Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristi Pearce.
Hi Kristi, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I began with an interest in crochet and wanted to sell my creations to afford to buy my yarn instead of having my husband fund my creative addiction. After that, I started to dabble in 3D printing. I have a shop selling articulated fantastical pets like dragons, phoenixes, jackalopes, and hippocampi.
It wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I had to work hard to gain several new skills to earn back money with my creations. I had no educational background in business, so I did a lot of research. I also took online classes in 3D modeling, in-person sales, and advanced crochet methods. I used resources like SkillShare and YouTube. I also had to learn how to disassemble and reassemble my 3D printers independently, not to mention the initial costs of starting a business!
Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As the owner of Fantasy Pet Store, I specialize in 3D printing creatures found in legends and story tales and selling them to people who delight in appreciating imagination for what it is. My creations aren’t alive, but my customers’ imaginations give them life. Who wouldn’t want an adorable baby dragon of their very own? When I sell to my customers, I dress for the occasion. Not just myself but my shop as well. When you walk into my shop, you’ll see it decorated with flowers and greenery, as if entering a clearing. Then you’ll find me, dressed as a fairy with pointed ears and a flowing dress, carrying a baby dragon on one shoulder. You’ll also find several nests with dragon eggs inside, each egg carrying a unique baby dragon. Displays surround the shop, all filled with other fantasy creatures peering curiously at you as you decide which one you might take home with you as a pet. My passion for my business holds imagination at its core. The Fantasy Pet Store has no age limit on using your imagination.
Let’s end by discussing what matters most to you and why.
I only make in-person sales at vending events and enjoy interacting with my customers face-to-face. I love to see them react to opening a dragon egg for the first time to see a baby inside. I love dressing up as a fairy for the events because when people come to my booth, they don’t see me as a businesswoman but as a fun-loving individual who wants to share in the excitement of someone getting an adorable new pet. But mostly, I make sure that my creations are durable. I want to ensure my customers enjoy their purchases long after they leave my shop. Those are the two things that matter most to me. I hope people are happy inside my shop and long after.
Pricing:
- Baby Dragons – $10
- Baby Dragons & Eggs – $20
- Adult Dragons with Wings – $30
- Various Other Creatures – $5-$15
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Photos were taken by Kristi Pearce
