by Jessika Hepburn, Editor
I have such a treat for you today! In the year that I have been editing Oh My! Handmade I have made some wonderful new friends online. I love watching them grow and seeing their businesses thrive. One of these lovely connections is Julie of Elliven. I am so honored to get the chance to share a bit of her story and her shop with you all today. Elliven is stocked with handmade clutches and accessories, all of which are lovely, but my favorite thing about Julie’s shop is her unexpected bursts of color, the splash of a lemon yellow zipper or a bright lining. It is that playful balance of minimalism and brightness that makes her clutches a stand out for me. But what I really think is Julie’s greatest strength is her kindness. I adore watching her on Twitter saying hello, asking after people, making friendships. If a businesses success is judged by how engaging the owner is then Elliven is destined for grand things!
{1. ruffle fabric notecards, 2. small zipper pouch, 3. sequin & ruffle pouch, 4. snap card case }
I caught up with Julie to ask her some questions about Elliven and her answers are filled with great advice no matter what size your business is. She is also offering up a generous giveaway of 3 of her stunning clutches so one lucky reader will get a chance to sample her handmade goodness!
Hi Julie! I’ve been following your growth on Twitter (+ coveting your gorgeous clutches) so it’s great to introduce your business to our readers. Can you tell us a bit about Elliven and your handmade work?
Hi Jessika and friends! Thank you so much for having me, it’s such a pleasure to be here! At Elliven you’ll find functional, practical yet fashionable accessories. Pieces that are versatile and affordable. My goal is to create accessories that add a lovely finishing touch to any outfit no matter what the occasion. My designs are a complete reflection of myself, 100%. There isn’t much “fuss” to the designs, and that is truly something that I love. Clean lines, minimal accessorizing, yet tons of “wow” factor!
What inspired you to start Elliven, did you always have a love for handmade and creating?
I’d have to say that I’ve always been creative, but I never really pursued my creative side until I just before opening up my Etsy shop. The decision to join Etsy as a seller was made after I had created a few totes and accessories for myself. I really enjoyed putting the pieces together and carrying an accessory that I had made with my own two hands and wanted to share this with others. I wanted to create accessories that the everyday woman could carry with pride and that would make her feel great about herself. It’s amazing how fabulous one can feel when they fulfill their fashion needs, and I love that I can play a part.
You have a handful to juggle- military life, kids and a small business-what are the most important things you have learned about managing everything since you started your business?
It can definitely be difficult at times, especially with my husband being in the Air Force. Things can change without much notice and you have to be able to adapt/adjust your plans and schedule. I have to say that the most important lesson I’ve learned, which was very recently, is that I can not force things. It is so important to have realized this and I really feel as though a weight has been lifted off of my shoulders. I was trying to do way more than I could handle and it was doing more damage than good. I was spreading myself too thin and it was beginning to show in almost every aspect of my life. As a result, I decided to discontinue making several items in my shop. This will enable me have a quicker turn around time and to focus on the clutch line and notecards, which I love! I have to remember that I will eventually have much more time to devote to Elliven and that I don’t have to do everything right now. The time will come.
I am such a planner, but have realized that I don’t “have” to do things in a particular order anymore, or “have” to do them just as planned. I’m learning to go with the flow and it’s proving to work wonders! I still have my to do lists but I allow myself to get them done whenever I can throughout the day rather than at a certain time of day.
It’s so very important to take a step back every now and then to reassess your business plan. Life is ever changing which means that you sometimes have to adapt/update your business schedule so that there isn’t any unnecessary stress and to help keep a good balance. To know that your business plan isn’t written is stone is key!
Allow yourself to take breaks, it can truly do wonders . When I feel unsteady or frustrated, I step away. Stepping away can be taking a few minutes to regroup or taking a few days off to completely rejuvenate yourself. I come back feeling like a brand new person and it’s reflected in my work and attitude.
This month is our Meeting the Makers theme on OMHG so let us know more about you-show us around your studio, a collection of things you love or items you create with, photos of a day in the life…anything goes so get creative!
I absolutely love colour! Bright and bold, they make me happy and inspire me. So when I see my zipper pile, or my thread spools all lined up, it really brings a smile to my face!
I really cherish the table that I package all of my orders on. It was my husbands grandparents old kitchen table and i absolutely love it! The red paint is slightly chipped in places, and it has some marks and scuffs but otherwise, it’s one sturdy piece of furniture!
One of my favourite things to do during the summer months is gardening! Oh how I love to garden! I have to say that it’s probably one of the only times that my mind is fully at ease. I can putter around my garden, not really doing much for hours.
My husband I both love to run. We’ll tie up our laces, the kids will hop on their bikes or into the jogging stroller and off we go! It’s a great way to spend time together and to get a good amount of exercise too.
What is in store for you & Elliven in the future-how are you planning to grow your business?
Oh my, this is an exciting question to answer! I have big dreams for Elliven, I truly do, I get very excited when I think of where my shop could potentially be in a few years. I hope to eventually work on Elliven during the day while the kids are all in school full time (which will be in three more years). I have so many design ideas that are waiting very patiently to come to life! I plan to expand the clutch line to include more options and sizes, which I’m very excited about and I would also like to expand the notecard line by adding some with printing on the cards along with the ruffles. I would absolutely love to see one of my pieces in a magazine, be it print or digital…that would be simply amazing!
Enter to win a set of 3 Elliven clutches valued at $67!
How to enter this giveaway:
Visit Elliven’s Etsy shop and leave a comment below telling us what your favorite items are!
Get extra entries for leaving a separate comment (1 comment=1 entry) if you:
- Add Elliven to your Etsy favorites
- Like Elliven on Facebook
- Follow @ellivenstudio on Twitter
- Subscribe to the Elliven blog feed
- Tweet about this giveaway (be sure to mention @ohmyhandmade)
- Post this giveaway to your Facebook wall (please tag @oh my handmade-you have to like us first)
- Blog about this giveaway with a link back to this post
This giveaway closes next Wednesday, June 15th at midnight EST with the winner chosen randomly and announced Thursday, June 16th at the bottom of this post.
by entering this giveaway you are agreeing to the oh my! handmade goodness giveaway policies
This giveaway is now closed! And the winner is…
fun interview, and what great clutches! my favourite: silver, sequins, yellow zip and lining. just lovely.
I am so happy to see Julie featured on OMHG and to hear more of her story. I have been lucky enough to connect with Julie through Twitter and she is the kindest most sincere person I have ever ‘met’.
I wish you all the best Julie you work so hard as a mother, wife and business woman and deserve all the success you get. I love your designs, the pop of colour balanced beautifully with the muted tones. The sprinkle of sequins that add a bit of glamour! Gorgeous!
I love the mini card wallet and iphone/ipod sleeves. Beautiful items with wonderful colors!
I added her to my Etsy favorites!
I liked Elliven on Facebook.
Subscribed to her blog too.
Posted on my facebook page.
Just added her shop to my favorites!
Love the card cases & all of the floral pouches! The slim & small zipper pouches!
Just liked them on FB!
I’m following her on twitter!
I’m following her blog!
I love the skinny clutch yellow and pink, sequin & Ruffle skinny clutch and the set of four sequin and Ruffle skinny clutch.
yay! i just love elliven and julie’s wonderful work! i’m a longtime fan 🙂 so nice to see you here, sweetie!
i would LOVE to win these fabulous clutches! i adore all of these beautiful pouches, but if i had to choose one from the shop i’d go with this gorgeous sequin and ruffle one!
http://www.etsy.com/listing/75144522/sequin-and-ruffle-skinny-clutch
thanks so much
k. @ rikrak
I added Elliven to my favorites. I love her skinny clutch bags.
elliven is certainly one of my etsy faves!
thanks
k.
of course i happily follow elliven on twitter
(i’m @therikrakshop!)
i follow the lovely elliven blog via gfc!
thanks
k.
Liked on Facebook!
follow Elliven on twitter! 😉
Follow her blog.
Tweeted giveaway!
Absolutely LOVE the Sequin and Ruffle Skinny Clutch in gray!
Follow Julie on Twitter! (@sameve)
and finally, I shared this giveaway on facebook!
I loved reading the interview. Thank you for hosting this giveaway.
I love the small zipper pouches, especially the one with the blue and black fabric, and the one with the huge grey and pink flowers. So cute!
Love the sequin and ruffle clucth-with the pink zip!
Liked on fb
It’s so wonderful to see Julie from Elliven here! Yay! I love the sequin and ruffle clutch with the strap, so cute 🙂
And I follow Julie on Twitter 🙂
And her Etsy shop is one of my favourites. Woot!!
I love that sequined ruffle clutch–so sweet! And the ruffle notecards. 🙂
Like her Facebook page
I added Elliven to my Etsy favorites
I blogged about this giveaway at http://craftbuds.com/giveaway-roundup
I just love Julie!
Thanks for sharing, Julie! You know that I’m a big fan! Your work is just wonderful!
I’m really trying to remember not to force things… thanks for such a great life lesson! Huge hugs to you!
I’m a FB fan!
Twitter buds!
I heart her etsy shop!
subscriber 🙂
Tweeted!
Ooooh, great interview. I love the green houndstooth!
I LOVE her ruffle & sequin clutches, they are so adorable!!
Added her to my Etsy favourites, although not just for the contest. I love her shop!
Liked her page on fb, myself as well as through my page. I love her shot of the necklace coming out of the clutch! I make jewelry, so…
Now following her on Twitter.
Now following her blog. Glad to have another talented, creative Canadian to get to know!
And tweeted the contest! I’m calling it a night 🙂
I love the Small Zipper Pouch!
http://www.etsy.com/listing/69822942/small-zipper-pouch
Thanks for the chance 😀
Added the shop to favorites!
Elliven FB fan!
Follow Julie on Twitter @thepeachrainbow
My favorite is the Skinny Clutch with Vintage Lace Trim :).
I like Elliven on fb as Dorottya Zsófia Bacsi.
I follow Elliven via twitter as doroffee.
I LOVE the Sequin and Ruffle Skinny Clutch with the pink zipper!
Added Elliven to my Favorites shops on Etsy (PixieChicago)
Like Elliven on Facebook (Cassie Rippberger)
We now follow @ellivenstudio on twitter (@pixiechicago)
Tweeted Giveaway (@PixieChicago)
Posted Giveaway on Twitter!
New on @ohmyhandmade Giveaway + Interview with Julie of Elliven – Meet the maker behind Elliven-Julie … http://ow.ly/1d8isZ
(@PixieChicago)
POsted giveaway on facebook!
Pixie Chicago Facebook Page
Really hope I win, I will order more because I want them to give to my bridesmaids!!!!
I just love Elliven!!! She is such a gem. 🙂
Added to Favorites on Etsy!
http://www.reliccharm.etsy.com
Favorite in her shop is the Sequin And Ruffle Zipper Clutch with Strap.
Tweeted about the giveaway
Shared it on facebook too!
Liked her Facebook page!
http://www.facebook.com/reliccharm
I follow her on twitter
I now follow her blog feed too!
Love the sequin and ruffle best 🙂
“Like” her on Facebook.
Added to etsy favorites! Super cute clutches. 🙂
I’m following on google reader as well!
like it….on Facebook!
following….on Twitter!!!
blog following!!!
I heart the mini card wallet;)
twitted about it @pacasarq
posted in my FB wall @ Paula Castro
and the one I like most from Elliven’s Etsy is: Small Sequin and Ruffle Zipper Pouch 🙂
l’m loving the Sequin And Ruffle Zipper Clutch with Strap
I’m a long time fan of Elliven, and I’ve always loved the sequin ruffle clutches!
I heart her on etsy
like her on facebook
follow on twitter
and follow her blog!
I enjoyed Julie’s comment about how simple things like colorful thread and zippers can just make you smile. I’m the same way so I went over to visit Elliven’s Etsy shop and I simlply love her yellow skinny clutch with the aqua zipper 🙂
I love the sequins and ruffle clutches, but the receipt holders would be soooo useful around here.
Her shop and some of her items are favorites in etsy (scarletterose)
LOVE the Sequin and Ruffle Skinny Clutch in gray/yellow!
I love the Sequin and Ruffle Zipper Clutch with Strap best!
I follow elliven on Twitter! @ElfRenee
I love the simple linen clutch – the one wih vintage lace! the ruffled notecards are very nice too! thanks!
I hearted the shop on etsy-butler83
I love the set of ruffle note cards that is grey & pink. I also love the Ipod sleeve in Amy Buttler fabric & the Slim Sequin & ruffle clutch http://www.etsy.com/listing/71191632/slim-sequin-and-ruffle-clutch
I hearted Elliven on etsy!
I follow Elliven on twitter {brynnsbeautiful}
http://twitter.com/#!/brynnsbeautiful/status/78941761426300928
tweet
I know like Elliven on facebook…….go excited!
I love the ruffled checkbooks and notecards…..adorable.
http://www.facebook.com/jennolda/posts/110291052395059
facebook post :0)
Elliven FB fan! xoxo
subscribed to Elliven blog feed!
love the receipt/coupon holders. great idea!
I love the Sequin and Ruffle Skinny Clutches!
Elliven is an Etsy fav of mine.
I really love the fabric ruffle notecards. What a genius idea, the mix of paper and fabric is so lovely and simple yet effective. Thank you Elliven!
I’ve added Elliven to my Etsy favourites, looking forward to seeing new items and being able to buy these gorgeous creations!
Alliven facebook fan also 🙂
I really love this clutch:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/67349167/sequin-and-ruffle-zipper-clutch-with
Added to my favorites. {petuniablooms}
http://www.etsy.com/listing/75202172/skinny-nautical-clutch
I love this 😀
Added Elliven to your Etsy favorites
under ckaylie777
Liked Elliven on Facebook
under Kaylie Nguyen
Followed @ellivenstudio on Twitter
under ckaylie777
http://twitter.com/#!/ckaylie777/status/79222018549100544
I tweeted
I follow Eliiven on twitter and I love her shop!!! Congrats!
I love the sequin and ruffle clutches!!
I actually love ELLIVEN’s discontinued items especially the receipt/coupon holder – I can totally see myself using that and the snap card case would be ideal for business cards.
added ELLIVEN’s shop to my etsy favourites (harbes2)
julie’s gorgeous etsy shop is a favorite! (but it has been for a while… not sure if that counts)
currently my favorite items are the michael miller mini wallet & the green houndstooth skinny clutch… but they’re all lovely!
My favorite is the slim zipper pouch, love a variety of the fabrics, including the large floral prints. Thanks for sharing!
Added Julie’s shop to my favorites on Etsy.
As a coupon freak, I love the Receipt/Coupon holders, especially the ruffled holder. http://www.etsy.com/listing/62722987/ruffled-receiptcoupon-holder
I added Elliven to my favorites on Etsy!
I liked Elliven on Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/pages/636-Knits/169081573108626
Can you tell I want this. 😉 I shared this on Facebook. I think I tagged it right, but I’m not sure… http://www.facebook.com/pages/636-Knits/169081573108626
I love this card case: http://www.etsy.com/listing/66377295/snap-card-case-amy-butler
I loveeeee her small zipper pouch with the rose fabric! So cute! 😀
Dulce
ruelasjacobo90@gmail.com
I like Elliven on facebook 😀
I follow her on twitter.
ruelasjacobo
I tweeted about your giveaway and mentioned both you and elliven :]
What beautiful work. The attention to detail in everything she does is obvious! I love the Slim Sequin and Ruffle Clutch and also all of the fabric ruffled notecards!!!
Elliven has such a beautiful Etsy shop!
My favourite items are anything that include ruffles (so, basically, everything in her shop).
I liked Elliven on Facebook!
I subscribed to Elliven’s blog as Heartfelt Yarn Wreaths.
Added Elliven to my etsy favs!
Liked Elliven on facebook too. 🙂
I also posted about this giveaway on my Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/Heartfeltyarnwreathsandaccessories
I like Ellivin on FB under my blog’s name, Baby Meets City!
Love the skinny clutch and ruffled notecards- adorable!
Following Julie on Twitter under Baby Meets City!
I follow Elliven’s blog!
Add to my previous comment: I foolow Elliven’s blog as lilo&moi!
I added Elliven to my Etsy favourites!
I like Elliven on FB!
I follow ellivenstudio on Twitter as lilybellule1
I like the ruffled receipt/coupon holder. Would love to have one of these myself!
Added Elliven to Etsy favorites as monao.
Following Elliven studio on Twitter @MonaOdegard.
Oh, I love Julie’s work, and have really enjoyed getting to know her a bit on Twitter too 🙂 Great interview, thanks for sharing!
I really love the fabric notecards. And I added her shop to my favorites on etsy.
I like the coupon holder!
I am now following on twitter too! @inkanddirt
I LOVE the sequin + ruffle pouches! So adorable!
The shop is closed but I peaked in the “sold” section and found this one that I just love! http://www.etsy.com/transaction/43709377
Added to Etsy favorites
Liked on Facebook
Following on Twitter
Subscribed to blog feed
Tweeted the giveaway
Posted to Facebook about the giveaway
The shop is closed right now due to a post strike in Canada.
I liked Elliven on FB, though.
Great interview – I love Elliven’s shop! It’s currently on vacation (too bad about the Canada Post strike), but this is my favorite from her sold items: http://www.etsy.com/transaction/48694468
Also followed on Twitter @saltcityspice
…and added her to my favorites for whenever she returns 🙂
Sadly Elliven is on ‘vacation’ but I love everything! I love the simple, clean designs and the pops of colours!
Viv (@poppysparkles_)
I like Elliven on FB 🙂
I follow Elliven on Twitter 🙂
Her shop’s on vacation but from her past sales, I like the Mini Card Wallet – Michael Miller. http://www.etsy.com/transaction/46919334
Likes Elliven on Facebook-Lisa L