How did you get started?
I started Confetti in 2018 when I had graduated from uni and was looking for a way to have fun and save up to go travelling. In February 2019, I shut up shop and travelled around Southeast Asia and Australia with my best friend for a year- it was incredible! Unfortunately, with my backpack already bursting at the seams, there was no room to take any jewellery bits with me, so Confetti was put on hold. Fast forward a bit and I’m back home, touching down at Gatwick two weeks before lockdown. Back in my room, I found my old fimo bits and knew it was time to get back to Confetti.
I absolutely love playing around with bright, contrasting colours and funky patterns. A big inspiration is Prue Leith (off Bake Off and very talented in her own right- #loveyouPrue). I’m just all about her colourful, full of joy fashion. My personal goal is to look like I’ve covered myself in glue and rolled around the Tate Gallery gift shop.
What motivates you?
My unofficial slogan for Confetti is ‘keep spreading joy’. Every product I design or piece of content I put out there, I really hope that they can make people happy in some way. The world can be so grey and scary, so putting a bit of colourful fun back in seems like the right thing to do (especially at the moment!). Some highlights of the last year have been sending rainbow earrings to nurses on the front line or helping long-distance friends stay connected during lockdown. I love the community that I’ve found online through Confetti and I want to keep helping people to feel joy together in 2021.
What do you wish you’d known when you started out?
I guess two main things. One: you don’t have to be perfect when you start. You don’t need to have your whole business plan figured out or a really aesthetic looking feed. You can just start whenever you feel ready. The followers and the customers will come and it will take time, but you can grow with them too! It doesn’t have to be all set up right from the beginning. It’s okay to learn on the job. Two: just because it’s your business doesn’t mean you have to go it alone. Yes, it’s hard to let go of your total control at first, but it’ll be so much better if you ask for help when you need it. Even if it’s a second opinion on a colour choice or someone to proofread your website, friends and family can be really useful to lean on, especially when you’re just starting. They want to support you- so let them! Just maybe drop them off some cookies as a thank you every now and again!
What tools do you use to promote your business?
Instagram has been my main platform since the beginning, and I try to utilise everything it has to offer as much as possible such as regular posts, chatty stories, IGTV Lives, and even reels. I remember when they released reels and I had NO idea what to do and was very scared. However, another lil’ top tip, I ended up using TikTok to make my reels instead! So much easier to edit and lots of more song choices! Plus if you post onto TikTok as well, it may go viral and blow up- you never know! The small business community on there is actually huge!
Why do you choose to print with PRINT.WORK?
My friend Antonia (of @handpaintedbyantonia) recommended Print.Work to me and I was absolutely sold. My experience has been so lovely- everyone is so helpful and the quality of the prints is just INCREDIBLE. You’re eco-friendly, you donate to charity, you chat to me like an actual human- I just love working with PRINT.WORK.
What’s the best business advice you’d ever received?
Don’t be ashamed to be enthusiastic about your business. No one else is going to be a bigger cheerleader for you, than you! I’m pretty sure the original author phrased it better but this really struck a chord with me. Don’t feel embarrassed or nervous about being passionate about your projects or your work- it’s literally amazing. Believe in yourself and show it off, babe! You got this!
Favourite small businesses and why?
It’s very tricky to pick but I’ll list some of my faves- @katietinklerillustration, @binks.design, @gooseglitters and @lilywindsorwalker. All incredibly lovely ladies making gorgeous things- they also all have very ethical practices which I really rate. Also, check out @thecreativefeminists as it’s a whole encyclopaedia of contemporary artists and makers doing cool things!
Anything you want to promote?
I have a lovely spring floral collection available at the moment! All of my Bloom products are currently available on my Etsy. Follow me on Insta @confetti_create for all the latest updates! Otherwise, stay safe and keep going folks- we’ve got this!
If you would like to be featured on a future instalment of Introducing get in touch!
