Interview & Giveaway: Kara Correspondence

by Jessika Hepburn, Editor

You might remember Kara Correspondence as one of our fabulous Oh My! Handmade Holidays contributors. I am excited to have this chance to share her lovely stationery designs with this feature interview. Kara has generously offered a giveaway as well so read on for details! Kara gives us some insight into her work, getting started as a designer and her creative inspiration along with a look at her classic and elegant stationery.

1. Please tell us a bit about your stationery and design business, Kara Correspondence. What inspired you to open shop?

I have been interested in art and design for as long as I can remember. One of the easiest decisions I’ve made in my life was to major in graphic design in college. It was just a perfect fit for me. My brother asked me to design a program for his wedding, and I received some really great feedback from many of the guests. Next, my other brother asked me to design his wedding invitation, my sister asked me to design her babies birth announcements and it just spiraled from there. I gained the confidence I needed to open up shop when friends of friends were asking me to create invitations, announcements, and stationery for them… it wasn’t just my family anymore!

2. Share some of your creative inspiration- what inspires you as a designer?

I love typography! Well crafted type combined with beautiful graphics makes my world go round! I am continually inspired by Bruce Mau’s Incomplete Manifesto for Growth. If you haven’t read it lately, or ever, it’s absolutely worth bookmarking! #9 is one of my personal favorites.

kara correspondence, bruce mau design, design inspiration

3. How do you market and promote your business? Where can your products be found?

Right now the best place to find me is through my Etsy shop. One of my goals for 2011 though is to expand my presence in gift shops and boutiques in California and throughout the US. I am currently selling individual cards in Los Angeles at a very cute boutique called Bittersweet Butterfly. Check it out if you are in the area!

4. Are there any tips or tricks you have learned about running a small business that you can share with OMHG readers?

I have learned so much by reading the blogs of other designers and Etsy sellers. Most Etsy sellers encounter similar challenges, and it’s so helpful to read the advice of others…from prioritizing and staying focused to packaging and shipping products. Every morning I read my favorite blogs and I am constantly learning new business tips as well as being inspired by all of the creative artists and designers out there.
I am a designer at heart and would rather spend all of my time creating and being inspired by other artists, but I have to remind myself to continue researching and learning about the business side as well. One of the most important things for me is to stay organized. I constantly have a prioritized to-do list, and update it throughout the day as I accomplish my tasks and create new ones.

5. What are your plans for Kara Correspondence in the future-are there any new projects/products in the works?
I am currently working on several new wedding invitation designs which I will be offering in my shop within the next few months. After the birth of my newest niece I decided to create a birth print for her nursery, I plan to expand my shop in the next few months to include these prints, as well as matching stationery and birth announcements. And, as always I love custom orders, so I’ll continue doing those as well.

KARA CORRESPONDENCE GIVEAWAY:

Kara is giving away two sets of stationery to two winners! Winners can choose anything from the stationery section of Kara Correspondence. Enter this giveaway by visiting Kara Correspondence on Etsy and commenting here with your favorite item(s).

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