Dilara Casey of both Locura and BuckeyeBling has many skills. Take a look in her shops and you will see a number of different crafts, carefully executed. From resin jewelry to hand-stitched clothing to crocheted hats to papercrafted wedding favors, Dilara has something for everyone. She even sells a “Vegetarian Cooklet Booklet!” I recently interviewed Dilara about her crafts and shop experience:

What types of items do you sell?

I sell all sorts of things, I guess that is what happens when you have ADD. I knit, crochet, I sew a little, I make jewelry, I am learning new techniques with resin and polymer clay…I am always trying to learn new things. The majority of my sales are jewelry and scarves and the occassional t-shirt.

How did you get into your craft?

I’ve always been crafty. I started doing my thing in about second grade. I saw friendship bracelets at the mall for $3 so I went to the craft store and bought a slew of embriodery thread and made ten bracelets, took them to school the next day and sold them on the playground for fifty cents. I bought myself two chocolate milks that day!

Where does your inspiration come from?

Retro things mostly. My friend said that my stuff is cool with a 70’s vibe. I never intend on that but I guess since I like things that are fun and funky; things you won’t see everywhere, it inspires me. And most of that fresh stuff came in the 70’s. I love wearing vintage stuff so I try to make things that are cool and timeless that will transcend trends and fads. I think it would be awesome if somebody kept a piece I made and their kids dug it out of their closet one day and decided to start wearing it. Another thing that inspires me is cost; I like to make fun things but I also want them to be affordable for people. I am like the IKEA of the craft industry.

How do you promote your shop?

I wear something I made almost every single day so that always helps. I have a really great, supportive group of friends and family who talk me up all the time. I am also trying to get more involved in the local craft scene here in Columbus. My husband and I both I used to work in the media so I am fortunate enough to get help from him to write a good press release and I know who needs to see it. I’ve been featured in two local newspapers and a few newscasts and radio broadcasts for my creations for both etsy shops; http://locura.etsy.com and my sister-shop that specializes in Ohio State Buckeye themed things http://buckeyebling.etsy.com. I think the most important thing I’ve discovered is what to promote and when. Right now, people aren’t buying scarves so much but they are buying resin jewelry and t-shirts.

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