With internet markets like eBay and Etsy, it’s very easy to become overwhelmed with all the choices you have as a crafter. The best part about having so many choices are all the opportunities you have to stumble upon new supplies or even techniques that can better you as an artist. I have purchased from many vendors over the years, but there is something about HappyKawaiiSupplies that has drawn me in for more.

Ms. Rain Harris, owner of HappyKawaiiSupplies, has done something very unique with her selling approach. Any crafter can purchase exactly what they want for any project. I know you have been there. You need one cookie piece to finish a project. You look for it online only to find you have to purchase a ridiculous quantity, leaving you with cabochons you don’t need and see no use for in the future. Enter HappyKawaiiSupplies. Here is the blog interview that Rain so graciously granted me:

The Vital Stats

Name or go by: Rain Harris

Where are you from? 

I currently live in Kansas City, Missouri and I was born in California.

Favorite Color:

 All of them

Would You Rather . . .

Q) Would you rather enjoy a houseboat or a speedboat?
A) Oh, I would definitely pick a houseboat. I think the idea of hanging out on a houseboat with friends and relaxing on the water sounds awesome. Plus it is a whole new space to decorate!

Q) What made you decide to start HappyKawaiiSupplies?

A) I started bunnysundries.etsy.com in 2007 which is a more traditional jewelry findings etsy shop. I carried a small selection kawaii and decoden supplies in that store. There were so many cute new items I wanted to offer to my customers so I decided to branch off and open an all kawaii store. That allowed me to expand what I carry and create a brand identity that was as cute as the things I sell! I wanted to have as many colors and styles available to my customers as possible. I want people who shop with me to feel like kids in a candy store!

Q) Are you a crafter yourself?

A) 

I am a sculptor and installation artist, but the work I make is really different than the aesthetic of my store. www.rainharris.com

• Take the time to visit her site. Her artwork is truly captivating. In a way, I wasn’t surprised by the contrast in her profession and her store. I am a choreographer by trade and deco is a hobby I truly enjoy. It’s natural to find a counter balance between career and other passions.

Q) Happykawaiisupplies just celebrated its 1-year anniversary on Etsy! How has selling these gorgeous supplies evolved through the year?

A) When I opened Happykawaiisupplies I really looked at the store and figured out what I needed to carry to make the store super cohesive. It has been my goal to have a great selection of supplies so the average crafter could find everything they need in one place. Every week I get in new products so the inventory keeps growing and growing. This is great because I can offer my customers more options and it also means my kawaii and decoden grab bags are filled to the brim with new items!

Q) You’ve celebrated more than 12,000 sales! That’s definitely a benchmark in my eyes. Do you remember your first sale and what it felt like?

A) I opened on July 7th and I did not make my first sale until 2 weeks later. I remember being really nervous because I moved all my decoden and kawaii supplies out of bunnysundries where they sold pretty well. In the beginning Happykawaiisupplies sales were not great so I just kept working really hard to make the shop stand out by designing a new banner, expanding my categories, having beautiful product photos, being more active on social media, etc… After the first month it started to pick up and now I have tons of loyal and awesome customers!

Q) Do you sell anywhere else, in person or online?

A) I sell mostly on Etsy and I have some local customers who come to my studio to shop.

• I’d probably die if I ever saw this studio.

Q) Within the last few months I have discovered and purchased from HappyKawaiiSupplies. I really like how you offer your quantities to us crafters. What made you decide to do this?

A) I wanted my customers to be able to buy small amount of things so they could get more variety within their budget. I know that there are a lot of beginning crafters who may be new to decoden that want to try it, but spending a ton of money may be off-putting. By offering small amounts my customers can get a nice assortment. Hopefully this will allow more people to try decoden and get hooked on all things cute!

Q) What is your mood like when you get a shipment?

A) When an order comes in it’s like Christmas morning. We start pulling stuff out of the boxes, oohing, ahhing and giggling. Then we sort it all into styles and colors. This starts the brainstorming process and we figure out what goes together and how customers can use the products for their own projects. Afterwards we make sample designs to photograph and start listing them on Etsy! It’s an addictive cycle because once an order comes in I immediately start to look for new supplies to compliment the ones I just got!

Q) Do you have any words of wisdom for all the crafters out there?


A) Just figure out what you want to make and how you want to brand yourself and do it! If you’re persistent and work hard you can make anything happen!

Where can we find you?

 I sell on etsy at happykawaiisupples.etsy.com

I also sell non kawaii jewelry supplies at bunnysundries.etsy.com

Instagram: instagram.com/happykawaiisupplies

Facebook: www.facebook.com/happykawaiisupplies

I have put in another order and I’ll be receiving my goodies soon. I plan on doing a project with the little taffy box, reviewing the whipped cream and the macaroon? Not sure yet, but I’ll be sure to tell you what I do with it.

Not to sound like a total hippy, but I only get good vibes from rain. The ancient proverb, “Waste not, want not,” rings true here. When you chose to use a commodity or resource carefully and without extravagance, you will never be in need. Take the time to check out HappyKawaiiSupplies, you’ll be happy you did!