Please join us on Friday, September 3rd, 2010 for our themed shopping event. 
Gail Friend's original, handmade designs reflect the inspiration she finds in nature, whether it be from oceans, beaches, or enchanting gardens. Her jewelry, created from colorful beads, hand-built roses, vintage accents, and touches of nature is wearable art designed for fun. Gail's one-of-a kind stitched creations run the gamut from shabby chic to whimsical and are stitched with love. Whether you're looking for a well-deserved treat for yourself or a special gift for someone else, you'll find just the thing at Gail Friend's Designs.
Gail, is sewing and making jewelry something you've always done? How did you discover your passion for sewing and creating?When I was very young, I loved to draw and paint, but I remember, in junior high, my best friend's father owned a Cloth World store. I would go in there with her, and I loved being around the fabrics and all of the colors and patterns. It was a feeling I can't really put into words — I wished I could sew. I got an "F" in home-ec in 7th grade. After that, the next time I sewed was after my first daughter was born. I had no idea what I was doing, and that first sock doll looked like my one year old had made it. I kept practicing, and I am completely self taught. I truly feel that if you believe you can do something, practice does make perfect. I started making jewelry about eight years ago. A friend had taught me how, and I fell in love with beads. That same feeling came across like it did all the years before in that fabric store. There are endless design possibilities making jewelry.
How did you know when it was the right time to turn your passion into a business?It was an idea that evolved. I was making jewelry and had a large inventory. I came upon Make Mine Pink and Etsy around the same time. So I joined Etsy and joined Make Mine Pink on the public forum. The real turning point was being the lucky winner of the Cottage Collection website. That was one year ago this month, and I have never looked back. It has been destiny because my passion decided to be[come] a business and I [was] running along trying to keep up! It's been an amazing year.
Can you name one person who has inspired you and how?I used to take porcelain doll classes from an amazing and talented lady named Annette Underwood. She had the most amazing life and stories to tell. I learned everything I could from her. She taught me how to just start cutting fabric and design elaborate dresses and gowns for our dolls. She really helped me take my designing and sewing skills to the next level.
What types of marketing have worked well for you? What hasn't worked?
I have tried many forms of marketing, and I believe you can have success without spending a lot of money. The most success has been [with] the Pink Fridays and Shop Hops at Make Mine Pink. I love blogging and have found success with this as well. I have just recently started sending sample products out to bakeries and shops, so I am waiting to see if this brings more business for me. Submitting for magazine features is a great way to gain exposure. I am speaking for myself, but I didn't feel that Etsy or Lollishops worked well for me. I create limited edition items or one of a kind, and I haven't found it to my advantage to spread myself too thin. I am concentrating on my website and my Little Pink Boutique. I am finding it easier to give one hundred percent of my attention here rather than a little here and a little there.
What role do Twitter and Facebook play in your online marketing?I am enjoying Facebook and am learning how to make this work for me and marketing my business. I have to admit I haven't spent as much time with Twitter. It is my intention to devote more time to learn more about how Twitter can help me.
If you had to name one thing as the key to your success, what would it be?
One hundred percent, over-the-top passion for creating my art! I would say two things tie for the key to my success. Being involved with Make Mine Pink and a support group of like-minded women is very important.
Congratulations on being featured in Studio Magazine. Can you tell us about that experience and how it has impacted you and your business?I had purchased a copy of Studios and really enjoyed reading about all of the artists' studios and work spaces. I saw instructions for submitting your own studio. I sent photos and my request by e-mail. The next day, I heard from one of the editors, Cate Prato. She explained the process, and I took photos of my own studio and got them the correct size and put [them] on a CD and sent it in to her. It was very easy and such a pleasure working with Studios magazine. It was great experience on how to submit to other publications for possible consideration for being featured. I actually had people e-mail me to say they saw me, so I feel it had a very positive effect on my business. I would encourage all of you to start submitting your work to magazines; its wonderful marketing — and free! Keep in mind when submitting your work, follow the submitting instructions to the letter.
Can you tell us about your involvement with Enchanted Makeovers and what that organization does?
I am so excited to be involved with the Enchanted Makeovers project. This organization is ran by Terry Grahl, and she is making a huge difference in the lives of young women living in shelters. She makes over shelters and makes them a beautiful and special place for the girls to live in and feel safe. I love the fact she also uses a lot of handmade items in her designing the rooms. It really adds to making the girls feel at home and know that there are people who care about them. I was able to participate in the hope chest adoptions here with Make Mine Pink. Each girl will have her own hope chest to use to store her personal things while staying at the shelter. Enchanted Makeovers is hosting a dinner party at the end of June for the girls. There will be a chef there to cook and help teach the girls [and] a photographer, flowers, pretty china, [and] a singer to entertain. I will be making each girl a necklace with a fairy and [a] bottle of magic fairy dust charms as a small gift for the event. I am sure it will be a wonderful event for the girls.
You have just started a new line called Sweet Dreams Bakery. What is unique about that line?My Sweet Dreams Bakery line [consists of] decorator pillows in the shape of sweet treats, cupcakes, chocolate-dipped strawberries, ice cream cones, wedding cakes, etc. These are my own patterns and designs, and there will be more coming out. I am striving for a fun and happy feel to these pillows. I believe the colors, fabrics, and trims used also help make them unique. Fabric is seasonal and limits how long it will be available to use, so I am experimenting with dying my own ribbon and fabric to come up with a new, unique look that is my own and not limited to what's in the stores.
What advice would you give to someone considering turning their own passion into a business?As I mentioned earlier, I truly believe in finding a great support system of like-minded business women. I would also advise to remember it will be very hard work and it does take time. I love the creating part, my life's passion, but when turning it into a business, there is so much more to learn and do. It is worth every single bit of effort and time you put into it. It's an amazing way to live your life — doing what you love and what you were meant to do. Don't give up.
What is coming up next for Gail Friend Designs? What can we expect to see from you in the next year?
This last year has been amazing! I have new designs coming out. I want to master making my own fabrics so that my work is one hundred percent mine, including the fabric it is made from. I am excited about an idea I have for some very limited edition fairy cottages. I will be submitting work to more magazines over the next years, so look for me in your favorite publications!
Please visit Gail Friend Designs at http://www.gailfrienddesigns.com/ to discover how you can add her nature-inspired designs to your life and home. You can keep up with what's new at Gail's design studio by visiting her blog at http://cupcakesandcutestuff.blogspot.com/. Her stitched creations and jewelry are also available at Make Mine Pink.