Today I am chatting to Candy from Studio 5T2, who offers a variety of handmade accessories and knitwear. Candy’s shop is wonderfully presented with striking photography, which really brings her bejewelled goodies to life!
1. Tell us a bit about yourself and where the inspiration came from to start your Etsy shop.
We are a team of three people and found out about Etsy from a small space in the Cosmopolitan magazine. They advertise that if we have any talent for crafting, sites like Etsy can help us turn our hobby into a small income opportunity. Since I already knit for charity (knitting caps for children, blankets for the Salvation Army, chemo caps for cancer patients), I figured that it would be a good way to earn a little on the side to help those in need.
2. Do you have a favourite piece? Tell us about the thought process involved in creating it and why it is your favourite.
Our favorite piece and most rewarding so far has to be our dangle sparkle earrings in the form of a tear drop. Probably because we all work in the healthcare system and we encounter so many life changing events that we see how a tear can touch people differently. Parents teared up to their newborn, loved ones being mourned for their loss, tears from acute and chronic pain, tears from frustration due to bad news, tears of joy when cancer is a sore loser.
So as you can see, I end up seeing that shape as a form of opportunity. Starting that piece was also a healing process since I had to grieve over my loss of a parent. So, the final product is very personal to me and yes, we decided to put it on sale (with the rest of our jewelry creations) to complete my healing process and letting it go.
3. What is it that makes your shop unique?
From the critics we have read so far, our shop can be quite confusing for a regular shopper: knitting products with fashion jewelry! But, that is so us! Life should be all roses and diamonds, unfortunately, it ain’t for some. Plenty of wealthy people do charity work in different forms. So, why can’t we have both! We love the glam and we also love doing some good for those in need.
Charity support goes mainly to three foundations that we have supported for a long time: St-Jude Hospital, Breast Cancer and the National Kidney Foundation in California. Each year, we also try to sponsor a few random participants for the AIDS walk. Some of our knit items that have not sold or sample pieces are sent to the Salvation Army for better use.
4. What’s next in the pipeline?
Our next project goal is to expand the tech accessories (iPhone 4/4S is so 2012!), we are in the process of crafting other 3D molds for iPhone 5 and iPad mini cases. We are also looking into having more jewelry pieces added soon. And, a website is under construction. That will be a good way to let the world see “what’s next” and also a more intimate side of us.
5. And finally, let us know where we can find you.
Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/Studio5T2
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Studio5T2
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CandyLau
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/Studio5T2
Thank you for sharing your wonderful shop with us, Candy! Not only are you crafting beautiful products, you are helping so many people in the process – it must be so rewarding!
EmmaDickieDesign 