12 Days of Christmas Giveaway Day 5: Crystalyn Kae

Welcome to the fifth day of Meylah’s Twelve Days of Christmas Giveaway!  Today, we are privileged to introduce Crystalyn of Crystalyn Kae handbags.  Crystalyn is a phenomenal, eco-friendly designer.  Her handbags are totally unique and irresistible!  Most of her designs are vegan friendly, made from water-resistant, leather-like material and many incorporate vintage fabric and flair, like the Soirée Messenger Bag and her pleated clutches. 

Ladies, get your pens out to jot down your holiday wish list from Crystalyn Kae.  Oh, and you may also need a napkin to wipe the drool off your face.  Read on to meet Crystalyn and to benefit from all her wisdom.  And, don’t forget to comment to be eligible to win one of her gorgeous clutches!

Meylah: You graduated from Washington State University with a degree in Apparel Design and Textiles.  Did you always know you were going to build your own business making handbags and accessories?
Crystalyn: I had been sewing since I was very young, but I actually thought I wanted to be a buyer for a fashion retailer.  My senior year of college, I studied abroad and had an internship in the buying office at Liberty in London, UK.  We would go to designers’ workshops and studios and see the new collections they were working on.  Being able to go behind the scenes really demystified the idea of being a designer and it gave me the confidence that I too could one day start my own collection.

Meylah: Did you sell initially at markets and craft shows and evolve into selling online and in boutiques? 
Crystalyn: Yes, I first started out selling my designs at the Pike Place Market in downtown Seattle, and began selling to local boutiques. Then I founded a small artist collective in a retail shop for 4 years, but it really wasn't until I built my website that things really began to take off.

Meylah:  Do you have any advice for other artists trying to sell their products to retailers? 
Crystalyn: Have a professional-looking pricelist and line sheet (1 page brochure) with you at all times. You never know when you'll meet someone who knows a shop owner.  Be persistent but not pushy. Make sure you can create enough products to be able to meet the demand of orders.  Being out of stock will quickly make shop owners lose confidence in you.  Be organized with invoices & payments.

Meylah: You manage a blog/website and stores on Etsy and 1000 Markets, as well social media accounts on Facebook and Flickr, how has your online presence impacted your business?  
Crystalyn: Keeping up with my own website & blog is a lot of work in itself, and I use my Etsy, 1000 markets, Facebook, Flickr, and Twitter accounts as additional ways for me to broaden my customer base. That being said, it can be overwhelming to keep up with all the formats, and sometimes it prevents me from spending as much time in my studio as I like. My advice to those just starting out: I would suggest starting out on 1000 markets because you have the easy format to build your online site, post blog entries, and send out newsletters all in one spot. 

Meylah: How do you juggle your time between making your products, selling at events and maintaining your presence online?
Crystalyn: It has been incredibly difficult to find the right balance between creating, marketing and customer service.  During the holiday season I feel like I am just 'putting out fires' (answering the phone, shipping orders, updating the website) but in the slower months I like to spend Mondays doing email & customer service.  Tuesdays are spent on marketing, website updating, photography and Wednesday & Thursdays sewing new bags.  I try to make Fridays my 'creative day' where I only work on experimenting with new ideas for bags.

Meylah: Which one of your handbags is the most popular and which one do you personally use the most? 
Crystalyn: My most popular bag has been the Soirée Messenger Bag.  It has been a best-seller since I introduced it 5 years ago, and it has become the trademark 'crystalyn kae' bag. It gives me the most joy to create because every one is unique.  I like to keep a pleated clutch inside my purse, with my wallet, keys, lipgloss inside and then toss inside a Soiree Pleated drawstring.  The long adjustable strap on the bag keeps my hands free when I am carrying packages to the post office, or I can pull out the clutch to use when I'm meeting friends for drinks after work.

Meylah: What is the most rewarding part of your job? 
Crystalyn: Being able to make a living doing what you absolutely love is the most wonderful feeling.  I also enjoy the flexible schedule...I love to sleep in and not have to keep 'regular hours'.

Check out Crystalyn’s website and sign up for her mailing list to find out about special discount codes!  Also, add a comment describing the next style of handbag you'd love to see from Crystalyn Kae to be eligible to win the clutch of your choice from her store (valued at $75)!  They are amazing and are the perfect size to use alone or to slip inside a larger bag.  Santa. . . if you’re reading this, I want a black, glazed fabric clutch!

UPDATE:  Crystalyn has just notified us that she will offer a 15% Discount to all of you through December 18th when you use the discount code "meylah" during a purchase at her store.  WOW!!  Thanks Crystalyn!