I would like to introduce Carissa Black. She is truly an inspiration. Her shop is filled with many beautiful items including handbags, wallets, and zipper pouches. She’s a fellow FAME member and I like to call her friend. Please read her interview below and check out her links and her etsy shop as well.
Q: Tell us a little about yourself and your designs.
I am a 36 year old mom of two little boys ages 4 and 7. I have been an ICU/trauma nurse for 14 years. I just work on the weekends which leaves my week days free to sew.
My designs are really inspired by the beautiful fabrics available. I love to browse the aisles, or pages, of fabric and think about all of the beautiful designs to made from them.
Q: Where did the idea for your designs originate?
The ideas for my designs usually originate at night just before I doze off to sleep. Don’t we all just have the best ideas then? They have to be functional and really super cute. They also have to pass my carry test. When I am first trying out a new item, I will make one for myself and carry it for about a week or two. It has to be comfortable, useful, easy to access, and most importantly, it has to make at least one person say, I love your bag. Then I know it passed the test and I can start making them to sell. Oh, and it also has to be very resilient. I am so hard on my bags. They have to be little boy tolerant.
Q: What makes your items different from others?
I have been told by customers that they like the way I put colors and patterns together. I like to think it is my attention to detail. It isn’t good enough for me to just top stitch something. I think double stitching looks much better on my items. Yes, it takes twice as long, but the final look makes it worth it.
Q: Do you offer custom orders?
I do offer custom work. I love working one on one with people. My customers always have the best ideas and it is fun to see everyone’s unique style come out in the design process.
Q: What are your most popular items?
My little zippy pouches are probably my most popular items. A close second are my tri fold wallets.
Q: What is your vision for your handmade business?
I really just want to keep expanding without compromising any of my quality. I also would love to continue to increase the number of customers that come back to my shop each time they need a bag or accessory.
Q: What has been the strangest/weirdest experience you’ve ever had when being inspired with a new item or new business venture?
Hmmm, the strangest or weirdest experience? It has to be meeting Carissa Brown. She is the shop owner of Indigo Lilly here in CT. Her husband found my website by accident because of my name and thought my things would be a great fit for their boutique. There aren’t many of us by the name of Carissa, so to find one with the last name Brown when mine is Black was pretty funny, and wierd.
Q: What is the most rewarding aspect of the etsy community for you and your business?
I love all of the support, business advice, and supportive people in the etsy community. I wouldn’t be where I am today without them. Especially my FAM girls.
Q: Does your family support your etsy business?
Yes, my family is really supportive. Though I will admit, my kids do hate having to go to the post office so much, especially in the summer when they are home from school and have to go 3 or 4 times a week.
Q: Do you have a website off etsy, a blog, myspace, any other web site you would like to share?
I do have a website: http://www.carissablack.com/
I have a blog: http://carissablack.blogspot.com/
I also have a flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/photos/22402231@N02/
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Tags : carisa black, etsy, EtsyFAME, feature, interview
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