Date joined etsy - 9/29/07
Sales to date - 517
-Give us some basic info about you: name, where you live, kids/pets, favorite ice cream flavor, etc.Squid Ink Kollective is Brinnea (Brian + Lynnea). We currently live in Austin, Texas with our two cats Pai Mei and Scribble. We first met almost 8 years ago when Brian joined Lynnea's band, and have been working together creatively ever since. We is married. But only informally, and less than two months ago! Working together on the business was a natural progression in our relationship, since our individual goals and interests complement the other's quite nicely.
-Describe an average day in life of "you".
Wake up, make tea and breggs (bread + eggs). Check email, prepare packages, order shirts if needed and start working. Brian does most of the printing specific stuff - burning screens, printing, heat curing. Lynnea handles the online maintenance, like our social networking, Etsy shop updating, and looking for potential shows to vend at. She also sews the handmade bags and linens that are in the store. We take time off to do food shopping or work on small projects like building a two-tiered grow light area for vegetable seedlings.
-Were you creative growing up/what did you enjoy doing?
Brian: I've always been drawing, and wanted to be a cartoonist since age 3. My first try at screenprinting was in high school, and my college degree is in printmaking. I also have played drums for many years and love skateboarding.
Lynnea: I've also been creative my whole life, and am one of those people that can pick up virtually any new skill and run with it. I was groomed to be a professional musician/composer but couldn't handle my performance anxiety. I taught myself how to sew two years ago as a creative outlet while the performance anxiety gets tackled in a less confrontational way.
-What made you want to start selling on etsy?
Brian first heard about it from a fellow printmaker, and was inspired by the goal-driven creative people he found. We both really love the community feel of Etsy and the personal approach of staff. We also lived in smaller town in Texas at the time and needed to be able to reach more people who appreciated both quality craftsmanship and eco friendly wares(and had a decent sense of humor!)
-How long did it take for you to get your first sale on etsy?
Oh, several months. You should check out our first sale. The photos are hilarious.
http://www.etsy.com/view_
-Top 5 favorite foods, tv shows, and bands?
5 Favorite Foods:
Indian food
Falafel i rull (particularly from Carmel Grill in Oslo that has a Lebonese version of Adam Sandler working there)
Salad of most forms
Cheese - favorites being snøfrisk, halloumi, grædost, and any quality sharp cheddar
Mock chicken salad from Whole Foods (it's like crack for vegans!)
Shows:
Arrested Development, of course!
The Office
30 Rock
Lost
Brian: Lovejoy
Lynnea: Dr. Who, both old and new versions
Music:
Brian:
Winter Sun
The Bad Plus
Return to Forever
The Roots
Hella
Lynnea:
Karen O, esp her soundtrack for Where the Wild Things Are
Rachmaninov's preludes played by Gabriela Montero
The Bad Plus
Consider the Source
Bjork
-Is there anything you'd like to try your hand at doing? Knitting, baking, soap making, wood working, etc.
Lynnea - currently learning to knit! Would like to learn hand-dying with plant material.
Brian - surfing.
-What would you suggest to new etsy sellers to promote their shops?
We've never been big on paying for promotion. Just show everyone what you do, and if it's authentic and full of life, word is bound to spread. Find a team in your local area and listen to those with experience and success. Do craft shows and be visible online. And of course your photos, if good enough, promote themselves!
-3 etsy shops you just LOVE?
We've always had a soft spot for http://ruffeoheartslilsnoty.
We buy our delicious, fair trade organic coffee from http://downtownroasters.etsy.
And we also love the work of http://tugboatprintshop.etsy.
-By New Years Eve 2011 I hope my number of sold items is:
1500 all the way!
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Have a successful etsy shop and want to be a featured seller? Contact me at phletcher@gmail.com
As always, thanks for reading :)
