Craft Cafe Artisan Interview - Fran's Homemade Wonders
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Meet Fran Lay from Fran's Homemade Wonders
♥ Please tell us about yourself:
My grandma taught me to crochet when I was 5. I even started “the crafting bunch” at work, when I started crocheting in the lunch room during lunch hour. Soon everyone was bringing in projects and the table would be surrounded by everyone doing different types of crafts. I retired from a long career working for a government law enforcement agency after being diagnosed with a very rare form of bone marrow cancer. I spend most of my time crafting now, but I am also an avid reader and I love to cook. I also love going out to lunch with friends and getting together with family. My favorite past time (besides crafting) is spoiling my 3 little furry 4 legged children (Long Haired Chihuahuas). They “supervise” everything I do. I always craft while in chemotherapy and everyone is always interested in what I am making. I have even sold my creations to the nurses and other patients in the chemotherapy lab.
♥ How long have you been in business?
I started selling my crafts in 2000 after years of my friends and family encouraging me to get out there and do it. I started by selling at craft fairs and our local crafters mall, but due to health issues I now only sell through the internet.
♥ Please describe your business and what inspires you:
I do a little of everything from sewing, tatting, cross stitch, woodworking, quilting and general crafts but I have 2 mediums I love working in. My first is Polymer Clay. I love letting my imagination go wild and then making my creations. Making wedding cake tops and Christmas ornaments are my favorites. My second is crocheting. I especially love making baby items. I not only follow existing patterns, but enjoy making up my own patterns, too. Nothing excites me more than figuring out how to do a new craft technique.
♥ What do you love most about your business?
I love seeing my creations come to life and sharing them with my customers. I work closely with my customers on custom made items, especially wedding cake tops, so that they receive exactly what they want for their special day.
♥ Please tell us why have chosen Craft Café as a venue for your business?
I am always looking for places to list my items and when I found Craft Café it was just getting started, priced reasonably and easy to use.
♥ What advice can you give for crafters/artisans just starting out?
I wish I had started selling earlier and I encourage everyone to just get out and go for it. Don’t get discouraged and don’t give up. Take advantage of every opportunity to share links with other crafters and list your items everywhere you possibly can. The more listings you have, the more exposure you get. Sometimes it takes a while for people to find you, but once they do they will share with their friends and off you go.
♥ Where do you see your business in 5 years?
I see my business continuing to grow, with consistent orders coming in, even during the slow times of year. I wish I had started selling earlier and I encourage everyone to just get out and go for it. Don’t get discouraged and don’t give up. Take advantage of every opportunity to share links with other crafters and list your items everywhere you possibly can. The more listings you have, the more exposure you get. Sometimes it takes a while for people to find you, but once they do they will share with their friends and off you go.
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We would like to send out a big THANK YOU to Fran for all her love and support.
Be sure to visit Frans Homemade Wonders soon ♥ ♥ Craft Cafe Shop / Facebook / Pinterest
