October 10th 2006:bluealvarez.com

1 When did you offically become a indie shop owner? My website was started in 2004, but I became a registered business in Massachusets on May 8th, 2006.

2 At what age did you start selling online? The ripe old age of 25.

3 Is seling online hard? Marketing online is hard. Keeping up with different outlets for publicity, and constantly feeling like you're being left in the dust by brighter and faster one-hit-wonder craft sites is very tough. I think if I were selling felted handbags or handspun yarn, or something else that's really hot right now, it would be a lot easier. But making apparel, I'm competing with every other apparel maker, which is different than being in a niche craft market. Plus I'm not exactly pumping out items right now, so it's pretty hard - but getting easier.

4 Whats the coolest part about selling youre items? The feeling that someone else gets your aesthetic, and wants to use that to express themselves.

5 What did you do the first time you sold something online? I sent it out promptly with a great big thank-you, and pocketed the small bit of cash. There was no great celebration, because it wasn't a piece of original clothing. As soon as I sell something for real market value to someone I haven't either met on a blog or in real life already, I'll do a special happy dance.

You can find bluealvarez here.bluealvarez.comItem to check out .Sea Green Buttons Necklace