About me, my crafts, my passions, inspirations... About Irmalu. From all my heart!
Find the interview below and the original post you can find here.
Irmalu Linen Crafts: Quality materials make quality products
Irma
of Irmalu Linen Crafts is not only passionate about what she is making
but how she is making it. The material has purpose, the technique has
purpose, overall I would say this is a business with purpose! Irma is
runs her business online while raising a family. In this interview
you´ll find out what got her started in the crafting business and what
she has built into a successful and growing brand.
Introduce yourself! Who is the person behind “Irmalu Linen Crafts“? -My
name is Irma Laurinavičiūtė – Lungienė. I was born in a small town of
Lithuania in a big loving family 28 years ago. For the moment I live in
Belgium with my own family and biggest supporters – two small children
and my beloved husband.
Irma of Irmalu Linen Crafts on ezebee.com
Before the
“mummy´s career” I was a culture manager, working together with my
husband. But suddenly, after the birth of my first daughter,
I discovered the joy of sewing. At first it was general crafts and gifts
to relatives, but eventually I realized that I wanted to build even
more. So I started to sew bags from linen…
Where did you get the idea for your business and when did you get started? -Actually,
I don’t know why exactly I began to sew, but one day I just sat down by
my mother’s old sewing machine and began to “spoil” fabrics 
Probably, I would have never thought that I could sew, but … children
have the ability to awaken something that sleeps deep inside you.
Probably, I would have never thought that I could sew, but … children
have the ability to awaken something that sleeps deep inside you.
Irmalu is 4 years old this year, but still in many ways a hobby, but a milestone still worth celebrating!
Unisex grey/brown/ blue checkered wool neck warmer on ezebee.com
You make so many different things! Do you have a favorite item you’ve made? -Everything
I make is holding a part of me inside of it. But by sewing bags, I can
express myself in so many different ways. It is difficult to choose one
item that stands out, to me all my pieces are individual therefore they
are ”stand alone”.
Everything in your shop looks very well made. Can you tell us about the importance of your craft skills and the materials used? -Mostly
I work with Lithuanian linen, which I am buying direct from the factory
when I’m in Lithuania. I personally feel that the linen fabric is the
closest you can get to the human body. In ancient times people used to
wear linen clothes. It’s natural, breathes, antibacterial, and very
durable.
Every
piece I make, I try to imagine if I would wear / use it myself or not,
and if so, then I can give it to someone without any worries. Of course,
every time I ship my sold item I bite my nails until I get a feedback and when I get it good, I can relax and begin to breathe again. It is the best feeling in the world to make people happy!
Green green string bag by Irmalu Linen Crafts on ezebee.com
What do you enjoy most about your work? -The
most interesting thing to me is when I take a piece of a fabric, I
never know what is going to become of it. I personally have never worked
with clip-art for pattern work.
Maybe I should do this, but it is not interesting for me. The bag, for
example, is born on the process: the form, details, size etc. (except
special orders, of course). And when I have the final product, it
entertains me the most.
Which one is your best seller? - I had one bag, the floral one, which was my best seller. But I like to make my bags unique, so nobody had the same.
When did you get started with ezebee? - I
got started on ezebee about 4 months ago after receiving a letter from
one girl, who invited me to join this site. So the same day I registered
and put some of my items. And unexpectedly I have found a lot of
attention here.
I have
found a lot of friends here. It is really a good place to show yourself
and to see others. I am very glad I’ve found ezebee!
Do you sell at other venues? Where do you advertise your products? -Yes, I do. I have my shops on etsy.com, dawanda.com, misscapucine.com. Also several Lithuanian shops are selling my crafts, like this one.
By the way, this month, on 24th November, you can meet me in Let’s LousART market in Ghent, Belgium. Visit their Facebook page for details!
During a market with Irma´s biggest supporter
And, of course, all my news is shown on my Facebook profile and my blog http://irmalu.com.
Friends, travel, nature, music, sports… where and how do you get your inspiration? – I love good music. I can’t live any day without it. All the time I’m making my crafts, I have to listen to it loud When your mood is good, you can move mountains!
When your mood is good, you can move mountains!
Everything
and anything can be inspiring: a leaf, a smile, a hug from my kids, a
silent idea from a friend… But maybe the most inspiring thing for me is
happy customers. They make me work harder and stronger and never let my
hands down.
Linen Bag from Irmalu Linen Crafts on ezebee.com
Are you participating in or managing any projects you would like to talk about? -I also have a collaboration with one English brand, called WUWUW.
WUWUW is a UK brand selling digitally printed satchels. WUWUW has a
partnership with The Leather Satchel Company, producers of satchels
since 1966 with the highest standards of quality and craftsmanship.
WUWUW’s innovative digital printing technology combined with the
craftsmanship of The Leather Satchel Company allows WUWUW to offer the
highest quality Satchels and other bags with cutting-edge design.
I have a lot of hope for this project.
“I have a dream.” What’s your dream? Tell us! -I
have a dream to open my own store where I could sell my crafts and
other lovely items and where you could drink a hot cup of tee from
Lithuanian herbs and to get fresh pie beside it. To run my hobby as a
full-time business and to enjoy every minute of my work. To reach the
perfect “stitches” to my crafts, that people would always love to come
back to me again and again. Not just for a cup of tea
There´s
much more in Irma´s ezebee Showroom than what was mentione in this
article! Head over to Irmalu Linen Crafts and see what you can find for
yourself or find a gift for someone special.
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