Monday, March 22, 2010

Behind the Design - Two Brunettes

Happy Monday everyone!  I hope you all had a wonderful weekend.  Mine was lovely! 

This week's Behind the Design Features the shop, Two Brunettes.  You'll be interested to know that Two Brunettes is actually only composed of one brunette - Carolynn, an incredibly talented illustrator and paper designer. 

Where does your inspiration come from?
My inspiration comes from everywhere! I am a huge observer and find inspiration in all parts of life, blogs, nature, I love mini items, packaging, calligraphy, girlie floral patterns, flowers, movies, architecture.


Do you have a spot you like to go that helps you feel creative?
I like to go for walks and think about nothing! Sounds weird that I want to think about nothing to get creative, but it helps me relax and have ideas come to me!


Where do you do most of your work?
I do most of my work in my home studio. I am a hugelover of dragging my laptop down to the corner of my couch though, and having some guilty pleasure tv going on in the background while I work.


How did you come up with the name for your business?
Two Brunettes actually started out with just as you might have suspected, Two Brunettes. My very good friend and I worked a day job together, always brainstorming of a dream business we might have one day. One thing lead to another and Two Brunettes was born. It ended up being just me, but I love the name so it stuck! And yes, I am brunette!


Your favorite thing to make?
My favorite thing in the whole world to make is illustrations! I love illustrating florals mostly, but I'm a doodler by trade.


What is your all time favorite design from past or current collections?
I think it might be impossible for me to answer this question!


You couldn't run your business without _________?
My family! My husband and my parents are my rocks in life.

What advice do you wish someone had given you when you first started your business?
Rome wasn't built in a day. My mom has always said this to me because I tend to want things to just magically appear and be right! I know many people are like this and just take one day at a time, it just takes hard work and patience.

Coffee or tea?
Coffee but I adore tea!

Favorite magazine/blog/daily read?
I read a lot of blogs, too many to name a favorite. My favorite magazine was domino, I haven't really found a replacement yet.

If you could follow one person around for a day, who would it be?
I think I would say that I would follow Martha Stewart around all day, I know, cliche for someone in this business but it's true, the woman is pure genius!

Do you have any hobbies or creative outlets other than your work?
My husband is a movie buff so that has become a big hobby of mine, we love to watch movies and go to festivals together. We love the Toronto Film Festival.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, money and time being no object, where would you go and why?
I would love to travel to Santorini!

If you had to spend a year on a deserted island, what 5 things would you bring with you?
My doggie, my husband, my mac (haha, sad), sketching materials, matches (because sometimes I do have a logical side).

Thank you Carolynn for participating in this weeks Behind the Design.

Photos courtesy of Two Brunettes.

Two Brunettes can be found at:
Etsy shop
Blog
Twitter
Facebook
Tumblr
Flickr

2 comments:

one sydney road said...

Great interview - I've seen the Two Brunettes badge around so it was nice to learn more about her!! Love how they came up with the name - perfect!

The Design Boards said...

Thanks!