The Wickedly Talented Ladies of Macabre Merch: Six Questions for the Beauty and Brains Behind the Killer Shop, Demented Designs OC
Demented Designs OC is a collective of local artisans, based out of Orange County, California, who enjoy making and selling items off the beaten path — from the wonderfully strange and unusual to the handmade, truly original items you can’t find anywhere else. Combining the talents and passions of several like-minded shops, Demented Designs OC offers an unmatched selection of gifts for yourself or your fellow friends and love ones who appreciate all things creepy or just plain cool. Whether in their online shop or at one of their local events, you can find a wide selection of Toy Skateboarders, upcycled furniture, creepy soaps, handmade horror-inspired baby dolls, clothing and jewelry, home decor, and even health and beauty items (including hair care, grooming, and makeup) in all price ranges and styles.
1. What was the inspiration for starting your own business and how did you get started?
I have always enjoyed art and creating, but my style of creation was not mainstream. So when I started making items to sell at local events, I didn’t have much luck, but I found that the few who did enjoy my items wanted to know where they could get more. So I searched out how & where to open my dream store, and invited artist and crafters who needed a place to showcase their wonderful art too!
2. When and how did you fall in love with horror?
I have always been a horror fan I guess it is kinda in my blood, my Mom & Dad always enjoyed halloween and horror. Every Halloween my parents would go all out on our makeup and costumes (theirs as well), we won for scariest costumes at contests. I remember going to Drive Ins to see double features of horror and SiFi. Funny thing tho, although, I love the horror scene and characters, I am not a huge fan of watching them (I get scared, lol).
3. Where does inspiration for your products come from? What is your creative process like?
I like to find different mediums to work in, I like to make things that others do not carry. One of my favorites to make are my bottle cap magnets. I search for used bottle caps first, then find my pictures. Although they are fairly small and inexpensive, I really enjoy customizing and making collections.
4. What’s the best part about running your own business, and what’s the hardest part?
The best part of owning my own company is the fact that I get to choose what I sell and where. I also love that many of our items are handcrafted, and I get to help support others who enjoy making “dark and different” creations. The hardest part is finding the right places to showcase all our amazing items, and finding ways to get others to find our events & website (which is in itself a lot of work to keep up).
5. Tell me why you think it’s important for people to support small business? Is it especially important for people to support female-owned business (if so, why)?
This country was built on small business, and many small business are created out of necessities of obligations in their personal life. It is important to support small businesses of all types. For many, their business is their sole source of income. For others, it’s a way for them to have a little extra and/or better support themselves and their families. All small business owners work very hard to share the love they have for the items they carry.
6. How can people follow/interact with you on social and purchase your products? And is there anything else you’d like to add or promote?
Demented Designs OC is on all social media. Find us on:
Facebook at fb.me/DementedDesignsOC
Instagram at @demented_designs_oc
Twitter at @DementedDesigns
Online Store at www.DementedDesignsOC.com
I am always looking to add artist to our shop. If you or someone you know would like to join Demented Designs OC, please contact me at [email protected].
We have also recently joined the Art Crawl Experience in Anaheim, CA and the DTSA Farmers Market in Santa Ana, CA, if you’d like to come visit us in person!
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