Bridal pillow with cowrie shell fringe. Shells and pearls dot the corners of the pillow.
Tell us about yourself. My name is Cassandra Bromfield and I create custom designed wedding gowns and social occasion gowns. My inspiration comes from a potpourri of ideas that include an African inspiration with a modern chic styling. I have also included in my line of dresses wedding accessories that I sell on Etsy.
What are you currently doing besides your creative craft? At the present I will do freelance work for fashion, TV commercials, and print ads. Hey, it keeps the lights on and I like cable.
What is are the addresses of your Etsy shop(s)? I have two shops http://www.etsy.com/shop/cabcomp this one is my bridal shop, items like bridal pillows, pins and everything bridal. The other shop is http://www.etsy.com/shop/vintagebycassandra which I sell vintage finds. My goal is to also create re-designed vintage styled clothing from old patterns that I have.
What do you offer in your Etsy shops? In my bridal shop I sell cowrie shell pins, bridal pillows, waist beads, and other items. Vintage by Cassandra sells vintage items, soon to grow and carry clothing that have a chic styling of the past.
Where do you create? I create in Brooklyn, NY
Where do you find your inspiration? Inspiration is found all over, but I am really liking African fabrics with a 50's styling.
How did you get started in your line of business? I made something and sold it, boom I am in business.
How do you promote your business? I promote using the internet, I write a bridal blog (cassandrabromfieldbridalblog.blogspot.com), write a newsletter, and of course tweeting, facebook as much as I can. Much of my clients find me through word of mouth.
What is one of your most important lessons you've learned since starting your business? Be creative always, this is the energy that will get you through the tough times. I have told this before. I was looking in a box of fabric and there were lots of pieces of beautiful fabric. None were big enough to create one garment. So I decided to patch them together and make a dress from my patchwork. There will be tough times but when you are creative, tough times just mean a creative challenge. Some of the most beautiful things can come from a challenging experience.
What advice would you give someone just starting out? Start, just start, don't wait for the beautiful website you will promise to create. Don't say you are not really an artist, writer, etc, and you are just starting out. Say you are an artist, writer, etc. People will believe you and then maybe you will believe it too. Don't be discouraged when something doesn't work out. Try to find out why and make a correction. Be inspired, confident, and humble.
What are some of your favorite online shops on and off Etsy? Oh boy, I had to stop looking for favs' it was taking so much time away from my focus. However I do love Etsy, and most of the Shops I bump into.
What are your other sites (i.e. Blogger, Wordpress, Facebook, Twitter)? cassandrabromfieldbridalblog.blogspot.com
cassandrabromfieldblogs.blogspot.com
mynewoldapartment.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/CassandraBridal
Facebook: Cassandra Bromfield's Company
There are other sites which include flickr, twipic, and a few others.
Congratulations, Cassandra on being an EAOC featured artist!
Tune in on Wednesday to meet our next artist.
8 comments:
Great interview with lots of good advice.
"There will be tough times but when you are creative, tough times just mean a creative challenge."
I love this!
Beautiful pillow! Love the cowrie shells detailing!
Nice interview and very lovely Etsy shop.
Congratulations!
~Vanessa~
Thank you so much for this honor. I feel so special! Cassandra
Very inspiring!
Love your shop and your bridal blog is awesome! I'm a follower, now. :)
Like the interview, love your Bridal blog, following you and became one of your facebook fans.
I agree that your interview is an inspiration. The part where you mention claiming your status as an artist is so true. Everything doesn't have to be "perfect". If you create, then you're an artist.
Love your work!
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