Featured Seller: ClareBare

THIS SELLER HAS ALSO OFFERED TO DO A GIVEAWAY! SEE THIS POST FOR DETAILS!

(1) Who are you?
My name is Clare Herron- I am a designer and artist who lives in Brooklyn.

(2) What is your shop name and how did you come up with it?
My shop name is Clare Bare. The name formed kind of naturally over time- I've been called Clare Bear my whole life, but I had a friend at Parsons who suggested that I play around with the spelling and make underwear. It was a funny idea, but then it kind of stuck and I felt obligated to make good use of such a clever name! So I guess the name pretty much determined and narrowed down a lot of things for me- which was very helpful, because if you knew me, you'd know that I want to make EVERYTHING! Maybe even someday I'll make bare wood furniture- I could call that Clare Bare too....!

(3) What do you create and sell?
I create one of a kind and limited edition pieces for my eco lingerie collection. All of my materials are made from either vintage fabric or organic cotton, with the exception of trim and elastic.

(4) What is your source for inspiration?
Right now I'm really inspired by color combinations I remember in random objects that I was obsessed with when I was little. For example, I had an ice cream cone shaped cup that I would drink chocolate milk out of when I was little. It was mint with dark shiny plastic chocolate sauce on it, and it had a hole for a straw. And then there was this cup that I got from Clementon Park in New Jersey when I was little- it was coral and seafoam green with black writing on it. Basically everything that I'm designing for spring will be either pastel and black or floral and black- I'm really excited about it!



(5) What is your favorite piece from your shop & why?
My favorite piece (and also one of my top selling pieces) is the Picknickers that were featured in BUST Magazine this month. I love the ruffles! They make everyone's butts look good- they make small butts look bigger, and they disguise and distract from any flaws that you might be self conscious about because they're so over the top and eye catching.

(6) Is running your shop your only job?
No, I actually work as public artist as well. Right now I'm working with the NYC Department of Transportation on a mosaic project on a concrete barrier between the bike lane and the car lane where the Brooklyn Bridge lets out.

(7) When did you start your business?
I started my business about a year and a half ago, after 2 years of just sitting on the idea.

(8) How long have you been selling on Etsy?
I've been selling on Etsy for a year and a half- Etsy really made it easy for me to get started.

(9) Do you sell outside of Etsy?
I also sell at a few online stores, and this year I am starting to accept wholesale orders for boutiques.

(10) What do you like best about Etsy?
My favorite thing about Etsy is the community feeling that it has. It's really great to get to know other sellers and customers on a level that you wouldn't reach selling through other sites.

(11) Do you belong to any teams?
I do not at the moment, but I should probably get on that!

(12) Do you have more than one Etsy shop?
I only have Clare Bare for now.

(13) What do you do to promote your shop(s)?
I actually don't do much to promote my shop. I've been really lucky that people have contacted me for placements in magazines, blog write-ups and such.

(14) What do you do in your spare time?
I literally have NO spare time, but I'm doing all the things that I love so I don't mind at all. Sometimes it's nice though when I visit my boyfriend in Philly, because I can't bring my work with me. That's the only time I really have to relax.

(15) What is your blog or website url?
My website is http://www.clarebare.com and I will have a blog on there hopefully by the end of the month.

(16) Are there any blogs you follow regularly?
I read the Knickers blog a lot to see what other lingerie designers are up to.

(17) Are there any particular Etsy shops you follow regularly?
I really love iheartnorweiganwood.etsy.com, imyourpresent.etsy.com, valhallabrooklyn.etsy.com, santokivintage.etsy.com, just to name a few.

(18) Any advice (business, or otherwise) for fellow sellers?]za
*()If you have an idea, all you have to do is act on it to make it happen- don't rely on anyone else to make things happen for you. When you make things with love, you'll pass it on to other people- and I think that's the most important thing in the world, so make sure you love what you do!