Craft Cafe Artisan Chat - Bent Tree Crafts

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Meet Bridgett Howard from Bent Tree Crafts

♥ Please tell us about yourself: 
I worked in the corporate world for my entire career, in the technology industry, and I have a degree in computer science.  Once I had my two sons, I decided to be a stay at home mom to be with them.  I was looking for a fun hobby, and I have always been a crafty person so I decided to take a jewelry making class and I was hooked.  I love making bracelets and that is what I mostly sell in my shop.  I also love photography, taking pictures of the beautiful scenery we have here in Colorado, and of course pictures of my two wonderful sons and husband.

♥ How long have you been in business?
 3.5 years

♥ Please describe your business:
In my shop you will find mostly casual, bohemian style jewelry.  Mostly bracelets because that is what I love making and wearing.  My jewelry is perfect for everyday wear; for moms on the go, like me, that want to add a little bit of fun to their jeans and t-shirts!

♥ Tell us what inspires you:
The colors in Nature.  I am an earthy and simple kind of girl so I love using natural colors and materials with some brightness every now and then.  Bohemian, and beach items also inspire me; I would have been the ultimate hippie if I grew up in the 60s and 70s.  Also, living in Colorado and having 4 seasons makes for great inspiration, especially late spring and fall.

♥ Please share with others, your best marketing techniques:
Social Media has been the best marketing tool for me.  Being an online-based business, using social media sites, really is the key method to get your name out there.  I find that Facebook is one of the best marketing tools I have used so far.
I don’t really have a budget for marketing so taking advantage of free sites on the internet like blogging and sharing things on Facebook and Pinterest are great too!
I also believe having crisp, clear photos that show the details and colors of your items are important.  When purchasing something online, since you can’t pick it up and touch it or try it on, you really need to see the item at different angles and in different lighting.  Words can describe a product, but a good quality, detailed photo can make all the difference.

♥ What do you love most about your business?
 I like the fact that making jewelry is my hobby and I love doing it so it does not feel like work to me, its fun.

♥ Please tell us why have chosen Craft Café as a venue for your business?
First off, I was impressed at the pricing for selling on Craft Café it is very reasonable.   Secondly, I have been even more impressed with the management of Craft Café and how they truly support their sellers and try to help the shops promote their business through social media, and through contests and such.  You just don’t find companies that have such great customer service very often, so when I find one, I like to stick with them.

♥ What advice can you give for crafters/artisans just starting out?
Do something you love that way it does not feel like work.  I have gotten discouraged in the past and almost given up, but I keep going and making jewelry.  It takes a while to get established online, to get your name out there, so don’t give up.  Not everyone will like what you make and that is ok as long as you like what you do and you are happy with it.  Just be confident in yourself and your abilities and that is all you need to be successful.

♥ Where do you see your business in 5 years?
I don’t plan on trying to make it big as a jewelry designer.  I just do it for fun, and to pay for my hobby.  I would like to participate in a few craft fairs in the next few years.  A few goals I have for myself, in the next 5 years, are to learn more about working with leather and possibly taking some metal working classes.

♥ Lastly, would you like to offer our readers a special or coupon code for your Craft Cafe shop?
Sure!  Use code: CCBLOG during checkout at my Craft Cafe Shop and receive 20% off your purchase!  {Expires 4/30/13}

♥ ***PLEASE NOTE: Craft Cafe is experiencing cart issues at this time. If you would like to order from Bridgett, please message her directly from her shop with your order and she will be happy to send you an invoice. {Don't forget to mention the coupon code}

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We would like to send out a big THANK YOU to Bridgett for all her love and support.

Be sure to visit Bent Tree Crafts soon ♥ ♥ Craft Cafe Shop / Facebook / Twitter / Blog / Pinterest / Wanelo

Craft Cafe Artisan Chat - Sweet Light Candle Co.

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Meet Dina Muzzy from Sweet Light Candle Co.

♥ Please tell us about yourself: 
 I am the proud mother of a 5 month old baby girl! I just turned 40 last May and I'm originally from New York. I currently reside in South Florida with my husband Dave and my daughter, Alora. I attended the Fashion Institute of Technology where I received an Associates Degree in Fashion Buying and Merchandising and an Associates degree in Display and Exhibit Designing. After years of being employed in the creative and corporate worlds, I began my own business of designing and creating custom invitations. My customers loved the invitations and continuously asked me to create a unique favor. They were bored with the standard wedding, shower and party favors, especially when they had one of a kind invitations. I decided to combine my love of baking, desserts and candles and try my hand at creating these unique Gourmet Dessert Candles. Well, it was so much more difficult than I thought! I had never made candles before, not even jar candles. Months and months of research and product testing developed into a passion which evolved into Sweet Light Candle Co. Although I loved designing the invitations, I found my niche in the candle world and decided to create these candles exclusively. Not only do I enjoy creating the candles, I enjoy the freedom I have of being able to set my own schedule each day and juggle being a mom, wife, daughter and business owner. I look forward to many years of creating fabulous Dessert Candles and watching my daughter grow up into the person she will become.

♥ How long have you been in business?
Sweet Light Candle Co. was born in January 2011

♥ Please describe your business:
All of my Gourmet Scented Dessert Candles and Wax Melts are made by me in my candle bakery. Combining the highest quality wax and fragrance, and with careful attention to every creative detail,  they all look as good as they smell. They look so realistic you might even be tempted to take a bite! We are currently a small family involved incorporated business but plan on growing it into a huge success!

♥ Tell us what inspires you:
My inspiration comes in many forms. Whether it's strolling through a bakery, seeing a picture of a mouthwatering dessert, or chatting with my customers. My creative juices flow and I'm constantly thinking "how can I make that dessert into a candle?".

♥ Please share with others, your best marketing techniques:
I've found that social internet sites like Facebook and Twitter, as well as being a part of a group like Sampler Village, have helped spread the word about my company bringing me new and repeat customers.  Providing customers with small samples of my candles allows me to introduce them to my business without spending a fortune on advertising.

♥ What do you love most about your business?
 It's definitely the creative aspect. I've always been creative and business minded, but I'm happiest being creative. I love thinking about new candles to add to my product line, and I get excited when I've developed the perfect candle recipe for that new item.

♥ Please tell us why have chosen Craft Café as a venue for your business?
Being a part of Sampler Village and knowing Traci is in charge of Craft Cafe was just another opportunity for me to be a part of the amazing community of artisans she has gathered.  Craft Cafe is easy to navigate through as a seller, from listing my items, to editing them, posting sales and special offers. And the infinite amount of hours Traci and her team put into advertising Craft Cafe and getting exposure for all of the shops is a bonus. Plus I like being able to add as many products as I want without extra fees.

♥ What advice can you give for crafters/artisans just starting out?
Create what you love. If your passionate about your products it will show and your customers will become passionate too. You also have to be able to change and evolve as your business grows. Test out a new product before dumping tons of money into creating it. Try out different avenues of marketing and advertising. Some things will work and some won't. Don't become fixated on having to do things a certain way because it's working for another business. It's all a learning process until you find out what works for your particular product.

♥ Where do you see your business in 5 years?
I am diligently working on growing by business, gaining new customers and adding new items to my product line so I will be able to move it out of my home and into a commercial work space. As my business grows, I would love to contribute more to the various charities and groups in my community. I'd like Sweet Light Candle Co. to be known not only for fabulous, high quality Dessert Candles, but being involved in the community and helping others.

♥ Lastly, would you like to offer our readers a special or coupon code for your Craft Cafe shop?
Yes. Use the coupon code SWEET2013 to enjoy 10% off my entire Craft Cafe Shop. {Expires 3.31.13}

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We would like to send out a big THANK YOU to Dina for all her love and support.

Be sure to visit Sweet Light Candle Co. soon ♥ ♥ Craft Cafe Shop / Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest / Website

Craft Cafe Artisan Chat - Sugared Euphoria

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Meet Sarah Henson from Sugared Euphoria

♥ Please tell us about yourself: 
Hi! My name is Sarah, I'm a 26 year old Canadian mother to an adorable little boy who will be turning 3 in April. I love baking, crafting, art, rollercoasters and loud music. I come from an eclectic family of animal lovers! We have everything from cats and fish, to scorpions and even an albino hedgehog. There's never a dull moment in my life!

♥ How long have you been in business?
I officially started offering my goodies for sale in February of 2012

♥ Please describe your business:
I offer handcrafted glycerin soaps, jumbo bath bombs and fizzy bath salts in all sorts of fun designs and fragrances! Whether you just need something simple and relaxing to pamper yourself, or something more bright and upbeat to liven up your bath, my goal is to offer a diverse collection of gentle, skin-loving goodies suitable for the entire family!

♥ Tell us what inspires you:
To be honest, everything inspires me! Whether I'm following current fashion and colour trends, thinking about holidays and weather forecasts or catching a whiff of perfume as someone passes me in a store, there's always a neverending supply of inspiration all around me. I'm especially inspired by other artisans! There's nothing that can get your gears turning more than being surrounded by such wonderfully talented and incredible people.

♥ Please share with others, your best marketing techniques:
Host giveaways, offer discounts and promote wherever possible! Also, take the time to post and chat with your customers on a more personal level - from my own shopping experience, customers love knowing they are supporting artisans who are genuinely kind and caring!

♥ What do you love most about your business?
 I love knowing that I can create whatever my heart desires, whenever inspiration hits. I love all the amazing people I've had the chance to meet, and the part of me that wants to squeal with joy every time I drop a package off at the post office and picture those goodies going from raw ingredients in my kitchen, to fully finished products ready to be enjoyed in a bathtub thousands of miles away!

♥ Please tell us why have chosen Craft Café as a venue for your business?
 I chose Craft Café as the primary venue for my business because not only does it have surprisingly easy setup and is an amazingly affordable place to sell, but the customer service and sense of community is absolutely unrivaled! Not once have I felt left in the dark to compete or fend for myself, everyone involved is a joy to be around!

♥ What advice can you give for crafters/artisans just starting out?
Don't ever be discouraged or scrap a project you truly love just because it doesn't sell or get tons of attention at first. Even if there are a million other artisans doing the same things you do, ultimately people will notice your products for the love, attention and passion you put into them. Follow your heart and continue to push your creativity!

♥ Where do you see your business in 5 years?
Honestly, I prefer to fly by the seat of my pants! If you asked me 5 years ago what I would be doing now, I probably didn't have any idea then either. I just hope to push myself forward, build a bigger and better business network, offer a wider range of wonderful goodies and take on each day with as much positivity as possible. Oh, and I can bet 5 years from now my son will probably be a seasoned bath bomb making pro! ;)

♥ Lastly, would you like to offer our readers a special or coupon code for your Craft Cafe shop?
Of course! Please feel free to come visit my shop and use code CHAT15 to save 15% off your entire order until 3.8.13.
Thank you for taking the time to chat with me! :)

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We would like to send out a big THANK YOU to Sarah for all her love and support.

Be sure to visit Sugared Euphoria soon ♥ ♥ Craft Cafe Shop / Facebook

Craft Cafe Artisan Chat - Fairy Flame Soy Candles

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Meet Leslie Pickering from Fairy Flame Soy Candles

♥ Please tell us about yourself:
I am a stay at home Mother of one awesome little boy and the full time wife of a wonderful man that lets me follow my dreams. I enjoy having a job that allows me to be home with my family and still contribute financially. It is really a treat to see people enjoy products I have created. I love coming up with new scent ideas, creative packaging and I really do love to take my product out to sell personally.

♥ How long have you been in business?
 I have been selling since 2008

♥ Please describe your business:
I make scented soy items for the home in the form of tea lights, container candles and wax melts. I also do many fundraisers, craft shows, online sales and gift baskets.

♥ Tell us what inspires you:
This may sound odd  but I would say myself! I love making candles and melts that I personally would choose for my home. I love colorful, whimsical things. This is how we came up with my name actually! Fairies have been a favorite of mine for years and my good friend Rick suggested Fairy Flame in a brainstorming session.  He then proceeded to make my logo with the fairy lighting the "i" like a candle. There is a lot of myself in my products and I love that!

♥ Please share with others, your best marketing techniques:
Craft shows and social media. I love talking with people at shows and handing out flyers and business cards.

♥ What do you love most about your business?
I love being my own boss and putting a little bit of something that is me out there into the world. It is so rewarding when your products can make people smile.

♥ Please tell us why have chosen Craft Café as a venue for your business?
I really like the idea of not having a per item fee or any other little extra fees. It is really straight forward, easy to manage and they do a wonderful job of promoting the shops.

♥ What advice can you give for crafters/artisans just starting out?
Don't give up! If you are anything like me you will stress out until something is perfect, make it through your beginning stages and just know that everyone started somewhere. I could share many testing disasters myself. Just keep at it!

♥ Where do you see your business in 5 years?
I would love to see it grow enough to consider a store front. I have so many ideas for that.

♥ Lastly, would you like to offer our readers a special or coupon code for your Craft Cafe shop?
Absolutely! Use coupon code CafeChat for 15% off of your entire order at my Fairy Flame Soy Candles Craft Cafe shop
{Expires 5.31.14}

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We would like to send out a big THANK YOU to Leslie for all her love and support.

Be sure to visit Fairy Flame Soy Candles soon ♥ ♥ Craft Cafe Shop / Facebook