A few weeks ago I was browsing around Etsy and stumbled upon Joom’s shop. I was thrilled to find all of these gorgeous birdie related goods. I ordered the Teal Bird on Cherry Blossom Pillow and I am in LOVE!

It is just so perfect for me and it has brightened up my living room in a huge way! Thanks Joom, I’ll be back for more!

Site: www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=47165 and www.joomk.com

I’m so happy to find out about these coasters!!! They are made by Michelle Smith who is also behind Smashing Mirrors and The Rock & Shop Market.

These coasters are the perfect accessory for keeping your beverage close at hand. Made from moisture absorbing stone, these coasters will brighten your day with their cheerful bird motif. Comes in a set of 2. Plus they are only $16!

Site: www.michelle-s.com

Okay I know that I said in my previous post that I wouldn’t be back until sometime in January but I just couldn’t stay away that long. I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday, and if you are like me you ended up with lots of cash to spend. So, why not spend your money at some fantastic indie sites who happen to be having some crazy sales.

Bonnin Designs – 30% off all Collection Jewelry until January 5th

Funky Utopia – Save up to 40% plus free domestic shipping until December 31st

My Favorite Mirror – Mirrors and coaster sets are on sale throughout the site

Weekend Jewelry – 20% off everything until January 15th

Elle B – 20% off everything on the site (that’s not already on sale for 50% off). The sale runs 12/26-12/31

Diva Tribe Boutique – 30% off everything until 1/2/07 with code holiday30

Rotem Gear – $8 off any purchase of $35 or more by using coupon code ROTEMHOLS!

Linda Trent Jewelry – 50% off entire site. Sale runs Dec 27 thru Dec 31st. Use code Yearend50 upon checkout

Lindsay’s Candles & Stuff – Automatically Save 25% Off Your Entire Order Between Now & 11:59pm EST December 31, 2006

Lucky Accessories – Shop the entire site for 40% off until Dec 31st! Use code 40%OFFEVERYTHING during checkout.

I hope you are all having an amazing holiday season! I’m going to be taking a brief vacation from my daily postings to enjoy some time with friends and family.

Meanwhile you can check out the new Winter 2007 Edition of Spotlight on Emerging Designers here. There are some coupons in there too like free shipping to save you a few bucks!

Thank you to all of our sponsors and the talented designers that we have featured on the site this year. Without you this would not be possible. I wish everyone a happy and healthy holiday and I’ll see you in 2007!

xoxo,
Anissa

This week our interview is with Vickey Jang the owner and designer at Bird In A Skirt. Her shop begain in 2004 as a place for her to sell her handmade bags and clothing. As of 2006 Bird In A Skirt re-emerged as a stationery retailer and wholesaler.

How did you get your start?

Like most crafters, I’ve been making stuff with my hands since I was a kid. In early 2004, I decided to turn my hobby into something more. With no web design experience, I blindly slapped together a website and launched it in September of 2004. I started off selling a little bit of everything that I made in my home studio: one-of-a-kind handbags, clothing, jewelry, and paper goods. In April of 2005, I quit my day job to work on my business full-time. Earlier this year, I dropped clothing and bags from my store and decided to only sell stationery. Even though handbags were my bestsellers, I had totally burnt out on sewing.

What was the first item you ever made?

The very first item I ever made for my store was a small zippered felt pouch that resembled a flower. I still have it. Someone bought it (my first sale!), but returned it to me when she saw that two of the felt leaves were glued on rather than sewn. I was totally crushed and humbled, but it taught me an important lesson about quality control: thread = good; glue gun = BAAAAD!

Do you have any formal training?

I have no formal training in graphic design. My background is in film and creative writing. I often wish I had studied design in college so that I could’ve had the skills to start my card business much sooner than I did.

When and why did you create your business?

My business launched in 2004 as a creative outlet. I was basically sick of the same office job I had held for the past seven years.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

Aside from being my own boss, coming up with new designs and getting positive feedback from my customers brings me a lot of joy.

Where do you get your inspiration from?

I draw inspiration from my pet bird, design blogs, magazines, other crafters, etc. I have a zillion craft sites bookmarked on my computer. There is inspiration to be found everywhere.

Who is your favourite designer?

In terms of fashion, I love Corey Lynn Calter and Tracy Reese. In terms of design, there are lots of indie letterpress card designers out there that I currently admire. Too many to name!

What one thing couldn’t you live without?

Aside from my pets, I cannot live without internet or e-mail. When you work from home and your “colleagues” are a dog and a parrot, the net becomes your life line to the world.

What will you be wearing this autumn/winter?

I’m pregnant with my first child right now, so the only fashions I’ll be sporting this winter will be empire-waist tops and yoga pants. Three words: Old Navy Maternity.

You’ve been very successful at selling your designs online, what advice would you give to other designers trying to sell online?

Don’t undersell yourself or your products. If you price things too low, you are underestimating the amount of time you’ve put into your craft, not to mention sending out a subliminal commentary on the quality and value of your product. In the very beginning, I was pricing my stuff so low that my hourly wage worked out to about five bucks. Remind yourself that you didn’t start your own business in order to make less than minimum wage! Another piece of advice is to participate in a lot of craft fairs. It allows you to interact with customers, which can be a great motivator, and is also a wonderful way to get your name out there. I have received wholesale orders from storeowners/buyers who have come across my booth.

Where do you hope you/your business will be in 5 years?

In five years, I hope to give myself a comfortable, steady salary. I would like to attend the National Stationery Show in New York City and try to get my cards into more shops.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

Follow your dreams. Trite, I know, but it’s sound advice.

Site: www.birdinaskirt.com

By: Anissa

Born in the summer of 2004, Squidfire is the brain child of Jean-Baptiste Regnard and Kevin Sherry. Squidfire’s purpose is to offer the public alternatives to the many shopping malls. They focus on quality, comfort and individuality. Their designs are printed on sweatshop free American Apparel products. All of their images are designed by hand and printed by hand, using manual presses.

Workout – A heather colored American Apparel tshirt is emblazoned with a young man reminding everyone that you have to stretch before any workout.

Stag 2.0 Blue – This army green American Apparel shirt is emblazoned with a fourteen point royal stag.

Site: www.squidfire.com

By: Anissa

D*S Shop is as unique as the limited-edition items it carries. For owner and the woman behind the Design Sponge blog, Grace Bonney, having a shop like this has been a dream. She has been a big supporter of the indie designer community and decided she wanted to make great design available to everyone everywhere. Each piece in the shop has been exclusively designed for D*S and nothing sells for more the 100 bucks.

Wildflower Pillows by Shelly Klein for k studio & Birdyheads by Amy Ruppel

Every month 10% of the site’s advertising revenue goes to a charity. Probably the most outstanding part of D*S Shop is that the artists take home 100% of their profits. Grace has truly created a site that gives artists a place to sell their work and support their small business, not about turning a profit for herself.

Site: www.designspongeshop.com

By: Anissa

Courtney Filer-Dougal is a jewelry instructor & mom of 2 that keeps sane by painting, jewelry-making, crafting, drinking coffee by the gallon and reminding herself that she will have a full nights sleep again someday. Her etsy shop is filled with gorgeous handmade jewelry that I have fallen hard for. The Confetti Earrings and the Layered Earrings are my favorites. You can also purchase the Confetti Earrings along with the Confetti Necklace to create a complete set.

Courtney uses vintage beads in many of her projects and takes the time to research where her new inventory is manufactured. She specifically avoids buying anything made in India & China and instead seeks out gemstones from Hong Kong. The supplies are much more expensive but are of superior quality and are manufactured by skilled artisans.

Site: www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=1542 and www.mysunsetroad.com

By: Anissa

It is that time of year when women everywhere start planning their outfits for all of the New Year’s Eve parties! Whether you have a work related event or are heading out on the town with your friends, paper-doll has the perfect dress for you.

Skyway Dress by OK47 & Shiver by Wonderlust

Paper-doll specializes in clothing by independent designers. Based out of Toronto, we try to bring to you some of Canada’s finest and freshest street wear. The company is owned by two young entrepreneurs who have taken their educational background (in computers and cultural studies) and fused it with their combined appreciation for electronic music, urban fashion, and contemporary culture to bring you a unique online shopping experience.

Site: www.paper-doll.com

By: Anissa

This week our interview is with Susie Ghahremani of boygirlparty. She dabbles in everything from music to illustration.

How did you get your start?

I’ve always made merch (buttons/t-shirts) for my solo music project, snoozer – and i felt like the products always had a life of their own, so eventually i started just making things that didn’t say ’snoozer’ on them!

What was the first item you ever made?

An owl in a tree button, for snoozer. My first official ‘craft’ items for craft’s sake though were probably my hand-painted buttons. each was different, and i sewed them into little sacks.

Do you have any formal training?

I studied illustration at the rhode island school of design.

When and why did you create your business?

When i began my website, it wasn’t really as a business, but more as a chronicle of the stuff i was making, and again- it started to have a life of its’ own. I was working at a pretty uncreative retail job but started getting response to my website – I was being offered illustrations in magazines, and so I decided to switch my focus. I quit my job, started illustrating, and meanwhile started developing a little store on my site to sell my music stuff.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

Doing something i love to do, everyday!

Where do you get your inspiration from?

Everything around me: my birds, teacups, incidental paint colors, old movies, fabric, skies, noises, cracks in sidewalks.

Who is your favourite designer?

Hmmm, i don’t think i have a favorite. i’m sorry, that’s a boring answer, but it’s true!

What will you be wearing this autumn/winter?

I live in southern california, so t-shirts! headbands. Lately, i like headbands.

You’ve been very successful at selling your designs online, what advice would you give to other designers trying to sell online?

Thank you! i guess i would recommend that designers always make things they believe in. not something they ‘think will sell’, but something they themselves love and never to betray their tastes. i see some young designers all over the place trying to follow in the footsteps of other designers, but i think your best chance at success is to above all else, be yourself!

Where do you hope you/your business will be in 5 years?

On vacation! seeing the world!

What’s the best piece of advice you?ve ever received?

“Sleep on it”

Site: www.boygirlparty.com

Photo by Christine Castro
By: Anissa