One of the highlights of my work are the creative friends that surround me. This time it is my very great pleasure to introduce you to Abigail of Wiserabbit.
We met years ago in a tent, on a scout site, whilst enjoying our favourite pastime of Live Roleplaying. In fact, it was a good friend who introduced us. I'm happy to say that I was there at their wedding and the pair are now honourary aunt and uncle to 'the Scamp'.
It isn't at all unusual to find larpers who make their own costume, but in this case, the seamstress is well-trained and highly skilled!
1. How did your shop get its name and what was the
main inspiration behind opening your shop?
I’m not actually sure I can remember where
the name came from! I’ve always had an affinity with rabbits (I share my
workspace with my two house rabbits, Juno and Verity) and “wiserabbit” has been
an internet handle for quite some time.
In terms of my reason for
opening the shop, I started sewing full time when I found myself unexpectedly
out of work. About a month later I became pregnant with my son, so it was a
time of huge upheaval. I went from working in change management and being
fiercely independent, to being a pregnant housewife within the space of a
month! Starting my own business was a way to reclaim some of my identity. It
also helps fund my expensive dressmaking habit! Most of my work is bespoke, but
the Etsy shop gives me a financial excuse to make speculative items.
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| A mutual friend models for Wiserabbit |
2. What do you create and do you have a signature
product? If so how did it come to be?
I
would say it’s probably my forage caps; I made some for a pulp adventure LARP
game and they proved very popular. I enjoy the huge variety that you can get
from a single pattern. After a while, I started selling the patterns themselves
and through various channels have now sold about 80 of them. I’m hoping the new
fingerless glove patterns I’m working on will be as successful!
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| The Forage Cap is available on Etsy |
3. Where do you find your inspiration and what makes
you different from the other people that make what you make?
My
inspiration is nearly always based in historical fashion. I love the quality of
construction in older garments; something you just don’t get now. Sometimes
though, I will create a piece based around a piece of literature, a character
or even around something I’m angry about! I initially trained in theatre and was
particularly keen on allegorical pieces, mask work and puppet work. On stage a
garment has to encapsulate the character at that point (or deliberately
juxtapose a different set of ideas). I love the idea of a garment starting a “conversation”
before a character speaks. It’s the difference between costume and fashion;
fashion expresses what someone else wants you to be, costume can express
whatever you want it to.
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| The Governess Gown is available on Etsy |
4. What do you enjoy most about your craft?
I
enjoy the self-sufficiency of sewing. Its a skill that everyone needs to
utilise during their lives and being able to do it myself is satisfying.
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| The Steamcaptain America Ensemble... |
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| ..with a hidden in-joke! |
5. What is your best advice to newbie Etsians just opening their shops?
Etsy
actually only makes up a small amount of my sales; most of the things I sell
are bespoke requests so I’m probably not best placed to answer this. What I
would say though, is pay very close attention to trending items and be
realistic in your expectations. If you are looking to make your living as a
crafter, then you will need other outlets as well unless you really are able to
nail a target market.
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| The Navigatrix and Weldon Rivett esq. sporting a Wiserabbit forage cap and Regency Steam coat |
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| Looking rather fine in his waistcoat, don't you agree? Wiserabbit uses veggie friendly 'pleather' and works on it to make it closer to animal leather. |
With
the exception of the Navigatrix and Arcane Armoury of course?!
It’s
all for the same reason – the uniqueness of design concepts, the design
integrity and the display of skill.
7. Where can you be found
online?
and on my Facebook page,
which is updated the most often (I am terrible at updating things – I need a
secretary!)
and of course, my Etsy
shop:
Just for you! Use the coupon STARLING01
until the end of April 2014 for 10% off. Share this one wherever you like :)
9. What
is it about Steampunk that you love and how did you become involved in it?
Would you think me a mercenary
wench if I said it was because I saw a business opportunity? That was certainly
why I first got involved but over the past year, I’ve come to love both the
aesthetic and the wonderful people involved. I have never met such a creative,
humorous, inclusive and welcoming group of people and I love their company. I
love a group where individuality of style is prized over anything else. I’ve
done LARP and re-enactment fairs as well, and the Steampunk fairs are by far
the most fun.
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Thankyou, Abigail! It really is lovely to introduce our wonderful friends to everyone.
Speaking of authors....here's another mutual friend and fellow LRPer, sporting his bespoke, Wiserabbit apparel. A jolly nice chap, too!
The author of Oblivion Storm-Grenshall Manor Chronicles Book 1
Russell A. Smith
We would love to read your comments, share a bit of 'LRP froth' (enthusiastic live roleplay talk) or find out what sort of Steampunk costume you would commission if you could!
Remember to use the #SteampunkHands on Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr to find other related blogs, reviews and other multimedia events this February!
~ The Navigatrix. Who has a sudden desire for more clothes. Quick! Send customer reinforcements! ;)
Great interview! This makes me wish I was better at sewing. :-)
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