Tell us a bit about yourself (name, location,
affiliations, personal stuff).
My name is Tricia Wilde. I live in the Boston area with my three sons. I am a single mom and created this home based business so I could stay home with my kids and work around their schedules. I want to thank my incredible boyfriend John who has helped me in so many ways to grow my little home based business, he is truly amazing and even fixes my machines when they break down. I want to thank Lisa and Max who’s help and encouragement are all reasons why I can keep going. You are all amazing.
I had worked as a social worker and an art therapist for several years after getting my masters in social work, but found it took me away from my kids and this fits our lives and my creative spirit much better. I am eternally grateful to etsy for making my dream job come true!
What is the first thing you can remember making
by hand? How and why did you make it?
I grew up in Ireland and my grandmother taught me how to sew. My father also helped me learn to master my first sewing machine, a Bernina. It is still my favorite. The first thing I ever made was an apron.
What inspires you? Where do your ideas come
from?
I create clothes that have interesting combinations of color and texture. I love to mix things up in unusual ways; combining old and new. I love to play with making things balance by using opposite extremes. For example, I love to use vintage fabrics and recycled clothes with modern design elements and create a completely different look. I get bored with ordinary designs and so I am always changing and creating new looks to inspire thinking outside the box and being creative in the ways we dress, live and think. I want to inspire others to be more mindful and less wasteful. I love to honor old things, fabrics and clothes, and people. There is so much to learn from the past.
I love to buy old vintage clothes and salvage what once was and create a new modern look. Combining fashion in this way creates synergy and this new energy in fashion is so much more exciting to me, both visually and conceptually.
What are your favorite materials?
My favorite materials are textiles of all varieties. I can’t really commit
to one being a favorite as I am a fabric junky.
What have been the most valuable lessons learned from other artists on Etsy?
I have learned so much from other artists on Etsy. I have been so inspired by incredible talent from around the world. I am in awe of how generous and supportive Etsy artists are. I have learned how to never give up and to keep doing what I love and put myself out there and I have found that people appreciate my work and that is such a gift….to be acknowledged and appreciated.
Why should people buy handmade?
People should be inspired to buy handmade because what we create comes from our hearts and souls, it has life in it and it is just plain better than mass produced or things made at the expense of using and abusing those less fortunate.
What features/services would you most like to see on Etsy?
I would love to see Etsy continue to grow and thrive and support all around the world.
Apart from creating things, what do you do?
I am always a mom even when I am creating. I also love to dance and I do contact improvisation in the Boston area. I love to sail with my awesome kids and amazing boyfriend John (who I love to the moon!). I also have a regular yoga practice.
Read any good books lately?
My two favorite books are Loving What Is by Byron Katie and The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle.
In ten years I'd like to be...
In ten years I would like to be doing what I am now only better and more. |
