Nadine says she is a horrible fidget, always creating something and has been arty and crafty her whole life, always MAKING THINGS. She designs and makes quilts, cushion covers, wall hangings, and small gifts in cotton fabrics with cotton wadding. She also draws, paints and does papercrafts. Her handmade quilts are all 2-in-1 quilts with either the same design on the back in a different colour scheme or a completely different pattern on front and back. Take a look at her etsy shop here.
PM: When was your company founded?
You know, I still struggle to consider it a company. It is my passion, my hobby, my meditation, but calling it a company gives it a completely different dimension. But to answer your question, I opened my first Etsy shop in 2011 (Quilted Bliss by Nadine) and then added two more, the Art shop (This Creative Bliss) and the Crafts shop (Crafted Bliss by Nadine).
PM:Where are you based out of?
York, UK
PM: How many are involved in the company?
It is just myself. My other half might keep telling me off for buying more and more fabrics, or he might tell me what he thinks of a design or a color scheme (he is a graphic artist by trade and some of his own work is listed in the Art shop, but I am the only quilter in the house.
PM: What inspired you to start the company?
I have been painting, drawing, crafting, sewing my whole life and once we realized we simply can’t keep all the things I create and everyone we know already has at least one quilt and a painting, it was time to share my creations with a wider public.
PM: Did you have a background in crafting prior to starting the company?
Well, I think I must have been born with a paint brush and a needle in my hand. I have been crafting since I was a toddler. I have not been trained, apart from a few painting courses in the US and in Edinburgh. But other than that I am self taught.
PM: Did you run into any problems or resistance while launching your company?
I have to say, I was completely naive when I opened the shop(s). I thought I put my stuff out there and people will flog to the shop and buy it all up in no time. I even had every item gift wrapped and packaged for a few months until I realized it won’t happen that way. It took me some time to figure out how much marketing and constant promotion it really takes and to be honest, I have a job and simply can’t invest that much time. When I have to make the decision whether I want to do some promoting or whether I’d rather spend my time sewing, painting, drawing, I will always choose the latter.
PM: What is the most exciting part of running your own handmade quilts business?
Getting lovely feedback from my customers just really makes my day. Knowing that a little boy or girl at the other end of the world really loves their new handmade quilts is just priceless. And the quilting itself is just so relaxing at the end of working day. I always say it’s my meditation. While other people go to the gym after a long day at work I sew or paint. It’s what keeps me sane.
PM: What do you see in the future for This Creative Bliss?
I would like to diversify what I create and experiment with new things. I’d like to learn to make bags for instance. My next step is to increase my inventory to 100 in the quilt shop and to add more original paintings in the art shop. Once we have a car again I would also like to get back to participating in craft fairs on the weekends.
Check out her blog too!
Nadine would like to offer a discount to all Punky Moms readers. Just use PUNKYMOMS for a 20% discount.
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