My name is Mona Kate and I am a graphic designer, accessories designer and seamstress living in Vancouver Wa. (just outside Portland Oregon). I have 2 kids and 3 cats to keep my company. I live on top of a hill with stunning views of Portland, all of our bridges and Mt. Hood. In my free time I play roller derby. I coach for Portland Men’s Roller Derby and have skates strapped to my feet often as possible! More people know me as Skatie Kat than Mona Kate!
What inspired you to go into the craft business, do you still have a day job? I work full time at my “craft” business and have done this in some form for the past 10 years. I vend every weekend at the Portland Saturday Market, which is a huge weekly craft show. I’m there every Saturday and most Sundays. It’s so nice to have a place to sell that is so popular and busy. I do still pick up the occasional shift at the coffee shop as a barista. What can I say, I love coffee and tips!
Describe your creative process when designing/making your product line. I usually do not start working until after 12. I like to keep my mornings free. I go to the gym for yoga and spin class, then grocery shop/errand run. After I feel I’ve done all I want to, I hit my studio. Individual designs usually come to me as I’m doing mundane tasks. When an idea strikes, I jump up and rush to the computer before I forget it!
What’s the best thing about what you do? And the worst? The best part of what I do is having the freedom to have my days to myself. If I don’t want to work on a Monday, I don’t! It also leaves me free to dedicate much time to my other love, roller derby! The downside is that I am completely dependent on my sales. If it was a bad week at market, I have to hope to make it up or cut something out of the budget. January through March are ROUGH!
One of my favorite things to do is create custom work for artists, photographers and businesses. I make wallets for many roller derby leagues as well as individuals to sell on their own websites. Anyone reading this can take advantage of free shipping from my etsy shop by using the coupon code MAKER. My shop is located at http://kittencamaro.etsy.com