What inspired you to go into the craft business, do you still have a day job? My beautiful daughter was born in 2003, and, like many other moms, I was inspired at that time to revisit crafting and make things for my tiny, new arrival. In meeting like-minded moms through the crafty blogosphere, I was introduced to the wonders of Japanese craft books and fabrics. I was also quite frustrated that there was no place in the US to buy the fabric – the only option seemed to be using a shopping service, and those can be quite cost prohibitive! So, I started to think about importing the goods myself, and that was the genesis of superbuzzy.
I am *incredibly* lucky to be able to work full-time for superbuzzy. When the shop was first launched, I worked another job while superbuzzy was still in it’s infancy. As superbuzzy grew, I realized that I had to shift my commitment in order to continue to provide the best service and products to our awesome customers. I thank my lucky stars every day as I come into work that I have a job that I love, and that our supportive customers continue to make this possible.
What do you like best, coming up with ideas or executing them? I have to say I am an idea person. My biggest struggle at superbuzzy is finding time to implement the “big picture” projects amidst the day to day operations of the shop: order fulfillment, receiving new product, accounting, customer service, etc.
What’s the best thing about what you do? And the worst? The most rewarding part of being a part of superbuzzy is seeing what people make with our craft supplies. I love looking at finished projects in our Flickr group, and it’s incredible to see how different people will approach the same fabrics or supplies. Oh… and I also *love* peeking into the boxes of new shipments… it’s like Christmas morning every time!
Probably the least fulfilling part of the job for me is the accounting. I know that sales tax reporting and quarterly budget projections are important, but I always dread those deadlines!
What are your creative influences? My most significant creative influences come from my trips to Japan and the products themselves. With each new bolt of fabric, I see a host of fun, new projects that need to get made. The craft community in Japan is like no other I’ve ever seen, and there appears to be no limit to Japanes ingenuity and creativity. Visiting a Japanese craft mega-shop like Yuzawaya or Okadaya is a mind-blowing experience for most folks from the US… just walking the aisles, floor after floor, is sufficient for a lifetime supply of project inspiration!
What’s the best advice you have been given about your business or craft practices? I think the most important advice I’ve gotten is to stay true to myself and my own tastes. Every time I venture outside my own personal loves for the shop, I end up with something that is not successful and sits here (reminding me of my mistake) for far too long! I’ve learned to only stock what I truly love, regardless of what other folks might suggest.
How do you stay inspired? Sometimes, with the day-in, day-out routine at the shop, I get pretty wiped and need a creative push. That’s when I know I need to get myself to a trade show or on a plane to Japan. Both are energizing and inspiring, and although exhausting, they give me that boost of excitement and inspiration I need to sustain myself at the warehouse.
I am so lucky to have such a savvy and fun community of customers. With each order we fill here at the shop, we get a peek into customers’ projects, their creative influences, and their loves. It’s great fun for me to see things in new ways each day, through the eyes of my customers.
Website: http://www.superbuzzy.com/index.php