Eline S. handmade jewelry, bookmarkers & accessories: Meet Sidonie Yang ::: interview

A few weeks ago I was looking for some new crafting materials, ideas,...
After searching a while, I found a material called 'washable kraft paper'.
This material is extremely durable and looks very nice.

It feels like paper, looks like leather and is as strong as plastic!

Sidonie loves to work with this material and would love to tell us more about herself and her shop in this interview.

What's your shop name? Where did it come from?

SIDONIEYANG | Handmade - it's basically just my name, also telling you what I do.

Who are you? Where do you come from?

I was born in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, an island south of Japan and north of the Philippines. I lived in Taiwan for most of my life, except for the several years that I spent in Canada with my husband. We're back in Taiwan now, however!

What do you make/sell?

I make anything that I can think of (stationary, accessories, notebook covers, tablet sleeves, wallets,...) as long as it's made mostly out of washable kraft paper. I love the look and the feel of washable kraft paper, it's basically paper, but is nearly tough as leather! Not many people use this material... one would be hard-pressed to find things made out of washable kraft paper. Although I can't say that my work is totally environmentally-friendly, I do try to be as Earth-friendly as possible - I especially don't use animal products.

When did you start your shop?

I started my Etsy shop in the summer of 2011, so it's fairly new!

Is this your only job?

Yes, this is my only job, as my husband makes enough to allow me to follow my passions and live my dreams. He doesn't want me to do this part-time... he want's me to focus all my energy on it!

When did you realize you had this talent for making or searching up nice things?

I've always been creative, but I wouldn't say I have a talent for making things. Talent is basically just the ability to do something well, and with enough practice and patience, anyone can do anything well - you just have to have heart!

Where do you find inspiration?

I find my inspiration at a Taiwanese bookstore called 'Eslite' - I love going to 'Eslite' for hours and seeing what other people have made and are working with. 'Eslite' has not only books, however, but also sells creations from artists alongside their stationary. The web is also a place of major inspiration for me, as it is the only place where I can see a wonderfull amount of creativity from around the world in such a short period of time. Lastly, there are also fairs and shows in my city that concentrate on showcasing local artists' work. I find my inspiration from all these places and more.

What's one thing you would like to accomplish that you haven't yet?

In the near future, I would like to open my own workshop/studio where I can both work on my creations and also allow the public to come in and buy my work for themselves. I would also like to feature other artisans' handmade products, as well... and possibly offer workshop space too!

What are your words to live by or favorite quote?

I would like to tell everyone, 'You should never give up on dreams, no matter how many people tell you otherwise.'

Where do you know Eline S. from?

I know Eline S. from Etsy! Etsy is not only a place to sell your work and find other people's great work... it's also a community of like-minded people.