Spotlight: Aylla

I have been a fan of Carola's work from the very first moment I saw it. I will admit I have a little pouch obsession, but there is just something so simply classic and pretty about her designs that you can't help but want one in every shape and color.

Seeing as it is November already (crazy!), I'm looking to my holiday gifting list and don't see a single (female) name who wouldn't love one of her pouches. I myself like to carry tiny bags but for those who like 'em big, you know you're in desperate need of organization down in those depths, so look no further!

Read on to learn more about this self-taught artist got her start, what she actually studied in school and what her shop name means. You can also enter to win one of her pouches for yourself!

Where are you from originally and where do you currently call home?
I live in Chile, I was born in a little city in the very south of Chile ( almost in the end of the world!), and when I was 13 years old my family came to live here in Santiago wich is the most important and large city of my country, it's my home now...

How long have you been selling on Etsy?
About 1 year and 4 months...
　
Do you sell on Etsy full time or do you have a day job?
Full time :) Right now I'm dedicating all of my time to creating my bags... and I love to sew!

What, if any, formal training have you had in the arts?
I haven't, really. Since I was little I sew, I do knitting and do a lot of things with my hands, but, I don't know why I never saw it as a career. I studied engineering...

What made you decide to open up shop on Etsy?
I found Etsy almost by chance... I was looking randomly some pages on internet about 3D design because at that moment my boyfriend and I , we wanted to create a company of 3D design. But, I found Etsy...I was really exited about it! I started my Etsy shop almost with the sureness that nobody was going to buy from my shop, because I 'm from so far away, It was a great day when my first costumer bought a pouch !

How did you come up with your shop name?
Well, the name "AYLLA" means "9" ( the number) in mapudungun, wich is the ancestral language of my grandfather whom is mapuche. Also, a couple of months before I opened my shop, my dog (also named Aylla) died, she was with me 15 years...so, it was a homage to her...

What inspires you?
A lot of things actually, but I must say that I love fabrics, the colors, and when I see fabrics that I like, I just imagine right away what I want to do with it...Shapes, colors and nature!

What do you like least about your craft?
Mmm... I think that what I like the least about it is that I wish I have more time to do all the things I need to do in a day, I really need more time !! And of course, I don't like when my sewing machine is broken...It happens from time to time but when happens, Oh! I hate that!

Do you have any advice for other sellers or those thinking about pursuing their craft?
I must say that you have to be confident about your work and don't be disappointed if something went wrong because there's always a next day to improve. And always remember that hard work and good quality products is the only thing that can bring you rewards!

Five Etsy Shops you love
So hard to say ! My 5 favorites Etsy Shops are:
matouenpeluche
theblackapple
Middleburg
PonderandStitch
vogueknitting

Five things you love
Sleeping! Oh, I adore those little moments when I can take a nap!
Sewing ...(too obvious? Never!!)
Eat salads!!
Bicycling...
Play with my dogs and my cat :)

Five things you don't
Take the subway when it's crowded!
When I don't have time enough to do all the things I have to do...I never have enough time :(
I hate people who harm animals!
I hate the disorder in my studio...specially at this time of the year...Oh! It's a mess!
When somebody says: Oh, the things you do are pretty, but... do you have a real job????
　

Share some of your favorite music
I love PJ Harvey, Nick Cave, The Cars, NIN, Cindy Lauper, Kate Bush, Anathema, Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits...

If you could trade places with any other person for a week, with whom would it be?
Jajaja, I'll say Hellboy!

What is the stupidest thing you have ever done?
It's a little embarrasing... I put my tongue on the freezer ( Yes, I know, that's really stupid!) in my defense, I was 7 years old and I wanted to taste the ice !

If Hollywood made a movie about your life, whom would you like to see play the lead role as you?
Mmm...well, I must say Sigourney Weaver, but in her days of Alien! I love her, she rocks!!!

What would you like to learn?
Astronomy... I studied some courses at the University, but I would like to learn more about it!

What does the future hold for you and your shop?
I hope to keep improving every day, and continue growing of course!

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

GIVEAWAY TIME!

Carola is offering one lucky winner their choice of any pouch from her shop valued at $24 or under.

HERE'S HOW TO ENTER:
Please leave a comment on this post with your favorite item from Aylla along with what color(s) or items you'd like to see more of.

You may enter once per day with another item or quote you love and YOU MUST INCLUDEyour 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 Twitter or my Facebook

Follow or subscribe to Carola's Blog, Twitter or Facebook

(You DO NOT need to leave separate comments for each additional entry, just mention which apply)

You have until Sunday, November 7 at 10 pm (est) to enter and I will announce the winner Monday morning. Good luck and thanks for visiting!