Interview with SharmSimplePleasures

This is the. coolest. rock. ever!!! Check it out!

Today I'd like to present a lovely lady, Sharmon. She is a creative entrepreneur and sells lots of lovely handmade items in her Etsy shop. Psst.. Be sure to read her business tip - short and sweet, but oh so true! :) Enjoy!

1. Name: Sharmon

Where are you from? Montana

2. Tell us a bit about yourself and your shop/ business. 

I handmake all of the items in my shop and specialize in polymer clay items such as pendants for necklace or my fairy princess. I also handburn and created signs that I can personalize on wood that I rescued from an old country farmhouse floor.

3. When did you open your shop?

August 3, 2011

4. Why did you decide to start your shop?

I love life and I love people. Opening a shop on Etsy helped me to combine both. Creating items and meeting wonderful people through my shop.

5. How do you promote/ market your business? What works best?

I do have my own blog. But I also follow several other people's blog from my Etsy team as well as blogs of friends.I also promote through Etsy search ads.

6. Do you also do business offline?

I do sell offline, to whomever wishes to buy. I have a lot of inventory available to search through.

7. Where do you get inspiration?

The rainbow! My children and my imagination!

8. Who is your target audience? Who would typically buy an item from you?

Women

How cute is this?!

9. Do you ship internationally?

Yes.

10. What has been the most challenging part of starting and running your own business?

Getting a customer base started and spreading the world.

11. What has been the best part of starting and running your own business?

Having no rules and being able to create whatever my heart desires!

12. Do you have any business tips you’d like to share with us?

Have fun and treat everyone the way you would treat your Mom :)

13. What are your goals and dreams for your business for the future?

Build more customer friends!!

This is sold - but I couldn't resist sharing it with you!

14. Where do you hope your shop will take you?

To a publishers desk!! I would love to be an author!!

15. What’s next now? Could we get a sneak peak of what you’ll be doing and sharing next? 

I would like to start making polymer clay angel figures with lots of glitter and sparkle!

16. Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

I would like to thank you Katrine for featuring me and my shop.

I am glad to have this chance to shine, hopefully my reflection will add some sparkle to your day:)

Thanks so much Sharmon!! It's been a pleasure getting to know you - and you've definitely added a lot of sparkle to my day ;) We share the same dream - I would also love to be an author!! Good luck with your shop and dreams, and I can't wait to see your book in the bookshelves ;) - Keep us posted!

Blog readers, please be sure to show Sharmon some love in the comments below!! What's your favourite item from her shop?

Be sure to visit her shop, blog, follow her on Twitter - and don't hesitate to send her an e-mail!

Ps. Be sure to check out our past interviews also.

Interview with BabyTweeds

1960's White, Blue and Red "Daisy" Pinafore

Step back in time and get nostalgic: BabyTweeds sells the vintage children's clothes you grew up in. 

Today I'd like to present a talented woman, Christine Schell. She is the woman behind a lovely store selling the cutest vintage and handmade baby and children's clothing called BabyTweeds.

1. Name: Christine Schell

Where are you from? Originally from Michigan but now live in Seattle, WA

2. Tell us a bit about yourself and your shop/ business.

I opened my BabyTweeds shop at the start of 2011 which features handmade children's clothing and vintage children's clothing. Prior to opening my Etsy shop, I was a stay at home mom for 1 year and prior to that I worked in the high tech industry in the area of Human Resources.

3. When did you open your shop?

At the beginning of 2011.

1950's Lord & Taylor Double Breasted Sunshine Yellow
and White Linen Coat

4. Why did you decide to start your shop?

I had this idea in my head for months about starting my own business and making handmade baby clothes. I just couldn't shake the idea and my husband encouraged me to move forward with my idea as I was so passionate about starting this business. This morphed into my current shop which mostly features vintage children's clothing and accessories and some handmade items (made by me). I was also anxious to do something new and needed to have a business with flexible hours and I wanted to do something that nurtured the creative side of me.

5. How do you promote/ market your business? What works best? 

I have a Facebook site, a board on Pinterest, and I also have a Twitter account. I also love to create several treasuries every week and belong to several Etsy Teams which is a great way to gain exposure. I also have business cards which I try to give out as much as possible. I am going to create a blog in the future and I also plan to begin working on my Flickr and Stumbleupon site. I think that Facebook works the best and Twitter is a close second.

I can see why this is her favourite!

6. What’s your favorite item from your shop and why?

Well, my favorite item just sold today (editor's note: the day the interview was written)! It was a girl's powder blue 100% wool coat with blue satin lining and faux white fur from the 1960's. My new favorite item is an Infant Vintage Cream Satin and Lace 5-PieceChristening Gown Set from the 1930's.

I love this set because it is all made by hand and the satin material and lace is absolutely exquisite. It is also versatile enough to be worn by a girl or boy which is great.

  

7. Where do you get inspiration? 

Other Etsy shops, feedback/support from family and friends and my 3 year old daughter.

8. Who is your target audience? 

Moms, grandmothers, anyone needing to buy a baby gift.

9. Do you ship internationally? 

Yes.

10. What has been the most challenging part of starting and running your own business? Finding the time to take photos, uploading the listings and ensuring that the listing descriptions and tags are correct in order for potential customers to find me via various search tools.

11. What has been the best part of starting and running your own business? 

The creative aspect of it in terms of making clothing but also the enjoyment that I get out of finding vintage baby clothing to sell. The flexible hours are also a huge plus.

1930's Handmade Red Embroidered Velveteen Vest

12. Do you have any business tips you’d like to share with us? 

Stay positive! Selling can be tough these days for a variety of reasons but do not get down on yourself or your shop. Also, make sure that your photos are clear and simple looking, that your listings are as descriptive and detailed as possible and that your tags are correct so that people can find your shop easily when they do searches on Etsy, Google, Yahoo, etc. Buyers only have a picture and description to go on when they buy something online so make your listings so "real" that they buyers can almost touch and feel what you are selling. Also, join Etsy teams that have shops that are similar to yours. I have gotten an incredible amount of great advice/feedback from various team blogs and also gotten some great visibility from other team members who have tweeted out my listings or treasuries or featured them on their blogs.

13. If there were anything you could change about your business, right now, what would it be? 

I wish that I was more visible on other websites already like Stumbleupon. Flickr, Tumblr, etc. -there just aren't enough hours in the day!

14. What are your goals and dreams for your business for the future? 

I would love to have a brick and mortar business somewhere in Seattle, but this is several years down the road.

15. Where do you hope your shop will take you? 

I would love to have enough visibility to be featured locally in the Seattle media and eventually would love to have greater visibility nationally and internationally.

16. What’s next now? Could we get a sneak peak of what you’ll be doing and sharing next? 

I hope to have a blog up and running as soon as possible. Also, I will be listing several amazing girl's dresses from the 1950's, many of which are made of chiffon with ruffles, lace and rhinestones.

17. Is there anything else you would like to share with us? 

I love being a part of the Etsy community. I have found the community to be incredibly supportive and great for getting constructive feedback.

Thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview, Christine! It's been lovely getting to know you and your business :) I can't wait to see what the future holds for you, and I hope that all your dreams come true. 

Readers, be sure to share your love by commenting your thoughts on Christine's business below, and follow her via twitter, facebook, pinterest - or shoot her an e-mail if you wanna get personal ;) And don't forget to visit her shop!

Let us know what your favourite items from her store are below :)

Ps. Be sure to check out our past interviews also.

Interview with Ear 2 There

Blue Crystal Earrings

Today I'd like to present an amazing woman, Pegah Attarpour. She's an extremely talented artist behind the shop Ear 2 There, and it's a pleasure knowing her!

1. Name: Pegah Attarpour
Where are you from? I'm from Gaithersburg, Maryland. 

2. Tell us a bit about yourself and your shop/ business.
Well, I am a college graduate. I got my BA in French and my BS in Biology. I'm actually working a 9-5 office job, but the moment I come home, I immediately jump on the opportunity to work on my Etsy shop. My shop, Ear 2 There, is all about (at the moment) earrings. I hope to expand my line into necklaces and bracelets one day, but who knows! Hence, from "Ear 2 There!" 

3. When did you open your shop?
August 20, 2011

4. Why did you decide to start your shop?
I started making earrings a hobby with my mom and the more we made, the more we decided we wanted to share our earrings with others. Etsy was the perfect place! I love being a part of the community. 

5. How do you promote/ market your business? What works best?
I try to use Facebook, Twitter, and Etsy teams. I think the best that has worked so far is Facebook. 

Ivory Sun Earrings

6. What’s your favourite item from your shop and why?
My favorite item has to be my Ivory Sun Earrings I think they are very beautiful and unique and that's really a theme I've been trying to go for with all of my earrings. 

7. Do you also do business offline?
I haven't done business offline, yet. Everything has gone through Etsy. 

8. Where do you get inspiration?
I get this question a lot! I usually get my inspiration from just about anywhere, really. Whether it's sitting and playing with the different beads, or going outside and letting nature, and people around me influence me...It's really a culmination of things. It's very difficult to pinpoint it to one specific thing. 

9. Who is your target audience? Who would typically buy an item from you?
My target audience is women of all ages! I make earrings for children and for adults. I'm slowly venturing out into making earrings for men, as well. 

10. Do you ship internationally?
Not yet. This is something I have been looking into and hope to provide one day. 

11. What has been the most challenging part of starting and running your own business?
I think the most challenging part has been staying organized and having enough time to do everything. There's always something that needs to be done!

12. What has been the best part of starting and running your own business?
I love love love making earrings! Being able to sell them to others especially through an online site, is also a treat. Also, I love learning and with this whole process, I have been learning a little more everyday. 

Tiny Rose Studs

13. Do you have any business tips you’d like to share with us?
I think my biggest piece of advice is to never give up and be patient! Running a business is a lot of work and time-consuming, but doing something you love makes it all worth it. 

14. If there were anything you could change about your business, right now, what would it be?
If I could change anything, I would have started doing this a lot earlier! It has been such a great experience so far. 

15. What are your goals and dreams for your business for the future?
I really hope to expand my jewelry to necklaces and bracelets, and to continue being a part of this community for as long as I can!

16. Where do you hope your shop will take you?
I heard a story about a woman making jewelry and selling enough to quit her day job and move to the Carribean! I hope this shop takes me as far as that. Doing what I love and being able to support myself with it. 

17. Is there anything else you would like to share with us?
I want to take the opportunity to thank Katrine for this amazing chance and this interview! It was really a pleasure. 

Thank you SO much for taking the time to get interviewed! It's a pleasure knowing you, and I wish you all the best with your beautiful jewelry!

Please show Pegah some love by visiting her links below, and please let us know what your favorite item from her store is in the comments below :D

Shop

Blog

Twitter

Facebook

E-mail

Interview with New Hampshire Land Pirate

Bright Sunflower Card

I recently interviewed the talented woman behind New Hampshire Land Pirate! Read on to learn more about her, her business and her tips for other creative entrepreneurs! :)

1. Name: Erin Paul
Age: 26
Where are you from? New Hamphshire

2. Tell us a bit about yourself and your shop/ business.
I currently sell framed original photography. I have a collection of typical New England agricultural scenes. I live in NH but i travel all over the New England area. I also paint and I plan to soon sell originals and prints of my artwork. Hopefully by 2013 I will have a 2nd etsy shop devoted to Vintage clothing and accessories 

3. When did you open your shop? 
May 2011

4. Why did you decide to start your shop? 
I had been wanting to open a shop for years. In 2007 I started to take my passion for photography and painting to a next level and began producing work that I could consider "sale worthy". I was in college and the work load was pretty demanding. I graduated this May with a BA in psychology and decided I was finally going to open a shop.

5. How do you promote/ market your business? What works best? 
At first it was just through word of mouth, just showing some of my work to close friends and then started showing some of my work on myspace and facebook. I made a Facebook page dedicated to my artwork and started getting some solid validation that people enjoyed my work. Since i completed my degree at school I have been more active in getting my photography and paintings shown at art shows and displayed in local restaurants and businesses. I have a blog but I don't update it nearly as much as I should. I am very active in Etsy teams and do a lot of networking through them.

Red Doors

6. What’s your favourite item from your shop and why? 
Currently my favorite item is a framed photograph called "Red Doors". I'm not entirely original when it comes to titling my work haha. I have always loved the colors Red and Blue together. I was out to breakfast with my parents this summer and there was a long wait for us to be seated. There was this barn across the street and I snapped a few photos. I liked also how there were a few panes missing from the windows. I see that a lot in NH. There are a lot of barns that people use for just storage and they show a lot of wear and tear.

7. Do you also do business offline? If yes, what do you prefer and what works best? 
I usually don't do business offline. I've tried doing that before but all too many times I end up taking way too much money off the asking price because it's for a friend or I just don't end up getting paid at all. It's a weird dynamic selling your work to friends because you appreciate the support and I sometimes feel that I ought to just give them my work as a gift. But in order to be taken seriously as an artist, it's important that I view myself as a serious artist. I have also had my work at galleries and art shows where they take a commission which is fine, but I have yet to make a sale that way.

8. Where do you get inspiration? 
I get most of my inspiration from my sister. She passed about 3 years ago this January. She was the one who inspired me to paint and to be 100% myself with it. She was my biggest fan and was always bragging about my work to most people she met. Now I want to make her proud of me and always have her in mind whenever I create anything. I always get inspired going to art shows and art walks, seeing what people put out there. Even if my tastes are completely different from the work I see, I get inspired by the artists drive and determination. I also am a horrible "pinterest" addict. I could easily be on that website for hours on end and not even realize it. The same applies for etsy.

9. Who is your target audience? Who would typically buy an item from you?
I'm still trying to figure that out. I feel that my photography is all encompassing in the sense that it is gender and ageless, I get compliments from people ranging from kids to seniors. I envision my work hanging in a country home or a New England summer home. Although typically most of my sales have been to post grad college students. I like to think of my work as an alternative to decorating your home with factory made prints for original unique photographs that come directly from the artist.

Flower and Bee Card

10. Do you ship internationally? 
Currently I do not. I have been selling on eBay for some time and usually had trouble with gauging cost. I think once I have more experience with Etsy and if there seems my shop gains a big international following, I will absolutely ship internationally.

11. What has been the most challenging part of starting and running your own business? Getting started. Being new is difficult and it sometimes feels like I’m stumbling in the dark. At times I find myself getting discouraged when I don’t make sales, but I have to keep telling myself that I am new at this and it will take some time to get noticed and get the hang of the networking and business skills to make more sales.

12. What has been the best part of starting and running your own business? 
The best is that it is all MINE. I don’t answer to a boss, its my own creation and I set my own rules. I get to create the inventory and sell it myself. My customer knows where the product comes from and who made it. 

13. Do you have any business tips you’d like to share with us? 
On etsy, joining a lot of teams has been very helpful. It's a great way to network with other artists and get tips on how to promote your work. Also I talk about what I'm doing with everyone I meet. Since I've finished school I am constantly asked what I've been up to so it's a perfect opportunity to plug my shop (it's also a great way to disguise that I haven't found a "real world" job haha) Also, even though I'm still in the early stages, I have to make sure that I treat my work as a business. All too many times you end up seeing your work as a hobby. If you don't take your work seriously, no one else will. Its about finding a balance between work and play.

14. What are your goals and dreams for your business for the future? 
The plan is to expand. I also paint and I really think that prints of my artwork will be enjoyed by many and bring more traffic to my shop. I also make some crafts. I make felt flower pins, recycled paper bowls and ethereal/hippy/fairy flower head bands although I’m still debating whether or not to sell those just yet. Hopefully by sometime in 2013 I hope to launch a 2nd etsy shop dedicated exclusively for vintage items. I sell a lot of designer and vintage clothes jewelry and purses on eBay and have an excessive amount of inventory. Now that I have completed my college degree I can dedicate time to this project. 

15. Where do you hope your shop will take you? 
The idea is to eventually make a steady profit from Etsy. I hope that I can get recondite as a serious artist and business woman. I hope my shop can my vocation my vacation so to speak.

17. What’s next now? Could we get a sneak peak of what you’ll be doing and sharing next? 
I have so many ideas circulating in my brain on collections of paintings to create. Throughout 2012 the plan is to continue having art openings art local hot spots.

18. Is there anything else you would like to share with us?
I also write a fashion blog, I update it 2-3 times a month. Check it out:
ofthefashionblog.blogspot.com/ 

Shaker Garden

Isn't she talented!!? I'm so glad to have met you, Erin, and I can't wait to see what the future holds for you :) Please keep us updated!

Please go and check out Erin's shop, and connect with her through her blog, twitter, Facebook page, stumbleupon and pinterest. And e-mail her if you have any questions! :)

Be sure to leave Erin a lovely comment below sharing your thoughts, feedback, questions, tips, etc. :)

Ps. Check out our past interviews and be sure to join in our brand new Five Films I Find ____ Friday Blog Hop!!

Interview with Mouse in The Dollhouse

Fairy with the Red Hair Giclee Art Print

I've had the honour of interviewing the lovely and talented woman behind Mouse in The Dollhouse. Read on to find out more about her, her business, business tips and her plans for the future!

1. Name: Maria Ernest Fragopoulou (Mouse In The Dollhouse)
Age: 36
Where are you from? I am from Greece

Banner with lace and art prints for a children's room

2. Tell us a bit about yourself and your shop/ business.
My background and my formal studies have been in the field of art history. I have a B.A. in Art History and Archaeology from the University of Crete in Greece and a M.A. in the History of the Decorative Arts, specializing in Italian Renaissance, from Bard Graduate Center in New York. I am a self taught – you may say – artist, painting and drawing mainly, although lately I am also fascinated with collage work. In my atelier-shop one can find, currently, original works on canvas, watercolors, drawings, prints, both open and limited editions, art photography, and cards. Part of my work is devoted to art for children and to kids’ room décor. 


3. When did you open your shop?
I opened my Etsy shop in late May 2011 and added my first items in mid June

Eva's Twin Girls Giclee Art Print

4. Why did you decide to start your shop?
I decided to open my shop when I realized that the canvases I was painting and offering as gifts for my friends’ kids were very much appreciated and cherished. That gave me some sort of comfort that my artwork might have an audience out there. I have been a rather shy artist, not very open about my creations, basically painting for my pleasure and not showing my work. Deciding to open my atelier-shop was a big step for me. 

5. How do you promote/ market your business? What works best?
I am afraid I am not very good about promoting my work. I do not have a facebook, twitter, or a blog page, although I am thinking about starting an online journal, documenting my work process and thoughts about art and design. Word of mouth, business cards, and brochures have been my promoting package so far. My friends from the etsy teams, especially the Etsy Greek Street Team, and the Finest Ladies of Painting Team support me a lot, by including my work in numerous treasuries.

Girl with Blue Eyes Giclee Art Print

6. What’s your favourite item from your shop and why?
My favourite item is my Blue Lady print.
The original adorns a corner in my home, while an open edition print is for sale at my shop. This piece represents me in various ways. Blue has been an addiction for me. I love this color. 

Mother and Daughter Watching the Sea Watercolor and Pencil Drawing

I love seeing the blue, painting the blue, wearing the blue. The figure also has a melancholy that is characteristic of me and my work.

Fine Art Photograph - Lake Geneva

Although not a self-portrait many have mentioned that Blue Lady resembles me.

Melancholy Giclee Art Print

7. Do you also do business offline? If yes, what do you prefer and what works best?
I take commissions for children room décor, and have approached some local shops, and some boutiques and ateliers abroad. But it is all very new and do not know yet if I will be represented by any of them. I do take commissions for invitations’ cards for special events such as baptisms. One of the images I sell (Andrianna) was created for a baptism invitation card.


8. Where do you get inspiration?
I am always inspired by the work of other artists, painters, designers, illustrators, photographers. Since I gave birth to my children I am extremely influenced by illustrated books for children and always have my eyes open for unique editions.

9. Who is your target audience? Who would typically buy an item from you? 
One target group would be parents. My work, however, even the items that are clearly meant for children bear something appealing to adults. I think this is because I avoid over-simplification, the typical style of artwork created for children, with the frozen broad smile of happy girls and boys. I like minimalism, I use few colors on each painting, and I like painting faces. Several of my paintings commissioned for kids are fitting for big boys and girls. 

The Fairy with the Blue Hair Giclee Art Print

10. Do you ship internationally?
Yes, I do ship worldwide, and at the moment I offer free shipping for my originals.

11. What has been the most challenging part of starting and running your own business?
Building a network of people that would be happy to return to your atelier to view your newly created and listed works is the big challenge. It will always be the big challenge. Building a clientele that is happy with your custom service and will return to buy from you again, and will introduce you to others. 

12. What has been the best part of starting and running your own business?
The freedom.

13. Do you have any business tips you’d like to share with us?
The first would be to be polite and to respect your customer. Remember that he/she is a person, who honoured you by purchasing from your shop and who wants the best possible packaging and fast shipping. Second, be true to who you are. Put your soul in what you are creating and to everything that accompanies it, the business card, your brochure, your wrapping paper, the shipping box…
(images of my certificate of authenticity and packaging can be found here)


14. If there were anything you could change about your business, right now, what would it be?
Managing my time more effectively. I work from home, often with my kids all over me, and there are no strict boundaries, to either work time schedules or work area. 

15. What are your goals and dreams for your business for the future?
I would be happy to be able to live from selling my artwork

16. Where do you hope your shop will take you?
To the moon!


17. What’s next now? Could we get a sneak peak of what you’ll be doing and sharing next? 
I have started working on Christmas items such as cards, and Christmas décor. I will also introduce a new line of hand-painted invitations and hand painted favours’ boxes. Lately I am very fascinated with the idea of the ephemeral art: pieces created from fragile materials, such as paper, that are meant to last for just a while, to decorate for just one night. 

Merry Vintage Christmas Card

18. Is there anything else you would like to share with us?
I am working on a children’s book. Both writing and illustrating. But you will have to interview me in the future for that…

Snow White Giclee Art Print

Isn't Maria talented!!? I'd love to have her skills!

Thanks so much to Maria for taking the time to do this interview!

It's been a pleasure getting to know you, and I can't wait to see your children's book! :D (Please let me know when it gets published, so that we can be the first to interview you ;))

I wish you the best of luck with your wonderful business - travel safely to the moon ;)

Please check out Maria's shop and show her some love by hearting her shop and your favorite items!

Be sure to leave Maria a lovely comment below with feedback, tips, your thoughts, questions, etc.