Molly Puzo

Molly Puzo of Hydra Heart
Shop: www.hydraheart.etsy.com

I'm sure you've seen her shoes plastered on lots of blogs (including this one) - I was curious to find out a little bit more about Molly so I asked if she would be willing to answer a couple of questions...


1. How would you describe your style?

I’m always drawn to muted colors, the colors of dusk- orange, brown, olive greens, gray, and black. There is something that is magical about this time of day, the rituals before bed for some- and the stirring of life for the nocturnally bound. I love nature and I think my style reflects that. I love simple design.

>> click here to continue reading the interview

2. How long have you been making/selling shoes and clothing? How did it all begin?

I’ve been making my own clothing since my mother taught me how to sew at the tender age of six. One of the first things I made was this hideous acid-washed denim tiered skirt. I of course adored it at the time! The love for sewing continued throughout high school and I always made my own clothes. The thought of selling my creations did occur to me at the time, but I never really had the drive to do so.

When I started college my sewing hobby kind of went on the back burner. I was way to busy having debacherous comradery with my friends into the wee hours of the morning to be bothered with sitting in front of a machine all night. After my daughter was born last year things changed. I was spending MANY quiet nights at home and I pulled out and blew of the dust of my PFAFF Hobby 301 my mother had given me so long ago and began sewing again. I made my first pair of shoes for myself and then I just couldn’t stop!

3. Why did you choose to focus on earth-friendly and vegan shoes as opposed to using non-vegan materials etc?

I’ve been a vegetarian for almost 10 years now and I’m always looking for animal and earth friendly clothing and accessory options. The meat industry is completely corrupt and inhumane so I don’t support them by buying their products. www.peta.com is a great source for more information about the ethical, environmental, and social aspects of the meat industry.

Also- it is really difficult to find cute vegan shoes! So I decided to make myself some and everything kind of took off from there.


4. How do you come up with your lovely designs, could you describe your creative process?

I suppose it all really stems for the love of fabric. When I go into a fabric store my mind just gets bombarded with ideas. I love fabrics with texture and character. If I see a fabric I really love I look around the store to find different materials to compliment it. I’m completely obsessed with wood buttons right now. My father and I were going on a lot of hikes during the fall and I collected all of these amazing acorns. I got this great idea to use them as buttons for some of my shoes and even on a pea coat. I’m hopping to get them in the store before the season is over!

It all really starts with something small that acts as a catalyst for creativity. It all kind of flows and evolves from one point until I have a completed project.

5. What inspires you? How do you get past crafter's block?

I’m deeply moved by nature and organic design. If I get stuck I just need to be in open space. I live really close to the ocean so I frequent the beach. As I said earlier my favorite time of day is dusk, especially when the first star erupts from the sky.

The forest is also only about an hour away from me, so if I need an infusion of some deep evergreen love I can always head up there.

6. Who is your current idol/craft-crush?

Right now I love cozy knitted items (one of the crafts I have yet to learn). Spratters and Jane are just amazing. Their knitted cowls are huge and gorgeous with wooden buttons for clasps. Also- Nervous system is great. They use a lot if organic elements in their work to create inspiring jewelry.

7. What was it that made you want to start creating? Do you feel like you were born with a desire to create or did something trigger it?

I believe everyone is born with the desire to create. Humans are innately creative. We all express this desire in different ways of course. Some of us draw, paint, sew, knit, and make jewelry or music. Others have children or build homes. We all want to make a mark on this world with a declaration of our existence.


8. Do you do this full-time? If not, what pays the bills?

Currently this is my only source of income. It allows me to stay at home with my 16-month-old daughter, which is just amazing. I live with two other people so we all kind of pitch in for rent, etc.

9. Your Etsy shop is fairly new and you've sold a good number of items so far - can you give new-to-Etsy folks some advice on the best way to get noticed. Is it just a matter of luck and good timing or do you have a recipe for success?

I don’t really have a recipe for success- I noticed that there weren’t really any other products like mine on Etsy and I think that really helped things along. My main piece of advice is to not over think things too much. You could be creating with all of that time you spend over- analyzing! Just keep doing what you love to do and it will shine through in your work. Also- don’t be afraid to ask or look for help if you need it. I couldn’t do everything by myself or I would go crazy!

Thanks Molly!!