Tell us a bit about yourself
My name is Talia and I'm the soapy one woman show behind Bubble Lane. I live in Melbourne with my two gorgeous boys. Ethan(7) and Oliver (3) who always keep me on my toes!
Can you explain your craft/art and the material you like to use? I love to make all kinds of things but soap is my passion. I use Melt and Pour soap and all kinds of delicious smelling fragrances and essential oils. Everything I make is vegan friendly and is wonderful for your skin, even if it is a macaroon or cupcake your washing your body with.
Where do you get your inspiration and what is your creative process? I get a lot of inspiration from the internet, daily life, trips to the shops/bakery and also my boys. Who will tell me something fun I should make. I love making foody soaps the best! Oddly I get my best ideas when I'm half asleep in bed, so I always have a notepad by the bed to either jot my ideas down or sketch a quick picture. And have found some of my big mistakes turn out to be great help in colouring perfecting other soaps or a totally new idea. So don't ever be afraid to make a mistake! You could even come up with something better than you originally intended!
How long have you been creating and how did you get into craft/art? I have been a crafty nut for as long as I can remember! (they used to know my name at the local spotlight, 'Back again Talia? What are you making today?' haha). I think the moment my mum taught me to sew lavender bags to put in my underwear draw on our really ancient but trusty knee pedal sewing machine, had me hooked! I taught myself most of everything I know and there is always the internet! The internet is fantastic for craft if you know where to look! I love to try everything arty/crafty at least once! If you come to my house and want to learn to make something, most likely the supplies are already sitting in my craft closet! (yeah little bit of a craft addict).
How did you come up with your business name? I used to have a different name that everyone else seemed to love, but I just didn't feel it. And sometimes you just have to go with your own gut instinct regardless of what others think. I wanted something that had a fun feel to it as my soaps are unique and fun and invoke that bubble fun feeling. And wouldn't it be nice to visit a lane somewhere out there filled with fun soaps and crafty goodness?! I would move right in!
What resources 'have or do you' use to help your creative pursuits (i.e. groups, classes, shops, websites etc)?
I love You-tube to learn new crafts! Its where I learnt to crochet. (the beauty of video tutes opposed to learning is person is you can keep freezing the video without looking silly). I also love www.craftster.org. It has heaps of free tutes and forums to ask any sort of seemingly silly questions that are craft related. But i do love a good google search! The internet is FILLED with crafty goodness and crafty blogs to help you on your way. Grab a cuppa and a biscuit (or 5) and settle in for a crafty surf.
What's your best advice for someone starting up?
My advice is to do what you love! Its an obvious thing to say but it certainly makes nights up creating till 3am more bearable! Also I think you need to stop hesitating and just give it a go! Open a madeit store (its super easy and very user friendly) and put yourself out there! Take clear pictures of your products (you can set up a little homemade light-box that will help with this). But most importantly... Dont be afraid to fail! (I have many times!) When business is temporarily slow, instead of feeling down, use that time to come up with new designs, marketing techniques or anything to improve your business. Don't worry, the sales will come — and when they do, you need to be prepared!
Do you have any advertising/promotion tips for sellers to be successful?
I haven't promoted much yet but I think Facebook pages are fantastic! I have a wonderful fan base and treasure all the sweet comments people leave me on www.facebook.com/bubblelane. I make lots of sales through facebook also. ALWAYS have business cards on you and if people ask what you do, now is the time to promote (even if it is hard at the start, don't be afraid to be proud of what you do. Haha yes my friends will laugh at me writing that comment, I find it hard to shamelessly self promote too, but I'm getting better).
Can you share any lessons that you have learned the hard way? I haven't had too many... yet. Maybe I will say don't leave things till the last minute unless you really enjoy being under pressure and 3am bedtimes! Dont promise deadlines you cant deliver and don't spread yourself too thin. Figure out what is the best course of action and do it well. And always make sure around busy times that your supplies are fully stocked. Especially if you have to order supplies in that can take a week or more to be delivered. That could be awkward and quite unprofessional.
What do you like to do besides creating? I am nearly always creating something. I feel lost when im not making something and keeping my hands busy. But I love to read, watch a good movie with a wine and working out at the gym, it gets me away from the soap and out of my brain for an hour or two. I love to play silly games with my boys and teach them new crafty things (they are already very arty too, proud mama here!). They keep me pretty busy, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Listening to relaxing music is so wonderful, and always makes you happy! Nothing better than turning up the music and singing like a crazy woman! (sorry neighbors!)
What is your favourite music, television show, film, book, website?
Music - Gotye, Adele, Duffy, Fiona Apple, Florence and The Machine.
Television - True Blood, The Office, Kath and Kim, Big Bang Theory, The housewives of (lol most of them)
Film - Step Brothers, What dreams may come, Amelie, The Labyrinth, The Black Swan
Book - Anne Rice books, Virginia Andrews books, Twilight (yeah OK i liked it so shoot me)
Website - Craftster.org, madeit.com.au, buildalittlebiz.com.au and pinterest.com
What would be your perfect day?
Shrouded in fog and rain with a good book I don't want to put down, sitting at a big bay window, a long hot bath, inviting smells from the kitchen. Marshmallows and board games in front of a roaring fire with my two boys (with a glass of red for me of course).
Who is one of your favourite madeit seller, explain why in less than 10 words? BillyMac – I love Billy Mac, they have the coolest kids clothing around! Love the funky designs!
