september 25 2006:akemidesigns.com

1 when did you start crafting? I've always crafted and one could speculate that I probably decoupaged in the womb. When I was a kid, I made a lot of my own toys–shoe boxes became school buses for my Snoopys; I hammered nails into pieces of scrap wood and hooked rubber bands around them to make musical instruments; during the summertime I'd make those switchblade knives out of 2 popsicle sticks and a rubber band; my best friend taught me how to use her mom's serger and we'd make bean bags out of scrap fabrics; and of course my parents always got homemade birthday cards out of any scrap paper and doodads I could find in the house. I am the master of paper and glue.

2 when did you start selling online? My first online order was for a custom rush order of wedding invitations in the early spring of 2003. At the time I was pregnant with my daughter and suffering terrible morning sickness (I was hospitalized for a week and then put on I.V. tube feeding for a month). My husband was so wonderful and did all the assembling, packaging and shipped it off just in time.

3 do you buy your supplies online or off? I'd say it's a pretty even split.

4 what are your signature colors? Hmm... colors. I do like colors, which explains the assortment of colors and patterns in my cards. The only constant color I have can be found in my logo, which is almost always orange.

5 Have you done any craft shows/fairs? Ah, the craft show. It's a good way to bring brand awareness to indie designers. I've done a few shows, but really should do more, specifically for the reason that the deadline of a show makes me more productive with my business. I work pretty well under pressure. In fact, you can find me participating in a show this Saturday (9/30) in San Francisco put on by Appel & Frank, called Babes & Babies. Everything that a bride or new mom is looking for will be there. Look for Akemi Designs!

You can find akemidesigns here.akemidesigns.comItem to check out .Birthday Hat card