The Interview

Styleforfree:  When did vintage fashion first spark your interest?

Shell:  Probably when my mom started getting into vintage a few years ago. She runs her own website as well, MemphisVintage.com (I guess the website/store business runs in the family!) She brings home all these gorgeous dresses, mostly from the 30s-50s. I would drool over those dresses, and sometimes I have to beg her to let me steal a dress or a pair of shoes. We enjoy searching for vintage together and if I find something I like, I'll put it on Toot-Sweet. Vintage is great because it's unique; it's not something you can find at mall and you're guarenteed that you'll basically be the only one with that piece.

Styleforfree:  As a high school student, how hard is it to balance school with your crafting hobbies?

Shell:  Not as hard as you might think, actually. I typically update the website on weekends when I have more time, and on long weekends or breaks I'll go on a crafting spree and make lots of new items to load up the website with, to hold me over until the next break when I get to make a big update.

SFF:  With senior prom coming up, are you planning on making your own prom dress?

Shell:   I am going a different route with prom. I found a gorgeous 1950s yellow organza halter dress (kind of like a swing dress) that I plan to wear. At first, browsing through rows and rows of prom dresses at endless stores, I was amazed at how alike all the dresses looked - all those slinky-satin beaded floor-length dresses just didn't appeal to me. Luckily I found this vintage one. At least I don't have to worry about showing up to my prom in the same dress as someone else.

SFF: Once you graduate, do you have any big plans regarding school or your Toot-Sweet line?

Shell:  I think I'll be temporarily closing Toot-Sweet in the fall so I can focus on college. The step from high school to college is a big one, and I want to make sure that I can get settled in with living on my own first before I try managing Toot-Sweet. It involves a lot of up-and-back to the post office, supplies, tools, and other things that I won't have access to or be able to bring with me - at least not my freshman year. But Toot-Sweet won't be dead; it will always make a comeback. I love it too much to completely abandon it :)

SFF:  Toot-Sweet is a really cute name, how did you come up with it?

Shell:  It's kind of a take off of the French phrase "toute sweet," meaning "quick or now," only I changed the spelling a little bit. At Toot-Sweet, you do get your items pretty quickly, but it's more about the "sweet" part of the name that appealed to me. It matches my personality & style - I like things that are cute, fun and colorful. It seemed only fitting to name my website Toot-Sweet.

SFF:  Okay, you make clothes, bags, jewelry, zines and take rad photos! Plus, you designed your own website and we love the layout! So, with all this talent, what's your favorite craft to work on?

Shell:  It's so hard to choose one over the other! But if I had to pick one, I would probably choose photography. It's my first love. I was taking photos long before I even picked up a sewing needle. It's the perfect outlet for self-expression, a medium that allows you to shape your own world. I like creating that - this moment in time that allows the viewer to connect with the image in the photo, almost as if they're really there.

SFF:  With such a successful website, have you considered expanding to boutiques?

Shell:  I haven't really given it much thought, although I did complete a couple of wholesale orders for a store in Flordia, but other than that, I haven't expanded outside of the website. I don't know if I will or not -- maybe someday! However, I'll certainly continue to make new things, whether it's for the site, myself, or as gifts for my friends.

SFF:  How would you describe Toot-Sweet in three words?

Shell:  Cute, unique, and of course - sweet!

SFF:  Any new releases in the near future that we can look forward to?

Shell:  I'm constantly thinking up new creations. I keep a sketch book where I write down ideas and sketch the item I want to create or write down how I want it to look. I add new things a few times a month. The next items I'll add to the website will most likely be some more bags & purses, since people seem to like those best & currently, the bag portion of the site is the section with the fewest items up. I plan to try new things as well, like sewing up clothes from scratch (I love browsing the rows of fabrics; I get a rush of ideas for so many things!)

SFF:  May we offer Styleforfree shoppers an exclusive discount coupon/code?

Shell: Toot-Sweet offers Styleforfree shoppers a 10% discount on any one item until 5/27/06. Enter code: TP0527 at checkout.