An Interview with Drew of Kitsch Cafe

 

Hello lovelies!  I'm so glad you've stopped by, because today I have the privilege of introducing you to the super talented multi-shop owner / blog writer, Drew (I featured his vintage fabric note cards last month) .  In the female dominated design blog world, I think it's great to see a guy creating and sharing his talent with everyone so freely.  Find out more about his life, what inspires him, his tips for taking great photographs and more...

Meet Drew:

Where you live:  The sometimes European feeling, mostly beautiful and always underrated and misunderstood Cincinnati, Ohio.

Business name(s):  Kitsch Café and the newly launched Kitsch Café Handmade

Blog name(s):  Kitsch Café Studio Blog  |   Drew-o-rama  |   design cincinnati

Do you share your life with anyone special? - Boyfriend / Pets / Etc:

I have a wonderful architecture-and-design-loving handsome boyfriend named Blake. I don't have any pets, although I would absolutely love a Chihuahua or Miniature Pinscher (if only to dress it up in sweaters that I knit and carry it around in one of my over-sized bags. ok, I'm kidding! ... sorta.)

You are such a talented guy with an amazing eye for styling and the vintage find... have you always had such a wonderful ability or is it something that you've learned through school or over time?

Wow, thanks Ez for the nice comments!  I went to design school and have a degree in graphic design. I was exposed to great design by my professors who taught me to recognize and support well designed products. I have worked in the design field for 10 years. I was lucky that my first boss taught me the power of design and styling and making a product seem like more than it really is.  However, to be honest, it's only recently that I've been able to truly relax and recognize my own style. Since starting my first blog I stopped being embarrassed about the things I like, whether it's 1970s bed linens, kitschy owl figurines, or 1950s children's book illustrations. Once I got positive feedback on my styling, photography and design skills, I haven't held back and my creativity has soared. It's very freeing. I'm excited to see where it's going to take me.

Are you a self-taught photographer/stylist?  Do you have any tips for us on how to take photos that look as lovely as yours?

I had 2 years of typical photography classes during design school. After school, I would take photos when I traveled, but I didn't really do anything seriously until I bought my first digital camera. Once I was able to take as many photos as the storage card would allow and also see them instantly on the view screen, the fear of wasting film was gone and I was free to explore.  I had never really thought about photo styling until it became necessary after opening my Etsy shop. I needed a way to keep myself interested in taking photos for my shop and to have them stand out among all the other amazing Etsy vintage sellers. When it comes to styling, I just use my gut and allow myself to experiment.

Here are my three tips to great photos and photo styling:

1. Natural light! Most people don't have fancy lighting equipment, so use natural, morning light. Oh, and turn off that nasty flash!
2. When it comes to the backgrounds that I use, I experiment with color, texture and patterns. Don't be afraid. Nothing is wrong. Make your photos stand out. Trust yourself and go for it!
3. Take lots of photos of one subject. Switch things up. Use props. Don't use props. Change the color of the background. Use a white background. For every one of my final photos there were probably 50 that didn't make the cut

By the way, I use a 6 year-old point-and-shoot digital camera. You don't need fancy equipment to take great photos.

Describe a typical day in your life:

• I am NOT a morning person. I usually get up around 9am. I stumble around until about 10 when I finally start waking up. I make some cappuccino and eat some cereal and fruit for breakfast while checking email.- The internets usually suck me in and before I know it, I've wasted 2 hours looking at blogs, Flickr, Facebook...
• I am a big believer in "To-Do" lists. I check my list and do anything else I need to on the computer. This is usually when I write and research blog posts for the day or even the week.
• If I need to take photos, I do that during the morning. That can take up to 3 hours.
• I eat a light lunch and either start working in the studio, packing up orders or run errands. I live in a very walkable neighborhood that has everything I need within 4 blocks. It's not uncommon for me to not use my car for several days in a row. Errands are easy and I like the break.\
• In the evening, I go to Blake's and have dinner, or make dinner for myself and keep working (with internet breaks) in the studio.
• I really get going around 8pm which is when I get my second wind. I work until 2am most nights.
• Go to bed. Wash, rinse, repeat.

Do you have any go-to sources for inspiration (online or in your daily life)... spill the dirt:

I have a huge list of blogs in my Google Reader queue, which include all the usual design and craft blogs. The sites that I really find inspiring are varied:

• Nerd Boyfriend - This site in genius.
• Dear Ada - Love Ada and her fine art finds.
• Mr. Peacock - Because it's nice to see men authoring style blogs. And Robert is so nice!
• F*ck You, Penguin - This guy is super hilarious and makes me LOL every time.

Your new studio space is amazing and I know you recently received some wonderful handmade worktables from your Dad...do you have any extra plans for your new creative room?  What sorts of projects are you currently working on in there?

Thanks again for the nice comments! I am very lucky to live in an inexpensive apartment (a benefit of living in a smaller city) that has a formal dining room that I have turned in to my studio. It's a work in progress right now.
A month ago I quit my "9-5" job, for various reasons. It was my plan to quit eventually, it just happened sooner than I had thought. I jumped right in setting up my studio and business. I'm in the process of developing new items. Keep checking my shop and blogs, as there will be new items every few weeks, including:

• A line of knitted and vintage fabric throw pillows
• A line of stationery, including vintage fabric covered note cards already in the shop, and notebooks that will arrive in the next few weeks.
• Weekly additions to the Kitsch Cafe Vintage shop.
• Anything else I want to make that utilizes vintage fabric and/or knitting. Recently, I have been working on hats, men's ties, small zippered bags all using vintage fabrics as well as packs of vintage paper ephemera for collage and scrapbooking.

Answer these questions:

I am: The youngest grandchild on both sides.
I love: My stylish mother, my intelligent father
I dream of: An apartment and atelier in Paris
My favorite song is: Someone to Watch Over Me by Gershwin
In 10 years I hope to be: Doing what I want.

And finally, what are 3 creature comforts you couldn't live without?

• My great boyfriend and amazing friends
• My giant Prada bag
• Knitting needles and yarn

Thanks, Ez for interviewing me!  I hope that I can inspire others to be themselves, find their style, and be happy! Thank you Drew!  It was truly my pleasure!  Don't forget to visit Drew's sites and flickr for more inspiration

Comments

[Melissa]

Oh, thank you so much for introducing me to Drew! He seems like an absolute sweetheart and I can't wait to see the new items in Drew's shop(those pillows are adorable) Such a fun and interesting interview! Thanks Ez and thanks Drew!xoMelis

[Erin]

How exciting to see a fellow Cincinnatian on one of my favorite blogs. What a great Etsy shop! Thank you for the photography tips as well.

[Katja]

Yay! I love Drew's Flickr photostream so it was great to learn more about him. Such a fun and inspiring interview!

[puglyfeet]

His sells great kitch!

[Sarah]

Ez- What a great interview! I love being introduced to creative types and I love it even more that you featured a male. I took a peak over at Drew's etsy shop... all I can say is WOW, I'll take one of each please! Keep up the great work-- both of you!

[evie s.]

Great interview. Very inspiring! Thanks for this Ez!

[Shokoofeh]

Thank you so much!for this interview.and for your really inspirational blog!:)it would be my pleasure if you come and visit my blog.

xo

[Shokoofeh]

sorry I forgot to put my link :http://anewsimplesomething.blogspot.com/

thanks!

[eva / sycamore street press]

I always get excited when I see another Ohioan represented. This is a really great place that I'll be sad to leave. Great interview, Ez + Drew.

[Gina D]

I love the interview!! Thanks so much for sharing. Your blog is amazing.

[Erin Vale]

Loved this whole interview! Great photos. I am an art director and I am always curious to see how others style shoots. Gave me some great professional and personal ideas. Thanks Ez and Drew!

[suzanne : : S.HOPtalk]

Great questions and interview Ez! So fun to see a boy on a blog for a change. :)

[visualingual]

Congratulations on the interview, Drew, and I love the photos! BTW, for anyone in the Cincinnati area, Drew will have a booth at the OTR/Gateway Summer Celebration next Saturday, a daylong art/craft/music/food/drink block party-type event in Cincinnati's Over-the-Rhine:

http://www.otrgateway.com/Gateway_Quarter_Retail_Page/Summer_Celebration.html

[Ashley]

So inspiring! I just put in my two weeks yesterday and will be working for myself as a web designer now. I can't wait!

[cabinet hardware pulls]

Great interview and material.

Thanks