CC reader Avis, owner of Avie Designs, wrote and introduced me to her lovely line of paper goods today, so I took the opportunity to ask her a few questions about what inspires her. I hope that in turn her answers will inspire you too.
Q: Were does your inspiration come from when designing such a fun collection of papery goodness?
A: Gosh, I'm not even sure I can pin it down. I think inspiration is like air, it gets inside you when you're not even paying attention. On a more tangible note, I read a lot of blogs, books and magazines. I keep up with what's going on over on etsy and I have been participating in regular contests on Minted that keep me fresh and inspired by other designers. Shopping always cures a case of designer's block as well.
Q: How did go about starting your line/shop? And how long have you been in business?
A: Hmm, I have been in official business since January of 2007, but I quit my day job in August of 2006. Wow, I didn't realize how long it has been until just now. First, I created a product that I thought was different enough to hold a space in the market (my custom designed envelopes) and then I opened up my etsy shop. All truth be told, I did very little research and pre-planning for this little company. All I knew was that I couldn't hold it together any longer as a manager of a retail shop that wasn't my own. Since then I have been just growing and learning on a daily basis. I attended the National Stationery Show this year in an attempt to expand the wholesale portion of my business and I have been thinking about how to further expand my product line and company ever since.
Q: What keeps you motivated?
A: The thought that there is nothing else I'd rather be doing. I actually get bored when there is no work to be done! That is the only down side to doing what you love every day, what then becomes your hobby? My customers and the need to make them happy also keeps me motivated. I want to give them fresh and fun items.
Q: Defined your product line in 6 words or less:
A: fun, modern, hand-crafted, beautiful stationery
Find more of Avie Designs: {ETSY SHOP} . {OFFICIAL SITE} . {BLOG}