Interview: solaWu

My dear readers, today I'm really glad to feature an artist whose Etsy shop I discovered by chance and immediately fell in love with. Cindy's creations are so special and unique that I immediately got in touch with her and asked her for this little interview. I'm sure you'll find her story (as much as her work) to be very inspirational!

Introduce yourself: tell us something about where you live, your origins, hobbies, etc.
My name is Cindy Wu. I came from Taipei, Taiwan. It is a small country in southeast of Asia. Two years ago, my husband made a plan, which is studying in the United States. Therefore, I came to Maryland with my husband and started our new life!

 

How did you start your shop, solaWu?
After I came to U.S.A., I lost the focus of my life. My English was not good and I had hard time to find new friends here. I became an incompetent housewife. All I need to think is what we eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner… I felt empty. I didn’t know what I could do in the U.S.A. I was a fashion designer before I decided to come to the United States. I was worry about my future and my return to Taiwan that whether I could go back to my designer position again or not.
The first year was so tough for me. At that time, I tried to find out what could I do; what is my dream and passion. I always want to be a designer. Fortunately, I found the Etsy website. I thought maybe I could design and make some clothing or bags for selling. I also wanted to support my small family with my own ability. 

How did you choose the name of your shop?

I love American life style. My husband and I love traveling. Camping is our best way to enjoy nature. I love flowers and animals, especially azure blue sky and ocean. Shapes and colors are gifts from our mother nature, which gives me lots of inspiration. I love design, ideas and colors; I love flowers, birds and sky. Sky in Japanese is "sola". “W.” is Wu, my last name. This was how I came out with the name of my shop.
sola W., my freedom, my love.

 Do you have formal training (art, design, sewing, etc.)?
I was studying at one of the most famous universities for fashion designing in Taiwan. I also graduated with first place in my year and Special Talent Award in 2003.
After my graduation, my work " Picasso Variation" won the individual Fine-piece Award on fashion design and group Fine-piece Award on textile design when I attended the competition hosted by Ministry of Economic Affairs, Industrial Development Bureau of Taiwan in 2003.

Then I went to Bunka Fashion College for further studying and I got my license for “Japan Fashion General Education development Association- Pattern Making Grade 3”.


What are the main satisfactions you get from your shop?
My satisfaction comes from my friends and customer, especially when I realize that how much love I get. When someone tells me he/she really loves my work or he/she can feel what I try to interpret, I feel that I’m not alone. J

How and where do you advertise your business?
I’m not a good advertiser. I just do my best on my design, make them, and hope people find them and then love me. However, my husband tries to do some promote for me. He make a blog "Fashion King", which writes some helpful sellers’ tools and promote many shops and items on his blog because he wants to help people like me and it’s totally free.

I hope everyone could take a look at my pieces and we could exchange our experience and story.
Here are my blog, Facebook page and Etsy shop.