Glimpse: A chat with Chelsea of {frolic!}
I've been following the blog {frolic!} for what seems like forever--Chelsea's taste is delightful and inspiring, and I'm always interested to see her latest projects or interesting finds. She was kind enough to share with me her thoughts as well as imagery she finds inspiring...
You've been authoring {frolic!} for some time now, how did you get started?
I had just closed my flower shop and was back working in an office. I needed a creative outlet and I also wanted to keep up on the freshest and latest design ideas. At first I only knew about personal blogs and I thought they were a bit narcissistic. Then, I started seeing these amazing blogs by craftspeople and tastemakers. I thought, “I want to do that.” Sometimes I feel so inspired, like I will explode, so it’s a good outlet! I started a couple of blogs one for my floral design, and another style blog- I later deleted them. It took a couple tries to get it just right.
You cover a broad range of categories on {frolic!}, where do you go for inspiration and what are some of your favorite sites to draw from?
I usually find inspiration when I am not looking for it. Lately I am very inspired by film photography (polanoid.net + flickr are favorites) and short little films (this one was a recent inspiration) and I also love the fashiony films that designers make like these moving pictures on Sally Scott's website. I like looking at websites of photographers and stylists (Martyn Thompson, Roland Bello, Jen Gotch). I also love real life blogs by people who beautifully capture life as it is (Liivian Talossa, Little Birds, Abby Trys Again). I love doodly blogs like Obsessive Consumption , draw draw draw, and Blogging Molly. I am a magazine addict too, but lately I’ve been feeling a bit of a void at the magazine stand. I always read Domino, though. I read over 300 blogs a day! And, I always have to check in on Snippet & Ink and Oh Happy Day, they both have aesethics that are very much in line with my own.
Are there any types of challenges you face as blogger ?
Yes. I always want it to be about what inspires me and I try to stick to that while also trying to keep content fresh and original.I think a blog has to evolve. I’ve definitely been thinking a lot about where to take Frolic! next.
I am not a techie person at all. I don’t own an ipod, I barely watch TV, and spending money on electronics has never been a priority for me. So sometimes, I get a little resentful of my computer and the time it takes:)!
Sometimes managing time can be a struggle as well. Especially if I have a photo shoot or event that I am working on. I love the idea of making a living off of a variety of creative endeavors but balancing it all can definitely be a challenge.
I know you have a background in floral design and have blogged some of your lovely prop-styling--where do see yourself going from here and more specifically where do you see {frolic!} going in the future?
I am always thinking up new businesses and ventures. I’d really like to own a flower farm someday-growing old-fashioned flowers and culinary herbs. I love physical labor and I want that to be a bigger part of my life. My favorite projects are ones where I get to have complete creative control- so I’d like to find something that will enable me to do that while also supporting myself. I am also very determined to take my businesses in a philanthropic direction someday. I love the idea of being creative but helping people at the same time.
As far as the blog, I’d like to add a lot more original content to Frolic! (my own work and others) I think blogs have to evolve. I have some ideas that I am excited about, but I am still working out the kinks.
Do you have any other hobbies, things you don't blog about?
I love being outdoors, camping and hiking. I play the piano. I have a restaurant group with friends and I love practicing yoga.
You often refer to your town, Portland , Oregon , when blogging--how does the city you live in reflect what you post about?
Since moving to Portland, I’ve become a lot more interested in the music scene so I love posting about local bands. There are a lot of Frolic-y things about Portland too. It‘s sort of the perfect city for me to be living in and just encourages in me all the things I love. Portlanders have a wonderful, earthiness to them, but they are also full of style.
Lastly, What do you hope your readers take from {frolic!}?
I hope readers consider it be more than just a site about pretty products. I’ve had some people write me and tell me that they lead very stressful lives or have very intense careers and visiting the site is a calming and joyful moment in their day. That makes me so happy! Also, I am a huge believer in small business so I love spreading the word about small businesses and artists. If I bring a little business to someone, I am thrilled!
Images: toast, teen vogue, molly findlay, christopher smith
Whitney Deal
Reader Comments (10)
Thank you for that. I've followed Chelsea's blog for awhile and I really admire her style and ability to write about interesting things all the time. Sometimes it's hard. It's hard to strike a balance between personal things and inspiration found on the web for me. Anyway, thanks for the interesting talk. :)
Chelsea is such an inspiration for me! It is amazing to know a bit more about her now! Thank you, Whitney, for this amazing interview and thank you, Chelsea, for sharing!
i love this. she is always a favorite read of mine.
Gosh, Chelsea is such a sweetheart. Whenever {Frolic} pops up in my google reader, I smile!
thank you for this lovely interview. chelsea's blog is definitely on my top 5 list when it comes to favorites.
what a lovely interview - i love hearing more about the people behind the blogs. thanks for some great questions.
what a treat! thanks!
Thanks for the great interview! Frolic is one of the most top notch blogs around, and it's great to get this sneak peak into chelsea's world!
xoxo
Anne
Yeah chelsea, I just love her blog and I think she is a delightful person too.
I love small businesses too. There are so many out there and they are all unique and do things differently than me, so there is a lot to learn in the way of advertising and marketing.