Interviews with Indies - Vivid Lacquer
- Friday, August 03, 2012
- By Missy
- 7 Comments
It's another chapter of Interviews with Indies!
Has this week given you any indication of who it might be??
This weeks Interview is with Anni of Vivid Lacquer!
What is the name of your brand?
Vivid Lacquer. For graphic design work, I was initially using the name Vivid Fiction, which was an evolution of a screen name that I’ve been using about as long as I’ve had internet access. It evolved a bit further when I was brainstorming about a name for my polish brand.
What is your name/names of everyone involved in your brand?
I’m Anni, and Vivid Lacquer is basically a one woman show, although my boyfriend helps where he can. Our German Shepherd puppy, Phedre, tries to help, but mostly she just gets glitter in her fur.
What got you started in the polish making market?
Originally I set out to design stamping plates, because I was tired of the limited designs that were available – a person really only needs so many flower and butterfly stamps. I also found myself annoyed at the limited size of most designs available from the main stamping plate makers.
Following that decision, I wanted to create a line of stamping polishes to go along with my plates. Somewhere along the line I got distracted by glitter, and I’ve been a lost cause ever since.
Do you have a background that was condusive to getting started in this field?
(example: were you a chemistry major, work in a lab, have an art degree, etc...)
I’ve been doing graphic and web design off and on for as long as I can remember, and that lead me to get a degree with a web design focus. I’ve always been intrigued by the color combinations, particularly the effect that bold and neutral colors have when used together.
What is your thought process when naming colors?
I don’t have one set process when naming colors. Occasionally my polishes start with the name (particularly those inspired by a person: Waltraud, Daisy), and the glitter combinations develop later. Other times I’m inspired by a photograph, and find a name by following that route. There have been several polishes that I couldn’t think of names for (Paint Me Patriotic, Moonlit Cheshire, Don’t Forget the Rum), so my friends and customers helped me out.
Where do you derive your inspiration for your creations?
I find ideas for new polishes and stamping plates by talking with my friends and family, looking at photographs, or otherwise interacting with the world. There’s color and bold imagery everywhere.
Where do you create?
Currently I have a work station set up on our dining room table. I’m working out of a one bedroom apartment, so space is definitely at a premium.
Do you make polish full time?
I do. The job market has been very unforgiving, and so I’m able to give my business the majority of my time and energy (when I’m not wrangling puppies and the boyfriend).
What is your favorite polish that you did NOT make?
Butter London All Hail McQueen.
What is your favorite polish brand?
It’s a tie between Butter London, Zoya, and Nerd Lacquer.
What is your favorite polish from your own line?
I have two favorites. The first is Daisy, because it was created by request for one of my closest friends and I know how happy it made her. The second is Don’t Forget the Rum, because it is all of my favorite colors inside a bottled jelly sandwich.
What is the best part about making polish?
Experimenting! I love sitting down and getting to play with different color, shape, and finish combinations. It’s very relaxing.
What is the worst?
The mess and smell after a long work session. Occasionally our apartment smells like a nail salon – good thing our central air has a fan function, and we have lots of windows!
How many polish shades have you made to date?
I have 12 in my current line, with 5-6 limited edition, and 8 new shades coming out next month – so around 25 or so, I think.
How many polishes do you have in your own personal stash?
368, with some more on the way.
What is your one favorite ingredient?
Square, matte glitter.
Do you make non-polish products? If so, tell us about them!
I also make stamping plates. My plates are designed to be useable on both long and short nails, and so feature full nail designs that are larger than others that are commercially available. Aside from that, I do some graphic design as well as knitting, spinning, and weaving.
Tell us where your polishes are available to purchase.
Currently they are only available on Etsy: http://www.vividlacquer.etsy.com
Do you have a website/facebook/blog? Give us any links you want.
I can be found on a few different websites, although I do not have my own domain just yet.
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/vividlacquer
Tumblr: http://vividlacquer.tumblr.com/
What does the future hold for your brand?
I really hope that my brand continues to expand and grow. I’ve truly found something that I enjoy doing, and I’m working really hard to keep improving things and keeping my customers happy.
Do you have anything else you'd like my readers to know about you or your brand?
All of my polishes and stamping plates are rigorously tested to ensure their quality before they are sold. My glitters are tested for color fastness, curling, and melting. Each stamping plate design is checked for usability on various nail sizes. Above all else, customer service is incredibly important to me. I love collaborating with customers to create stamping plate designs and nail polish colors that they love, so I always welcome new suggestions and comments on my products.
Check out all of these awesome photos Anni showed us for her Interview!
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| Daisy |
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| Hurricane Season |
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| Moonlit Cheshire |
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| VL001 Image Stamping Plate |
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| Chalkboard Nails - Ice Queen's Lament Swatch |
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| Chalkboard Nails - Theoretical Rockstar Swatch |
She even sent us some SNEAK PEEKS!
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| Composition |
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| Sploops Inspired |
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| Notebook Paper |
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| Hivemind |
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| VL003 Image Stamping Plate |
WOW! Alot, right? As in, ALOT of AWESOME!
Wait, there's more!
Don't forget to enter the Gnarly Gnails 500 Follower Giveaway!
Ends 9.01.2012 and is open Internationally!
