Tell us a bit about yourself
My name is Olga and I live in Sydney for 8 years now, I moved here from Far East Russia where I worked as an engineer. Since then me and my husband created 3 beautiful boys, who keep us busy every day. We also have a dog named Tyson who is happy to be a horse for kids sometimes. I love to knit and crochet and creative time of the day is my favorite.
Can you explain your craft/art and the material you like to use? I love to use Australian wool, handspuned yarns are amazing, also interesting novelty yarns are very nice to work with. I am absolute yarnoholic, my stashes are huge!
My main products are photography props for professional photographers - hats, blankies, headbands for newborns. I also make hats for grown-ups and toddlers.
Knitting is very time consuming process, I do both knitting and crocheting, I like to incorporate felt and vintage fabric into my desings. I also make all my patterns myself and I believe and I am natural in this with my engineering background. I am always positive when doing my knitting and trully enjoying the process.
Where do you get your inspiration and what is your creative process? My main inspiration for adult hats coming from busy, fast moving life of big city. My hats are mostly unisex, simple and what I would describe as "going with everything". I like to use simple patterns and primary colors, something what I would wear myself.
I also often insired by particular yarn, almost immediately when I look at a new yarn I know what would be best to make using it.
My baby hats are mostly simple and clear as well, as I am trying to overshadow precious little faces. Natural colors and textures this is what I trying to keep as a key for babies items.
My creative time ismostly during late evenings and nights when my kids are sleeping and I can enjoy quiet time. I wish I can have more time as I have so many new ideas.
How long have you been creating and how did you get into craft/art? I learn how to knit and crochet back in school, it was a compulsory. I also used some ofmy grandmother's knitting books and watched het knitting a lot. She had a lot of beautiful embroidered pillows and tablecloths made by her mother an sisters in her house.
I get back to knitting when my first son was born 7 years ago and I made coveralls for him. Since then I knit every day and love it more and more. It is great to have opportunity to sell your creations, all the handmade movement and sites we have lately is just really amazing and make you want to carry on.
How did you come up with your business name? "Baboom" was a first word my son said, I guess it means something on baby language.
What resources 'have or do you' use to help your creative pursuits (i.e. groups, classes, shops, websites etc)?
The only knitting classes I did was back at school, after that I am just self-taugth. It is great to use craft forums, people usually are very helpful and happy to share.
I am guilty of watching fashion channel sometimes and programmes like "Project runway", it is very ispiring and gives me a lot of new ideas. All handmade venues and things you can discover there are also what keep me going. And sure it is nice to be not just staying home mum!
What's your best advice for someone starting up?
• Make sure your photos representing your products in best possible way, as photos is the only way for people to have idea of what they buying online.
• Make sure your quality is the best possible, listen to buyers feedback.
• Have a good variety in your shop and see what is more popular and go with it.
• Try to find your own style and enjoy what you doing!
Do you have any advertising/promotion tips for sellers to be successful?
Facebook, blogs, word of mouth are helpful. Always have your business cards with you.
I do not promote much due to lack of time and at the moment sales I have is all that I can handle. But Facebook is great , especially if you doing some giveaways, you can do a lot of business via it.
Can you share any lessons that you have learned the hard way? • Value your time! Do not sell cheap, it is better to sell less, but for higher price.
• Find your own style of what you making.
• Do not share your secrets, it is business after all.
• Have a list of products to make with deadlines and try to keep up.
What do you like to do besides creating? Cooking, walking with dog, going to the beach with kids. Enjoying cup of coffee and browsing internet!
What is your favourite music, television show, film, book, website I like to read when I have time, which is not often, classic books are my favorites - Nabokov, Bulgakov, Bronte...
TV - "Project Runway" and "Freinds"
Music - U2, Moby, a lot of 90s
Film - The Shawshank Redemption
What would be your perfect day?
Everyday as long as everybody is healthy!
Who is one of your favourite madeit seller, explain why in less than 10 words? Plushka - as she is making original little sweet things!
