Monday Inspiration #17

This week I want to show you an interview with a lovely and awesome blogger.

She is creative, has her own webshop and is a very lovely person.

I asked Essie from Essies handcraft cuteness

to answer some questions for the Monday Inspiration, 

and I got a whole interview back, which is awesome!

Thank you so much Essie!

Please tell us a bit about yourself:
I’m 28 years old, living with my boyfriend and 2 cats in Gouda, The Netherlands. And there's a little girl on her way :) I love to design, sew and be creative. 

What is your motivation to write on your blog. 

To inform Readers and customers about new products, creative things that I occupy, entertain people with nice shops and things I come across. 

What is your favorite subject.

My own products ;) 

How did you discover that you have creative tendencies?
When I was very young my mum taught me how to use the sewing machine and I started making tiny clothes for my dolls.
When I became older I started drawing and painting.. 

What do you love the most about crafting. 
For me it's a kind of relaxation, I'm doing something I really like, 

my own time and (usually) without time pressure.
Coming up with new designs and creating new products gives me satisfaction.

What’s one of your favorite things you’ve made?

 I must say the cupcake tea cosies, I get a lot of positive feedback,

and they are so happy to look at. 

Where do you find your inspiration?

I find my inspiration in everything, like nature, magazines, 

the internet, cute characters and cheerful things.

Do you have any role models/inspirations in the area of Design? If so, who and why?
No actually not. I do not specifically like one designer more than others. I see so many cute, beautiful, cool and amazing things that most of the time I can’t even remember who the artist/creator is. 

How did you come up with the ideas for the products in your shop?
Sometimes I see a specific product I like, I imagine it in my own style and give it the Essie’s twist.
Or friends give me ideas about new products that they would like or can’t find in normal stores. It always has to be cute, sweet, cheerful and colorful. 

Which materials do you use to create your products?

Most of the time I use cotton and felt. 

Please give us a brief summary of your creative process:

 When an idea pops in my head usually I immediately start cutting the fabric or felt and I start sewing.
Most of the time the sample turns out not the way I wanted. So I make a new one and customize it a bit.
I never start with a sketch or something, I know it would be better but I’m too lazy for that. 

What characterises your products/your style?

Cuteness, sweetness, bright colors, flowers, kawaii and cupcakes

Who are your customers? 

I think girls and women ages 18-50. 

And sometimes a man who’s buying a present for his girlfriend or sister. 

What do you want to achieve in the future as a Designer/Creative?
Well, actually I’m thinking a lot about that lately and I’m not sure what I want.
I know I would still be making products and selling them in my webshop. A combination of graphical designing and making my own products would be great.
But within 2 months I would be a mommy so I have to see and figure out if it works with a baby around me all the time.

Hope you find it just as inspiring as I do! 

Have a good day.

 ✗✗✗