Feature blog on Zadyball:0)

1)How did you first hear about Etsy?:
I first heard about Etsy from a good friend. She had found out about it from someone else, and told me that it would be a good place for me to start selling my creations.

2)Tell us about a little about yourself and your favorite craft/art!:
I am a stay-at-home mother of two – with another one on the way. I learned to sew when I was about 8 or 9 from my mother. She is what I consider an amazing seamstress. Since then, I’ve really enjoyed working with all kinds of fabrics to create all kinds of things. From clothes for my Barbie dolls – to toys for my children!

3)How did you get started as a designer?:
When my first child was about 6 months old, he had a toy giraffe with a knotted string for a tail. He loved playing with the string, and would rub it to help him fall asleep.
He loved it so much, that I thought it would be great to make something for him that had lots of strings for him to play with. So the first Zadyball – a soft, stuffed ball with fabric strings attached – was born. He carried that ball with him all the time, and now, four years later, he still won’t sleep without it!
So many people asked about my son’s toy, that I started giving them as gifts. They were a hit at every baby shower, with many of the guests asking for one.
Because there was such an interest, I decided to turn my idea into a business.




4)What inspires you to create?:
My children are my biggest inspiration. I love making things for them! I also love getting ideas from customers. So many of my ideas have come from special requests!

5)How do you get the word out about your shop and Etsy?:
Any way that I can! I talk to people about it whenever possible, and hand out business cards. I started a blog (http://alaynacreations.blogspot.com). And I even got a vinyl sign for the back of my minivan – so every where I go people see my shop name!

6)Any advice you would give to aspiring designers?:
Be innovative and creative – try to be as unique as possible. Find something you love and stick with it! Most of all – have fun!




Check out her etsy shop:www.zadyball.etsy.com