Ukens selger: Tanya Ross - SophiaRose

Besøk butikken: SophiaRose

Da Tanya startet med å importere vakre smykkestener ble hun inspirert til å lage egne design - Det er det hun kaller å komme inn på den kreative løpebane 'By accident'.

Fortell om deg selv, hvem er du?
I am an American-Norwegian living in Norway. I took my MBA at BI and then received my Graduate Gemologist degree from GIA some years later. My job is primarily selling colored stones to jewellers.

I have 3 epla stores:
sophiarose.epla.no : jewellery (under handmade and fashion)
joinhands.epla.no : jewellery for charity with proceeds going to Oslo Crisis Center.
gemsoutlet.epla.no : jewellery supplies

Hvordan kom du inn på 'den kreative løpebane'?
By accident! Started my company in 1999 importing finished made jewellery and fashion accessories. About a year or so later, customers started asking me to make things for their stores that no one else had. This later developed to selling colored stones and findings whereas soon I realized I had to get my gemologist degree to gain more knowledge in the industry.

Hvordan ser en typisk dag ut for deg?
Because I sell all over the world, I get up around 5am to go through my email. I try to go to the gym around 6:30-7am for a short run, and then back at work at 8am to process orders. No two days are ever alike as customers call, email, text me, etc. I also have to make sure I have enough stock and communicate with designers around the world for stones they need in their collections. I try to stop working around 4pm, but I admit it is hard to do.

Hva inspirerer deg?
My customers inspire me: They make beautiful jewellery. My travels. I also get inspired from various colored stones. The various cuts you can get are endless.

Hva er tanken bak det du lager og hva er viktig for deg når du lager noe?
Usually the thoughts behind what I make are the color combinations of the gemstones. Something simple and what can be worn every day.

In my expression necklaces: every day quotes that mean something to the customer is important. It can be poetic or a bit naughty. That's what is fun about them.

Hva er ditt beste tips som designer, håndverker eller kunstner?
Follow your style and what you believe in. Listen to your customers and the feedback you receive from them.

Hvilke store og små drømmer har du?
At this time, I would really like to do more with jewellery for local charities. This is something which I have always wanted to do, but things take time. People always think of Norway as a rich country who gives aide, but we forget about people in our own backyard. Currently, the sales of the pendants I have had produced go to the women's crisis center in Oslo (joinhands.epla.no).

Har du en håndlaget ting du er spesielt glad i? Hva er historien til denne tingen?
Think Good Thoughts necklace. This is what Tinkerbell said to Peter Pan when she blew her angel powder on him to get him to fly. I think this is something we should all do more often- think of the positiveness in all instead of being negative.

Velg ut tre ting fra butikken din og fortell hvorfor du liker dem så godt.
Smooth Aqua Chalcedony earrings - I think of summer when I see the color of these aqua chalcedonies.

Keep Calm Necklace - I must remind myself of keeping calm when I am feeling stressed.

Be Yourself Necklace - Need I say more ? :-)

Hvilke tre butikker er dine favoritter på Epla, og hvorfor?
Little Shop of Wonder - I've known Alice for years- she makes such nice vintage inspired items.

Elle Designs - She makes such cute knit items- her animal cozies just put a smile on my face.

Fruity Keiko - I love this store which is physically located in Briskeby/Frogner in Oslo. The colors are bright and cheery as is the owner. Sometimes you can find Eva at Vestkanttorvet as well :-)

Hvilke råd vil du gi til andre som vil åpne butikk på Epla?
Just do it. Don't get wrapped up in what other people are doing if there are similar items to yours. At the end of the day, it's what the customer chooses. Just be true to yourself. You have nothing to lose by trying. Be positive when in the forums- learn from others and listen to what advice other sellers have.

Du finner Tanya og butikkene hennes på facebook også:
www.facebook.com/SophiaRose.no.
www.facebook.com/JoinHandsNorway.
www.facebook.com/Gems.no.