Zeng

I'm so excited to share the art of Zeng Ye from FuZhou ,China of Zeng. She sells some of the coolest prints- I will not attempt to describe them- they speak for themselves. She says "Selling my art work is just selling my fair dream. I think the real world is so normal, as a designer I want to do something different. I think I can give our own lives some colour and surprise!" I think she is right....

What is your real life like?
I'm single.I’m a graduate student in Chinese art school and I’m also a professional designer and illustrator! I’m doing some design work for Chinese company's in order to support myself. I major in home product design such as beds, chairs, storage and everything about our lives. Art work sold on my Etsy shop and drawing are just my hobbies.When my design work makes me tired I will do this art work. I will have a rest and find fun from them.

What is your process?
The main tool I use is software such as Photoshop CS , Paint and Cinema 4D. I also take some photos with my cameras. When I have time, I will see Disney movies and look through my favourite art and design books in order to find inspiration.

Business Goals and Vision...
My short term goal is try to expand my current business on Etsy. After one or two months I will add my original hand drawing on my Etsy shop. Long term I want to develop my home products which are designed by myself, then sell on the network. Now I’m working together with my teacher to do home product design, then search for factories and put our design into products. In the long term- I have another very important thing -I think I should find a good man then get married.
Do you subscribe to any business related blogs, zines or magazines?
I buy some software books. If I want to read magazines or other books, I will go to the library.

What inspires you?
Everything which is beautiful, such as flowers ,bags, drawing, sweet girls, handsome boys or just a strange word.

What are two of your favorite things from your shop?
a rabbit girl and a cat with a mask (second image)
a rabbit lady- third image (I hope one day I can become this rabbit lady.Go to anywhere if I want)

Am a fan of these places...
http://mocoloco.com/
http://www.core77.com/
http://www.plusminuszero.jp/index.html
http://www.art.com/

Find seller at...
www.zeng.etsy.com

My First Giveaway!

I will keep it short and sweet...
1) Here is a pair of earrings that you could win! The Sophie earring handmade by me. Retails for $52.00 Here's how....
2) Go to my Etsy store-dgdesigns.etsy.com (click on the link or on my Etsy mini at the top left of the page) and give me one critique on my product, presentation, photography or anything that comes to mind as you look at my shop.
3) Leave a comment here- on this post- at the bottom -telling me that thing. I appreciate your feedback so please don't hold back!
The fine print....
*Open to U.S. residents only.
*Your comment must be unique- any duplicate comment or critique will be removed from the final result.
*Results will be determined by a random selection at random.org by random integer generation at 10:30pm on Sunday, October 26th. The result will be posted at 11:00pm on the same day with a screen shot of the random number selected and will also include the time stamp at the bottom. I will include the name of the winner (blogger user name) in the post.
*If you do not have a blogger user name and post "anonymously" please include your name and email address in the body of the comment.
*Winner will be contacted by email within 24 hours- make sure you check back in the event that I can't reach you.
* Earrings will be custom made for you and will be shipped by Friday, October 31st or sooner.

What is the "Little Black Box"

I have decided that on the weekends I am going to take a break from blogging.....partially. There are occasionally some interesting things that I want to share with my readers and I will do that on the weekends.
Today I would like to answer the question...."What is a Little Black Box". I had never heard about it until last month when I followed a link on the Etsy forums in answer to the very same question. After looking at the site I sent an email and before I knew it I was committed to be in the November box- which I am thrilled about!
In a nutshell...the "Little Black Box" is a box that contains about 20 samples from on-line retailers advertising their products. The box can be purchased by interested parties directly from the web-site. Currently they are selling about 200-300 boxes per month with some of those going to the media. And I must say that for the price of around $25 (changing monthly depending on what is included) it is a steal!
Go to the website- you will find more information about who is included for the current month as well as FAQ's for interested business as well as those interested in purchasing. One of the most interesting things I found there was the forums - one of them allowing customers to give feedback on the particular seller and item.
Each of my little packages is different. Some are worth more than $40 wholesale price. I have included sterling silver, swarovski crystal and gemstone necklaces, earrings and bracelets. The item in the picture is reserved for Kim- the creator of the box. I got a little creative with my packaging as I wanted to include a postcard showing some new designs (picture shows a mock up) and still have my jewelry presented in the nice craft box that I usually package it in when I get an order.
So, get yourself a Little Black Box and see what all the buzz is about!

Pinks and Needles

I stumble across so many amazing artists when I am cruising around Etsy everyday and it was really a pleasure to come across Gigi Minor from my very own town- Tucson, AZ- she has a shop called Pinks and Needles. What drew me in was the cottagie frothiness that is carried over into every element of her shop- presentation -packaging- graphics- lets not forget product.



Describe what you sell.
I'm expanding my business in a few different
directions but my "pin toppers" are my most popular items. What's a pin topper? ( I bet a few of you are wondering...) it's basically a tiny little hand sculpted surprise on the top of a sewing pin! Think of it as a little "bling" for your pincushion! It may be a cupcake or a piece of fruit, a little birdie or even a fancy platter with a slice of cake : )


What is your real life like?
Well I can say this for sure ~ it's busy and getting busier with the holidays approaching. I'm married to a wonderful man, no kids (yet), we have 2 old lady cats (Priss and Tanzy) and a Silky Terrier Chester Copperpot. I have so many interests it's ridiculous! I love to go thrifting up in Catalina! Baking, interior decorating, gardening, web design, sewing clothes for my Blythe dolls, travelling (although we never seem to find the time to go out of country any more), watching movies, making something that cost a dollar look like a million bucks, building doll houses, I've just started to dabble in writting my own patterns for pincushions, the list goes on and on.....it's safe to say i'm not a person who ever gets bored! There's too much fun stuff out there to learn and make!
What is your process?
Step #1: Making the pins! I hand sculpt each pin without the use of a molds. My materials are very simple: polymer clay, my hands, a flat surface, pins and most importantly LOVE!

Step #2: Baking the pins! I usually like to fire up the oven about 2-3 times per week ~ especially since the warmer weather is approaching I prefer to bake in larger batches.

Step #3: Varnishing! This is the part that requires a lot of patience!
First I will varnish the pins and let them dry but it's funny sometimes the varnish dries really slow and I have to wait a day or more to apply a second coat. Then wait again. So please note this is usually the part I'm waiting on myself before I can move on to the next step : )

Step #4: Packaging! I know this probably sounds funny but this is my most favorite part of the process because I love pretty packaging and seeing something come together is the most rewarding : )The first step is to design the little card stock each pin is tied to. I use fabric and scrapbook paper a lot for the initial concept as my background design. I also love to use different computer graphic programs like Print Artist and Fireworks to get the job done. Each design has it's own little card and I hand cut each card after I print them out, punch tiny little holes and then tie each pin on to secure it in place. A little piece of tape is applied to cover the tip of the pin so no one gets hurt! I have now started to sign and date the back of each card too : )

(Hopefully we're on) Step #5: Each pin is then put into a small ziplock bag and off to the "presentation" box it goes. Each box will be tied with a coordinating string and a Pinks & Needles hang tag with a seasonal flower.

Business Goals and Vision...
Ha! This is a great question? One that I ask myself daily - also one that my parents ask me very frequently. It's somewhat of a "catch-22"
because since it is only wee little me who makes everything I feel like I I were to hire help and go bigger it wouldn't be an indy business like it is now. Which I love! Handmade items are the best for so many reasons! That's the one thing BIG BOX stores don't have ~ items made with love and passion. I really have to take it day by day and ride the wave while I can so to speak because I know I won't be making pin toppers forever! What's really important to me is that I create things that I know my customers will enjoy so I am open to adding new things and expanding what I offer! I have yet to sell any paintings ( one of my true passions is painting on canvas, but I haven't had the time : )

How do you market your business?
I think flickr has been a huge catalyst for me. That's where most people find me and then that trickles into etsy and so forth.
I was asked by Sarah (owner of Quilt Fabric Delights) to make pin toppers for the "Pincushion of the Month Club" and that's brought in a ton of business. She does advertise it in magazines etc. Check it out ~ it's really cool:
Also Sandi Henderson of Portabellopixie was my very first pin topper order back in February of this year! She was the one that really got me up and gunning to open my etsy shop Pinks & Needles! For those of you who don't know who she is...she's a licensed fabric designer for Michael Miller Fabrics. Her newest line Farmer's Market is out now and it's fabulous! She featured a few of my pin toppers to accent her cupcake pincushion pattern on the front cover!
Even though I won't be attending Silver Bella this year, one of my friends Cheryl Dack of http://www.confectionsfabric.com/ will be handing out tons of samples for me! I also have a few people that do the big quilt shows and pass my cards out ~ other than that I'd say good old "Word of Mouth".

Do you subscribe to any business related blogs, zines or magazines?
I honestly don't really subscribe to any! I know this may comes as a shock but if I have any extra time to myself I go to fun links (unrelated to business per say):
For Doll Stuff:
http://www.puchicollective.com/
For Inspiration:
http://www.portabellopixie.typepad.com/
For Escape:
http://soapnet.go.com/soapnet/index

What inspires you?
Hmmm....everything but the kitchen sink! My husband Naiche (pronounced "nay-chi"), whose my rock! Nothing phases him and he never gets bent out of shape. He's a retired golf touring professional who is very involved with the "Green" movement, which in turn makes him a very caring and innovative person! Movies (Romantic Comedies), Re-Runs (the OC), Flickr (eye candy on every page), bright and vibrant colors, shabby chic, fruity smells, California (my home State), my parents (my Dad is literally a walking encyclopedia and my mom is the most grounded person I know), Retro and Vintage Styles, my animals, out of print books, cakes and bakery items in general...gift wrap, ribbon, blank canvases, flowers and last but not least eating healthy salads every day! I know it may sound silly but I really do notice a difference in how I view every day life when I eat better!

Who is your favorite musical artist?
I have many favorite bands and am constantly changing what's in my CD players. I really love old records from my grandmother's era, Musicals like The Sound of Music, West Side Story, South Pacific, My Fair Lady etc. Newer voices like Amy Winehouse (even though she's a hot mess as they say ~ her voice is like butter! I'm not much of a country fan but I love Johnny Cash! My niece Lauren is so amazing I could listen to her sing all day long!
Here take a listen

What are two of your favorite things from your shop?
Strawberry Cupcake Ornaments: ( second picture)
Kawaii Deery Fawn Pincushion Set: (third picture)

Am a fan of these places...
Pivot12: Art Gallery
Love Lee Soaps
Fun Fabrics
Off the Wall Graphic Art
Cutest Stuffed Plushies

Find seller at...
Etsy
Tons of my photos are on flickr: everything from my thrifty finds, Blythe Dolls posing for the camera, things that I bake etc...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/giginbigred/
My blog Pinks & Needles:
http://www.pinksandneedles.blogspot.com/

Elfland

Today we have the great Shaina Mote from Los Angeles, CA of Elfland. She sells handmade clothing, bags and occasionally jewelry made from found metals or everyday objects. All the clothing that she makes is made from reclaimed materials. As you will see...she does not sacrifice style in the process.


What is your real life like?
I am only nineteen (twenty in a week!!!) so I don’t have any kids or anything like that. I hang out with friends- I intake as much art, in any and all forms as possible to fuel my creative endeavors. I play in my darkroom, in my journal, on canvas and on my sewing machine.
As far as my work schedule goes, I work for Elfland most days a week- working weird hours (ie: 4pm-4am) and one day a week for my father’s tree moving and preservation company as a photographer and marketing manager. (check him out: he moved and saved the largest tree on earth!)

What is your process?
My process starts with finding the right materials and let me assure you—I am very picky. I can’t stand fabrics that are scratchy, non-breathable or stiff. I always go for beat-up, faded men’s t- shirts, vintage silks, rare fabrics like woven gold, metallic thread, vintage hardware (buttons, zippers etc) anything that has true personality is for me.
Once I find the materials, I look at my inventory of fabrics. Some colors and textures play off of each other- I take it from there. Usually I am not sure what I am going to make when I walk into my studio, it just happens.

Business Goals and Vision...
My main goal for Elfland is to maintain integrity, hopefully that means making enough money for me to survive on!
My long-term goal is to start another line called mote (my last name, the smallest fairy in Shakespeare’s Midsummer Nights Dream, meaning a minute speck of dust). Mote will be comprised of more “handmade couture” items if you will. This line will be a bit more polished and experimental versus Elfland’s everyday, ready-to-wear attitude.How do you market your business?
I market mainly through etsy.com and I rely heavily on word of mouth from happy customers. I also sell at an awesome boutique in the arts district of Culver City, called Indie Collective owned by a fellow etsian.

Do you subscribe to any business related blogs,zines or magazines?
Not at this point. But I love picking up art, fashion and photography magazines like: Blindspot, Artforum, Zink, Nylon, (the upcoming designers section), Another Magazine, etc.

Who is your favorite musical artist? (click on artist to see video)
Hard question… I’ll have to go with the B-52’s.
What inspires you?
Everything, but here are the highlights-
My mother, fairy tales and myths, circus, Anais Nin’s writing, junk, Henry Darger’s illustrations, dream life, off hues or diluted colors, bright or oversaturated colors, circles.

What are two of your favorite things from your shop?
The Secretly Aerodynamic Socialite because of it’s unique shape (third picture)
and The Halo Sculptress because of the rarity of the types of fabrics used. (second picture)


Am a fan of these places...
www.peoplescouture.etsy.com my friend, owner of Indie Collective boutique and gallery
www.sennatree.com my fathers tree moving company
www.fashionspot.com view independent designers collections here
www.lonelyplanet.com the dream of traveling
www.bottlevillage.com the inspiration for my bottle house
Find seller at...
www.shainamote.com
www.elfland.etsy.com
www.flickr.com/photos/elflandclothing
www.facebook.com