Crafty Divas and Entrepreneurial Empresses

April 2004's Diva
Adrianne Lee
of Ninkybink Boutique

Whimsical, fun, and truly one-of-a-kind - the totes from Ninkybink caught our eye. Adrianne's artwork is fun and add a flair to her tote designs!

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The Gallery
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The Interview
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The Basic Lowdown:

Girlposse.com: Who are you?
Adrianne: My name is Adrianne Lee, and I'm the designer of Ninkybink Boutique. I just turned 20 and I am going to college to become a fashion magazine editor.

Girlposse.com: Where are you located?
Adrianne: Bowling Green, OH (we have the Guiness record for most pizza shops per square mile!)

Girlposse.com: What is your creation / business?
Adrianne: Ninkybink Boutique. I make quirky fun tote bags for a customer who is confident with fabulously unique style.

Girlposse.com: Where can people buy your stuff?
Adrianne: www.ninkybink.com

Girlposse.com: Tell us something about yourself - your personality:
Adrianne: Ever see Breakfast at Tiffany's? I'm a bit like Holly Golightly in that I'm a bit silly and quirky, spontaneous, sometimes dramatic. I honestly don't care (never have) if others think I'm cool or not. I'm friendly and optimistic (most of the time), but I have a healthy dose of cynicism and sarcasm. I love fashion! My style is eclectic but mostly a cross of Kate Moss and Bridget Bardot, "offbeat/ sexy". I tend to overdress for occasions. I love NYLON magazine, red lipstick, French vanilla coffee, my family, doodling on my notes during class, my boyfriend Alan, cool shoes, and the book "Fabulous Nobodies" by Lee Tulloch. I love life!

The Nitty Gritty:

Girlposse.com: How long have you been doing this?
Adrianne: I've had Ninkybink Boutique since Sept. 2003, but I've been creating things from my imagination since I was old enough to use a crayon.

Girlposse.com: Beginning a business is a big step. How did this become a "business" vs. just a "hobby""?
Adrianne: I made it my 2003 New Years Resolution "to become a fashion designer". I wasn't quite sure how I'd do this, but I treated it like a "pretend" and just started designing things for my "business". Eventually I looked at all my creations and thought, "why not really sell these and actually HAVE a business!?". So I made a web site, posted them on there, and voila! It's been the best experience and has helped me make many connections within the fashion industry!

Girlposse.com: Did you have previous business experience - or was the business end new to you?
Adrianne: When I was 12 I wanted these awesome bellbottom jeans, so I started a business selling pens embroidered with my swim team's name. I sold enough to buy them! But other than that, Ninkybink Boutique is my first real business.

Girlposse.com: Are there any resources you would recommend to future Entrepreneurial Empresses? (books, websites, etc.)
Adrianne: This article is very helpful!
http://getcrafty.com/read/thrift/features/craftcash/index.html

Girlposse.com: What is your opinion of Arts / Crafts shows as a place to sell? As a place to shop?
Adrianne: Around my area the audience drawn to craft shows is of the "birdhouse-embroidered-sweatshirt", and "goose-in-bonnet-cross-stitch" variety. Since they aren't my target customers I mainly stick with just selling (and shopping) on the on the net. But I imagine elsewhere, craft shows may draw different crowds in which case I'd recommend setting up a stand. The exposure wouldn't hurt!

Girlposse.com: What was (is) your biggest obstacle in selling what you create?
Adrianne: Time! Being a full-time college student and working part-time spreads me thin. I'd like to have more time for sewing new designs, but school has to come first!

Girlposse.com: Do you find it difficult coming up with original ideas?
Adrianne: I don't have trouble coming up with original ideas but I have trouble picking which ones to do. I make "inspiration scrapbooks" which include pictures cut out of fashion magazines, Xerox copies from 1960's Seventeen magazines, drawings, articles, etc... really anything I find inspiring. I'm on my 4th book!

Girlposse.com: Are there any plans to expand your product line?
Adrianne: Yes! In the future I would love to have a clothing line with girly tops and sundresses. I make these things for myself and strangers will ask me where I got them, so I figure it would be fun to make them available for others.

Girlposse.com: What keeps you going on a bad day?
Adrianne: Crunchy Jif Peanut Butter and a Beatles CD

Girlposse.com: Where are some of your favorite places to shop?
Adrianne: I love to find bargains and treasures so I shop e-bay, thrift stores, and antique malls. I do a lot of D.I.Y. to the things I find to add a personal touch. Urban Outfitters has some neat things too.

Girlposse.com: What was the best piece of advice you've been given?
Adrianne: Do NOT just wait around for opportunities to come to you. Go make opportunities happen for yourself! It's amazing how well this works!

Girlposse.com: What advice would you give to a future Crafty Diva?
Adrianne: Don't think you're any less a designer than the famous ones. They are people just like you and I, not larger than life by any means. You can be famous too. Don't hold back! Send out pictures of your designs to magazines and stores, see what happens!

Girlposse.com: Are they any other Crafty Divas or Entrepreneurial Empresses we should know about?
Adrianne: Chandi makes cool tanks! http://www.virginthreads.com/designers/chandi.html
Also, check out the links on my website. There are so many creative and talented designers!

~April 2004

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Your Chance to Win!
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This month Ninkybink Boutique is giving you a chance to win this one-of-a-kind tote!

Visit our Contests area for details and to enter.

COntest ends APril 30, 2004. Good luck!

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Are you a Crafty Diva and Entrepreneurial Empress? Or do you know one that should be featured in a future Girlposse.com issue? If so, visit our Crafty Diva Info Page for the details.
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