Honey Cooler Handmade

When did Honey Cooler Handmadehatch?

I started toying with ideas in early 2011 and officially launched my Etsy shop in April of that year.

Challenges as business owner? Part 1

Being in charge of everything is the hardest part of my business; I'm constantly torn on what I should work on. I drape, draft my patterns, source and sew everything and in an ideal world, I want to be creating all the time. Realistically, I probably only sew about 50% of the time. There's bookkeeping to do, emails to write, blog posts to draft, product photos to take and edit, taxes to file, patterns to adjust, pitches to make, social media to update…

Challenges as business owner? Part 2

… it's  a lot for one person to handle, and there have been times where I'll work straight through the weekend and late into the night. Because I work from home, it's exceptionally hard to turn off business mode these days!

Tips for new business owners? Part 1

Start small! With HCH, I've kept everything lean and manageable. Until recently, I only bought fabric in 2 yard pieces. That meant making a single Deco Cami, a pair of Knickers and maybe a pair of Tap Shorts. It allowed me a chance to see what would sell and what wouldn't. Now I feel like I have a handle on what people respond to best and I'm working on developing a made-to-order line.

Tips for new business owners? Part 2

Put yourself out there! Get on social media. Become friends with people in your industry. I'm always trying to connect my creative friends with opportunities they may like and likewise, they do the same for me. I wouldn't be where I am today without reaching out to people.

Tips for new business owners? Part 3

Take measured risks. You will not get anywhere if you don't take a leap every now and then. Test the waters a lot with new ideas! One of my favorite quotes to live by is "If you want something you've never had, you must be willing to do something you've never done."

Where else can we find HCH?

I currently sell at Dark Garden in Hayes Valley, Heroine in Noe Valley, Dollhouse Bettie in the Haight (Ribbon Corsets) and A La Folie in Berkeley (Wedding Garters and Sleep Masks).

Key materials in your life? Part 1

I try to work in silk whenever possible. The initial inspiration for the line was Art Deco era lingerie, the finer existing specimens of which were crafted in a delicate silk jacquard, which is what I've always tried to source. Silk jacquard, though, it turns out is extremely hard to find these days - fabric houses in New York have basically told me that none of their producers are making it anymore.

Key materials in your life? Part 2

I have been able to source it in bits and pieces at local fabric stores, outlets and online, so whenever I find it, I snap it up. The new iteration of the line (made-to-order) will be made in sueded silk charmeuse, which has a lovely drippy, drapey quality to it and looks exceptional on the bias. Definitely old Hollywood! I still have a bunch of jacquard left, so I'll continue to sew one-of-a-kind pieces in it when I can.

You are styling trendy skulls. Pa

Skulls have been a huge trend over the past 5 years or so. In 2009, Alexander McQueen was making exquisite embroidered skull gowns and jackets and the motif has been popping up everywhere ever since. I loved the idea of adding an edgy twist to something as delicate as silk and vintage lace lingerie, so I decided to give the lace skull a try.

You are styling trendy skulls...

Even though it's one of my highest price point pieces because of the labor involved, it's also a consistent seller. Skulls are so classic, so fundamental to the human experience, really (we are living in them, after all) - how can they ever go out of style?

Future collections?

Right now I'm working on the ready-to-wear line, which includes two groups: Deco and Cotillion. The Deco collection will feature pieces similar to what already exists, but in reproducible sizes and set designs sewn in black, ivory and pink sueded silk charmeuse.

Advice on finding a perfect bustier?

Go to an independent lingerie boutique and get fitted. I was a fitter for years at a boutique known for hard-to-find sizes and I cannot express how important it is to visit a spot where the sales staff knows each brand and cut intimately.