TO KNOW A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT ME YOU CAN READ AN INTERVIEW THAT I GAVE TO SWEET SUSANA AND IT WAS POSTED TO HER LOVELY BLOG:
Thursday, November 3, 2011
lemon dear asks... Made by Mada
Browsing on Etsy is such an adventure, and just like any adventure,
sometimes the results are dull and then, some magical times you have an
enlightening, eye opening experience that inspires you and fills you
with happiness and colour and that is how I felt when I stumbled upon
the Polish artist of the interview that follows. We talk about Polish
art and film, her breathtaking creations and why she decided to brighten
up her life. Enjoy!
What inspires you to make your beautiful jewelry?
I had never seen anything like your Polish folk earrings, what sets Polish folk apart from the rest?
It is really hard question and I am not an expert. My folk Earrings are
based on polish cut outs motifs. You can read more about it here at one of my Blog posts.
Mostly from the Łowicz area which I love because of the colors, I like
to call it color extravaganza. Fineness, delicacy that is also what
distinguished them. The main motifs are birds. In Poland we can find
roosters and doves, flowers and more abstract forms like numerous
variations of rosettes. Also traditional outfit and colorful stripes.
When did you start crafting and how did it change your life?
Hm, when I think about it today, I can see that I was crafting all my
life. I did not have a lot of money, when I was, for example, a
teenager, so when I wanted to have something special in my room I needed
to make it myself. And about 2 years ago my younger brother (he was 15
then) got seriously ill. And then other problems hit my personal life.
It was all too much for me. I felt really bad and hopeless. So I thought
that I needed some beauty in my life. Then I discovered beads. I fell
in love immediately with the variety, colors, and everything glass beads
related. So I thought: I need to have something beautiful to carry with
me everyday. To brighten my world. To remind me that world is plenty of
sparks. What do we, women carry with us everyday? Jewelry! And the best
part was that other people started noticing that I was wearing nice
pieces. So I started to sell them. Created my tiny business in july 2010
:) And now I live my crafty life. Oh btw My brother is recovering after
marrow transplant right now. :)
Why did you decide to open your Etsy shop?
I like challenges! I discovered Etsy through one of my friends; blog. I
was overwhelmed. So many amazing creations in one place. And the
pictures. Everything looks so professional. I was really insecure and
confused. But after few months, when I found a POLetsy – Polish team on esty. I decided to give it a try. In march 2011 I opened my Etsy shop MADEbyMADA
Would you like to share any tips with us about running a small hand-made business?
I feel like I am starting myself. A year of running a business, it is not much.
Be persistent and be curious. Willing to learn all the time. I think a need to improve is necessary in this kind of business.
Customer service. We exist because of our customers. So we need to spoil ;) them.
Be persistent and be curious. Willing to learn all the time. I think a need to improve is necessary in this kind of business.
Customer service. We exist because of our customers. So we need to spoil ;) them.
Oh and one more thing. Value! Remember about the value of your work. If you do not prize your own work, how will your customer do that? Pricing is really a hard thing. But selling cheap is no good either to you, either for your customer and the hole handmade world.
Are there any Polish artists and artisans you would like to recommend us?
Omg that is really hard question! For more handmade from Poland check out here. And about Polish artists… Polish culture it is really reach and diverse.
Poland's Krzysztof Kieślowski is one of my favourite filmmakers, but I
don't know any other Polish directors, would you recommend us some
Polish films?
Kieslowski! I love his films I wanted to be filmmaker when I was really
young because of him. La Double vie de Véronique is my
favorite. Agnieszka Holland and amazing “Secret Garden”. And many other
films. I love her! :) Roman Polanski. He is not my favorite .. but … his
very first feature film ‘noż w wodzie’ - Knife in the Water (1962) is
something worth to mention about. At animation field absolutely stunning
“The cathedral” by Tomasz Bagiński. Oh. One more thing did you have any
idea that The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian was filming here, at
my town area at the waterfall Kamieńczyk canyon.
I totally forgot that Roman Polanski is Polish! I must admit I love the Fearless Vampire Killers.
If you cook, please share with us a quick Polish recipe!
I do cook. Polish recipe? My favorite polish dish is Pierogi -
dumplings! I can’t imagine a world without Pierogi. It would be so sad
;) You can stuff in it whatever you want. And I love them all .. with
cottage cheese, potatoes, fried onions or with cabbage and forest
mushrooms or strawberries :P It takes some time to make them but worth
every second of it . I am still thinking about food section at my Blog… but I can’t find enough time. Why are there only 24 hours a day?
What are the future plans of MADEbyMADA?
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