Name: Karen
Blog or website: UNEARTHED
Location: Los Angeles, California
How long have you been in business?
Just under 2 years.
What inspired you to start your business?
I've always loved leather, and helped friends make leather armors for SCA
groups, and eventually started making my own. But I always had a secret love affair with exotic leathers. The textures, the patterns, it's all so enticing to me! It really just was always in my head, I can't remember a time when this business was something I didn't think or talk about... I really can't pinpoint one singular source of inspiration, it was just a love of leather!How do you get the word out about your shop?
I mostly depend on word of mouth. I don't have any fantastic secret promotional tools. Essentially, my buyers are my promoters!
What’s unique about your items or what do you want people to know about your work?
I would like people to know that I genuinely adore what I do! I have such a passion for creating, and I love every single piece I make. I couldn't imagine doing anything else in the world!
What would you like us to know about your business?
I'll give you some little known UNEARTHED trivia here! My business was actually born during a time of great physical anguish! I had been talking about starting this business for months, but it was always on the back burner. Due to the foolish decision to walk on a foot that was very much asleep, I tore ligaments in my ankle and couldn't walk for a few months. While I was basically immobilized, my sister decided I should be productive and remembering my business idea decided to hunt down some simple exotic leathers. She walked in my house one afternoon with a big box and dropped it on my lap and pretty much told me to make myself useful! It was now or never, and I spent 3 months cutting and hammering and stitching on my bed. the rest is history!
What is your idea of earthly happiness?
Hmmmmmm. Earthly happiness.......I picture living in a nice sized english style cottage with a large yard and garden where my children can run and play. And eating delicious food together every afternoon! That would be bliss!
What do you most value in your friends?
Loyalty, by far.
What is your principle defect?
I think my principle defect is that I am more or less antisocial by nature. And it's not that I don't like other people,I really do. But given a choice I would always prefer to stay home rather than go out, let a call go to voicemail rather than answer it...If it wasn't for my friends I think I would wind up being that strange woman with wild hair who reads and writes way too much and hardly sees the light of day!
In what country would you like to live?
Finland. Hands down.
What is your present state of mind?
I pretty much always have a fairly calm and serene state of mind. It takes a LOT to upset me.
