sharing awesome photos! please visit her shop!

GILDED ROSE STUDIO

Have a great Weekend!

♥Erica

Friday, September 9, 2011

Friday Feature: Krystal from Random Wishes

For today's feature I got to interview Krystal. Her shop is called Random Wishes, here is a link: http://www.etsy.com/shop/kryslew1987 Krystal has many interests and talents, and her shop features an eclectic mix of beautiful candles, art and jewelry.

Tell me about yourself.

I grew up in the country on a farm. I learned from both my mother and my grandmother how to do crafty things. As a child I always wanted to be an artist. I would draw pictures for my family members and they would proudly display them in their homes. During High School I took all the art classes I possibly could. I absolutely loved it. I wish I had gone to college for art, instead I went for Culinary Arts and Baking and Pastry. I do have a degree in both. I currently work in Cooper's Seafood House in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

Tell me about your store.

I started my store about a year ago. I was not sure on how I was going to do it, but asked around to different people and they showed me what to do and how to make things better. I have to say my store has improved in the last couple of months. I got a new camera which made my pictures better, and I have developed my skills a bit better and my items have sold more. I sell mostly jewelry, but I just started doing custom candles. I love doing candles, while making them they make my house smell so great and it lingers for hours. I also do paintings and knitted items. The knitted items will be in more as the weather gets cooler.
What inspires you?

The world inspires me. I grew up in the country and learned to appreciate the little things. I see a lot if not all things as art. I twist things to become my own and create something wonderful. My art teacher once told me the world is your canvas us it to your full advantage. My family also inspires me. They tell me what they like and I tend to put my own twist into it and it becomes a great work of art.

Do you have a strong support system? Who is your biggest cheerleader?

My family has always been there for me no matter what. My mom is my biggest fan. She is always asking what I have that is new. My Aunt Ann is always wondering what I have in candle scents and my father is 100% behind finding me a physical place to sell my items. I have a wonderful boyfriend who encourages everything I do. He is always telling me how great I am doing and telling me to never give up no matter how much stress I am under. My support system is very large and I am very grateful to have them.

What is your favorite food?

Well I went to School to be a chef. My pallet has developed a lot since I was 18. My favorite food used to be anything Italian. I loved Fettuccine Alfredo and Spaghetti. at least once a week I would eat one or the other. Now though I love sushi. I love to get a spicy kani salad or calamari salad with a rainbow roll and edema-me. I love trying new things.

How would you describe your style?

I would say that I am very random. I try to do different things all the time. Hence the name Random Wishes. I like to do a number of different things. I paint, I make candles, I make jewelry, and so much more. This way I never get bored and I always have someone to make smile.

Please visit Krystal's shop, clicking on any picture will take you to her store, and have a GREAT weekend!

♥Erica

Friday, October 8, 2010

Friday Feature: Things I Love

I saw this cutie in the etsy forums recently. I am totally in love with him.

mustard and brown stegosaurus by marywells

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and this mustache mug is really important...

I was playing in the Munecas Muertas derby teams very first travel bout in Las Vegas in 2005... I think it was 2005... maybe early 2006... and there was a girl on the Neanderdolls (Sin City's travel team) who's skate name was pirate. She had a mustache tattooed on her finger. Before we left half of the munecas had fingerstaches. That is what the mustache trend makes me think of.

Oversized Moustache Soup Bowl - Variety of Colors and Styles by modernmadness

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I really love the colors in these earrings. I don't even wear earrings but these are super tempting.

Retro Bunch 'o Fruit Earrings Vintage Beads by skeptis

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This tote is awesome. It would make a GREAT reusable grocery bag! a lot of items from Em and Sprout caught my attention, so if you love cutesy items like I do, you should totally check out this shop !

Sleepy Panda Tote by emandsprout

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More cuteness. I almost passed this guy up when I was browsing, but I am really glad I didnt! he is adorable! I had a siamese kitty growing up. Her name was belle :) I named her long before the disney version of Beauty and the Beast came out though.

Mel, the Siamese Kitten - felt art toy by fing

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What is this thing? a moogling? Well, it is awesome, and I really love that it is not really anything, though it DOES Resemble a bunny. A cute, really round pink bunny.