Pretty Little Studio Interview + Treat
Hi Friends! Yesterday I promised you an interview with Melissa and here it is.
Melissa
Melissa is the very talented designer behind Pretty Little Studio. I used some of her Vintage Flashcards and Vintage Journaling tags on the banner I posted yesterday.
Vintage Tag from Pretty Little Studio's "Little Boys" Tag Set
Melissa is generously offering a special discount to YoT readers. Just become a friend of Pretty Little Studio on Facebook or visit the darling PLS shop and leave a comment here about what you liked. Then go shopping! Use the code Vintage1950 to get 15% off Pretty Little Studio products!
About Pretty Little Studio
When and how did PLS start? I started PLS on Etsy October 14, 2009. I had been working as a Sales Associate in the Mall and after my second child was born, I didn’t go back. I wanted to make some spending money. So I decided to sell some of the scrapbooking journaling cards I made for myself on Etsy. I first started just selling digital items. One day I decided to print them out and see how they would sell. Here we are!! Now my customers have to beg me to make digital items.
Are you a graphic designer? Self taught, school or both? I’m self taught. When I was 15, my grandfather passed down his old computer 3.1 with a floppy drive. My first piece of design work was a family cookbook that I did for my mom.
Have you always been artistic? Yes! I’m a “jack of all hobbies”. I started cutting out paper strips and making little pockets when I was 7. I was cross-stitching at 9. I learned how to quilt at 14 by watching a tv show. After college, I started scrapbooking and quickly turned into an obsession.
Some of Melissa's Vintage Illustration Collection
How do find/create the images you use? All my commercial clipart I use is from www.mygrafico.com and Etsy. I use some commercial clipart because I’m not artist just a designer. My vintage images are all from children’s picture books, paper doll books and greeting cards. I find my vintage items on Ebay and Etsy.
Vintage Illustrations by Vivian Robbins
Your work has a nostalgic feel… what's your favorite decade and why? 1950’s are my favorite. I have two favorite artists from that era, Vivian Robbins and Betty Voss. I love their work. All of their pictures and illustrations are inspirational.
Christmas Products Color Guide
What colors are you into now? I love bright colors: My favorite colors now are Red, Orange, Yellow, Green Apple, Teal, and Chocolate. If you check out my shop, you will notice I use these colors a lot in my lines.
What do your customers like to use the PLS products for? Scrapbooking
What's the most unique item a customer has created with your products? One of customer used the vintage tags to make cupcake toppers for her son’s birthday. She glued two together on a popsicle stick and stuck them in each cupcake.
How would you describe your style? Modern, Whimsical, Vintage
Melissa's Workspace
What's your process for designing? I really don’t have process. When I get an idea, I just design it and if I don’t have time right them I write it down in my notebook. I have so many ideas, my brain feels like its going to pop most days.
Tell us three things that inspire you: Illustrations/clipart, color charts, patterned paper
What has been the most surprising thing about starting an online business? I’m still shocked on how well it’s done. I never dreamed I could be a SAHM and work in my bedroom in nighties and make more then when I was general manger of a restaurant. I’m still in awe.
Little People in the Fall Vintage Tags
What advice can you share about starting a business? What do you wish that you'd known? Just go with the flow. Advertising is key! It has made a huge difference. Never borrow any money. I’ve never borrowed a cent, I’ve only used what I’ve made to buy new products and equipment. I started out with about $5, an inkjet printer and a pack of cardstock. Start out with a good Accounting program like Quick books, Its makes life a lot easier at the end of the year.
What's the best/most challenging part? The best part is having hundreds of orders come in. But it’s very stressful. The most challenging part is distractions. My kids really kick it up a notch when I’m really busy. Some I just have to stop and play and then go back to work.
What are you embracing right now? Sleep!! I haven’t had a full nights sleep in over 3 years. I hope by the time my kids are 10, I can finally get caught up J
Christmas Collection Sneak Peek
What can we look forward to from PLS for the holidays? Right now I’m designing the a new Christmas line inspired from a 1965 Holiday Paper Doll Book. I have new vintage tags, lots of journaling cards, holiday flash cards and of course some new patterned paper.
About Melissa:
If you were a color you'd be… and why: Apple Green and Aqua. Why?!?
Favorite season: I don’t any favorite seasons where I live its too humid, really hot and we hardly ever get snow. My favorite weather is: 70* with a nice 15 mph wind
Coffee or Tea? Celestial Seasonings Mandarin Orange Spice
Magazine that inspires you: Pottery Barn Catalog
Blog to visit for inspiration: Ali Edwards or Elizabeth Kartchner
Store to visit for inspiration: Target
You're at your favorite thrift store and suddenly you see something that makes your heart jump: It's a 1950’s paper doll book.
Josh Groban
Best loved song? So She Dances (sung by Josh Groban)
Where can we find you?
Shop: www.prettylittlestudio.com
Blog: www.prettylittlestudio.blogspot.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/melissasstudio
Thanks Melissa! See you tomorrow for a delish chocolate chip cookie recipe.
Wow! Her graphics bring back my childhood!
She’s so talented! I love her designs… and I’d love to make a living while working in my nightie :)
She really has beautiful designs. I so hear her on the sleep thing as well, I feel like I’m finally starting to catch up again after 6 years of babies.
I’m loving these interview Malia, thanks so much for sharing Melissa with us!
Wow! She has beautiful designs, and this was a lovely interview!