What experiences prepared you to be the designer/owner of Riffe Raff?
I left a full time job in September 2006 to take an unpaid internship with Mod Green Pod,
an organic textile and wallpaper company in Boston that was only a year
old at the time. I learned a lot about what goes into running a small
creative business, interacting with customers and press, shipping
orders, and the process of fabric printing. All Mod Green Pod products
were silkscreened so I was able to see up close the versatility of the
method. While at Mod Green Pod, I also befriended some other female
stationery designers, Black Pearl Press and Emily Gallardo who have studios in the same building. They continue to be a great source of inspiration and information.
Additionally, I've written my blog, Make It, since the summer of 2006 and that's where I research and share information I find about running a small business. So I'd done a lot of research before jumping in. Now that I've started my own business, most of my blog posts are related to my personal experiences with all aspects of setting up shop.
Where do you look or go to for inspiration to create paper products?
I like to be inspired by the silk-screening process and the limitations of creating everything by hand. As a result, I keep it simple and graphic. My favorite is to see simple patterns paired with unexpected color combinations. I have a lot of designs leftover from my block-printing phase that I can't wait to make into screens. They're very chunky and bold, because those were the easiest shapes for me to carve into linoleum blocks.
Name three things you really dig right now in relation to your creativity?
Oooh, great question! I started out printing primarily on white or kraft colored papers, but now I'm really into printing on top of colored papers. The results always surprise me. That's the benefit of doing my own production, I can play with different color combos whenever I like. I went to high school in Alabama and I have a soft spot for really well done Southern design. My mom, Natalie Chanin, and the Quilters of Gees Bend represent that to me.
You have some very pretty colors and patterns within your line do you have a favorite set? If so what makes it your favorite?
Thank you! Right now I'm loving the Dots pattern in sky blue on top of the steel grey paper. Dots came from a block print I made of a circle several years ago. So this pattern kind of epitomizes my interest inhand printing methods and my love of unexpected color combos.
Where do you see Riffe Raff in the next year?
Andrea, I have SO MANY ideas. I'm torn between wanting to spend more time on Rifferaff to really make it as great as I envision it can be and having to work a part-time job to pay the bills because I'm not able to financially support myself only with this business. This has been a learning year in so many ways. So for my next year, I want to learn from my mistakes and approach my business with a clear sense of direction.
I also feel like now that my blog has become more personal, I'm getting into a regular groove of posting and commenting. So I want my blog to continue to grow and share this entire process with others interested in my work or interested in starting their own small business. The transparency of my business is all about helping other entrepreneurs any way I can.
What advice can you give other young women looking to start their own line of paper products?
First things first, I would say, decide how your line will be produced.
Offset printed? Printed on a home printer? Letterpressed?
Screenprinted? Gocco? This will determine a lot of other decisions,
from what kind of designs you'll make (certain designs work best with
certain methods), to how many cards you'll be able to churn out in a
month, to pricing, to what kinds of stores/customers you'll target.
After deciding on the method of printing, think about your brand. What do you want to "say" with your work. And think of how to apply that to all aspects of your product. Branding is so valuable and it's really important to be consistent with your branding and presentation. Don't fear branding because it seems too "corporate." Businesses of all sizes need a strong brand to succeed.
Lastly, take good photos. I struggle with this a lot and a priority for me is to upgrade my photos and web site. So much business is done via Internet, make sure you have the best online presence possible to represent your work.
