Interview: Cuore

Long time, no interviews! After a long period of loneliness, my latest guest is Mika, with her beautiful animal accessories she sells in her Etsy shop. If you're a dog lover like me, you'll die for them.

Enjoy her interview, it's really inspiring.

Introduce yourself: tell us something about where you live, your origins, hobbies, etc.

Hi everyone! My name is Mika, and I live in Southern California. I'm 1.5 generation Japanese American, and I am obsessed with movies, milk tea, and dogs. I function well in cold weather, and feel very happy when I'm shopping at Target. There's something about Target that always makes my heart smile.

How did you start your shop, Cuore? How did you choose its name?

My shop name, "Cuore", means heart in Italian. I lost my amazing Dad to cancer about 7 years ago, and before he passed away, the nurse said he had a strong heart. I'd like to think he'd be proud of me right now.
I started Cuore after working in the corporate design world for 7 years. I really wanted to put my skillZ to use for my own business, and decided to take the plunge. I started really small, and didn't really have a huge plan or anything; I just kind of craft what I like.

Do you have formal training (art, design, sewing, etc.)?

I attended the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles and have a degree in Fashion Design, and worked at Paul Frank Industries for 7 years as the womens accessories designer. I met and worked with really amazing and talented people, and learned SO much about the accessories world.

What are your main sources of inspiration?

My inspiration comes from my Japanese culture, dogs and animals, humor, and color/fabrics. My friends inspire me too.

What are your favorite materials to use?

My favorite materials are felt (easy to applique and there are countless colors), and duck canvas!

Do you have any advice for who sells or wants to sell online?

I think designers should really shape their tastes/ideas before opening a shop online. Figure out what items you're really good at making, and think about your style and what your "direction" is. Who is your target customer, and what does he/she like? Also, be patient - sometimes it takes years to figure out what you're really good at.