An Interview with... ThreadThisFabric!

When did you start selling?

Thread This Fabric launched in September 2010. It started out as a dream between two friends. Brittany has an Etsy shop and we would drool over all the pretty fabrics she used. As a joke we said, “Oh, we should open our own fabric shop and stop giving all our money to Joann's!” Then, when we actually started thinking about it we decided, "Why not?" We researched how to become a fabric retailer then opened our first account with Riley Blake and started listing! The rest is history!
 

 What's your life outside of Etsy like?

We are two stay-at-home moms. I, Amanda, have 2 kids, Fallon(2) and Ethan(1 mo). I used to be a pharmacy technician but decided to stay home when I got pregnant with my son. Brittany has 2 kids also, Kendra(4) and Lucas(2). Brittany is a seamstress and runs another Etsy shop, HandmadeByBritt, which sells crayon rolls, aprons, backpacks, lunch bags, and purses. She sews beautiful things for both of our children and ALL of our friends!
 
What are your plans for your shop for 2011?

We are planning to add some new accounts. We are currently working towards Michael Miller. We also want to expand our appliqué section and add new designs and fabric choices. Also, Brittany is working on some PDF patterns for us to sell. We are excited about the new products we will soon have to offer our customers!

Do you sell in other venues outside of Etsy?

No, not at this time. Our big dream is to one day open a store in an actual building!

Favorite season? Favorite beverage? Favorite dessert?

Brittany: Fall, Coke, Cheesecake
Amanda: Winter, Dr. Pepper, Brownies

What’s your superhero power?

　We like to think that our superhero power is the ability to zap color and design into everyday living with our beautiful fabrics that can bring life into clothes, throw pillows, curtains, and whatever else our customers can dream up!

 

What's your top suggestion to new Etsy shops starting out?

The number one thing that has helped us is advertising. We advertise on craft/sewing blogs. You should match the content of the blog so that you are sure to target your customers.

Check out ThreadThisFabric here!

An Interview with... EarthlyLeatherDesign

When did you start selling?

I decided to start selling towards the end of last year. I had so many friends requesting items from me; that I thought why not see if anyone else would be interested in what I am doing.
Since I am doing so well now, I thought selling supplies would be the next great step in my business. When I began I was looking around for supplies, but most places want you to buy in bulk. So now I buy in bulk and offer people what I couldn’t find before, a reasonably amount of goods at a reasonable price. I hope that it takes off, so I may eventually have to open a second store just for supplies.

Any new product lines coming out?

I really plan on working on my supply line this summer. I always have extra leather lying around; if I am not using it then I would like to see someone else give it a go at making something out of it.
I plan on offering a larger variety of leather, buttons, and hopefully even some tools. I want to offer leather lace, closures, and rivets. It’s a work in progress and I will get there and hopefully beyond.
What is great is anyone can use leather scraps for just about anything. I have a couple customers buying scraps for accents on there bags or to make strap closures for purses.
Leather has endless possibilites.

 
What are your plans for (your shop) for 2011?

I plan on to just keep on working at it. The shop is really starting to take off, and it’s great to see all of my hard work and hard earned money well spent. My life is always an adventure I can’t wait to see what is around the next turn.

Were you creative growing up?

I’ve always been creative, whether I have been crafting with leather or making my own reenactment clothing. I have always had some sort of crafting project in my life. I’ve tried painting/drawing, knitting, quilting (thought I didn’t get very far with that project), wood burning, let’s just say if it’s a craft I have probably tried it.
But I love leather the most. It comes so natural to me, like second nature.

Favorite season? Favorite beverage? Favorite dessert?

I love Spring! Different kinds of Juices. I would kill someone for a Hot Fudge Spilt with Banana Ice Cream.

What's your superhero power?

I can see the future. It’s nice to know what your customers are going to buy so you can make it for them.

Any type of craft you would love to try?

I have always wanted to try pottery. It fascinates me; I really envy people that have that kind of talent.

What's your top suggestion to new Etsy shops starting out?

If your not doing something original at least try to make it your own. I’ve looked around and there are a lot of leather crafters out there. I have yet to find someone that does work similar to mine.
Don’t give up; you have to do the work to see the results. If you’re not out there promoting yourself people won’t find you. I probably spend just as much time promoting myself as I do working on items. It’s all about balance and finding what works for you. Most people like to be organized, but I find a nice dose of Chaos makes my world go round much easier. I always try to do things outside the box.

Check out EarthlyLeatherDesign here

Interview with... allthepreciousthings

How did allthepreciousthings come to be?

A few years ago I discovered the addictive pursuit of “Op Shopping”. Cruising Sydney’s Op Shops (“charity stores”, as they’re known overseas?) became my favourite way to spend time – sorting through them to find beautiful and quirky vintage gems. I hoarded a whole lot of depression glassware, buttons, linens, patterns, aprons and books, and eventually had to start buying glass display cabinets to house them all. My husband coined the phrase “all the precious things” when referring to my ever growing collections.

I realised that I had far more than I could ever use, at about the same time that I discovered Etsy (as a buyer) – so I decided to open a shop.

 

 What do you do when you aren't selling supplies?

My part-time (paid) career is as a sonographer in a large diagnostic Breast Clinic – this means I do Ultrasound (sonograms), generally looking for breast cancer.

My full-time (unpaid) career is as a wife and Mum, to my 18 year old son, Mitchell, and my 16 year old daughter, Courtney, who has severe Autism and Epilepsy. When Courtney finishes school at the end of next year, it’s going to be harder for me to go out to work in the city, so my online work will probably have to take over as my main source of income.

What do you like most about selling supplies?

I love having the patterns, buttons and fabrics in my care for a while, so I can admire and enjoy them before passing them on. The graphics on the old sewing patterns are so beautiful – usually hand-drawn and coloured.

Selling vintage means I never know what I’ll discover next.

 

 What are your goals for your Supply Business for 2011?

I have a pile of really old (1930s and 40s) knitting, sewing and crochet patterns that I want to restore and digitalise. When I have them organised, I’ll be opening my third Etsy store, www.PDFpreciousthings.etsy.com

And I’d like to start my own website and blog!

 

 Are you an artist and do you work with the supplies that you sell? What is it that you make with them and do you have any tips for using your supplies?

I’m a lifelong artist. It’s just that the medium I work with keeps changing! I went to Art college for 2 years, and learned everything from drawing, to painting and printmaking. At other times I’ve dabbled in lead-lighting, quilting, photography and ceramics. Mum taught me to sew as a young girl, and that’s been an ongoing, evolving pursuit. I’ve only recently discovered vintage patterns, buttons, fabrics and trim; and it’s changed everything about the way I sew. Rather than buying modern patterns, I prefer vintage styles and always have an eye out for patterns to add to my own collection.

I love vintage fabrics, and have an enormous stash which threatens to take over the house!

My collection of vintage knitting needles, buttons and fabrics is my supply stash for my second Etsy shop, www.sewnewthings.etsy.com ,where I sell my upcycled knitting needle bracelets and handmade bags and accessories.

Visit allthepreciousthing's main store here: www.allthepreciousthings.etsy.com 

An interview with appliqueheaven...

1) How did appliqueheaven come to be? 
" appliqueheaven is supposed to be all appliques and my other shop northernwarmthings is supposed to be things I make...however people keep buying appliques from both shops and i don't get much else done...that's ok...I love just doing...make and do...my first shop on etsy was selling mitt and moccasin patterns and what I had made but thhe price of shipping is so high it made me feel bad....so appliques for now."

2) What do you like Most about selling Supplies?
 "What I like the most is the people I meet and what they do with what they buy from me...interesting and creative. "
  
3) What are your Goals for your Supply Business for 2011?
 "My goal is always to do a good job and see what happens. I love having shops on etsy and meeting people all over the world. Once a buyer in Latvia told me her sewing machine didn't work and by email we fixed it...that was memorable.!! "

4) Are you an artist and do you work with the supplies that you sell? 
What is it that you make with them and do you have any tips for using your supplies?
 "I use the appliques I make...mostly on grandkids clothes and have made plain iron ons to patch my husband's clothes. I also use them in baby quilts that I make for gifts....and i have used them for greeting cards. I used some to decorate a hard plastic garbage can and that was fun. When our snow melts I plan to decorate some big rocks with appliques.

I love selling the appliques as supplies and see what buyers do with them...they often make kids' clothes and sell them in their own etsy shops. Some etsy shops use them to make hair clips or bibs or cards or you never know what next. I have regular buyers who use them for their own kids' clothes."

5) What do you do when you aren't selling supplies?
 "I am in my 60's and have been sewing since I was a kid and started on a treadle sewing machine. I love to sew leather and it is especially fun as it does not ravel and looks so rich. When I am not making appliques you will find me making quilts and the last one was bought by our bank manager. "

An Interview with swirlsofcreativity

1) How did swirlsofcreativity come to be?

"I sold some leftover tulle I had from a project and found it sold well. Then I decided that I would bring awesome products made in the U.S.A., that I found hard to find, to customers. I found the quality to be superior for making my daughter tutus and it feels good to sell products that help our economy.

Also, after much stress at a job, my husband took a pay cut to be less stressed and spend more time with our children and me. And I have found selling supplies is a way that I can help contribute financially to our family’s income."

2) What do you like Most about selling Supplies?

"Giving the customers access to well-made products that aren’t always the easiest to find is always rewarding. Also, I don’t have as much time to create art to make a living, what with being busy with our children a lot of the time; supplies are easier since I’m not making them. ;)"

3) What are your Goals for your Supply Business for 2011?

"I’m always hoping to bring new supplies to my shop. Right now I have many items that are just waiting to be photographed and descriptions written in order to enter my shop. I’ve been nurturing a few ideas of new products I would like to bring to my customers as well this year."

  4) Are you an artist and do you work with the supplies that you sell? What is it that you make with them and do you have any tips for using your supplies?

"I am an artist and I do enjoy making items with the supplies when I have the time. I’ve made a few tutus for my daughter and nieces. I like to use tulle on gift tags and cards that I hand stamp. It is fun to use while wrapping gifts and for decorations too. The possibilities are endless! There are so many things that I would like to try with tulle. I’m hoping to begin doing tutorials on my blog showing how to make tutus, decorations, and gifts."

5) What do you do when you aren't selling supplies?

"I enjoy spending time with my family. We have a son who is 7, a daughter who is 3, and I’m super pregnant and due any day with our 3rd child. We enjoy reading, learning, crafting, cooking/baking, photography, playing games, watching movies, traveling and exploring new places. During the warmer months (we live in Iowa) we enjoy spending more time outdoors: hiking, camping, gardening, and going to garage sales."

You can find SwirlsofCreativity at the following links as well:
twitter.com/SwirlCreativity
www.facebook.com/pages/Swirls-of-Creativity/162660381755
www.facebook.com/people/Heidi-Jo-the-Artist/100000305370962
www.myspace.com/swirlsofcreativity
swirlsofcreativity.blogspot.com 

An Interview with trimgoddess

1) How did trimgoddess come to be?

"Over 12 years ago my husband and I joined the SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism) dedicated to recreating the middle ages. So distinctive trimmings for our costumes were a must. It all started that way, I searched for ideal Jacquard woven trimmings and found a textile mill still manufacturing traditional ribbons on antique Jacquard machines. After creating costumes for both of us, I made some for others using these trimmings. After a very short time I realized that the trimmings were in high demand by other costume makers and I started selling them from the back of my van on a card table at SCA events. In a matter of 6 months I went from selling off one card table, to 4 6ft tables under a pop up tent, then to a 20ft tent with 10 tables and shelves. As this was back-breaking work, I started to sell my trims on line through ebay. Then a little later I created my own show-case website http://www.continentalstitcherytrims.com and in 2007 I added to it a shopping cart and full e=commerce capabilities.

When ebay raised their fees and changed their outlook, it was time to move. I first sold on ebid for 3 months then I moved to etsy in mid 2008 at http://www.trimgoddess.com and the rest is history.

My business logo was a naked woman rising from the sea holding a shield with a crowned rose. And nearly everyone called her the trim goddess ! So that was the name I chose for my etsy shop."

2) What do you like Most about selling Supplies?

"I love finding the right trim for the right outfit or use. I love seeing what others do with them. I love the feel and colors of the rich textiles I specialize in. I like fashion and design and working with designers. I visit museums and exhibitions for my continuing education in my field. During the New Years break I visited the Textile Museum in Washington, DC to view the "Colors of the Oasis, Central Asian Ikats" exhibition. It was amazing and inspirational. http://www.textilemuseum.org . I love doing historical research.

Then most of all, I like commerce in general. Buying and selling is something I enjoy. It is never boring, and you get to know so many interesting people."

3) What are your Goals for your Supply Business for 2011?

"I will be adding some wonderful new trim patterns by Kaffee Fasset in the coming month. I am so looking forward to presenting these, as Kaffee Fassett is such a great contemporary textile artist.

Optimizing social networking is also one of my goals. I have a FaceBook business page at http://1url.com/wh2 that keeps me in touch with my customers and where I let them know what is going on in our little TextileTrim world. My FaceBook posts get automatically posted to my twitter account."

4) Are you an artist and do you work with the supplies that you sell? What is it that you make with them and do you have any tips for using your supplies?

"I use my Jacquard trims to adorn my medieval outfits, then I also use my bolt remnants to make a small line of bookmarks, and from time to time I create quilts and wall hangings with them."

5) What do you do when you aren't selling supplies?

"Selling my trims is a full time job, all my other activities are second to it. I create bead-woven jewelry and collaborate in my husband's lapidary business. Our etsy shop is http://www.crownrosegems.com  "

An interview with Overspill

 

overspill on Etsy

1) How did Overspill come to be?

" 10 years ago I set up a small business selling hand made quilts and hand knits, which was hard work, but a lot of fun. When, 4 years ago, I found myself expecting my daughter, I realized that I was going to have to find something else to do that was closer to home and more manageable with a small one around. I gave up my studio space and started selling off my excess supplies while I thought about it. Then I discovered just how much fun supplies and haberdashery were and invested my savings from not paying studio rent into more stock. From there, things just sort of grew..."

2) What do you like Most about selling Supplies?

"All of it! Well, except for doing the books - I don't enjoy that part much. But I love haberdashery for it's usefulness and for it's beauty - rolls of ribbons draping themselves over the table, shades of binding stacked up into a rainbow and quite honestly, playing with buttons is so much
fun it shouldn't be called work! "

3) What are your Goals for your Supply Business for 2011? 

"Goals? You mean I'm meant to have some sort of plan?
ok - the main goal is to start producing more handmade supplies, particularly buttons and bias binding. Certainly in the UK, the supplies market has contracted to the point where most items are coming from a handful of large companies - I want to be able to offer my customers something different, something that you won't find elsewhere and that will, hopefully, inspire them to go on to make their own unique pieces. To this end, I've also set up my website www.boutonnerie.com/ where I sell handmade buttons by other artisans."
 

4) Are you an artist and do you work with the supplies that you sell? 

What is it that you make with them and do you have any tips for using your supplies? 

 

"My handmades textiles are still chugging along at www.etsy.com/shop/CarolineHardy though I have to say that my focus has switched recently. A year ago I was lucky enough to buy a kiln and since then I've become gradually more and more obsessed with clay. I suspect that over the next few years, I will be working more and more with this, in both my handmades and supplies shops.

Tips? Nothing really on techniques, but I would say, whatever medium you work in - experiment! Play around, have fun, explore all the possibilities. When I was sewing full time, a lot of people informed me "You can't make quilts out of [fleece, velvet, upholstry chenille]" while I was, quite successfully doing just that very thing. Don't ever listen to the voices that say "You can't....". You can - you just have to find a way. "

5) What do you do when you aren't selling supplies?

"My partner is also self employed, so with 2 businesses, a small child and a half-acre holding on which we grow much of our food plus medicinal herbs and dyeplants, we don't have an awful lot of time for much else. If there is any spare time I can usually be found with my nose in a book or up to my elbows in clay!"

 

You can follow Overspill all over the web at the following links:

FabricOverspill on Etsy

CarolineHardy on Etsy

boutonnerie Her Website

On Twitter

On Her Blog:

What a Busy Busy Gal!