An Interview with Brittany from BizzyBCrafts

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 Brittany from BizzyBCrafts

Select Your Color Set of Four Mum
Bobby Pins for Women and Girls $5

What inspired you to begin a shop featuring your own designs? In July of 2012 I went to visit a friend in Virginia. We went to this local boutique and I saw this adorable headband. I was going to buy it, until I saw it was over $20. It was a simple headband with a bow. I said to my friend, "I can make this." When I got back to New York I ordered the supplies online and six months later I decided to take the plunge and open a shop.

Purple and Pink Set of Six Mini Wool Felt Bow
Clips for Women, Girls and Babies $19

How long have you been practicing your art/craft?I have been creative since I was little. My shop name came from my dad because he said when I saw little I was always busy doing crafts. I would sit quietly alone for hours creating. When I got older I started scrap booking and doing different crafty projects. My shop opened in March of 2013 so it's been almost a year that I have been making headbands and accessories for my shop.

What training have you had or are you self-taught? I am 100% self taught. I taught myself how to sew on my sewing machine.

Pretty in Pink Flower Elastic Headband
for Women, Girls and Babies $8

What is your favorite material to craft with? This is a tough question. I like working with a lot of things. I love jersey knit, sweater knits, and cotton. I feel my favorite is wool felt. I love using it to make my little bows. Its so sturdy and soft and fun to work with.




What has been the hardest aspect of creating a hobby into a business? 
Balance is the most difficult thing. I have, like most people, a lot on my plate, and I find it challenging to figure out how to balance everything. I love being able to create, I wish I could do it all day everyday. But I am in graduate school, I'm a nanny, I work at a yoga studio, etc so there is limited time for everything.

White and Black Stripe Mother/Daughter
Matching Infinity Scarf Set $28

Any advice for other Etsy sellers?
Make sure you love what you do because there are going to be times where you are going to become overwhelmed with orders. If you love what you do it will be more manageable. 




What do you enjoy doing in your off time?
 I love yoga, I work at a studio and I try to practice four times a week. I love reading, especially items not related to school. I love spending time with my boyfriend of five years.

Pick Your Color Mini Wool Felt Bow Elastic Headband
for Women, Girls, and Babies $5.50

Describe a typical day in your life.
Depending on the day of the week I either go to the yoga studio where I take yoga and help out behind the front desk or go to my nanny job where I watch a 22 month old little girl. From there I go to my graduate classes. One days where I don't have class I work on orders and different things for my shop.


 
Where can we find your products online? BizzyBCrafts

An Interview with Katie from Sew Whimsical By Katie

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 Katie from Sew Whimsical By Katie

Small Baby Gift Basket with Fabric Bin $72.14

What inspired you to begin a shop featuring your own designs?
I have always loved sewing, ever since I was a little girl. I used to make and design toys for my younger siblings (I am the oldest of 7), but now that I am a stay at home mom to 3 young children, I sew for them! I loved seeing them play with their handmade toys and softies (some made from my imagination and some made from patterns from independent pattern designers on Etsy), and I wanted to offer them to other children! It has always been a dream to have a little sewing shop, and I love getting pictures of my customers’ children with their special, one of a kind items! 

How long have you been practicing your art/craft?
I have been sewing since I was 8 years old, but became more serious about learning more technique and pattern design in my early 20s. 

 

Custom Made Pirate Kieran or Emily Doll Softie with
Matching Child Size Pirate Hat $77.68

  
What training have you had or are you self-taught? I was initially taught to sew by both my mother and step mother. One of my first projects was an original design picture quilt that hung in my bedroom for many years. I am largely self taught, but have taken a quilting course and have learned many wonderful and new techniques from other Etsy pattern designers!

 


What is your favorite material to craft with?
My favorite material to work with is definitely vintage, re-purposed linens. I love the shabby chic look they lend to a project as well as the vintage, one of a kind feel. I tell you, they just don’t make fabric like they used to!

Custom Made Personalized Bunting
Flag Name Banner $36.99

What has been the hardest aspect of creating a hobby into a business?
I have difficulty with seeing the value of my work and pricing it to appropriately reflect the time and effort that has been put into it. I am working at gaining my confidence at pricing items where they can bring me some profit to help grow my business, but it is definitely a balancing act. I find it is also difficult to compete with so many other wonderful, but more established etsy shops. There is so much to offer that sometimes it seems that I get lost in the shuffle. 

Any advice for other Etsy sellers?
I advise other etsy sellers to never undervalue their own talent!








What do you enjoy doing in your off time?
In my off time I enjoy exercising (I run competitively and enjoy pole fitness). I love spending time with my kids (ages 15 months to 5 years), and also enjoy getting outside with our dog for walks. I am also an avid reader, a real bookworm! I love meeting girlfriends for lunch and visiting thrift shops and antique stores! 

Customized Mushroom Baby
Alice Softie Doll $50.86

Describe a typical day in your life.
 A typical day in my life would involve an early start to get kids on the road to school. Then I would head out with the younger ones for a run or walk with our double stroller (and the dog), and then off to a play group or the library. After lunch, and while the baby is napping, my middle daughter gets to watch some of her favorite TV shows while I sew down the hall in my sewing room. Then it is off to get dinner ready, and when my husband comes home I am out the door for a volunteer board meeting, or to an exercise class! Never a dull moment for this momma! 

Where can we find your products online? You can find my items online in my esty shop at: SewWhimsicalByKatie, or on my Facebook page.

An Interview with Evie from Babbles Bubbles and Bows

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 Evie from Babbles Bubbles and Bows

Love Bunny Baby Softie/Plush $25

What inspired you to begin a shop featuring your own designs? 
I had a friend tell me that I really should sell my creations. I was very nervous at first because of what she thought I should charge for things but then I got a couple of sales and thought…hey maybe I can do this and have fun too. 
How long have you been practicing your art/craft? 
I have crafting in one way or another for many years but as for sewing, which is now most of my business, I have only been doing that about 2 years. My grandma tried so hard to teach me when I was young and I didn't want to. Now, I wish I had all her knowledge for sure!

What training have you had or are you self-taught?
I am completely self taught and love getting customers who ask me to do something I have never done before. Like just this weekend, I had a customer ask for a pacifier pouch and I was like "Nope, I've never done it but I am happy to try"…she was happy and I am thrilled with how it turned out.

Multi-Colored Argyle & Red Minky Security Blanket $17

What is your favorite material to craft with?
I love minky, all styles of minky, but I am a true sucker for a beautiful cotton fabric.

What has been the hardest aspect of creating a hobby into a business?
There are really four I think for me 1. Coming up with new creative things that people will like, 2. Pricing, 3. Late nights (because I have a full time job too), and 4. Trying to balance family time with business time. 

Airplane Boys Applique Shirt or Bodysuit $25

Any advice for other Etsy sellers? Join a team or two or 10 and stay active. It is a great place to bounce ideas around, find new friends who are all over the world and going through a lot of the same things you are, and promote others.

What do you enjoy doing in your off time?
Spend time with my husband and four year old daughter.


Describe a typical day in your life.
Usually I am up everyday around 5:15 and take my daughter to school by 7:00 then off to my full-time job where I am there until about 4:00. I work a long way from home so I then trek the almost 2 hours home and do the mom thing until bedtime around 8:30. Once my daughter is asleep, it is time to start on business stuff. I usually work on my business until around 11:30, sometimes later, and then off to bed.

Travel Diaper Changing Pad $25

Where can we find your products online? 
Etsy
Facebook
Pinterest
Twitter

An Interview with Rachel from Rachel's Kids Boutique

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 Rachel from Rachel's Kids Boutique

Dainty Tiara Rose Headband $9.99

What inspired you to begin a shop featuring your own designs?
I began selling baby gifts when a friend suggested I try to make a diaper cake. I didn't have anyone to give it to so I sold it on eBay. I started the auction at a penny and the the price went much higher than I ever dreamed possible. The rest is history. After selling on eBay for several years, I heard about Etsy and wanted to give it a try. I like Etsy better since it is more like a craft expo than a yard sale. 


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

What training have you had or are you self-taught? Self-taught

Newborn Butterfly Wings $19.99

What is your favorite material to craft with?  Baby items, tulle, ribbon, lace and gems.

What has been the hardest aspect of creating a hobby into a business? Getting traffic to stores.

Any advice for other Etsy sellers? Hang in there! Design beautiful products with a "wow" factor and buyers will find you.

 




What do you enjoy doing in your off time? Coming up with new designs or learning new things (like photoshop!!). I love to read.

TUTU Matching Butterfly Wings Headband Shabby Chic $34.99

Describe a typical day in your life.
I am a busy work-at-home, homeschooling mom of 6 children (all girls by the way!). I get up at 5:30 am with my husband. I have quiet time while he works out for 30 minutes and then I exercise on an elliptical machine in our basement for 30 minutes while he has quiet time. I shower, get dressed, and get my two youngest girls dressed by 7:00 am. 

I fix eggs or green smoothies for breakfast and start homeschooling by 7:30 am. I am currently homeschooling a kindergartner, 4th grader, and 6th grader. My oldest is a college student and the next oldest is a senior in high school so they are pretty much on their own. We work for 2 hours solid and then take a break while I take my 2nd oldest to work or to a class at a local community college. We continue working until lunchtime and then I put the two youngest down for a nap. 

 I work on tutus from approximately 12:00 - 4:00 each day. My middle two girls help watch my youngest two. Several of us will go to the Y or sports practice in the late afternoon and then we usually eat dinner together as a family around 6:30 pm. We have baths, and a family devotional time before heading to bed around 9:00. 

As you can see, I wouldn't be able to manage this without very strict time management techniques and having my girls help. :-) I use the principles from Brian Tracy's book Eat That Frog. I use time blocking and focus on the important things first. God first. Family second. Business third.

Pink & Brown Animal Print Diaper Cake $85.00

Where can we find your products online? 
eBay
Etsy
Facebook
Twitter

An Interview with Bess from Sweet Cozy Baby

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 Bess from Sweet Cozy Baby

Elephant Stuffed Animal Toy $19.50

What inspired you to begin a shop featuring your own designs? 
I have always loved to sew, and having a baby of my own last year inspired me to try my skills with some vintage baby toy patterns. They turned out so cute (and were so fun to make!) that I decided to share them on Etsy!

An Interview with Katice from Katice's Bowtique

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 Katice from Katice's Bowtique

Vintage Ruffle Heart with Dainty Pink Satin Bow Headband $9.99

 What inspired you to begin a shop featuring your own designs? 

Honestly, hair getting in my girls eyes! We had these super simple headbands from Target and Childrens Place but they broke easily. I began researching materials and how to make my own. I have always been into the vintage and shabby chic style so it was easy to make it into something I can be proud of while providing something that really does help in general! 

How long have you been practicing your art/craft?
Katice's Bowtique started back in September of 2012. I started a page the first time I made a headband, it was a hit! 


What training have you had or are you self-taught?
Currently all self-taught. I am always open to learning more and broadening what I already do.

Vintage Emerald Green Rhinestone and Silver
Bridal Jewelry Collection Headband $109.99

 
What is your favorite material to craft with?
Pieces from the 1920's and 1930's. I do an adult vintage and glamorous line that is full of crystals and antiques that I clean up and make into hair accessories for us ladies to enjoy!


 

What has been the hardest aspect of creating a hobby into a business? The hardest part for me is managing a business while my husband is in the Air Force. I love to do the craft fairs and events but his schedule doesn't really allow me to plan ahead. We are out in the middle of the desert right now so it is hard to find local events as well.

Black and White Plaid Infant and Toddler Tie $9.99

Any advice for other Etsy sellers?
Start now and start big! Make it unique would be the best advice. Too many copycats out there. It is so much better to have your own thing going for you!

 





What do you enjoy doing in your off time? 
 Traveling, spending time with our beautiful daughters, and reading. I am a wee bit of a book worm!

Describe a typical day in your life.
We all wake up, have breakfast, I work on Katice's Bowtique until about an hour before my husband goes to work at 1300. The rest of the day is aimed towards enjoying life with our kids! 

Infant pettiskirt $49.99

Where can we find your products online?  Katice's Bowtique has an official website featured below, Etsy, and a Facebook fan page. Go check them out! I have deals frequently!  www.katicesbowtique.com

An Interview with Ashley from Papoose Clothing

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 Ashley from Papoose Clothing

Scoop Neck Polka Dot Tunic Dress
with Front Bow Detail  $59.50

What inspired you to begin a shop featuring your own designs?
All credit is due to my darling niece for inspiring me to make children’s clothing. I grew up in a family of crafters and DIYers, and my mom was really wonderful in fostering our creativity and imagination. When I found out my sister was going to have a little munchkin, I immediately began thinking of things I could make for her. I thought it would be a precious idea to make a few pieces for her as keepsakes, and I fell in love with the process and the tiny clothes that I officially opened for business the year she was born. 

Floral Fall Dress with Peter
Pan Collar and Red Sash  $65

How long have you been practicing your art/craft? 
My mom taught me how to sew when I was around seven with a patchwork pillow I kept on my bed for years. In my teens, I would tailor or take apart my clothes to fit because I was so short and petite. I went through a vintage phase in high school where everything I wore was basically from thrift stores I’d reconstructed. I continue to make my own clothes occasionally, but I’m too busy now to make everything I want for myself.

 
What training have you had or are you self-taught?
Although my mom taught me the basics of sewing, I didn’t perfect my skills until college when I took several costume construction classes for my degree in Theatre. I learned everything from hand-sewing to reading patterns to costume history. I continued reading up and finding new techniques after graduation and have learned a lot over the years. I can proudly say I design, draft, and sew everything in my shop. 

What is your favorite material to craft with? 
Fabric, of course! I have a serious addiction to fabric and am from a very long line of hoarders. I’ll buy fabric in hopes of starting a new project and get sidetracked, so I have a huge stockpile that sings to me whenever I enter my studio space. 
What has been the hardest aspect of creating a hobby into a business? 
Learning how to handle the business aspect has definitely been the hardest but also the most rewarding. I basically jumped in head first with Etsy without setting myself up professionally and working from the bottom up. It would have been so much easier and things would have gone a lot smoother had I known the behind-the-scenes part in starting a business. 

SALE Ruffle Neck Tunic
Dress with Sash  $47.50

Any advice for other Etsy sellers? 
Yes, educate yourself first on the business side. Purchase shipping supplies and business cards, do price researching, learn how to take good photographs, figure out your target audience, and write down goals and stick to them. Create your brand! It is so important to keep to a timeline for your business so you know where you’re going and you won’t be surprised when something pops up. All of this takes time, I’m already leaving out so much, but it’s worth it in the long run and you won’t look like a hobbyist, you’ll be taken seriously as a professional. 

Moroccan Blues Sleeveless
Peplum Dress $65

What do you enjoy doing in your off time?
I love spending time with my husband watching movies and tv series. You can usually find us at home in the middle of a new series, right now we’re almost done watching The X-Files on Netflix. 

Describe a typical day in your life. As soon as I wake up I check messages and respond accordingly. I do a lot of my promotional advertising and research then. Afterwards, I’m sewing an order or working on new ideas all day. I’m fortunate enough to work from my home studio, so I have to be self-disciplined when it comes to work and dedicating my time productively. I try not to work when my husband gets homes or on the weekends, but it’s something I still struggle with in creating a healthy balance.

Where can we find your products online?Papoose Clothing
Blog
Facebook
Etsy