Some little girls love jewellery. Jewellery designed for little girls is often colourful, easy to wear and smaller than adult pieces, but in the tween stage, theres a desire for adult pieces that can become expensive.
Enter those massive Diva-esque chain stores, where each gold or silver-plated piece is cheap, high fashion and disposable. But handmade jewellery is another option, often made of upcycled material, with imperfections marking it as hand crafted. By virtue of its handmade-ness, it wont be seen everywhere and each piece will be a little bit unique. And often, especially the sweet pieces fashioned for young girls, the jewellery is surprisingly affordable.
Guest Post written by Karina Reyne, co-partner of Handmade Emporium, the hip handmade online market. Check out the best of handmade at Handmade Emporium
Let’s hear Lauren’s story all about her business Molly and Mama.
Tell us about your business:
Molly and Mama is all about sharing the imagination and energy of childhood in beautiful clothes, accessories, toys and home décor. The Molly and Mama range is made with unique, original and often hand drawn designs and patterns. Im inspired by all things pretty, colourful, whimsical and happy. I create with lots of care and attention to detail. I always strive to produce high quality pieces that not only look great, but stand the test of time.
What inspired you to start your business?
I recall sewing dolls clothes and toys as a child, sketching house plans, making magazines and writing books. I wrote plays and entertained the family with costume changes, and scene sets. Being creative was always a part of me! As an adult, I have always had a yearning to follow my creative dreams, but I let ˜life get in the way. It wasnt until I had my children that I found the time and motivation to make those dreams come to life. I think that once I unleashed all the creative flow that had been held back for so long, there was just no stopping it. New opportunities presented themselves, and I found a way to turn my creativity and passion into a business that I love.
Is there an interesting anecdote behind your business name?
My little business is named for my grandmother Molly and my own mother (whom my kids call Mama). Theres a little bit of Molly and Mama in every piece I create “ after all, theyre the two amazing women who inspired my love of all things creative and encouraged me to follow my dreams.
What is the most satisfying part of what you do?
It is wonderful to be able to be creative every day. I also feel very blessed knowing that I can work from home and be supported by my family and be there for my children. I love seeing a sketch come to life “ from an idea, to a pattern and then transformed into an appliqué or a special piece. And most of all, I really get a kick out of seeing little kiddies loving their Molly and Mama gear! Its nice to know that you created something that they will enjoy, thats different from everything else in the shops.
Have you tried something in business that didnt work as planned, or on the flip side “ worked out better than expected?
Being new to running a handmade business, there will always be little bumps in the road and things that you didn’t plan for. Sometimes Ill create a pattern or a piece that I really love but it isnt as well received as I had hoped. Other times, Ill do a little side project and share it with the Molly and Mama followers and it quickly becomes a very popular piece or design. Its great to take a lesson from these situations. Every little challenge pushes me to look outside my comfort zone and try again. It often pays off, sometimes it doesn’t but at least Im following my creative dreams.
What would be your best tip for someone thinking about selling their handcrafted goods?
Believe in your product and what you are creating. Dont make things to please others. Have a very clear understanding of what it is that you are offering your customers, and what sets you apart from those around you. Be true to yourself and it will shine through in your work.
What is your favourite item you make?
Ive always been a creative person and so I love trying new things. I am constantly sewing and creating different projects and pieces. But it seems that my appliqué t-shirts have always been a customer favourite. I particularly love my ˜Little Miss Dolly tees.
Any personal or business highlights in the last year:
This last year has seen Molly and Mama grow immensely. It was a very exciting moment when I launched the online store “ www.MollyandMama.com.au. And the business has been featured in some fantastic blogs and magazines. ˜Tickle the Imagination magazine featured my Easter collection in their ˜Celebrations issue and that was certainly a business highlight for 2013!
3 things about you (not business related) that people might not know:
I have a psychology degree, I am a qualified primary school teacher and Autumn is my favourite season!
Whale Spout creates handmade clothes and accessories for both girls and boys, in designs that allow and encourage kids to be kids, and not to dress them up as mini adults. Whale Spout encourages kids to embrace the essence of childhood in designs that let them be little fish.
What inspired you to start your business?
Whale Spout was created for two main reasons – firstly, I have huge concerns regarding the sexualisation of children in society and the media. This led me to create designs that allow and encourage kids to be kids, and not to dress them up as mini adults.
Also, I want to be a hands on Mum and able to help out at kinder and school whenever I can. I want to be able to drop my kids off, pick them up, and be home with them when they are home.
Is there an interesting anecdote behind your business name?
A ˜whale spout is the first hairstyle a baby girl has, where her hair is long enough to put into a pony tail on the top of her head, resembling a whale spouting water. My eldest daughter suggested the name to me and it was perfect!
What is the most satisfying part of what you do?
Seeing little girls and boys dressed in Whale Spout – bright, colourful clothing that is made for their age and is of a more traditional style. The designs are so versatile “ perfect to play in the sandpit or to wear to the Grandparents house for lunch.
Have you tried something in business that didnt work as planned, or on the flip side “ worked out better than expected?
My first winter range for girls was surprisingly unsuccessful, but I also discovered that parents are happy to dress their daughters in our bright, summer dresses all year round “ just throw on a pair of leggings and a long-sleeved tee and its a dress for all seasons!
What would be your best tip for someone thinking about selling their handcrafted goods?
You have to be passionate about the items you are selling or your customers simply wont buy them, and remember that not everyone is your target market “ people who choose to buy handmade goods have a large respect for the time and effort put into making something (as opposed to people seeking a bargain).
What is your favourite item you make?
My favourite and most popular item is the Grace twirly skirt in Paris. Sadly, this beautiful fabric has been discontinued and my stash of it is getting smaller and smaller.
Any personal or business highlights in the last year:
In May 2012, I won a market package competition from Forming Circles and Handmade HQ “ this included a $500 package to help get me to my first market. Whale Spout attended our first market as a stall holder in August 2012, and we recently attended our 11th market (at which our sales surpassed our 3 year business goal)!!
3 things about you that people might not know:
Until I borrowed my Mums sewing machine in 2010, I hadnt actually sewn since high school (which was many years ago!).
My pre-children career was in human resources in the travel industry “ no creativity required!
I’m very lucky to have travelled widely, including “ living in SE Asia as a child, living and working in the UK, backpacking through Europe and the Middle East, driving from the east coast to west coast of North America, and visiting the gorillas in the wilds of East Africa.
