Todays interview is with Aelle Aelle
How did you choose the name of your shop and how long have you been a member of Etsy?
I joined Etsy a little over 6 months ago now, under the same name that I use all over the internet - aelle. It's the second, less used half of my real name and I think it deserves some love too.
What kinds of items do you sell in your shop and what inspired you to start creating them?
As I love writing, doodling, making lists and consigning my travels, I have had a notebook obsession since my teen years. I always carry a few on me and can't resist buying cool looking ones, even though I have a growing collection of empty notebooks at home! I've started making my own a few years ago, experimenting with various bookbinding techniques. I discovered and perfected the paper weaving technique I use for my signature items just before I opened my shop.
Do you donate to any charities or do any volunteer work?
I donate time or money to my local shelter, whichever is more abundant in my life!
What are some of your favorite things about etsy?
I love the personal connection beyond the business deal. I've only had wonderful experiences both selling and buying on Etsy – the members are genuinely happy to work together. It’s an inspiring example of business gone right in a world of capitalist craziness. I can only hope it will emulate entrepreneurs to create similar win-win business models.
I keep coming back for the fantastic creativity and the emulation you get from browsing the various shops and blogs of the network. It's so inspiring!
Do you sell your items outside of etsy, either online or in retail shops?
Not yet, although I want to. I'm in the process of relocating abroad, so it's difficult starting these kinds of business partnerships only to give them up in a few weeks!
Do you have any future plans for your shop?
Absolutely. I am developing a few new notebook lines, and am currently building an inventory before I put them online. As I'll be moving to Asia soon, I hope to include more traditional papers and bits of non latin fonts. I am discussing with a photographer friend to start a collaborative line of notebooks featuring pictures of cities of the world.
How long have you been vegan and what made you go vegan?
I have been vegan for a little under 2 years now, and vegetarian for a year before that. True to my scientist nature, I went veg entirely based on rational reasons, not emotional ones. I did the math and had to acknowledge that one couldn't be an environmentalist and still consume animal products. I was seriously pissed at that truth, too! But still I went vegan, although reluctantly at first, because I hate inconsistency. Compassion and squealing at cute pictures of baby piggies only came later. Now being vegan has become so much of a second nature that I laugh at the memory of how hard I thought transitioning was at first.
What kinds of hobbies and interests do you have?
I have too many! I wish days were 35 hours long. I'm a big traveler (in the past 5 years, I've lived in 4 countries and travelled to about 7 more), and that takes a big chunk of my time and money. I also love learning languages to go with the travels, and there goes most of my free hours. I steal time from my day job and chores to write (I blog bilingually at desmotspoursetaire.blogspot.com), cook and sew. I am a voracious reader - and am so grateful for public transportation to allow me to read to work every day. And despite all that, I still manage to waste an impressive amount of time on the internet.
How has travelling impacted your crafting?
The emulation you get from both traditional and modern crafts in different cultures is fantastic. I've gotten so much inspiration from the Japanese love for stationary when I lived there. Handmade objects are often a great way to start conversations with strangers, and crafting groups are
How has travelling impacted your veganism?
Living in places where veganism is unheard of or often ridiculed (like much of my native France), and wanting to understand other cultures has lead me to opt for a gentle form of outreach. I explain the reasons for my choices, let it sink in, refuse to get in fights and bring cookies. I preach to taste buds more than to brains or hearts! It has sometimes been a great bonding experience! I've had omnivore friends get really excited about the challenge of feeding me and who'd contact their mothers, grandmothers and cousins twice removed to get their hands on traditional, family recipes of vegan dishes.
And once I'm back at home, I can totally wow friends and family with exotic and authentic vegan cuisine. I've changed many preconceived ideas in one meal.
Do you have any animal companions?
Not now, no :( I really want to adopt a cat and my partner really wants to adopt a dog, so hopefully we'll soon have a house full of cats and dogs.
Do you have any websites besides your shop that you would like to tell us about?
Sure! I blog at desmotspoursetaire.blogspot.com, about my travels, the ups and downs of multilingualism, vegan heavens over the world, where I question how to do expose others to my ideals while remaining respectful and curious of their culture, and where I generally rant and muse about my life.
Do you have any favorite vegan things, like books, websites, stores, etc.?
The Post Punk Kitchen is where it's at.
How did you choose the name of your shop and how long have you been a member of Etsy?
I joined Etsy a little over 6 months ago now, under the same name that I use all over the internet - aelle. It's the second, less used half of my real name and I think it deserves some love too.What kinds of items do you sell in your shop and what inspired you to start creating them?
As I love writing, doodling, making lists and consigning my travels, I have had a notebook obsession since my teen years. I always carry a few on me and can't resist buying cool looking ones, even though I have a growing collection of empty notebooks at home! I've started making my own a few years ago, experimenting with various bookbinding techniques. I discovered and perfected the paper weaving technique I use for my signature items just before I opened my shop.
Do you donate to any charities or do any volunteer work?
I donate time or money to my local shelter, whichever is more abundant in my life!
What are some of your favorite things about etsy?
I love the personal connection beyond the business deal. I've only had wonderful experiences both selling and buying on Etsy – the members are genuinely happy to work together. It’s an inspiring example of business gone right in a world of capitalist craziness. I can only hope it will emulate entrepreneurs to create similar win-win business models.I keep coming back for the fantastic creativity and the emulation you get from browsing the various shops and blogs of the network. It's so inspiring!
Do you sell your items outside of etsy, either online or in retail shops?
Not yet, although I want to. I'm in the process of relocating abroad, so it's difficult starting these kinds of business partnerships only to give them up in a few weeks!
Do you have any future plans for your shop?
Absolutely. I am developing a few new notebook lines, and am currently building an inventory before I put them online. As I'll be moving to Asia soon, I hope to include more traditional papers and bits of non latin fonts. I am discussing with a photographer friend to start a collaborative line of notebooks featuring pictures of cities of the world.
How long have you been vegan and what made you go vegan?
I have been vegan for a little under 2 years now, and vegetarian for a year before that. True to my scientist nature, I went veg entirely based on rational reasons, not emotional ones. I did the math and had to acknowledge that one couldn't be an environmentalist and still consume animal products. I was seriously pissed at that truth, too! But still I went vegan, although reluctantly at first, because I hate inconsistency. Compassion and squealing at cute pictures of baby piggies only came later. Now being vegan has become so much of a second nature that I laugh at the memory of how hard I thought transitioning was at first.What kinds of hobbies and interests do you have?
I have too many! I wish days were 35 hours long. I'm a big traveler (in the past 5 years, I've lived in 4 countries and travelled to about 7 more), and that takes a big chunk of my time and money. I also love learning languages to go with the travels, and there goes most of my free hours. I steal time from my day job and chores to write (I blog bilingually at desmotspoursetaire.blogspot.com), cook and sew. I am a voracious reader - and am so grateful for public transportation to allow me to read to work every day. And despite all that, I still manage to waste an impressive amount of time on the internet.
How has travelling impacted your crafting?
The emulation you get from both traditional and modern crafts in different cultures is fantastic. I've gotten so much inspiration from the Japanese love for stationary when I lived there. Handmade objects are often a great way to start conversations with strangers, and crafting groups are
How has travelling impacted your veganism?
Living in places where veganism is unheard of or often ridiculed (like much of my native France), and wanting to understand other cultures has lead me to opt for a gentle form of outreach. I explain the reasons for my choices, let it sink in, refuse to get in fights and bring cookies. I preach to taste buds more than to brains or hearts! It has sometimes been a great bonding experience! I've had omnivore friends get really excited about the challenge of feeding me and who'd contact their mothers, grandmothers and cousins twice removed to get their hands on traditional, family recipes of vegan dishes.
And once I'm back at home, I can totally wow friends and family with exotic and authentic vegan cuisine. I've changed many preconceived ideas in one meal.
Do you have any animal companions?
Not now, no :( I really want to adopt a cat and my partner really wants to adopt a dog, so hopefully we'll soon have a house full of cats and dogs.Do you have any websites besides your shop that you would like to tell us about?
Sure! I blog at desmotspoursetaire.blogspot.com, about my travels, the ups and downs of multilingualism, vegan heavens over the world, where I question how to do expose others to my ideals while remaining respectful and curious of their culture, and where I generally rant and muse about my life.
Do you have any favorite vegan things, like books, websites, stores, etc.?
The Post Punk Kitchen is where it's at.
2 comments:
PPK is totally where it's at. :)
The emulation you get from both traditional and modern crafts in different cultures is fantastic. I've gotten so much inspiration from the Japanese love for stationary when I lived there. Handmade objects are often a great way to start conversations with strangers, and crafting groups are . . .
Yes? Missing anything?
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