Jen Wallace, the independent jewelry designer behind Tilting Swiftly and the creator of independent craft & design blog Indie Fixx, recently proposed to me that we indulge in a bit of blogtipping. We decided to interview each other for our respective sites…she’ll be posting my answers to her questions on Indie Fixx sometime today, so be sure to check them out!
The idea of this is to introduce our readers to other blogs that we love and that you might just fall in love with too. This is going to be the first in a series of articles and interviews with Blogs We Love.
Why did you decide to get started with your blog?
I wanted to create a site where I could showcase all the great independent designers, crafters and artists out there and help indie shoppers find the latest and greatest indie products. As an independent designer myself, I know how difficult it can be to get the word out about Tilting Swiftly and as an indie shopper, I know it can be difficult to know where to look for really great indie stuff.
Why is the indie design community important to you?
I am concerned about the Mc-Corporatization of our world. The idea that the mass production of all goods is a good thing, is an idea sold to us by corporations because it is beneficial to them, not because it is right for the world or for individuals. There needs to be place for small family farms and individual artists in our society as well. I want to be able to express my individuality while possibly making the world a better place or at least not making it a worse place.
Who is your favorite independent designer?
I would have to say that Jenny Hart is my favorite indie designer. I love her Sublime Stitching patterns and I think she is just an awesome indie businesswoman.
What blogs do you read every day? List your top 5 blogs—not limited to the indie design world.
Go Fug Yourself
Design*Sponge
Waiter Rant
Post Secret
Defective Yeti
When & how did you get into making jewelry?
I’ve always been a crafty do-it-yourself kind of person. I would have to say it probably began in elementary school, when I started designing my own line of clothing (oh how I wish I still had those drawings) and I designed my own Barbie house out of cardboard boxes. As far as jewelry making, I’ve been creating jewelry for about 6 years now and Tilting Swiftly got off the ground in 2004.
Any crafts you haven’t tried that you’d like to learn?
I really want to learn screen-printing. I have so many ideas and I know the basics of screen-printing are not hard to learn, but you need time and space, neither of which I have. I also want to learn papermaking and glass work.
What’s been your proudest accomplishment so far in running an independent business?
Growing as big as I have. I started out a tiny little operation and now I have customers all over the world and Tilting Swiftly designs can be found both online and at select retail locations.
What’s the hardest part about running an indie biz?
Being an independent small business, it can be hard to get your name out there. Us Indies don’t have multi-million dollar ad budgets and a staff of public relations experts, so it’s all on us. Marketing and PR take a lot of time and keep me from doing the fun stuff.
I noticed that we’re both members of the Craft Mafia…how do you feel that being a member has benefited you so far?
The Wilmington Craft Mafia is still new—we just got started this summer—so we are still getting the word out. So far, the biggest benefit has been widening my circle of indie friends and meeting some really talented indie artists.
What’s your #1 goal for your business in 2007?
Get noticed by a major magazine.
What do you do in your spare time, when you’re not working on Indie Fixx or Tilting Swiftly?
Spare time, what’s that? Seriosuly, I don’t have a lot of spare time. When I do manage to pull myself away from the computer and my studio, I like to catch up on my reading–I just finished Cellophane by Marie Arana. I also like to hang out with my peeps and go to concerts.
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Small world. Good to see you showcasing blogs in this way, Mallory!
I hope all is well where you are.
Thanks Easton! We actually heard about blogtipping through a post on The Switchboards, an online community for crafty businesspeople. So I have a feeling it’s going to be taking off in the crafting world as well as the mainstream business blogging world.
Things have been good around here, just busy!
What a great idea,Mallory and Jen!
This will be great for people like me who prefer indie products but really don’t know where to look online. It’s easier in the city (Magazine St comes to mind) but not so much online.
Thanks!