Interview: A Graphic Touch with Kanokwalee

Interview: A Graphic Touch with Kanokwalee

This artisan knows all about focusing on the details. A graphic designer by day and crocheter by night, Kanokwalee, founder of Kanokwalee's, is pulling out all of the stops. Her work is clean and simple, uncomplicated in appearance, giving great attention to the details. I had the opportunity to interview this great artisan and here's what she had to say.

What is the main site address for your business?
http://www.kanokwalee.etsy.com

Tell us about the products you make and the materials you use.
I make pretty things inspired by nature.I make art scarves, scarflettes, cowls, lariats, necklaces and whatever else sparks my interest at the moment. I love nature -- flowers, plants, vines, trees, butterflies, insects, rocks, water, etc. Since there’s a limited amount of time for most of us to spend outdoors in the natural world, the next best thing to me is to bring the outdoors inside. I would like to think of my pieces as wearable art---a little piece of nature that you can take along with you throughout the day.

MATERIALS: yarn and other fibers

How long have you been developing your craft?
I learned how to crochet in grade school in Thailand. I started crocheting again a few years ago, making afghans, scarves, shawls, gloves for friends and family. I think all of my friends and family have a least one crochet item from me. (I have more crocheted blankets than I know what to do with.)

How did your craft evolve into a global store front?
I stumbled upon Etsy on November 4, 2007 and opened my shop that very day. (Hey, it’s going to be my 2 year anniversary in a couple of weeks!) The first year was public relations.

What are the most effective ways you have promoted and marketed your Etsy?
I work to get my name out in the public as much as I can -- blog, tweet, Facebook. Tell friends, friends’ friends, family members and their friends about my shop. Make friends with fellow Etsy sellers. Join Etsy street teams. I’m a member of Etsy Project Embrace (teamEPE) which was created to raise money for American Cancer Society in honor of Laura Slocum of creativelytangled and lauraslocumpainted. Read more on the team page. Etsy is a very supportive community. Everyone loves to help each other to succeed. I love making Etsy treasuries. It’s super, a great way to make friends and get my name out there. I work hard at taking good pictures of my pieces. And, jump at any chance like this (blog interview with the (handmadegiftguru.)

What mistakes have you made while building your Etsy shop that you wish someone had advised you NOT to do?
Make sure the item is paid for before you mail.

Is your Etsy business a full time job or is it something you do in your spare time?
It’s something I do in my spare time. I have a full time job as a graphic designer. I work a compressed work schedule of 10 hour days for 4 days with a 3 day weekend. I am busy crocheting and taking care of my Etsy shop after work everyday during the workweek. Being a graphic designer helps me with the design, color, choices etc. I also love the arts, photography, crafts, social media, painting, gardening, cycling, hiking, nature, and travel.

I didn’t know about Etsy before I stumbled upon it as I was surfing the web to pass time on my day off. It sounded very interesting to me so I signed up. During the sign up process, I saw that I could sell things very easily. I had a couple of things that I just made that I wasn’t going to give as gifts, so, I listed them just to see how it worked. To my big surprise, I sold a few things that holiday season and a few pieces throughout that first year. That really fueled my fire. It’s a great feeling to have people appreciate your work. 

What goals do you wish to accomplish within the next year for your Etsy shop?
I don’t really have a plan or goal for my Etsy business right now. …I just make stuff up as I go! One of my friends told me that I should send Oprah one of my scarves. With luck (lots of luck!) she might pick it as one of her “favorite things” then my work can be seen by millions of people around the world. Wouldn’t that be something? Kidding aside, I’d like to finally profitable and expand my product lines.

Tell us a little about yourself.
I grew up in Bangkok, Thailand. I went to The School of Fine Arts in Bangkok (renamed to The College of Fine Arts). I moved to the U.S. with my parents after high school and studied Commercial Arts and then Fine Arts in Austin, TX. I love the outdoors….nature and all living things. Witnessing the miracles of nature and the fabulous gifts we receive from her is one of my favorite ways to spend my time. Mother nature’s creations are always fresh, new, and marvelous to me.

I love to photograph nature. I can spend all day hanging out in parks, walking around taking pictures of vines, leaves, tree roots, sand, rock, water and whatever I see. My first original crochet design, Fall Leaves Garland, was created after spending a beautiful morning taking pictures of the leaves and vines in my garden in the fall of 2008.

Outside of Etsy, in what venues do/have you sold?
I have an Artfire and 1000markets store. I sold a few pieces to a start up boutique last year. I’m not sure how that’s going for her but, I hope she’s doing well and sold my pieces. Other than that, I don’t have other venues. My friends have been encouraging me to approach boutiques around town (Austin, TX) and do craft shows but I have not done any of that yet. I’ve just committed to participate in E.A.S.T. (East Austin Studios Tour) that’s going to be on November 14-15 and 21-22. This will be my first ever arts/crafts show. I’m a little apprehensive about it since big crowds are not my thing. A friend assured me that the studio I’m going to show my work is a small studio with a few other artisans. I think I can handle that. Now that I’ve let you know, I can’t back out! So, if you’re in Austin on those 2 weekends, stop by at 710 Tillery, Austin, TX and say hello and pick up a complimentary crocheted flower when you mention that you read this article.

What sets you apart from other sellers in your niche?
This is hard to explain. It might be best answered by my customers. I’m doing what I love and every piece draws from my leisure experience (hiking, gardening, riding, etc.). I never sit and try to come up with a design. I usually get an idea when I’m doing other things. Colors, textures, forms of anything in any environment can spark an idea and I have to stop and make a sketch before that idea is gone. I just have to make sure that I always have paper and pen available and a lot of time—and of course my camera. Crochet is not work for me. It’s what I do after work. Fortunately there’s someone out there that appreciates my work.

The items in my shop are hard to categorize. I’m still having a hard time tagging them. Do I call them scarves or necklaces? Accessories or jewelry?

List one or more Etsy sellers which you admire? And why?
I have learned from and been inspired by a lot of friends on Etsy. I’m afraid I can’t name all of them. The list is a bit long. I love reading the “Quit Your Day Job” articles. I admire people who can make that happen.

http://www.kanokwalee.etsy.com
http://www.kanokwalee.artfire.com
http://www.kanokwalee.1000markets.com
http://www.kanokwalee.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/KanokwaleeStudio
http://www.twitter.com/kanokwalee
http://www.kanokwalee.artfire.com
http://www.kanokwalee.1000markets.com

Graphic design: http://www.kanokwalee.com