02.15.08
My Interview with Carolina Owner of RoccaDesigns
I would like you to meet Carolina Estrada, Owner of www.roccadesigns.com and her Etsy shop www.roccadesigns.etsy.com.
Where are you located? Atlanta, GA
What do you design? Everything I can. Jewelry, wallets, hair accessories, etc.
Where/How did you learn this? It has been a process, I started making stuff for myself and after getting compliments and requests, I started making my pieces for other people.
Favorite Artist who inspires you? Where does your inspiration come from? I love Architecture and modernism is my favorite movement. I don’t have just one favorite, I guess Frank Lloyd Wright and Gaudi are the ones I love the most. I also love fashion, Silvia Tcherassi, and I’m loving clothing from the new Jovovich-Hawk collenction. However, I find inspiration in so many different things, it’s hard to name one.
What do you do to combat creative block? I don’t have enough time in the day to create so I don’t really have that kind of problem right now, but I find that the more you stress about coming up with something new, the less ideas you have, so I try to relax. Something eventually will pop in my head.
Where do you design your creations? Wherever is quiet. I work full time so I bring my materials everywhere, or at least a pad to write ideas down. Mostly I do it in a little area of my home. I consider it my studio.
What does your work space look like right now? Right now is a work in progress, since I have a baby on the way. I’m soon to get kicked out of my “studio” for it to become a nursery. But, I started to renovate a small office into a studio, and I’m really excited about that.
How does your family feel about what you do? My husband is very supportive, sometimes even helpful. My 2 year old son does not cooperate much!
Best advice you received when starting your business venture? Patience is key and I tend to have little of it. It is hard not to get discouraged when business does not take off immediately. So if you are not in it for the fun and the long term, don’t even waste your time.
Favorite part of owning your own business? I get to create and express myself and fund the learning of new crafts. There is always something new you can make, all you have to do is look for projects that catch your eye.
Least favorite? Promoting and selling, it is hard to describe your own product and treat it like a product when it is so much a part of who you are. You need to develop a thick skin because some people won’t like your stuff.
How do you relax? Watch TV
Favorite color? Don’t really have a favorite. I like pastels and femenine tones.
Does this color show up in a lot of your work? Yes, everywhere!
If there were more hours in the day, what would you be doing? Cooking, crafting, taking pictures, and going to craft shows.
A sample of RoccaDesigns products. For all products, please visit Carolina’s website.
