4th Interview Koala the Jewelry Designer

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Here is the next interview with Koala, jewelry designer, enjoy.

Tell us a bit about yourself

I am Koala from France. After some years of working in cultural sector, I am now working as a freelace multimedia (vid, blog, graphic) designer and i like creating some handmade accessories with felt and polymer clay.


So what is your shop, all about what do you offer?
Koala Bonheur Creator is my shop name. "Bonheur" is a french word means happiness. I hope my creation can bring all of you a tinge of sweetness and loads of "bonheur" to everyday life. As I love using materials of felt and polymer clay in my creation, I make different kinds of desktop accessories, like: magnets, push pins, trinket/jewelry/secret boxes... as well as jewelry collections (rings, earrings, charms,brooches), in the theme of "bonheur".


What are the shops that you own?
koalabonheur.etsy.com
koalabonheurcreator.dawanda.com

the shop in Dawanda facilitates the customers in europe, as I accept bank transfer within EU zone.

So, describe the process of creating your items: how, when, materials, etc.?
Doing researches, be creative, be innovative. I surf on different handicraft sites for understanding the trends at the moment. Then trying to make use of the materials that I familar with (eg Felt and polymer clay) makes some attempts for new product lines. Sometimes it works, sometimes doesn't. Therefore, I m trying to post different products to test the customers' reactions.

Got other hobbies that you love?
Doing makeup, web design, cooking...


In your opinion, do you think there's a lot of competition in miniature food jewelry/accessories?
YES definitely! There is an immense competition in this sector. Therefore, being creative is very important to make your shop standing out.

Do you have any promotions going on now?
Yes, soon I will re-design my blog, then I will put up more promotions there! For example, some FREE shipping offers or some MEGA sales with big discounts! Stay tuned at koalabonheurcreator.blogspot.com and my Facebook Fan Page: Koala Bonheur Creator.

Any advice for people starting out?
As I mentioned in my creation process, it is important to do researches to understand what customers' wants. And be creative of course ^^. One essential thing is making good photos for your product. Since it will give customs a good "impulse" to click on your items.

What other shops do you like/love?
http://www.etsy.com/shop/BraveMoonman
http://www.etsy.com/shop/lechouchou
http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheHappyAcorn
http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheOtherLoft

Lots more... can't list them all out here ^^

Okay, last question, where do you see yourself in ten years?Hmm, it is a hard question, as there are so many uncertainties. I hope I will be a web programmer and will be a mom for 2 kids ^^. Voila ^^!

October Monthly Giveaway with The Candy Shoppe

This month you could win cute little strawberry tarts! Good lucky to everyone!

To enter the giveaway just make a comment on this blog post.

For additional entries = more chanses to win.

1. Go to the The Candy Shoppe and choose your favorite item then come back here and post the link as a comment (1 extra entry)
2. Become a fan for the The Candy Shoppe's Facebook fanpage (1 extra entry) 
3. Be this blogs follower (click the "Follow Blog" button on the right column)(1 entra entry) 
4. post this link: http://su.pr/1X8lCa  to your facebook, twitter or blog! comment again with a link to where you promoted
   ♥ you get ONE extra entry for every promotional link

Make a new comment for each one of your entries (otherwise it gets to hard to count them :). I will pick a random winner monday Oct.31th . Good luck kawaii lovers!

I'm going to go with the simple random giveaway that other people usually host on their blogs. I will be using a random generator to pick the winner. It should be relatively painless ;)

 

Sep Winner

Thank you to everyone that took part here is our sep winner :) Hope to see you on the next one

New 100% handmade jewerly fall line up!

Every night after work I have been working on miniatures, I have been having such a fun time. From this I have decided that I want my shop to be more focused with my handmade mini jewelry line. That is why I am having a clearance sale right now. So I think I have talked enough here are some minis soon to come to my shop I hope you enjoy them. Please feel free to tell me what you think :)

Etsy Treasury

Total Pumpkin cute treasury I'm part of just intime for thanks giving! Show it some love everyone :D

Clearance Sale at The Candy Shoppe

I have a big clearance sale at The Candy Shoppe right now till the end of sep. Don't miss out. I am trying to clear out stock for my new fall line, also for a think you to all my wonderful clients. Thank you for the support everyone. Oh and don't forget about this months giveaway it ends next week!

Stay tooned I will post next minis for this fall later in the week

Food Ideas

Here's a list of ideas coming from you.
Please leave a comment to this post if you would like me to do something particular or have any food idea I didn't thought of. I would love your feedback I am looking for new ideas for me to work on. I am open to any idea so feel free to comment. Thank you so much

3rd Interview Chelbunny the Jewelry Designer

Here is the next interview with Chelsea, jewelry designer and photography artist, enjoy.

Tell us a bit about yourself
I'm Chelsea Anne, a 19 year old artist ♥ I'm a BIG TIME artist, and I have been since I was a little girlie watching Sailor Moon everyday after school! I get alot of my inspiration from artwork, japanese/korean fashion, and magazines. I love to dress with C.O.L.O.R. in my life.


So what is your shop, all about what do you offer?
My shop is called "Crystal Carousel" and it's all about that childish carefree attitude! Wear what you want and rock it! I got the name because of my obsession with carousels of course! I offer big bows in sweet patterns and sugary jewelry, usually like cakes, cookies, etc. I sell deco purses and custom artwork as well!


What are the shops that you own?
Crystal Carousel is my only shop, but I do have my own photography business!


So, describe the process of creating your items: how, when, materials, etc.?
Well my biggest problem is I usually have to be in the "creative mood" otherwise anything I create isn't as good as it should be. I usually will draw up my items in my little idea notebook ahead of time. Then when it's time to create I have my music blasting some jpop or house music :) I sit down at my craft table and I have like 12 boxes of supplies all scattered around me >.<

Got other hobbies that you love?
Photography of course! That's my number 1 :) I also love drawing, baking, and makeup too!


In your opinion, do you think there's a lot of competition in miniature food jewelry/accessories?
Oh DEFINITELY. It's insane how popular it's become lately! Everyone has their own "style" to it which makes it harder to choose :P I'm a fan of it myself! Most people say I make them hungry when I'm around because I have so many candy-related accessories!


Do you have any promotions going on now?
Nope :( Only because my shop is currently in "vacation mode" because I've been soooo busy with school and work. I'm trying to re-vamp my whole shop. I need to make ALOT more items, but I'm also looking to sell some very new things! I want to start selling skirts, photography/drawing prints, as well as offer custom graphics/banners/etc!


Any advice for people starting out?
Get your shipping prices sorted ASAP!
One time I guessed the shipping price on an item and i ended up paying WAY more for the shipping then I intended and actually didn't make any money on that item because the shipping equaled out the selling price! It was horrid! Also, give measurements with your listings because pictures make size sooo deceiving!


What other shops do you like/love?
Oh so many!! Yours for one XD I'm such a miniature sweets junkie! Other fave shops are:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/zefora
http://www.etsy.com/shop/PixieAmor
http://www.etsy.com/shop/kittywooddesigns
http://www.etsy.com/shop/PinkyAnela
http://www.etsy.com/shop/lessthan3chrissy
The sad thing is I have SOOO many more favorite shops too! Ahh, I'm such a shopaholic myself!

Okay, last question, where do you see yourself in ten years?

I see myself doing makeup AND photography for a living :) I'd like to be selling prints too and I will definitely still be crafting up a storm! I'd be living in probably Seattle, WA or in England with my husband, Dray! He's my fiance now, so that part isn't unrealistic, haha!

xxChelsea Anne


Here is Chelbunny's Tumbler for everyone to follow. http://chelbunny.tumblr.com/

custom items

I never really get to post about some customs people ask of me so here are 2 that I worked on last night. I love working on custom items for anyone, I find them to be a lot of fun. One is a purple cupcake with a cherry on top and the other is a fruit backet necklace enjoy!

Thanks Giving/ Fall ring

When I make a new item I make the first one for me, one because I love what I make and want it for me, but also cuz the first one is my test run so I don't want to sell any of my work unless I think it is the best it can be. So here is my newest ring! Its a thanks giving/ fall ring its a cute little pumpkin pie on a pink plate with a little fork and a small espresso cup all in fall colours. I hope you enjoy my new ring I may just have a plate with the pie and fork its self or add some other treats and not add the espresso cup. Just going to play around. I would love feed back so let me know what you think. Thank you everyone!

Sneak peek

Sneak peek new cucpake rings and other sweet coming to The Candy Shoppe this fall! I have been soo busy with my new job. I am an animator on a show called pound puppies that was from the 80's. They are remaking it, the problem is that its soo super stressful with the deadlies and everything needs to be pumped out super fast. But rest assured I have not forgotin my blog fans. I have still been able to find time to work on jewelry! I have a wonderful big line up for this fall! Lots of Halloween jewelry coming out today! If you would like to be one of the first to see my jewelry please take a look at my flicker here The Candy Shoppe's Flicker Also don't forget about this months give away. It will end early this month because I will be moving back to Toronto and I want to send out the give away before I move. Thank you to everyone of the wonderful support. Let me know what you think of the fall line up. Have a good week. :)

September Monthly Give

This month you could win cute little cupcake earrings scented in strawberry! Good lucky to everyone!

I'm going to go with the simple random giveaway that other people usually host on their blogs. I will be using a random generator to pick the winner. It should be relatively painless ;)

Here's how you can enter:

1. Visit The Candy Shoppe and comment here with your favorite item for your first post don't for get to leave your e mail so I can contact you if you win thank you.
   
2. For 1 additional entry: be one of The Candy Shoppe's Facebook fan!
3. For another 1 additional entry: be this blogs follower (click the "Follow Blog" button on the right column)

For every additional entry, please write a new comment to let me know what you've done. This way, the random generator will pick up your entries and your chances to win are increased! Does that sound fun or what? :D

This giveaway is open to anyone and everyone (yip yip hurray!) and will end at September 28th since I will be moving back to Toronto.

Aug Winner!

Heather G is the winner, please e mail me at ware.candice@hotmail.com so I can send off your ring think you :)