Shop Talk – Kitschen Sink

written by Folksy Support

Every Wednesday The Folksy Blog will be finding out a little bit more about one of our sellers in this new series called ‘Shop Talk’. This week we’re talking to Rowan Grant from Folksy shop ‘Kitschen Sink’

“Kitschen Sink – Colourful ♥ Kitschy ♥ Funky ♥ Fun.”

Rowan takes mass produced items, like Lego, tape measures and old comics and re-purposes (or upcycles) them into ‘handmade, wearable treats!’ Kitschen Sink also has an excellent website www.kitschensink.com to draw in customers to her Folksy shop. The website is designed to look exactly like a 1950’s comic strip, Rowan’s strong branding has really helped her shop to stand out here on Folksy.

Could you describe your shop?

Colourful, Kitschy, Funky and Fun! That’s my criteria for everything I make.

Who will ‘Kitschen Sink’ appeal to?

I’d say women in their late twenties. I make things I’d like to wear as an alternative to what’s on the high street. I think it appeals to the younger end too.

Here’s Rowan wearing “hE CaLLed!” Vintage Comic Bubble Heart Necklace

Is running Kitschen Sink your day job?

No – I currently work in admin at the University of Leeds and this in itself has brought me lots of opportunities craft-wise. Students love my work! Running Kitschen Sink takes up a ridiculous amount of my own time though, but I love it.

Have you been into craft and the handmade lifestyle for long?

I have loved design and craft since I was very young. On holidays and mornings before school, I went to Grandma’s. Grandma didn’t like the TV to get hot, so after Saved By The Bell, it was switched off, and the paints, pencils, knitting needles, pins, wool and felt came out. Grandma spent a lot of time showing me how to draw, knit, sew and the like, and it’s all I ever wanted to do with my time from then on!

When you’re not selling online where do you promote and sell your stock?

I blog regularly, I Tweet, (@kitschensink) I have a Facebook page and I try to sell in real life whenever I can, at the ‘cooler’ craft fairs. I love Leeds and am concentrating on building a good reputation there at the moment (before world domination!)

Do you have plans to expand your business in the future?

I’d love to be able to reduce my day job hours and concentrate on running a business in the future. Either wholesaling more or having a shop selling the wares of up and coming design talent.

What advice would you give to someone thinking about opening up a shop here on Folksy?

I’d say make sure you have priced your products properly. I made the mistake to begin with of covering just materials and time, but then I got a wholesale enquiry and realised I had been selling at wholesale prices all along! And make sure your photographs are really great. It looks so much more professional.

We’d love to hear your comments!

Get in touch and let us know who you would like to see interviewed in our Shop Talk series, or if you have an idea for an article you’d like to see on the Folksy Blog – hilary@folksy.co.uk