Etsy Interview with Simple Tilly

My name is Tami Lopez, and I am the owner of an Etsy shop called "Simple Tilly."

I was born and raised in Southern California, during the 1960's. I have tons of memories of my mom and the other neighborhood ladies sewing clothing, crafting Halloween costumes, making Christmas ornaments out of sequins and felt and beads, and especially making paper mache jewelry. They would all get together and clear off the dining room table and it was on! They made flowery brooches, and big chunky bangle bracelets and dangling geometric-shaped earrings. The jewelry was bumpy and big and very, very brightly painted. So being creative was always part of my life. We weren't necessarily artistic, but we were boldly creative, in a crafty kind of way.

So I've always enjoyed making things. I painted and sketched through high school. I've been a rug hooker, knitter, tatter, crocheter, teddy bear maker. When my kids were little, we saved cereal boxes and made cities for their Hot Wheel cars. When we went camping, we made little wood people with burned on faces to play with. Now I make cloth and clay dolls, do punch needle embroidery, paperclay figurines, sock monkeys, stitched ornaments, and jewelry. I am not a one-craft person and my crafts go in seasons. I think it is important to create. My sons make models and draw, my daughter knits. I think it is healthy to have hobbies like that.

How and when did you start making jewelry and your other items?

I started making jewelry several years ago, because I love this kind of jewelry and with four kids, I was always on a tight budget. I wandered into a bead shop and immediately fell in love with all those beautiful beads. I do not make complicated jewelry, I always say, I only know about two techniques. But those two or three techniques are enough to keep you very busy for a long time and allow you to create some really wonderful jewelry. As trends change, my style changes and that is reflected in my shop, SimpleTilly. I try to be current, but with my own personality poured into each piece. I like my pieces to be sturdy, I don't want them falling apart when I am wearing them. So I often make a piece and wear it for awhile to make sure it is comfortable and strong. If it isn't, I'll redo it. I want them to be beautiful and comfortable. I personally like to layer my jewelry, so I create pieces that can be layered or worn individually.

I consider myself a doll maker first, however, and "Simple Tilly" sounds more like a doll shop to me than anything else! I began making my dolls about five years ago. They take a lot longer to make than the jewelry, of course. And a lot more planning goes into each doll. I hunt around for fabric and notions for each doll. My grandmother left me with a huge store of her vintage buttons and I often dip into those. They are beautiful and many are very unusual and add a nice finish to the dolls. I tea stain their clothing and crackle finish their faces because I want them to look old. I always imagine that they were packed away in a box in the attic of an old house years ago and just recently found. But, of course, they are not reproductions. Their style is contemporary in a lot of ways, so they are kind of mysterious that way. When I show my dolls, people always ask me how I make them, and I love that they have that mystery to them as well.

I also create punch needle embroidery items for my shop, which I love because I can draw the images originally myself. I don't use patterns on any of my items. They are all original. I like to add subtle shading to my punch needle and I like it to look a little like a tapestry that way. I add little charms and beads and buttons to those, and I often edge them with a cord that I twist and ply myself. I think it adds a nice finished edge.

How and when did you originally find Etsy?

I stumbled onto Etsy a few years ago, just searching for creative ideas. For a long time, I didn't realize it was a "site". When I did, I started thinking about opening a shop, because at that time, I was not showing or selling my art very often, and I felt that I needed a more consistent way to do that. I have a good friend who came over and helped me open my shop, Simple Tilly, and actually created my banner for me (thanks, Sally, it's beautiful!!!). I was really shy at first to post my things, there are so many beautiful items on Etsy and I was kind of intimidated by that. But I did, and I have been pleased with the results.

What is unique about Etsy and what about the website do you like the most in regards to your shop?

I like that it is very easy to get started. In some ways, coming up with my shop name, Simple Tilly, was the hardest part! I am not a techy and if it were more complicated, I just wouldn't have done it. I like that you can ask questions and get real answers for things that are confusing for you. I like all the information that is posted on the site and how easy it is to connect with other sellers for advice and encouragement. I like that there is a spirit of promoting other sellers/shops. I like the treasuries a lot. I love making them and viewing them. I like that Etsy is so affordable to be part of and that the payment for my sold items is not something I have to get very involved with. I like that I can shop there very easily myself and find unique, handmade items for gifts. I like the emphasis on handmade. I don't know how unique Etsy is, because I am not on any other selling site. I am just very satisfied here and it works very well for me.

What inspires you the most in regards to your creations?

Well, as you know, inspiration is everywhere. You learn to be observant, keep your creative radar up all the time. I might see an article of clothing in a movie, an ornament at the antique shop, a window display at Christmas. Sometimes I have even had dreams of items that eventually became something I made. Once you get your creative brain going, the possibility for inspiration is everywhere. Combinations of colors in nature, shapes of leaves in the yard, just a special day out that made me feel a certain way. I love walking about the mall and just observing people and how they put themselves together. I like to note the differences between what the store models are wearing and what real-life people are wearing. I like to see contemporary things and in my mind, rearrange them, change their colors, make them look 50 years older, bigger, smaller, etc. I don't sketch anything, I work it all out in my head, and that "working out" is going on all the time. But now Simple Tilly has a certain feel to it, and when I am thinking about a new creation, I consider how it will fit in with that "feel", and that influences what I am thinking about creating.

What is your favorite piece you're created and why?

I love everything I make, or I don't offer it in SimpleTilly. Somethings are more in line with my personal style. I have the most fun making the dolls, they are such a blank canvas and they take on a life of their own during the creative process. I never really know how they will come out. I like the relaxing rhythm of punch needle and I often work on those pieces at night when I am relaxing. I love working on jewelry with friends, and the fact that many more people plug into my jewelry, because, let's face it, everyone wears/collects/gives jewelry. I own several pairs of my earrings that I wear often. They are usually the plainer pieces, they are more neutrally colored and they just work with so many of my outfits. The jazzier pieces catch your eye, but those simpler styles will get more wear. I am kind of practical that way! I like longer necklaces with a simpler chain. I like that those pieces offer the option to be layered with shorter necklaces.

I don't, as a practice do special orders, because I am a student and I work when I have time and don't when I have to study. But I have had people share their ideas with me and I am open to hear new ideas, so I have done a few custom orders. I guess, really thinking about it, those are probably my favorite pieces because they are created as a collaboration and I they are always so well received! That is one way that SimpleTilly has become a learning experience for me.

What do you want to accomplish with your online shop?

I want Simple Tilly to be original and unique. I want you to be surprised when you visit my shop. I love meeting new people and Simple Tilly has been a lot about that. I want to have an opportunity to share my creations with people who appreciate and enjoy them. I love it when someone is buying something from me for a gift for someone they love. They will message me back and share how that went and it is just really cool. That is very satisfying. I know I would create my dolls and jewelry and other items even if I didn't sell them, but it is really fun that you can have that element of sharing involved in it, too.

Do you have any creations in the works? If so, what can shoppers expect to see from you soon?

I am currently working on four custom order ideas (funny, after I said, I don't really offer custom orders...I have a hard time saying no!) They are proving to be a lot of fun. Apart from that, the holidays are coming and I have a lot of ideas for holiday inspired items. I really love Halloween inspirations and I've go to get on the ball! So keep checking http://simpletilly.etsy.com often, and see what wanders in there!

Where can readers find out about more information regarding your jewelry and other creations and possible special offers?

You can visit my shop, http://simpletilly.etsy.com, to see what is offered in there. I don't have a blog or a website, but I work on Simple Tilly often and you are more than welcome to convo me with any questions or comments you may have there. All of my creations are my own original designs, handmade completely by me, so I don't mass produce or copy a pattern or another artist's work. I sign and date all of my work (except the jewelry, of course). I do check my shop daily and if you purchase anything from you, you will hear from me soon to confirm that. I ship out quickly with delivery confirmation. I want my customers to be pleased with their purchase and the experience of purchasing from me. I am very grateful to my customers and those who follow Simple Tilly. I enjoy interacting with them through the shop and hearing their ideas and comments. I am easy to reach and happy to visit!