Chicago Style Crafters

We're introducing a new written feature here called CSC Q&A!, an interview series that will firstly focus on team members, and as time progresses, other indiepreneurs in the community - Because after all, this is about Chicago Style Crafters! So without further ado, here is our first interview of the series, with Donovan Beeson.

What's your business name, and tell us a bit about what you create?

I run my own etsy shop under my name: Donovan Beeson and I co-run 16 Sparrows and the Letter Writers Alliance, a stationery company/letter writing club with my friend Kathy Zadrozny. I make paper goods such as stationery and books and letter-writing accouterments.

Why did you go into this as an artist/artisan/crafter/designer?

I like to be busy, and with a degree in arts but a job in "real-life", I needed an outlet. When I moved to Chicago, Kathy was my roommate and she was already into the whole DIY crafting thing and I feel under the spell of paper and paper crafting rather quickly.

Why did you turn it into a business?

When Kathy took off for grad school, she needed someone to handle the reins of 16 Sparrows. My stuff is a little different from the feel of the products at 16 Sparrows; so I began an Etsy shop to handle my personal line of handmade goods.

What do you think is the best part of what you do?

Meeting other people who have the same odd fascinations and quirks that I do. Nowhere else can I find people who get as excited about office supplies or a bunch of old library cards as the people I've met through crafting.

The worst?

Logistics. It's a pain trying to get from place to place with all my stuff without a car. I have to rely of the kindness of my friends more often than I'd like to.

How do you get the word out about your business?

I've had enormous luck with The Sampler, and 16 Sparrows was a Daily Candy feature which was a crazy propeller.

How do you feel about selling online, & what do you think is/are the biggest challenge/s there?

Getting your name out is the hardest thing and maintaining that is the next hardest. You've got to stay on top of everything if you want to stay in business.

What do you like about your online presence (ie, your shop, you pictures, your copy)?

I love my pictures. I'm constantly surprised by the quality I can get with just natural light and a regular old Nikon. And this isn't my online presence per se, but I really enjoy doing my packaging and I often receive compliments on it.

What don't you like, and what do you want to do to improve it?

I don't like that I'm constantly referred to as Mr. Donovan Beeson. But I try to correct that whenever I see it. It's the curse of the gender-ambiguous name.

If there was one art/craft you could try, all expenses paid, what would that be?

Silk screening and Weaving. And I may get around to both sooner or later.

Whose work are you digging right now?

I love the shirts at Dyslexic Press and just got one of the Obama buck prints from there.

What are you currently reading, online or off?

System of the World
by Neal Stephenson

Chicago Public Radio,
Around Comics pod cast,
Comic Geek Speak pod cast,
The Moth pod cast, and an audio book by Neil Gaiman
.

Any advice or words of wisdom you'd like to impart upon fellow creative types?

Do something every day. It doesn't matter what it is, as long as you stay in the habit.