Today I have an interview with the sassy, sexy, and amazing Kris, owner of Laughing Vixen Lounge on etsy. I have known Kris through etsy for several years and she is a fantastic fellow artisan, creative blogger, and person with a big heart for a lot of special charities in her life. She also hosts some of the most amazing Giveaways on her blog, most notably her annual Halloween one... which is going on right now! Please read on to learn great things about Laughing Vixen Lounge and get an eyeful of some extra cool pop culture, retro, and horror themed accessories.....as LVL says...."Friends don't let friends accessorize badly!"
Laughing Vixen Lounge is such a cool name :)Tell us how you chose your shop name?
Early on I decided to use the retro Pinup Girls and Pulp Novel covers in my designs so that is where the Vixen comes from. I also wanted the name to sound like a place you could go and hangout. One idea was "Gang" but "Lounge" won out. Then Laughing was added to help make sure the name was not taken and to make it unique. It worked out quite well. I mean really, isn't there a Vixen inside every woman just waiting to shine?
Where does the inspiration for your creations come from?
The shop stems out of my love for all things Pop Culture. I love everything retro. You'll find Pinups, Pulp Novel covers and B movie posters. I also love horror so you will find a lot of darker designs too. Pretty much anything that sparks my interest and still fits within the vibe of the shop.
What is you favorite style or theme to create around?
Oh, that's a hard one but I love Halloween designs. I also enjoy creating around the old Pulp Novel covers and B monster movie posters. They are so kitschy and fun. It's also interesting designing custom work for someone. Piecing all the little bits together. I've made a few new Mom and Grandma bracelets that were fun to do. Or even a design around someone's favorite book or movie.
What was the very first thing you created to sell?
The first 3 things I listed on Etsy were bracelets made with Dominos. They had Pinups on the front side and the dots on the back. I never thought they were quite perfected so they were short lived. I did sell one which is surprising as the photos looked so bad! Ha! Maybe I'll fine tune them one of these days as they were really cool.
What sort of new products would you like to add to your shop in the future?
Oh my! I have so much product sitting on the shelves just waiting to be listed. The delay is part I want everything to be just right quality wise and part there is never enough time. My big project for next year is to photograph and catalog all of my 1,000+ charms onto my shop's blog so I can start doing a lot more custom work. But you can look forward to more styles of my current Bracelets, Necklaces, Earrings, Compacts and Purse Hangers. Plus new Rings, Lockets, Purse Charms, Keychains and a new style of Bracelet.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I'm a huge movie lover so I spend a lot of time watching either in the theater or at home. I love to travel. I don't get to do near enough of it but I'm trying to change that. Next September I'm going with my sister and friend on an amazing month long road trip down Route 66!
What music do you listen when you creating?
I'll admit I'm usually watching movies or TV. My new giant TV is set up so I can view while creating and I have way too many steaming subscriptions. But when I do listen to music I love oldies from the 50's and 60's, classic Rock from the 70's and a variety of Rock/Pop from then 'till now. Some of my favorites from the last few decades are The Goo Goo Dolls, Alanis Morrissette, Matchbox 20 and The Lumineers. But a big all time favorite is Brian Setzer. I love his music!
LVL sponsors a lot of charities and has participated in charities for animal rescue and support. Please tell us a little about these endeavors and what these charities mean to you.
One thing I wanted to use my shop for, in addition to supporting myself, was to help raise money for charities. Since it started Laughing Vixen Lounge raised $1,500+ for The Jeffrey Dean Morgan Birthday Project (which supported The Brittany Foundation for rescue dogs) (brittanyfoundationonline.org/) and Support Supernatural (who raise money for A Dog's Life Rescue) (supportsupernatural.com/)(adogsliferescue.org/). Then from November 2013 to October 2015 the shop raised $2,500 to sponsor 5 wildcats from WildCat Ridge (formally WildCat Haven) (wildcatridgesanctuary.org/index.html). Now a new fundraiser has started. $1 from each item sold goes to support The Joy Cinema. A vintage theater that has been in operation since 1939 here in Tigard, Oregon. The Joy Cinema is a great local business that provides a unique movie going experience. If you're a movie lover take a look at The Joy's story and the fundraiser details HERE. (laughingvixenlounge.blogspot.com/2015/10/laughing-vixen-lounge-fundraise...)
LVL hosts Fabulous Giveaways every year, most notably the Halloween Giveaway. Tell us a little bit about these fun events and the movie marathons you intertwine with the participating shop features.
Halloween is my favorite time of year so I enjoy doing the Attack of the 14 Nights of Halloween Giveaway. This is our 4th year and it's always a big hit with people. The Movie Marathon is a great way for people to come together over a common love of movies. Even if spooky is not your favorite genre most people have at least one favorite. The Murder Mystery Scavenger Hunt is a fun way to connect people to the participating shops. I, and all the shops, hope it adds a little extra fun to your season.
Where can we find your fabulous creations?
Laughing Vixen Lounge is currently only sold on Etsy.
www.laughingvixenlounge.etsy.com
The main place to keep up on all things Laughing Vixen Lounge is
The Laughing Vixen Lounge Blog
www.laughingvixenlounge.blogspot.com
and the NEW Laughing Vixen Lounge Newsletter
eepurl.com/bCUISL
You can also follow on:
pinterest.com/laughingvixen/
facebook.com/pages/Laughing-Vixen-Lounge/76845996340
twitter.com/laughingvixen
Thank you so much for sharing, Kris!
Until next time, Dear Readers! XOXO Cat
** All photos and designs in this post are property of and copyright of Laughing Vixen Lounge and are used with permission.
