I need to say BIG thanks etsy
My name is Feyza, and I’m the person behind Ikabags and
my label shop hobbytime, which just started out by making my own
labels
and turned into another small business.
I live in Paris, France, with my husband and our two sons.
I never dreamed I’d be doing what I am today. I’m a business
administration graduate. After university, I had a busy work life, first
as an accountant at a textile company, and then as a production
planning manager for a furniture company. Shortly after the birth of my
first son, we were posted abroad and our expat life started. We moved 17
times and lived in five different countries.
All these moves broadened my horizons, giving me the opportunity to
observe different cultures, lifestyles, needs, and shopping habits. When
we had our second son in France, I quit my job because it required a
lot of travel. I had time for creativity and I started making home decor
items and handbags with my embroidery machine as gifts for friends and
family. I got a lot of encouraging feedback, so I opened an Etsy shop to
sell embroidered coasters and tea cozies. Then I moved on to Ikabags.
My day starts early. After the school run, I return home and start
working. My process begins with choosing fabrics. I handpick all all of
my materials with great care, and I know where everything comes from. I
have to admit, I am in love with linen. Even if I don’t plan to sew
linen that day, every morning I touch my linens and watch them for a
while. Linen’s texture, scent, and subtle colors give me peace and keep
my creativity alive. I cut my orders during weekends and sew, pack, and
ship them on weekdays. I also read and answer roughly 150 convos a day.
(You can see my process up close in this video.)
On Fridays, I plan the week ahead and make monthly plans for fabric and
materials purchases. Before I know it, it’s time to collect the kids
from the school and be a mother again.
I believe that my creativity comes from my family. Both my grandmothers
were master carpet weavers and cooks. They raised all of their kids with
homemade breads, fresh meals cooked with ingredients from the garden,
and hand-knitted and hand-sewn garments. My grandfather was a carpenter,
and the house he built with his own hands is still there. My mother
raised us in the same creative, handmade way she was brought up. I still
remember the little fabric and haberdashery shops she took me to. The
way she chose her materials clearly influenced how picky I’m today when I
select the materials I work with.
I still remember the moment of my first Etsy sale. I was alone at home,
screaming with joy and jumping up and down. Sales brought more sales,
and my working hours increased. I realized that I needed to be more
organized and plan everything ahead of time. I invested the money I
earned back into my business, buying new specialty machines and seeking
higher quality materials. I also worked to improve my skills, learning
whatever I could to make my handbags better. My studio now houses five
industrial sewing machines, a computer and two printers.
So many things have changed since I started my Etsy shop. What was once
my hobby is now my job, but my love for my work has always stayed the
same. I really love working from home at my own pace and being there for
my kids, but I also have responsibilities as a wife and a mother. It
certainly requires balance, but it’s a dream come true. Etsy gave me the
opportunity to do what I love to do.
I take great pride in my craftsmanship and I always use the best materials
I can get my hands on. I do everything myself. Starting from the design,
sourcing the fabrics to photo-shooting and shipping. Although it's a hard work,
I think the big love for my job in me makes my products special which keeps me
from hiring someone for help. I see my fabric and color choices, my design,
my stitches, my photo style and even the little props I use in my photography
as a whole. I love to think that my bags are made entirely by an individual
for another.
Taking some time and considering what you buy has a lot of positive impact
on our health, budgets, environment and it also keeps our homes free from clutter.
Eco friendly, handmade, versatile, high quality, robust products, simple and
timeless designs are being picked by ever increasing number of conscious consumers.
We should all take a few seconds and consider our purchase before hitting that
button. Cheap doesn't mean economical and branded doesn't mean the highest
quality and ethical.
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