Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Wishsong Design
What inspired you to start your business? I've had so many people over the years encouraging me in my artwork and telling me that I should sell them, and I never thought much of it until I discovered the world of online selling! I used to paint realistic wildlife paintings and pet portraits and used to sell a few of those but it wasn't until my boss at the time told me about an online marketplace that I really got excited about the possibility of making a real go at selling my artwork. I also took a storybook illustration short course a few years ago (which was a complete waste of money!) but one thing it did do was it gave me the confidence to actually step out and start creating pictures from my own imagination, and hence a love for children's illustration was born.
What is your handmade business all about?
I love so many different art forms, I tend to make a lot of things as well as my artwork such as jewellery, felt toys, baby blocks and
more recently sculpture! But mostly my business is about making
children happy by providing whimsical and colourful paintings and
prints that both children and adults enjoy!
What do you enjoy most about your business?
It's so fun to do! As a creative person it's just so satisfying to create something and put so much energy into it, and then to have someone buy it and truly appreciate it, is such a wonderful thing!
What is your favourite product to make?
Ooh this is a tough one! I love making so many things, but I guess my true passion is painting children's illustrations, though making felt toys comes in as a close second!
How did you learn your craft?
I'm self taught, having drawn since I was little as I had a passion for it so just kept practicing! Plus it helps that my mother and grandmother are also very good at painting, I guess it's in the genes!
What handy hints do you have for people who are starting up a hand-made business?Energy and persistence to continually promote you shop and products! Online selling can be very rewarding but you are also competing with a lot of other shops, you need to be proactive in getting your name out there to bring shoppers in! You can't just list your items and sit back and wait for the sales to come to you! Also patience, sales can be very up and down at times and you just need to have patience and don't get discouraged, the sales will come!
What plans do you have for your business in the next year?
Lots of new children's illustrations and I am also really hoping to continue with my polymer clay sculptures which are based on my little girl characters from my paintings!
Visit Wishsong Design's Shop on Hand-Made.
Monday, April 15, 2013
Introducing Monkey Hugs
What inspired you to start your business? I actually started my business as a bit of a fluke. I have always loved handmade. My Nana has been a knitter, painter and quilter (and now also jewellery maker) for as long as I can remember and my mum was always a bit crafty as well, so it’s probably in the blood somewhere. I started making clothes for my middle daughter when she was a baby and made a few soft toys and things too, but it was only in my “spare” time as I was working full time as well (in my past life I was a lawyer). Then when my son was born in 2011 I decided that I wanted to take “extended” maternity leave and finally spend some time with the kids, which also meant more time for sewing. I had been following and buying from a number of handmade pages on facebook for quite a while before then and one of them was holding a charity auction for a cause that touched my heart, so I asked if I could donate something, even though I wasn’t a “business” and was accepted. I got such amazing feedback and my items sold for MUCH more than I would ever have dreamed (some very generous bidders!) and I had a number of people asking, pushing, prodding me to start my own page… so I did.
What is your handmade business all about?
Creating gorgeous things to (hopefully) be loved by little and big kids alike.
What do you enjoy most about your business?
I love that I get to spend all day, every day, with my two little monkeys and that I am constantly learning from and being inspired by all of the wonderful fellow handmaidens that I have met on my journey.
What is your favourite product to make?
I think anyone who follows my page will see that I have a VERY soft spot for making “Wonderland” dolls. I am a bit of an Alice addict But in general, I love making my dolls. I still enjoy the softies and clothing, but I always feel like my dolls have more of “me” in them.
How did you learn your craft?
I did a little bit of sewing with my mum as a young teenager, but never really anything too technical, so basically I am self taught. I have read a number of books and often find them useful to teach myself new techniques, but I am also one of those people that finds it really hard to follow a pattern. Not because I can’t, just because I constantly think I have a better/quicker way to do it.
What handy hints do you have for people who are starting up a hand-made business?
Make friends. I know it sounds silly, but having friends who are also in the business is not just fantastic for the moral support, they are there to bounce creative ideas off of and will help you get your business out there. People on the outside often see the competitive side of handmade, but under the surface you might just be lucky enough to stumble across those people that will support you even though they may be in competition with you. I have been extremely lucky to stumble upon a number of them from all over the world and while I haven’t met many of them, I am proud to call them my friends.
What plans do you have for your business in the next year?
New patterns, the return of some old favourites and getting as much done between now and July when we’ll have a new baby in the house and my sewing time will be cut shorter than it already is!
Monkey Hugs is celebrating being on the blog with a 20% off sale in store NOW until the 21st April 2013
Visit Monkey Hugs on Hand-Made.com.au
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Monday, March 18, 2013
Chance to win a Personalised Applique shirt from Two Little Monkeys
Your chance to win a Personalised Applique short sleeved t-shirt,with your choice of applique design, t-shirt colour and size from Two Little Monkeys.
RRP $20 - $28 depending on chosen applique
Sign up to the Hand-Made newsletter And/or Follow Hand-Made on Pinterest before 8pm on Sunday 24th Mach 2013 for your chance to win!
Winner will be announced and contacted on Monday 25th March 2013
Visit Two Little Monkeys on Hand-Made.com.au
Sign up to the newsletter here
Follow us on Pinterest here
**Open to Australian Residents only
Monday, March 11, 2013
Introducing Hayley from Synergy Glass Art
I returned from yearlong backpacking adventure in 2009 and really struggled going back to the every day routines of work and home. But I didn’t know what I wanted to do career-wise. So, I enrolled in lots of different short courses, night classes and weekend workshops to try to hone in on what makes me happy. After much trial and error I discovered…. glass!
What is your handmade business all about?
To begin with it was about making me happy. I was stuck in a job I hated and I was restless so I used my glass art as a way to keep me sane! But since then it has become a desire to help people surround themselves with beautiful objects that make them happy.
What do you enjoy most about your business?
Oh gosh, where do I start! I love the confidence it has given me. I never in my wildest dreams thought I would own my very own business one day. I love getting ideas through the middle of the night that need to be sketched or written down and then actually putting them into practice the next day. I love that ideas and options are literally endless.
What is your favourite product to make?
It depends on what day of the week you ask me but at the moment I’m going through a turtle sculpture phase and can’t get enough of cute little turtles.
How did you learn your craft? I learnt and continue to learn from talented local artists during short courses and workshops and I also had the honour of learning at world-renowned Glass Museums in the USA, Venice and Canberra. Plus YouTube and Google deserve a mention too!
What handy hints do you have for people who are starting up a hand-made business?
Be patient. It certainly doesn’t happen over night but through patients, hard work and persistence your dream can be achieved.
What plans do you have for your business in the next year?
There is going to be lots more sculptured animals in the collection. I want to surround myself with a zoo of glass animals!
Visit Synergy Glass Art
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