'Meet the Maker' - DINOSAUR TOES

I am more than chuffed to introduce our next 'maker'.  Dinosaur Toes was one of the first blogs I ever read and I instantly fell in love with Danielle's (and Flojo's) designs.  A few months back I was lucky enough to collaborate with Dinosaur Toes on a very special project, and since then I have got to know these guys better.....and let me just tell you, they are pretty darn awesome!  Over to you Danielle!

hi, i'm danielle from dinosaur toes, and the real miss dinosaur toes is reclining in my shirt supervising. our main job is making jewelry for our site dinosaurtoes.com, but you can also find us creating websites, drawing, and sewing. again, flojo (aka dinosaur toes) is either in my shirt or on top of my head keeping watch.

Q&A

1) Did you study your art/craft professionally?

not exactly, but kind of, if that makes any sense! i went to college for fine arts, although the emphasis was on drawing, art history, and graphic design. although it doesn't directly relate to my business, it provides the creative groundwork on which to build, i think. i'm also lucky enough to have a husband with a plethora of tools and an eagerness to have me use them, so i wouldn't have ever started welding or working with metal had it not been for him, and the big projects i've made with him in the garage just sort of got sized down into jewelry so i could continue to work with metal on a more realistic scale (although i still have dreams of being able to sell metal tables or chairs that i make so that i'd have an excuse to get into bigger projects).

2) What is an average day at the office/studio for you?

each day is a little different depending on my workload, inspiration, or mood. generally i check emails and read a few blogs as soon as i get out of bed. then comes breakfast, packaging a few orders, editing pictures, writing a blog post, and deciding what needs to be photographed. then i'll make some jewelry (sometimes i complete things, but sometimes i'm not sure about a piece so i'll leave it unfinished until later when i think i know where i'm going with it), take some pictures, eat some lunch and get back to editing pictures. i love that by working for myself i can set my own schedule. sometimes i spend all day making jewelry, and other times i don't have any ideas so i'll work on a website for myself or someone else all day.

3) Do you have any work rituals or workplace essentials?

not really. sometimes i like music, other times i feel i can concentrate better without it. one thing is for sure though: i can't work when my desk is clean! i need to have everything out in front of me to feel like i can make any progress!

4) What are you currently working on? (eg. a particular piece or collection).

i'm currently working on some new necklaces that are much larger and bolder than usual; it's my version of the big, colorful necklace trend i'm seeing everywhere right now.

5) What advice can you give to people starting out in creative small business?

how long do you have?! i've learned so, so many things since i started out in 2007, but i'll stick to what i think is most important.

first: if people can't hold or try on your item in person, then they rely solely on pictures. make sure you're comfortable with your camera's settings (it doesn't have to be a fancy camera to take clear pictures) because pictures are all your customers have to go on.

second: remember that you can't please everyone. you're going to eventually hear from someone who isn't happy, and is not friendly about it. don't let this discourage you, because for every unfriendly person you deal with, there will be dozens and dozens of people who like what you do and will continue to support you!

third: promote the hell out of yourself. i made a promise to myself in the beginning that i wouldn't pay for advertising, and i never have, but i've worked like crazy promoting! try to partner with bloggers that will promote you, create a blog of your own, create a twitter account (but don't spam twitter with nothing but links to your shop because no one likes that), create a facebook page - anything that will get people to see you!

and the last piece of advice i have is to just have fun! people can see when you enjoy what you do, and it will make them want to be a part of it!

*FAST FIVE*

What is your current obsession? my current (and constant) obsession is coca-cola!

5 words that sum you up? foodie, sarcastic, sensitive, artistic, meticulous

Prized possession? anything handed down to me by family

Way to spend a Sunday morning? in pajamas!

Coffee or Tea? TEA! yuck, i hate coffee!

SHOP //  BLOG // FACEBOOK

*I hope you guys are finding these posts as inspiring as I am, it's always great to get to know the faces behind all the wonderful creations and blogs.  I am overwhelmed by the sincere and encouraging advice that has been shared and I am certainly taking it on board.  Thank you Danielle, you are a great pal and I look forward to following more of your adventures with Dinosaur Toes.