Meet the Maker - Erica Louise ELM

Today we chat with Louise from Erica Louise ELM

Tell me Louise where are you from and where do you live?
Launceston ·

How did you come up with the name for your business?
It's my own name mixed up and the ELM is my initials that I thought I could use as a stand alone for menswear hats etc as I didn't think men would want an Erica Louise Label on their hats. ·

What are your passions and interests?
I have lots of passions and interests. Knitting being one of my biggest and it has been a lifelong passion. I do also sew and I'm a very spiritual person, I do use these gifts to help others. I have an environmental science degree because I love the environment and being out in nature. I also love to sing :) I have 3 children so I spend most of my time with them and taking them out and about. ·

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your art or product?
I've been knitting since I was 6 years old. My nan taught me to knit and she still loves to hear about what I'm making now. Because I'm a single mum and have been for nearly 6 years I try to supplement my income with my knitting. I sold a range of hats to a local trendy surf shop and that was such a thrill! I pride myself on using the best quality Australian Wool and I LOVE texture! So if it doesn't feel good I won't wear it! I apply the same principle to what I make as I believe in having an item that you love and will wear time and time again. ·

How long have you been an Etsy seller?
I set up my shop in 2013. However I haven't sold continuously in that time. But this year has seen my best ever for sales :) ·

What inspired you to begin creating?
I was doing it for myself as a stress relief when I was at university as it required so much mental work that knitting allowed me to do something with my hands and I loved that. I continued that on when I had babies and decided to try selling them from there. ·

Can you give us a brief idea of your creative or curating process?
It depends, sometimes I will find a pattern I love and will knit it. Often however I find myself adjusting the patterns to how I want them to look and sometimes I just create my own pattern from scratch with an idea. Knitting for me takes around 5 hours of work to produce a hat. Often it's as I'm watching tv or relaxing while the kids run around me playing. · Where do you want to see your business in the future? I would love to have items ready to go in my shop. I sell them currently as made to order really because I find it hard to find the time to sit and knit up excess stock. 3 young kids keeps me very busy! So I would love to start a winter with 20 items ready to go.

What do you like about being an Etsy seller?
It's an easy place to sell. I don't have to advertise much and it's structured well. It's all ready to go and it makes adding items easy.

Where do you work on your pieces?
My lounge chair usually with a cuppa beside me :)

Where can you be found?
Etsy 
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Pinterest