T.E.S.T. Interview: Second Shot

We hope to introduce you to all the great Etsy sellers to be found right here in Toronto. Here at the T.E.S.T. blog, we plan to interview them all. This is the 40^th in our series with Lindsay of SecondShot.

Tell us about yourself. How did you decide to use recycled skateboards?

We are a husband and wife team from Orangeville, ON.  My partner John is responsible for developing and creating all the Skate Art and I take care of customer orders and marketing.

John has been riding a skateboard for fun most of his life and had a collection of broken boards. In the summer of 2011 he decided to make something with them so he could hang them in the house to display and not have to get rid of them. The first piece he ever made consisted of 5 recycled skateboards cut into ¼” strips, compressed together to make wall “Skate Art”. Almost everyone that saw couldn't believe it was old skateboards.

Because almost all skateboards consist of seven layers of cross laminate maple ply, with some layers dyed different colours depending on the brand and manufacturer, the finished Skate Art turns out unique, colourful and one of a kind because of the colours in the maple wood. After the first piece was done John was inspired to see what else could be made from recycled skateboards.

Is there a story behind the skateboards you use?

For sure! We don’t always know the story or person that it belonged to but all the skateboards we get are different from the scratches, dents, cracks, stickers, graffiti, etc. That gives us a little view into its story and life before we get it. We are often contacted and asked to do custom pieces using a certain skateboard that has special meaning to the person. We believe every board deserves a 2nd Shot!

How did you find out about Etsy and why did you decide to join?

I had bought a few things on Etsy before so I knew it was a great place to buy/sell handmade items! When we first joined we weren't sure if the Skate Art would sell, but it did in less than a week! So it began!

How long does it take you to create a piece?

Every piece takes a lot of time. Some pieces a few hours and some have been in the making for over a year. It is a definite process to use old skateboards, because we can’t just go to a store and buy old boards we have to put time in first just finding people, skate shops, skate parks, etc. to donate their old skateboards. Then we have to collect them or have them shipped to us. Once we have the old boards the grip tape has to be removed and both sides of the board are sanded. Now it is a workable medium for John to create with. From there it all depends on the project and details put in.

Where do you find inspiration?

John’s inspiration comes from all sorts of places. He has a real passion for creating functioning art so he’s also looking for something new to make that has purpose.

Tell us where to find you other than Etsy

You can visit our website at www.secondshot.ca to see past work and to order items that are available. If you are in the Orangeville area you can find some of our products at Icarus Skate & Snow at 94 Broadway. You can find us on Facebook (www.fb.com/secondshot2011), Twitter (@secondshot2011) & Instagram (@secondshot) As well, we have a few videos of John making some different Skate Art on YouTube.

What are your future plans for your shop? Any exciting new products in 2013?

We plan to continue to offer one of a kind art and watches made from recycled skateboards. As well, we have a few collaborations with other artists and companies coming in 2013. One we are really looking forward to is the Skate Guitar collab with The Canadian School of Lutherie in Toronto. You can visit our website in the New Year for updates as it gets completed.

Check out the other items available from Lindsay and John in their Etsy Shop! You can find more of their work on their website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

Interviewed by Shabnam of MorningdewPhoto in December 2012 in Toronto.

T.E.S.T. Interview: Morningdew Photography

We hope to introduce you to all the great Etsy sellers to be found right here in Toronto. Here at the T.E.S.T. blog, we plan to interview them all. This is the 39^th in our series with Shabnam of MorningdewPhoto.

Tell us a little about yourself? What is your background in photography?

I’ve always been involved in photography one way or another, my dad is an avid photographer and always handed me the camera. When I met my husband David a little over three years ago, he got me back into it and encouraged me to upgrade my cameras and I’ve never looked back.

What inspired you start making your photos into calendars?

I had about eight calendars hanging in my office, all different, but not one had a nice photo or illustration on it. So I decided to spice it up for myself and it seemed others liked the idea too!

What brought you to ETSY? Where else can we find Morningdew Photography?

Sheer creativity of the people already on ETSY! Amazing talent! I love being part of this community and have to admit that I’m loving it! My website is http://www.morningdewphotography.ca. I am also on Facebook and run some giveaways, so I encourage everyone to join my Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/MorningdewPhotography

Where do you find your inspiration?

Quite literally my inspiration comes from everything around me. I look for a different angle when I point my camera and try to give the photo I take some life and mood.

What is your favorite listing in your shop right now?

My 4x6 2013 calendar, I really like how the shots and design turned out.

What are your upcoming plans and goals?

I would LOVE to do photography and paper products full time. David has been very encouraging and we would both love to run our own business one day!

Shabnam's work can be seen at the upcoming Holiday Crawl on Wed., Dec, 12, 2012, 11 am to 2 pm and 5 pm to 7 pm at the TMX Gallery, 130 King St. W.

Check out the other items available from Shabnam in her Etsy Shop! You can find more of her work on her website and Facebook.

Interviewed by Lindsay of SecondShot in December 2012 in Toronto.

T.E.S.T. Interview: Nail Kandy

We hope to introduce you to all the great Etsy sellers to be found right here in Toronto. Here at the T.E.S.T. blog, we plan to interview them all. This is the 38^th in our series with Kate of NailKandy.

Kate Bland of NailKandy creates one of a kind nail polish, nail art, accessories, and jewellery. Her work is glittery, vibrant, and super fun, and she has been selling on Etsy since 2010.

First, a little background to get us started. Are you from Toronto? Did you grow up here?

I was born just outside of Toronto in a part of Mississauga called Port Credit. It is a little lakeside neighborhood at the bottom of Mississauga. I am living in downtown Toronto now and I have been there for just over 1 year and I'm loving it!

What do you love most about this city? Hate the most?

I love how connected and accessible it is here in Toronto. Everything is downtown, shopping, great restaurants, art and music venues, beautiful parks, and I love that it is on the lake. Since I grew up by the lake, I could never see myself living far from water. And even though the city is so big, it still feels small because I am constantly bumping into people I know.

I can't say I really hate anything about Toronto. But, I do miss the peace and quiet that I had in Port Credit. I used to love opening the windows to hear the birds chirping and the breeze blowing through the trees. Now all I hear are the GO trains from Union Station right below me. But you get used to it, they don't keep me awake.

By day you are a makeup artist. Tell us how you got into it. Was this something you always wanted to do?

By day I am actually an office administrator/personal assistant/project manager/etc etc etc, but my heart is in cosmetics. I became obsessed with makeup when I was a teenager. It was the first time I stumbled upon a Sephora in the United States. That was over 10 years ago and I'm still obsessed. I was always an artsy kid, and ended up taking cosmetic arts in college at Sheridan. It was just another outlet for my creativity and I really enjoyed it. I seriously tried to pursue makeup art as a profession for several years and really enjoyed it but always had to work a 2nd job on the side to support myself. I still do the occasional wedding or photo shoot.

When did you start Nail Kandy? And why?

A couple of years after being trained in makeup and doing that for a while, I discovered nail art and the crazy world of nail blogs. There are literally thousands of nail blogs and there is so much creativity there! Add the fact that it involves cosmetic products and I was hooked! I used to go to a nail salon to get my nails painted and the ideas I had for nail art were always too "far out" for the people working at the salon. I took it into my own hands (haha pun intended), and decided to do my own nail art! I got inspiration from other nail artists and quickly realized that it was something I could enjoy doing. Not too long after that, I had amassed an insane stash of nail polishes and nail art supplies.

(To this date I do not know how many nail polishes I have, but the last time I counted, a year ago, I had over 130 bottles. It's GOT to be up in the 200's now!).

With too many supplies and not enough fingers to paint, I thought of making nail art for others. I had seen people on blogs making glue-on nails with their own designs and so I created Nail Kandy.

Your designs are all so colourful and textural - where do you find your inspiration?

Thank you! I am inspired by everything around me. Fabric patterns, illustrations, feathers, insects, sunsets, candy, jewelry, cosmetics, ANYTHING glittery, and of course, other nail art! I love to create my own interpretation of existing designs I have seen. I will be inspired by a particular color or design on a nail and turn it into my own style.

Right now is Etsy your main focus with Nail Kandy? Do you see yourself pursuing other avenues from Etsy in terms of where to sell your products?

Right now Etsy is my main focus. Because of the detailed nature of my items, each piece takes me a long time to create and so I like the ability to just sell small quantities and that has been going well with Etsy. I also love getting customers from other countries! Now that I have started making nail polishes, I could see myself making larger batches (rather than 1 bottle at a time right now), and selling them in a shop.

Your shop has so many great gift ideas! What do you have lined up for the holidays?

Oh the holidays. I am always late for them! Right now I am making lots of nail polish jewelry (where you paint nail polish on the back of a clear glass or resin cabochon and turn it into earrings or rings. They really sparkle!). I've also made some special edition nail polishes in holiday colors, like Fruitcake and Tinsel on the Tree! (Did I mention I LOVE naming them?)

You also have some amazing earrings and rings in your shop. Do you plan on expanding your jewellery line?

Thanks! Well I do have the holiday earrings I'm working on, but I would love some extra free time to get more jewelry in my shop. I have boxes and boxes of findings and cabochons just waiting to be made into cute jewelry. Most of my items are summer themed so there will be lots more next year (and lots of nautical and beach inspired items).

Which colour and/or nail design is your go-to? (I love the sushi ones!)

The sushi ones are so much fun! They made me hungry when I painted them. My go-to design is anything animal print! Seriously. The world can't seem to get enough of Leopard and Tiger prints, especially in non-traditional colors. And animal prints are not as complicated to do as they look, sometimes they look even better when they are a bit messy because animal prints are not perfect in real life. Also, holographic colored polishes are very popular right now so any nails which have that rainbow hologram color change effect.

As for go-to colors, it depends on the season. Summer is definitely neons, but now that it's fall everything is darker and more neutral. Lots of jewel tones, greys and blacks. Christmas and New Years will bring back glitter, so lots of gold and silver glitters and more holographics. A newer trend is Rose gold and copper. I'm seeing a lot of Rose gold jewelry now and nails to match.

Check out the other items available from Kate in her Etsy Shop! You can find more of her work on her Tumblr and Facebook.

Interviewed by Katie of YourHeartsHaven in November 2012 in Toronto.

T.E.S.T. Interview: Heart's Haven

We hope to introduce you to all the great Etsy sellers to be found right here in Toronto. Here at the T.E.S.T. blog, we plan to interview them all. This is the 37^th in our series with Katie of YourHeartsHaven.

So I read that you are originally from Halifax! How long did you live out East and what brought you to Toronto?




I was born in Hali and lived there until I was 19. I did one year at the art college (NSCAD) in Halifax, and then I switch to U of T. I think I was just craving something different, something bigger. Much to my mom’s chagrin, it was time for me to move to the big city. And I’ve been here ever since.

Besides the fact that there isn't the ocean here, what's the biggest difference you notice between Halifax and Toronto?




Halifax definitely operates at a different pace. “Rush hour” in Halifax means it takes you ten minutes longer to get to your destination. Also, everyone’s up for small talk, all the time. Or strangers will smile at you on the street. Sometimes I like the anonymity in Toronto, which is virtually impossible to have in Halifax.

How did you learn to sew?




My wonderful mother Peggy taught me. She’s a great seamstress and quilter, much more meticulous than I am. She taught me the basics when I was very young, then I started sewing again more frequently when I was about 20.

What was the first thing you sewed and what inspired it?



 

Such a great question! I wish I had more of an exciting answer, but the thing with sewing is that you make a lot of mistakes in the beginning. A lot. And the first thing you lean is pretty much how to sew a straight line. But, I do remember my mom setting me up with an embroidery hoop, a needle and thread, and some buttons when I was about four, and letting me go to town. Maybe she still has some of my early handiwork stashed away.

The first thing I sewed specifically for Heart's Haven was a broken heart coffee cozy. I've always been drawn to heart and broken heart motifs.
 
Do you sell your items full time? Do you have another job as well?


I have a full time job at an animal hospital that I just love. I’m so lucky to have a job that I enjoy so much.

I see that you are going to be at a lot of craft shows and sales, is that mostly how you sell your items? 

Yes it is. When I first decided to start Heart’s Haven, I figured I would just get myself out there locally as much as possible. I’ve applied to literally every vendor call that’s come my way. It was intimidating at first, since I was just getting started and at bigger shows like the Beaches Arts and Crafts Show, the other vendors had so much more experience than I did. But doing so many shows has been a great experience for me.

Selling online vs. selling in person - which do you prefer and why?



Selling in person. 100%. I find it very inspiring and fulfilling. It gives me such a great feeling when people are excited by what I’m making. Even when not every visitor to your booth is buying, you still see great reactions to your work, and people taking business cards, which is something I think you miss out on when selling online. You don’t get to see if a customer's eyes light up, or how they smile when looking at your work. For me that’s the best part. Also, you get to meet so many interesting and creative people (shoppers and other vendors), which is always a positive thing. 

Where do you source your materials for upcycling?

I started by using my own old clothes, and now I scour Value Village and other vintage shops for great finds. I love perusing the racks for interesting sweaters. And it’s amazing what high quality stuff you can find.

Have you ever found anything really special to use?



My grandfather had this sweater with two alpacas on it that he wore for pretty much my entire life. When he died two years ago I knew I would have to find something special to do with it. I used part of it to make and art piece for the Awol Gallery's 10th Annual Original Square Foot Show and the rest I’m going to make into a scarf for myself.

Is there anything else you would love to make or learn how to make?




Everything! I did a tiny bit of screen printing a few years back and I’d love to refresh those skills. I’m also interested in woodworking but that kind of intimidates me.


Your items are perfect for the fall/winter season, what do you have planned for the holidays?

Thanks! Right now I’m making many, many sweater scarves for my upcoming holiday shows. I’ve gotten great response so far, so hopefully they sell like hotcakes! I think they can be great for both guys and girls, and make a pretty nice gift.

And just for fun, tell me about your cat and dog. What are their names?

Like all animal owners, I love talking about my creatures! I got my cat Chyna when she was two, and she’s six now. She’s quite the character, always up to no good. My dog, Venice, is a retired racing Greyhound. He raced until he was three, then I adopted him last year. He’s my first dog, and has been one of the best decisions I've ever made.

Check out the other items available from Katie in her Etsy Shop! You can find more of her work on her Tumblr, Twitter, Pinterest, and Facebook.

Interviewed by Kate of NailKandy in November 2012 in Toronto. 

T.E.S.T. Interview: Maybe Made

We hope to introduce you to all the great etsy sellers to be found right here in Toronto. Here at the T.E.S.T. blog, we plan to interview them all. This is the 32^nd in our series with Jessica of MAYBE MADE



What inspired you to create an etsy shop?

There is something so special about purchasing handmade goods. There is a connection there that is truly exceptional. You can actually contact the maker, speak to them, and learn more about them and their process. You can feel their personality in every piece that they design. Etsy has created an environment where this connection is possible!

I started to create when I was very young because I wanted an alternative to what could be found at the big box stores in the small town where I grew up. I wanted to be different and I wanted to stand out, so I would spend the hours between school and supper sewing up crazy party dresses and making my own accessories. I believe that I have always known that I would eventually create a shop of my own. It just took me a while settle on that one brilliant idea that I would sell - until I had a lightbulb moment! When I figured that out, I felt that it was time to finally become a part of the Etsy seller community :)

What do you believe is the significance of a pouch in an average persons life?

Have you ever bolted out of the house and arrived at your destination only to realize that you left your favourite lip gloss in your OTHER purse? Yeah, me too. The pouch idea started because I felt the need to make one for my own forgetful self! Then I realized, "Hey, wait a minute.. maybe other people have this same problem and I could provide them with a stylish solution!" That's how MAYBE MADE was born.

What/who are your designs inspired by?

I'm so inspired by all of the cute, quirky ladies that I see around my city. Toronto is filled with smart, bold, confident women who aren't afraid to show their individuality. They sport pieces that are fresh, functional AND fun! That's the type of design I strive to create.

I'm also inspired by the myriad of prints and fabrics I stumble across around the city and online. My pouches are made to showcase those fun prints that I choose. I keep the design simple so that the print doesn't get lost in the shuffle.


As a part of T.E.S.T, what do you believe your shop brings to the team?

On a personal level, I'm really looking forward to meeting other sellers and learning from their experiences. I think that I will be able to offer some of my own thoughts and ideas, as well! It's really important for small business owners and crafty folk to stick together. Generally, we're all in it for the same reasons and we can learn so much from each other.

What can we expect in the future for "MAYBE MADE"?

My shop is still relatively new, so I feel like the sky is the limit! I plan on continuing to create the simple yet sturdy classic pouch design, but I would also like to expand my vision and create some fancier pieces for special occasions. I'm also really excited to create some items for the cyclists out there. I'm an avid cyclist myself and I'm always looking for cute bike stuff to show off my own style. Look out for that in the near future!

Check out the other items available from Jessica in her MAYBE MADE Etsy Shop!. You can find more of her work on her MAYBEMADE website and blog, the MAYBEMADE Facebook page and followe MAYBE_MADE on twitter.

Interviewed by Raechel from DaisyandBoss in July, 2012, in Toronto.

T.E.S.T. interview: aTanaDesigns

We hope to introduce you to all the great etsy sellers to be found right here in Toronto. Here at the T.E.S.T. blog, we plan to interview them all. This is the 31^st in our series with Wendy of aTanaDesigns

Please introduce yourself and your work.

Hello, my name is Wendy and my shop is called aTana Designs!! “Atana” is a Sanskrit word meaning “Wandering” and that sums me up…I’m a daydreamer and I LOVE to travel! My love of art began early in my life as I always looked forward to art class in High School, and then I continued my love affair by graduating with a Bachelor in Fine Arts. I currently teach wonderfully talented students at an Arts School just outside of Toronto. I found my way into working with Precious Metal Clay and creating jewelry almost by fluke! I have always loved jewelry (much to the disappointment of my bank account and probably to my husband), and when the opportunity came up to “play” with this clay I was ecstatic. Ever since then I couldn’t get enough! I started by designing and making jewelry for myself and then for friends that were interested and then it lead me to the great universe of Etsy!

Tell us about your creative process?

It begins with inspiration I find in nature, travelling, art, and those who I surround myself with. It also begins with me wondering what I would want to wear! If I am taking a walk, or a run through the park, I notice the little things and wonder “hmmm, could this look good as wearable art?” Nature seems to be the most talented artist of them all! I keep my sketchbook close at hand and I always draw out potential designs before I get to work with my silver. I suppose my background as a visual artist has influenced my approach and the skills I have acquired as a “drawist” and painter have transcended into my creative work as a jewelry artist.

What has been your scariest experience?

With my jewelry making or with life?! I don’t know if I would deem an experience as scary with my Etsy business, but I do know that my experience with Canada Post may have been the most annoying. On my very first sale I thought my package was lost as it took over 2 weeks to ship something from the North end of Toronto to the West end! Thankfully it was shipping to a customer who was very understanding, and it eventually arrived!! Grrr…yes, Canada Post is my most frustrating experience!

With life…scariest must be realizing that as you get older you understand that your parents are always right!!

What memorable responses have you had to your work?

I always appreciate hearing feedback from customers and hearing the story of who they are buying jewelry for. I really like knowing if one of my pieces is intended for an anniversary, or a birthday, etc… I was very honoured in being mentioned in Roger's Digital Media, Sweetspot.ca, alongside some major names like Banana Republic, Swarovski, and Aldo as they featured one of my pendants as a holiday gem.

Perhaps my most recent gratifying moment is being able to donate my profits from my Silver Bunny Charm to the charity Rabbit Rescue. I have a bunny named Audrey, and I have a soft spot for these great animals so it was wonderful to be able to sell a product to customers and in turn be able to give back to a charity that is doing such fantastic work for animals! Check it out: www.etsy.com/listing/96542791/fine-silver-bunny-charm-all-profits-go

What’s your goal (professional and/or personal)?

As a jewelry artist my goal is to become a known name in Toronto. To have people recognize my jewelry and to see people walking down the street wearing my art! Personally, one of my goals is to be able to do a yoga hand balancing pose called the crow…my sense of balance gets the better of me! Oh, and my other goal is to travel the world!

If given a superpower, what would it be and why?

Hands down I would want to be able to fly!! I think this stems back to when I saw Disney’s Peter Pan and realized that I had the same name as Wendy, and I wondered why I didn’t have fairy dust from Tinkerbell too! Imagine being able to fly…I could then easily accomplish the goal of seeing the world, and I would laugh at all the cars stuck on the 401 as I soared to and from work!!

You can find more of Wendy's work in her etsy shop and you can 'like' the aTana Designs Facebook page. Interviewed in Toronto by Arianne of Ariannelim in May, 2012.

T.E.S.T. Interview: Ariannelim

We hope to introduce you to all the great etsy sellers to be found right here in Toronto. Here at the T.E.S.T. blog, we plan to interview them all. This is the 30^th in our series with Arianne of Ariannelim.

What led you to begin your business as an Etsy shop owner?

I always wanted to have my own business & when I found out about Etsy few years back, seeing all those accomplished shop owners made me tell myself, "I can be that too!" I started with jewelry at first, mainly fabric covered ones, since I had a lot of left over fabrics from when I was finishing my Residential Design program. Unfortunately, that didn't do well, and I closed my shop. Then last year, I saw this cute little sewing machine online and thought maybe I should take up sewing. So, a week later I signed up for my sewing lessons, and I was hooked =D I decided to open my shop and started selling purses & handbags.

I notice that your shop is full of beautiful vibrant colours. What colour is your favourite?

I love anything pretty and bright; however, if I were to choose, I would say pink - I know, I'm quite girly =)

Where do you get your inspiration from?

Not sure how to answer this question. I don't really know...lol I guess anything that catches my attention - which is pretty much everything. But seriously, I get it from my hubby, my mom & my sisters. As you notice in my shop, most of my items are bright and colorful, just like them! They inspire me to extend their craziness to whatever it is that I make.

What have you found to be the most rewarding thing about Ariannelim?

Since I started my purse business and Etsy shop, I've had this feeling of satisfaction and independence. It requires hard work and a lot of hours, but at the same time I get to be in control of running and growing my business. All of the decision making are up to me, once in awhile I would ask my hubby or my family for their opinions, but in the end I get to decide what's best for my business.

Also, it's most rewarding to know that customers love my work. Knowing that someone is happy with the item I made, makes the extra hours worthwhile =)

To date, what have you found to be the most challenging?

For me, it's locating wholesale suppliers to make my purses. It's odd that there aren't any in Toronto (maybe there are, I just haven't found them,lol)

Obviously purses are your passion, but if you had to choose one other fashion accessory what would it be?

Earrings! I love earrings! Can't or won't leave the house without them.

How big is your own personal purse collection?

Ohhh, I'm not sure...I think I have 2 boxes full of my own bags and purses.

If someone wrote a biography about you, what do you think the title should be?

Short & Sweet: A charming tale of sweet little me. If you ask anyone I know, they'll all probably agree. Short because I only stand about 5' 1", can't even get into being a flight attendant, which was one of my dream jobs, because of the height requirements...lol. Sweet because I'm sweet & charming, haha, and I love sweets and desserts ♥♥♥

You can find more of Arianne's work in her etsy shop. Interviewed in Toronto in May, 2012, by Wendy of aTanaDesigns.

T.E.S.T. interview: BLISSFULpatterns

We hope to introduce you to all the great etsy sellers to be found right here in Toronto. Here at the T.E.S.T. blog, we plan to interview them all. This is the 29^th in our series with Shannon of BLISSFULsew and BLISSFULpatterns.


Tell me a little bit about yourself

I am a happily married mom of two boys; 4 years and 6 months. I turned 40 last week and am actually pretty pleased with where I am at in my life so I feel very lucky. I grew up mainly in a small town a couple of hours north of Toronto and in Toronto and have always loved city life but possibly because I have the benefit of getting away to the quiet of my parents home regularly which keeps me a bit sane.

When and Why did you start your business?

I have always loved fabric, bought too much fabric, and have all sorts of ideas of sewing fabric, putting fabric color combinations together, dreaming of sewing and cutting and making new things with fabric, ... get the idea? I LOVE fabric; mainly cottons. So I have always mended and fixed clothes and other things for my friends, neighbors etc and about 4 years ago I started making lots of custom shower gifts for my friends who were having babies and becoming moms. Then I discovered Etsy and it became a bit more formalized.

What prompted you to open an etsy shop?

My BFF told me about Etsy 2½ years ago and I remember staying up all night, surfing through these amazing shops, seeing gorgeous fabrics I had never seen before and drooling at all the wonderful things people had made. I could not believe there was such a place to make the things I wanted to make and possibly pay for my hobby. I've never really been super net savvy or screen happy so I am sure there were tons of other places I could have looked at before that but honestly it just did not really occur to me. So I ended up opening up my first etsy shop BlissfulSew and listed and started selling things I made. I have to admit, I have since kind of abandoned it as I have branched off in too many other directions.

Besides your Etsy shop, what other selling, websites or shows etc do you do?

I opened a second Etsy shop called BlissfulPatterns about 2 years ago where I make PDF sewing patterns for all the ideas swirling around in my head. My second shop makes me very happy as I get to create and improve on all these projects and then provide a pattern for someone else to do it also. I am constantly amazed when my customers send me photos of what they made with my patterns and I see these amazing creations that are now out in this huge world of ours and have started with a little idea in my head. I know it sounds silly but it really constantly blows me away. My patterns are listed on 3 wholesalers outside of Etsy in the US and Australia. I also go to craft and artisan shows with my sewing to try to make a little money. (to buy more fabric of course!)

What is your source for inspiration?

For my sewing, I am always trying to improve on the things I sew and use every day; particularly mommy and baby things as that has been my main life the past few years. For example, I put snaps on my bibs instead of scratchy velcro, add little details on my bags and organize things in my house into fabric baskets, new blinds and curtains, pillow cases, etc. Just like most crafters, I am always working on about 6 different projects at a time (usually half for us and half for friends and family which usually pays for my little personal projects. I am inspired everyday when I am out and about walking as so many things are made of fabric of some sort and I am constantly looking at everything with an eye as to how to make it. I bought an iphone two years ago and it changed my life because now I take photos all over the place of things I like that I want to make or usually make and change somehow. For example, my new Criss Cross Bag pattern stems from a bag hanging off the sun umbrella next to us in the Dominican in January on our family trip. Its a little weird how I look at things as I deconstruct them in my head to see how they were put together and which order the layers were sewn and the various steps it takes to finish something. Its kind of like engineer sewing I guess! That is what led to my patterns shop.

Do you have a bread and butter or day job?

Not anymore, I lost my job in a restructuring in the financial industry last year while I was pregnant with baby number 2. I was a sales associate for an investment firm and mainly did stock trading and I did not realize how stressful it was till I didn't do it every day. I still miss the stock market a lot, and the steady pay cheque of course but not the hectic pace. I absolutely love being at home with my boys.

What is your best marketing/selling/entrepreneurial tip for other craft artisans?

Ask everyone who does something similar to you about their best tips, shows, websites, materials, shops, and write it down. I have learned so much from so many other successful artisans at shows the past couple of years by just asking what they suggest. However, make sure you recognize that we all have different standards and make different things. I made the mistake of doing a couple of shows recommended by people doing something totally different to me, with a different target market. It was a total waste of my time and vendor fees.

Your pattern feedback is outstanding, do you have a creative process to put these together? How do you decide what instructions/tips/photographs to include?

Thank you for the kind words, I value my feedback and customers comments a lot, I feel like it does reflect on me personally as a business owner and on my products. I have a standard template that I created that I use for all of my patterns now and I try to incorporate as many photos as I can cram in as I am a visible person myself. I include the sewing tips and suggestions I have figured out over many years of sewing and I make myself available by email if someone has any problems. I have incorporated several suggestions from customers into my revised patterns. I also always offer a free pattern of their choice to the first 2-3 people who buy a brand new pattern if they will critique the new one and give any suggestions. After looking at them and proofing them for so long myself, I think another set of eyes is great.

You have both a pattern shop and a handmade shop - is one easier to maintain than the other?

The pattern shop takes more regular work as I renew and email out orders throughout the day, but its less time overall as I am not packaging and going to the post office. However, mainly its less work because I have been ignoring my handmade shop to get the pattern shop going. [Editor's note: While Shannon has been focused on her pattern shop, there are still handmade items available in her sewing shop, so be sure to have a look at both.]

You can find more of Shannon's work in her Etsy shops BLISSFULsew and BLISSFULpatterns, and you can 'like' her BLISSFULSew Facebook Page.

Interviewed by Steph of stuffbysteph77 in May, 2012.

T.E.S.T. interview: Stuffbysteph77

We hope to introduce you to all the great etsy sellers to be found right here in Toronto. Here at the T.E.S.T. blog, we plan to interview them all. This is the 28^th in our series with Steph of stuffbysteph77.


Tell me a little bit about yourself

I was born & raised in Northern Ontario, the winter months could be bitterly cold and needing indoor activities to entertain myself, it seems I turned to crafts to keep me busy. I can remember trying to learn many different crafty hobbies but nothing really interested me more than paper and cards; I liked the happiness my handmade construction paper cards brought to the people I gave them to and my love for paper really took off from there. I have a pretty impressive paper collection and love hunting down just the right piece. Colour, weight, texture, age - it all matters when I’m planning a layout (card design or scrap booking). Paper makes me happy.

When and Why did you start your business? what prompted you to open an etsy shop?

Several years ago I faced a major health crisis, lost a significant amount of my vision and was unable to continue working full time, this severely affected my ability to contribute to the charities I was/am involved with. I had been getting such positive feedback from friends and family with the greeting cards I made for them that I was ready to take the risk of offering them for sale. When I discovered Etsy, it was the perfect venue for trying to sell my creations and I very quickly learned that I could use this as a tool to continue to raise funds and support my charity work.

What is your source for inspiration?

I find inspiration everywhere! Inside, outside, online … I feel very fortunate to have had the vision I had for the first twenty-something years, I know colours and textures and what looks nice together. I don’t think I’m really influenced by any person in particular, for me it is all about the paper and what I can see it being made into. The kids in my life really inspire me to get down and see things from their eyes and I think this does play a part in where I get inspiration from. I’m also hopelessly addicted to Pinterest and can spend a lot of time browsing & pinning. My Pinterest address is pinterest.com/stephaniess/

Besides your Etsy shop, what other selling, websites or shows etc do you do?

One of the reasons Etsy works well for me is as I am painfully shy (ridiculously, some might say) which doesn’t allow for a lot of activities where I actually have to speak to people. There have been a few occasions where I’ve brought my creations to get-togethers or house parties and was successful but other than that, I stick to Etsy. I also have a twitter feed: @stuffbysteph

Do you have a bread and butter or day job?

At this time, no. I do some consultations and behind the scenes paperwork and program planning, but not on a full time basis by any means.

What is your best marketing/selling/entrepreneurial tip for other craft artisans?

Love what you do! The biggest ‘lesson’ that being an Etsy seller taught me was to stick to what’s in your heart and love what you do. I fell behind and kind of lost interest in creating when I had a spell of ‘what can I make that will sell?’ It showed almost immediately in my shop success, views were down and sales were like tumbleweeds. Once I went back to simply making what I like to make, it made an instant difference.It is still not what it once was before illness took over, but is getting better every day

How does being legally blind affect your work processes/extra steps?

Because I have vision left in the upper portion of both eyes, it’s quite a sight when I’m deep in creating - I flip myself upside down and generally work with my head on the floor so I can get the best view… it’s a lot of planning and staying organized but I knew I had to find the best way to continue and so far, this works! The hardest part still is the photography, I haven’t found a way to work around the blind spots and using the screen on the digital camera is the only way to take pictures ( I cannot see through the older camera view holes) For every picture that I get to use, there’s usually about 20 more unusable ones and that can get frustrating. But I just wait for ‘good light days’ and take as many as I can and sort through and edit for the next couple of days.

Do you have any special tools/software etc. that help to make your work easier?

Yes, I have software from the CNIB for my PC that enlarges both type and images and a setting to contrast only to black and white (the easiest colours to see when reading type) I do also have some handheld magnifiers and extra large print rulers for taking measurements and even spacing.

Find more stuff by Steph in her shop, or follow her on twitter and Pinterest.

Interviewed by Shannon of BLISSFULpatterns and BLISSFULsew in May, 2012. Shannon writes, "Steph's story is a great one to share. I have learned a lot from her and we have not even met. We have been swapping ideas on how to make her creating process easier to utilize the sight in the top portion of her eyes so she does not need to lie down and work above her head to make her cards! Makes my mad dash up to my sewing room when the kids are sleeping seem like a breeze!!"

T.E.S.T. interview: thunderpeep

We hope to introduce you to all the great etsy sellers to be found right here in Toronto. Here at the T.E.S.T. blog, we plan to interview them all. This is the 27^th in our series with Michelle of thunderpeep.


Tell me about your creative/design background.

When I was 4 I got one of those Crayola Carousels from Santa and it changed my life. I would doodle on anything and everything. I got into a lot of trouble, especially after I decided that the brand new frilly pink sheet set my mom bought was just too plain and needed some of my creative input. Doodling shapes and patterns stayed with me as I found a more structured career in Graphic Design, mostly working in Editorial design, but when I started to get creatively frustrated with work I just started doing my own thing to blow off steam.

Your designs seem to draw from clean/crisp elements, what inspires your "look"?

My biggest influences and inspirations are drawn from Scandinavian designers. They are known for their use of colour and functionalism. I love to escape to magical places, and the really crisp clean 2D work lends itself well to the folk stories that tend to inspire the stories in my art .

If you were an animal, what would you be?

Polar Bear. I love Polar bears! I love the cold, the snow, the arctic. And looks can be deceiving ;) I can't believe I don't have any polar bears anywhere in any of my pieces……

How did you come about starting your Etsy shop?

A friend of mine turned me onto the site, purely as a shopper (and I was fully addicted). About a year later I started up my shop, but it took me awhile to really take it seriously, find my place and really invest in it. For me now, it's this amazing and supportive community, kind of like my big ol' crafty family as well as a place to sell my work :)

Tell me about the people that inspire you.

I am attracted to people who don't fit the mold. I'm a total nerd, and I'm ok with that. I don't care if you're laughing at me or with me, as long as you're having a good time. Although if you're laughing with me, you really are my kinda peep! I am inspired by people who aren't afraid to just be who they are, without worrying about what everyone else thinks.

I think they are the most successful people, and I like to be around people who challenge me to push myself.

I am also inspired by people who make me think in different and more interesting ways, that's party why I love meeting people from different places. We have so much to learn from each other.

What do you enjoy doing when you're not creating?

I used to spend a lot of time getting lost in the woods when I lived in Vancouver. I don't find that same escape here, so I'm trying to find more industrial ways to get lost. I am a walker (and not in the Walking Dead kind of way) I don't have a car and am a bit too claustrophobic to deal with transit so I tend to walk everywhere I can. I like to walk off the main streets and just wander through neighbourhoods. Luckily Toronto has a ton of interesting neighbourhoods to get lost in, and it'll take me awhile to adventure through them all. But when the opportunity arises to get the heck out of the city…. SEE YA!! I also love watching movies, I watch an insane amount of them. I love foreign and horror, especially the 2 together!

You can find more of Michelle's work in the thunderpeep Etsy shop, on her blog, or on the thunderpeep Facebook or you can follow thunderpeep on Twitter and be sure to visit Michelle's website: Thunderpeep Designs.

Interviewed in April and May, 2012 by Rob of RobertRatPrints.