Feature blog on AliBeanBaby

Hi Everyone,
Today's Feature blog is on AliBeanBaby another Fellow Etsykids member that makes gorgeous Clothing.

1)How did you first hear about Etsy?:
I first heard about Etsy a few years ago when we were living out of the country from a friend who was a regular buyer. She repeatedly told me I should try selling on Etsy, but I wasn't at all interested.


2)Tell us about a little about yourself and your favorite craft/art!:
When my husband and I moved back to the States 1 1/2 years ago I was needing to find some kind of job. One of our daughters-in-law kept telling me that I should make little girl clothes and sell them on Etsy. I wasn't at all interested, until we spent a week with them and I made a couple of pillowcase dresses for our 1st granddaughter, who was then 7 months old. I was hooked immediately!!


3)How did you get started as a designer?
I started designing clothes for my dolls when I was very little - kind of a cut-and-paste method! I didn't like using patterns and following directions like my Mom did so I did my own thing. Over the years I made/designed some of my own clothes and then also for our 5 sons when they were little. None of them wanted anything I came up with when they were old enough to know better! That developed into designing and making work-out clothes for the gym that were flattering for different body shapes (while they were trying to get into shape rather than after they were in shape!), which I did with my sister-in-law for a few years. After that my husband and had a business designing and making flags, banners and dance garments. I did all my own patterning, learning how to fit different shapes that wore the same sizes.

4)What inspires you to create?:
When I first started AliBeanBaby I relied on my daughter-in-law's input for dress designs and fabric ideas. Little girl dresses was a very unknown area to me! Thankfully that has changed and I am much more confident now and we both have input. I get inspired both by looking at fabrics and also looking at clothing. I'm not an original creative person - but have ideas sparked from something that I see, with the ideas sometimes similar and sometimes nothing like what I saw originally.

5)How do you get the word out about your shop and Etsy?:
I count on customers who are wearing AliBeanBaby to bring new customers in, and I love relating to repeat customers. I'm not a social chat-er, so using Facebook and Twitter have been a slow learning process for me but participating in a couple different teams has helped with that. I have done some blog/give-away and photo trading also.

6)Any advice you would give to aspiring designers?:
When I started AliBeanBaby I didn't have a business plan, or really any kind of plan or goals or vision. I just had 2 dresses and was loving the idea of making more and possibly being able to stay home and make an income doing it. I know that probably isn't a good way to start a business, but not having all of the business aspects in place gave me the freedom to let it grow and develop slowly until I could see the "personality" it was beginning to take on. For someone just starting out I would say to go with who they are personally, whether that means having a detailed business plan and knowing all the steps to take ahead of time, or just having an idea and letting it develop.

Check out her shop for more amazing items:
www.alibeanbaby.etsy.com

Strawberry Etsy Finds

Hi everyone,
I am on a Strawberry Kick right now and thought I would share some awesome Strawberry etsy items I found.

Recycled Soda Can Art- --CupCake Necklace With Toggle Clasp-From AZ Kiwi Strawberry and CC : www.apmemory.etsy.com

Strawberry and Lace Backless Sun Dress : www.ClementinesAtticSF.etsy.com

Strawberry Dessert Soap: www.cocoandlolabathbody.etsy.com

I hope you enjoyed this Finds. Check back for more Etsy Finds.

Feature Blog On Baby Boomba

Hi Everyone,
Today's Feature Blog is on Baby Boomba. She is a Fellow Etsy Kids Member and make Beautiful Baby accessories.

How did you first hear about Etsy?

I first heard about ETSY through a really good friend of mine back in 2007. She is a very crafty mom whom I worked with at a well known children's publishing company.

Tell us about a little about yourself and your favorite craft/art!

When I was young, my mom taught me how to knit and sew. The sewing eventually came back to haunt me after starting Baby Boomba (inspired by my little 4 year old man). I'm a graphic designer by day and a sewing fiend by night. Or vice versa. When I have spare time and not picking up toys, I try to do a little bit of painting or little crafts with my son. A recent art project I did with him can be found here: http://babyboomba.com/archives/1215

How did you get started as a designer?

My favorite subject in school was art and I was always found holding a sketchbook and a 2B pencil. I grew up drawing and painting which eventually led me to pursue the Graphic Design industry in University. I majored in Fine Art and received an Honors Bachelor of Fine Art degree. The internet was just coming out then so I dived into the beginnings of web design back in the mid 1990's. After graduating, I worked in various design companies ranging from print houses, to multimedia, to publishing, to photo + video, eventually settling down to form my own two companies, Baby Boomba (designer baby gear) and Q graphique (my graphic design company). Both that and chasing my 4 year old leaves me breathless!

What inspires you to create?:

Beautiful designs, beautiful fabric, functionality of a piece.



How do you get the word out about your shop and Etsy?

Through Facebook and Twitter and sometimes Newsletters and of course, my website.

Any advice you would give to aspiring designers?
A teacher in high school once asked me what I wanted to do as a career. I told her I wanted to be an Artist. She replied, "Great you'll be starving!". My response to her right now: "I ain't starving!"

Do what you love, do lots of research, market yourself like crazy and make sure you have a good and solid brand for your company. Invest in a logo. Don't get your best friend's son's nephew to make you one. Take beautiful pictures of your products. Photo shop is your best friend.

Check out her shop for more Lovely baby Items and so much more:
www.babyboomba.etsy.com

Summer fun Craft made out of SeaShell

Hi everyone,
Summer is almost here!!!! I know a lot of people go to the beach for Summer vacation. When you go to the beach do you look for Sea Shells? What do you do with them when you get home? I collect Shells and have tons just sitting in a bucket. If you are like me and just have them Bucket somewhere....I have the Perfect Kids Craft for you.
Why not make SeaShell Kola's out of them?
Awesome Craft for kids.. Found On Martha Stewart.com

Koala How-To
1. Experiment with different combinations to come up with animal shapes before gluing everything into place. We chose small scallop and clam shells for the koalas, and long razor clams decorated with ring-top cowries for the tree.

2. Use small cushions of polymer clay, which is pliable and slightly sticky, to test out various arrangements. For assembly, a tacky, quick-drying glue works best. Build heads and bodies separately. Before joining larger parts, use a brush to glue on small parts (such as beads for eyes) and clay to support creatures while glue dries.

If you don't have shells and are wanting to make this craft. You can go to your local craft store and buy a basket of seashells but that kinda takes the fun out of finding them on then beach yourself and making a Kola out the shell you and your kiddos kind.
Have Fun and Enjoy!!!

Feature Blog on Inspirations By Jordan

Hi everyone,
This Blog feature is on a adorable shop called Inspirations By Jordan. She is a Fellow Etsy kids Member. She makes Awesome Nursery Decor , hair bows and so much more.

1)How did you first hear about Etsy?: I received a gift of personalized burp clothes from a friend at my baby shower and loved them so much I had to ask were she got them from....and my addiction to Etsy.com began. As a stay at home mom who loves to craft and paint I had to join in to sell and buy fun, unique, and cute handmade items.

2)Tell us about a little about yourself and your favorite craft/art!: I am a mom of a beautiful baby girl (Addison Grace) who is my "Inspiration" for everything and a wife to my best friend and husband (Brett). I graduated from UCF in Orlando, Fl in 2002 in Marketing....but my interests has always been in designing, crafting, and creating. My favorite would definitely be drawing/painting children's art....even though I am addicted to anything that is pink, glittery, and girly!



3)How did you get started as a designer? I've always loved to draw and paint since I was a little girl....but I became truly motivated when I began designing my little girls nursery. I just couldn't find any art that I really liked to put in her room.....so I painted them all myself. Next thing I new I had friends asking my to paint something for their kids or just paint something they could give as a gift.

Also, my daughter loves to wear headband and bows. That started when she was only 3 weeks old...now she is going to be a year old on March 22. I was buying some bows at craft shows...but I wanted something unique and different. So I started making my own Double Layer version of a bow for her....and Addison just had to have one to match each of her outfits ; )

4)What inspires you to create?: Mostly my daughter, but really I find inspiration in everything I see. From bedding sets to mobiles, Christmas ornaments to clothing, stuffed animals to children's toys, movies to sports teams, and even purses.......inspirations truly do come from everywhere.

5)How do you get the word out about your shop and Etsy?: Facebook is a great way to advertise. I also participate in local craft shows, and have even been featured in magazines (i.e. February/March 2011 issue or Orlando, Fl "Babyourself" magazine).

6)Any advice you would give to aspiring designers?: Believe in yourself and your work!

Check out her shop for more Awesome items:
www.InspirationsByJordan.etsy.com

Check back later this week for another Awesome Feature Blog!!!

Shabby Chic Finds

I had Medical Emergency last week and had to have unexpected surgery. So I have been laying around with my laptop virtual window shopping. I Love Shabby Chic items. I have found so many items I want LOL

Mason Jar Flower Vases:
www.treasureagain.etsy.com

15inx20in Vintage Antique Shabby Chic Pink and White Damask Ornate Nursery Gilrs Magnetic Board:
www.ShugabeeLane.etsy.com

Primitive Country Mint Chip Green WOOD Coat Hooks Shabby Chic Cottage Wall Shelf:
www.ACOUNTRYWAY.etsy.com

I found so many more Shabby chic Items I feel in love with. I want them all.

Feature Blog on Brooks Boutique

Today's Feature blog is on another awesome Fellow Etsy kids member Brooks Boutique.

1)How did you first hear about Etsy?: I started selling on ebay first and then saw a vendor at a craft fair was using ETSY. I looked it up once I got home and fell in love!!!

2)Tell us about a little about yourself and your favorite craft/art!: I live in Cary, NC with my awesome husband and 2 kiddos and 1 on the way, due any day now! I am so lucky to have such a supportive and helpful husband. I really couldn't do all that I do without him. When he sees that I have several orders that need to get made, he jumps into daddy mode, takes the kids out, and lets me work. I love tutorials- just wish I had more time to try them all!:)

3)How did you get started as a designer? I had a baby girl and saw all these cute, trendy items at the local boutique stores that I could not afford. I went home and decided that I could make that same stuff for far less money. All my friends saw my cute items and, thus, began Brooks Boutique!!

4)What inspires you to create?: All the gorgeous fabric available!! I love, love, love fabric. I just hold it up and imagine where I could use it! On a dress, car seat, blanket, curtain, pillow, whatever strikes me! :)

5)How do you get the word out about your shop and Etsy?: I sell on ETSY, at local craft fairs, and pass out business cards everywhere I go. I have them in the local post office and also put magnets on mailboxes every few months. My friends and family are big supporters and also facebook and twitter help tremendously!

6)Any advice you would give to aspiring designers?: To never give up and always HAVE FUN! Always be persistent- nothing ever comes easy, but the harder you work at something, the more pleasure you will get from its results. This business takes along time to really "get going" but once it does, it is awesome!

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