Hello,
I love cute patch works on kids' dresses, and on tote bags, and on pillows, pencil cases, stoles, belts.... And I know that you all love it too... isn't it ? Yes, I hear 'yes' ... after all we are still a kid ( although a little bit grown-up ) !
So, today I thought of taking a break from my surface designing and taking time to watch these cute birds, butterflies and bees.
Introducing Little Pip Designs, where you'll find handmade textiles, gifts and accessories which are lovingly made for you and your home. Yes, that's true !
Please scroll down to read about the founder and designer of Little Pip Designs ...
How would you describe yourself?
I find it quite hard to describe myself but I would say I am since setting up Little Pip Designs I have realised the even more the rubbish thing with big companies and some high street stores is you do not always know the person behind that business/brand/their morals/ethics/inspirations... (and sometimes they are just sitting in a suit in an office with no direct contact with the customers). This may suit some people down to a T but not me. My actual name is Sarah but got the nickname Pip whilst studying my degree a few years ago and now I respond to it more than my actual name. I am 25 years old and live in North Devon (but it is a myth that everyone in N.Devon surfs )... I wish I could but I can't !
It is just me who works at Little Pip Designs, I do the designing, sewing, photography, drawing, paperwork, posting orders- you name it.... (but I have the lovely support of my other half, family and friends who help out sometimes with lil and bits.) I set up Little Pip Designs in October 2012 after two lots of surgery/treatments and diagnosed with a condition which left me unable to continue my jobs of working with early years/special needs children. I love to bake and victoria sponge cake is the best thing ever. I love the television program "New Girl" very much.
What do you like to do when you are not creating anything ?
When I am not creating I love to be outside in the garden. Last year I set myself the challenge of growing as much as my own vegetables, fruit and flowers as possible. It went really well and this spring/summer I have been sowing more new seeds, eating lots of yummy salad, peas and strawberries. Lots of time outside inspires my designs too and relaxes me. I also enjoy swimming, yoga, spending time with loved ones and walks in the countryside.
What's your favourite color ?
It is hard to choose between two of them -- pink and blue but I will have to go for pink. I have blonde hair and you will often see me with a pink hair dye in my hair.
Anything you want to share to your readers about setting up his/her own business ?
I would say that you definitely have to be passionate about what you do. Pricing is one of the hardest parts of selling your own work but do not under price yourself especially if you are doing this as a full time job. I think be yourself, be original and be prepared to work harder than you have ever worked before,(whilst making sure you have some time off to relax too).
Who is your dream client ?
I do not really have one, every customer I have is amazing for supporting me and buying my work. However if someone who is an artist or designer who I look up to bought a piece of my work, that would be amazing. I would love one day to design for a big company but I am more than happy right now doing what I do.
Tell us a bit about your biggest challenge in your career, and the way you handled it ?
I think starting the business was the hardest part of my career. It is as if you have a huge blank canvas in front of you and step by step you need to fill it in. It is a challenge but I love that and I am constantly learning every day. I handled it by taking each day at a time, ''you can not run before you can walk''.... I have always been told, which is so true. It takes time, patience and lots of hard work but it is very much worth it.
Your greatest inspiration is?
My great inspiration is my mum. She has supported and encouraged my creativity since I was very a small child. When I was little we would do lots of art projects and my favourite time of the day was painting on lots of pieces of paper in the garden.
How would you describe your work place?
I work from home in my spare room on a wooden desk, it is filled with lots of my favourite things, fabric and creativity. Once I have drawn in my sketchbook, I often tape the pages on to my wall in front of me to work from. I have boxes of buttons, ribbons, threads, lots of fabric – I may need a studio extension soon ! To the left of my desk looks out over the garden, down to the bird feeders and vegetable patches.
Where can people contact you ?
I am currently building my website: http://littlepipdesigns.com/new/index.html and all new updates about work are always first on my facebook: https://www.facebook.com/littlepipdesigns . I take orders directly through my facebook and my email which is : hello@littlepipdesigns.com . I also take orders through my folksy and etsy shops:
http://folksy.com/shops/littlepipdesigns
https://www.etsy.com/shop/littlepipdesigns
I have previously had a stall at craft fairs but at the moment I am concentrating on selling on the internet.
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Thanks Sarah for this lovely interview !
So, next time if you are in search of some cute patch work designs to gift yourself and your friends too... don't go anywhere --- just mail to Sarah, who is proud to say that ...'' all of my work is designed and made by me, Little Pip from my studio based in North Devon.''
See you soon !
