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Tell us a bit about yourself?
Well there is me Jo Petrie and my other or maybe better half Joseph (silent partner, it whiz, gourmet breakfast maker), but most people call me Jogirl.  The reason for this is because my hubby’s name is named Joe as well. A little confusing I know so an old school friend of his gave us the names “Joeboy & Jogirl” and they have stuck for over 10 years now. I am a married super proud mum of two wee ones, Ruby-Star who is 7 & Hudson who is 3, Our house is like a central station and we always have a multitude of children in and out of the house on any given day at all hours.  We had a “seachange” about 4 years ago to the beautiful sunshine coast, and have never looked back.  It has always been my dream to raise my children near the sea, and now I am doing just that. The ocean, calms me and inspires me all at the same time. Most people would probably hate the fact they have to sweep sand off their feet every night to go to bed, but that is something I am grateful for. I love being a mum, but I also don’t want to lose myself in the process, I am still me and this I suppose is the thing that fuels my creative juices. I am a full on night owl, blog lurker, and coca-cola addict, but don’t hold that against me.

Can you explain your craft/art and the material you like to use?
Mmm, it is sort of silversmithing I suppose, or metal work, I don’t really know. It is what it is. The materials I use most at the moment are sterling silver, but I am hoping to expand into gold, copper and brass in the next few months. I would also like to use some more organic stones and crystals in the future. My craft I suppose is not actually about the actual materials I use but more about what they stand for. I want them to be a personal expression of something, something unique to each and every person, no matter what that is.

Where do you get your inspiration and what is your creative process?
Inspiration for me is everywhere. I get a lot of inspiration from trawling design websites, blogs, interior magazines (a major addiction), online stores, and just around my own surroundings. I love colour, pattern and design. I am also a little bit in love with personalized things, pillows, shirts, art anything.  I like that it’s just for you, I even love those sticker labels you get for your kids, just awesome.  I am also inspired to create lovestamp for myself, to have something that is mine, that provides a little bit of “play money” for my family. I think it does me good to have an interest and passion that is mine, to show my kids that even though you are a mum, wife, friend, sister, aunty, etc that I still am me.  I also gain heaps of inspiration through my kids and seeing the world down low and through their eyes, and the things I want to learn from them and remember, always.  They make me take a step back and see the colours in something, or the sound or pattern that I may not have noticed at first glance.

How long have you been creating and how did you get into craft/art?
I have been creative ever since I could hold a pencil. One of my favourite things still is a box of brand new colours, or the smell of play dough! I have drawn, cut, pasted, and basically made a mess since I was knee high. I went on to study art at school where my love grew. After school I studied Art & Design and Interior Design. I have always created in some way or another. I have had market stalls selling sweet hand painted kids furniture, I love revamping old bits of furniture with paint and fabric.  I suppose I have my mum to thank for my creative abilities, she can sew like a champion, and my aunty is an amazing artist. I love to paint, although don’t have much time for it these days. I like to get my kids down and dirty in the paints and glue and we often have our whole kitchen table completely unrecognizable underneath boxes of bits and pieces, paste, scissors, glitter and cardboard.

How did you come up with your business name?
Well that took a little while. I was originally going to call it “Pink Milk” in honour of one of my favourite little girls, Lola from Charlie & Lola, but thought that it didn’t really identify what I do. So I just sought of thought about what I do, and my reasons behind what I am doing. I thought well its stamping, and it’s about love..so tada! But, the end result of the name came down to my family, I made a list and we had a kitchen table vote and lovestamp won hands down! I have had a really great response to it, probably because it relates to what I am actually doing and is not really obscure.

What resources 'have or do you' use to help your creative pursuits (i.e. groups, classes, shops, websites etc)?
I scour websites like madeit and blogs like desire to inspire and bling on my sewing machine for things that might catch my eye. I also search for quotes or inspirational words in books that I borrow from the library, or even steal them from friends and family. I haven’t taken any classes to create lovestamp, I self taught myself over a 6 month period. I would however like to do a silversmithing course to expand my knowledge. I love visiting art galleries, libraries and shows to gain inspiration and ideas.

What's your best advice for someone starting up?
Don’t be discouraged if you don’t get a sale straight away.  It takes time, and a lot of it. You have to be willing to put in the hours behind the scenes as well as when you are creating your wonderful items.

Customers aren’t just going to knock on your door, you need to go out there and market yourself, believe in your product. Another thing is ask for help, ask for feedback and constructive criticism, sometimes someone else may just have the little piece of sunshine you are looking for. 

I think that you learn by your mistakes, take every day as it comes, love what you do and everyone will feel it.

Do you have any advertising/promotion tips for sellers to be successful?
Take the time to promote yourself. I have found that blogging is a great tool and very cathartic. Also commenting on other peoples work, other blogs, photo sharing sites, facebook etc. Join groups online with similar interests, wear your work if you can. Always carry business cards – always!! This is key, I hand out at least 3 or 4 a day, I write everything on them, phone numbers, lists, notes the teachers if I need to. 

Newsletters are fantastic too, not too often, give people the option to unsubscribe, and keep them light, short and interesting. Also giveaways have been great for me..I have one on my blog once a month and they really drive interest. Everyone loves free stuff! I think you just need to get out there and believe in yourself, talk about what you do with passion, don’t underestimate yourself.  Be proactive behind the scenes as much as in front of the scene.

Lastly, top customer service is essential, answer emails promptly, discuss options, be open to ideas, offer discounts, follow-up after sales etc.. Good customer service is priceless.

Can you share any lessons that you have learned the hard way?
Probably the biggest lesson I have learnt is that I can’t do it all.  Now that I am working on lovestamp I have to let other things go. Things like the laundry or the ironing or the toys on the floor will wait for me, and I would rather be playing with my kids than cleaning house. I have also learnt a calendar is invaluable, and a timetable for my “working hours” is really important.  It means I have set days and times I can work on things and am not taking time away from my family or my life. I am doing lovestamp for myself and my family, but I will not do it in spite of them. I learnt that even though I am super passionate about my work, my family is the most important thing.

What do you like to do besides creating?
I am a mad keen op shopper. You can find me there most days of the week scouring the shelves for something wonderful and unique. I love reading, the beach and we are “dirty rotten campers” and try to get away whenever we can. I love Friday nights in front of the telly and spending time gossiping with my friends. I love galleries and markets and spending time playing board games and cards with my kids. I can also be found usually one day on the weekend curled up in bed with my husband and kids for family ‘siesta’ we are known by our friends to have a family nap on weekends, especially after a big morning at the beach followed by a yummy home cooked breakfast. I also love baking sweet treats, especially cupcakes.

What is your favourite music, television show, film, book, website?
Fav music: all sorts, my ipod is full of different things from lounge to top 10, from country to eminem

Fav tv: don’t watch much tv but at the moment my favourite is ‘farmer wants a wife’ and ‘find my family’ the latter one makes me cry without fail every single week. I am also totally engrossed in Lost and Underbelly.

Fav book: mmm toughie, depends on what I am reading, I like biography and have just read Brooke Shields down came the rain, very poignant and moving.

Fav film: oh that is easy, The Notebook, a love story, if you have not seen it, get it out and get yourself a big box of tissues. I also just watched Slumdog Millionaire and adored it.

Fav website: too hard, so many so here is a list of some of my faves
blingonmysewingmachine.blogspot.com
apartmenttherapy.com
skouttradefair.com
makingitlovely.com
madebygirl.blogspot.com

What would be your perfect day?
Mmm my “dream” perfect day would be waking up in a huge bed in a gorgeous house that sits right on the beach, having a gorgeous breakfast, and going for a swim in the ocean, plonking myself on some awesome couch with a stack of interior magazines and reading them for hours with a bottle of great wine. Then maybe a family siesta and hanging out with the kids, followed by a delicious dinner and some fabulous cheeses and great friends. Then topped off my some great conversation with my hubby and then off to bed to sleep without the cat, or my 3 year old waking me up every 10 mins.  That is my ‘dream’ perfect day. 

My real perfect day, is probably everyday, with the hustle and bustle of my everyday life, the highs and lows and everything in between, oh and if I could see my dad one last time that would be pretty good too.

Who is your favourite madeit seller, explain why in less than 10 words?
Estasketch: Unique, beautiful, inspiring, moody, wearable art!

lovestamp visit store

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Sunday 15th March