Website: www.identitycrisisclothing.com
Astrological Sign: Gemini
Trade: clothing & accessories
Year Your Business Was Founded: 2004
Other DIY affiliations: www.stitchaustin.com; Cohost: Stylelicious, DIY Network; Babes In Business; The Super Sonic Soul Squad
Myspace URL: myspace.com/identitycrisisclothing
Favorite Artist: Christo! Jean Claud!
Favorite folk music instrument used in nonfolk music: Banjo!
 
How did you get started?
I started sewing for parts of my sculpture projects in college, after I graduated I needed some new clothes, I started spending all my nights and weekends sewing because I enjoyed it so much. I thought it seemed like a pretty good way to make a living, so, voila.

Biggest hurdle you encountered?
Trying not to over think every decision, just making a choice and trusting it.

Most bizarre encounter with a customer?
Most of my customers have been pretty great! It’s always pretty cute when a guy is ordering something for his girlfriend and is totally clueless when it comes to sizing and measurements, but we always work it out.

Favorite Annual Fashion / Craft event in Down Town Austin?
Hello, STITCH, www.stitchaustin.com. Stitch was founded by Jesse, Tina and myself and has grown to include a fourth producer, uber-publicist, Jen Perkins. STITCH is an annual celebration of handmade fashion and craft that includes designers from across the country. There is a fashion show, a craft bazaar with over 60 booths, djs, dancing, bands and a raffle to boot. It’s pretty much the most fun day of my year.

Any advice for someone learning/wanting to learn to sew?
Sign up for a class, see if you can find a place that will offer just one class to start so you can be sure you like it before diving in. There are lots of little things to know and it can seem overwhelming at first. Make friends with other people who sew and ask lots of questions.

Future Projects?
Our show, Stylelicious, will be airing on the DIY network this spring; I was also a contributor to TEASE which will be released by Penguin this spring; I’m always working on STITCH and I’ve been kicking around some ideas for a book of my own, oh, I would also like to get some sleep.

Favorite indie business(es):
www.madewithsweetlove.com www.tinyshowcase.com www.cutxpaste.com www.otterotto.com www.chiahats.com

Sage advice:
Meet as many independent business folk as you can and ask lots of questions. Prepare yourself for 80 hour work weeks.

Best thing about:
Running your own business: Making your own decisions
Being a haggler: Always getting a fair deal
Living in Austin: My ladies of the mafia, Alamo Drafthouse, Babes in Business, Camp Fig Art Gallery, Misprint Magazine, Emo’s, SXSW, the O’Henry Pun OFF, South Congress Shops, Parts & Labour

Worst thing about:
Running your own business: Taxes
Being a packrat: Hey, I’m working on it
Living in Austin: It’s really easy to get distracted here because there’s so much to do but that’s not really a complaint.

 
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