Quick Q & A for the Samplergram: Christina Loff!
New Team Sampler member Jennicakes has penned her very first
Samplergram, for which she profiled Christina Loff from
Chronicle Books -- Sampler Contributors for the June/July Sampler.
Hey there, Sampler fans! It's me, Jennicakes!
Here at the Sampler, we run into so many cool makers, writers, bloggers,
and promoters that it sometimes makes our head spin. So imagine how we
feel when we meet someone like Christina Loff, who is all of the above!
Between working as a publicist for Chronicle Books (a contributor to the
Sampler this month) and writing about craft and crafters for
SFist.com,
it's hard to believe that Christina also has time to keep
a really cool blog,
and make super-cute duct-tape wallets and bird earrings:
You can find Christina's creations at Candy
Store in San Francisco.
Christina was kind enough to answer a few questions on craft, PR, and
general etiquette for the Samplergram. Enjoy!
You write a lot about craft at SFist.com and elsewhere, which
means you must see
a lot of craft that never makes it into your writing. What kinds of things
catch
your eye, capture your imagination, and make you want to share them with
the world?
I do see a lot, and besides sharing all the wonderful crafty things I see
with
people it also makes me want to roll up my sleeves and start crafting. I
get really
inspired when I see people take old, often discarded things and turn them
into
something new and beautiful. Two things which recently made me giddy were
these
adorable bottle cap pin cusions over at
How About Orange. Jessica
wrote up a great
tutorial
on how to make them. I also
loved this great
bench Kayte of
Love Forever wrote about; it's
made almost entirely
out of repurposed materials including old sweaters and couch stuffing.
Maybe it's the environmentalist in
me, but I'm always inspired by new ways of repurposing old, seemingly useless
objects. I'm also a big sucker for any video game related arts and crafts.
I also think it's really important to let people know about the different
communities that crafters are establishing. I recently wrote about the
Craft Mafia
for SFist and I was surprised how many people didn't know who they were.
There
wasn't much of a crafty presence on SFist before me so it feels great to be
bringing this DIY city we live in information on ways to get involved. It's
inspiring to see how many people are eager to learn what's going on and
how they can
support their local artists and crafters.
Do you have any PR advice for small businesses owners looking to
promote their
crafty wares?
After you come out of the studio with all of your fabulous creations start
talking!!
Remember that you're your own best publicist. Don't be afraid to talk up
yourself or
your products and don't be shy or modest if a friend is going on and on
about how
talented and great you are-- you never know who could be listening, it
could be an
editor who may be interested in reviewing your products and writing about
your
story.
Even if it feels silly, always wear or carry your products where ever you
go. When
people compliment you be ready to give them a business card or tell them
where they
can purchase your products. I make wallets and I see a million cute ones I
want to
buy but I always make myself carry my own, I've gotten some of my best
customers
from pulling out my wallet at restaurants and stores.
There's such a supportive and active DIY scence out there, become a part
of the
community where you live, make friends with other crafters and store
owners in your
neighborhood. Do sample sales and talk to other successful small business
owners
about what worked well for them.
And, finally, what's the best way to deal with a tipsy lunch
companion?
Get tipsy with her!
Clicky! A big Sampler thanks to....
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