Friday, January 28, 2011

Feature Friday - SinceSass


Happy Friday, everyone!

This gorgeous weather calls for a picnic in the park! Grab a blanket, a picnic basket filled with goodies, and hide your bottle of wine in this sassy reusable wine tote.

What a better way to passively relish in your before-5pm outdoor drinking escapade! I love the irony! and the pink!
The beautiful clear photos in the SinceSass etsy shop showcase her super-cute products wonderfully! She's got plenty of trinkets that could be fun whimsical hostess gifts, or just something special for yourself!

Enjoy this interview with one of our newest members, Stephanie!


1. What is your shop name and URL?


2. To which Etsy Teams do you belong?

SF Etsy and Etsy Trade-a-holics
3. Please tell us about the items in your Etsy shop. What do you make? How
did you learn your craft? What is involved in your creative process?

I make accessories with a little sass. This includes totes, wine bags,
pouches, and wallets. All items are made for daily use, but made with a
little something extra. I want the item to last and be fun. If you have to
use an item everyday, it should make you smile or make you want to show it
off!

I learned to sew when I was 11. My mom thought it was important that my
sister and I learned the basics of sewing and how to use a sewing machine,
and that's what I got on my 11th birthday. I've always had a sewing machine,
but it wasn't until a few years ago when I got into making items. I usually
made gifts for my friends or remixed thrift store clothing. I think the
combination of crafts becoming "popular" again and my mom always sewing as a
hobby influenced me to make more items. It's also great that I had the
basics of sewing already down so I could start creating my own designs right
away. My mom was right about it coming in handy one day! Props to her.

I really don't have a set creative process. Usually when an idea pops into
my head or I see something around me that inspries me, I quickly write it
down so I don't forget. Either I already have an idea when I start to make
something and find the materials to do so, or I don't have an idea and look
at what I have for inspiration. I try to make something new everyday so I'm
always experimenting with new techiques or materials.


4. Tell us two (or more) other interesting things about you.

I have one blue eye and one green eye. Most people can't tell unless they
are looking at me directly and in natural sunlight. I don't think my body
could decide on an eye color so it picked both.

I was born and raised in Las Vegas (Wayne Newton lived around the corner
from me) and moved to San Francisco to go to college. I've been here ever
since.

My favorite kitchen item is the crock pot. I use it at least once a week to
make delicous meals and I'm kind of obsessed with it. If you have a good
recipe, send it my way!

My dad's name is Michael Bolton but he is not THE Michael Bolton. Yes, it's
just like movie Office Space and just as painful.


5. How did you get involved with Etsy?

My coworker had an Etsy shop for a while and I was encouraged by my friends
to start one. She helped me with the details and I finally got going on it.
I actually started the process in 2008, but it wasn't until November 2010
that I actually started listing items. Now I'm on it everyday, all day.


6.
What is your biggest challenge related to your Etsy shop?

I'm still new and learning, but the first big challenge I had was making
enough inventory. Gathering materials, cutting, putting everything together
then sewing it can be time consuming and I think I underestimated that.
After a few days without sleep and nutrishment, I had to be more realistic
about what I could make in a set timeframe (and with a full time job). My
goal is to have 50 items in my shop by the end of January and I think I can
do it!


7. What advice do you have for other folks selling or buying on Etsy?

Research, research, research! The forums and community on Etsy are amazing.
I was a little naive about the process and everything that's involve. I wish
I took more time to setup the details before I dove in, but I learned fast
thanks to the forums and chats. It really is the best resource and there is
amazing support from other sellers.


8. What has been your biggest success and/or proudest moment since opening your
Etsy shop?

Selling my first item! That was the best feeling and my shop had only been
open about two weeks. It was my most expensive item too!


9. What is the craziest gift you have ever received?

A life-sized glass head from my mom on my 12th birthday. She saw it and
thought of me. At the time, I wasn't sure what to make of it, but I still
have it and it's displayed on my bookcase.


10. Where else can we find out more about you and/or your creations?

My Facebook page is http
www.facebook.com/SinceSass and my twitter link is
www.twitter.com/SinceSass


If you're an Etsy seller in the San Francisco Bay Area, contact Jen from Mama's Magic Studio about joining SFEtsy!


1 comment:

Jen (Mama's Magic Studio) said...

i love it that mom was right! (yay for moms!) great interview -- loved learning more about you and your work!

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