From the moment I laid eyes on them, I’ve been OBSESSED with the whimsical creations of the lovely Annie, mastermind and creative force behind Gift Shop Brooklyn. The fact that all the clutches, makeup bags and shoulder bags, amongst other things, are hand-made in my home town of Brooklyn, NY (and made to order) just sweetens the deal. I recently ordered one of the pieces as a birthday gift for my best friend. After it arrived (beautifully packaged, might I add) I promptly learned why the tag line for G.S.B. is “gifts you’ll want to keep” – parting with the beautifully designed yet functional clutch has proven to be very difficult.
After I reached out to her and professed my love for Gift Shop Brooklyn, Annie was kind enough to answer a few of my questions about herself and her creative process. Oh, and she is also giving away one of her fabulous clutches to one lucky reader! I can’t enter my own giveaway…can I?
So here’s Annie’s interview with the giveaway details right after!
As a child, what did you want to be when you grow up? There was a time I thought I wanted to be a judge.. ”because all you have to do is make the final decision, and tell people what to do”. I then found out you had to first be a lawyer; I quickly changed my mind. When I was very young I wanted to be a hair dresser, which I think was a more accurate path for me than a judge. I think sewing, styling hair, and designing graphics are all a similar art form. Working with one’s hands, and problem solving the same way. I was always working on some type of art project growing up. I remember I had a ‘nail art station’ set up in my room with acrylic paints and paint brushes, and I would paint all sorts of designs on my nails. When and why did you decide to start your business? I think I always knew. I needed to spend time in the real world of corporate companies first however, to gain the confidence and knowledge to actually try something on my own. It was only about a year ago I started Gift Shop Brooklyn. I was miserable at my job, and my husband couldn’t deal with seeing so depressed all the time. So we decided I would quit. I was unsure what my next step would be, so I just started creating. I knew I wanted to start an online shop, and I had so many ideas in the beginning, I wanted to try everything! I did actually try most of my ideas, people seemed to be most interested in the bags, so that’s what I moved forward with. To be honest, I didn’t really know how to sew that well when I first started. I read a lot, and watched online videos, and basically just learned from trial and error. I have always loved working tediously with my hands (basically things that would be torture for most people), I think that’s why I took a liking to sewing. I really want to try jewelry soldering also, but my plate is pretty full at the moment.
What keeps you creatively inspired to come up with new designs?
I usually get ideas in the middle of working on something else. I will see some pieces of fabric together, making an interesting combination; or all of a sudden get an idea for a new shape. Sometimes I stop what I’m doing to try it, other times I have to jot it down so I can think about it for a while. I also do this thing in which all of a sudden I say ‘I need to see some new colors in the shop immediately’, so I will go to my suppliers, and see which fabrics and leathers I respond to. (This is not exclusive to my shop though, I do it around my apartment too) I will love love love something, then out of the blue I will say ‘ I can’t look at that anymore!’, and do a revamp.
Apart from design what are your other interests/passions in life?
Dates with my husband, Alex. Vintage and antique shopping! It can be a problem haha. There’s so much good old stuff out there!! Taking pictures of my cats and sending them to Alex while he’s working. I also LOVE pinterest
You must get pretty stressed running your own business, how do you unwind?
I’m still learning how to do this. I usually run on motivation and adrenaline like a crazy person, then my body will basically crash and burn. Then I start the cycle all over again. I’ve been trying to pace myself and stop working at a normal hour, and not do so much on the weekends. I’ve recently started going to kick boxing class, which is amazing!! You basically kick and punch as hard as you can for an hour which definitely relieves any frustrations from the day; and it forces me out of my apt / workspace for a while.
Giveaway CLOSED!
The winner is…. Linda Mayers-Gabbard! Congrats and please e-mail me with your info!
Giveaway Terms:
For a single entry: Follow Gift Shop Brooklyn and The Forgetful Wife on Twitter here and here.
For an additional entry: Like both Gift Shop Brooklyn and The Forgetful Wife on Facebook here and here.
Please leave a comment letting me know that you did all of the above (a separate comment for each entry) and wait patiently until a winner is chosen on Monday July 9th!
Pretty simple, non?
I follow both of you on Twitter @mamavalveeta03
valhoff 3 at yahoo dot com
I follow both of you on Facebook (valerie pease hoffmann)
valhoff 3 at yahoo dot com
I am following both @KateWolfson and @GiftShopBrklyn on Twitter at @liz_harvey
I also like both The Forgetful Wife and Gift Shop Brooklyn on Facebook as Liz Harvey
Did all the following above! Was already a huge of of Annie’s work though
Would love to own this bag. It’s lovely!!
hi,
I follow both of you on facebook!
-laura
I follow you both on twitter
I like you both on facebook
oops, forget my twitter is Fly Wounded
I love Gift Shop Brooklyn! Beautiful stuff. I already follow GSB on twitter and facebook but i’ve now followed you on both, please enter me for the comp x2!
Thanks,
Emma
http://www.nailsnailed.co.uk
2nd entry for following you and GSB on facebook
1st entry for following you and GSB on twitter. I love Gift Shop Brooklyn, so preeeeettttty.
Emma http://www.nailsnailed.co.uk
1st entry for following you and GSB on twitter. Great comp, i love GSB xx
i’m following both via twitter!! @hannahnaomi
i also liked GSB via facebook
I follow Gift Shop Brooklyn on Twitter
I follow The Forgetful Wife on Twitter
I like Gift Shop Brooklyn on Facebook
I like The Forgetful Wife on Facebook
Well I already follow you on Twitter so I followed GSB as well! Gorgeous stuff and a great interview!! Fingers crossed
Chic!!! I remember you posted about this bag a while ago (the sparkly pink one). I’m a follower and now follow Gift Shop as well!
I’m following you both on Twitter! Fingers crossed – all the clutches are just gorgeous! x
Kate {Modette}
http://modetteblog.com
Thank you for this interview, Kate. As you know, I’m always fascinated and interested in hearing someone’s creative journey. Annie’s is no exception. Her designs are very beautiful. What a fun contest, too!
I follow both on twitter as @zaira_faith
I like both on facebook (same name)
Thank you for a lovely giveaway.
I follow both accounts on Twitter.
xoxo
natashafatah at gmail dot com
following both on twitter
my twitter name: @agusiazg
liked both on facebook
my facebook name: Agnieszka Insińska
Thank you for this GORGEOUS giveaway!!!
I follow both accounts on twitter: @samanthatedesco
samantha.tedesco@gmail.com
I follow both accounts on FB: Samantha Tedesco
Thank you again!!
I follow both of you on Twitter @MariaLuisaDi
2nd entry for following you and GSB on facebook. My name is Maria Luisa Di
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I am now following GSB and TFW on Twitter! Glad to find out about you, Kate! xx
I’ve “liked” GSB a while back on Facebook, glad to add you as well, Kate! xx
follow on twitter
mbilla82
mail mbilla82@yahoo.it
follow on fb
adriana costanzo
mail mbilla82@yahoo.it
I follow both on twitter as @saramartino81
follow twitter
as @mantide82
giglio-82@hotmail.it
i like Gift Shop Brooklyn
fb togato antonella
giglio-82@hotmail.it
now happily following you both via twitter (@peachlovesdream)… what a lovely giveaway! xx
i like The Forgetful Wife
fb togato antonella
giglio-82@hotmail.it
…annnnd i liked you both on facebook!
Follow Gift Shop Brooklyn and The Forgetful Wife on Twitter as @PiccolaFlo_82
e-mail: floryfrancy[at]inwind[dot]it
Liked both Gift Shop Brooklyn and The Forgetful Wife on Facebook as Florinda Fraccalvieri
e-mail: floryfrancy[at]inwind[dot]it
ALL DONE! I’M ITALIAN FOLLOWER (LAURA VALZY, MAIL valzy87@yahoo.it)
ENTER ME, THANKS! ^_^
LIKED ALSO ON FB
ciao partecipo stefy ste fb
gfc abellaa
twitter stefy
email blogvin abellaa@virgilio.it
Pingback: Gift Shop Brooklyn hand made silk and leather clutch giveaway
following you both on twitter (@swellswag)
i follow you both on twitter. My twitter is @2thousandthings
i like you both on FB. My id: yuri_kristianti
I follow on twitter!
@nic_pc
followed on twitter @puntimania
liked on fb Francesca Loveredhair
Following both on twitter, username is @MaryEli55283510
marymichelotti@gmail.com
liked both, username is Mary Lizzie
marymichelotti@gmail.com
@meryolivia
face mery montalbano
Followed both twitter accounts
I really love the playful pattern on the clutch, and the dark and light purples together! It would be amazing to win <3 also, love your blog!
Have a lovely day!
Oops I forgot to write in my last comment my twitter name. It’s @theweeklystyler. And I liked both of your Facebook pages: Astrid Moët McGlone. Ah so obsessed with these cute patterns
I’m following you both on twitter!
followed you on Facebook, so much talent! the giveaway is like holding a beautiful piece of race art.
Followed you both on Twitter as @summergirl1177
Thanks for the chance to win!
I follow Gift Shop Brooklyn and The Forgetful Wife on twitter as: milagros gonzalez
pinksilfide@hotmail.com
I follow Gift Shop Brooklyn and The Forgetful Wife on facebook as: milagros gonzalez
pinksilfide@hotmail.com
Hello! I follow Gift Shop Brooklyn and The Forgetful Wife on FB as Riccioli D’oro!
[x]For a single entry: Follow Gift Shop Brooklyn and The Forgetful Wife on Twitter here and here.
@1finedai
[x]For an additional entry: Like both Gift Shop Brooklyn and The Forgetful Wife on Facebook here and here.
FB: Visa Lom
Following you both on twitter @warp65
treneebarker at hotmail dot com
Like both Gift Shop Brooklyn and The Forgetful Wife on Facebook as Tina Renee Barker
treneebarker at hotmail dot com
Liked both Gift Shop Brooklyn and The Forgetful Wife on Facebook as Francesca Biondina
e-mail: redicoppe[at]inwind[dot]it
I follow Gift Shop Brooklyn and The Forgetful Wife on Twitter – @normawatson
I like Gift Shop Brooklyn and The Forgetful Wife on Facebook – Cindy A.
Thank you so much for offering such a lovely and generous giveaway!
I have completed all of the steps. I am @angelaadelman on Twitter….www.facebook.com/angieadelman on facebook…I thank you for this wonderful giveaway and for the chance to win this wonderful prize.
Angie Adelman
I follow both on twitter @lguilbo
Hi,
I followed you on twitter (@FoodAllergyEd)
Gina
Hi,
I followed GiftShop Brooklyn on twitter
Thanks,
Gina
I liked your facebook page
Gina
I liked GiftShop Brooklyn’s facebook page. Thanks again!
Gina
I liked BOTH facebook pages!
I did follow Gift Shop Brooklyn.
I follow The Forgetful Wife on Twitter.
i follow you both on twitter!
thanks!
tina
bellacee246@aol.com
i follow you both on facebook!
thanks!
tina
bellacee246@aol.com
I liked Gift Shop Brooklyn on Facebook.
I liked The Forgetful Wife on Facebook.
I’m following you both on twitter @mrsclutterbuck
marija.majerle at gmail dot com
Following with twitter @minimisfit
Followed Gift Shop Brooklyn and The Forgetful Wife on Twitter @mw2314
Liked both Gift Shop Brooklyn and The Forgetful Wife on Facebook
followed on twitter as flyergal82
I follow both of you on Twitter (@AmyHadra)
I liked both of your FB pages (AmyHadra)
I follow both of you on Twitter: @LuluFleg
I like both of you on Facebook: Olesia Flegka
I followed both on twitter under heylaurengray
I liked both of your fb’s under Lauren Gray
Liked and shared! ^^
Su FACEBOOK sono PATRIZIA GIVEAWAY SCHIAVONE
PATRI.SHEVA@TISCALI.IT
I follow both of you on Twitter: @Hobitanija
FB: Natasha Jordanova
Shared: http://www.facebook.com/HobitanijaGiveaways/posts/180780278719918
mail: hobi.tanija@yahoo.com
Tnx
Following both of you on Twitter – @Kaziutka
gogunia3(at)wp(dot)pl
follow both on twitter as
@little_jinny
both fb as
Little Jenny
I like you both on facebook! a big fan of your work.
Hi! I followed both on twitter under earendil1789
Hi! I liked both on facebook under Valentina Ferro =)
I don’t have a Twitter account, I hope I can still enter
)
I follow both pages on FB as Gloria Grahame
Following both on twitter under @elena_brand!
I don’t have a Twitter account, please enter me, I lvoe that bag!!
I follow both pages on Facebook as Despina Vnt
Liked both on facebook under Elena Brand
i Follow Gift Shop Brooklyn and The Forgetful Wife on Twitter as @Gothicrise
I Like both Gift Shop Brooklyn and The Forgetful Wife on Facebook as Infinity Shop
I followed you both on twitter as @endofmissc
That bag is absolutely stunning. Going to have a good look around the shop now
Following both on twitter @daer0n.
Follow both on fb. (Io Sophia)
Follow Gift Shop Brooklyn and The Forgetful Wife on Twitter @elenarudaya
Thanks for the great giveaway! I hope I win!
Elena
queen-of-pain at yandex dot com
Like both Gift Shop Brooklyn and The Forgetful Wife on Facebook /Elena Rudaya/
Elena
queen-of-pain at yandex dot com
Followed both on Twitter @hollymarie076
Fingers crossed, that bag is amazing!
I follow you both on twitter. @justpeachyphoto
I follow you both on FB. Thanks!
Following Gift Shop Brooklyn and The Forgetful Wife on Twitter as jjselljj
jjsell76 at yahoo dot com
Liked both Gift Shop Brooklyn and The Forgetful Wife on Facebook.
jjsell76 at yahoo dot com
Following both on twitter as jhitomi
Fingers crossed!
Followed you both on twitter and fell in love with your blog and her bags! @shortcuts2fab http://www.shortcutstofabulous.com
I followed both of you on twitter as @storyofourlife
following at twitter with: pixvzf
llovis_j@hotmail.com
following at fb with: giovana vz
llovis_j@hotmail.com
I Follow Gift Shop Brooklyn and The Forgetful Wife on Twitter
My twitter ID @llmg1960
Ladyblueeyez1960(at)(aol)(dot)(com)
I Like both Gift Shop Brooklyn and The Forgetful Wife on Facebook
My Facebook ID
Linda Meyers-Gabbard
Ladyblueeyez1960(at)(aol)(dot)(com)
I follow ya both on Twitter (@BeautyMustsMom)! Thanks for the opportunity.
Follow @GiftShopBrklyn and @KateWolfson via twitter @christinadragan
christina.dragan@hotmail.com
FAN of Gift Shop Brooklyn & The Forgetful Wife on Facebook – Name: Christina Dragan
christina.dragan@hotmail.com
i follow Gift Shop Brooklyn and The Forgetful Wife on Twitter!
vittoria@the-beautiful-things.com
i like both Gift Shop Brooklyn and The Forgetful Wife on Facebook.
vittoria@the-beautiful-things.com
Liked The Forgetful Wife and Gift Shop Brooklyn in Facebook
Following The Forgetful Wife and Gift Shop Brooklyn in Twitter
Following The Forgetful Wife and Gift Shop Brooklyn in Twitter.
Liked The Forgetful Wife and Gift Shop Brooklyn in Facebook
Following {the forgetful wife} on Twitter – @katy_potaty
Following {giftshopbrooklyn} on Twitter – @katy_potaty
Following {the forgetful wife} on Facebook – Katy Roach
Following {GiftShopBrooklyn} on Facebook – Katy Roach
Followed both on Twitter!
Followed both on Facebook!
I’m following Gift shop brooklyn and the forgetful wife on twitter
@The_Picture
ewmanuela@msn.com
Followe on Twitter as @lelts666
follow the forgetful wife on twitter
like the forgetful wife on fb
follow gift shop brooklyn on twitter
like gift shop brooklyn on fb
I follow on Twitter; username @WomanTribune. Thanks for the chance to win!
I follow on Facebook; username is Holly Ord.
I followed you both on Twitter! @ username Irma828
I liked you both on Facebook!
I followed on both twitter! Lovely clutches!
my twitter handle: @janice_lys
I liked both on facebook
I am following both of you on Twitter. Username: @missreneer
Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
Renee
fattybumpkins at yahoo dot com
I like both of your pages on Facebook
Username: Fatty Bumpkins
Renee
fattybumpkins at yahoo dot com
Following @GiftShopBrklyn & @KateWolfson.
Thanks for hosting such an awesome giveaway!
- twitter name @klerebear
Also liked both of you on facebook!
-Claire of klerebearsweets
followed via twitter @nerakipi for gift shop brooklyn and the forgetful wife
***@ nerakpi
liked both on facebook as ‘ Ki Ip’
following both on twitter @maranna_desi
I’m following both of your twitter pages as auberrygirl
I’m following your facebook page (stephanie powell)
following both on twitter! @wampumexchange
I am following you both on twitter @goldiez.
Like both on facebook as Diana Z. Thanks so much for the beautiful giveaway. I would certainly be keeping this one for me!
Currently following:
Gift Shop Brooklyn and The Forgetful Wife on Twitter
Additional Entry:
Liked BOTH Gift Shop Brooklyn and The Forgetful Wife on Facebook
Liked both FB pages!
Following both pages on Twitter.
Following both of you on twitter @aiasma
Liked both on fb:aaiza iftikhar
: Followed both Twitter pages
Twitter name:@TheyCallMeFati
: Followed both Fb pages
Fb name: ‘Gøssà Fay
Thanks
Her stuff is gorgeous! I’m in love with this clutch!
I follow both of you on Twitter as @babybraddy.
I also like both Facebook pages as Christy Ann! Thanks for this giveaway!
I follow both on twitter: @theurbanxlegend
tehurbanlegend[at]yahoo[dot]com
I follow both on facebook: Allyce Smith
tehurbanlegend[at]yahoo[dot]com
Following both on twitter as @rubianh
Did it both on Facebook!
Thanks for the opportunity, hoping to win…
Followed it both on Twitter!
Thanks for the opportunity, hoping to win…
I’ve not Twitter, but I follow you on FB (claudette giveawayer)
finger crossed! fprattico@hotmail.it
I’ve done all the steps above
Thank you, I’m in love with the purse you are giving away!
I like the forget wife on fb.
I follow the forgetful wife on twitter.as @ciaomjc
I like gift shop brooklyn via fb.
I follow giftshop brooklyn via twitter as @ciaomjc
Followed you both on twitter @mizziequoh
Liked you on Facebook: MitchiePalero Talavera
Hoping this is available in the Philippines
@MedveiMonika
medveimonika@gmail.com
fb-Monika Erzsebet
i followed both on twitter
twitter name: @mclasb
i liked both on facebook
facebook name: zaara khan
Followed you both on twitter – @IlanaPrudente
Liked both FB pages – https://www.facebook.com/ilana.prudente
Hi
Thanks for organizing this giveaway
I have started following Gift Shop brooklyn and the forgetful wife from twitter @wannastayme
and i have liked the pages of Gift Shop Brooklyn and The forgetful wife on facebook from Hidayat Bezerk.
Followed you both on twitter – @_RafaCV_
Liked both FB pages – https://www.facebook.com/rafacorreiav
I follow both on twitter! (l_a_required)
littleassemblyrequired at gmail dot com
I liked both on fb!
littleassemblyrequired at gmail dot com
I followed you both on twitter @tinalys
I followed both of you on twitter.
I followed both of you on facebook.
I follow you both on Twitter @MissXMocha
I also like both pages on Facebook! Kiana Hunt
Following both on Twitter.
Following you both on Twitter!!! CHammeHenry
Liked both on Facebook: Courtney L Hamme-Henry!!
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Thank you very much!!!
I just emailed my info to you.