This week, we are going to take a peek into the shop and life of Krystal from SolSisters Handmade Original handbags. Now, who doesn't love a cheeky bag?Krystal specializes in unique, original bags using various quilting techniques. She at one time was a mom-taught sewer and eventually began quilting, but as anyone knows who have tackled this task, quilting does take a lot of time, and Krystal ended up with many UFO's (unfinished object). Hmmm, that sounds familiar! So, she channeled all the talent and skills she has as a quilt maker and sized them down to these adorable handbags which work up much quicker. She find the best part is that she has the final say in all her designs. By trade, she is a graphic designer and when you work for someone else, they have the final say. SolSisters allows her absolute control from conception to final product. Now that's rewarding. Over time, she would like to explore the world of lampwork glass beads and cold process soapmaking.
Frantic a Colorful Striped Handbag with Button Decorated Flap
$50.00
$50.00
As far as the creative process, Krystal organizes her patterns in plastic slip sleeves on her sewing table. When she needs a pick-me-up in the design department, she shoots over to craftster.org to mull through the forums, picks up a magazine and studies designs or rummages through handbag groups on flickr. When Krystal first began creating bags, she thought of them more as art, but found functionality was compromised. After mastering several tasks in handbag making, she find that they now are way more functional as well as hard to ignore.
Krystal finds that what she has playing in the background while she is creating tends to sway the final piece. She finds that if music is playing, her bags tend to me more colorful. Krystal tends to stay away from the television, not for any other reason than it is a time waster. In fact, she commented on how much more time one can find when that "vacuum of useful time is banished from your life". Too funny, and I couldn't agree with you more! Well, except for the occasional House episode! Aside from music, she also does appreciate certain pod casts as well as that ever-so-famous silence.
Tintagila Orange and Purple Market Bag with Original Skull Art
$95.00
$95.00
On a business note, Krystal prefers to show her work in person as handbags are an accessory that must be felt and tried on. Second to showing in person, she does like to sell on Artfire and Etsy. She especially loves the attention, tools and support that Artfire offers their sellers compared to other online selling venues. Unfortunately, the traffic just doesn't compare to some venues, but I am confident, Krystal, that you will see a shift in this over time. Which leads us to what she considers her biggest obstacle in her business - Exposure. Krystal is right when she told me this: when things are not mass marketed, you have to get your products seen by the people where they can identify that they need this wonderful piece of functional art that you created. I am sure I am not the only one who feels the twinge of pain in this department. Krystal tries to keep her creations in the public eye by way of Her Blog, Twitter, Google AdWords as well as tackling as many face-to-face opportunities as she can snatch up! Krystal finds that pairing up a good blog and twitter has been her most powerful tools to get the word out. She also recommends looking into Twitterfeed and Twittermass.
Nichelle Zipper Cat Art Marbled Wristlet
$25.00
$25.00
Now, for my favorite part of the interview! I asked Krystal what advice she can give to new business owners in the artisan world. This is what she said:
"For seller so handmade goods, three things:
"#1 PHOTOS! learn how to use your digital camera, especially the marco mode,and take photos outside in sunlight if you can. Dark, blurry or photos with too much going on don't sell. You are proud of your work, and your photos should show that pride.
"#2 Don't count on people to show up at your shop (real or virtual) begging to buy things. Be prepared to invest time in your business with promotion/advertising. Learn a little bit about marketing and why people would buy from you. Put yourself in the customer's shoes and make every aspect of their shopping experience with you one that YOU PERSONALLY would enjoy.
"#3 - Think carefully about the look of your product's labels, your hang tags, your packaging, your shop name, your shop banner and so on. If that part of things looks slipshod or appears to be an afterthought, you will be taken much lest seriously. Invest money in actual printed business cards and try to work with a graphic designer to make an identity that is yours alone. Presentation has a lot to do with the price you can charge for your goods. The best product with poor presentation will not command a price that is fair to you or your work"
"For seller so handmade goods, three things:
"#1 PHOTOS! learn how to use your digital camera, especially the marco mode,and take photos outside in sunlight if you can. Dark, blurry or photos with too much going on don't sell. You are proud of your work, and your photos should show that pride.
"#2 Don't count on people to show up at your shop (real or virtual) begging to buy things. Be prepared to invest time in your business with promotion/advertising. Learn a little bit about marketing and why people would buy from you. Put yourself in the customer's shoes and make every aspect of their shopping experience with you one that YOU PERSONALLY would enjoy.
"#3 - Think carefully about the look of your product's labels, your hang tags, your packaging, your shop name, your shop banner and so on. If that part of things looks slipshod or appears to be an afterthought, you will be taken much lest seriously. Invest money in actual printed business cards and try to work with a graphic designer to make an identity that is yours alone. Presentation has a lot to do with the price you can charge for your goods. The best product with poor presentation will not command a price that is fair to you or your work"
PatchworkMan Stitched Handbag
Sold
This just so happens to be my favorite!
Who can pass up Edward Scissorhands?!
Thank you again, Krystal, for sharing your wonderful story, your sound advice and your motivation to your craft!
