Austenland started online officially December 1st 2010 through Etsy and facebook page . But I have been creating and redesigning for years making things for myself , family and friends.
Sometime early 2009 I had attended my first handmade craft show and I kept saying to myself I should do something like this . Then I made my first etsy purchase and when I receive my item I said " I so could have made this" till someone asked me one day where I got my hair accessory and when I said I made it they said If I could make them one and how much. honestly I laugh and said you could have it and this person gave me $5 for it. I was shocked because someone I will probably never meet again paid me for something I made. I got home and search everything and anything on selling online. Then a few months of making little headbands ( because its all I thought of at first) I open Austenland.
And why the name Austenland ? For being a fan of Jane Austen alot of the creations I make are inspired by one of the novels. Or have remind me of a character like I always picture Elizabeth Bennett wearing shades of blue. and Emma wore shades of yellow, fresh flowers for Jane Austen and her sister , Lace for Jane Benette , Ribbon for Lydia and velvet and feathers for Caroline. Austenland just means my little own world inspired by Jane Austen.
Why do I make ooak ( one of a kind items ) or limited quantities ? Mostly its the budget I set myself and the fact that this is not a manufacture or industrial shop but why wear something 100+ other ladies have , ? I think that ,
Now going on 2 years + , Their has been so many changes from just Hair items Austenland now carries , sash belts , brooch , shoe clips, tutu's , scarfs .But if you tell me when I started that I would be selling at craft shows , making wedding pieces, doing a photo shoot , and having my items sold at local shops I would have laugh and said it be crazy ! But It has been crazy fun journey and I couldn't have done it without the support of family and friends and now you the fans and Thank you all and hope you continue to support Austenland for the years to come and whatever holds for us.
