Introducing Cindy! Love this new hat. Will you be selling hats? Yes going to get some autumn yarns today. Browns, creams, Burgandys...Basics to go with everything.
These hats are the perfect finish to any outfit!
So first tell us where your from and who you are
I am Cynde Clark aka ~hipchic~ and the day I was born the World had to made room for a little more FANCY! I live and create in a perfect, one traffic light town on top of a mountain...but 10 minutes from the boat dock in Grant, Alabama. My day starts and usually ends with a steaming cup of Cinnamon Spice Coffee with Cocanut Cream in it. If it is a perfect day...the in between is filled with SEWING!
We built a small garage apartment 3 years ago right next to the town park, seriously..I can watch little league
baseball from my deck! Then my wonderful, hubby built me a fantastic and HUGE sewing studio on the first floor of
our home (he gave up two garage spaces for me and put in a spiral staircase!) This is where I love to spend all
day...when time allows! I am one lucky girl! I love sewing anything and everything I can dream up and loose all track of time when in my sewing studio.
That sounds Lovely...a mountain top Sewing room and Cinnamon Coffee. When are you inviting us over?!
So this is your first time trying to "SEW and Sell" as a business, what made you jump into this--did you always think about doing this?
For me it came down to "do what you love, love what you do" I love sewing and that is what I want to do! I had wanted to have a business for a long time, one day I just took the plunge and started HipChic Designs from my studio in AL about 2yrs ago. A friend actually told me about ETSY because of all the things she saw me making. Shortly after that I opened a shop for my bags and accessories, but then started playing with some fashion just for fun. I love making my own clothes and there was some interest in them.
My hipchic Etsy shop came about actually from the patchwork skirt....it was the start of it all. Adult clothes take a while to make, but the little versions are so fast! But I still love making both....therefore you will be seeing much of the Mommy and Me listings. You see....anything I make small...I would soooooo wear, and do! Yes I do get, "I couldn't pull that off, but I love it!" alot. I usually respond...thanks, you might be surprised...you could pull it off...It's all in the Attitude! I will just tell you...I am 37 yrs old and will probabaly never really grow up. I want my designs to have a flair of funky and whimsical to lighten up the day and make you want to twirl and dance.
Your clothing designs are funky and different , what happens if you get swamped with orders, any thoughts on how you would handle that?
When I get swamped: Freak Out totally in excitement! Hire my wonderful seamstress daughter, (yes at 14..she almost ready) If HipChic Designs became a way to bring back a small portion of sewing industry back to the US it would be incredible. It could happen...
I actually have a dream of a Large Old home...it's already been picked out for many years, in which I would open a retail shop for my designs, a fabric shop, classrooms for instruction....oh and of course coffee lots of coffee! aaaah some day :)
THATS A LOVELY DREAM!
Any advice for woman getting started in boutique clothing or anything you have learned so far. Never give up on a dream....ever!! You will want to some days, but don't! Always be creative and do what you love. I take some time to sew just for me to keep it fun and not always about work and growing a business. Keep putting your ideas out there...it can be scarry, but you just have to push yourself to do it. And find someone or someones who are successful and learn from them.
Look to see me adding some more Mommy and Me items. Working on some dresses. And then because my designs take on a life of their own look to see the "whole look" pulled together...accessories and all!
Thats great advice Cindy and Very Inspiring. I have to say it was a real pleasure meeting you and I wish you much success with your new business.
And Now for The Give Away!
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