Interview with a Seller: Jack's Daughter
Hello Again! I wanted to share with you an interview I did with Jennifer Porter of Jack's Daughter on Etsy. Jack's Daughter is one of my FAVORITE rockabilly reproduction shops on Etsy, so I said to myself "self - you should do an interview with this shop owner" - and voila! Now we have today's posting!
1. What’s your name and shop name and what do you do?
Jennifer Porter but everyone just calls me Jenni. Shop name 'Jack's Daughter' This name was thought up by my daughter ( see Licorice and Cream on FB ) and she also designed and drew the logo. My Dad's name was Jack and he died in 2002 so the name is really for him.
2. Where are you located?
I'm in Bairnsdale - a small country town in Victoria, Australia. Population around 12000 people and located on the Gippsland Lakes and close to the snowfields as well as the lakes and ocean but 3.5 hours from Melbourne - the capital of Victoria.
3. What’s the favorite part of your craft?
The favourite part of my craft is being able to my customers feel special. I try and create unique garments that will make anyone feel feminine and fabulous.
4. How long have you been crafting?
I seem to have been sewing forever. I'm an older person and made my own clothes when I was young and then all my kids clothing as they came along. I've been creating my vintage reproduction clothing for about 6 years but have dabbled in retailing childrens clothing many years ago.
5. What’s your favorite thing to make?
My favourite thing to make - there is nothing that stands out . I suppose just being able to create something new and unique. As I sew I get lots and lots of ideas and can't wait to start on them.
6. What kind of camera do you use to shoot?
I use a Fuji camera but have recently had some professional photoshoots done by a local girl just starting up. She does a fabulous job.
7. Who or what models your items?
The main model for my clothing, aside from my faithful manniquin, is my daughter Lydia. For the photoshoots I have also used Andrea - a local policewoman and Nicole - the cousin of the photographer.
8. What's the most rewarding part of running your own business?
Probably the mosr rewarding aspect is the feedback I get from my customers. Some tell me they have cried when they have put on their new dress so that is heartwarming.
9. What's the most challenging part of running your own business?
The most challenging part - just trying to keep up with the sewing,photographing and computer work and leave enough 'me' and 'family' time.
10. On average, how many things do you create per week?
On average I would create 1-2 dresses per day.
11. What inspires you?
What inspires me - generally other artisans. I am just amazed and in awe of all those clever people out there.
12. Take me thru your creative process.
My creative process - that's hard. As I said early ideas run through my head as I'm sewing so once I have an idea of what I want to make or have brainstormed an idea with a customer, it's just the process of finding the right fabric and patterns. This sometimes takes a long time - locating the fabric as well as drafting up patterns. Once the cutting is done and I generally set aside a whole day for this and cut out lots of dresses all at once , then it's the sewing, fitting , pressing - more sewing, more fitting ( just to make sure the size is right) and final hand sewing and finishing off - then more ironing, labelling and ususally organised a small hair bow to match the outfit.
13. What is your best advice to blossoming crafters?
My best advice to blossoming crafters - persevere and keep true to your own ideas and instinct as they are generally the best and will be the most rewarding.
Thanks Jenni for taking the time to answer my questions. It's always neat to hear from someone you admire, in addition to someone in a completely different craft! You can see Jenni's creations for yourself at her shop!
Don't forget to follow this blog for a chance to win my blog candy!
Cheers,
Xo, Rachael
1. What’s your name and shop name and what do you do?
Jennifer Porter but everyone just calls me Jenni. Shop name 'Jack's Daughter' This name was thought up by my daughter ( see Licorice and Cream on FB ) and she also designed and drew the logo. My Dad's name was Jack and he died in 2002 so the name is really for him.
2. Where are you located?
I'm in Bairnsdale - a small country town in Victoria, Australia. Population around 12000 people and located on the Gippsland Lakes and close to the snowfields as well as the lakes and ocean but 3.5 hours from Melbourne - the capital of Victoria.
3. What’s the favorite part of your craft?
The favourite part of my craft is being able to my customers feel special. I try and create unique garments that will make anyone feel feminine and fabulous.
4. How long have you been crafting?
I seem to have been sewing forever. I'm an older person and made my own clothes when I was young and then all my kids clothing as they came along. I've been creating my vintage reproduction clothing for about 6 years but have dabbled in retailing childrens clothing many years ago.
5. What’s your favorite thing to make?
My favourite thing to make - there is nothing that stands out . I suppose just being able to create something new and unique. As I sew I get lots and lots of ideas and can't wait to start on them.
6. What kind of camera do you use to shoot?
I use a Fuji camera but have recently had some professional photoshoots done by a local girl just starting up. She does a fabulous job.
7. Who or what models your items?
The main model for my clothing, aside from my faithful manniquin, is my daughter Lydia. For the photoshoots I have also used Andrea - a local policewoman and Nicole - the cousin of the photographer.
8. What's the most rewarding part of running your own business?
Probably the mosr rewarding aspect is the feedback I get from my customers. Some tell me they have cried when they have put on their new dress so that is heartwarming.
9. What's the most challenging part of running your own business?
The most challenging part - just trying to keep up with the sewing,photographing and computer work and leave enough 'me' and 'family' time.
10. On average, how many things do you create per week?
On average I would create 1-2 dresses per day.
11. What inspires you?
What inspires me - generally other artisans. I am just amazed and in awe of all those clever people out there.
12. Take me thru your creative process.
My creative process - that's hard. As I said early ideas run through my head as I'm sewing so once I have an idea of what I want to make or have brainstormed an idea with a customer, it's just the process of finding the right fabric and patterns. This sometimes takes a long time - locating the fabric as well as drafting up patterns. Once the cutting is done and I generally set aside a whole day for this and cut out lots of dresses all at once , then it's the sewing, fitting , pressing - more sewing, more fitting ( just to make sure the size is right) and final hand sewing and finishing off - then more ironing, labelling and ususally organised a small hair bow to match the outfit.
13. What is your best advice to blossoming crafters?
My best advice to blossoming crafters - persevere and keep true to your own ideas and instinct as they are generally the best and will be the most rewarding.
Thanks Jenni for taking the time to answer my questions. It's always neat to hear from someone you admire, in addition to someone in a completely different craft! You can see Jenni's creations for yourself at her shop!
Don't forget to follow this blog for a chance to win my blog candy!
Cheers,
Xo, Rachael
Comments
Post a Comment
Thank you for taking the time for subscribing to this blog and leaving your lovely comments.