Share the Love Wednesdays: Indelible Impressions

This weeks interview is with Donna MacDonald from Indelible Impressions

Q. Tell us a little bit about yourself.
A. I have always enjoyed making things. I dabbled in sewing, cross-stitching, and wreath making. I have been paper crafting for about 10 years. It started when I went to a friend’s home rubber stamping party. I was immediately hooked! I demonstrated products at other people’s homes and taught classes occasionally. I also work full time as a Disability Management Coordinator for a large steel company.

Q. Tell us more about your shop and the kinds of things that you sell?
A. The products in my shop include vintage-inspired gift tags, greeting cards and invitations and a few more modern/contemporary items. I love creating personalized items for people.

Q. What is your inspiration?
A. I love vintage wedding dresses and estate homes-a strange combination, I know. I love rich colours but also an aged look.

Q. What made you first start selling on Etsy?
A. An acquaintance introduced me to Etsy about 6 months before I opened a shop. I hadn’t heard of Etsy before that. I figured that any money I made would help pay for my hobby. There are always new products coming to the market that I want to buy!

Q. What was the first thing that you sold?
A. A Father’s Day card just over a month from the date I opened my shop.

 Q. You have some really beautiful tags! Which one is your favourite to create?
A. That’s a tough one! I would have to say that I love the Gingerbread Man tag – his face gets me every time.

Q. Do you have any advice for new sellers to Etsy?
A. I would suggest taking the best photos you can, use two or more words in your tag descriptions, Pin, Tweet, Post and Instagram as much as possible to get your items noticed and be patient. Additionally, it’s important to research your target market and look to see what your competition is doing and make your items as unique as possible.

Q. Do you have a favourite time of day that you prefer to do your creative work?
A. Because I work full time during the day, my creative time is after supper and on weekends. Ideally, I will be working my Etsy store full time by the end of this year.

Q. Where else can people find you? i.e. facebook, twitter, pinterest etc.
A.
Website: www.etsy.com/ca/shop/IndelibleImpressions
Twitter: twitter.com/IndelibleImp
Instagram: instagram.com/indelible_impressions
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Indelible-Impressions/167207063367123

Q. Is there anything else that you want people to know about you or your shop?
A. I love creating custom products based on my customer’s needs. I really enjoy the creative process and making things where people say, “Oh, that is SO pretty!”

Share the Love Wednesdays: Little Gems by Luisa

This weeks interview was with Luisa Perez from Little Gems by Luisa!  Luisa was kind enough to send me some behind the scenes pictures of her works in progress and workspace. 

Q. Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Hi! My name is Luisa. I have been designing jewelry for over ten years now. I am mostly self taught and design by intuition. I have a lovely young family that keeps me busy and young.  I have an interesting assortment of beads.

 Q. Tell us more about your shop and the kinds of things that you sell?

Most of the designs are all one of a kind and colourful. I love colour and texture and that is something that is present in most of my pieces if not all. It's very difficult for me to stick to one bead, pearl or shell!

My shop carries a multitude of designs of necklaces and bracelets. I also make earrings and brooches. Most necklaces and all bracelets can be altered to fit your wrist or to the length of your neck that you like at an additional cost.

I just started working with leather too and am trying to find different ways to incorporate it with my current inventory. 

  Q. What is your inspiration?

Generally colour and mother nature inspire me. There are incredible amounts of colour combination and if you add texture, the combinations are endless. I also get inspired by fashion, greeting cards, art, past fashion trends and other cultures.

Q. What made you first start selling on Etsy?

I had been encouraged years ago to start selling on Etsy and the reality was that I didn't really think about it until now. Etsy enables me to have a creative outlet, be in contact with other talented artisans and learn about business.

Q. What was the first thing that you sold?

My first sale was to my sister. She purchased a long necklace for her best friend :) But my 'real sale' was a blue brooch to a lovely person in The UK. The colours were pretty intense and it was fun to put the pieces together. She was very pleased with her purchase.

Q. You have some amazing jewelry pieces! Which one is your favourite to create?

That's a tough question. I love doing the wire wrapped jewelry with chain link, but I also enjoy the crochet necklaces because the end result is always a surprise.

Q. Do you have a favourite time of day that you prefer to do your creative work?

I love working with natural light, so anytime after breakfast is ideal for me. I prefer sunny days like most people and only because we had a long Winter and a very cold and wet Spring.

Q. Where else can people find you? i.e. facebook, twitter, pinterest etc.

If it is there you will find me!

Facebook: www.facebook.com/LittleGemsByLuisa?ref=hl
Twitter: twitter.com/gems_little
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/littlegemsl/
Wanelo: wanelo.com/littlegemsbyluisa
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/107055601646014545909/about
 Fancy: fancy.com/littlegemsbyluisa
Weheartit: weheartit.com/littlegemsbyluisa
Tumblr: www.tumblr.com/blog/littlegemsbyluisa

Q. Is there anything else that you want people to know about you or your shop?

I do a lot of custom design for individuals who have an idea in mind or are looking for a special piece for their wedding day. I work in person or via email. I am also selling in some shops in the city now and will be starting some markets this Summer.

Thank you Luisa for your wonderful behind the scenes photographs and for doing this interview!  I had a great time.