Talk to Me Tuesday: Caitlin's Amazing Pottery style

Welcome to Talk to Me Tuesday!! It has been a bit since I was able to interview a talented indie maker but when I was given the opportunity to interview my next guest, I jumped at the chance. Today we are meeting the very talented Caitlin, of Caitlin's Amazing Pottery. She makes the cutest little clay figurines, decorations, and art pieces. 

Welcome Caitlin! It is a great honor to meet you! 

Tell us about you! 

 My name is Caitlin, and I like making pottery! I also enjoy cooking, watching BBC shows (Doctor Who and Sherlock are my favorites) and I am cocaptain of my Special Olympics swim team. The Dolphins rule the pool! I also have two cats, Oreo and Jackson, both are rescue cats.

Tell us about your shop!

My shop's name is Caitlin's Amazing Pottery. It all started when I was in high school. I tried pottery a few times and it was really fun! Then I found Essence of Art, a local studio and work space for people with different intellectual disabilities. Eventually I became the head potter there!
I no longer work at EoA, but I do now have my own studio at my home, a kiln, and a ton of mud to make into fun things.

I made clay houses, figurines of different cute animals, jewelry trays, dishes, ornaments, insence burners, air planters, all out of high quality stoneware, and the list of things I make is ever growing. 

 What is your Favorite thing to make?

 It's a tie between my little round houses and my fox figurines.

What is the hardest part or owning your own online business?

Sometimes it's hard finding your target audience, and also balancing making new things while keeping up with the internet side of the business. 

Do you have any advice to share?



Sometimes sales are slow, but it's best to go with the flow and use it as a time to improve your shop and do what you love, create!  

I agree there, create what you love! It was so wonderful to meet you and learn more about your shop and craft. I am so glad you helped expand my craft community. Thank you so much for coming and talking to us today. You can find and follow Caitlin at her SHOP | FACEBOOK  | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM
 
Make sure to visit her and tell her a crafty 'Hi!' 

♥Kelly

#HappyHandmade 68 shares

It is hard to believe we are already at the middle of the week! Happy hump Day! ☺ I forgot to add my #happyhandmade links from Kiser Krafts this past week but still wish to share a few of the EPIC things I saw in the Daft Crafts #linkup. I am making a point to join in this week.

All the Coffees Illustration by Be You Not Them

It does not Do to dwell on Dreams by Bugaboo Bear Designs

Spell book wooden Box by Kits

And from two of my sponsors NEW things I didn't know about!

Louie the Hedgehog fabric hair pins by Violet's Buds

Customizable Mason Jar Sand Ceremony by Rustic Romance Crafts

I love #handmade items!! I am looking forward to the fresh week of #happyhandmade and am loving sharing Handmade Mania! If you make your products, there is still time and room for you to add them to my weekly linkup: HERE.

♥Kelly

#happyhandmade 67 shares

Happy Hump Day!! I love #happyhandmade #linkup that Daft Crafts hosts each week! The new week 68 is LIVE for NEW links. If you make your own products you are free to join in for some community sharing and networking: HERE.

On to my shares from last week's link up!

 Upcycled zippered Denim Pouch by Izzy and Marley

Balloon Adventure art print by Squshies

Clean up after yourself... chalkboard art by Bugaboo Bear Design
Now I am off to add new Kiser Krafts products to the new week! Have a great day!

♥Kelly

Talk to me Tuesday: Rustic Romance Crafts style

Welcome to Talk to Me Tuesday!! Today we are meeting the very talented Kristen, of Rustic Romance Crafts, who just recently was added as a sponsor to my blog. I am so excited to have her part of my krafty-kraziness. She makes beautiful wreaths, banners, wedding decor, summer decor, patriotic decor and more. 

Welcome Kristen! 

Tell us about you!

My name is Kristen and I am the owner of Rustic Romance Crafts. I am a stay at home mom of two boys, 4 and 2. My husband and I have been married for 4 years and together for 9. When I am not busy crafting, I love to go camping with my family, go to the beach, and hang out with my friends. I am addicted to coffee and handmade goods.

Tell us about your shop! 

In January of 2013, I made a New Year's resolution to be more creative. I headed to craft store to see if I could find some inspiration when I found burlap. I had seen burlap banners before and loved the idea of making one. I made a Valentine's Day banner for myself and decided that I would make a few more with the left over material and sell them on my local Facebook garage sale sites. They were a big hit and I started my Facebook page, Rustic Romance Crafts. I continued making banners and eventually branched out into other burlap decor such as wreaths and wedding items. One year after I started my Facebook page, I made my business "official" by opening my shop on Storenvy.  

What is your Favorite thing to make?

My favorite item to make would be burlap banners. There is so much you can do with them! I love getting custom orders and making them personal. I feel like it is something they can keep and remember a special occasion in their lives. 

What is the hardest part or owning your own online business? 

Time management! Being business owner, you wear many hats : designer, creator, marketer, promoter, and accountant. Add mom, wife, house keeper to that list and it can be tough to find time to do it all. I make to-do lists daily and cross things off as I go. Lists keep me sane. LOL

 

  
Do you have any advice to share? 
I would say the hardest lesson I have learned is that your success is not necessarily the same as someone else's. Everyone's definition of success is different and everyone has different goals. Work hard, don't get discouraged, and network with other businesses like yours. I have found amazing communities who have encouraged me, giving me advice and constructive criticism which has really helped me grow.

That is great advice, Kristen! I am so glad you are part of my craft community and your darling shop inspires me all the time. Thank you so much for coming and talking to us today! You can find and follow Kristen at her SHOP | FACEBOOK  | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM  

Make sure to visit her and tell her a crafty 'Hi!' 

♥Kelly

#HappyHandmade week 48 Shares

Wow! It has been so long since I joined in the EPIC Daft Crafts #happyhandmade #linkup. Losing my Grandmama really swiped the rug right out from under me. Sorry to be so quiet and not be more on top of things.So here are my shares for this week! There are so many other links but these are my favorites.

First, I love, LOVE, love this EPIC piece of mon-stor wall art in Team Lu & Ed!! It is on sale and 20% from the sale price will be donated to Drumm Farm, a home for kids and young adults in the Missouri foster care system. http://drummforkids.org/ Which in my book is WAY cool!! It would look great on any wall!

Second, I love Kawaii Latte Love Mixed Media Original Painting by Scrawny Girl!! It is coffee decor awesome!!

Third, I love this Heart Tree tee by Krmbal clothing! It is so pretty and you can just feel love when you wear it!

And lastly...I have to mention because every new item Mohu I love more then the last one. She draws such cute animals as well as creates them. This Valentine's Day Card is super darling!

so there are my shares!! And if you want to join in on the #happyhandmade #linkup head over to Daft Crafts!

♥Kelly

Rope in your Baskets

2014 Resolution - Organize!!! My craft corner is like a 'tor-hurd-i-quake' happened. I need to organize and return things to order. So, I was surfing around to find solutions to help me organize my craft supplies and I found out my friend Magda, of Twisted Thread and Hook, is making a whole new item for her EPIC shop!! Baskets!! Rope Baskets! How sturdy and function-able!

I asked her to share with me a bit more about this new line in her shop. Welcome Magda!!! 

Thank you, Kelly. Are you starting this year trying to organize your house? It's a never ending task for me. Recently, I redesigned my office space with a wall full of shelves, drawers, and cubbies. However, the cubbies came out smaller than I expected and I could not find a basket that would fit them right. 

 
I've set on this issue for a while, and then it occurred to me! I had a few boxes of cotton cording/rope that I originally planned to use for my rugs. However, I decided it was not a good fit for rugs, but ends up it's perfect for baskets. 

 They are soft, yet, they hold the shape very well. They even have handles so it's easy to pull them out of the cubbies.

They can very easily be used on a shelf to organize craft supplies or toys. I can make custom sizes too so they can fit your cubby just right! You can purchase your own in my SHOP.

Thank you so much for sharing your new line with us!!! Your baskets do inspire one to organize! I also think they make a wonderful decoration in a home. 

You can follow Magda at her FACEBOOK | SHOP | TWITTER 

♥Kelly