Friday, March 28, 2014

Meet Sharon from Piccolina Boutique

Custom made kids art / Decorative picture
Pink mix / Nursery art / Nursery Decor $42

What inspired you to begin a shop featuring your own designs?
I am filled with inspiration from innovation, as an industrial designer I am looking for new needs that we as parents come across and find them new solutions. There is no greater pleasure from seeing people like and buy the products you design.

How long have you been practicing your art/craft? A year and half ago the decision to become a freelance designer, to design and manufacture the products that I invented and designed.

Personalized Portrait / Pop Art Fairy
Tiles Wall Pillow - Stars Background $130

What training have you had or are you self-taught?
I studied industrial design and from there I got the knowledge of techniques and materials. In my experience in all of the craft fields, the areas that interested me more and tied at the end of my products, I studied them and learned more in a thorough manner.

What is your favorite material to craft with?
I love working with fabrics.

What has been the hardest aspect of creating a hobby into a business?
Once the hobby became a profession I began to be much more calculated and limited in the creative process. In the end, the product must fit a wide range of customers and be the perfect course.

Romantic Soft Pink Headboard / Nursery Decor

Soft Pink Headboard $115

Any advice for other Etsy sellers?
Be creative, diverse and allow the customer to be part of the product design so that the product that they purchase will be unique. (Offer them a custom made order)

What do you enjoy doing in your off time?
In my free time, I love spending time with my daughter and designing her cool stuff.

3 Piece blue Picture set / Enchanted Forest Custom
made kids art / Decorative picture -
blue mix / Nursery art / Nursery $42

Describe a typical day in your life.
In the morning after I take my daughter to kindergarten, I sit down and work on the computer in my home studio, updated what happened in my stores, Facebook, some marketing and reply to e-mails . At noon I go to the workshop, working on new product development and manufacture of incoming orders and then packing and shipping. Of course, when my daughter comes back from kindergarten I free up time for for my family. Do not tell, but from time to time I check the computer to see if there's a new purchase or a customer conversation.

Where can we find your products online?
PiccolinaBoutique

Thursday, March 27, 2014

Meet Jennifer from Prettiest Print Shop

Printable nursery art - Your birthday is
the happiest day of my life - Pink and gold -
First birthday party - Nursery decor -
Customizable $12

What inspired you to begin a shop featuring your own designs?
I had been tossing around the idea for a couple of years, and just feeling unsure of how the entire Etsy thing worked and if it was possible to really make a living this way. Once I had my daughter in 2012, it was not financially possible for me to stay at home with her full-time and returning to work after maternity leave was devastating for me. I knew that I would need to find some way that I would be able to stay at home with her but also be able to help support my family. I have always been extremely crafty and am a graphic designer by trade, so it is only natural that I went all out when planning her 1st birthday party. I created all of the paper goods myself. With so many of these items designed, plus pictures of the party, I felt like it was finally the right time for me to try out the Etsy thing. I got my first large order for the complete party set about a week later and I was hooked! Things have steadily grown from there and I couldn't be more grateful!

Lachen from Princess Applesauce Boutique

I'm Six T-Shirt $15

What inspired you to begin a shop featuring your own designs?
Requests from friends and family

How long have you been practicing your art/craft?
Over 25 years

What training have you had or are you self-taught?
Sewing classes in School but mostly self taught

What is your favorite material to craft with?
T-Shirts and Baby Items

Meet Gal from StudioMishela

Wooden baby gym for hanging baby mobiles $88

What inspired you to begin a shop featuring your own designs?
After many years as a furniture designer in regular scale in a family wood work shop, and after my first daughter was born, it felt exactly like the right time to discover smaller scale products and the place of wood in the babies world. In Israeli market I found a huge gap that inspired me to jump in and start to fill it with a high quality alternative to the colorful plastic world of toys and furniture.

Meet Annelie from Pellerina Design

SALE!! pellerina tribal swaddle blanket.. ready to ship .. diamonds and linen texture

Pellerina tribal swaddle blanket -
RTS - diamonds and linen texture $34

What inspired you to begin a shop featuring your own designs? Through Spoonflower, I was able to create my own fabric. Etsy gave me the perfect opportunity to combine my love for designing & sewing into a business to support my hobby!

How long have you been practicing your art/craft? I have drawn and used computer graphic programs as long as I can remember. Pellerina Design is a new venture, created in 2013.

Meet Lori from Custom Touch Sewing

BABY CRIB BEDDING $238

What inspired you to begin a shop featuring your own designs? My main business has been decorative sewing for the home but when the economy slowed down I decided to create some fun baby items and open an Etsy shop. It's fun to mix things up and have a variety of projects I'm working on.

How long have you been practicing your art/craft? I've been sewing for over 40 years and have done it professionally for over 25 years.

What training have you had or are you self-taught? I am mainly self taught. I did get decorative sewing experience while working for a company that allowed me to bring work home, which allowed me to stay home with my kids.

CHAMBRAY STRIPE DRESS $30

What is your favorite material to craft with? I love beautiful fabrics, soft fabrics, fun fabrics.

What has been the hardest aspect of creating a hobby into a business? The hardest part of the Etsy shop is learning the marketing and technical end of the business. I'd rather be sewing and don't have a lot of time on computer stuff.

Any advice for other Etsy sellers? Be patient. It takes time to build up a network of people looking at (and hopefully buying) from your shop. Take the time to look around and favorite other shops and items and try and gain exposure.

RUFFLED CAPRI LEGGINGS $20

What do you enjoy doing in your off time? I like to read, travel, work on home projects, go to lunch with friends, go to movies with my husband, and spend time with my kids and grand kids.

Describe a typical day in your life. Wake up, walk my dog, check e-mails and reply, sew, go to the gym, veg on the couch.

Where can we find your products online? Custom Touch Sewing

Saturday, March 22, 2014

Meet Christy from E & LuLu

Little Sister gown, Little sis sibling girl bodysuit,
matching hand embroidered toddler shirt,
little sis/Big Sis, little bro/big bro $28

What inspired you to begin a shop featuring your own designs? My 2 kids(Ethan 6-Lucy 3)both loved blankies when they were younger and I couldn't find cute blankies with fun and wild fabrics.

How long have you been practicing your art/craft? I started my small business in January of 2011 for family and friends and then opened up my Etsy shop in Feb 2011.

Meet Melanie from Starry Knight Design

Giraffe Soft Soled Leather Shoes Baby
Pick your size 0-3m, 3-9m, 6-12m, 12-18m

What inspired you to begin a shop featuring your own designs?
I was inspired to start my own shop after selling my baby shoes locally and having great feedback, I wanted to be able to reach larger audience.

How long have you been practicing your art/craft?
I have been making soft soled leather baby shoes for six years, since 2008.

Turquoise Flower Garden Soft Soled Leather Shoes $26.50

What training have you had or are you self-taught?
I am a self taught shoe maker but it has taken lots of different designs to come to where I am now.

What is your favorite material to craft with?
Leather and suede are my favorite materials

What has been the hardest aspect of creating a hobby into a business?
The hardest aspect of turning my hobby into business is finding ways to sell what I am inspired to make. It has taken a few years to build into a consistent year round business.

Navy Elephant Soft Soled Leather
Shoes (Yellow Shown) $23.50

Any advice for other Etsy sellers?
Just keep trying until you find your niche. You may have to try a few different designs or styles before you find what is going to sell.

What do you enjoy doing in your off time?
I live way up in mountains of Montana and enjoy hiking, cooking and gardening on my time off.

Describe a typical day in your life.

Cherries Soft Soled Leather Shoes Toddler pick your size 12-18m, 18-24m, 2-3years

Cherries Soft Soled Leather Shoes Toddler $26.50

A typical day starts pretty early for me. After coffee and waking up with my three boys and husband, I get into my studio and either start cutting , sewing, or packaging shoes. I work most of the day on and off . Between homeschooling two older boys and ,playing or nursing or putting little one down for nap the days go by fast. I like to listen to music while I sew and cut out. I try to get a certain amount done every day to stay on schedule.

Where can we find your products online? My Etsy shop Starry Knight Designs

Thursday, March 20, 2014

Meet Alisa from Made With Luck

MWL 'Gabby' Doll - Ready to ship $25

What inspired you to begin a shop featuring your own designs?
My family, friends and friends of friends were so supportive and excited about all of my creations I decided it would be good to have a place to showcase my work. I love how easy and quick it is to set up a listing on etsy.

How long have you been practicing your art/craft?
I've been making art my whole life! I went to art school where I learned CAD and applied that to jewelry. After working in the jewelry industry for 8years I left to have my son And soon revisited an old love of crocheting and sewing. It's been 4 years since I started making things, and 1 year since I started selling them.

What training have you had or are you self-taught?
My mother taught me to crochet and my mother in law taught me to sew!!

Super Kids Awesome & Todd ready to ship $25

What is your favorite material to craft with?
My favorite material would have to be fabric. I LOVE FABRIC!! If I had the room in my house there would be an entire room filled with just fabric. Wall to wall.

What has been the hardest aspect of creating a hobby into a business?
The hardest thing about turning a hobby into a business is finding the time! I'm a sahm, my kids are both still young enough that they're home the majority of the time. Taking care of them, teaching them and just hanging out with them is my priority during the day, so that means a lot of late nights up working!!!

Sports Team Hat $25

Any advice for other Etsy sellers?
Keep up with it!! You will get people into your shop!! You will have your first sale from a total stranger and it will be so exciting!!! Practice taking great pictures of your work- it makes a huge difference. And remember , the amount of effort you put in is what you get back. Just opening up a shop doesn't mean a sale.

What do you enjoy doing in your off time?
I usually take off 1-2 nights a week. And those nights are always "date night" with my husband! We sit, relax, watch whatever show we like is on tv, have a beer and just chill!!! I don't sew, crochet or sketch. When there isn't 3 ft of snow on the ground we like to take the kids to the park or go bowling.

Super Kid Doll & Cape Set $45

Describe a typical day in your life.
My every day starts with my youngest yelling "mommy!!! I want you!!!" That's usually around 6:30. If she's nice she lets me sleep til 6:45 :) some days there's school for a few hours then Food shopping, fabric shopping, learning the alphabet, building spaceships with Legos, playing dolls, play doh sculptures, painting, reading stories, snack time, a good snuggle on the sofa...and that's all before lunch ;)

Where can we find your products online?You can find me online on Facebook & Etsy!!

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Meet Patty from Sugar Plum Knitz

Hand Knit Children's Hat $20

What inspired you to begin a shop featuring your own designs?
Love to knit and felt this was the perfect outlet for me to sell my creations.

How long have you been practicing your art/craft?
Since about 10 years old.

What training have you had or are you self-taught?
My mother taught me the basics, the rest I kind of winged through the years with help from yarn shop personnel and books books books.

Hand knit baby child sunhat
with hand knitted flowers $22

What is your favorite material to craft with?
Yarn

What has been the hardest aspect of creating a hobby into a business?
Coping with failure.

Any advice for other Etsy sellers?
I'm still gathering advice myself! I have had only minimal success in sales.

What do you enjoy doing in your off time?
Knitting!

Hand knit white fluffy trim hood
style hat with knitted rose $20

Describe a typical day in your life.
Knit, work, knit, read, work, knit. Knit.

Where can we find your products online? Sugar Plum Knitz

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Meet Sharon from Flaunt The Name

Personalized Baby Girl Birth Annoucement Blanket with Birth Stats

Personalized Baby Girl Birth Announcement
Blanket with Birth Stats $25

What inspired you to begin a shop featuring your own designs?
A friend told me about Etsy and was encouraging me to put some items up so she could show some of her friends my designs and so I did it on a whim.

How long have you been practicing your art/craft?
I have been embroidering for 4 years.

Baby Boy Monogrammed Burp Cloth Set $18

What training have you had or are you self-taught?
I am self-taught in both sewing and embroidery. I have learned everything that I know within the last 4 years.

What is your favorite material to craft with?
My favorite material to craft with would have to be the baby burp cloths. I love making new sets to put in my shop and I love the challenge of creating a set to match a nursery or baby theme of a couple.

Girl Easter Tee Shirt with Easter Basket
and Colorful Easter Eggs $20

What has been the hardest aspect of creating a hobby into a business?
The hardest part, for me, about creating a hobby into a business is the time management aspect. I have 2 little ones and sometimes I get so busy that I have a hard time keeping a balance between motherhood and my shop and most of the time, I end up being working until the early morning hours on orders.

Any advice for other Etsy sellers?
My advice to other Etsy sellers is to allow custom orders if at all possible. Many of my most popular designs have been color or fabric combinations that a customer put together and combinations that I never would have thought to try together.

What do you enjoy doing in your off time?
In my off time I spend most of my time with my 2 amazing kids and my wonderful husband.

Baby Girl Bib and Burp Cloth Set Hot Pink and Green $15

Describe a typical day in your life.
A typical day for me consists of taking my son to school. When I get home from dropping him off, I spend about 1 – ½ hours designing new orders and mailing out orders that I completed the night before or embroidering. I might be able to squeeze a little embroidering in when my son gets home from school between 3-5 if my son and daughter play nicely together (which they usually do). After dinner , bath and bed, I am in my sewing room for the remainder of the night creating and embroidering orders.

Where can we find your products online? My products can be found online in my Etsy shop, (which is about 90% of my business). I also have a Facebook page.

Monday, March 17, 2014

Meet Elizabeth from Little Elephant Crafts

Custom "Bun in the Oven" Pregnancy Announcements,
Baby Shower Invitations, Gender Reveals - Hand Sculpted $7

What inspired you to begin a shop featuring your own designs?
Two years ago I was working three jobs, longing to have a baby with my husband, and we were struggling financially to make ends meet as a newly married couple - I was frazzled and burnt out from working too hard.
One of my favorite pastimes was sketching out creative and unusual ideas for pregnancy announcements (for the time when we'd someday get to break the happy news to our families). As I came up with more and more beautiful and unusual ideas, I started thinking, "These are pretty adorable! I'll bet I could sell these on Etsy!"
After product research, many prototypes, photo shoots, technical logistics, and scrounging enough money together to get things started, Little Elephant Crafts was born right after Mother's Day in 2012! Since then, the past two years have been a whirlwind and a blessing, with Little Elephant Crafts thriving beyond my modest hopes for it.

Connie from Connie's Crochet

Marine baby clothes USMC baby hat and pants
you pick the size colors
Hobbyist License 11324 $55+

What inspired you to begin a shop featuring your own designs?
My children, my faith and my love for creating

How long have you been practicing your art/craft?
On and off for 44 years, non stop 4.5 years

What training have you had or are you self-taught?
My foster introduced me to crochet but most is self taught

What is your favorite material to craft with? Yarn and a hook

Crochet cowboy hat boots and vest
set you pick the colors and size $80+

What has been the hardest aspect of creating a hobby into a business?
Not taking on more then I can handle and learning to say no to customers

Any advice for other Etsy sellers?
Do lots of research and do not under value your self and your work by under pricing it. Go the extra mile to please your customer, say thank you a lot and don't stress.

What do you enjoy doing in your off time?
Going to church, relaxing with the husband, spending time with the grand kids and playing games.

Dr Seuss birthday hat photo
prop diaper cover and tie included $55

Describe a typical day in your life.
My typical day anymore seems to be working on orders or emails 12-15 hours a day at least. I am up about 6:30 AM after coffee, emails and facebook of course, I start on orders for that day. I usually plan on creating 3-5 per day. I work on these orders and emails until about 4:00 PM. Then I get these orders ready to go to the post office. I do take little breaks throughout the day to eat a bit and get dressed. After the post office a take a 2-3 hour break and then its back to creating and planning the next days work. I want to slow down a bit on evenings and weekends but that is not usually possible.

Where can we find your products online? Connie's Crochet

Saturday, March 15, 2014

Meet Brittany from Simply Thursday

Crochet Turtle $40

What inspired you to begin a shop featuring your own designs?
I was inspired to design by the birth of my daughter, Ava. She is such a beautiful, delightful little girl. I decided I wanted to dress her in clothing and accessories that are unique.

How long have you been practicing your art/craft?
I have been crocheting for well over a decade. I started designing in November of 2011.

What training have you had or are you self-taught?
When I was younger a schoolteacher taught me the basics of crochet. I taught myself the more advance techniques, recently I have also dabbled in sewing!

Golden Bell Hand Crochet
Princess Tutu Dress $35+

What is your favorite material to craft with?
I love using soft, acrylic yarn. It is machine washable and dry-able, so it's easy to launder. My favorite brand is Hobby Lobby's I Love This Yarn.

What has been the hardest aspect of creating a hobby into a business?
The largest challenge I've faced as an entrepreneur is marketing myself, and finding people interested in handmade.

Any advice for other Etsy sellers?
Use all your tags when listing an item; have nice, well lit, clear pictures.

Rags to Riches Hand Crochet
Princess Tutu Dress (Child) $45+

What do you enjoy doing in your off time?
In my off time I crochet! It's my hobby, my stress reliever, my livelihood, and my creative outlet.

Describe a typical day in your life. Typically I wake up and care for my children. During naptime, or when the kids are occupied, I crochet.

Where can we find your products online? You can find my products on Facebook , instagram , twitter , and on Etsy

Friday, March 14, 2014

Meet Natalie from Owesley

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 March, we will be interviewing shop owners, to get a glimpse of the designer behind those adorable baby products!

Meet Natalie from Owesley
My name is Natalie Sularski. I am the owner, maker and designer of Owesley, a colorful blanket boutique. I spend my days and nights raising my two rambunctious little boys, Owen and Wesley, and fulfilling my dream of having my own business. My boys are my heart and soul and definitely my inspiration. After all, the shop is named after them! You can find us at www.etsy.com/shop/owesley

Large Baby/Toddler Blanket, Green Trees with
White Minky Swirl, Ready to Ship $54

What inspired you to begin a shop featuring your own designs?
One of many things that bring me joy is giving a great gift -- a gift that has thought and meaning behind it. While I was pregnant with Wes I started making blankets for my pregnant friends. It was something I have always loved doing and had not had time for -- in what seemed like ages! I threw myself into my craft and before I knew it, I had more blankets than friends with babies! With the support of my family and friends, I decided to open up my shop.

Extra Large Youth Blanket, Morning Flower
with Ivory Minky Swirl, Ready to Ship $90

How long have you been practicing your art/craft &
what training have you had or are you self-taught?
My mother taught me to sew when I was younger and still continues to give me advice. I definitely could not have accomplished what I have without her knowledge. Her support and faith in me has gotten me to the place I am today.

Large Baby/Toddler Blanket, Lil' Cowgirl with Pony
Minky and Brown Satin Trim, Ready to Ship $60

What is your favorite material to craft with?
I love picking out fabrics and matching patterns and designs. Shopping for fabric is a major weakness for me, but sewing and creating with my purchases is a huge reward. The best part is seeing an Owesley blanket being used and well loved.

What has been the hardest aspect of creating a hobby into a business?
Turning my hobby into my business has been so rewarding. Not a day goes by when I don’t browse other shops on Etsy. I am in awe of the amazing people who have accomplished so much by doing something they love -- all while providing for their families. Etsy is an amazing environment and marketplace. I am beyond proud to be a part of it.

Baby Blanket, Blue and Grey Dots with
Blue Minky Swirl, Ready to Ship $44

What do you enjoy doing in your off time? Describe a typical day in your life.
As a mother to young children, “off time” is rare. I enjoy a good book and a date night every once in a while with my husband. Mostly though, a good night sleep would be amazing! A typical day in the Sularski house starts with trying to get everyone up, cleaned, dressed, fed, out the door, and Owen to school. All with coffee in hand. Running errands ensues and then back for Wesley’s nap and my time to work on Owesley. After nap, it’s time to get Owen and take him to swim, soccer or whatever activity he has scheduled. Then we head home for dinner, baths, play and bedtime. After spending some time with my amazing husband I likely head back to work on whatever adventures Owesley has brought my way. I love to be busy and wouldn’t have it any other way. I feel that while pursuing my dreams I am teaching my kids the value of hard work.
Where can we find your products online? You can find our cozy blankets on Etsy
Also, you can follow us on facebook and twitter for updates, new listings and events.

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Meet Beth from Hooked4Babies

White shoes booties with yellow flowers for baby girl in
sizes preemie-12 months (shoe size 0-5). Great as gifts
and photography props too! $11

What inspired you to begin a shop featuring your own designs?
I was inspired to begin a shop featuring my own designs after selling on eBay for a while.

How long have you been practicing your art/craft?
I have been crocheting since 1990.

Beautiful gray shoes / boots with pink flowers for baby girl.
Size 0-3 months (shoe size 1-2). Great as gifts and
photography props too! $9.50

What training have you had or are you self-taught?
Everything I know about crocheting is self taught.

What is your favorite material to craft with?
My favorite material to craft with is yarn.

Gray & white shoes booties loafers for baby boy in sizes preemie to 12 months (shoe size 0-5). Great as gifts and photography props too!

Gray & white shoes booties loafers
for baby boy $11

What has been the hardest aspect of creating a hobby into a business?
Competition and similar item availability is the hardest aspect of maintaining my hobby as a business.

Any advice for other Etsy sellers?
I am so new that I am the one in need of advice from other Etsy sellers.

What do you enjoy doing in your off time?
I enjoy crocheting in my off time.

Describe a typical day in your life.
A typical day in my life is crafting my handmade baby items.

Where can we find your products online? My handmade items and patterns can be found online in my Etsy shop @ Hooked4Babies

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Meet Sara from Purple Zebra Stuffies

Handmade sock animal - stuffed animal
Pretty in Pink glove puppy $22.50

What inspired you to begin a shop featuring your own designs?
One year for Christmas, I decided to make sock animals for all the kids instead of buying presents. I got a ton of requests from friends, family and coworkers for custom animals. After several months of word of mouth orders I decided to open a shop!

How long have you been practicing your art/craft?
My grandmother taught me to sew when I was 5 when she gave me my 1st sewing machine! I didn't start making sock animals until 2 years ago.

Handmade sock animal -
stuffed animal Fuzzy
black and green bunny
ballerina $29.99

What training have you had or are you self-taught?
I taught myself to make sock animals. I started using patterns but then created my own.

What is your favorite material to craft with?
Socks of course :)

What has been the hardest aspect of creating a hobby into a business?
The business aspect. There is a lot that goes into it, especially when you are crafting items for children! I'm honestly still trying to figure it all out!

Any advice for other Etsy sellers?
Keep at it! Some months can be frustrating, some can be overwhelming. As long as you love what you are doing, be persistent! It'll pay off in the end.

Handmade sock animal - stuffed animal
tan and orange polka dot sock giraffe $29.99

What do you enjoy doing in your off time?
What is off time?

Describe a typical day in your life.
Most of my day is spent with my 4 year old, baby and 2 dogs! It's non stop busy most days!
When the girls are sleeping at the same time (insert laughter), I work on custom orders, new items for the shop and other business stuff.
Currently I'm working on a line of mini stuffies made from baby socks!

Handmade sock animal - stuffed animal
Cute brown sock monkey $25

Where can we find your products online? Etsy, Facebook and our webpage!
Etsy
purplezebra-stuffies
Facebook