Today we’d like to introduce you to Linda Hughes.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
It all began in 2014, I was looking for small clutch purses for myself with vintage or retro designs on them, something I could use while running errands as well as when I went out for the evening and I couldn’t find any that I liked. So, I set to work using my own vintage/retro images I collected through the years, self-taught myself graphic design and made my own. I carried my charming handmade little clutch purses with me everywhere I went, as women started seeing them they started asking me to make one for them. Some women as well as men (for wives, girlfriends) asked me to do custom orders with a specific theme or monogram initials incorporated into the design work. As sales increased, I started designing more and more art purses and putting them up on my website to sell.
As business grew, I realized that I enjoyed creating the vintage and retro designs more, so than making the purses, so I started looking for a company that would custom print my art on fabric and offer it to consumers so they could make whatever they like using my art. I then found Spoonflower and a partnership was born, I started creating and organizing my vintage & retro artwork into collections and offering them for up for sale on fabric as well as wallpaper and gift wrap. I stopped making and selling my purses. As time progressed, Spoonflower expanded and created a sister site, Roostery which offers home decor items so my product line expanded.
In 2016, I was looking to expand my product line wanting to keep it on track with most textile items and came upon Vida which offers clothes, accessories, etc. So, this is how I got to where I am today, I’m always open to expanding and growing and testing new waters. I enjoy entering my artwork in artist exhibition gallery contests, so I can share my artwork with the world, my art is something that gives me so much joy doing and I truly love what I do! I have won several awards which is always thrilling for me when I do and an added blessing.
Has it been a smooth road?
What was most challenging was not enough time in a day to get all you want to or need to get done in a day. In the beginning it was hard to stick to a schedule. Trying to balance housework, grocery shopping, time for family and friends. phone calls, e-mails, etc. took time to get it all figured out to avoid feeling frazzled and stressed.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I’m a self-taught surface artist from Chicago. Using my imagination, I specialize in using vintage & retro images, my photography and put a new spin on them, I create my own unique designs including my own backgrounds to compliment them. Creating one design can take me anywhere from 2-10 hours to complete.
What I’m most proud of and known for is I run an environmentally conscious business, all my items for sale are custom printed and custom made when an order is placed, so no items sitting on shelves getting dusty taking up space or thrown in the landfill. In this throwaway world, I feel helping to preserve the earth and our resources as much as possible is what is needed.
What sets me apart from others is the Vida site I sell on each sale of one of my items gives the gift of literacy for life, to the makers of my products + fair paid wages… I love that I can make a difference, one sale, one person at a time.
You can find my one of a kind designs offered on a large variety of textiles, clothing, home decor, wallpaper, gift wrap & accessories.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I feel our city is a good place for artists but wish there was more independent galleries in our city where artists could show their art, not many small galleries to feature us.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hyenacart.com/LindaHughes
- Email: honey1@ameritech.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindachughes
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LindaHughes09
Image Credit:
Spoonflower, Roostery, Vida
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