How did you get your start?

I bought a little felt bag at a Christmas market in Union Square in NY in 2001 and was really curious about the process so I did some research on the Internet. I tried wet felting first and made scarves then started needle felting and made flowers. The results were pretty cool so I started selling them at a few little indie markets around NY and people really liked them. Michael Pittard (he was my boyfriend at the time, now he is my business partner and husband) built Supermaggie.com so we could sell stuff online. We took a few ads out in some of the indie magazines and got a little bit of press and things just took off. It was great! Now Supermaggie is our full time job.

What was the first item you ever made?

As a kid, I seem to vaguely remember making some little cross stitch pillows for my dollhouse and my mom showing me how to sew them almost closed then turn them right side out, stuff them and hand sew them up.

Do you have any formal training?

I studied art and painting in college and grad school. I don’t’ have any formal training for the screenprinting and felting I do now. I taught myself how to do that stuff from the Internet and lots of trial and error.

When and why did you create your business?

I registered Supermaggie in 1999 when I was living in New York and going to art school originally as a place to show off my paintings and other stuff. I started the business part of Supermaggie sort of as a happy accident in 2001 after I started getting a positive response to my scarves and flowers, and have been doing it full time since 2003. The selfish reason for starting Supermaggie was trying to avoid a “real” job, but I was also motivated by the contact I had with the people who bought my stuff. They really seemed to appreciate meeting the person who made the object they were about to buy and either wear or give as a gift. I like providing an option to the depressing overstuffed department stores and anonymous malls of the world.

What is the best part of running your own business?

I get to be creative and work with my hands everyday, I can (kind of ) work my own hours. I really enjoy the interaction I get with our customers, it’s great to make something then meet the person who bought it. I also really love doing the indie craft fairs like Renegade and Stitch, they are hard work but they are so much fun!

and the worst?

The worst part is when I have to do a ton of repetitive production work and not much creative stuff.

You create so many wonderful pieces from handmade scarves to screenprinted tees.
Where does your inspiration come from?

My inspiration comes from the world around me, everything from my crazing overgrown garden to our road trips and the interstate system to our old creaky house. I take everything in and it comes back out as the things I make. I want to make beautiful things that people can wear everyday (well, maybe not the scarves in the summer).

Who is your favorite indie designer?

Don’t make me choose - there are so many - but right now I am in love with Chia www.chiahats.com , she does some really beautiful work plus some really cute hats and bags.

What one thing couldn⿿t you live without?

Coffee!

What will you be wearing this winter?

Since we live down south I get to wear flip flops and t-shirts all year when I am working, but when I want to dress up it will be tight straight leg jeans, heels and feminine, slim cut button down blouses.

What music/books/magazines are you into right now?

I am reading the field guide to the Grand Canyon and listening to the local college radio station.

You’ve been very successful at selling your designs online, what advice would you give to other designers that are just starting out?

Reach out to others, try trading links, keep a blog (but only if you update it regularly). Advertise in print and the web. Keep your work fresh, don’t worry about what other people are making, try to develop and stay true to your own style.

Where do you hope you/your business will be in 5 years?

I hope we will have a full time screen printer to help take some of the production pressure off of me, we want to have our things in more fantastic stores around the country and I hope we will have a big beautiful workspace.

What’s the best piece of advice you⿿ve ever received regarding your business?

You learn more from mistakes then success. (Art Teacher) and Save your receipts! (CPA)

Site: www.supermaggie.com