Retail Therapy: Little Paper Planes
OWNING A SHOP...Ah, yes the double life..ha...I have had many people ask that often and no the thought doesn't cross my mind. The idea of it sounds great but the reality of it does not. I don't want my life to get sucked up with the store. Making art will always come first and then it would defeat the whole purpose of me starting the store which is to have my own day job to support me making my work.
>> continue reading interview2. As an online-only business, do you find it more and more challenging to compete with online giants like Etsy and DaWanda whose reach is forever growing?
Well I do not feel I compete with Etsy (and I dont even really know DaWanda). Etsy is its own thing and provides a great place for artists, designers and crafters. I find a lot of my artists through Etsy and have no problem with them selling on Etsy and mine since it is their own store essentially. I feel that Little Paper Planes has its own niche and is growing at its own pace with loyal customers and artist alike. There is enough room out there for lots of different online stores as long as there is not too much of the same stuff and crossover with the same work from the same artists. I think the key is diversity.
3. What's the biggest misconception that people have about owning a shop?
Maybe that its easy? I had no idea how much work goes into running the shop, not to mention the money I put into it making sure that it runs smoothly. One of the perks is getting mail everyday, its like Christmas, I get to see so much lovely stuff. The down side is having so much mail... ha.
4. Little Paper Planes has received a good amount of press coverage since you opened. Do you have any marketing and promotion tips for aspiring and shop owners?
I feel completely blessed by any of the press that has come the stores way. I love how supportive the online community is of its fellow store owners, artists, and bloggers. Honestly I do nothing special to get press. I do advertise on 2-3 blogs a month. I send out an email mailer 1-2 times a month featuring new products on the site. I also maintain a blog, where I feature new artists on the site along with the new products and other artists, art shows, and anything else related in the art world. I think having a great reputation as a shop keeper is important. My main concern always is to make sure the customer is happy so I go out of my way to make sure it was a good experience for them.
FINDING YOUR VOICE AND PEDDLING YOUR ART & WARES
5. One of the hardest things for artists to do is to stand apart from everyone else. How long did it take you to come up with your own style and signature look? What advice can you give aspiring artists struggling to find their own voice and look?
Have I figured out it yet? no. Being an artist means constantly evolving and experimenting. I really don't think an artist should think about standing out or having your own style, at least not before actually just making lots and lots and lots of work. Being passionate and completely consumed by what you do is important though. Art is something I have to do, not just something I want to do. Now with that said, if you are entering illustration or graphic design then yes having your own "style" is important for you to stand out so you can get jobs. I think the best is to always be true to who you are and just do what comes to you... I think if you try to hard to have "a look" it is going to come off that way. Again, it just comes back to being completely in love with doing art, its a way of life, not a choice, but something you need to do. Success, money will all come after that. It is just a slow process.
6. Do most of the other artists you carry come to you or do you actively seek out new designers/crafters? If so, where? And what can artists do to stand out in your mind?
I would say its 50/50. In the beginning it was only referrals from friends of friends. I think my first "cold call" 3 years ago was to Ashley of Im Smitten and I am so glad she was my first and since then we have met and are totally buddies! I love running the shop mainly because I get to meet so many creative and talented people who usually I try to meet in person so its not just an internet relationship.
Ways I look for artists are links of friends of mine, blogs, and Etsy.
Its hard to say what I look for. I like seeing that someone spent time on their work and didn't just decide to make a print one day, I guess I really just look for someone that has their own point of view. I don't think that really helped but its hard to explain what I look for.
7. I know that you've been part of a handful of exhibitions and your work has been featured in a number of galleries. What advice could you give aspiring artists on the best way to get noticed and invited to be part of a gallery exhibition?
That is a hard one, since I too have a hard time with that and I have been showing for 6 years. The art world is a much different place than the online world. First you need to really have a strong body of work of at least 10 great pieces. The work needs to be cohesive and also conceptually mature as well. Being a new/emerging artist you have to look for art spaces/galleries that specialize in emerging. Next you have to find spaces that have work in which has a similar aesthetic and feel to your work. It has to be a right match for both your work and for the gallery. You need a website. It should be simple and to the point. Not flash, just your images, CV, contact and maybe a statement. Make sure you read the galleries submission policy and if they ask for slides, get slides don't email them link if they don't want it. Lastly go to art shows, meet people, know other artists. Your friends that are artists are your community who will not only support you but will also be your connections to places for your work. The art world is not an instant thing, its a long term career so patience is pretty important along with hard work within in your art.
TAKING THE PLUNGE
8. I read one of your older interviews on Indieworks and I loved what you said: "I actually am quitting my full time job, leaving my low rent home and comfy lifestyle and moving to Los Angeles on May 1st. I want to have the fear of not knowing what will happen and just paint and sew everyday. Focusing just on art all day will be simply amazing."
Ha wow that was so long ago! 4 years ago! And, you know, that was the best thing I could of ever done. So much has happened to my life over these 4 years in Los Angeles. I would not have Little Paper Planes if I had not moved down here. The funny thing is I am now moving back up to San Francisco in two months. I will be attending Grad school in the fall at the California College of the Arts for my MFA. I really excited to go back to my old city again but I will miss LA a lot as well. Back to what I said, having that fear is important, I think it is something every artist should have, teaches you how to hustle.
Most people have a difficult time with jumping off cliffs, especially when the existence of a net is unknown. Can you walk us through your own thought process and the steps that you took before you were able to jump? Did you just wake up one day and say You know what? I'm quitting and I'm moving!, or was it a more deliberate process?
Well, at the time I had been out of art school for 2 years, I was 26, my long term relationship had ended a few months prior and I had a full time job as a sales rep. I was working all day and painting all night and during the weekends. I was making the best money of my life but was completely unfulfilled. I knew if I had those hours I gave to my day job to art I could make even more work. So I was contemplating moving to NYC or LA. I met my current boyfriend, Matt (www.rubinrecommends.com) who lived in LA and I thought screw it, I am just going to move. (I did save up some money) I decided in March to move and was in LA on May 1st. I rented a room with some friend I knew and just started painting. Of course I needed to get work, so I jumped from random part time jobs and then landed a one day a week waitress gig down the street from me which proved to be perfect. In the meantime I started LPP with the help of my boyfriend who knew the internet way more than I did and slowly over the months and years it became my "day job". My main advice is to only do what you love to do. Do whatever you need to, to make that happen. We only have one life, might as well do what you want. I just don't think anyone should compromise for anything less than what you want to do. Of course that doesn't mean the path will be an easy one, but anything worth having means hard work ahead.
Hope that helps a little? Oh, and I am still figuring it all out day by day.
Kelly, thank you so much for this incredible interview. I appreciate you sharing your personal experiences and stories - not to mention all of the great advice!!
See other Retail Therapy features
Well I do not feel I compete with Etsy (and I dont even really know DaWanda). Etsy is its own thing and provides a great place for artists, designers and crafters. I find a lot of my artists through Etsy and have no problem with them selling on Etsy and mine since it is their own store essentially. I feel that Little Paper Planes has its own niche and is growing at its own pace with loyal customers and artist alike. There is enough room out there for lots of different online stores as long as there is not too much of the same stuff and crossover with the same work from the same artists. I think the key is diversity.
3. What's the biggest misconception that people have about owning a shop?Maybe that its easy? I had no idea how much work goes into running the shop, not to mention the money I put into it making sure that it runs smoothly. One of the perks is getting mail everyday, its like Christmas, I get to see so much lovely stuff. The down side is having so much mail... ha.
“I love how supportive the online community is of its fellow store owners, artists, and bloggers.”
4. Little Paper Planes has received a good amount of press coverage since you opened. Do you have any marketing and promotion tips for aspiring and shop owners?
I feel completely blessed by any of the press that has come the stores way. I love how supportive the online community is of its fellow store owners, artists, and bloggers. Honestly I do nothing special to get press. I do advertise on 2-3 blogs a month. I send out an email mailer 1-2 times a month featuring new products on the site. I also maintain a blog, where I feature new artists on the site along with the new products and other artists, art shows, and anything else related in the art world. I think having a great reputation as a shop keeper is important. My main concern always is to make sure the customer is happy so I go out of my way to make sure it was a good experience for them.
FINDING YOUR VOICE AND PEDDLING YOUR ART & WARES5. One of the hardest things for artists to do is to stand apart from everyone else. How long did it take you to come up with your own style and signature look? What advice can you give aspiring artists struggling to find their own voice and look?
“...it just comes back to being completely in love with doing art, its a way of life, not a choice, but something you need to do. Success, money will all come after that. It is just a slow process.”
Have I figured out it yet? no. Being an artist means constantly evolving and experimenting. I really don't think an artist should think about standing out or having your own style, at least not before actually just making lots and lots and lots of work. Being passionate and completely consumed by what you do is important though. Art is something I have to do, not just something I want to do. Now with that said, if you are entering illustration or graphic design then yes having your own "style" is important for you to stand out so you can get jobs. I think the best is to always be true to who you are and just do what comes to you... I think if you try to hard to have "a look" it is going to come off that way. Again, it just comes back to being completely in love with doing art, its a way of life, not a choice, but something you need to do. Success, money will all come after that. It is just a slow process.
6. Do most of the other artists you carry come to you or do you actively seek out new designers/crafters? If so, where? And what can artists do to stand out in your mind?
I would say its 50/50. In the beginning it was only referrals from friends of friends. I think my first "cold call" 3 years ago was to Ashley of Im Smitten and I am so glad she was my first and since then we have met and are totally buddies! I love running the shop mainly because I get to meet so many creative and talented people who usually I try to meet in person so its not just an internet relationship.
Ways I look for artists are links of friends of mine, blogs, and Etsy.
Its hard to say what I look for. I like seeing that someone spent time on their work and didn't just decide to make a print one day, I guess I really just look for someone that has their own point of view. I don't think that really helped but its hard to explain what I look for.
7. I know that you've been part of a handful of exhibitions and your work has been featured in a number of galleries. What advice could you give aspiring artists on the best way to get noticed and invited to be part of a gallery exhibition?“The art world is not an instant thing, its a long term career so patience is pretty important along with hard work within in your art.”
That is a hard one, since I too have a hard time with that and I have been showing for 6 years. The art world is a much different place than the online world. First you need to really have a strong body of work of at least 10 great pieces. The work needs to be cohesive and also conceptually mature as well. Being a new/emerging artist you have to look for art spaces/galleries that specialize in emerging. Next you have to find spaces that have work in which has a similar aesthetic and feel to your work. It has to be a right match for both your work and for the gallery. You need a website. It should be simple and to the point. Not flash, just your images, CV, contact and maybe a statement. Make sure you read the galleries submission policy and if they ask for slides, get slides don't email them link if they don't want it. Lastly go to art shows, meet people, know other artists. Your friends that are artists are your community who will not only support you but will also be your connections to places for your work. The art world is not an instant thing, its a long term career so patience is pretty important along with hard work within in your art.
TAKING THE PLUNGE
8. I read one of your older interviews on Indieworks and I loved what you said: "I actually am quitting my full time job, leaving my low rent home and comfy lifestyle and moving to Los Angeles on May 1st. I want to have the fear of not knowing what will happen and just paint and sew everyday. Focusing just on art all day will be simply amazing."
“...having that fear is important, I think it is something every artist should have, teaches you how to hustle.”
Ha wow that was so long ago! 4 years ago! And, you know, that was the best thing I could of ever done. So much has happened to my life over these 4 years in Los Angeles. I would not have Little Paper Planes if I had not moved down here. The funny thing is I am now moving back up to San Francisco in two months. I will be attending Grad school in the fall at the California College of the Arts for my MFA. I really excited to go back to my old city again but I will miss LA a lot as well. Back to what I said, having that fear is important, I think it is something every artist should have, teaches you how to hustle.
Most people have a difficult time with jumping off cliffs, especially when the existence of a net is unknown. Can you walk us through your own thought process and the steps that you took before you were able to jump? Did you just wake up one day and say You know what? I'm quitting and I'm moving!, or was it a more deliberate process?“...only do what you love to do. Do whatever you need to, to make that happen. We only have one life, might as well do what you want. I just don't think anyone should compromise for anything less than what you want to do.”
Well, at the time I had been out of art school for 2 years, I was 26, my long term relationship had ended a few months prior and I had a full time job as a sales rep. I was working all day and painting all night and during the weekends. I was making the best money of my life but was completely unfulfilled. I knew if I had those hours I gave to my day job to art I could make even more work. So I was contemplating moving to NYC or LA. I met my current boyfriend, Matt (www.rubinrecommends.com) who lived in LA and I thought screw it, I am just going to move. (I did save up some money) I decided in March to move and was in LA on May 1st. I rented a room with some friend I knew and just started painting. Of course I needed to get work, so I jumped from random part time jobs and then landed a one day a week waitress gig down the street from me which proved to be perfect. In the meantime I started LPP with the help of my boyfriend who knew the internet way more than I did and slowly over the months and years it became my "day job". My main advice is to only do what you love to do. Do whatever you need to, to make that happen. We only have one life, might as well do what you want. I just don't think anyone should compromise for anything less than what you want to do. Of course that doesn't mean the path will be an easy one, but anything worth having means hard work ahead.
Hope that helps a little? Oh, and I am still figuring it all out day by day.
9 RANDOM FACTS 1. I have two cats, Jane and Justin. 2 years before I got them I had a dream of an orange cat named Justin, then one day I finally met him. I love my cats. 2. I love Project Runway. 3. I had a clothing line, Augustine for 2 years here in LA. 4. During the week I wear pretty much the same outfit everyday, I like uniforms. Mine is gray v neck, black skinny jeans, brown boots. 5. Sunday brunch with my boyfriend is something I look forward to every week. 6. I have had every hair color from black, to blue, to red, to purple...I was kind of wild when I was in highschool, but now I stick with blonde. 7. I like to make up silly songs and dances throughout the day. Its the only way I can deal with being in the house all day. I am a pretty silly person. 8. Wine and snacks and some of my favorite ladies is a perfect way to spend an evening. 9. I am going to miss the palm trees, warm weather, and the mountains here in LA but am excited for walking everywhere, chilly scarf wearing days, and school again in SF. LINKS: littlepaperplanes.com blog.littlepaperplanes.com kellylynnjones.com |
Kelly, thank you so much for this incredible interview. I appreciate you sharing your personal experiences and stories - not to mention all of the great advice!!
See other Retail Therapy features
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