Interviews

Over the past few weeks I have been sharing a series of conversations with some of my lovely sponsors, to give us a peek behind the scenes at their businesses and get inspired by their stories. Today I would like to welcome Cindy, owner of Pretty Neat Designs, an Etsy shop featuring Cindy’s own original handmade quilted Moleskine notebooks and travel bags. Let’s get started!

Lolalina: What first inspired you to open your shop?
I worked in retail stores in high school and college and I wanted to open a shop after graduation.  But the more I talked to a friend who had her own store, the more I thought twice.  I decided to shelve my retail dreams and I went to law school instead.  But even in school I would make cards and do little things to express my creativity.  After I graduated I was studying for the bar every day for hours and hours.  I went from working full time and going to school at night to studying full time, day and night.  Then I sat for the exam and once those two insane days of torture were over I suddenly had a lot of free time on my hands.  And all I had to do to fill it was worry that I had failed and watch romantic comedies.  Sometimes I watched them over and over again.  That was my rock bottom. The job market was horrible and I wouldn’t get my exam results for months.

So I decided to look at a folder of inspiration photos I had torn out of magazines (clearly this was pre-pinterest) and find something to do.  I came across a few photos of sewing projects and decided to buy a sewing machine and get going.  I came up with the name of my shop because I always use “neat” to describe things I like.  I thought I might have a shop that was a combination of hand made and vintage items.  I love Brimfield and flea markets and thought that would be fun.  But then I decided to stay focused on handmade items.  Pretty Neat Designs – stuff you’ll love to give and get.

How do you generate new design ideas?
I am always thinking about materials I like and ways of using them.  I also like to try to create new things that incorporate a type of recycling.  For example, most of the fabric I purchase is used to make the laundry and shoe bags.  But I was collecting all these scraps.  I was trying to come up with a way I could use the scraps.  At first if I had a large enough scrap I would make a small bag, not large enough for shoes, but big enough to hold a small gift – reusable gift wrap.  Then one day I came across a package of cards on a clearance table that had a circle cut out where you could place a photo and then write your message on the inside.  I thought I could use my scraps instead of photos to create quilted stationery.  Eventually that concept led to the quilted notebooks, which are my favorite item in the shop.

I also came across an envelope of cancelled stamps and I decided to start sewing them onto cards and bookmarks.  I’ve always thought stamps are miniature works of art and I like how they look when they’re sewn onto paper. I just try to use things, even left over little bits of ribbon, in creative ways. I first started making shoe bags because I love shoes.  I travel with 3-6 pairs and I was always putting them in plastic bags, which were ugly and trashy. I decided to make shoe bags for travelling with a little bit of style in my suitcase.  And they are reusable and better for the environment. The travel-sized laundry bag was happened by accident – I was actually trying to make a shoe bag big enough for a pair of tall boots.  But the laundry bag was born instead.  So my process for creating new designs and products is a combination of R&D, “the mess around,” and necessity.

Thinking back to when you first opened your doors, what resources were especially valuable to you at that time?
When I first started PND the resources hat were most valuable to me were people who had their own shop.  If I had questions about where to get clear plastic bags, or how I should be showcasing my products, I went to other shop owners.  My shop and my blog are my creative outlet, and they both led to a really supportive creative community.  I never expected to develop the friendships that I have made through Pretty Neat Designs.  One friend in particular, Gina of Hettle, has always been an invaluable resource.  She is very creative, but also well versed in the business side of creativity.  She has provided so much support and has been really helpful. I also took online courses about blogging (Holly Becker’s Blogging Your Way course in 2009) and how to take better photos.  And I just kept trying things until I found a back drop and props that made for better photos.  I just kept working on it.  And I still do.  I am always looking for things that I think will make my photos better, or will make the presentation a more experience when I ship items to the buyer.

Do you have a favorite quote that inspires you?
Oh man, it changes every week!  I guess I like the concept of “make do and mend.”  That is sort of my philosophy.  I also get inspired by quotes that showcase possibility, like “everything seems impossible until it is done.”  And as cheesy as it sounds, Nike’s classic, “Just Do It.”  Because really, what are we waiting for?

Thank you so much, Cindy, I loved getting to chat with you!

Have a wonderful day, my dears! xoxo Laura

Pretty Neat Designs Shop + Blog

(images: Pretty Neat Designs)

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I am back again with a conversation with one of my lovely sponsors, this time it is vintage shop Apt 22, run by Candice and her hubby Mike. I’ve been really enjoying doing these behind-the-scenes peeks, and I hope you have enjoyed reading them, too! : ) So get comfy and settle in with your hot beverage of choice, and let’s have a chat.

Lolalina: How long have you been in business, and what inspired you to open your shop?

Just about 2 years.  After scouring thrift stores and flea markets for supplies for our wedding and our growing collection of vinyl, we realized how much cool, old stuff was out there and that’s how the shop began!

What is your favorite item in your shop right now?

I honestly struggle with wanting to keep almost everything we put up for sale.  I really love this little set of green and white bowls though.  They remind me of classic American diner ware and I can think of a thousand things to do with them.

What do you dream of when you think of the future of your business?

We are planning on doing a big shopping trip across Europe.  I love European vintage and I dream of touring flea markets across Europe (especially France!) and filling the shop with all of our amazing finds!

Do you have a favorite quote that inspires you?

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.

- Mark Twain

Thank you so much, Candice!

I love that quote, don’t you? : ) You can visit Apt 22 Vintage to see more of Candice and Mike’s curated collection of wares, follow shop news on twitter and facebook for updates and specials, and read Candice’s blog, The Design Boards, for more goodies. Have a great day, my dears, and I will see you back here tomorrow with a bit of Friday inspiration. xo Laura

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Over the next few weeks I will be sharing a series of conversations with some of my lovely sponsors, to give us a peek behind the scenes at their businesses and hopefully get inspired as well! Today I would like to welcome Flo and Marci, owners of Marci’s Garden, an Etsy shop selling handmade reusable cloth snack bags, lunch sacks, and recycling bags – a cute & eco alternative to plastic bags. Let’s get started!

Lolalina: How long have you been in business, and what first inspired you to open your own shop?

A little over two years. When I was taking my cans and bottles to the recycle center (trying to do my part for the environment), I noticed I threw away three big trash bags and that just didn’t seem right. So I made the first large recycl-a-bag to store my recyclables until bringing them to the center. It was so much nicer to have the colorful fabric bags in my trunk instead of the plastic ones. I just washed and dried the recycl-a-bags and I have been using them for about two years – that’s a lot of saved trash bags!

I also became aware of how many plastic grocery sacks I was throwing away everyday after lunch. I’m a nurse and we all brought our food in the plastic grocery sacks. I thought I could make a prettier, reusable bag for my lunch and save those plastic bags from the trash plus my bag would stand out in the crowd. After that it just evolved into the sandwich, snack and utensil bags. We also sell a tall kitchen can Recycl-a-bag to put in the recycle can in the kitchen.

What is your favorite item in your shop right now?

The snack and sandwich bags since they keep more baggies out of the trash. We use them so much for carrying snacks for the grandkids in the car, our own popcorn when we go to the movies and of course, everyday in our lunch bag

How do you generate new design or product ideas?

Usually it’s something we decide we want to try or our customers will suggest things to us. Like right now our customers are asking for a bigger grocery-size sack larger than the lunch bag.

What advice would you share with others who may dream of opening their own shop?

Just get started, don’t wait to perfect your product because you’ll learn and change things along the way.

What do you dream of when you think of the future of your business?

We hope that we are helping to make people more aware of the little things they can do to reduce the amount of trash in everyday life and reuse what they have. By using our bags you are taking small personal steps to change the world around you. Practically speaking, we dream that our business will be a success for us.

Thanks so much, ladies!

Go visit Marci’s Garden to see more, and I will be back in a bit with one more Shop Owner Q&A.

(all images: Marci’s Garden)

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Over the next few weeks I will be sharing a series of conversations with some of my lovely sponsors, to give us a peek behind the scenes at their businesses and get inspired as well! Each of these women (yes, they all happen to be ladies!) are smart and creative entrepreneurs with interesting stories to tell. Today I would like to begin with Diana, who owns D. S. Brennan Photography. So go grab yourself something yummy and hot to sip, and let’s get started, shall we?

Lolalina: What first inspired you to open your own shop?

I have always loved photography, and was truly addicted when I took my first photography class in high school.  In 2005 I got my first digital SLR camera, which rekindled my love and made photography accessible to me again.  In 2006 I was between jobs and, while looking for new work, decided to start a photography business.

It’s usually the newest, and this is no exception.  I’ve just listed my first limited edition loose canvas print and I just love it.  I have the test print in my living room and, while I’ve brought it to some of my holiday shows, I’m reluctant to part with it.  The photograph is of five feathers from my new feather collection digitally joined into one image.  I was inspired by a featured home in “DECORATE” (pg 28) to offer loose canvas prints (I think they’re just gorgeous), and being able to roll the print makes it feasible for me to ship the print anywhere in the world.  Frankly, I’m giddy about this one.

It’s a very organic process, and not just because I photograph nature.  Usually I feel a pull towards something – feathers, ocean shots, botanicals…  If I’m feeling uninspired I take a walk in the woods or along the beach, or visit my local natural history museum.

Photo sharing sites that focused on peer critiques were invaluable in strengthening my skills and honing my eye when I was starting out.  At that time I participated in photoSIG – which is still around at http://photosig.com.  It’s vital to accept critiques with grace and truly think about if and how to incorporate any comments.  Critiques are tools to help photographers grow, not personal attacks.  The books “Craft, Inc.” and “Licensing Art 101″ have also been great resources in more recent years.

Oh!  My vision of the future is a beautiful thing.  I am determined to earn enough from my photography work to not need a day job, and to have flexible hours that allow me to spend lots of time with my (future) children.  I want to spend more time creating and less time on marketing and accounting.  I want to focus on large format pieces, working with interior designers, and having a line of images to license to art publishers.  I also want to remain accessible – I want anyone who loves my work to be able to find and purchase something in their price range.  That’s really important to me.

Thank you so much, Diana!

If you have any questions for Diana, please leave them in the comments : ) I hope you have enjoyed our first installment of the “Shop Owner Q&A”, and I will see you back here tomorrow…and it will be Friday! xo Laura

(all images: D. S. Brennan Photography)

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