07.14.08
My Interview with Alison, Owner of Everything Works If You Let It
Please meet Alison Armstrong, Owner of www.everythingworksifyouletit.com.
Where are you located? Online boutique, based out of Albuquerque, New Mexico.
What do you design? Pretty & quirky handmade jewelry and accessories. Everything is made for nice girls or girls who wish they were nice. Always adorable, always affordable.
Where/How did you learn this? I learned over the span of about 15 years through a lot of trial and error and tyring to figure out how other people made their stuff. I’m completely self-taught, that’s why it took so long.
Where does your inspriation come from? Crazy stuff rolling around in my head and observing creatively-accessorized people walking around.
What do you do to combat creative block? I always tend to get burned out after the holidays or a busy art show schedule. I’ve learned to deal with it. I put the beads aside for a while and do other things…work on my website, catch up on paperwork, play with my dog. The creativity always seems to work it’s way back.
Where do you design your creations? Right now, I’m pretty much based on the living room couch. I had a studio once, but it’s been turned into a nursery for the impending birth of our first child (a boy!) coming this summer.
What does your work space look like right now? It’s as organized as can possibly be, and that’s not saying much.
How does your family feel about what you do? They’ve always been supportive, even though they thnk that I’m wacky.
Do you have any advice for someone looking to make their own creations using this method? Go for it. Three years ago, I didn’t have a company name, know anything about building or maintaining a website, creating business cards ect. When it’s your own deal, you don’t mind investing time and energy into it, even though you may screw up a lot. For everything I’ve done right, I’ve done 20 things wrong. I’ve come a long way, baby. And trust me, if I can do this, any gal can.
Best advice you received when starting your business venture? I didn’t tell anyone but my mom and my husband, I was too afraid of getting negative vibes thrown at me. I was a closet starter-upper.
Favorite part of owning your own business? The idea that maybe someday, I can support myself being creative and not have to keep working for the man.
Least favorite? Going to work for the man everyday, when I would rather be on the couch watching a Cubs game, playing with beads.
How do you relax? Eat candy and make fun of people. You know, regular stuff.
Favorite color? I’m in a big orange phase right now, along with loving the combo of turquoise and lipstick red.
Does this color show up in a lot of your work? Heck yeah. I have to love the pieces I’m making, or I’m a horrible salesperson.
If there were more hours in the day, what would you be doing? I would love to learn to make gourmet chocolate, resin jewelry, or clean out my purse, but there never seems to be enough time.
A sample of Everything Works If You Let It products. For all products, please visit Alison’s website.
