Spotlight: Bagatelles & Co.

Today our International Spotlight globe trotting takes us to London, England to meet Rym of Bagatelles & Co. With a background in textile and fashion design, when she couldn't find the perfect evening bag for a wedding, Rym just made her own and hasn't stopped since! She also strives to make her shop as green as possible by using recycled materials from textiles to packaging.

Read on to learn more about the ups and downs of managing her shop, who she would love to trade places with and what the future holds. You can also enter to win one of her darling bags!

Where did you grow up and where do you currently live?
I grew up between Tunisia (by the sea) and France (Paris and Burgundy), then I moved to Paris for my studies and ended up in London where I’ve been for 5 years now.

How long have you been selling on Etsy?

Nearly a year.

Do you sell on Etsy full time or do you have a day job?

I still work as a Pattern cutter on a freelance basis.

What, if any, formal training have you had in your craft?

I have never studied accessory making but I went to Art college where I learnt about Textile design, Fashion design and more recently Pattern cutting and Tailoring. I also have work experience with several Designers.

What made you decide to open up shop on Etsy?

Bagatelles & Co started last summer when I was desperately looking for a nice evening bag for a wedding I was attending. I couldn’t find anything beautiful yet affordable so I ended up making my own and I haven't stopped since then! It kind of made sense after all as I have always been drawing clothes and accessories and making things.

What do you like least about your craft?

Endless queues at the Post office!

Do you have any advice for other sellers on Etsy or those thinking about pursuing their craft?

I'd say the most important is to believe in yourself, to be patient and hard work. Keep improving on your craft and always try to do your best and success will eventually come.

Are there any challenges being an International seller on an American based site?

The only problem is the currency and the lack of a currency converter. Sometimes European customers can be a bit confused about prices in USD. Other than that, I love being able to reach so many different people from everywhere in the world.

Five Etsy Shops you love
Nadinoo
atelierBB
labokoff
GabrielleKai
sohomode

Five things you love
Silk and lace, Reading all night long, Daydream, Macarons, Sitting at a terrasse of a café sipping a glass of wine in the sun

Five things you don’t
When my needle breaks right before the end of a project (unfortunately it tends to happen too often...), Spending too much time on a boat as I get seasick, Lack of sleep, Grey sky, Coffee

Where is the coolest place you have ever been?

An almost desert beach in Tunisia, and in the middle an amazing restaurant serving grilled food on the rocks. We were literally eating the feet in the sea and could take a plunge between each dish!

If you could trade places with any other person for a week, with whom would it be?

Alice in Wonderland! Wouldn't it be great fun?!

What would you like to learn to do?

I’d love to learn more about photography and print design. I did some screeprinting at college and I loved it but when it comes to proper print design, I really don't know where or how to start.

What does the future hold for you and your shop?
Continue to do what I love while growing my business and hopefully in the future expending to a clothing line. In the nearest future, I'm planning a shop makeover with new photos, new logo and some new designs... Exciting!

You can keep up with Rym and her work by visiting her blog or following her on Twitter and Facebook.

GIVEAWAY TIME!

Rym is offering one lucky winner the darling Yummy Strawberry Purse shown above - perfect for Spring!

HERE'S HOW TO ENTER:
Please leave a comment with your favorite item from bagatelles&co AND ALSO what other types of accessories you would like to see in her shop.

You can enter once per day and YOU MUST INCLUDE your first name -AND- etsy username or email address with every entry. (If you are worried about email spam, you can spell out the 'at' and 'dot' rather than using the standard email format.)

Receive additional entries (one each) if you:

Follow or subscribe to this Blog, my Facebook or my Twitter

Follow or subscribe to Rym's blog, facebook or twitter

(No need to leave separate comments)

You have until Sunday, April 11 at 10 pm (est) to enter and I will announce the winner Monday morning. Good luck!