DaWanda Backstage

Hi everyone,

We’ve had lots of Christmas goodies so far for you this week, as a result of which our Monday seller interview has been moved to a Tuesday, just to mix things up a little ;). And we’re sure you’re going to enjoy this week’s instalment, as we get to meet the lovely Nicole, aka pea soup! Nicole’s DaWanda store features a delightful collection of smiley creatures – from pears to bananas, via cupcakes, fairies, crazy bugs, pencils and more. All of whom are lovingly felted and stitched into being, ready to attach themselves to the nearest jacket, desk drawer, mantlepiece or toybox. Go check out her shop, and then have a read of this brilliant interview with the talented lady herself:









Please tell us a bit about yourself:
I live in a small town in the mountains of Pennsylvania. I come from a very large family and I have a little wiener dog named Bean. I love to spend time hiking, gardening, cooking, going out to hear live music and spending time with family and friends.

How did you discover that you have creative tendencies?
I have been making things since I was a tiny girl. If my doll needed a new dress (or a new house) I would get out my box of markers, my empty shoe cartons and fabric scraps and get to work! It’s always been a part of me to create and make and do.

Where do you find your inspiration?
I find a lot of inspiration in nature – flowers and bugs and leaves and trees, especially colors and combinations of colors. I love making things to celebrate the seasons and holidays, that is a big inspiration for me. I love tiny little things, so elves and fairies and little gnomes tend to make their way across my work desk a good bit.

Do you have any role models/inspirations in the area of Design? If so, who and why?
Yes! I have many – to name a few – Heidi Kinney of My Paper Crane, Emily Martin of the Black Apple, Hillary Lang of Wee Wonderfuls and Jo and Dylan of Cart Before the Horse. I love LOVE these artists and I think their work just resonates with me – I love their creativity and their style and am always amazed at what they think up next!

How did you come up with the ideas for the products in your DaWanda shop?
A lot of the designs have grown out of other designs, taking an idea for a card or a pin and seeing what other things can come of it. For example, my card designs started with the “Peas in a Pod” card and I tried to think up other fruits and veggies to make into card designs (hence the pears, peach, banana and apple cards.) Then thinking about what other kind of food could I use (which resulted in the breakfast and dessert cards.)

Which materials do you use to create your products?
I use wool felt and thread primarily with some bits and buttons and beads thrown in for good measure.

Please give us a brief summary of your creative process?
When inspiration strikes, I jot down the idea and do a quick sketch. I might not get around to trying out a design right away, but I have a big sketchbook full of ideas when I am ready. When it’s time to try out a design, I make a prototype first. Once I have the final design the way that I like it, I make up a batch of that design (pin or card or ornament, etc.) Usually, January and February are the months that I get to try out new designs and play a little bit. That’s when I can try out new mediums and experiment too. I am usually filling inventory and orders for shops and shows the rest of the year.

What characterizes your products/your style?
I think all of my work is quite whimsical and fun. It’s meant to make people happy and smile. There is an element of fantasy and make-believe I suppose (fairies and elves and fruit with crooked grins!)

What do you want to achieve in the future as a Designer/Creative?
I am so grateful for everything that has happened for Pea Soup. This year has been a real growing year and I am just thrilled. I would love to continue to grow and continue to sell my work to online, at shows and to shops and galleries (that’s new this year!). So I would say just growing and expanding my design lines and still maintaining the happy, handmade quality of my work.

What role does DaWanda play in your daily creative life?
DaWanda as a site for handmade goods is fantastic. I have found so many amazing artists through DaWanda and I love selling my work on the site.

How has your life changed since you opened your DaWanda shop?
The other amazing thing about the site is the wonderful staff of people behind it. I feel really a part of DaWanda, everyone is so kind and encouraging. I have been fortunate to have some of my work included in packets for PR and the like – that means a lot. I really get a feeling of pride for the site from each one of the staff members I have worked with. That has probably been the best part for me.

Please give us the names of three of your favourite shops on DaWanda:
- SiebenMorgen
- Lupin
- Moumou


P.S. If you’d like to be considered for one of our Monday seller interviews, then please send a filled-out questionnaire to azra[at]dawanda[dot]com