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| FloDo Designs: unique and wonderful high quality gift items made right here in the beautiful state of Maine |
Kim of Winter Solstice Dreams (WSD): Hi Holly! The name of your shop is quite unique. Would you mind sharing the tale of its origin?
Holly Stanger of FloDo Designs (FloDo): Thank you for asking, I love sharing this story. My infatuation with sewing and crafting came from my mother. My very talented mother could sew, knit, crochet, make jewelry, cake decorate, do woodworking; you name it, she could
do it. She taught me to sew at age 10 and the rest - as they say - is
history. After 23 years living in Colorado with my husband and kids, I had hoped to return to my home state of Maine to go into business with my mother, but she lost her very brave 6-year battle with breast cancer one year before I could.
Holly Stanger of FloDo Designs (FloDo): Thank you for asking, I love sharing this story. My infatuation with sewing and crafting came from my mother. My very talented mother could sew, knit, crochet, make jewelry, cake decorate, do woodworking; you name it, she could
do it. She taught me to sew at age 10 and the rest - as they say - is
history. After 23 years living in Colorado with my husband and kids, I had hoped to return to my home state of Maine to go into business with my mother, but she lost her very brave 6-year battle with breast cancer one year before I could.
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| Hen and Chick Towels |
FloDo stands for "Florence's Daughter" in honor of my mother, a very accomplished artisan in her own right. I proudly use this name as it stands for my respect and admiration for my mother, all that she was and all that she taught me. FloDo is truly who I am.
WSD: How did you get your start on Etsy? Why?
FloDo: I stumbled upon Etsy purely by accident. If I remember correctly, I saw an article in a magazine about Rob Kalin, shortly after seeing an ad in one of my favorite magazines about Etsy. I took a look at the website (I caution all those that I point to Etsy that they better have hours available to peruse the items and shops if they go there) and was mesmerized, excited and
super impressed.
I live in a very rural part of Maine and saw this as an
opportunity to have a "website" shop with national, and even international,
exposure for my handcrafts. With very little upfront expense, I could build my "site" at my own pace and as I work full time out of the home the time commitment came down to only whatever time I could afford.
My shop stayed dormant for the first year with no sales. Then just as accidentally as I found Etsy, I stumbled upon an ad for an upcoming arts and crafts fair
in a local newspaper. What caught my eye was that the featured sellers were members of the "Etsy Maine Team". I went to the fair, introduced myself, and became a member of the team and a whole new world opened up for me.Through the incredibly supportive networking and open and encouraging information sharing of this team I gained very valuable tips and hints on ways to improve my shop. I followed the advice, revamped my shop, took all new product photos and shortly after joining the team I started generating
sales. YAY!
W.S.D: As a multi-talented lady this question is going to be tough; what is your
favorite medium to work with?
FloDo: Not tough at all. I would have to say fiber. Fiber includes fabric,
thread, yarns, roving, canvas etc. I love fiber because you can apply many
other mediums to it. It can be 2-D art or sculpted into 3-D pieces. You can fold it, sew it, mold it, paint it, cut it, bead it, print on it...
well, you get the picture.
FloDo: I stumbled upon Etsy purely by accident. If I remember correctly, I saw an article in a magazine about Rob Kalin, shortly after seeing an ad in one of my favorite magazines about Etsy. I took a look at the website (I caution all those that I point to Etsy that they better have hours available to peruse the items and shops if they go there) and was mesmerized, excited and
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| Scenes of Maine Notecard |
I live in a very rural part of Maine and saw this as an
opportunity to have a "website" shop with national, and even international,
exposure for my handcrafts. With very little upfront expense, I could build my "site" at my own pace and as I work full time out of the home the time commitment came down to only whatever time I could afford.
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| It's All About ME(aine) Bibs |
in a local newspaper. What caught my eye was that the featured sellers were members of the "Etsy Maine Team". I went to the fair, introduced myself, and became a member of the team and a whole new world opened up for me.Through the incredibly supportive networking and open and encouraging information sharing of this team I gained very valuable tips and hints on ways to improve my shop. I followed the advice, revamped my shop, took all new product photos and shortly after joining the team I started generating
sales. YAY!
W.S.D: As a multi-talented lady this question is going to be tough; what is your
favorite medium to work with?
FloDo: Not tough at all. I would have to say fiber. Fiber includes fabric,
thread, yarns, roving, canvas etc. I love fiber because you can apply many
other mediums to it. It can be 2-D art or sculpted into 3-D pieces. You can fold it, sew it, mold it, paint it, cut it, bead it, print on it...
well, you get the picture.
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| Coffee Break Towel |
FloDo: My "ah-ha" creation thus far is my "Kitchen Nostalgia" line of handmade"red-worked" 100% cotton huck towels. With such a huge awareness and movement toward reusable, natural, environmentally friendly "green" items, going back to the basics is one way to fill that need.
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| Mainely Blue Moose Towel |
the warm and familiar feeling of items that remind us of our childhood and
earlier times.
These kitchen towels were present in most of our
grandmothers' or mothers' kitchens and they are coming back strong.
Having said that, I must say that I have been working away on my latest project, which may be an "ah-ha" project itself. I am making hand made wooden buttons (for sewing or crafting) using indigenous woods such as birch
and lilac. My birch buttons sold out very quickly but you will be able to find my lilac buttons very soon at https://flododesigns.etsy.com.
W.S.D: Where do you see your business going in the next five years?
FloDo: As a fiber artist and designer I love sharing my craft by teaching. While my Etsy shop and various arts and crafts shows will remain integral parts of my business I hope to be able to expand my studio (once I find my dream home) to offer classes and workshops in different areas of crafting. I currently offer some workshops to individuals and small groups.
W.S.D: And finally, my last question: If you could have a theme song playing around you WHEREVER you went, what would it be and why?
FloDo: Wow that is a tough one... I would have to say (because it really makes me
smile) "You are my sunshine" BUT only if it is being sung by my 5 year old
granddaughter Kennedy.
W.S.D: Holly thanks so much for your time, your beautiful designs, and, of course,
your friendship and laughter. Will you please include some links so my
lovely readers can find you and your work?
FloDo: Thank you Kim! I invite all your fans and readers to:
grandmothers' or mothers' kitchens and they are coming back strong.
Having said that, I must say that I have been working away on my latest project, which may be an "ah-ha" project itself. I am making hand made wooden buttons (for sewing or crafting) using indigenous woods such as birch
and lilac. My birch buttons sold out very quickly but you will be able to find my lilac buttons very soon at https://flododesigns.etsy.com.
W.S.D: Where do you see your business going in the next five years?
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| Lobstermen in Boothbay Harbor Cards |
W.S.D: And finally, my last question: If you could have a theme song playing around you WHEREVER you went, what would it be and why?
FloDo: Wow that is a tough one... I would have to say (because it really makes me
smile) "You are my sunshine" BUT only if it is being sung by my 5 year old
granddaughter Kennedy.
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| Red Rooster and Family Towel Set |
W.S.D: Holly thanks so much for your time, your beautiful designs, and, of course,
your friendship and laughter. Will you please include some links so my
lovely readers can find you and your work?
FloDo: Thank you Kim! I invite all your fans and readers to:
"like" me on FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/?ref=
Follow my blog at http://flododesigns.blogspot.
Follow my blog at http://flododesigns.blogspot.
Check out my photos on http://www.flickr.com/photos/
And visit my shop at https://flododesigns.etsy.com.
On a personal note, Holly has been such a great woman to get to know. Her strength, talent, and love for others are all traits to be admired. She is a good friend to me and I am very fortunate to have her in my life. PS: Her buttons are awesome and I use them in my own work.As always, love and hugs from the West Woooods of Maine, Kim.
What a lovely story for Holly's shop name! And now that you reminded me...I have to go buy a few things from her for presents!
ReplyDeleteWow, thanks for the opportunity Kim! XOXOXO
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this! A real interview with a real person. Holly is very talented. Her shop is so warm and inviting. I looked in her shop and found my faves in her sold section! The buttons are fabulous and I just loved the cat embroidered towel. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteHolly is quite wonderful and so are her products. They are made so well and with such care. It's nice to be among such talented, strong, and amazing women on the Etsy Maine Team.
ReplyDeleteWonderful interview!
ReplyDelete