Sarah of The Star City Sound writes a craft blog that was one of the early blogs to show me some love, for which I am eternally grateful. Sarah is a crafter and full time mom, like so many other interviewees on this site. I'm really amazed to see how many full time moms are able to nurture a side business in addition to caring for their little ones (if you look at one of Sarah's home studio pics below, you'll find one of the little ones roaming in their natural habitat). I'm no where close to being a mom myself, but it's encouraging to know that when that day comes, I won't have to decide between crafts and kids. The two can coexist peacefully. Sarah dealt with major computer issues to get her interview and pics to me so she could share the story of her small biz with Make It readers and I thank her for that. Enjoy.
Artist: Sarah Akers, The Star City Sound
Craft: Jewelry, Accessories
How long have you been in business?
One year this month! (Happy birthday to me and my shop...August rocks!)
How did you get your start?
Painting and drawing had always been such a huge part of my life, but I stopped completely when I was expecting my son (almost six years ago.) It's amazing, in retrospect, what a huge effect it had on me...over time, I got more and more frustrated at the end of each day, simply because I didn't have the time to sit and relax and make something for myself. Then, one day (two baby girls and over four years later), I picked up some felt and some floss and started sewing little flowers and airplanes and lines...and it was so liberating! And from there, I just kind of jumped into it. I thought, "What fun it would be to sell my stuff!" And it has been, mostly, when I'm not fussing over accounting stuff or figuring out SQL nonsense.
Do you have formal training?
I've always drawn and painted. I studied art for a bit in college, but never felt like I was "good enough." So I switched my major to international affairs. It's my biggest regret! It's only been recently that I've thought, "Wow! I could have stayed with art, and been happy! OR, even something like design! Or metalwork!" But then, it just didn't occur to me. Things have worked out alright, though. I couldn't be happier.
Do you think you've "made it?"
Oh, gosh, no! I feel so far from it! There is so, so much I want to do, so much I want to learn, and so much I want the star city sound to be. And if it gets a little recognition, if I make a little money, then great...I'll be extra-content.
What would it take for you to think you've "made it"?
I don't know if I'll ever feel that way, completely...I'm always wanting to do more. (But being interviewed here is a nice start.)
Is selling your handmade items supporting you financially?
Not quite...it's been a busy summer, but everything I've made has gone back into the shop. So, it's supporting itself, which is pretty nice.
If not, what is your day job?
I'm a full-time stay-at-home mother of three (ages 6,4 and 1.)
What's the best part of having your own business?
I love making things. I love the challenge of trying to figure out "What next?" I love the awesome people that I've met, and the kind things people say about the things they've ordered (that never gets old). I'm glad that if I have to put things on hold or take a little break, I can, and it's not the end of the world.
What surprised you about having your own business?
It's surprised me how challenging it can be to keep up with everything...inventory, finances, taxes, keeping up with emails, getting things shipped, having a blog, getting your name out...and getting things made! I've been good-surprised by having regular customers, by the way people have found out about me, and just how busy I've stayed this summer. It's very flattering.
What resources do you take advantage of?
Craft blogs, for one! It's such a huge help when other crafters share their experiences with what has and hasn't worked. I'm still learning things everyday. (ahem, Make It...thank you!) The forums over at the Switchboards, and on Indie Finds are amazing, too. There are some incredible crafters and artists who have really done it all and have a *huge* amount of knowledge to share. I'm in an area (Raleigh, NC) with a lot of really insanely talented and established crafters (Ileana of india*romeo, Kristin from Mood Swing, Kiona from Lucky Accessories, Michelle from Smashing Mirrors/Rock & Shop, to name just a few! Could I be any more lucky?) who have helped me more than words can say, and I'm really grateful for that, too.
Advice for someone trying to make it in your field:
Everyone has said this, but I'm going to back them up: find your niche. There are so many crafters making so many incredible goods...you just have to use your own style and your own talent and make the things the aren't being made, or that aren't being made in the super-special way that is your own. Then, get out there and promote it! It's a great time to be a crafter, with so many resources available: blogs (like this, and individual crafter blogs), forums, Etsy, craft fairs everywhere...Take advantage of it all!
Advice for someone trying to build their own business (in any field):
Keep really good, detailed records...you'll thank yourself at tax time, I promise. And stop to have fun. Burn-out is no fun at all, and it *will* affect your business. You're doing this because you love it, remember?
How and where do you advertise your product?
I started out with a blog on Live Journal, sent items in to the Sampler, swapped links with other crafty ladies, and did a couple of craft shows. I think the most successful of those was the link swapping. Now I'm buying ad space on blogs (the prices are reasonable and the results have been really good) and am a part of Indie Finds, which I adore. I've been debating whether or not to spend a huge chunk of money on ads, but thanks to IF, I've paid about 1/10th of what I would have spent, Nicole makes a gorgeous 1-2 page spread, and I'm probably getting just as much (if not more!) notice from it.
What are your future goals for your business?
I would like to get more art and paper products in the shop, if only because it would be really nice to get back into that part of my life, and to see what I can do. Also, I'd love to have the scs evolve into a sort of collective, adding works by other artists and crafters to the shop. Not a consignment deal, at all, because I don't want to make money off of it...just a bunch of friends/artists with mutual admiration working together and our nifty wares mingling in the shop.
Can you speak anymore on the following topics:
-approaching store owners
This is something I need to do. I can honestly say I haven't gone out and done this yet, but I am making plans to do it soon. I need to find the time when I don't have the kids with me, and that's rare.
-crafts fairs
I wish I could do more! It's one of my favorite things to do; it's so nice to get out and have people look at your stuff, and you can get immediate feedback from their reactions. I love meeting other crafters, especially ones that I've admired for a while, and seeing their works in person. Again, I'm really lucky that I live in an area where there are some *really* good shows close by:The Handmade Market, the Rock & Shop Market, and the Southeastern Swag Market. The ones I've been a part of have been a blast, have been well-attended, and I've made money, so it doesn't get any better than that. Someday I'd love to travel and do more , but that will have to wait until the kids are a little older.
-trade shows
I've never done any...this is something I'm not very familiar with, or really interested in at this point.
-starting and maintaining a website
I had fantastic plans at the beginning of learning everything and doing it all myself, but it was so time-consuming (and I was doing a lousy job), so I sketched (in crayon, on notebook paper) a quick drawing of what I had in mind for the logo and color scheme, sent it off to Arianne at Aeolidia, and she turned it into my lovely little webshop. I like the way it's set up; I use Zen Cart, and it's really easy to update and to keep track of everything. I wish I had learned a little more technical stuff; I'm still trying to back things up to switch hosts (mine has been down a crazy amount of times this past month!) and there are all sorts of weird little SQL errors. Hello, fun world of phpMyAdmin, and stuff. I'm learning.
-your branding and packaging
When I think of some of the crafters/artists/designers who've been on the scene for a while, I immediately can picture their logo, "their" colors their style. It's very important. It's part of what makes us all stand apart, and is/should be a good representation of our style.

