Showing posts with label artisan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label artisan. Show all posts
3.25.2013
1.31.2013
Craft Cafe Artisan Chat - Luxe Bath and Body
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
♥ Please tell us about yourself:
I was born and raised in the Bronx. Currently reside in Forney ,TX. I have a wonderful supportive husband and family which I am very thankful for. I have 4 wonderful children, the oldest 25 and the youngest 7. I am a Mimi to a little boy named Bronx who I adore and whose smile just melts my heart.
♥ How long have you been in business?
Officially been in business for almost a year. However I have been making products for a few years now. I started out making candles a few years back and then for Christmas 2011 I wanted to make soap to give out as Christmas gifts and that was it. I knew I had to keep making it. Everyone loved it and now with my 2 youngest in school I had the time so I made a lot of soap and during the spring of 2012, I started touring the craft shows as Angie Scented Shop. In January, we evolved into Luxe Bath and Body. It has been such a great ride so far and I am loving every minute of it.
♥ Please describe your business:
I make bath and body products that you can pamper yourself with without breaking the bank. I know in today’s economy, it’s a little harder to spoil ourselves. For me bath and body products have always been a luxury. I feel I am helping by offering luxury handmade products at a reasonable price. This way everyone can indulge!
♥ Tell us what inspires you:
I have always loved everything that smells good. I am such a smell person. Our sense of smell helps us enjoy life. It can brings back memories and influence a person’s mood.
For me when I am making soap or a candle the scent dictates what I want the soap to look like. I love when a person picks up my soap and inhales and with a big smile says “not only is this a beautiful soap but it smells amazing”.
♥ Please share with others, your best marketing techniques:
Make as many friends online and in person as you can. Always have sample on hand and pass them out to everyone you talk to. Get involved in as many local events as you can. Utilize social media and pack your stuff up and get out there on the weekends. You may have the most perfect product, but if it's not being seen, it's not being bought.
♥ What do you love most about your business?
Being creative and exploring new creative avenues. I grab my coffee go into my studio put the music on and get to work. There is nothing better than loving what you do and having fun while you’re doing it. The icing on the cake is when e when a product turns out just the way I saw it in my head.
♥ Please tell us why have chosen Craft Café as a venue for your business?
I love the personal nature of Craft Cafe. I think it's wonderful that they shout out new shops and take the time to get to know their artists through interviews and spotlights like this.
♥ What advice can you give for crafters/artisans just starting out?
Love what you do. Especially when you're first starting out, you might be putting more into it then you are getting out. But dream big and keep with it. Put yourself out there on as many outlets as you can. Remember Dreams can’t come true if you don’t have any.
♥ Where do you see your business in 5 years?
My goal is to get off the craft circuit and open my own little boutique. I want it so bad and I won’t quit until I open the doors.
♥ Lastly, would you like to offer our readers a special or coupon code for your Craft Cafe shop?
Yes, please enter code: Valentine2013 for 10% off your entire order in my Craft Cafe Shop. Expires 2.14.13.
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
We would like to send out a big THANK YOU to Angela for all her love and support.
Be sure to visit Luxe Bath and Body soon ♥ ♥ Craft Cafe Shop / Facebook
Meet Angela Contin from Luxe Bath and Body
♥ Please tell us about yourself:
I was born and raised in the Bronx. Currently reside in Forney ,TX. I have a wonderful supportive husband and family which I am very thankful for. I have 4 wonderful children, the oldest 25 and the youngest 7. I am a Mimi to a little boy named Bronx who I adore and whose smile just melts my heart.
♥ How long have you been in business?
Officially been in business for almost a year. However I have been making products for a few years now. I started out making candles a few years back and then for Christmas 2011 I wanted to make soap to give out as Christmas gifts and that was it. I knew I had to keep making it. Everyone loved it and now with my 2 youngest in school I had the time so I made a lot of soap and during the spring of 2012, I started touring the craft shows as Angie Scented Shop. In January, we evolved into Luxe Bath and Body. It has been such a great ride so far and I am loving every minute of it.
♥ Please describe your business:
I make bath and body products that you can pamper yourself with without breaking the bank. I know in today’s economy, it’s a little harder to spoil ourselves. For me bath and body products have always been a luxury. I feel I am helping by offering luxury handmade products at a reasonable price. This way everyone can indulge!
♥ Tell us what inspires you:
I have always loved everything that smells good. I am such a smell person. Our sense of smell helps us enjoy life. It can brings back memories and influence a person’s mood.
For me when I am making soap or a candle the scent dictates what I want the soap to look like. I love when a person picks up my soap and inhales and with a big smile says “not only is this a beautiful soap but it smells amazing”.
♥ Please share with others, your best marketing techniques:
Make as many friends online and in person as you can. Always have sample on hand and pass them out to everyone you talk to. Get involved in as many local events as you can. Utilize social media and pack your stuff up and get out there on the weekends. You may have the most perfect product, but if it's not being seen, it's not being bought.
♥ What do you love most about your business?
Being creative and exploring new creative avenues. I grab my coffee go into my studio put the music on and get to work. There is nothing better than loving what you do and having fun while you’re doing it. The icing on the cake is when e when a product turns out just the way I saw it in my head.
♥ Please tell us why have chosen Craft Café as a venue for your business?
I love the personal nature of Craft Cafe. I think it's wonderful that they shout out new shops and take the time to get to know their artists through interviews and spotlights like this.
♥ What advice can you give for crafters/artisans just starting out?
Love what you do. Especially when you're first starting out, you might be putting more into it then you are getting out. But dream big and keep with it. Put yourself out there on as many outlets as you can. Remember Dreams can’t come true if you don’t have any.
♥ Where do you see your business in 5 years?
My goal is to get off the craft circuit and open my own little boutique. I want it so bad and I won’t quit until I open the doors.
♥ Lastly, would you like to offer our readers a special or coupon code for your Craft Cafe shop?
Yes, please enter code: Valentine2013 for 10% off your entire order in my Craft Cafe Shop. Expires 2.14.13.
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
We would like to send out a big THANK YOU to Angela for all her love and support.
Be sure to visit Luxe Bath and Body soon ♥ ♥ Craft Cafe Shop / Facebook
1.14.2013
Gift Certificate Giveaway - PiixlWix Candle Company
$25 Gift Certificate Giveaway
Facebook / Craft Cafe Shop
*Be sure to read the giveaway rules before entering..Thank You!
1.11.2013
Pink Post & Vote Winner - InkyDoodleCrafts
"Pink" Post & Vote Winner!
A pretty in pink birthday card, perfect for a cute little girl.
Measuring approx (6 inches) square, the white card base has a scalloped edge.
All of the sequins and beads have been hand stitched in place. An excellent quality background paper/card, the pretty co-ordinated flower has been hand colored and crafted. Designed with the sentiment which reads "All grown up", "Happy Birthday" .
Each corner has a stitched decorative card detail.
Be sure to visit InkyDoodleCrafts Today!
1.07.2013
Gift Certificate Giveaway - Briar's Wicked Wishes
$25 Gift Certificate Giveaway
Facebook / Craft Cafe Shop
*Be sure to read the giveaway rules before entering..Thank You!
1.04.2013
Yellow Post & Vote Winner - Michelle's This & That!
"Yellow" Post & Vote Winner!
One pound of yummy creamy handmade from scratch lemon cream fudge!
Be sure to visit Michelle's This & That Today!
12.28.2012
12.14.2012
Snowflakes and Pearls Charm Bracelet from Briar's Wicked Wishes
Briar's Wicked Wishes
Buttons Snowflakes and Pearls Charm Bracelet Vintage Buttons Winter
A bit of vintage winter whimsy to wear.
This bracelet is loaded with vintage buttons selected from my tin of old salvaged buttons. I used all white, some leaning more towards cream. There are also white glass pearls in several sizes. Six tibet silver snowflakes. I used chunky silver plated chain and a tibet silver S hook and eye closure. The S hook has a pretty leaf and flower design on it. The larger buttons are wired with silver tone jewelry wire, the smaller buttons have silver plated rings holding them. The bracelet is 7 1/2 inches long and will come to you in a black gift box.
Body Powder Puff from BonnyBubbles
BODY POWDER PUFF - Soft White and Ivory
Body Powder Puff . Soft white and creamy ivory. Simple elegance with vintage charm.
Even if you do not use body powder, these feminine puffs look so pretty as a decorative accent in your boudoir. Makes for a wonderful, unique gift.
Mothers and Grandmothers will greatly appreciate the nostalgia.
~ Includes a complimentary Body Powder sample ~
Measures approx 3.5 - 4 " inches across.
11.28.2012
Craft Cafe Artisan Chat - Debora Mauser Designs
Craft Cafe Artisan Interview - Debora Mauser Designs
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Meet Debora Mauser from Debora Mauser Designs
♥ Please tell us about yourself:
All my life I have created things, starting with woven potholders as a child and then numerous handcrafts, like sewing and knitting and crossstitch, ended up becoming a hairdresser. When parenthood took over, I started down different paths but found my true calling when I started creating jewelry. From creating, I have moved onto teaching. I teach nationally at venues like Bead and Button, Bead Fest, William Holland School of Lapidary Arts and many other places. I am just starting my journey into online shopping and hope to have a successful partnership with Craft Café.
♥ How long have you been in business?
12 Years
♥ Please describe your business:
Lately my focus has been on teaching, but have sold my jewelry at small shows and even at house parties. I need a presence online and Craft Café has made that easy to attain. I create one of a kind jewelry that reflects my love of texture, form and color.
♥ Tell us what inspires you:
Like many others, the nature around me is a true inspiration, the shape of a tree trunk, the colors of flowers and the movement of those elements all bring ideas to me.
♥ Please share with others, your best marketing techniques:
Always wear your creations, take business cards with you at all times.
♥ What do you love most about your business?
I love taking flat wire and metal and turning into a three dimension creation. When I teach the part that I love most is seeing my students eyes light up when they ‘get it’.
♥ Please tell us why have chosen Craft Café as a venue for your business?
I have thought about an online store for several years, and even reserved a place on another site, but never opened it. I chose Craft Café because of their price structure, there seeming less endless energy and commitment to their sellers.
♥ What advice can you give for crafters/artisans just starting out?
Practice, practice, practice. It takes years to develop your craft/art to the point that most are satisfied enough to offer their products for sale. Learn, learn, learn… take classes, read, network. All invaluable to the creative process.
♥ Where do you see your business in 5 years?
I hope to be teaching at larger venues and in some local galleries as well as advancing my online store. My work is evolving continuously, now using more metal and color than ever. The road is always twisting and turning.
♥ Lastly, would you like to offer our readers a special or coupon code for your Craft Cafe shop?
Yes, I would like to offer10% off til 12/15, simply use code: xmas when checking out at my Craft Cafe Shop.
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
We would like to send out a big THANK YOU to Debora for all her love and support.
Be sure to visit Debora Mauser Designs soon ♥ ♥ Craft Cafe Shop / Facebook
11.19.2012
Craft Cafe Artisan Chat - The Dip Lady
Craft Cafe Artisan Interview - The Dip Lady
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Meet Carla McPhee from The Dip Lady
♥ Please tell us about yourself:
I am a mother of 3 with a wonderful husband who helps me out when he can in between his full time job and coaching youth football. I'm originally from Massachusetts and I have been living in Arizona since 2001. I love the abundance of blue skies, tall palm trees and amazing sunsets. I have a weakness for anything blingy and shiny...I'm very creative and I love to make things...I love muscle cars and old vintage signs!
♥ How long have you been in business?
Since 2002
♥ Please describe your business:
I have 21 gourmet flavored dip mixes that come prepackaged. I offer delicious fruit dips, spicy dips, bread dipping mixes, bagel and cracker spreads, no-bake style cheesecakes, and bean dips. I also hand craft my ceramic dip chillers. These are 2 part bowls where the top bowl that holds your dips sits inside another bowl that holds the ice and water, so that you always keep your dips chilled and fresh. I also hand craft french style butter bells and these keep your butter soft and spreadable. Among other fun items I make are, kitchen magnets on tiles, wine cork necklaces and key chains and my most recent project are soldered glass charm necklaces.
I am inspired by my customers. When I'm at a show and I hear things like...."Oh thank goodness you are here!" or "Oh, I finally found you!"...that inspires me because what I have is something they need and you feel appreciated by their words.... that inspires me!!
♥ Please share with others, your best marketing techniques:
My best marketing technique is .... "Try before you buy!" ~ It works everytime. When I sample at my booth at a craft show, they simply cannot resist and they end up taking home several of my mixes.
♥ What do you love most about your business?
I love that I am able to see my children off to school and that I'm here when they get home...I feel blessed that I have so much time with them while running my business.
♥ Please tell us why have chosen Craft Café as a venue for your business?
I have chosen Craft Cafe because it allows me to list as many items as I want, no limits...so user friendly!
♥ What advice can you give for crafters/artisans just starting out?
My best advice to anyone starting out is...."Don't be afraid of hard work!"
♥ Where do you see your business in 5 years?
I would like to see more wholesale accounts and my items in more locally owned shops in the valley.
♥ Lastly, would you like to offer our readers a special or coupon code for your Craft Cafe shop?
Yes, please enter code "diplady" when checking out at my Craft Cafe Shop to receive 10% off your entire purchase!
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
We would like to send out a big THANK YOU to Carla for all her love and support.
Be sure to visit The Dip Lady soon ♥ ♥ Craft Cafe Shop / Facebook / Pinterest
11.16.2012
Craft Cafe Artisan Chat - In Your Face Beauty Works
Craft Cafe Artisan Interview - In Your Face Beauty Works
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Meet Suzy Molen from In Your Face Beauty Works
♥ Please tell us about yourself:
I am a mom to 3 boys. They keep me busy along with homeschooling them, and being very involved at my church. I have always been a creative soul and at a young age wanted to own my own creative business.
♥ How long have you been in business?
I have owned my own business for almost 10 years though In Your Face Beauty Works was started in February of 2012.
♥ Please describe your business:
In Your Face Beauty Works is an all natural mineral makeup company. I have a wide variety of products including foundation, eyeshadow, blush and more. All the ingredients in our products are natural and great for your skin! I am also a one woman show! All formulas and everything are made by me.
♥ Tell us what inspires you:
I love color so the world around me is so inspiring. Making healthy choices is another thing that inspires me. I love that I know each ingredient that I am putting on my skin and how it helps to care for my skin and not harm it with harsh chemicals.
♥ Please share with others, your best marketing techniques:
I could tell you but then I'd have to kill you. :) Just kidding. Word of mouth is definitely the best marketing out there. Happy customers are the best! Giving out some samples to people to test doesn't cost a ton and they usually end up buying more later on. Knowing and loving the product you sell will really show to your customers also. I LOVE what I do and it shows.
♥ What do you love most about your business?
I love that it's so fulfilling. I make items from scratch and I love it. I also love that I even as a single mom, I can stay home with my kids.
♥ Please tell us why have chosen Craft Café as a venue for your business?
I chose Craft Cafe because I knew the owners took a lot of time in considering what is important to sellers in a venue.
♥ What advice can you give for crafters/artisans just starting out?
Owning a business is A LOT of work. Research research research your product before you even start. Owning your business is not an "if you build it, they will come" type of thing. The more you put in, the more you'll get out of it. Patience is a virtue! Successful businesses don't happen over night. Take time to make your business grow and your products top notch.
♥ Where do you see your business in 5 years?
Rich and famous. lol. I wish! Well at least the rich part. :) I have written down some goals and I hope have met and exceeded those goals within 5 years. I have many ideas for expanding as well. I would like to add an entire line of skincare products along with the mineral makeup.
♥ Lastly, would you like to offer our readers a special or coupon code for your Craft Cafe shop?
Yes, please use code "Blog15" during checkout at my Craft Cafe Shop for 15% off your entire purchase!
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
We would like to send out a big THANK YOU to Suzy for all her love and support.
Be sure to visit In Your Face Beauty Works soon ♥ ♥ Craft Cafe Shop / Facebook
11.14.2012
Craft Cafe Artisan Chat - Georgia Marbles
Craft Cafe Artisan Interview - Georgia Marbles
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Meet Georgia Groves w/ Grandson Jackson from Georgia Marbles
♥ Please tell us about yourself:
My name is Georgia and I live in Ohio ..not Georgia. I love to sew! I have been sewing since I was about 12 years old. I remember watching my Grandma make doll clothes without a pattern. I have been married to "SANTA" for 40 years. We raised 4 children and have 6 grandchildren. I started making tutus for my daughter's dance studio and listed some online...happened to make an apron and they took off selling better than the tutus so I started making more! I started making the the Vintage Inspired Cloth Paper Dolls about a year ago. I really enjoy creating fun different items for that special person who wants unique things.
♥ How long have you been in business?
I have been selling online since 2008.
♥ Please describe your business:
I believe my Craft Cafe shop reflects my joy of sewing . Most of my aprons are OOAK (one of a kind) and have been made using my own original pattern using both vintage and vintage inspired fabrics. My dolls all take on a personality of their own.. I love adding the little extra vintage buttons, ribbons,and pearls to them. Also I had great fun naming them all! I named the dolls after my 3 daughters, my 2 grandaughters, my aunts and close friends.
♥ Tell us what inspires you:
I love to go to garage sales and flea markets and find fabric, buttons, and sewing supplies. My mind goes crazy imagining the special projects I can make! I have a roomful(literally) of fabric...but i never seem to have enough!. : )
♥ Please share with others, your best marketing techniques:
I have found that using facebook , twitter, and pinterest has helped promote my business. I also hand out business cards at craftshows and add a few extra to my sales.
♥ What do you love most about your business?
I love being able to stay at home and make money while doing something that I love ...SEWING!
♥ Please tell us why have chosen Craft Café as a venue for your business?
I chose to open a shop on Crafe Cafe because it is a new venue to attract attention to my items. Also, several of my online friends were promoting Craft Cafe so I thought "why not give it a try?"
♥ What advice can you give for crafters/artisans just starting out?
The main advice I have for any one starting out is to get a feel for what the public wants... will they appreciate the time and effort that goes into a handmade item? make sure you know the upfront costs of your products before pricing them to sell ( and do not forget to get paid for your time!)
MMMMMMM....in 5 years I would LOVE for "georgiamarbles" to be a household name !!LOL Hey! I can dream can't I! : )
♥ Lastly, would you like to offer our readers a special or coupon code for your Craft Cafe shop?
I would love to offer a coupon for 15% off in my Craft Cafe shop!! Please use coupon code BLOG15 during checkout.
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
We would like to send out a big THANK YOU to Georgia for all her love and support.
Be sure to visit Georgia Marbles soon ♥ ♥ Craft Cafe Shop / Facebook / Twitter / Blog
11.12.2012
Craft Cafe Artisan Chat - A Penny for Your Thoughts
Craft Cafe Artisan Interview - A Penny for Your Thoughts
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Meet Parrie L. Brooks from A Penny for Your Thoughts (A Penny 4 Ur Thoughts)
♥ Please tell us about yourself:
A Penny for Your Thoughts is the realization of a lifetime love of crafting. As a former Teacher and Trainer with the nickname Penny, I honed my crafting skills creating exemplary classroom decorations and learning tools. Soon I realized a passion for all types of paper and the wealth of possibilities in its use . Our goal is to create a miniature work of art that serves as a communications vehicle for savvy consumers.
♥ How long have you been in business?
We have been a formal business for five years. Prior to that we provided cards and gift-wrap to close family and friends.
♥ Please describe your business:
A Penny for Your Thoughts is your source for quality handcrafted Greeting Cards and Gift Accessories. We are honored to provide our customers with a variety of Greeting Cards, Note Card Sets, Gift Tags, Gift Bags and Gift Boxes.
Our mission is to remain faithful to artisanal traditions in the digital age.
♥ Tell us what inspires you:
Our style is constantly evolving based on inspirational influences in both nature and fabric.
♥ Please share with others, your best marketing techniques:
Our online presence continues to grow as our primary marketing tool through participation in Facebook, Pinterest, Wanelo and Twitter. We also participate in the Sampler Village. This gives us an opportunity to provide samples of our products to individuals. Quality online photos of our products is critical, the opportunity to get actual products in the hands of potential customers serves as a bridge from the virtual marketplace to the physical. I also feel a sense of Karma when distributing my card samples. The sharing of my talents is a way to pay homage to a swiftly diminishing tradition, the hand written note.
♥ What do you love most about your business?
As a life long learner, the opportunity to explore new techniques and skills is exciting and rewarding. Also, interacting with fellow artisans online provides critical feedback and support.
♥ Please tell us why have chosen Craft Café as a venue for your business?
Craft Café aligns with both our professional and personal philosophies. As an online marketplace, the values of a “brick and mortar” location are evident. Community: Craft Café provides pages for Sellers and Fans as well. Ongoing interaction is invited and encouraged. Swift and courteous Seller support: The Admin Team is “always at the ready” to assist Sellers no matter how comprehensive or minute the concern.
♥ What advice can you give for crafters/artisans just starting out?
Believe in yourself and your product. Join a collaborative to receive feedback from fellow artisans. Be patient, take the time to learn more about your craft and how to promote your product. In essence you are everything…help desk, marketing, packaging and design department!
♥ Where do you see your business in 5 years?
As Craft Café continues to grow, I see our shop as an integral part of that community. Our partnership with local artisans is inspirational as well. In five years, I see this collaborative as an opportunity to continue to learn from these individuals.
♥ Lastly, would you like to offer our readers a special or coupon code for your Craft Cafe shop?
Yes! Please use Coupon Code: CCFan15 in my Craft Cafe Shop which will give you 15% off your total order!
Effective Date: November 12, 2012 through February 12, 2013
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
We would like to send out a big THANK YOU to Parrie for all her love and support.
Be sure to visit A Penny for Your Thoughts soon ♥ ♥ Craft Cafe Shop / Facebook / Twitter / Wanelo / Pinterest
11.09.2012
Craft Cafe Artisan Chat - Rhea's Renderings
Craft Cafe Artisan Interview - Rhea's Renderings
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Meet LeAnne Ritter from Rhea's Renderings
♥ Please tell us about yourself:
I am a single mom to two beautiful black cats and one sweet little three-legged crazy ginger cat, all are rescues. I have been making jewelry for myself since I was a teenager. About 10 years ago I finally decided I needed a source of money for my serious bead habit, so I started selling my jewelry to friends and relatives. A few years ago I started selling online and I’m happy that I am still doing what I love. Unfortunately, I do have a full time job to pay the bills, but I still have time to make jewelry when I want. Other interests include going to the Monterey Jazz Festival every year for the past 15 years or so. I do some sewing as well, but jewelry is my first love.
♥ How long have you been in business?
I guess if you consider that the first earrings I made were for myself when I was a teenager, we’re looking at about 40 years now. (Yikes!) But I really didn’t start selling jewelry until about 15 years ago.
♥ Please describe your business:
I handcraft jewelry of all types. Creating special custom orders for my client is my favorite thing to do. I usually make my jewelry out of semiprecious gemstones and sterling silver, using wire wrapping when I can, and adding lots of Swarovski crystal for the bling factor. I also have branched out into some non-precious metal pieces to try to keep prices down so I can have a variety of pieces that fit every budget.
♥ Tell us what inspires you:
I am inspired by beautiful colors of nature and try to follow what’s trending, although I’m not always able to make myself do pieces that I don’t think are particularly lovely or would be something that you would want to wear after the season is over. What inspires me most is to find a unique focal bead or pendant and start from that point, designing something specific to that focal point.
♥ Please share with others, your best marketing techniques:
What has been most successful for me in the past is “up selling”, by offering matching bracelets or earrings with a necklace, or suggesting something that might look great with a particular piece.
♥ What do you love most about your business?
I love creating something new and fresh, I’m not very interested in copying another artist’s design but I do get inspiration for my own pieces from something that’s already been created sometimes. Taking an old or broken piece of jewelry that a customer wants to be re-created into something new is one of my favorite things to do.
♥ Please tell us why have chosen Craft Café as a venue for your business?
I’ve been so impressed by the Facebook group for Craft Café, all the artisans are so willing to help each other out and the Craft Café staff are always available and respond immediately to problems or questions. You don’t find that at all online sites these days. Plus I like that it’s new and fresh and has unlimited possibilities for success.
♥ What advice can you give for crafters/artisans just starting out?
Stay focused on your vision of your business. It usually starts out slow for most people, depending on how unique and in demand your product is. I have long periods of time in between sales, but it’s better when I take the time to really market myself and get online and get active in blogs and such to get your name and your shop name out there.
♥ Where do you see your business in 5 years?
As long as I am working my full time job, it’s hard for me to spend the necessary marketing time to really amp up my online sales, but I’d like to think that at some point I could do that and really have regular sales from my shop. I would like to continue to do some trunk showings as well, which helps to move inventory in between shop sales.
♥ Lastly, would you like to offer our readers a special or coupon code for your Craft Cafe shop?
Yes, I have added a coupon for 15% off all items in my Craft Cafe Shop that is good through the end of January 2013. Please use code 15percentoff
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
We would like to send out a big THANK YOU to LeAnne for all her love and support.
Be sure to visit Rhea's Renderings soon ♥ ♥ Craft Cafe Shop / Facebook / Twitter
11.06.2012
Craft Cafe Artisan Chat - Botanicals for Beauty
Craft Cafe Artisan Interview - Botanicals for Beauty
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Meet Laura Simmons From Botanicals for Beauty
♥ Please tell us about yourself:
Like many other of the newer artisans, I have problems with unemployment. After 7 years of look and not finding any work with the exception of temporary agencies I decided to finally take the plunge and paid for a 3 level aromatherapy home study course. This course had lots of information in it about nature's butters and oils plus herbs and included some sample recipes as well. So that was when I started thinking about selling skin care products and essential oils perfumes, bath salts and bath oils on the web.
♥ How long have you been in business?
Since 2/27/2012
♥ Please describe your business:
My shop contains items most of which have essential oils added to them either for pleasure or skin care. I started this business after taking an aromatherapy home course which discussed skin care issues a great deal and also talked about the advantages of various butters and oils. The second part of the course talked more about blends and essential that are helpful for a specific mood.
What inspires me to keep going are the people who have told me that they have tried everything else they could find and nothing helped them with their dry skin until they tried my products. Also I have had feedback from people who have said that they see noticeable results on the 3rd day of using my product. Unfortunately if not used every day you will not see the same results.
♥ Please share with others, your best marketing techniques:
For now it is making friends with my fellow artisans. I am also working on some research to learn how to be more effective using social networks.
♥ What do you love most about your business?
Actually it's hard to give just one thing that I love the most. There are two things and they are that I give real value in my creations because everything I sell is concentrated, nothing is watered down (except the apple cider vinegar toners due to acidity) and because of that my items not only give better results they also last for a longer period of time. Plus the success stories of people who have been relieved of a skin care problem after trying so many other things.
♥ Please tell us why have chosen Craft Café as a venue for your business?
Because the price was so reasonable and I have heard that it is a great advantage if you are among the first to open up a shop in a new venue.
♥ What advice can you give for crafters/artisans just starting out?
The first thing is to find other artisans that enjoy networking and network with them. I started a FB share and like group and so now all of us have our items shared by at least 5 other artisans on their social networking sites. The group is new so it is still small, but I also don't want anyone to have to spend too much time doing the like and shares plus I don't want my members to be thought of as spammers. If the group gets too big I will end dividing it into two groups. So can you imagine, the reach we each have now?
♥ Where do you see your business in 5 years?
I hope that I will have 100 items by then and be so busy that I will need to hire some part time help.
♥ Lastly, would you like to offer our readers a special or coupon code for your Craft Cafe shop?
Yes, I am offering FREE SHIPPING with the purchase of 3 or more items from my Craft Cafe Shop, please see my shop message for more information.
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
We would like to send out a big THANK YOU to Laura for all her love and support.
Be sure to visit Botanicals for Beauty soon ♥ ♥ Craft Cafe Shop / Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest
10.26.2012
Craft Cafe Artisan Chat - Mountain Scentaments
Craft Cafe Artisan Interview - Mountain Scentaments
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Meet Julia Laughlin from Mountain Scentaments
♥ Please tell us about yourself:
I am a mother of a wonderful supportive teenage son and have a very supportive husband. I have been a crafter my entire life. I when I was young, I made ceramics and painted shirts with my mother. My sister also taught me to make beautiful candles. Crafting has always been a part of my life.
Years ago, I started making candles because I could never find the right fragrance at the store, or the candles I bought were just horrible. Either I could not smell the candles, or they would burn so fast with lots of wasted wax let over. I decided I could do better with making my own candles. When I discovered wooden wicks I fell in love. I just love the crackle they make, much like the wood burning fireplace my grandma had in my wonderful childhood memories.
My soap making started as an effort to make better and more natural skin care for me and my family. I found out quickly I could make more than we could use or give away to friends and family due to the pure joy I had making soap. I found soap making really sparked that creativity from my younger years. The versatility of making soap seems endless. I make everything from beer soap, salt soap, pet soap (I can’t forget the furry family), artisan soap, and felted soap. When I discovered felting I wondered where this craft has been all my life. I just love felting and with local sheep farmers around don’t be surprised to see more felted items soon!
♥ How long have you been in business?
Mountain Scentaments has officially been in business for 3 years.
♥ Please describe your business:
I hand craft wood wicked candles, soy wax melts, car fresheners and soap
♥ Tell us what inspires you:
All things handmade. Nothing satisfies me more than using a product made with my own hands.
♥ Please share with others, your best marketing techniques:
Local Farmer’s Markets, Craft Shows and Facebook.
♥ What do you love most about your business?
It allows me to fund my crafting desire.
♥ Please tell us why have chosen Craft Café as a venue for your business?
I have participated in Sampler Village in the past and I really love the crafting community Traci has built. I really feel like I am in large crafting family!
♥ What advice can you give for crafters/artisans just starting out?
Don’t give up and if you craft candles and soap remember testing, testing and more testing is a must to make the best products.
♥ Where do you see your business in 5 years?
I would love to be able to open up a store in my town.
♥ Lastly, would you like to offer our readers a special or coupon code for your Craft Cafe shop?
Please use coupon code FALL12 during checkout at my Craft Cafe Shop - exp. 11/24.2012
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
We would like to send out a big THANK YOU to Julia for all her love and support.
Be sure to visit Mountain Scentaments soon ♥ ♥ Craft Cafe Shop / Facebook / Pinterest
10.19.2012
Craft Cafe Artisan Chat - Lisa Boland Jewelry Designs
Craft Cafe Artisan Interview - Lisa Boland Jewelry Designs
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Meet Lisa Boland from Lisa Boland Jewelry Designs
♥ Please tell us about yourself:
My most important job and greatest joy is being mom to my incredible son, Benjamin. He inspires me every day to be the best person I can be.
My love of jewelry design started over 17 years ago when a friend took me into a bead shop. I was hooked immediately and my new hobby quickly grew into a passion for creating beautiful, unique jewelry.
♥ How long have you been in business?
I started selling my work and teaching classes about 14 years ago. I took a few years off when my son was born and officially launched Lisa Boland Jewelry Designs almost 2 years ago.
♥ Please describe your business:
In my shop you will find everything from simple and stylish handcrafted designs perfect for everyday to sparkling accessories for your special night out. My pieces feature sterling silver wire and hand-forged components, semi-precious gemstones, and one-of-a-kind artisan beads. I also love working with Swarovski crystal beads for their unmatched sparkle and brilliant colors.
♥ Tell us what inspires you:
Color inspires me more than anything else, as well the shapes and lines found in nature.
♥ Please share with others, your best marketing techniques:
As much as I love interacting online, my most successful marketing technique is one-on-one interaction with my clients. Meeting people in person gives me the opportunity to really share my ideas and passion for jewelry more than any photograph or online post ever could.
♥ What do you love most about your business?
I love seeing my designs go from concept or sketch to the finished piece. I always get excited when the ideas in my head become a beautiful reality.
♥ Please tell us why have chosen Craft Café as a venue for your business?
Craft Cafe's customer service is second to none. The administrative team always goes above and beyond doing all that they can to make the site work for both sellers and buyers. Concerns are addressed promptly and ideas and suggestions are always welcome. And of course, the membership fee for sellers is more reasonable than any other site I've found.
♥ What advice can you give for crafters/artisans just starting out?
Before investing in a lot of materials, take your time to discover what you enjoy creating most. Stay true to your aesthetic and design what you love.
♥ Where do you see your business in 5 years?
My dream is to have my own studio space away from my home where I can really focus on my work. I would also love to be able to have a staff to take care of all the "business" aspects of business so I can devote the majority of my time to designing and creating.
♥ Lastly, would you like to offer our readers a special or coupon code for your Craft Cafe shop?
Please use coupon code "CCBLOG" at my Craft Cafe Shop during checkout to save 15% on your order. Coupon expires December 31, 2012.
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
We would like to send out a big THANK YOU to Lisa for all her love and support.
Be sure to visit Lisa Boland Jewelry Designs soon ♥ ♥ Craft Cafe Shop / Facebook / Pinterest / Wanelo / RebelMouse
10.17.2012
Craft Cafe Artisan Chat - Faux Sweet Diva & My Crafty Addictions
Craft Cafe Artisan Interview - Anita from Faux Sweet Diva & My Crafty Addictions
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Meet Anita Beeghley from Faux Sweet Diva & My Crafty Addictions
♥ Please tell us about yourself:
I am a mom to four children and wife to an awesome husband that runs two businesses. I'm originally from Washington DC and now reside in upper Maryland. Anything that has to do with crafting I find myself learning it with ease and adding it to my resume. Aside of crafting I am also an award winning cake decorator and an amazing singer!
♥ How long have you been in business?
I've been in business close to 2 years!
♥ Please describe your business:
It's hard to put a title to what I do but i'll try.
I love everything sweet, frilly, girly, fru fru, shabby chic and more. I guess I live in a bubblegum gum drop world and my business reflects that! Everything I do is geared towards what every kid and adult loves!
I make Candy and sweet scented Faux Cupcakes and Bath & Body products. Along with candles, jewelry, tutu's, wands!
My daughter. I want to establish something great for the future in hopes that she takes over. She shares the same passion and is my right hand to everything I do.
♥ Please share with others, your best marketing techniques:
Facebook! I firmly believe that if you post and keep your fans updated it can change your world!
♥ What do you love most about your business?
Creating!! I have ADD and sadly my mind never rest but the beautiful outcome is everything you see in my shops :-) Crafting is my drug and Joanns, AC Moore and Michaels are my pusher!
Here's the truth. I love how Craft Cafe doesn't allow commercial made items! I've sold on other venues and I always get turned off when I see commercial made items being passed off as handmade when it's not. Craft Cafe is truly home of the handmade and I adore that.
♥ What advice can you give for crafters/artisans just starting out?
KEEP SWIMMING!!!! I've been at this for 2 years and i'm still pressing towards my goals. Nothing is promised in this line of business and if you want it, you have to give it 100%. If it's your passion, if it's what completes you, if it's all you think about day and night, DO NOT give up. I believe in God and blessings. He gives it to you in it's entirety when he's ready.
♥ Where do you see your business in 5 years?
I see me having my own boutique that also hosts awesome parties! Keep your eyes open for me, I promise you will see my name in lights very soon :-)
♥ Lastly, would you like to offer our readers a special or coupon code for your Craft Cafe shop?
Yes, please use code "Feature2010" for 10% off your entire order when checking out on my Faux Sweet Diva Craft Cafe shop
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
We would like to send out a big THANK YOU to Anita for all her love and support.
Be sure to visit Faux Sweet Diva & My Crafty Addictions soon ♥ ♥ Faux Sweet Diva Facebook / My Crafty Addictions Facebook
10.15.2012
Craft Cafe Artisan Chat - Aphrodite's Attique
Craft Cafe Artisan Interview - Aphrodite's Attique
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Meet Michele Wolfe from Aphrodite's Attique
♥ Please tell us about yourself:
I'm a 57 year old widowed mom and grandmom from northern Georgia, a mother hen and collector of "strays" (both 2- and 4-legged), spent most of my working life in office administration until illness and the economy forced me into "involuntary premature retirement", lol. I love playing with patterns and colors, and have been a crafter all my life, doing everything from crochet to soft sculpture and sewing, silk flower arrangement, paper crafts, and beading...whatever looks interesting and fun. When computers came along, I began to do graphic and website design, and digital art and photography - since I can't draw a stick figure with pencil and paper, it was thrilling to discover I could now create recognizable artwork, lol! When I'm not creating, I love to dance and cook (although I can't follow a recipe exactly to save my life), hang out with my family and friends, and have fun with my furry kids.
♥ How long have you been in business?
The Attique was officially opened in February 2012, and has been on Craft Cafe since mid-August.
♥ Please describe your business:
A little of this, a little of that, all handmade with love! Beaded jewelry and suncatchers, crochet apparel and accessories, printable graphics...and lots more to come!
♥ Tell us what inspires you:
Anything and everything! People, animals, nature...something I see, read, hear...a "challenge" (can I make something like this? what can I make with this?)...I also love things that can be used or worn in several different ways, and am always looking for unusual ways to use ordinary objects!
♥ Please share with others, your best marketing techniques:
Not sure if I've found my best techniques yet, lol, but I think social network marketing is going to be a big one, along with plain, "old-fashioned" networking...anything that spreads the word about you and your business.
♥ What do you love most about your business?
Doing what I love...and being able to do it any hour of the day or night, whenever the mood, need or inspiration arises!
♥ Please tell us why have chosen Craft Café as a venue for your business?
Divine intervention, lol! I had a store on another site, but wasn't happy with it, so I was researching other options and kept coming back to Craft Cafe - the price was very reasonable, there were no extra fees, I liked the store layout, it was a new venue with great possibilities for growth, and sellers there did seem to be making some sales....but I wasn't quite ready to commit. Then, one night, I was randomly browsing some CC stores when I hit on one called B'ead Unique, owned by a Tammy McCoy...and years ago, I was friends with a lady of the same name and had lost touch with her. My first thought was "naw, it can't be", but I followed her Facebook link, messaged her, and sure enough, it WAS her...and she highly recommended Craft Cafe. So I figured being reunited with an old friend through CC was the "sign" I was looking for, and I signed up for my store that week...and have been very happy - with the site itself, with the "family" of CC store owners, and with the wonderful, helpful folks behind the scenes who really do seem to have our best interests at heart!
♥ What advice can you give for crafters/artisans just starting out?
Since I'm just starting out myself, this might be a little presumptuous, but I'd say "PROMOTE, PROMOTE, PROMOTE"! Take any opportunity to get your name and your product out there in front of people in a positive way - enter contests, do interviews like this one, swap business cards, ask for positive feedback/word of mouth from your customers, teach a class or write a tutorial - think outside the box and get creative, you never know what might work. Also, don't give up - it takes time and effort, but if you believe in yourself and your creations (and promote, promote, promote), eventually you'll find your niche...at least, that's what I tell myself!
♥ Where do you see your business in 5 years?
Supporting me well enough that I can delay using my Social Security benefits, lol! By then, I'd like to have a solid customer base online (with an ever-growing online presence), and have my creations in several local "brick and morter" stores. Ultimately, I'd like to have the need to, and be able to, employ/contract a few folks (even part-time) to help with crafting, shipping, and whatever else needs to be done. Hey, if you're going to dream, you might as well dream big!
♥ Lastly, would you like to offer our readers a special or coupon code for your Craft Cafe shop?
Get 15% off your order with coupon code "ccblogaa" - and thanks for shopping with Aphrodite's Attique at Craft Cafe!
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
We would like to send out a big THANK YOU to Michele for all her love and support.
Be sure to visit Aphrodite's Attique soon ♥ ♥ Craft Cafe Shop / Facebook / Pinterest
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)