j e n n a d i a n e: ruffle necklace.

j e n n a d i a n e: ruffle necklace. https://www.etsy.com/listing/90655795/orange-bib-necklace-avant-garde-ruffle

An Interview With The Tattered Tower

Welcome to the fifth in my series of Sydney Etsy Team member interviews. Today I'm featuring The Tattered Tower who creates lovely little steampunk inspired things!  

Who are you?

My name is Sarah. I'm a 22-year old Sydney girl with a love for anything outside the modern day era and in my spare time I'm a medievalist, a re-enactor and a Steampunk enthusiast.

What do you do?

I also run The Tattered Tower, a small business that specialises in Medieval and Steampunk inspired clothing, jewelery and accessories. I create items you're not likely to see anywhere else, things that will catch the eye and work as functional items (and historically accurate pieces where I can) while still allowing you to take bits of history with you wherever you go.

What is your background in making?

I've been crafting and sewing since I could get my mother to trust me to use her sewing machine and to get my father to let me use the tools in his shed. I've always enjoyed anything that allows me to use my hands and see an end result I could be proud of, but my real love for creating things outside of the modern era came when I joined a local historial group in '07 and started sewing tunics and dresses for the group and learning how to make my own gauntlets, swords and hard kit. It was love from then on.

How did you learn your trade?

Learn? I'm still learning :) Still working out how not to glue my fingers together or that it's a bad idea to sew at 2am when you haven't slept. It's all a massive learning process but you listen to other people (even if you don't always take their advice), you learn from your mistakes and you keep making improvements.

Who or what inspires you?

A combination of things including history itself, friends I have in the Steampunk and Medieval movements and 3am conversations over coffee and mead.

What themes do you explore in your work? 

What I try to do is to create a functional, wearable item while still maintaining the charm of the era and the high standard of materials and craftsmanship. At the moment most of my jewelery and clothing caters towards a female audience with emphasis on the very 'ladylike' ideals of the Victorian era.

What mediums do you work in? 

Mostly fabric and metal at the moment though I have been known to play with leather, wood and found items/mixed media on occasion.

Why do you create?

I create things that I would personally want to wear. I noticed there was a gap in the market for high-quality individual items in my area rather than mass-manufactured things that you'd buy off eBay. I want to make items that start conversations and make people feel good while wearing them.

 How did you come to open a store on Etsy?

 I had been looking for a medium to sell my items for a while before I opened my Etsy store in January this year. I only had a few and I was 'testing the water' so to speak. I needed to know if there was an interest for what I was making and Etsy provided not only a good starting point for a novice seller, but a fantastic community of experienced members, more exposure than I would have had on other sites and a very proffessional looking storefront.

How do you feel when you make a sale?

 Most of my sales come from one-on-one transactions at markets and events rather than online, so it's always fantastic to see my customers walk away with a bounce in their step because they've purchased something they've fallen in love with. It really makes my day.

What are your top Etsy tips?

You only get as much interest in your items as the effort you put into the listing. Don't skimp on descriptions or tags because if you don't give customers something to be interested in, well, they won't be interested at all.

People judge by what they can see, not by how the item might look so make sure your pictures are clear with enough lighting to give your potential buyers a good idea of what you're selling.
Don't rely on the wonder of your items to lure people to your store. If you want sales, take your items to the customer! Marketing is SO important, even if it just involves you asking a few friends to spread the word or starting up a blog or Twitter account (I was amazed at how many views I first got when I started a Twitter account!). There are so many free advertising mediums online, so use them all before you start paying for advertising elsewhere.

Where else can we see or buy your work?

At the moment I'm selling mainly off my Etsy page while a website is underway, but between now and next year you'll also catch me at HEAPS of markets around the Sydney area - Bundeena, St Mary's community markets and the I Heart Gallery markets. I'll also be having a stall at Ironfest in Lithgow early next year (trust me, it's worth a look!).

Any extra info you'd like to include?

Don't get disheartened if you don't make sales from the moment you open your shop. It took me almost five months before I sold my first item and seven months before I made my first online sale. People are fussy buyers and are really influenced by 'the terrors' of the economy, seasonal events like Christmas or just general indecision. A lot of the time you really have to work for your sales and, even if you don't end up actually making a sale, you generally have made someone's day, made a new contact or need more business cards! Don't forget that you're not only selling your items, but you're selling yourself to your customer too. If you've got the prettiest items but the worst attitude, you can kiss those dollars goodbye.

If you could tell the world one thing, what would it be?

Never underestimate the power of word of mouth. It's free, it's effective and it comes with a free smile (at participating venues). People are much more likely to remember you as the person they had an awesome conversation with about a cool shop then they are to check up on your business card that's been sitting in the bottom of a desk draw in 6 months time.

Thanks for the interview Sarah!

You can add The Tattered Tower on facebook here, on twitter here, on tumblr here and find her Etsy store here! It will be well worth your while as The Tattered Tower hosts regular giveaways on her facebook page.


If you're a Sydney Etsy Team member and would like to be interviewed, featured, or do a guest blog post, please convo me on Etsy at http://www.etsy.com/shop/msunflower I'd love to hear from you!

~MSunflower~



All photos used in this post are copyright to The Tattered Tower and used with their kind permission.

An Interview With Bobbie and Lola

Welcome to the fourth in my series of Sydney Etsy Team member interviews. Today I'm featuring the incredible duo Bobbie and Lola who make AMAZING things!  

Who are you?

We are Bobbie and Lola - secret agents who ride ponies with hearts of gold!

What do you do?

A bit of everything at the moment - we publish our own zines (The Great Unwashed), as well as make stuffed toys and clothes from vintage fabrics. We've also got a small collection of vintage clothes and kitchenalia for sale in the Etsy shop.

 
What is your background in making?

It's hard to remember a time when we weren't making things. We were both always getting our hands dirty as kids, making 'sculptures', little 'haute couture' clothes for Barbie dolls, etc.

We met at Sydney College of the Arts, where we both majored in Photography but dabbled in plenty of other disciplines too.

Who or what inspires you?

Natural history and prehistory! We love watching documentaries, so that's where a lot of our ideas and obsessions stem from - stuff like dinosaurs, octopii, tardigades, and other creatures.

Then there's the fantastical side of our work - we love crytozoology, and mythical creatures, and these tend to feature quite prominently in our zines and artworks as well.

What themes do you explore in your work?

Natural history, mythical creatures, dress-ups and transformations, geekery and obsessions.

What mediums do you work in?

Anything that we can get our hands on! We love using vintage/found materials, as there is often a great sense of history and wonder behind them.

 
Why do you create?

Because we have to - we can't imagine living any other way!

How did you come to open a store on Etsy?

One of us left Sydney to live in London for a bit, which made it hard for us to keep working collaboratively. We decided that opening an Etsy shop would be an excellent way of encouraging us to keep working together.

How do you feel when you make a sale?

Sooooooo excited! It's the greatest feeling when you know that others appreciate your work as much as you do.

What are your top Etsy tips?

Don't get discouraged - sales may take some time to happen, but it feels wonderful when they do.

Where else can we see or buy your work?

In Sydney, at the wonderful I Heart Gallery on King Street, near St. Peter's station! In London, at the Tea Rooms off Brick Lane, every Saturday and Sunday!

Bobbie and Lola are two of my favourite people in the entire world. Thanks for the interview Bobbie and/or Lola!

You can add Bobbie and Lola on facebook here and find their Etsy store here!

If you're a Sydney Etsy Team member and would like to be interviewed, featured, or do a guest blog post, please convo me on Etsy at http://www.etsy.com/shop/msunflower I'd love to hear from you!

~MSunflower~



All photos used in this post are copyright to Bobbie and Lola and used with their kind permission.

Etsy Team Meetup - Crochet Workshop

In my recent roundup of the Etsy Craft Party I mentioned that more meetups would soon be scheduled. I am now pleased to announce that another Etsy meetup will be held in the Eagle Soup Studio on Friday 8 July. The wonderful Julia Matthews, Craft Editor at Better Homes and Gardens Magazine will be leading a workshop on crochet. We will be learning how to make a basic granny square which can be used to create an assortment of cosy winter projects. If you're already a pro at crochet, bring along a project you're working on and share your skills with others. Or, if you'd rather bring something entirely different to work on, please do!

WORKSHOP DETAILS
Date and time: Friday 8 July from 6:30pm
Address: Eagle Soup Studio - Level 2, 140 Cleveland Street Chippendale.
Here's a map.
To bring: A ball of yarn and a crochet hook that corresponds to your yarn (check the label - if in doubt go up a size, not down).
Entry: $2 donation on the door to contribute towards tea and snacks
RSVP: kitpalaskas@gmail.com

Contact me on 0406 330 637 if you have any questions. I hope to see you there, it'll be so much fun.

Kit x

Image Source: Sarah London Textiles

An Interview With Geritom71

Welcome to the third in my series of Sydney Etsy Team member interviews. Today I'm featuring the lovely Geritom71 who makes the most adorable cards and notebooks! 

Who are you?

My name is Kathryn - I have been told I am a good listener, reliable, judgemental, moody, funny, sarcastic, demanding, easy going, crazy, well balanced and secretive. All are true.

What do you do?

By day I sit at my desk cutting paper, by night in bed, electric blanket on with my trusty stable table!

I love paper, everything about it so I am willing to give just about any paper craft a go except origami, I can't do it and trying makes me angry!

What is your background in making?

I studied Fine Art at the National Art School for 3 years and majored in Photography, I also did a further 3 years at Sydney College of the Arts, also in Photomedia. Somehow by the end of my SCA years I had moved more towards writing and all of my photographic work now is based around text and books. I still work with my photography but through making my artists books and working in the art store I discovered a whole crazy world of paper.

Who or what inspires you?

My books, I have about 4000 of them and yes I rent, so moving is a little back breaking. I have an amazing home library.

My flatmate of 17 years, who is a multi-media artist and a freakish computer brainiac, he is great at reading manuals and then demonstrating how to use things. Oh he also cooks I haven't cooked a meal in 17 years, unless I am home alone and even then he has left a suggestion (occasionally even a prepared meal). That sounds lazy, but trust me, he is an amazing cook.

My Nan, she passed away when I was 12 but I spent all of my time with her making craft, sewing, playing with her huge basket of buttons, making collages out of her box of old cards and drawing on A2 pieces of paper she would sneak from my uncles room. If we weren't making craft we were playing Canasta.

Chance - at the moment I am busy making books and cards using vintage childrens book illustrations. I found a giant pile of books in the corner of a country charity store and found out they were being thrown away because they were too damaged to sell so I of course took them all, I mean honestly who throws away books! But I had absolutely no idea what I was going to do with them all. Then I discovered another etsy seller JamboChameleon and bought some of her paper punches and have been punching out circles ever since. I still buy her punches, and just bought some of her buttons from I Heart Gallery in Newtown.

What themes do you explore in your work?

I have a few different styles or themes I work with.

My vintage illustration cards and books, there is something so amazing about the illustrations memories of the books I coveted from the school library, the Golden Books I browsed through at the supermarket checkout with my Nan - yes, in the town I grew up in at the end of the checkout were Golden Books, Womens Weekly magazines and cordial bottles shaped like koalas and kangaroos with built in straws you had to bite the end off to get to the cordial.

I also have a series of books and cards with a paper cut cloud design, I started making these after my Grandfather passed away. I kept finding myself cutting small clouds out of paper, I suppose it was a bit meditative. I really love the act of cutting the paper, quiet time when your brain can wander.

What mediums do you work in?

Paper, paper and more paper. I have a slightly out of control collection of paper - so out of control that I have opened a second Etsy shop called Geritomsupplies to try decrease the slightly crazed hoarder level it is currently at.

Why do you create?

I have always had to make things, I can't think of a single moment in my life where some sort of art or craft project wasn't on the go. It is as natural as breathing.

How did you come to open a store on Etsy?

I first started shopping on Etsy, and then thought maybe I should have a go selling there too. I am a crazy Etsy shopper, sometimes I have to temporarily ban myself from looking.

How do you feel when you make a sale?

I always excitedly rush to tell my flatmate, it still makes me excited.

What are your top Etsy tips?

I don't know that I have any specific tips really, just give it a go - what do you have to lose?

Where else can we see or buy your work?

I sell my work at I Heart Gallery on King St in Newtown, One Earth Cafe in Willoughby, Incube8r Gallery in Mosman, soon at Spacebar in Hobart. Plus I have a market stall the first Sunday of each month at the Eveleigh Artisan Market.

How did you learn your trade?

I learned my trade literally on the job.

I grew up in a country town and wanted to move to Sydney and go to Art School, but needed to have a job so I wrote letters to every art related shop or gallery in Sydney and out of the mountain of mail I sent I received only two replies. Both were Art Material stores in Chatswood, one store to say although they had no positions to let them know if I was really stuck and the other saying come down so we can meet you. I was given a chance even though I had no experience, was 17 and so shy I barely spoke. I still have regular contact with my boss from then, 23 years later without her I may well still be back in that town.

So, I was thrown in the deep end and I loved it. I am still working at the same store with a different owner, and am now the manager. They have let me leave to travel and come back, take time off to study, and are part of my family.

If you could tell the world one thing, what would it be?

My pearl of wisdom is this - if you are doing what you love you are a happy person. So do it.

Creativity sure can chase the blues away! Thanks Kathryn, it was lovely hearing your story. It makes me enjoy your work even more...especially your beautiful cloud cards.

You can add Geritom71 on facebook here and find her Etsy store here!

If you're a Sydney Etsy Team member and would like to be interviewed, featured, or do a guest blog post, please convo me on Etsy at http://www.etsy.com/shop/msunflower I'd love to hear from you!

~MSunflower~



All photos used in this post are copyright to Kathryn and Geritom71 and used with her kind permission.

An Interview With Moncherie43

Welcome to the second in a series of maker interviews with Sydney Etsy Team members. If you'd like to be interviewed please convo me, I'd love to hear about and share your work!


My second interview is with team member Moncherie43 who sells vintage inspired accessories. Let us begin...

Who are you?

I’m Chelsea, a girl from Sydney Australia who loves jewelry making, photography, sewing, art, blogging and of course ETSY!

What do you do?

I create jewelry that brings back memories! Very vintage and rocker inspired.

What is your background in making?

I'm newbie to it actually. My father has always been amazing at it, so he's taught me quite a few things!

Who or what inspires you?

Practically everything! Whether it’s looking at people’s blogs, movies, music, vintage Polaroid’s, prints from society6.com, fashion and photography books, classic ladies and even dainty interiors!

What themes do you explore in your work?

Not really any specific themes. There's an overall theme of love throughout though!

What mediums do you work in?

Findings like feathers, brass, gold and silver charms and cameos and cabochons.

Why do you create?

I love hearing that someone loved something I made for them, it's exhilarating! It also helps that I love making it as well. Anything creative is fun to me!

How did you come to open a store on Etsy?

I've always been a big fan of Etsy, and finally took the plunge and made a store. I knew that jewelry is quite competitive, but wanted to use up my stash of supplies and throw some charm and colour into it.

How do you feel when you make a sale?

I'm sure everyone can agree it feels great! I always treat my customers like they are the Queen, it's kind of funny! It doesn't happen too often, as I only have about 35 things, but I'm adding as much as I can when I can.

What are your top Etsy tips?

Read the Storque, make treasuries, join teams (or even critique team), work on your SEO, create a blog/facebook/twitter, be extra kind and last but not least, don't give up!


Where else can we see or buy your work?

Currently only on Etsy, but I'm adding things to Artfire soon, yay!

How did you learn your trade?

Practice, learning and trying new things.

Any extra info you'd like to include?

Find out when my new items are going up on my blog: www.moncherie43.blogspot.com

I'll also be having a giveaway soon and posting when my Facebook's up!

Returning customers get 10% off with a special code included with their order! Lasts until the 24th of June.


If you could tell the world one thing, what would it be?

Stop being so freezing in winter and boiling in summer!

Yes please, weather! Thanks for the interview Chelsea. :)
 
If you're a Sydney Etsy Team member and would like to be interviewed, featured, or do a guest blog post, please convo me on Etsy at http://www.etsy.com/shop/msunflower I'd love to hear from you!

~MSunflower~



All photos used in this post are copyright to Chelsea and Moncherie43 and used with her kind permission.

Etsy Craft Party - Sydney City Roundup

Our Sydney city Etsy Craft Party last Friday was so much fun, it was wonderful to meet so many Etsy enthusiasts. We made felt brooches and mini paper bunting. Some people also brought knitting and crochet projects. Thank you to all that came, for your enthusiasm, ideas, and inspiration. We've decided it might be nice to hold regular meet-ups like this one once a month, so I'll keep you posted. Here are some photos of the event, I love how bright and colourful everything was!

Kit x