Shop interviews Round one!

Hello Lovelies!

So I have done interviews with budding businesses in the past, and I enjoyed it so much I decided to bring it back! In this day and age it is very difficult to be a business owner. Not  just because the economy is not exactly booming again, but it is almost a tireless lifestyle choice. Handmade items are just that, not massed produced, no factory workers, but handmade by one (or sometimes several) people who really put a lot of work, love and effort into creating something unique, and usually do not have a lot monetarily or otherwise to show for it. We crafters do what we do because we LOVE it! You will hear most of us echo the same phrase over and over" I would rather be doing what I LOVE for little or free, than doing something I DETEST for a large sum" it just is not rewarding! So without any further adieu , I would like to introduce a very special and talented lady. Her name is Vicki, and she owns and operates " Pure Gioia" @ http://www.etsy.com/shop/PuraGioia

Her product speaks for itself and she puts a lot of love, grace , and effort into pampering you! I know this firsthand as I fell in love with her product. Please take the time to visit her shop and order some samples, her prices are unbeatable, and her product is simply whimsical and delicious! Please read her interview below and enjoy!


1.)Tell me about what you did before you started Pure Gioia?

Before I started Pura Gioia I was a single, working mother of 2 (a boy and a girl - 2 yrs apart) I supported the family from my employment in professional sales and marketing, mostly in the advertising industry. For a few years, however I worked in the beauty industry both inside the salon/beauty supply and also in outside sales as a rep for Armstrong McCall - supplier of many salon quality product lines such as Matrix, Biloage, Logic, OPI and many more.



2.)What does Pure Gioia mean and why did you choose the shop name?

Pronounced: POORA JOYA Italian for ” Pure Joy”

The logo features a Hummingbird (meaning – joy) and a peach colored Hibiscus, possibly on a green vine growing around a a gold and silver crown – different cultures have different meanings for the Hibiscus flower ~ Universal meaning: Nice Summer: In Europe during the Victorian era the hibiscus only had one meaning and that is also the meaning that is being used today: Delicate beauty; In Hawaiian history and tradition the hibiscus is a symbol for the old royalty and is a flower that brings great power and respect: In the Japanese language of flowers, hanakotoba, the hibiscus means Gentle ~ All very fitting and appropriate for our wholesome and gentle line of personal care products
If you notice hibiscus flowers appear in most our listings - it is because they hold a very dear meaning for us here Pura Gioia Enterprises ~

3.) Why do you stand by the quality of your product?

Our primary concern is for our Pura Gioia customers to be so happy and excited that they will eagerly spread their Pure Joy to others .

We are on a continuous search for the best ingredients, so you can look forward to enjoying unique, artisan crafted personal care items. We believe in color, fragrance and feeling pure joy – as our store shelves fill up with products that we believe you will enjoy. Every product in our personal care line is exotic because we go the extra mile and blend in specialty butters, oils, sea salts, essential oils, sugars and other ingredients imported from around the world. You deserve the best best quality spa treatment! We believe a product should pamper & nourish your spirit as well as your skin!
We test all our formulas on people,not animals, and if we do not get majority RAVES on something ,then you will not find our name on it!
Pura Gioia products do NOT contain : propylene glycol, methylparaben, propylparaben, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS ) or Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES). 
4.)What are the best marketing strategies you have found really help promote your shop?

Our best marketing strategy has always been through our sampling program. Since our products speak for themselves, word of mouth and referrals has proven to be a very effective and successful marketing campaign.

5.) Tell me about any new products that we might look forward to in the future of Pure Gioia.

Our new products are usually the result of special requests from our customers. We have received requests for a perfume oil, facial moisturizer, and a men's product line.



6.)Do you offer your products in retail locations? 

Eager customers are wanting to know! Our products are not available at any retail locations. In order to wholesale the products we would need to raise our prices to justify the discounts we would need to offer the retail locations. Direct sales is proving to be a win - win situation at this time.



7) Leave us with you favorite quote, or piece of wisdom to live by.

"I believe in Manicures. I believe in Overdressing. I believe in Primping at leisure and wearing Lipstick. I believe in PINK! I believe that Laughing is the best calorie burner. I Believe in Kissing; Kissing alot. I believe in Being Strong when everything else seems to be going wrong. I believe Happy Girls are the Prettiest Girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day, and I Believe in Miracles."  Audrey Hepburn

 

Vicki Butler-Hagen

www.PuraGioia.ETSY.com
www.PuraGioia.NET

A Pattern-less Life

What is pattern-less sewing? It is really quite simple I am sure you are thinking, " Use no pattern, sew, right"?
I Think with anything artistic you do you must have a passion for it. It is much like a canvas on the wall and painting whatever comes to your mind. No planning, no formations, just going with the flow and letting your creative juices flow.


 I love pattern-less sewing because it teaches me to live a little and not be scared of the outcome. It enriches my daily life, and shows that I also do not have to have a "pattern" with my life. Not everything is uniform, and needs structure. Sometimes we need  walk into like with an open heart and an open mind, not being afraid to try something new.


So I invite all you seamstresses to try something new today. Walk into your sacred space and do not reach for that pattern, or that knitting book, or the laptop that helps you make the perfect A-line skirt. Pick up some fabric that really calls out to you, grab some scissors and pins and start creating like a wild woman. Do crazy uneven sewing lines and zig-zags, grab that piece of velvet that before wasn't quite big enough to do anything with and sew it on or make a flower out of it, grab the bag of lace you've been hiding in the back of your closet and waiting for something special to use it with. Put on some music and sing along loudly while the hum of your machine sews wild lines into your fabric and heart. Be different, no structure. Trust me, you will feel liberated.


And for all you others that do not sew but want to adopt a little bit of this pattern-less lifestyle, go for it!!! How about that foreign restaurant you drive by everyday, you cant read the name of it, you have no idea what they serve , but you are dying to be adventurous and walk in, well do it! Or maybe you've been secretly hoarding a bit of a want to stay up all night and watch re-runs of " All in the Family", well do it!


Take away from the uniform of your life and tell yourself it is ok to be unstructured sometimes, it is ok to want, and fulfill those wants, let us break free from the patterns of life.....

Create New out of old....or new!

Part of what I love to do in my line of work is up-cycling. What is this new fangled word you ask? Up-cycling is creating something new out of a used product. Perhaps a sweater becomes a vest, the arms of the sweater become a pair of finger-less gloves and all the scraps go into the crazy quilt pile you plan on creating someday. 


Up-cycling is not only fun and creative, but it tells a story and it is not manufactured. I recently have decided to add clothing to my online shop. It felt very daunting to thing about making clothing since I am into accessory making but I realized much of what I make is up-cycled. I decided I could do the same for my dresses I was going to create. As a seamstress I know starting a new project that you have never done before can be quite scary. " What if I do not sew it straight" what if the material doesn't look right? The greatest part about my dresses is none of that matters! They are quite all the rage now, and crazy sewing lines, funky scraps of material, buttons and lace are ALL acceptable! It is akin to splattering paint on a canvas with raw passion and creating a work of art. I sometimes hear the song"she's a manic, maniac on the floor" from flash-dance when I am sewing these creations....perhaps a career in dance is in my future...




Please see my dress creations @ www.dramatiquedesigns.etsy.com

A wedding to remember

I am getting married in June, and have been rather busily planning with much help from my mother and fiance. We decided to have a bit of a steampunk theme. Often times when I mention the word " Steampunk" it is met with questioning looks. In three short words, steampunk is Victorian science fiction. Here “Victorian” is not meant to indicate a specific culture, but rather references a time period and an aesthetic: the industrialized 19th century. Historically, this period saw the development of many key aspects of the modern world (mechanized manufacturing, extensive urbanization, telecommunications, office life and mass-transit), and steampunk uses this existing technology and structure to imagine an even more advanced 19th century, often complete with Victorian-inspired wonders like steam-powered aircraft and mechanical computers. We chose this style because we are theatrical and unique individuals, we love doing everything in a grand way.


Since we are on a tight budget , we have not really spent any money so far except for a few things. I would like to offer an inside scoop on how to stay on a budget or make it inexpensive but fun:


1.) Have your wedding at a local church; many times they will let you use the space for free with only a small donation towards cleaning. Have it in a backyard of a family member or close friend willing to donate the space.


2.) Rather than having your wedding catered and incur all the costs, have a potluck style wedding. Invite your guests to choose from a category of entrees to bring, and trust me there will be plenty of food to go around!


2.) Send email invites instead of mail out invitations. There are many wonderful sites who offer this service for almost nothing! Plus you will be doing the earth a favor by saving paper!


3.) Make your own dress gals! We all may not have a sewing machine but probably know someone that sews and would be willing to sew a dress for you. Not only is it a blast to pick out your materials, but its cheap! Plus a custom made gown is unlike no other when you are the one creating it! Guys, rent your tux/outfit! Brides are fairly attached to keeping the dress but most men are not. Why waste money buying one for 3-500 or more when you can rent one for 100 or less?


These are just a few of the many ideas I have, perhaps in addition to seamstress I should be a wedding planner? Ha.

Hobo Heaven

I found a wonderful pattern for a sleek hobo style purse and I put my own spin on it using a sleek faux leather strap instead of the typical tie straps you find in the hobo style bags.


I used a beautiful silk brocade material my mother brought me directly from India; it really shines with its shimmery orange color and delicate gold and blue flowers throughout, yummy and luxurious burnt orange velvet on the inside tie this bag together nicely! So far a successful day!

It's a new day, It's a new year

I spent much of 2011 overloading myself and pushing myself to limits I knew I had the capability of reaching, but pushed to hard. I accomplished a lot last year though; I lost over half my goal weight and have changed my eating lifestyle for good and am still losing , I was in 2 of the most amazing plays I have ever had the honor of acting in and know it will boost my career, I became engaged to the love of my life,my sewing business is growing and those are just a few things.

I do not believe in New Years resolutions. Why resolve to make something happen only once a year? You should be striving to better yourself always. I strive this year for balance in my life. Balancing my life to achieve other goals and dreams and revisit spending precious time with my family and friends. You know that movie quote " Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what your gonna get? Well that has never been more true for me wit the hurdles life has given me to jump over. In the past I feared those hurdles, now I face them bravely. I know I can jump high to achieve what I want in life.It's really difficult to examine yourself and be honest about what your biggest need for change is but I know I am capable.

So bring it on 2012, I am ready, 3,2,1...GO!

Baby it's cold outside....

One of my favorite things to sew as of recently is arm warmers. Up-cycling seems to be a fad that is really hot, and has been for a while. Re-purposing old clothing, sweaters, etc is a way to re-use without wasting. As they say " one persons trash may be another person's treasures" .


I love being unique and sewing something I know that is the only item like that in the world! I believe that I integrate a lot of my passion for acting into my sewing. When I am onstage I am heartily immersed in my character, always striving to make it better, different, and unique; I do the same with my sewing! I recently made a lovely up-cycled pair of lambswool arm warmers. These arm warmers are perfect for fall, winter and in some cold states, even summer! Arm warmers seem to be taking over thee regular pair of "gloves" they are cuter, and way more fashionable.




Take a look at my etsy shop today for arm warmers, arm cuffs, purses and more! www.dramatiquedesigns.etsy.com


I also have a website that is live and i am adding product too:


www.dramatiquedesigns.com


dazzling. whimsical.perfect.