DAWN ALICE ROGERS DESIGNS

INTERVIEW WITH DAWN ALICE ROGERS OF DAWNALICE.COM

Tell us a bit about yourself (name, location, personal stuff).
I am Dawn Alice Rogers, living in Fairfield, CT USA. Other than an artist I am also a gymnastics coach and a mommy. Primarily I am an Art Doll Artist but the past few years have been hectic for me (having babies) and so I have branched out into smaller and quicker to produce dolls and crafts. This is why I have two shops on etsy! Making the Art Dolls and the smaller dolls fills me with happiness, they are both totally different yet all a part of me. I live with my incredibly supportive husband and two daughters (ages 20 months and 3.5 years) who like to take stuff from my studio.

Are you a full-time artist/crafter?
Nope! I'm a daytime mommy, afternoon and evening coach, nighttime and weekend artist.

How long have you been in business?
I have been a doll artist since 2002. I opened my etsy shops in 2007.

What percentage of your income is from "online" sales?
75%

What can your customers look forward to for 2008?
More small elf dolls, custom families of dolls, Jewish family dolls, more fairies, more kids clothing.

What do you utilize most for INSPIRATION?
I love to look at other kinds of art on etsy. Especially drawings. And I love to read all kinds of blogs which helps me feel inspired by other people's creativity and passions. Being a mixed-media artist also can lead me into supply lust. Lots and lots of supplies inspire me, natural objects, clay, fabric, feathers, charms, beads...

How does being CREATIVE effective your life?
Being creative is a huge part of me. I have been this way my whole life. It really feels like what my true self should be doing. Being creative in any way makes me happy.

What do you love most about what you make?
When a doll's face is finished, it feels like a real soul being born. I love that part because I feel a rush of energy to finish this little being who wants to become whole and take on the world.

Do you offer any services such as, wholesale, custom orders, swapping or bartering?
Yes, I am open to all suggestions. I really enjoy making custom families for customers. I am a bit sentimental!

What advice can you share with other artists/crafters?
Do what you love. Do it even if you don't sell it. Do it and never give that up. Your creativity is purely yours alone.

If you had "studio elves" what job would you give them to do?
Definitely sculpting hands! I really don't enjoy doing that. Cooking elves would be good too since I forget to eat when I am working. (I have a roomful of my elves watching me work, but they are not very helpful!)

Do you have studio tips on staying organized, and working efficiently?
Find a way to display your finished work and works in progress in sight of your work area. It really helps me to see the full picture.

Please share why "buying/selling handmade" is important to you...
I love the community of creative people of all kinds. It means a lot to me to support someone who is doing what they love, even though it will not likely make them a millionaire.

Besides creating & selling handmade goods, in what other areas of your life do strive to be 'independent, resourceful, & creative"?
I enjoy the challenges of all of my "jobs" as artist, mother and gymnastics coach! Being a good mother is a big one. I never really understood that when people said it before I had kids, but now I really feel that raising kids is a monumental challenge with incredible rewards.

Where would like to be in 10 years?
Making more dolls and enjoying life!

LIST OF DAWNs WEBSITES: PLEASE VISIT & SHOW YOUR SUPPORT :)
www.dawnalicerogers.etsy.com (art dolls)
www.dawnalicedesigns.etsy.com (craft dolls)
www.dawnalicerogers.blogspot.com (blog)
www.dawnalice.com (home site)