Name: Indre and Mindaugas
Age: 27 and 29
Age: 27 and 29
Occupation: Indre is an art director at motion graphics
production house and Mindaugas is a freelance graphic designer
Etsy
Shop:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheBigCalendar
Tell us a little about yourself.
Indre:
I am a graphic designer, currently working as an art director (and sometimes as
a project manager) at a motion graphics production house in Vilnius. When we
started making weekly planners it became my new hobby (my old hobby was
hairdressing). Next month I‘m going to start lecturing at the Vilnius
Technologies and Design College.
Mindaugas:
I am a freelance graphic designer and a lecturer at Vilnius College of Design.
I also have a passion for beautiful vintage things, so I'm keeping small
vintage shop on Etsy.
When did you start creating and how long have you been on Etsy?
We began thinking about making calendars on summer, but real work began just on September 2013. Finally, the shop was opened on October 18 2013. So our shop is still very fresh!
When did you start creating and how long have you been on Etsy?
We began thinking about making calendars on summer, but real work began just on September 2013. Finally, the shop was opened on October 18 2013. So our shop is still very fresh!
How did you come up with your business name, is there any special meaning behind it?
Our
Etsy shop's name is “TheBigCalendar” and the brand name is INMI. Behind shop’s
name there was the idea that every week in the planner has to be named as THE
BIG. We believe that you have to dream big, you have to live with big plans
every day and you have to feel, that you are embracing every moment which you
are in.
Our
brand name INMI is just cute word that was put up together from first two
letters of our names INdre and MIndaugas.
Has your Etsy shop become your full time job? If not, would you like it to be?
Has your Etsy shop become your full time job? If not, would you like it to be?
Etsy
shop is just a spice in our life. The main dish is our other occupations :)
How would you describe your creative process?
We
create designs and illustrations alone at home, but when we meet in the studio
we discuss everything together. Sometimes we do brainstorming while eating
pizza or drinking latte till late night.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
Where do you get your inspiration from?
We
are inspired by everyday life. When we can‘t find some beautiful things we
need, it is opportunity to create something by ourselves. We were looking for a
nice and comfortable weekly planner for a long time, but since we couldn't find
one, we decided to create it by ourselves.
Do you also sell your work at craft shows?
This
winter we took part of two craft shows in Vilnius. The first was at the
LITHUANIAN DESIGN BLOCK and other in local underground craft market. Both were
a lot of fun!
It
took about two weeks to prepare all calendars and sketchbooks.
• Describe an experience from a show (good or bad) and why that pushes you to continue with your work
This was a good place to meet new
people, mostly designers and art lovers. We get many compliments about our work
and encouragement to move on. Customers also suggested other variations of the
planners, so we are planning to develop and create more items.
Apart from creating things, what do you like to do?
Apart from creating things, what do you like to do?
Indre:
I like traveling, cooking, going for a walk and camping, eating candies and
watching the sky. I also like to pretend being a hairdresser (and I do have
many clients by now) :)
Mindaugas:
I love flea markets and traveling :) Sometimes I combine these things together.
Was there ever any other job you dreamed of having growing up?
Mindaugas:
When I was 6 years old, I wanted to be an archaeologist. But later the stars
showed me another way.
Indre:
I was dreaming to become Hairdresser!
Five years from now you will be…
Five years from now you will be…
Mindaugas:
Five years from now I will be the great freelance graphic designer traveling
around the Africa.
Indre:
It‘s a secret... let‘s meet in 2019 and i will tell you!
Describe yourself in five words:
Describe yourself in five words:
We are creative,
tolerant, ambitious, happy and innovative people.
Carrying on with the five themes, if I were to turn on your iTunes, what five artists/songs would I see on your recently played list?
Something
like The Knife, Queen, Barbara Carlotti, Max Romeo, Johnny Cash...
Lastly, do you have any advice for anyone thinking about opening their own shop or participating in craft shows?
Lastly, do you have any advice for anyone thinking about opening their own shop or participating in craft shows?
Definitely,
we would advise to do everything you have passion for. Do what you like, rather
than making something others like. Absolutely take part in every craft show
even if you feel little bit modest about it. You will meet nice people,
communicate with other crafters and have a good time! When making your stuff -
pay attention to the details and remember - less is more :)
