Craft Cafe Artisan Chat - Goatie Girls

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Meet Ginger Besser Ballard from Goatie Girls

♥ Please tell us about yourself:
I'm married with one grown daughter. I live on a small farm in Arkansas with my Nubian goats, dogs, cats. chickens and one guinea.

♥ How long have you been in business?
I have been in business since 2009.

♥ Please describe your business:
I make goat milk soap and lotion as well as lip balms, sugar scrubs and lotion bars.

♥ Tell us what inspires you:
There wouldn't be a business without my goatie girls. My business started because I loved goat milk. I made cheese, yogurt, ice cream, kefir and of course goat milk soap and lotion.

♥ Please share with others, your best marketing techniques:
I think one thing that helped my business was selling at the farmer's market. The feedback was so helpful and of course people bought my product and gave it as gifts. They also wanted an online venue so that their out of state family and friend could purchase my products.

♥ What do you love most about your business?
Definitely making my customers happy!

♥ Please tell us why have chosen Craft Café as a venue for your business?
I chose Craft Cafe because there was a set fee. This meant I could list and sell without extra fees. Also the support of Traci and Allan (not to mention all of the other sellers). There is a real team spirit at Craft Cafe and if you have a question or need to sort out a problem everyone is very sweet about helping each other at Craft Cafe.

♥ What advice can you give for crafters/artisans just starting out?
Join groups. Ask for help from people who are already successfully established and promote yourself on social groups.

♥ Where do you see your business in 5 years?
In 5 years I'd like to see enough business that my daughter would become more involved. I'd also like to see my workshop expanded with more equipment.

♥ Lastly, would you like to offer our readers a special or coupon code for your Craft Cafe shop?
Yes. I'd like to offer 10% savings on your entire purchase through 2-14-13 with coupon code: Valentine10 in my Craft Cafe Shop.

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

Be sure to visit Goatie Girls soon ♥ ♥ Craft Cafe Shop / Facebook

Craft Cafe Artisan Chat - PiixlWix Candle Company

Craft Cafe Artisan Interview - PiixlWix Candle Company

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Meet Krissy Guenther from PiixlWix Candle Company

♥ Please tell us about yourself:
My name is Krissy, and I am the owner at PiixlWix Candle Company.  I make the most rockin' soy candles, melts, perfumes and lip balms out there.
I live in Leavenworth, WA, a little Bavarian style village at the base of the Cascade Mountains.  It is really, truly the most gorgeous place I have ever been.  I live with my hunky husband and 2 groovy dogs and a cat that was born on another planet.  My studio takes up most of our downstairs and I wouldn't have it any other way.

♥ How long have you been in business?
PiixlWix Candle Company was started in January 2011.

♥ Please describe your business:
I make 100% soy wax candles and melts, with a Rock 'n Roll vibe.  I also make perfume oils and solids along with a fabulous new line of luxury lip balm.

♥ Tell us what inspires you:
Music for sure! And fragrance makes me crazy(in a good way)...It triggers memories, conjures emotions, and brings simple pleasure to everyday life.
Being able to combine the music I love with something that smells good really floats my crafty boat.

♥ Please share with others, your best marketing techniques:
Word of mouth is always the best marketing.  Words from your mouth and the words from the mouths of your customers.  Also handing out your business cards and letting people know that you have a handmade business. You have to let people know what you do and that you do it with love!  I also adore my Facebook fan page,  it lets me keep in contact with my customers and is the most personal of all the social networking that you can do online.  The most important marketing is TALKING to people.  That is really what is all about.

♥ What do you love most about your business?
Everyday is like my birthday.  I wake up and if I have a new idea, I know I have a venue to implement it.  Having a new idea is like unwrapping a present.  And then I get to share it with everyone.  It's pretty cool to know that you have a craft and that you can share it with others.  And maybe even change their day for the better.  I love it!

♥ Please tell us why have chosen Craft Café as a venue for your business?
Craft Cafe is full of wonderful people.  Wonderful, talented people.  It is easy to use and set up your shop and get started.  There are lots of ways to promote your shop and the admins at Craft Cafe are always working for you.  They listen to the shop owners ideas and if you have trouble there is a great network of folks on the sellers Facebook page to help out too.  Craft Cafe is a has a wonderful community feel.

♥ What advice can you give for crafters/artisans just starting out?
Eat the elephant in small bites.  Take good pictures.  Love what you do with so much passion that you could explode.  Tell everyone in your inner posse(and anyone who will listen) that you are starting a business out of the things you have been giving them for Christmas all those years.  Listen and never stop learning.

♥ Where do you see your business in 5 years?
I see it continuing to rock on.  I would love to bring in a full line of artisan soap, and bath products, and to be able to attend more farmers markets and shows.  I see my self being a full time small business owner at PiixlWix Candle Company.

♥ Lastly, would you like to offer our readers a special or coupon code for your Craft Cafe shop?
Yes!!  I love sales, so please use coupon code WINTER20 for 20% off your entire order in my Craft Cafe Shop.

♥♥ PiixlWix is hosting a $25 Gift Certificate Giveaway which ends on 1.17.13 at Midnight, so be sure to ENTER NOW!

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

Be sure to visit PiixlWix Candle Company soon ♥ ♥ Craft Cafe Shop / Facebook / Twitter / Blog / Pinterest