May won a blog feature from your votes for her
Field of Flowers Skirt
Here's our interview:
1. Tell us a bit about yourself (name, location, affiliations, personal stuff). My name is May and Mayflower is actually one of my many nicknames I had, hence the name of my shop. I am currently located in New Brunswick, New Jersey. I am a full time student at Rutgers University, double majoring in Supply Chain and Marketing Science and Business Management and a minor in political science. I do have experience sewing. I took courses at the Fashion Institute of Technology since I was 14. And last year, I entered into a fashion contest for Womenswear-Evening and won a silver medal for my dress. I only recently began making jewelry. My favorite color is black, you might notice that when you look at most of the clothing items in my shop. And macaroni and cheese is the best comfort food out there! (
Linda B agrees)
2. What inspires you? I find inspiration everywhere and in everything. For some of the spring and summer creations that I am in the process of making right now, I definitely find my inspiration in the weather, the flowers, and the colors. Generally, I tend to focus all of my creations on a single phrase said by Leonardo DaVinci: “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”
Elephant and Mother Of Pearl Tusk
Necklace
3. What is your favorite thing to do with your creativity? Grab some fabric or jewelry supplies and make something!
4. What is the first thing you can remember making by hand? How and why did you make it?
Well, I remember watching Project Runway season 3 or 4. I was so inspired by Uli and what she does that I decided to take some fabric and make something. I got black and gray striped fabric and made a bandeau top shirt with braids. It surprisingly was simple to make and really fun to wear. You can actually view it here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/themayflower/4531488522/
5. What are the web addresses people can find you at? (website, etsy, blog, flickr)
My blog mainly focuses on economics, politics and fashion and how they relate to one another. Some of the topics I have brought up to discussion are highly sexualized ads in today’s society and the reemergence of blackface.
6. What is your favorite color combination? Black with a pale pink. I remember Anne Hathaway wearing a flowy pale pink chiffon dress with a motorcycle dress over it. I liked the sharp contrast between pale pink and bold black. It worked out very nicely.
MADE TO ORDER Just A Little Pop of Color Dress
7. What projects are you currently working on? I am currently working on two white dresses. The first one is a sweetheart top with white tulle as the bottom skirt. It will be covered with vines, leaves I have cut out from white fabric. It will only cover a small part of the tulle and all of the top. I might even extend it and make the vines wrap around the shoulder and neck, but I’m not sure yet. It may be too much.
The second one is a white tube top dress with a very flowy bottom skirt. It will be similar to the “Field of Flowers” skirt. I will be making more of those flowers and putting it all over the top and only a few on the top of the skirt. There will be a lot of beading integrated into the top as well. I will be using pearls, clear crystal beads and antique brass as well. I think it’ll be easier to understand once I finish it and post a picture on Etsy. I do intend for this dress to be a wedding dress, which will be my first ever!
8. Why should people buy handmade? We dedicate a lot of time to making these products and satisfying our customers. It would keep us motivated to know that you appreciate our hard work!
9. Do you have any tips or wisdom on selling handmade items? I would say that I am still a newbie when it comes to promoting and advertising. But one thing’s for sure: HAVE GOOD PHOTOS! It’s usually what entices the customer to click on your product and read more about it. Don’t only rely on Etsy. Do some promoting offline as well. Give your cards to your family members to hand out. Get your nieces or nephews to wear your items to school or to birthday parties. I get my little sister to wear the “Rainbow bracelet” to school and many girls have been begging their parents to get one like hers!
10. What have been the most valuable lessons learned from other artists? I’ve learned that their strategies may not necessarily bring me success. They give great pointers, but every seller and every shop is unique and different. Techniques that may have worked for them may not produce the same results for you. For some, Twitter has been a success in generating sales, but for me, Facebook has generated most sales, both online and offline. I’m not saying to ignore their advice. You should definitely take it into account, but don’t expect the same results.
11. Apart from creating things, what do you do?
Since I’m in college, I do a lot of things. I love working out and keeping in shape. I take Body Combat classes, which is a combination of Mixed Martial Arts and kickboxing. I love to read in my spare time. I read everything from biographies to science fiction to history books to romantic love stories. I love playing video games. I am a video game addict and I want everyone to know it. And most importantly, hanging out with my friends. They are amazing and they have been very supportive about my starting an online shop.
Thanks so much, May for taking the time to post and answer my questions. I hope you gets tons of views and sales.
Linda B.
