As many of you know, EtsyBABY team members are extremely talented. We
wanted to take a peek at the person behind the creativity. All
throughout May we will be interviewing shop owners, to get a glimpse of
the designer behind those adorable baby products!
What inspired you to begin a shop featuring your own designs? I became a doting aunt to three nieces and three nephews in six years. Aunt Vicky had a very busy time of making coming-home-from-the-hospital outfits, security blankets, and afghans during that period of time! I found I really enjoyed the portability of handmade knit and crochet pieces for babies and children, and I had to find an outlet to sell my creations. In 2005 I began to sell at an annual craft show in Virginia. Customers immediately began to ask about placing custom orders, how to find my website, etc. I put off starting a true small business as I wasn't ready for my hobby to turn into a job. Each year I returned, my customers were more insistent and encouraging that I should have a year-round business outlet. I heard about Etsy from one of my customers in 2009, and after giving it a year's thought, I decided to try being a seller.
What is your favorite material to craft with? Baby or fine-gauge yarn, the more colorful, the better. I have much more than I should!
How long have you been practicing your art/craft?
My wonderful grandmother taught me how to crochet and knit around the age of 6-7 years old. Let's just say it's been a long time!
What training have you had or are you self-taught? In addition to my grandmother's teaching, later in life I had to teach myself to read patterns as I'd not learned before. With that out of my way, I picked up my hook and needles and simply tried new stitches and projects. I learned a lot of new stitch patterns from making blankets for the babies and children in the pediatric intensive care unit where I worked. My renewed hobby took off and I haven't looked back since! When I began crafting with vintage buttons, I did take an introductory jewelry-making class. I'd love to take more advanced classes, but haven't had the time recently.
What has been the hardest aspect of creating a hobby into a business? Staying organized, by far. I can't just jump in and open up a sixth project anymore because it's impossible to keep track of everything all at once. I love creating new items and listing them, but bookkeeping is a drag!
Any advice for other Etsy sellers? Do your research! I was really thankful that I spent six months learning about Etsy before I opened my shop; it helped me immensely in avoiding common seller mistakes.
What do you enjoy doing in your off time? Besides my full-time job as a nurse (the job that pays the bills!), most of my free time is channeled into my Etsy shop. Another passion of mine is to volunteer on international medial missions and in a local community low-cost clinic. I also love antique shopping and collecting, traveling, photography, baking, gardening, and watching movies.
Describe a typical day in your life... That sounds like an easy question to answer, but for me it's not--I don't think I have a "typical day"! On my days off, I'll get up at 7 AM and spend part of the morning online working on my shop and everything else that goes with it. I try to exercise daily before I get too involved in other projects. I've resisted setting a routine for myself as there always seems to be something that comes up to lay my plans to waste. For example, this morning I awoke to an Etsy convo from a local photographer. She wanted to know if certain photo props were ready for shipment as she had a photo shoot this afternoon, and could she come to pick them up as soon as possible? Needless to say, my morning accelerated from there! Instead of having a daily routine, I've recently started writing out goals for the week on Sundays. I list personal, work, crafting, and business goals to work toward over the course of the week. So far that's helping me organize my time better.
Where can we find your products online? I currently don't have a website other than Etsy. However, I'd love for you to visit my Facebook page and my Pinterest page ! I approach my Facebook page like a blog, so I'm always posting about my new creations, sampler crafting, business endeavors, and travels. I post fabulous dessert recipes as well!
Thank you Vicky, for taking the time out of your busy schedule to grant us an interview!
As many of you know, EtsyBABY team members are extremely talented. We
wanted to take a peek at the person behind the creativity. All
throughout May we will be interviewing shop owners, to get a glimpse of
the designer behind those adorable baby products!
What inspired you to begin a shop featuring your own designs? I have always been known as a “Craft Queen” and was once given the nickname, Crafty Kelley. I am very artistic and love to explore new ideas and creations. I finally found a niche that I decided to run with…Custom Handmade Scrap Tutus! It is not just your typical tutu, which gives me the freedom to use my artistic imagination to create an item that is both fun and unique. Not one tutu is exactly the same.
What is your favorite material to craft with? Textured fabrics and Lace
How long have you been practicing your art/craft? I have been focusing on the creation of these unique tutus for the past 6 months. However, I have been crafting my whole life=)
What training have you had or are you self-taught? I taught myself! One day I decided to try making a tutu with some scrap fabric. I thought it could be a cute gift for a friends daughter’s birthday. Everyone loved it and wanted one for their little girl! I knew at that moment that these adorable tutus were going to be a hit! Since then I have added so many unique fabrics, lace, accessories to add to the uniqueness of the product. I am always trying to stir up new ideas and love when I receive requests for custom orders.
What has been the hardest aspect of creating a hobby into a business? Sometimes I will get tired of making the same item over and over. I try to avoid making the “same old thing” by adding a new twist…such as a fun new fabric, print or texture. I love to see pictures of little girls wearing my items. They always look SO CUTE, which inspires me to create more!
Any advice for other Etsy sellers? If you have a talent…GO FOR IT!
What do you enjoy doing in your off time? I love spending time with my husband and adorable 3 year old son! I also love working out and a nice glass of wine!
Describe a typical day in your life... I do not think that I have a “typical” day…lol! I am a wife and mother to an adorable 3 year old little boy! I juggle work along with working on new Tutus, Headbands and Accessories for my shop!
Where can we find your products online? Please visit my Facebook Page for promotions and current new creations that I am completing or working on.
http://www.facebook.com/tutoocutetutu
Also please visit my ETSY SHOP
http://www.etsy.com/shop/tutoocute1
Thank you Kelley, for taking the time out of your busy schedule to grant us an interview!
As many of you know, EtsyBABY team members are extremely talented. We
wanted to take a peek at the person behind the creativity. All
throughout May we will be interviewing shop owners, to get a glimpse of
the designer behind those adorable baby products!
What inspired you to begin a shop featuring your own designs? I first started my shop when my youngest daughter (my middle child) was 2 1/2, I was looking for children & baby items that were cute, but also trendy & unique, and I just wasn't able to find that in the stores/ malls. I knew that I could make the things that I wanted & I figured that others were probably looking for the same things too, so I opened my shop.
What is your favorite material to craft with? Fabric of course! I do especially love minky as it is so soft & cuddley.
How long have you been practicing your art/craft?
I have been sewing since I was 10 years old - so over 20 years!
What training have you had or are you self-taught? My Nanny first taught me how to sew on her sewing machine, which she then handed down to our family & my mother helped me from then.
What has been the hardest aspect of creating a hobby into a business? I am a mother of three young children (1 1/2, 5 & 8) so I would have to say finding the balance between working & doing 'mom' things :)
Any advice for other Etsy sellers? Do what you love & the sales will follow!
What do you enjoy doing in your off time? I love to read, I just recently got a Kobo Vox and am loving it! I also love playing with my kids, relaxing on the couch with my hubby & shopping (I can't resist a good sale)
Describe a typical day in your life... I wake up at 7:15, get breakfast for the kids, drop the oldest 2 off at school, come back home & check my e-mail, package up any orders that need to go to the post office, shower, tidy up the house, get some sewing done while my youngest child naps, run errands, eat lunch, check my e-mail again, check the mail, bring orders to the post office, pick my oldest 2 kids from school, make snack, tidy the house, make dinner, tidy up the kitchen, make school lunches, read stories with my kids, tuck the kids into bed, & relax for the rest of the night! My youngest has swimming & gymboree each one day a week, so we fit that in too :)
Where can we find your products online? In my Etsy shop & I also have a facebook fan page
Thank you Vickie, for taking the time out of your busy schedule to grant us an interview!
As many of you know, EtsyBABY team members are extremely talented. We
wanted to take a peek at the person behind the creativity. All
throughout May we will be interviewing shop owners, to get a glimpse of
the designer behind those adorable baby products!
What inspired you to begin a shop featuring your own designs? When my twin granddaughters were born in July 2010, I rediscovered how much fun it is to knit for babies and children. I had been knitting mostly adult sweaters until then. It's easier to be creative when children are involved, and of course they look cute in everything! When I realized that people liked the hats I was making, I decided to try Etsy.
What is your favorite material to craft with? I love to knit with alpaca and merino wool. I am aware, though, of the need for baby clothes to be easy to care for, so I also knit with washable acrylic.
How long have you been practicing your art/craft?
I have been knitting and crocheting for 50 years. I started making granny squares in the schoolyard during recess in 2nd grade, and started knitting soon after that.
What training have you had or are you self-taught? I am basically self taught. In the 80s I worked as a knitter for a sweater designer, and perfected my joining techniques while working for her. It was also the first time my work was being sold, so I was much more focused on the details.
What has been the hardest aspect of creating a hobby into a business? The hardest part of making a business of my knitting is the marketing aspect. As someone who is technically challenged, I am constantly learning how to use the media which comes so naturally to my children!
Any advice for other Etsy sellers? My advice to other sellers is not to give up. It takes time for people to discover your shop, and there are MANY crafters to compete with! Don't be discouraged, and keep trying new things, and keep listing new items. When you do make a sale, be courteous and helpful to your customer, and make sure to ship your work in a timely fashion.
What do you enjoy doing in your off time? When I am not knitting, I love to try new vegetarian recipes. I also Skype with my granddaughters who live across the country from us. I am constantly sending them new hats and ponchos to model for me, and like to see them on the computer bringing my creations to life.
Describe a typical day in your life... A typical day in my life has calmed down quite a bit since my four children have grown. I can now wake up at about 8, check in at Etsy and Facebook over a leisurely cup of coffee, knit a few hours, do some housework, knit some more, make dinner, knit some more....I would have killed for even a portion of this time twenty years ago!!!
Where can we find your products online? My creations can be found on Etsy. I am also an artist at Bliss co-op in Sugarloaf, NY. My Facebook page (under construction) is PixiesnPeanuts.
Thank you Laura, for taking the time out of your busy schedule to grant us an interview!
As many of you know, EtsyBABY team members are extremely talented. We
wanted to take a peek at the person behind the creativity. All
throughout May we will be interviewing shop owners, to get a glimpse of
the designer behind those adorable baby products!
What inspired you to begin a shop featuring your own designs? I was inspired by wanting to create something bright, unique and fun while pregnant with my son.
What is your favorite material to craft with? I love working with organic jersey. It's unbelievably soft.
How long have you been practicing your art/craft?
I design my own fabrics and have them printed especially for use in my shop. I've been a graphic designer for 6 years, and have been turning that into baby blankets, hats, burp cloths and other gifts for just 7 short months!
What training have you had or are you self-taught? I learned to sew in the third grade via 4-H. I didn't really fall in love with it until I got pregnant, and the maternal instinct to CREATE kicked in.
What has been the hardest aspect of creating a hobby into a business? My "hobby" got really difficult when I couldn't juggle my regular 9-5 job at Teen Vogue magazine. Financially, we're finally able to make the transition of me doing Little Hip Squeaks full time, and I am SO excited to be able to spend more time with my son.
Any advice for other Etsy sellers? My advice to other sellers is have something unique that you absolutely love. If you love it, and believe in it, it will show.
What do you enjoy doing in your off time? In my off time, I love to run. Nothing clears your head and recharges you like a nice long run.
Describe a typical day in your life... In a typical day, I get up and go for a run while my husband gets our son ready for the morning -- my husband works from home as well, so it's really an interesting dynamic. I usually take our little guy out for a walk, or to the park, or to a museum so my husband gets some quiet time to work. Then at nap time, I get to sew and pack up orders. At the end of the day my husband will take my son back out, and I can get a little more work done!
Where can we find your products online? Little Hip Squeaks
Thank you Amy, for taking the time out of your busy schedule to grant us an interview!
As many of you know, EtsyBABY team members are extremely talented. We
wanted to take a peek at the person behind the creativity. All
throughout May we will be interviewing shop owners, to get a glimpse of
the designer behind those adorable baby products!
What inspired you to begin a shop featuring your own designs?
The thought of being able to continue to create unique children's and baby items-loving being able to do what I do!
What is your favorite material to craft with?
My favorite is to be able to mix them all together! painting on wood worked items, fabric on wood worked items, embroidery, silk ribbon embroidery...
How long have you been practicing your art/craft? Ever since I can remember! I remember painting in elementary school, selling hand painted baby onesies and t-shirts while I was in college, making hand painted costumes for my little cousins, always homemade presents involving lots of different elements.
What has been the hardest aspect of creating a hobby into a business?
Finding the time to document/record everything that I do.
Any advice for other Etsy sellers? Do what you love and love what you do!
What do you enjoy doing in your off time?
Spending time with my children and working on my projects with them!
What training have you had or are you self-taught?
I am actually a registered pharmacist and a self taught artist of many
different media. Self taught artist, art on fabric-embroidery, art on
hand crafted wood worked items, art on canvases/watercolor paper, art on
walls, paper art, mixed media art...I feel certain that I've left
something out! OHHHHH, photography!
Describe a typical day in your life...
Running my boys around-to school and back, children's activities, working on several projects at once and doing my best to avoid cleaning the house....or so my husband thinks-ha!
Where can we find your products online? At my etsy shop or check out my blog!
Thank you Shannon, for taking the time out of your busy schedule to grant us an interview!
As many of you know, EtsyBABY team members are extremely talented. We
wanted to take a peek at the person behind the creativity. All
throughout May we will be interviewing shop owners, to get a glimpse of
the designer behind those adorable baby products!
What inspired you to begin a shop featuring your own designs? I loved the euro designs I saw online. My middle son was just a baby then and I wanted to sew for him and the two older kids. I loved the tees that weren't like the ones in the stores around here.
What is your favorite material to craft with? Fabric, of course. I like all types of fabrics. I really like using textiles that are considered hard to sew or tricky. I love a challenge.
What has been the hardest aspect of turning a hobby into a business? Have
the time and energy to create. I have five children now and my free
time is rather limited. My older kids are all in school now and I only
have the two youngest home with me. Next year I will have more time as
my 4th child will enter 4 day a week preschool.
How long have you been practicing your art/craft? Oh gosh, a long time. Not counting the years I spent as a kid sewing, I have been a designer for 6 years.
What training have you had or are you self-taught? I have taken classes but I'm mostly self-taught.
Any advice for other Etsy sellers? Research your market and price yourself accordingly. Also, it really helps to take good photos and learn to edit them properly.
What do you enjoy doing in your off time?Playing and coaching soccer. It's a great game and one I really enjoy!
Describe a typical day in your life... I don't know that I have a typical day. I usually wake up earlier then I'd like with less sleep then I need and get my kids ready for school. I have three in elementary school and they ride the bus. Just getting them off to school can feel something like running a marathon. After that is over I sit down for 5 mins. I then get my dd ready for preschool and the baby dressed. We go off to preschool. I try to fit in some sewing when dd is at school but usually that doesn't happen.
Since I have more laundry then you can possibly imagine, I usually end up doing something with that. I then pick up dd from preschool and we go home to have lunch. It's nap time for the baby (or toddler but I refuse to think of him as that even though he's over 18mos). DH comes home and I eat lunch with him. Honestly, some days I think I would skip lunch if he didn't come home. It's probably better for my health that he does. :) I then squeeze in some sewing time. I am a quick seamstress and a process sewer so I enjoy this little time. It helps me to relax and decompress. Time for the bigs to come home from school. I wait for the bus and they get a snack. Then we are off to our evening activities. Dinner is usually late and I mostly distress the ritual of creating it. Not always, but 55% of the time. I prefer to bake things rather then cook. Bed comes for the kids and dh and I try to relax before we go to sleep.
Where can we find your products online? I sell at Etsy of course . I have a Facebook page and my own website . I also sell in a congo at HyenaCart. Of course email always works as well jennifer[at]madalinejane.com
Thank you Jenny, for taking the time out of your busy schedule to grant us an interview!
