Meet the Maker – Colour and Spice

Let’s meet the lovely Greta from – Colour and Spice

 

Tell us about your business:

Colour and Spice is a Melbourne-based, Australian-owned business that specialises in creating original and personable framed prints, canvases, bedroom décor and so much more all at very affordable prices. From their gorgeous birth prints, through to family and love prints, personalised cushions and clocks, there is sure to be something for everyone.

The majority of Colour & Spices creative work is aimed at children, with their cute birth prints a real feature with a wide variety on offer. You can choose prints with individual graphic motifs such as tractors, robots, flowers and fairies, or even a print with a photo of your precious bundle.

Other items in the Colour & Spice range include personalised clocks, cushions and name art, and just recently launched, backpacks and all feature bright and colourful designs such as birds, owls, trees, lions and rockets. All items are individually designed and created, to add a touch of flare to any childs bedroom.

Founder and creator, Greta Zaffino brings with her many years of national visual merchandising expertise, interior decorating and graphic design skills. She also has a genuine love of art, stationery and paper products. She says what appeals most to her customers is the individuality she is able to offer them.

Colour & Spice is always evolving to meet market demand, with new product lines constantly being developed and launched and with ranges expanding with new designs. Brighten your world with Colour and Spice!

 

What inspired you to start your business?

I have always wanted to create something crafty, personalised and with stationery or decor since I was a little girl. It was always my dream to have my own card range that I would sell in major retailers and although I have taken a completely different road, there is still that little dream and love for creative and personalised pieces that keeps me going. There was always going to be a day where I started my own creative business and after having my first baby, the time was finally right!

 

Is there an interesting anecdote behind your business name?

No, not in particular but I think it represents what I do and create with my products oozing colour and vibrancy and spice! It’s a non-descript business name which can span across all types of product areas without being child or design specific. This is what I wanted so I had room to move as a brand later on down the track.

 

What is the most satisfying part of what you do?

I love creating for customers and hearing the fabulous feedback knowing that what I have designed or created is just for them! And they love it as much as I love designing and creating. It keeps me going. I love the challenge of new product design and designs for the products themselves. I always have a head full of concepts, ideas and designs, which I am always bursting at the seams to sit and create.

 

Have you tried something in business that didn’t work as planned, or on the flip side worked out better than expected?

The clock range I have to say has been phenomenal. I never expected such a great response to our gorgeous handmade clocks but I have been pleasantly surprised with the reaction to these and the sales numbers. These are such an affordable and fabulous piece for any bedroom or nursery. I have even created custom clocks with business logos. Including mine of course!

 

What would be your best tip for someone thinking about selling their handcrafted goods?

Do your homework very thoroughly and know from the get go that it’s not about designing and creating and then selling. In fact this is only the tip of the iceberg. You need to be across so many important facets of business in general, which I fortunately have had exposure to in my full-time professional career. There are so many important hats to wear when getting started – designer, creator, accountant, warehouse and dispatch, custom service, marketing and branding, social media, product and material sourcing, profit and loss, wholesale, presentation and the list goes on and on. It is so important to know a little about all of these areas before embarking.

 

What is your favourite item you make?

I have to say I adore designing new cushion ranges and I always love piecing together a framed print. The perfect finished personalised gift for the home ready to hang!

Any personal or business highlights in the last year:

I have expanded so much in the last 9 months, with creating new ranges and designs, to branching out and selling my products elsewhere, to meeting new people and having new and valuable contacts. The year just gets more exciting as it progresses and the business goes from strength to strength. The product side of the business (opposed to the graphic design side) has taken off beyond expectations and I am so excited to say the least!

 

3 things about you that people might not know:

• I have a huge love of music and own 2 guitars. Although they haven’t been played in some time sadly.
• I have a sugar addiction I think who doesn’t?! I love my mums desserts – amazing cook!
• I love markets, shopping, vino and having a good belly laugh with family and great friends – it’s the best medicine!

 

Meet the Maker – Colour and Spice