Today we’d like to introduce you to Martina Villanueva
Hi Martina, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I started my handmade clothing and accessory business, Magpies Collect, in 2020 while attending Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts. I named my business Magpies Collect, because I imagine myself as a magpie bird collecting and creating beautiful things for my customers. Clark University had a fantastic entrepreneurship department that gave me the tools I needed to take my idea, and turn it into a profitable small business. My College put on student business markets, which I helped organize and vended at on a weekly basis. This experience prepared me for being a vendor at craft and vintage markets all over San Diego, with organizations such as Lucky Stars Market, Hot Spot Flea Market, and San Diego Vintage Market.
I always loved crafting, and made clothing and accessories for my dolls growing up. As I expanded my knowledge of crafting and sewing with my doll clothes, I transitioned to clothing and accessories for myself. The items I sell are handmade wire and beaded jewelry, hand formed ceramic jewelry, handmade crochet hats and bags, and curated thrifted and vintage finds from the 90s,80s, & 70s. The style of the clothing I curate is typically neutral tones/fairy/whimsical. I add alterations to thrifted clothing through embellishing the garment with crochet, sewing, or hand carved linoleum block stamps placed directly onto the clothing. My dream is to have Magpies Collect be its own physical store.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The main struggle that I have found working full time on my own business, is not getting discouraged. It’s inevitable to get rejections emails, and dry sale months when you are running your own small business. When I first started trying to get into the vendor scene in San Diego, I got multiple rejections from markets that I now consistently get into. What I found is, if you truly love what you are doing, and continue putting in effort and devotion, there will be results.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in creating handmade wearable crafts, and reselling & altering thrifted and vintage clothing. I crochet hats and bags, create earrings, necklaces, and rings with wire and beads, hand form and glaze ceramic pendants that I assemble into necklaces. I also create machine sewn tote bags and embellish clothing with hand sewn patches. I carve linoleum blocks to create my own stamp designs, and stamp clothing with ink. I am known for my whimsical, earthy, and warm style, that emits in every item I sell, and the high quality yet adorable nature of my work.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
My biggest advice would be to find your customer base. If you are marketing to the wrong crowd, unfortunately it doesn’t matter how wonderful your product is, you will not get as many sales as you could be. Spend time thinking about who your product is for, and apply to markets with that customer base.
My next advice would be to allow yourself to take breaks. Making a business out of your passion is wonderful, but if you do not allow yourself to relax, it can become draining. Allow yourself rest time, and time to create art just for yourself. The lines between your own personal style, and your marketable style can quickly blur if you do not create artistic boundaries for yourself.
My last advice would be to not give up! Starting your own business can be discouraging and difficult to start, but if you continue to put in love and effort I promise there will be results!
Pricing:
- Vintage Altered Clothing $15-$30
- Jewelry $10-$25
- Crochet Hats and Bags $25-$50
- Crochet Hats and Bags $25-$50
Contact Info:
Image Credits
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