03.03.08
My Interview with Andrea, Owner of Thomas Park Gifts
Meet Andrea Thomas-Lambe, Owner of www.thomasparkgifts.com
Where are you located? Boston, MA
What do you design? Handbags, Accessories, Aprons, Children’s Giftware.
Where/How did you learn this? Self-taught beginner and hired a friend with many years of experience to teach me more detailed aspects of sewing. She would come by my shop for a few hours each week to work on projects.
Favorite Artist who inspires you? I love Heather Bailey, Anna Marie Horner and Sandi Henderson. they are all beautiful and talented textile designers, among many other things.
Where does your inspiration come from? Usually the inspiration comes from the fabric itself. I love to add a little something to make it an original.
What do you do to combat creative block? Buy new fabric or a new pattern….expensive, but it works.
Where do you design your creations? Currently, I work out of my shop but am soon closing after ten years and will be working out of my home studio.
What does your work space look like right now? Right now everything is scattered, but the new home studio will be perfect. Plenty of room, rolling carts and lots of storage. I love shaby chic furniture and fabrics, so I am sticking to that in my design.
How does your family feel about what you do? My husband is wonderful and extremely supportive. My mother is also very creative so we can spend hours thinking of new things to make!
Do you have any advice for someone looking to make their own creations using this method? It isn’t easy! You can’t just make something and expect someone to buy it. I have been lucky to have the brick & mortar store to get the ball rolling. Constant marketing and constant creativity are a must!
Best advice you received when starting your business venture? Honestly, no one ever really gave any. I just made my own decisions and so far it seems to work.
Favorite part of owning your own business? Not having anyone tell me how or what to create. The happiness I get from a finished product and a customer who appreciates it.
Least favorite? Having to pay the bills.
How do you realx? What’s that ???? Kidding, sewing is my therapy and my relaxation.
Favorite color? Lately, I am drawn to raspberry.
Does this color show up in a lot of your work? Yes, but I have to be careful, because too much of that would be a bad thing for everyday wear.
If there were more hours in the day, what would you be doing? Sewing!
A sample of Thomas Park Gifts products. For all products, please visit Andrea’s website.
