74 ways to be inspired: talking with …

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The 74 ways to be Inspired series is all about finding inspiration and applying it to your creative life ~ whether it be for your own satisfaction or as part of the process of setting up and maintaining a small creative business. These interviews aim to inspire by gaining an insight into the inspirational and creative process of those who are doing exactly that. Today we are talking to Katrina from Mr. Rabbit, Sir and the blog Pugly Pixel. {And was also featured in lime light here}

First off, an introduction,  tell us a little about yourself, what you do and perhaps, briefly, how it came about.
I’ve been a stationery and packaging hound for as long as I can remember.  When I was a kid, one of my many dreams was to work in Macy’s gift-wrapping department.  My mom and I visited that department when we wanted to dress up our packages with the free complimentary gift-wrap.  Macy’s had a hundred ways to wrap a package, but the best were the simple kraft boxes tied with string.
I was inspired to start Mr. Rabbit, Sir after reading Kaari Meng’s book, The French Inspired Home. My favorite part of the book is the section entitled, the “Gift-Wrapping Station” where she lists her gift-wrapping inspirations. I thought how nice it would be to sell these things, and it was at that very moment that I conceived the idea of my little Etsy shop: Mr. Rabbit, Sir.

What was the inspiration behind the name of your shop/blog?
I studied Computer Science in college, and though I did very well in the program, I occasionally fantasied about opening an online stationery/packaging shop.  I called these distracting fantasies my White Rabbit, perpetually tempting me to veer off course from fulfilling my plan to become a brilliant and wicked programmer.   One of my computer science classmates called himself Mr. Eric Sir.  I liked that name so much that when I was choosing a name for my store, I stumbled upon Mr. Rabbit Sir, and that’s how the name came about.

Now this series is about inspiration, so where do you find inspiration? Either online, in the “real world” or from whom? What kind of things inspire you?
I take inspiration from the design aesthetic we call kawaii — I’m addicted to Cute, especially miniatures. I’m fortunate that San Francisco has several kawaii shops in Japantown. In my current frame of mind, I also find vintage and retro styles appealing.

Can you share with us where you find the inspiration for your some of your products? Perhaps even with a specific example.
I visit bakeries, pastry shops and candy shops quite often, even when I’m not hungry.  I love all the accouterments of buying sweets;  the bags, the boxes, the twine, the wax paper and foil wrappings really get me going.

Do you catalogue your inspiration in some way, either virtually, clippings in a notebook or perhaps an inspiration board?
Online, I use a couple of websites, Tumblr to bookmark graphics, and a social discovery site called YourVersion.com to bookmark sites that I find interesting.  I also have two inspiration boards at home, one is covered with my collection of cards and the other is covered with magazine and catalog clippings.

Tell us a little about your creating process, do you set aside time and focus or do you find yourself multi-tasking?
I do have a schedule, which I’ll admit, is highly idealised.  I am rarely able to accomplish all of the tasks on my list. But, I do try to prioritize and do the most important things first.

How do you find juggling the creative life with your home and/or work life?
The shop enhances my home life.  I have a lot of support from my family:  my dogs are rooting me on and my hubby is constantly saying, “You go, girl!” and throwing gratuitous high fives my way.

Running a small business can be quite the time consuming, can you share with us how you organise your time ~ what with online marketing, staying up to date and then the actually creating?
I use my Cath Kidston agenda to map out my week.  As for marketing, I use Project Wonderful for most of the shop’s advertising and it is wonderful and makes the advertising process painless.  Mr. Rabbit Sir is also a sponsor for a few blogs and those have helped the business grow:  Lulu Letty, Here’s Lookin’ at You, Kid, and For the Easily Distracted.

And because we are in blogland, can you share a couple of your favourite or most inspirational blogs/sites.
Certainly! I visit MANY sites; here are a few from my blog list:

• Candy Pop
• Retro PlantsLolla Loves
• Thompson Family
• Notebook Doodles
• City of Blackbirds
• Ada
• Narumi
• The Girl from HK, LDN, & SF

Thanks for stopping by 74 Lime Lane Katrina and sharing these insights into your creative life.

Find Katrina:

shop | blog | flickr | twitter

Katrina also has a great download of macaron clipart available here.