With Part One behind us, let’s now get into the meat of things and meet DaWanda founders Claudia Helming (34) and Michael P?tz (27). And to set the record straight immediately, they are nothing more than business partners and friends because as Claudia says, “He is too young for me!”.
decor8: So tell us, what is your background?
Michael: I grew up close to Cologne, with a little sister. I went to high school there and while finishing my friend and I developed our first internet project. It was a website for old classmates to reunite. Half a year later it was purchased by an English company, where I continued working during my studies as a software developer. It was very exciting how this first project became a European platform! And in 2003 I met Claudia there.
Claudia: I grew up in a very small village in Bavaria with only 2500 inhabitants. Though it?s small, the Pope was born there, too :) I studied in Munich (Romance languages, and tourism) and after my studies started working for lastminute.com. This was back in the very early days of internet and I was so enthusiastic about it, and the possibilities! In 2003 I changed my job and met Michael there. And a few years later we decided to create our own company.
decor8: What are your roles at DaWanda?
Michael: We?re both Managing Directors. I?m taking care of everything related to the software, technical issues.
Claudia: We?re still a small company with 13 people including Michael and me working for DaWanda. I?m responsible for Marketing and administration. But as we?re still a small company there are a lot of tasks and responsibilities that both Michael and I share.
decor8: Who had the idea for DaWanda and how did it come about?
M/C: At the very beginning we had decided to found a company together but we were still unsure about the idea. This was in 2005 at a time when a lot of new start-ups were founded in the US and web 2.0 was born. It was a fascinating time! At this time I also discovered Etsy ? and fell in love immediately. In the meantime we developed a couple of ideas and plans for our company but hadn?t decided yet. We actually decided to create DaWanda during the Christmas season since we were trying to find gifts that were both special and unique and affordable. We noticed that it was really hard to find them though there were so many talented and creative people.
The DaWanda team celebrates 2 years online!
decor8: What does DaWanda mean?
M/C: DaWanda is an African women?s name we chose because it stands for something lovely and unique, a one of a kind.
decor8: People often compare you to Etsy, even going as far to say that you’ve copied their idea. How do you respond to this?
M/C: Our idea came about because we wanted to offer a marketplace to the creative community in Europe. DaWanda and Etsy are very different when you get past the initial similarity that both are marketplaces dedicated to handmade products. The way people are inspired to create is not the same here in Europe as it is in the States, as an obvious example – everybody knows how much the Swedish design aesthetic stands out. The European style of handmade, creating a piece of art work or a design, is very strong and individual. We don?t think it is bad for anyone that we?re doing something similar to Etsy… do people blame Mercedes to have copied Ford?
decor8: How many DaWanda shops do you currently have?
M/C: At the moment there are close to 30,000 shops on DaWanda. Today there are nearly 400,000 products in 427 categories. The community has over 200,000 buyers.
decor8: Wow, impressive numbers. Now let’s talk about your forums. I’ve heard from some DaWanda shop owners that your forums, while useful at times, can also be negative because there is no moderator. Do you plan to add a moderator to your forums in the future?
M/C: We have three separate Forums on DaWanda, and while for example the English forum is moderated by Elizabeth and we get very good feedback that it is a helpful and friendly place for people to hang out, the German Forum is a bit more difficult to deal with ? due to the huge number of people that use it, and also due to the high emotional engagement of people hanging out there. We did try our best to take care of the posts but difficult situations developed to the point where we had to decide how much time we could actually spend there. We?re still a very young company with limited resources so we need to set priorities. As primarily we?re not a forum provider but a market place so we couldn?t spend as much resources there as demanded by some. However, we are feeling brave and trying to dedicate members of the customer support team to this Forum again. We provide the Forums because we want everyone to have a helpful and friendly place to find out information and connect with the rest of the DaWanda community, and we try to guide everybody and encourage them to be respectful.
decor8: When you look at other sites that do what you do, what do you think makes DaWanda stand out as different?
M/C: The quality of the products really stands out, from cool innovative ideas to beautiful techniques and stunning craftsmanship. People who use DaWanda often comment on the friendly atmosphere, the community really makes it such a special place, it has become such a heartwarming and loving community. We celebrated our 2nd birthday this week and got so many hundreds of birthday messages from our members, it was amazing! Behind the scenes we also work very hard to make DaWanda a fun place to be and take part in.
decor8: Do you have top sellers, and if so, who?
M/C: The top sellers are different for each interface of DaWanda (English, French and German). For example, some of the top sellers on the German site are modern fashion designers Pionie, My Dear Love, and Kenpanda. On the English site people are going crazy for these stylish purses by Looby Lou Crafts , very graphic 70s vintage fabric bags by Osix, and this amazing shoe designer from the Czech republic, Pleasemachine. The French site top sellers include crafters like Pat and this supplies shop by Pulsienette offering handmade hand dyed fabric materials is doing really great sales. Of course, we have many others but these are just a few that come to mind.
decor8: What are some of your goals at DaWanda?
M/C: In the future we are aiming to launch another language option (at the moment you can choose between English, French and German). We would also like to offer more promotional tools to the English and French community. Hopefully we will organise a DaWanda outdoor market to take place in Berlin, perhaps in the Spring.
decor8: Do you plan to host more events similar to the one we had in Berlin this past Fall? If yes, what kind?
M/C: Yes, the blogging workshop with you (decor8) in September was an amazing day! We would definitely like to run more workshops where inspirational speakers like yourself can come and share their stories and ideas, artists from DaWanda can share techniques, and the community can meet and talk in real life.
decor8: How do you think a seller can increase sales in their shop?
M/C: If you would like to increase your sales, you should always make sure you are taking the utmost care of your shop. From taking good photographs of your work, to explaining your inspiration and technique. It?s also an excellent idea to do online research and find out about blogs, who is showcasing products that your aesthetic would fit to? Writing a short note to a blogger inviting them to visit your work and consider posting about you can be a great help.
decor8: Do you have any favorite sellers on DaWanda that you personally shop from?
M/C: We are big fans of Kenpanda (it is so funny when DaWanda staff often comes in wearing their Kenpanda hoodies on the same day) and also Smil. Especially at this time of year, we are all doing our Christmas shopping on DaWanda.
decor8: What ways do you think blogging helps a small business to grow online?
M/C: A blog is an amazing way to connect with the community who is interested in handmade, there is a whole network of people out there – other artists you may end up collaborating with, people who like to buy handmade products, and of course business people who are always on the lookout for new creative talent. Keeping a blog can open up a lot of possibilities for you as an artist – to collaborate with other artists inspired by your work, the exposure you can gain by getting yourself out there so people know who you are and can find you, find out about you and commission you when they like your work so much! On a personal note, documenting your personal journey as an artist may lead you to some interesting discoveries about how you work and find inspiration!
decor8: Do you have a blog?
M/C: We have three blogs for DaWanda, again one in each language, it?s a lot of fun posting about what?s going on within DaWanda, it could be a behind the scenes look at what we?re getting up to in our office in Berlin, or a new craze ? for example last month a faux-bacon felted phone case made by Antjes caught the attention of so many techno-geek bloggers, over thirty thousand people visited Antje?s shop to look at the phone case and she has sold hundreds of them in the last month. We also like to interview artists who take part on DaWanda, to share a little bit of their world with the rest of us. You can check it out here.
decor8: The German crafting ‘aesthetic’ is much different than what I’m used to in America. Do you think that it’s more difficult for Germans to be creative here based on lack of good shops and quality crafting shows and magazines? Crafting supplies are also quite expensive here I’ve noticed! Do you think that Germany is moving towards having more products?in the future? Do you think people will drive this change?
M/C: In the first place I think there is a totally different crafting tradition in the US compared to Germany. We haven?t grown up in the States so we cannot tell by experience but from what we hear crafting is really a part of everyday life in the US. It makes such a difference if your family is crafting and lives in a community where crafting is a thriving activity. There are so many more options and possibilities at US schools to develop creative skills. Just imagine that in Germany a lot of pupils never took a crafting course… I think this is all about to change right now. Though for a very long time crafting was associated with bored housewives knitting while watching the soaps young people have rediscovered the pleasure of producing things themselves. There is especially a huge trend in young fashion designers here in Germany. Obviously, the products they produce are different. They are new, crazy, different – made to please young people.
decor8: In your opinion, how is crafting viewed in Germany, is it respected as a profession? If not, do you think this view will change in Germany? What?is DaWanda?doing to help change this view?
M/C: There are people in Germany who are crafting as a profession. As mentioned above the image is about to change. DaWanda certainly plays a role in the change of the crafting image ? bringing together creative people and handmade products in one place. People learn that they?re not alone doing crafts and the public audience learns that the products are really of good quality and high creativity. I also think that this motivates people to learn more about techniques and supplies and
Thank you so much for talking to us today, Michael and Claudia… it was a pleasure to introduce you to decor8 readers. All the best!
(images from DaWanda)
I must thank Ez of Creature Comforts for featuring me today as her Creature of Comfort, a weekly column that I look forward to reading on her blog. Seeing myself in the spotlight today is just too exciting since her blog is one of my top 5 daily reads and it means a lot to me that she was kind enough to ask me to participate. Weeee! I hope that you’ll take a moment to click over to read my mini interview.
Thank you Ez, the post is just lovely!
(image: creature comforts)
I had the absolute pleasure of interviewing Kelly Galvin Robson, Director of Instant/Space by Burnham Design and would love for you to hear what she has to say about the latest extension of Betsy Burnham’s design firm – Instant/Space. You’ll learn what Instant/Space is and more so please take a moment to read the discussion between Kelly and I.
decor8: Hi Kelly! So glad to have you here on decor8 today. Tell me, how long have you been working with the fabulous Betsy Burnham?
KGR: For almost 4 years, and have been lucky enough to work with Instant/Space for the last 2 years.
decor8: What exactly IS Instant/Space? I briefly read a blurb about it in Domino magazine awhile back (Feb ’07)…and it looked really interesting for budget and time conscious girls on the go.
KGR: Instant/Space is an alternative service from Burnham Design and it offers clients a do-it-yourself interior design for a reasonable fee. It is for clients who don’t really want or need Burnham Design’s full range of services, and have an appreciation for the aesthetic. Some clients may want to address only one or two rooms in their house, others may have a limited budget, or want to do their own purchasing based on a design “master plan.” Regardless, all of our clients want to achieve a custom interior design and be active in the design process, so Instant/Space is really the perfect design service for them.
Domino mention of Instant/Space.
decor8: You mentioned the Burnham Design aesthetic. For those who aren’t familiar with what it is can you elaborate please?
KGR: It is a mix of high end and vintage. We prefer a layered, “collected” look that’s at the same time tailored and clean.
decor8: I know your main office is located in Los Angeles but I heard you are not, where are you?
KGR: My office is on the east coast outside of Philadelphia. However, Betsy and I work together on every Instant/Space project.
decor8: How do you find your clients?
KGR: Many of our clients know Betsy’s work and find us through the Burnham Design site. Others contact us after seeing a press mention.
decor8: Do you see a future in e-consulting as perhaps a new trend in design and if yes, why?
KGR: Absolutely. Our clients lead very busy lives, and offering a service that’s available online is a huge plus in terms of their time. Furthermore it represents a move toward more affordable professional decorating… and in the current economic climate, this is a big advantage.
decor8: I agree! Explain briefly how e-design works? For example let’s say a client has a 10′ x 12′ bedroom that needs to be decorated and I have zero time to do it. How can you help?
KGR: We can provide you with a custom interior design based on your personal design style and individual design challenges. We really think about every client individually — how they will use the space, who will be using the space, etc. Every single box is different and it is important to us that our clients really love their finished design.
decor8: More details, please!
KGR: When a client decides to order Instant/Space, they first send us pictures and dimensions of the room(s). Then, we ask for inspirational images from magazines, websites, etc (to help illustrate the design style that they are trying to achieve), and our completed online questionnaire (to further identify their design preferences and challenges). In four to six weeks, the client receives their completed instant/space box in the mail. Every box includes a personalized design concept board, a detailed schematic furniture plan (drawn to scale), a swatchbook containing all of the furnishings and accessories for the room, an additional swatchbook with samples of the fabric and paint selected for the space, a detailed shopping list, and a step by step explanation of how to pull of these elements together. The rest is up to them!
decor8: Great! What happens if some of the fabric or items you suggest are ‘trade only’, how can a client purchase those?
KGR: If we include “trade only” items in our design, clients have the ability to order these items through Burnham Design. For a small markup, we take care of ordering, tracking and shipping.
decor8: Next scenario… let’s assume that you’ve suggested wallpaper or paint to a client and they have no time to source for these products or locate contractors to do the work. Can you come to the rescue?
KGR: We don’t expect our clients to paint or do difficult installations themselves! Often we’ll ask if they have competent subcontractors for this work, and if they don’t, we’ll do our best to help locate them.
decor8: Excellent. Let’s talk money. What are the fees involved?
KGR: Instant/Space fees vary from $895.00 to $1,495.00 depending on the size and function of the room. All of our pricing may be found on our website.
decor8: You already touched upon it, but what type of client (besides a busy one!) seems to be attracted to this type of service?
KGR: Most are professional people who have an interest in design but seek a professional’s advice. Many have just moved, gotten married, or purchased their first home. Some have just had a baby and need to decorate a nursery. Our clients come from all over the country, cities and suburbs. The one thing they all have in common is that they admire the Burnham Design aesthetic and want our style to be reflected in their space.
decor8: And to wrap things up, on a more personal level, what do you think is the absolute pro of this particular service?
KGR: The best part is the response that we receive from clients. Most clients are surprised that we were able to capture their design style so well without ever meeting them in person, others love the way that Instant/Space allows them to purchase furniture at their own pace. The experience is really fun, and I think that clients appreciate how easy and convenient it is.
decor8: Thank you so much Kelly for sitting in with us today, best wishes on your business (Betsy too!) and to all of the e-decorators out there – you can do it!
Readers: If you are interested in reading more on the topic of e-decorating here is a post from June 2008 that appeared on decor8 (be sure to read the comments on each too!): e-Decorating – Your Thoughts.
Do you have any additional questions that you would like to ask Kelly? If so, please comment below.
(images from burnham design and instant/space.)
Hello and happy Friday! I’m so pleased that you’ve visited me here because I owe you a huge apology. You see, I’ve been blogging like a mad woman over at Haus Maus today and then PING! (brain light bulb goes on) I realized how I’ve been neglecting YOU over here on decor8. I’m so sorry! I must confess that today has been just super because the furniture for my lonely, sad little hallway arrived and I am super pleased with it. I also have new dining room chairs and a table, all delivered this week as well. My kitchen is in (at least most of it) and installed, and my large vintage kitchen cabinet will arrive on Sunday. It’s wonderful that our apartment here in Germany is ‘on-schedule’ according to the project I laid out before I flew over. I wanted to have all of the furniture ordered and in place by the end of September and so far, so good. I love when the stars and planets line up for once! It’s such a load of stress off of my back to have our place nearly furnished. We leave the third week of December to return back to the states for the winter but we’ll now have October, November, and most of December to decorate and entertain, enjoy Oktoberfest and all of the outdoor markets, you know LIVE in our space without constantly having to shop for things to fill it with. I’m so extremely happy with how it’s coming along. Here is our hallway, it started off with old wallpaper, a bad vintage chandelier, and brown tile floors. Then the floors were installed and the walls repaired and painted (we didn’t do this part, only specified to contractors what we wanted). This is how it looked 6 weeks ago…
And here is where it stands today. Not finished but getting there… Yay!
And I’m so, so pleased. Our apartment only has a hallway, bath, kitchen, living room/dining room, and one bedroom — it’s 60 square meters so not at all large, but who needs a big apartment in the city anyway? We love our place and though we will eventually buy a 3 bedroom apartment (or house) here, a 1 bedroom is perfectly fine for a family of two. Plus we are only here 3-5 months at a time, how much space is really required?
Here is a list of resources from the hallway in case you are interested…
Bench – Esplanade, Hannover (sorry no website)
Cushions (Purple) – Esplanade, Hannover (sorry no website)
Pillow – Orike Muth
Pendant – IKEA
Mirror and Coat Rack – Car Moebel
Tin boxes – Local imports shop in Hannover, Germany
Bear photo on mirror – “Sylvia” by Wren & Chickadee
Painting on top shelf – Mati Rose (Mati McDonough) via Nahcotta Gallery, Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
Straw Tote – Red Chair Antiques, Peterborough, New Hampshire
Plant/Pot – IKEA
Notebook on bench: Bubbo-tubbo.
Now I’m thinking of adding some paint or wallpaper to the walls and perhaps putting a few photos or prints on the left wall… And I may be replacing the pendant with something more decorative (I have this one in mind, or perhaps a lantern), we’ll see… But considering that this room was empty a few hours ago, I’m pleased with the flash decorating job I’ve done here today, ha ha! See what you can accomplish in a short period of time? Just scare the neighbors by drilling holes into the walls, blasting Hed Kandi, and sliding furniture around and viola! You can also have an insta-hallway like mine.
One little feature I love that I didn’t plan: I like that I can make the hallway look more in tune with the seasons by simply removing the bench cushions and adding plants, etc. in the warmer months. It’s a really simple change. Laying all of the cushions across the bench in the Fall/Winter warms up the space and also makes the bench look less summer-y.
I can’t wait now to finish the hallway and move onto the kitchen! It’s fun starting from scratch in a new place… Do you have any home projects that you’d like to tackle this weekend? Tonight is date night (with Tee) and it’s nearly 6pm here so I’m signing off for the weekend… But I’ll meet you make here on Monday. See you soon!
(images from holly becker for decor8)
Hello everyone! If you didn’t already catch this bit of news in my previous post, I’m officially back to blogging on a daily basis now. I’d like to thank each of my guest bloggers who filled in while I was taking some time off. I’ve been in Germany for 3 weeks and I’ve accomplished so much already that I cannot wait to see what happens between now and the time I leave in December.
Our vacation apartment is coming along very well… I’m not that patient when it comes to waiting for items I order to arrive though — But I’m trying to learn patience, chill a little, and enjoy the time I have here in a new culture. The weather has been very kind to us, Spring-like on some days, Autumn temps other days… It’s lovely really. There is so much to tell you!
But enough about me… This space is dedicated to my lovely Santa Margarita, California-based friend Ez (pronounced Ee-zee). I shall continue talking to you about what I’m up to here in Germany in later posts. Ez is the all star blogger behind Creature Comforts and e-shop owner of Wren & Chickadee. So without further ado, I’d like for you to sit in on our chat today so perhaps you can be inspired by this lovely, warm soul on the web with hopes that you’ll feel the same fondness for her that I do.
“The Taste of Summer” by Ez available on Etsy.
A little background, Ez is 29 years old, has a beautiful daughter, and is a single mother working hard to cover all the bases as a mum and as a creative type looking for fulfill her needs while earning an income that will support her and her daughter comfortably. So let’s get started and meet this lovely lady, shall we?
Holly: What do you like to do there (your city) to recharge yourself?
Ez: I live in a very tiny town (barely over 1000 people), with a post office, greasy spoon restaurant, gas station, feed supply, liquor store, and mercantile (it’s actually called that). Let’s just say that it is not the most conducive location to “recharge.” The one saving grace is that we are surrounded by a lot of nature which my daughter and I take walks in as frequently as possible. We also make a lot of trips to San Luis Obispo, which is an absolutely gorgeous town only a few miles from our home.
Holly: Can you define your personal style?
Ez: My personal taste and my actual style are two completely separate things. :) Taste wise I gravitate towards clothes with a distinctive European feeling or things that have a modern bohemian look. In actuality, I tend to wear straight legged jeans or lightweight pants, tank tops or t-shirts, and a sweatshirt with unique detailing (such as those by Mike & Chris), and flats. I’m pretty low maintenance really.
Ez is inspired by Etsy stores like the new A View To by i. Klee design.
Holly: Why did you become a blogger?
Ez: Several years ago I was going through a really dark time in my life. I discovered blogging quite by accident, and found that through the process of seeking out beauty and inspiration, I was finally able to see it again. Blogging and the blog community has been very good to me, and I feel so lucky for that!
Holly: What are some of the challenges of writing each day?
Ez: Well, the number one challenge is keeping a fresh and original perspective. There are so many blogs now, and so many talented people, it is hard sometimes to feel that you have a unique place in the blogging community… I just keep plugging along and hope that the things that inspire me make my readers happy too.
Holly: What do you hope to accomplish through blogging?
Ez: My number one hope is that my readers and visitors will come away from Creature Comforts feeling inspired. I don’t expect that my taste will be the same as everyone else’s, but I hope that I can encourage those who stop by to find the bits of beauty in their daily lives and live each day for themselves. If I make just one person’s day brighter or happier by blogging, then I have succeeded.
Holly: I feel the same Ez. I think all bloggers should pause for a moment (if you are a blogger reading this) and ask yourself the same question. What do you hope to accomplish through blogging? It’s a good question that I think we sometimes need to ask ourselves to avoid losing our focus and/or zeal for what we’re doing. Can you please tell us a little about your background and how do you think this lead to blogging?
Ez: I have always been interested in all things design, style, and art related. I’ve dabbled in many different artistic fields, and went to school for fashion design, but I think that it is my natural inability to stick to one thing forever that has helped me most of all (my Mom would roll her eyes here). Without this I could never keep coming back to Creature Comforts every day and continue to find things that inspire me. My taste is forever changing/evolving, and I think blogging is a fantastic way to foster a sense of wonder at all the world has to offer.
The rich colors shown in the portfolio of Polly Wreford represented by Sarah Kaye are a few of Ez’s favorite things right now.
Holly: In addition to writing, you do beautiful photo layouts and create handmade things for your etsy store. How did you learn all of these wonderful talents?
Ez: Thank you. I certainly can’t take credit for everything that I do. I think I was born to be artistic and to create things, and I love to learn and challenge myself… So much of what I currently know came from that. For example, I began to assemble photo layouts on my blog using Photoshop because I wanted to learn how to use the software. I still have so much to learn, but the process it a lot of fun. People are often shocked when I describe myself as technically inept, but techie things do not come naturally to me. Everything I know (computer-wise) I have intentionally pushed myself to learn. If I can do it, anyone can!
Ez loves jewelry, “These necklaces by Stone & Honey are the most wonderful creations I have seen in a very long time… They might actually be my favorite jewelry of all time.”
Holly: What challenges do you face writing Creature Comforts when their are now so many other blogs covering similar topics?
Ez: I’ve often thought that blogland holds a lot of similarities to high school. There can be a lot of negativity and competitiveness that swirls around, but I personally try not to think of blogging as a competition. I think that is the most important thing. Secondly, I really just try to stay true to myself, the things that I love and that inspire me. I think that if I felt that I was up against all the other blogs, then I’d never have the motivation to continue blogging. I strongly believe that what you give in life, is what you receive, so I hope to be a valuable part of the community, but for all the right things (like warmth, generosity, and inspiration). I’m only human, so I have a whole mess of faults, but I am trying.
Holly: So true! There are blogs that are very supportive and welcoming, and sadly a few that tend to feel very much like a popularity club where only certain people are invited. Some blogs go as far to write negative things about fellow bloggers or worse, they blackball bloggers that they feel pose a threat to them somehow. It’s pretty ridiculous. Sadly, with most design, art, fashion, and craft blogs being authored by females you have to deal with this from time to time. We’re an emotional species and let’s face it, women do not always play well together. This has been the case throughout the course of history. It’s easier online with the anonymity of it all to be overly critical, judgmental, and treat others poorly and that’s a sad fact. But when I look at the large number of women online blogging and hear the relatively small number of negative experiences out there, I feel inspired that overall we’re doing a good job getting along and supporting one another. Sure some don’t support me and I’m sure some disregard your good work as well, but in the end those who are like-minded find one another, form special bonds, and carve out a special place for themselves on the web just like we have. Just as in real life, we click with certain people and not to others. We cannot be expected to act differently online, we gravitate those who ‘get’ us and shy away from those who do not. And for the bloggers who try to start negative rumors or promote negativity, I feel strongly that what comes around goes around anyway so just keep doing the right thing, don’t let the negative experiences override all of the positives, and move forward always. Speaking of moving forward…Now for the next question! How do you keep your content fresh and unique?
Ez: Most of my posts start at one inspiration point (perhaps I’m inspired by a color or a particular piece of jewelry) and end as something completely different. I try to let the process happen organically and not to force too much. The hardest thing is when I have those days where nothing is clicking. That’s when I take a little look through my flickr favorites and find some inspiration again. I love flickr!
Ez also loves a good DIY craft project, this one as showcased by Purl Bee caught her eye recently.
Holly: Any tips for new bloggers that have helped you as a writer?
Ez: Be passionate. Blog about something that truly matters to you. Believe in yourself and be an active and friendly member of the blogging community. Oh, and have patience! It might take a while before anyone knows you exist, but keep at it and never be afraid to ask for help when it is needed.
Holly: Give me 5 words that best describes your personality.
Ez: Shy, Artistic, Silly, Compassionate, and Emotional.
Holly: What keeps you energized and focused?
Ez: My readers inspire me so much. I wouldn’t be anywhere without them, and I feel so lucky to have such wonderful people caring about what I do. When I need a moment to regroup, I step away from my computer for a bit. Sometimes I go for a short walk and take photos, bake something tasty, or I rearrange a little corner of my house and give it a fresh look. Then I can come back with a fresh outlook and motivation to keep on keepin’ on.
Holly: How do you stay organized, do you have a specific system?
Ez: The desktop on my computer is crazy, but I try to organize it every day or else I’d never find anything. I also use Wishpot to keep most of my online files in one place. I don’t know how I lived before Wishpot! Afor the rest of my house… I’m definitely not a neat-nick! I need to see everything to feel inspired by my surroundings, so there are many little organized piles of various things from fabric, to current art projects, etc. around my home. Sometimes it gets out of hand, but I try to stay on top of it.
Holly: What is an average day like for you?
Ez: 6:30 am – The day starts with me getting my daughter up and ready for school. After I drop her off I try to head to the gym for a short workout (but I rarely go as often as I’d like). Once home I flip on my computer and read through my emails and blog comments while I eat my breakfast (I love this part of my day). Then it’s on to blogging (which is basically the rest of my day).Then it’s dinner and homework with my daughter, and maybe a walk or a game with her to unwind before I tuck her into bed. While she’s falling asleep I try to catch up on housework, sort through mail, etc. and once she’s out then I’m back to my computer again to wrap up details for posts going up on the following day. 12:30 am – Relax (read, play on my daughter’s Nintendo DS, draw, etc.) and at 2 am – Sleep!
Holly: What did you do before the blog?
Ez: Well, I was busy being a mom. I also worked at various fashion retail shops, went to school, and started sewing little softies (which is part of how I discovered blogging).
Holly: What’s next for you, future goals?
Ez: I’d love to see Creature Comforts continue to grow. I have some top secret ideas I’m working on for the (hopefully) near future, so that’s exciting!
Ez loves flowers! Ink & Peat is a shop that inspires her at the moment. Can you see why?! Wow!
Holly: What is your ultimate dream for yourself and your career?
Ez: Well I think that every artist dreams of being able to live off of their art, so I’d just love to be in that place (with my photography, blog, whatever). I’m not wealthy by any means, and financial stability would be the ultimate dream for me and my daughter. In twenty years (or less) I hope that I will have had the opportunity to work at a magazine or as a stylist or photographer for some major publications. That would be incredible!
Holly: You totally have the talent and ability to do that. In fact, I’m always looking at spreads in magazines and think, “God these people need Ez because this is all laid out so ‘typical’ and boring.” How do you get through a creative rut?
Ez: I think that creative ruts stem most frequently from self-doubt. When this happens I just try to be kind to myself and remember that I’ve been stuck before and I’ll get through it. Journaling helps too.
Holly: Let’s say you run into a competitive person who tries to copy your work or in other ways, wants to bring you down. How would you handle them?
Ez: This has happened before. There are basically two things that come to mind when/if this happens:
1. How sad. Sad that someone has so little belief in their own worth that they feel they need to copy or put someone down in order to have something valuable to offer. 2. I see imitation as a challenge to push myself harder to continue to create, evolve, and change. It’s not good to get too comfortable with sameness.
Holly: You need a new outfit, where do you shop? What are your favorite labels?
Ez: Well, I don’t have a lot of opportunities to update my wardrobe (my fashion budget is almost non-existent these days), but when I do shop I tend to rely upon J.Crew, and shops like Target and the Gap for basics. I like to pick up jewelry and accessories from indie designers on etsy and in local boutiques. I’m not a big label person. Fashion school kind of took that out of me.
Holly: What perfume do you wear?
Ez: If I feel like wearing a scent I just sprits on a little Coconut Lime Verbena body mist (sounds so middle-school) from the Bath & Body Works. It smells like a tropical sunset and I love it.
Holly: Your favorite designers?
Ez: My favorite fashion designers are John Galliano and Marc Jacobs, but I also adore Alexander McQueen for his incredible vision.
Holly: Describe your perfect getaway?
Ez: I’ve always wanted to travel to Paris. I’m teaching myself French currently. When I go I don’t only want to visit though… I’d need to live there for at least a year and fully immerse myself in the culture. I think that would be heaven!
Holly: Oh I agree! Three people you’d love to have lunch with and why?
Ez: 1. You (of course), 2. Melissa (my guest blogger and friend) and 3. Lauren (my best friend).
All three of you live on the East Coast and I’ve never met any of you (the internet is amazing that way). I think we’d have the most wonderful time laughing, talking, and otherwise inspiring one another. I hope it can really happen someday!
Holly: And finally… What trends do you love and which ones do you wish would go away?
Ez: Well something that has been building since I was younger is the trend towards individuality. I fully support that! It’s beautiful to be yourself! I hope that we see more acknowledgment of independent talent as well. I’d also love to see more public support of the people in our communities who are truly making a difference… and not pages and pages of celebrities who all look the same. Oh, and I could do without ever seeing another pair of Ugg boots ever again. :)
Would you like to see Ez and her world? Here are some lovely images of her home that will enjoy. It’s so exciting that she is sharing her space with us today.
Left: Ez’s desk (from ikea) and vintage school chair (picked up for $2). Right: Flowers are the best way to instantly perk up a space. Bottom: One of Ez’s inspiration boards created with wire and two nails – items are hung with clothespins. Displayed on it: a magazine tear, a giant letter E she cut out, “The Greatest Day” print by Corduroy, “Fungi” print from Groundwork, and “Doe Eyes” Print by Birdy & Me.
More views of her home office. Top: Storage drawers picked up for free topped with binders filled with magazine clippings and other inspirations, a vintage wire rack snagged for $1 and the first piece of home decor she ever purchased for herself (the lamp). Bottom: On the windowsill above her desk, fun little decorative things that make me smile: including a vintage deer figuring given to me by Melissa, and an original piece by Heather Smith Jones.
1. Another one of Ez’s inspiration boards where she has saved: a magazine tear, a drawing by her favorite teacher in college, and one of her softies. 2. A glimpse at the mini inspiration board on Ez’s desk. Artwork by Caitlin Shearer. 3. A stack of fabric ready for the next time inspiration strikes. 4. Ez’s rarely throws out a magazine, so this discarded metal magazine rack she picked up at a library comes in handy. 5. You can never have too much paint! 6. Balls of twine make beautiful sculptural objects and are useful too! 7. A collection of Ez’s magazines and books, as well as an owl figurine that she painted white (it was gold), and a treasured original painting found at a local antique shop.
Thank you Ez for visiting us today on decor8, for the two beautiful guest posts that you wrote while I was away, and for all of the wonderful artists and designers that you showcase on your blog each day that continually inspires us to reach high and keep on keepin’ on!
(images all from Creature Comforts)
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