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We are featuring Made by Melephant this month. Owner Melissa Fong offers a variety of handmade headbands, scarves and skirts in her shop. She has been sewing for over ten years and it all started when her friend had asked her to make a few skirts to wear to San Diego Comic Con. They were an instant hit and she has steadily added more offerings to her collection since then.
SFEtsy: What's your work schedule/routine like?
Melissa Fong: I am currently working two part-time jobs and taking classes in addition to running my shop, so my schedule changes up all the time and can be a little hectic. I usually work in the day, and I work on my shop at night, whether it's completing orders or creating new products. I don't have a set routine of the exact amount of hours I work on my shop every day, it's just trying to find small pockets of free time to sew when I can. SFEtsy: Tell us about your work space - where do you create? Melissa Fong: My "studio" is basically a hobby room where I also have a TV and a computer in addition to my sewing machine and fabric stock. I would love to have a space where I could freely spread out and dedicate all to my shop, but space is limited so I try to make as much use of all the free spots in the room as possible. I only have one table in the room to use freely for sewing, gluing, etc. so whenever I need to sew or cut, I need to rotate my tools around depending what I need at that very moment. My fabric is stored in bins around the room labeled with each particular theme or fabric. 
SFEtsy: What tools do you use that are absolutely essential and makes a huge difference in your day to day process?
Melissa Fong: I would not have a shop at all if it weren't for my Kenmore sewing machine. I bought it over ten years ago from Sears and it's still going strong! Other essential tools include my titanium fabric scissors by Fiskars, pin cushion and pins, measuring tape, an iron, and cutting boards. When I make headbands, I use a bodkin and a Turn-It-All set, which makes sewing headbands so much easier. I'm not a fan of the safety pin method to turn fabric tubes inside out, so thank goodness for the Turn-It-All! SFEtsy: How did you get involved with Etsy? Melissa Fong: I've known about Etsy for a long time, and I always had the desire to open up a shop, but for the longest time, I didn't know what I wanted to make. Then a few summers ago, my friend asked me to make her some skirts for San Diego Comic Con. She loved them and got lots of compliments on them, so I decided to try my hand at selling them on Etsy. From there, I expanded to headbands, scarves, and mouse ears. SFEtsy: What is your biggest challenge related to your Etsy shop? (optional) Melissa Fong: My biggest challenge at the moment is time management and dedicating enough time to run my shop. There's so much I want to do to expand and grow my business, yet I feel like I never have enough hours in the day to keep up with the work I want to do for my Etsy shop. My business is primarily a hobby and I love it, but perhaps one day I might want to grow it into something bigger. I would love to start doing craft fairs and shows this year, but dedicating the time for that is something of a challenge. 
SFEtsy: What has been your biggest success and/or proudest moment since opening your Etsy shop? (optional)
Melissa Fong: One of my proudest moments has been hitting 100 sales and realizing how far I had come within that time span to be able to sell that many items. Imagining 100 customers coming up to my virtual website and actually having an interest in what I've created is just mind-blowing. The positive feedback I've received as well has been so wonderful and meaningful, and I'm so grateful and happy when my customers are excited and ecstatic about my products. My business has grown so much in the last year and a half, and I hope to expand and grow more over the next year. SFEtsy: What is your favorite item in your shop (currently for sale or previously sold)? Why is it your favorite? Melissa Fong: It's hard to pick one favorite, but probably my R2-D2 mouse ears is one of my favorite items I sell, just because he's my favorite character and it was one of the first mouse ears I had created. I also adore the fabric, and am still debating on what to make with it for myself (possibly to wear to the premiere of the new movie). SFEtsy: What are your favorite tools or apps that help you with your business? Melissa Fong: I use the Sell on Etsy app to run my business on the go. It's very easy to use and it's super convenient and handy. I also have an Instagram account for my shop that I use a lot to promote my business, and whenever I need to take product photos or pictures for my Instagram, I use Camera+ to edit my pictures. I also use Microsoft Excel for my bookkeeping, and I order my business cards from Vistaprint. 
SFEtsy: What crafting skill(s) do you wish you had or hope to learn someday?
Melissa Fong: I love sewing, but someday I wish to build upon my sewing skills and perfect my alterations skills. I have lots of dress patterns, specifically vintage, that aren't exactly my size, and I'm mostly self-taught so I wish to dedicate some time one day to learning the art of altering patterns. SFEtsy: What's next for you? Melissa Fong: I'm always working on new designs for the shop. Someday I would love to sell in person at a show, but for now I'm sticking to online because it works better for me and my schedule. 
Made by Melephant can be found on Instagram @madebymelephant https://instagram.com/madebymelephant/
Friday Features are run by Raji of Red Kerria Designs. To see your own shop featured, please contact her.
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 Mini Embroidery Hoop, Burgundy Pendant with Embroidered Daisies by PlaidLoveThreads Part four of this blog post series features both the Ecologist and the Romantic archetypes for 2016 trends. These are two of the projected trends for 2016 that was unveiled at the 75th anniversary of the CHA MEGA Conference & Trade Show by their key note speaker, Philip Fimmano from his presentation "A World Of Craft".  Lola - One Shoulder Backless Pleated Couture Pin Up Dress by Black Licorice Boutique Archetype: The Romantic
 Lace Black Party Dress with Round Neckline from Eledjo Archetype: The Ecologist.
 Pit Fired Ceramic Bottle Vessel from Boii Studio To read part one, two and three of this series or if you would like to know more about the key note speaker and the CHA MEGA convention read -The Crafter - Archetype One , The Urbanite - Archetype Two and The Archivist - Archetype Three  Robin Goodfellow (A Midsummer Night's Dream) Necklace by Elements Artifacts written by Lisa Spinella @TickleAndSmash The Urbanite Trend 2016 Pinterest Board The Crafter Trend 2016 Pinterest Board The Archivist Trend 2016 Pinterest Board The Romantic Trend 2016 Pinterest Board The Ecologist Trend 2016 Pinterest Board Featured Etsy Shops: The Romantic Trend PlaidLoveThreads Eledjo Black Licorice Boutique Featured Etsy Shops: The Ecologist Trend Boii Studio Elements Artifacts The Heated  Pair of Flour Sack Cotton Napkins - Ponderosa Pine design by The Heated  Sea Green Swallowtail Framed Butterfly Display by BugUnderGlass Part three of this blog post series features the Archivist trend for 2016 which is sure to inspire. This series of blog posts on trend archetypes for 2016 was unveiled at the 75th anniversary of the CHA MEGA Conference & Trade Show by their key note speaker, Philip Fimmano from his presentation "A World Of Craft". To read part one and part two of this series or if you would like to know more about the key note speaker and the CHA MEGA convention read -The Crafter - Archetype One and The Urbanite - Archetype Two  New Luna Arm Cuff by Taxil Hoax The Archivist: is focused on the documentation, collecting, archiving, world history, and the individual's continued education about the world of yesteryear.. Archetype - The Archivist
 40's Hawaiian Art Slim Wallets by Heathered written by Lisa Spinella @TickleAndSmash The Urbanite Trend 2016 Pinterest Board The Crafter Trend 2016 Pinterest Board Featured Etsy Shops: Bug Under Glass Etsy Shop Taxil Hoax Etsy Shop Heathered Etsy Shop Crow Woodcraft Etsy Shop  Rose Resin Wood Pendant Necklace by Crow Woodcraft  Rumi Leather Necklace with Gold Drops by SanazKhosravi This post is part two from the series of blog posts on trend archetypes for 2016 which was unveiled at the 75th anniversary of the CHA MEGA Conference & Trade Show by their key note speaker, Philip Fimmano from his presentation "A World Of Craft". To read part one and to know more about the key note speaker and the CHA MEGA convention read our first blog post -The Crafter - Archetype One. The Urbanite: is inspired by the younger generations - the Millennialist and Generation Z . The trend blends tastes together. Rules are irrelevant and the freedom to explore craft without discretion is encouraged.  Turquoise Blue Dessert Pedestal by The Roche Studio Archetype - The Urbanite:
 USA chalkboard by 265 Design written by Lisa Spinella @TickleAndSmash
The Urbanite Trend 2016 Pinterest Board Featured Etsy Shops: Sanaz Khosravi Etsy Shop The Roche Studio Etsy Shop 265 Design Etsy Shop  Whimsical Monster Yarn Bombed Chair by KnitsForLife Inspired.. I drank my morning coffee and observed the creative buzz from the LA convention hall I found myself in. Attendees and retailers from the 75th anniversary of the CHA MEGA Conference & Trade Show piled into the auditorium waiting for the speakers to start. CHA MEGA Conference & Trade Show showcases the latest in crafting trends, and maker innovations that will influence our creative industry in the coming year. Everyone there was waiting to learn more from the key note speaker, Philip Fimmano, who was about to address the audience. Fimmano is a well respected, contemporary fashion and design specialist, who provides strategic guidance to international brands on all upcoming trends. He is a contributor to Trend Union and Bloom Magazine, and the co-curator of Edelkoort Exhibitions. He gave a presentation on, “A World Of Craft” where he discussed trends in fashion, décor and art for 2016. He reviewed his trend forecast for the future styles, colors, materials and techniques that you will see impact the craft and DIY market . Our society has changed and you will see this reflected in the life style trends influencing us daily. For example, you may have noticed that your audience's age bracket is not necessarily your personal age anymore. We are in an era of a no age mentality, from Millennials to the elderly, we are experiencing more and more creative freedoms. Rules are now meant to be broken! The family dynamic has also noticeably changed how and what we think of as "family". Gone is the stay at home mother, working father, plus two kids and picket fence. It now includes your pets and extended family. Men are also more involved with parenting. Roles are being reversed. Men are staying at home and taking on newer more sensitive roles within the family. Our society is becoming more community oriented. We are sharing information, skills and technique and passing it along freely to others. We are now more computer savvy because of our understanding and fascination with technology. We are seeing makers mixing materials in new ways . The sense of touch and tactile surfaces are becoming significant to consumers as they grow more interested in how things are done. Consumers are now wanting to be involved in the process, from the ethical treatment of animals to the organic processes in which products are made. Customers are interested in what is handmade, unique and what can be personalized just for them..  Mohair dress tunic top hand knit and OOAK by GBDesign Here are the eight archetypes described by Fimmano that you will expect to see in 2016. The Crafter, The Urbanite, The Archivist, The Ecologist, The Romantic, The Cultural, The Surrealist, and The Nostalgist. The first archetype to be discussed in today's blog post and on Pinterest is the Crafter. Archetype: The Crafter
 Hand Loomed Girl's Dress by SugarcaneSF Spotting Trends:
Be ahead of your consumer needs. Where does a maker start to look for new trends? Trade shows, Pinterest, Instagram, and your community are a great place to start. Trends can change quickly so be vigilant. Cut through all the noise you see and be aware of all the fads.. Be true to your brand and be relevant to your customer as you do your research and make decisions. Take risks but trust in your gut instinct because you can't always be sure. Timing is crucial - think.. is it an emerging or a mature trend? Remember, always take the time to listen to your customers and understand what they are asking for. Lisa Spinella @TickleAndSmash The Crafter Trend 2016 Pinterest Board Knits ForLife Etsy Shop GBDesign Etsy Shop SugarCaneSF Etsy Shop |
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