Kate Garey

Girls, be prepared for what can only be described as a maay-jah overload of totes cuteness!

Sweet-as-sugar Kate Garey, has just opened her very own online shop - where you’ll find adorable unique goods inspired by kawaii cuteness, whimsical eccentricities, fairy tales, food and a little weirdness - I am in LOVE.

Describe Kate in 5 words…
Fun, bright, smiley, odd, creative

Tell us all about your new online shop - why did you set it up? How did it go from an idea in your head to a real life shop o’ fabulousness?
Well it all kinda happened suddenly for me, about a year ago I just started drawing like crazy, all these cute ideas just kept popping into my head, it was amazing. I had always drawn pictures and done some paintings but these were little characters that I thought would look cute on bags and stuff. It sort of just clicked in my head. I had already been running a little ebay shop and I was always so inspired by the stock I got in, and always daydreamed of doing my own designs. So, in October last year I started putting my ideas together, and by May this year my website was born.

How do you decide what prods to sell?
Haha - in a selfish way actually. I only have things that I like or that are practical to me, for example the over-sized wallets, I hated wallets that were too small but had the cutest designs on them! I could never fit everything in them so when it came to my ones I thought ‘I want them nice and big’, they’re almost like clutch bags!

Do you create prods yourself too? If so, tell us all about them - how do you create them, what’s you inspiro?
I don’t make everything myself as there is so much that goes into it, I have some lovely peeps to help me:-) All the designs however are my own, unless one of my sisters has done a cute drawing, and it inspires me. I’m inspired by so many things, just sitting here on my computer I look out the window and there are 2 robins chirping on the washing line! I’m working them into a design for winter. When it comes to making the whole of the design work, I usually choose a drawing the figure out what background pattern and colours would look good, ie: the Bettie Biscuit on the pink gingham pattern is adorable to me.

What 5 tracks would be on your Kate soundtrack?
I usually have radio one on in the background, and I’m loving all the new Brit acts coming out now, so it would have to be:
Kate Nash - foundations
Pigeons detectives - Emergency
Estelle - American Boy
Hoosiers - Catch a criminal
Anything by Adele

What’s your best selling prod right now?
It’s early days yet so its pretty equal, but I would say the Russian dolls and Cherry Tarts are pretty good.

What makes you jump in the air happy?
Haha - well right now getting praise and good feedback for my work makes me pretty happy! Hmmm, when someone gives me a chocolate bar. When a fab tune comes on the radio you have to get up and boogie! Hearing goods news makes me go woohoo!

How has setting up an online shop been for you - can you give us an insight please?
Exciting but tough. I made and designed the website myself, I got a kit from Mr. Site which made it a lot easier as I am not good with stuff like that but it was still a little tricky getting the hand of all the jargon. The hardest part is getting yourself known, you have to promote promote promote and I’m learning as I go here.

What’s a typical day in the life of Kate?
First thing I check my emails and sales, then any paper work. 3 or 4 days a week I would go to the post office to post my parcels. Then I would have a lunch date with my Nan or sister and then lately I would be online again trying to promote my site. The afternoon is spent drawing, I probably come up with one new character a day. At the moment, I am working on some designs for t-shirts, cushion covers, ipod cases, coin purses, cardigans, so watch this space. Oh, and at 4.15 I have a break to watch deal or no deal, lol! Then back online for a bit, dinner, a bit more work on and off.

Quick fire round - what’s your fave:
colour: Red
book: Harry Potter
Food: Wosits
magazine: Glamour
Place: Garden
City: London of course!

What’s your motto for life?
Happy go lucky!

Best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
What happens, happens, you can’t control everything!

What advice would you give to wanna-be creative girls who wanna set up their own shop?
Go for it! Know what you want to do, research, don’t rush and put some money aside. Most of all believe in yourself.

The colour pink. Discuss.
oooh, pink is wonderful! It’s petty, feminine, positive and warm. I love it! There are different shades that suit everyone, so no excuse!