Hello friends and a happy Saturday to you all! This morning we're lucky enough to catch up with BrisStyle member, Linda Aitken from LaLaLa Designs!
How would you describe your work?
Fun, colourful and
individual. I really love creating
products that show the individuality of a child or person that’s why I am very
open to customising anything I do. When
you buy mass produced items you can be one of 100,000’s of people who own that
product. I like to think I can allow
someone to buy something that reflects who they are – something unique.
How
did your Etsy shop come into being (if applicable)?
At first I was only selling
at local markets on the Gold Coast.
Another seller told me she was opening an Etsy store and I should have a
look. I was impressed with what I saw so
I decided to open my own. However, I
then decided I was not totally ready so I put it on hold until July 2012. I am very happy now that I have gone down
this path as I love selling on Etsy.
Who
or what inspires you?
When I first started LaLaLa
Designs my children were little and I was spending a lot of time in children’s
shops (as you do!) so my kids were, and still are definitely an
inspiration. But, I have always loved
the beautiful papers that you find in scrapbooking shops. I get very inspired to create when I find
gorgeous paper and embellishments.
My new inspiration is
definitely the divine material available now.
Forget housework, I could spend a whole day cruising the net browsing
material.
Do
you ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ as part of your creative process? If yes,
how is your art / craft eco-friendly?
Yes I do to a degree. I have a collection of frames at home that
either had pictures in them or were bought to hang but never made it to the
wall so I use some of these for my
smaller, simpler frames or affirmations.
I check out local
second hand shops for things like buttons, zips, material and lace etc. It’s amazing what people discard that is
still in good condition – even unopened that you can use. I have also started
searching second hand stores for photo props and displays for my stall.
Can
you describe your studio / work area?
To begin with my work area
was basically all over the house! (much to my husband’s frustration) but now I
have taken over what used to be the kid’s toy room. It has been good to have one area to work
in. The room has 2 windows that face toward
the front yard so I can work and see my lovely green garden.
I have also put up
affirmations and goals to remind myself where I want to go with my business.
Unfortunately I was not
blessed with skill of organisation so the room can get a bit messy. Luckily I
just close the door.
What is your favourite
thing to make?
At the moment my
favourite thing to make would be my kids’ mobiles. They are very time consuming but it’s lots of
fun coming up with themes and using brightly coloured ribbon and felt to create
a highly visual accessory.
How did you decide on
your business name (if applicable)?
My business name, LaLaLa
Designs, came from combining the initials of my first and last name along with
those of my son and daughter. We are all L.A.’s. Unfortunately I could not make
my husband’s first initial (M) work so he has become the silent partner.
Where do you hope to see
your creative journey taking you in the next 12 months?
I have a few specific
goals for this year but essentially I would like to increase my online sales
and see my products in some bricks and mortar stores. Ultimately I’d like to grow a successful
business so I can than help other women achieve the same.
What is your favourite
handmade item that you have bought
It was actually an item
my husband bought me. He gave me a handmade sterling silver necklace which had
2 rings each representing my children.
Their names and date of births are stamped on the rings. It is such a beautiful and personal item and
I wear it all the time.
Do you have any other
places that people can view/purchase your work? (eg. Other online selling
sites, Flickr, Blog, Facebook, Twitter etc)
Facebook: www.facebook.com/lalaladesigns
Twitter: www.twitter.com/lalaladesigns
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/lalaladesigns
Madeit: www.madeit.com.au/lalaladesigns
Thanks so much for sharing with us Linda!
xSam
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