NAME: Amy Cluck
WHERE ARE YOU: Sacramento, California
COMPANY NAME: Peptogirl Industries and Pimp Stitch
WEBSITE: www.peptogirl.com
www.indiesacramento.com (it hasn’t been updated for this year’s event yet though)
BLOG: www.peptogirl.blogspot.com
CRAFT TOOL YOU CAN NOT LIVE WITHOUT: My pliers!
FINISH THE SENTENCE: When I am not running one of many Indie Businesses I am…probably either working (I work full time as a web developer), or playing with my two cats, or sleeping! Pretty much everything else I do is somehow related to my businesses!
Little Miss Amy Cluck is one busy woman! How do you balance your time between Pepto Girl Industries, Indie Sacramento and now Pimp Stitch. How do you manage to squeeze in a personal life and run so many successful businesses?
Wow, well when you put it like that, I have no idea! I don’t sit still. I’m constantly moving and constantly working on something so I’m pretty productive. Sometimes it’s just a matter of deciding which tasks I can neglect today – then I might have to switch my priorities the next day and direct my attention to the neglected item (or person). I’m pretty lucky with Pimp Stitch, because the 4 of us are good friends and have a blast when we’re together so if I don’t get any other social time, I know I’ll get it during our meetings. The only problem is that sometimes there’s a little too much giggling and not enough work being done. But hey, that’s what email is for, right?!
Besides all of the above you are also a blogger that covers all kinds of topics. What are some of your favorite things to write about? How do you feel that writing a blog helps an Indie Business?
I love writing about all sorts of craft-related things. I know there’s some people who read my blog that don’t keep up on all the latest crafty news so I try to give people a dose of that. I also love doing book reviews and promoting other crafters. This year, I started blogging advice on running a crafty business. I really enjoy doing that – specifically the technology and online marketing aspect of running a business. Since I work as a web designer, there’s kind of an over-lap there between my craft business and my full time job. I like exploring how those two things meet. I also get a lot of people asking me questions or for advice so it’s an easy way to answer the questions once but for multiple people.
Blogging is a great way to meet people. I’ve made quite a few online friendships through blogging (people who left comments or have contacted me as a result of my blog). It’s great for networking in that way. You can promote people and businesses that you like on your blog and people do the same for you, which increases your traffic. People who read your blog feel like they get to know you. They might not purchase something right away, but if you keep people interested by providing tutorials or advice or yummy photos, they’ll keep coming back. Eventually, that person might see something you’ve made that they can’t live without and make a purchase. They are also likely to tell their friends about your blog, which might lead them to buy something. It’s all about building relationships with people so that they want to support you. If I look at my web stats, I can see that the majority the traffic on my web site comes straight from my blog!
So if you were on a desert island with only the supplies to either embroider or make jewelry until you were rescued what would you prefer? Which medium did you get your start in.
Oh, wow. I have to pick?! I’ve really been enjoying embroidery lately. It’s so much easier to take on the go (It’s kind of a pain to lug around a huge box of beads all the time). I find stitching to be really relaxing. I also love seeing my drawings go from paper to fabric! But jewelry-making is my first love so I would have to say “give me some pliers and a box of beads (preferably a very BIG box!).” I’ve always done all sorts of crafts but consider myself primarily a jewelry designer. I was told I may want to try my hand at another craft since there are so many other jewelry designers out there. I’ve tried many different things but I always seem to circle back to jewelry.
Tell our readers a little bit about your new and exciting project Pimp Stitch.
My buddies, Tamie Snow and Missy Ballance came up with the idea for Pimp Stitch but then asked myself and Lauren Brandy to join them. We want to provide another source for cute and hip embroidery patterns. More than that, I think each of us has our own unique style and each of us loves to doodle, so we wanted to create our own unique patterns that represented us as individuals. Missy and Lauren are the sewers in the group so they’ll be offering some cute sewing patterns in the future as well. The patterns are great because once you purchase one, we email it to you in 24 hours or less so it’s instant gratification (or should I say craftification?)! And once we email you the pattern, you can print it out as many times as you like so you can use it again and again.
I love the 4 embroidery patterns you designed for Pimp Stitch, but being a Juno fan I have to say that the Totally Boss collection is my favorite. What was the inspiration behind your design choices?
Thank you! I have one major theme for each of my collections – they are all things that I love! I adore kitschy lawn ornaments and 80s nostalgia, especially the heart-shaped sunglasses. I have 2 pair! I also really loved Juno so I couldn’t resist making a hamburger phone pattern. Oh – and corny jokes, so you can expect a lot of punny patterns from me. I just look around at all the fun, vintagy things I’ve surrounded myself with and I’ve got tons of inspiration.
Have you ever combined your love of embroidery with your love of jewelry? I have a project in the Naughty Secretary Club book with an embroidered brooch that might tickle your fancy.
I am so excited for your book to come out! An embroidered brooch would be right up my alley!I have been toying with some ideas of combining jewelry with embroidery (or vise versa). I’ve got some ideas floating around in my head but haven’t gotten a chance to put them into action yet. Stay tuned!
Great interview. I’m off to check out the world of PeptoGirl some more. I’d love to learn to embroider.
Looks like the story of a true new millenium web entrepreneur. Amy’s line of products is both unique and lovely and should continue to sell in quantity for many years to come!!