Meet Etsy Seller Beadies By Jo

This week we meet Etsy seller Beadies By Jo.  Jo creates a variety of items at her home in Scotland; revisible dresses, tote bags, quilts, banners and more.Her shop has been open since 2014.



    


What motivated you to start your shop?
My move to Scotland, was my motivation. I have always done sewing, be it for myself, family or friends, but the opportunity arose for me to be able to turn my hobby into a business. I now had the time to create design and make. Fabrics being my passion. I then decided to try the wider market.

What is the story behind your shop name?
BEADIES is a name i used  for a "Kids Craft Club", I use to run for Girls, doing crafts and sewing.

What is your favourite creations from your shop?
My favorite item has to be my "Martha" Reversible Dresses. with my ever popular "Martha," my seagull  motif. Martha came about from living on the coast and the seagulls that live on the chimney pot opposite my sewing room.

What surprised you most about having your own craft / online shop?
The biggest surprise was the realisation I could now reach a world wide market, and i'm pleased to say my items now sell from UK to USA to New Zealand.

 What do you find most challenging about being an Etsy seller?
The most challenging part of being an Etsy seller is keeping my stock fresh and up to date. And not visiting other shops while I'm doing this and getting distracted by all the lovely shops out there.

What's your personal philosophy behind your shop / products?
Always use good quality fabrics and always make your items to the high standard you'd wish to receive them.

What do you do when you aren't working?
In my none sewing time I am usually taking care of the home. I also like to squeeze a beach walk in when i have a free moment, as living by the coast is such a bonus.

Please tell us a little about the children's items market / handmade movement in your Country?
I didn't realise that the market was so big, and what a high standard is out there. Not only the quality of workmanship, but the actual rules that are applied to handmade items. All for the good of this movement. I have to say.

Anything else you'd like to tell us or share?
I would just like to say, that having set up my Etsy shop, although more sales are always welcome, I feel i am making good progress and that the community of handmade workers is a very informed helpful and professional group of people.

    

Posted by Raising Green Kids

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Meet Etsy Seller Alber Road Children's Wear

This week we meet Etsy seller Alber Road.  Alber Road makes Handcrafted organic children's clothing and accessories and has been open since January 2015.


    


What motivated you to start your shop? 
I started sewing children's clothing for friends as gifts, but one day a friend asked to buy something from me as a last minute shower present. I realized then that maybe I could turn my hobby into a business. I spent a year researching US compliance laws so that I could legally sell baby items and got my first wholesale contract with a local Co-op. The reception was great! I knew I wanted to reach out to a larger audience and Etsy seemed like the logical choice. My goal was to someday quit my day job, but that "someday" was 6 months after my first sale! I have been happily sewing ever since. 

What is the story behind your shop name?
Alber Road is the name of the road I grew up on as a child. We were from a small farming community in rural Michigan. My parents bought a one room school house in the next town over and renovated it to a family home. The "school house" is still there on the corner of Alber Road and Bethel Church Road in Saline, Michigan. Some of my fondest childhood memories originated in the community, wandering the Michigan woods and collecting soybeans out of the farmers' fields. When I named my shop, I wanted to draw on my roots as a young child, close to nature in the Michigan countryside. 

What is your favourite creations from your shop?
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I love, love, love creating bodysuits with some of the delicious organic knit with custom designs by fabulous designers I interact with. Nothing beats a baby in an adorable, one of a kind bodysuit! I wish they were my size... 

What surprised you most about having your own craft / online shop?


I am still amazed that I was able to quit a job I worked 11 hours a day at in order to pursue my dream-- I have shipped across the world (my latest exciting shipment was to The Netherlands!). I honestly didn't think that I would be a success, certainly not one that would allow me to pursue my designing dreams full time. My Etsy shop has allowed me to work from my home and be creative every day. 


 What do you find most challenging about being an Etsy seller?
I miss the constant social contact of my previous job. I have to make sure I come up for air every once in a while and leave my sewing studio. Etsy has been a great venue for me, but it's a solitary job. 


What's your personal philosophy behind your shop / products?
I believe in shopping small and supporting the "little guy". I work very hard to source quality fabrics, most of which are grown and finished in the United States. I try to form relationships with my designers too! My business is all about forming that personal connection (with my vendors, designers and customers) and giving back to our community and preserving a positive future for the generations to come.

What do you do when you aren't working?
"When I'm not working? When is that?? 

Just kidding! I inhabit one of the most beautiful places in the world. My partner and I live at the base of a mountain and spend a lot of time outdoors appreciating the Idaho wilds. I love to birdwatch and catch the occasional black bear lumbering across the yard. It's outdoor bliss here! 


"

Alber Road is offering a discount code for all Etsykids readers. Just use the code ETSYKIDS15%  for 15% off any purchase


    

Posted by Raising Green Kids

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Meet Etsy Seller Tanja D'Lyn

This week we meet Etsy seller Tanjadlyn.  Tanjadlyn specializes in Eco-Friendly Cotton Wear For Children.  Girls Bath Robes, Boys Bath Robes, Kids Hooded Towels, Baby Bibs, Burp Cloths, Baby Blankets, and Personalized Gifts for Children.  The shop has been open since May 2008.  

    

What motivated you to start your shop?
 Growing up with a textiles inspired family, I recognized the comfort and love of quality fibers!  “My family had a small farm and company of hand-spun yarns, cotton and specialty fibers. Watching my mother knit and sew clothes most of my life, encouraged me to be creative”. Inspired by my family, I received my art degree in Fashion & Design, an AA in Business & Marketing, and a BS in Child Psychology. After having my own three boys!  I began creating handmade, clothing for children, in 1989, a line called Fuzzy Wuzzy Bear Wear Ltd,  “ Our children were allergic to everything to include the chemicals put into fabrics “ to keep them safe”.  After a divorce, I became a middle school teacher, taught sewing classes to kids, and began my company on Etsy in 2008. I found my place here on Etsy Handmade!

What is the story behind your shop name?
Inspiring design studio, LLC, began on Etsy.com { Tanjadlyn.esty.com } in 2008.  We our part of the Etsy Success Team, and the  Etsy Kids Team. Our philosophy of leaving a green footprint and creating all cotton handmade, USA made gifts is very important.  From our tissue paper, supplies, and reuse of shipping materials, to our use of all natural and cotton fabrics for our products, we are intentional of a concept in business that leans into and inspires others in this living green life style.  We inspire families in green living and cotton eco-friendly wear for children.  Our designs are tm, and our own and we have both ready wear and custom orders!  Most of our prints and selections are inspired by other families!   Our companies focus is on inspiring designs that breath a LIVING GREEN color! : )

What is your favourite creations from your shop?
My favorite creations are our children's robes! There is something about the start and the finish that excites me!
The fabrics are all cotton and specialty soft cozy minky dot! When sewing the fabrics slip through my fingers and they are so soft!  When we cut them out and set them up, there is the thrill of how cute "it will be"! And seeing the finished gifts, are the best!  I imagine how each child will feel in our sweet cozy robes!  Yes, I have one too! ha, ha, ha! This year we added sizes 8-14 and women's robes are coming this spring!  Papa robes will follow in June of 2016 { Father's Day }! 

What surprised you most about having your own craft / online shop?
Everything! Our company went from being a wholesale company for 10 years { during my married life } to my own retail shop! Having my own shop were our handmade gifts are well received and appreciated brought a sense of " can do attitude ".    This platform is amazing! And is perfect for anyone just starting out, or growing and finding their niche!  For our company, it was about "finding our Niche"!  We work hard with our handmade specialty Cotton Terries for Children!  And it is a joy and a passion that is seen in our quality! USA made, Eco Friendly Cotton Wear For Children! What surprised you most about having your own craft / online shop?

What do you find most challenging about being an Etsy seller?
Sometimes, our clients need help with custom orders! And we are limited on the variations we can offer! So, relying on the many e-mails that it may take to better understand what clients wants, can be cumbersome!
For example: we offer personalization: We need to collect: Name, color of embroidery, and font! But, the etsy format only allows for us to collect 2 variations!  And of course, are robes come in size, color and print { 3 more variations }.  Being part of a team community helps with these types of challenges!  This is what Esty is really about: connection!  It is a unique selling and buying experience that know one can put there finger on, but everyone wants to try to duplicate!

What's your personal philosophy behind your shop / products?
Our philosophy of leaving a green footprint and creating all cotton handmade, USA made gifts is very important.  From our tissue paper, supplies, and reuse of shipping materials, to our use of all natural and cotton fabrics for our products, we are intentional of a concept in business that leans into and inspires others in this living green life style.  We inspire families in green living and cotton eco-friendly wear for children.  Our companies focus is on inspiring designs that breath a LIVING GREEN color! : )

What do you do when you aren't working?
This is my full time job and we have a team of 5 working with us! I now have a business partner and our company is a LLC this year!  I just finished my Family Studies/Psychology Degree and have an ISP working with children!  I work with foster-care and celebrate recovery kid groups 3 hours every Thursday night! My whole heated perspective in living green starts with family!

Please tell us a little about the children's items market / handmade movement in your Country?
Here in the USA, green living is an important part of our children's market! Child care and families are seeking environmental friendly products and lifestyle! Our family is one in many that are allergic to to the chemicals that are put into fabrics! 

Anything else you'd like to tell us or share?
On a personal note:  Here are some of my Favorite "inspirations"
Favorite Ah Moment: When my son told me he loved me. “ I wuvf you moma”
Favorite Flower: The Vanilla Bean
Design Inspirations: The colors of the garden, sky and nature!
Favorite Time of the Year:  The summer and watching the sun set in Canon Beach, OR
Wisdom to share:  Pick the weeds; water the plants and love your kids and they will grow!  Make memories with your life on earth.  Love, laugh, and listen!  And yes, we all need to go green!

Tanjdlyn would like to offer a Holiday Promo Code using the word "Snowman" for 10% off that will run through Dec. 31st!

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Meet Etsy Seller Amy's Top Stitching

This week we meet Etsy Seller Amy's Top Stitching who has been selling on Etsy since March 2011.  Amy has been creating formal fashion clothing such as vests, neckties and hats for men, women, and children. She also make old fashioned dolls for children and embroidered, personalized gifts; and fun cowboy and cowgirl play vests. 


      


What motivated you to start your shop?
I had been sewing for many years, for friends and family, and in 2009 made some Raggedy Anne dolls for my daughter and her friend.  Some people saw the doll and asked me if I sold them online.  I gave the idea some thought, and later opened my shop with my first product - the Raggedy Anne doll.


What is the story behind your shop name?
I thought of the name Amy's Top Stitching  when I was 16 years old. At that time, I was designing patterns for cross stitch and embroidery.  I had such grand aspirations for my own business of designing!  The name is based on what I consider to be the most difficult operation of sewing - top stitching!!

What is your favourite creations from your shop?
Back to the basics.  My all time favorite item to make is that Annie Doll.  I like to see the smiles on  children's faces when they hold the doll.  Unlike apparel, a favorite doll is a friend for life, and holds all your precious childhood memories and secrets.  Only a handmade doll can do that! I believe that store-bought dolls are just toys, that are eventually thrown away or given to goodwill, but a handmade doll is a friend forever.

What surprised you most about having your own craft / online shop?
This shop has been one amazing surprise after another.  The way a shop that opened with a ragdoll listing has changed and expanded into an upscale formal wear boutique that has outfitted weddings in 6 countries all over the map just astounds me.  

What do you find most challenging about being an Etsy seller?
There are so many challenges.  Time management has to be the biggest one.  I hate to turn down orders because of lead time, and that is one of the toughest decisions I have to make. 

What's your personal philosophy behind your shop / products?
Quality, quality, quality.  Our focus is function, durability, consistency, and practicality.   Yes, we are boring engineers like that.  If something is "out there" and people like it, I try to find a way to make it better.  If I sell the exact same thing as someone else, there just isn't any point in buying from me.  If I can't give someone  at least 3 reasons why it's better to buy from me, then I would be better off not making that product at all.  

What do you do when you aren't working?
When I am not working I am homeschooling two wonderful kids, singing and playing guitar and piano, and enjoying visits with my adult sons.  My husband and kids and I enjoy long family trips in our RV.

Anything else you'd like to tell us or share?
Thank you so much, Etsy Kids Team, for the interview.  I am so proud to be a part of this group of fine artisans!  I wish every one of you all the success in the world, and sanity for these next few busy retail months! Love you guys!

Amy is offering 20% discount to readers of this interview!  

coupon code INTERVIEW20 will run until November 1, 2015 

    
Posted by Raising Green Kids

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