Indie Business Profile

Business Name: Little Flower Designs

Business Location: Abington, PA

Website URL: http://www.littleflowerdesigns.com

Blog URL: http://lilflowerdesign.livejournal.com/

Your Name: Linda Johnson

Your Title: Crafty Girl

Tell Us About Yourself:
I have been making "things" since I was very young. Everything from Barbie clothes to clothespin people and of course drawing. I think I got serious about art the year I got a Crayola Caddy for Christmas. After high school I went onto Tyler School of Art where I majored in sculpture and having fun! After my time at Tyler I floated around for a few months then landed at my parents house in Vegas - yes! Vegas. There I had the great fortune of being hired as a ceramic tile glazer at Fox Tile Studio. That's where I fell in love with clay! My time in Vegas was short and I soon returned to the east where I attended ceramic classes at just about every studio in the Philadelphia area, just to get studio time and build my skills. In 2000 I decided to use my dollars towards equipment and set up a home studio where I have been working ever since.

Describe Your Products and/or Services:
Handmade ceramics for home and for you!


What prompted you to start your business?
I love to make things and have a strong focus on designing beautifully crafted home accessories. Starting Little Flower Designs was a natural occurance.

Describe your initial investment:
My main investment has been time. I spend all of my free time and some of my not so free time on my business. I set up my studio about 6 years ago and officially became LFD in 2004.

What skills did you have that helped prepare you?
I've spent years in the studio developing my skills in ceramics, I've tinkered with the web for a few years as well. I try to do most of my sales online and thru the occassional craft sale.

What was the worst job you've ever had?
I spent a summer cleaning rooms at a hotel - yuck!

How has your business evolved since you launched?
Right now is an exciting time, my work is starting to develop a following and I'm now getting free press! This is mostly from finding my target market which is indie and that community has been VERY supportive.

What is the biggest lesson you've learned since opening your company?
A good accountant is essential.

Who is your biggest supporter?
My family and friends are great motivators, and my customers.

What do you do to keep yourself inspired?
I am inspired by fashion and popular culture, giving into this has been a great help in staying motivated.

What is the hardest part about running your business?
Time Management, it is often a stuggle to work on the business side ofthings when I'd rather be in the studio. It is also hard to have time for the important people in my life.

What's the one thing you wish you'd known before starting your business?
I still have a few things I'd like to learn on the ceramics side, casting is a new interest I'd like to explore.

Tell us something unique about yourself!
When I get side tracked I try to go with it to see the distraction thru. Hence, making a skirt when I should be throwing pots!

What keeps you going?
The dream, the need to make this as big as possible.