Today I’d like to tell you about the wonderful Jesse Breytenbach from Cape Town. She is an extremely talented illustrator and maker of handmade things. Her label is known as Jezze. Again, I’ve asked her a few questions so that you can get to know her a little better.
- What exactly are you making and selling?
I’m primarily an illustrator, so I make and sell items that I’ve applied my illustrations to. I carve designs from linoleum blocks and print them on to fabric, which I then either sell for other people to sew with, or sew up myself into notebook covers, bags, cushion covers, storage baskets, and brooches and buttons. I’ve also had my designs silk screened so that I can apply them to ceramics, and I sell teacups, mugs and bowls.
- How did you get into selling handmade things?
I’ve always made things, and I started blogging around the time Etsy started up. It was the perfect place to start selling, as I didn’t need to have large amounts of stock, and could be flexible with the products I make. I can also be in direct contact with buyers, who often find me via my blog, or start reading my blog after buying from me, and I really enjoy getting to know the buyers and staying in touch with them.
Getting positive feedback to ideas I presented on my blog gave me confidence to start selling them. Everything in my shop is handmade by me, which wouldn’t have been sustainable if I’d started off trying to get wholesale orders. Selling online allows me the freedom to do very limited runs of products, and really test something before I start producing it in quantity.
- Where do you get your ideas and inspiration for your products?
I tend to make things that I need or would use, so I look at my own life and my friends for inspiration. I also thoroughly enjoy messing around with printing and paints and fabric, and often the materials I use suggest ideas to explore.
Jezze products are available online through Etsy. A reader commented on my previous post, saying that it’s disappointing that the South African sellers on Etsy cannot quote prices in rands. This is a very valid point. I’ve been in contact with the sellers who say that you can email them (addresses can be seen in their shops) to ask for a quote in rands.
Jezze will be offering some printed Christmas gift tags and ornaments in her shop this week, so please do go have a look!
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November 26th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
Yay, Jesse rocks!