Guest Blogger on Etsy Kids Blog

I am excited to be the guest blogger today over on the EtsyKids Blog! Stop by and check out my tutorial on fabric labels.

They are starting their 12 days of Tutorials series, so be sure to check back often for more great tutorials from the EtsyKids Team!

Holiday Shopping Rush!

Sorry for the radio silence lately - folks weren't kidding when they said that Etsy gets really busy around the holidays! I have been/am pretty busy filling orders and playing holiday elf around my house these days, so I haven't had much time to post but I am hoping to get a tutorial for a cute Holiday Card Wreath posted soon, so stay tuned!

In addition to filling orders, I have also been busy adding some new items to my shop. Here are a few of my favorites...

The Super Hero Badge Reel ($6, click here to purchase)

Floral Eye Pillow (filled with organic Lavender and Flax Seed, $10)

Cupcake Ouchie Pouch ($8, click here to purchase)

The First-Class (standard) shipping deadline for orders is this Sunday, December 18th for delivery before Christmas. You can always upgrade to Priority Shipping if you prefer, just send me a message for a shipping quote.

Okay, back to work!

Black Friday / Small Business Saturday SALE

All Badge Reels are 20% off (No Coupon Necessary). Stock up on these great stocking stuffers for co-workers, friends and family!! 

PLUS 15% off purchases of $25 or more with coupon code BLKFRIDAY plus get a FREE set of gift tags with your order! 

Happy Shopping: www.etsy.com/shop/snugglymonkeyco

{GIft Guide} Handmade Of the Month Clubs

What do you get the cousin who has everything? That hard to please uncle? How about the gift that keeps giving all year long - a subscription to an "of-the-month" club! Branch out of the ordinary and try a unique handmade monthly subscription.

The Badge Reel of the Month club is perfect for that nurse, teacher, co-worker or student in your life that likes to change up their look and style on a regular basis. Three different subscription options are available - the 4 month, 6 month or 12 month plan. Allowing you to change out your badge reels with each holiday, season or month! Each plan is fully customizable and monthly, quarterly, annual shipping is included* with the price of your subscription! (*US shipping is included. International club members are always welcome, however there is a nominal shipping fee added to the cost of the subscription)

There are all sorts of unique and creative subscription clubs available in the handmade world of Etsy, such as a Marshmallow of the Month club or an Earring of the Month Club or a Baby Octopus of the Month club! Here are a few of my favorites...

Happy Shopping! Join me in taking the 

Handmade Holiday Pledge!

Special Birthday Sale!

Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday dear Me, Happy Birthday to me :) 

I am celebrating my birthday this week! Join in on the celebration and enjoy 20% off anything in my shop with coupon code HPYBDAY. Hurry in today because this special discount ends at 11:11pm on Friday, 11-11-11. 

Great chance to get a start on your holiday shopping and stocking stuffers!

Gift Guide for Teachers

Whether you are shopping for your child's kindergarten teacher or that special professor that helped you on your dissertation, the teachers in our lives deserve some extra special recognition for all that they do. In support of the Handmade Holiday Pledge, here are some unique handmade gift ideas for the teachers on your list.

Snuggly Monkey Lanyards and Badge Reels make cute and economical gifts for teachers and school office staff. With over 100 designs available (and more added regularly), you can surely find one that brings out each teacher's unique personality.

Quantity discounts are available, so buy in bulk and save!

After a long day at school, help your favorite teacher relax with an organic Flax seed and Lavender filled Eye Pillow. These eye pillows can be stored in the freezer to help sooth puffy, tired eyes, or heated in the microwave for some healing heat therapy and headache relief. 

Handmade teacher's gifts abound on Etsy. Here is a collection of a few of my favorites...

Handmade Holiday Pledge

With Christmas less than 48 days away and Hanukkah only 43 days away (12/20-12/28/2011), the holiday shopping season is officially upon us! As you start putting together your holiday gift list, I would like to encourage you to think about taking the Handmade Holiday Pledge this year. 

The Pledge: 

I pledge to support a handmade holiday this year by making gifts myself or by buying from handmade artists and crafters.

This is not meant to be an all or nothing sort of thing. Even if you just purchase one handmade gift or make a batch of cookies for your neighbor - you are upholding the pledge! The handmade holiday pledge is meant to encourage your creativity and to support small businesses that are striving to create beautiful, unique, and high-quality items for the special people on your list. 

Some benefits of buying handmade...

• Give the gift of uniqueness! Handmade = unique, custom, one of a kind, different, special.
• Economical Gift Giving - in these difficult financial times we are all looking for ways to save some money. When you buy handmade you are often times buying directly from the creator/maker/designer, so you are saving on traditional retail costs! Many crafters also offer quantity discounts if you by many of the same/similar items. So if you find something you would like to give to your co-workers, ask about quantity discounts to save more!
• Avoid the long lines and hassle of shopping malls during the holiday season
• Excellent customer service! Many handmade vendors truly appreciate YOUR business and tend to show that appreciation with a variety of "little gestures" that make your shopping experience with them pleasant and memorable
• Custom items - many handmade businesses are more than happy to work with you to create a one of a kind piece in the colors/theme you are looking for. Just ask!
• Support small businesses. Many handmade artists and crafters are folks just like you that are trying to either bring in some extra income for their families or make a living doing what they love. In buy buying from a handmade artisan you are helping to support these individuals. 

Where to buy handmade...

Handmade is all around you! Here are a few ideas on where to start looking.

• Etsy
• Artfire
• Local Craft Shows and Fairs
• Local galleries and shops

To help you out with the Handmade Holiday Pledge, I will be posting regular Holiday Gift Guides over the course of the next few weeks with handmade gift ideas for all the people on your list. I will also be posting links to DIY gift projects for quick and easy gifts you can make too. 

So join me and take the Handmade Holiday Pledge! Leave a comment below saying that you are in! Grab the Pledge button (in the sidebar) & post it on your blog/website, or post it on Facebook or Twitter to get your friends involved too.

Do you have a great holiday gift idea or tutorial? Email me or leave a comment below, and I might post it in my next gift guide!

Happy Crafting!

{Featured Artist & Giveaway} Alyssa from Kadydid Designs

Welcome to (a slightly belated edition of) Featured Fridays on Snuggly Monkey! Each week we chat with a different Etsy artist and take a peek inside their Etsy world. This week we are talking with Alyssa from Kadydid Designs. 

 Alyssa and her sister have teamed up to make the gorgeous baby and toddler creations you will find at Kadydid Designs. Specializing in fashion tutus, car seat covers, burp cloths and bibs, Kadydid Designs is the place to shop for our budding fashionista. 

How did you come up with the name "Kadydid Designs"?
My sister (who works with me on Kadydid Designs) and I were brainstorming seperately about name possibilities, and we both happened to come up with Kadydid Designs.  I'm not sure where it came from, but it seemed to be the right fit!
 
How do you describe your work when someone asks “What do you make?” 
We focus mainly on making infant car seat covers and tutus, but dabble in bibs and burp cloths too.  Anything baby related!
 
When did you start doing your craft/art? 
After I had my second son.  He was a major mess maker, and I needed more absorbant burp cloths. 
 
How did you first learn how to sew and create tutus? My mom taught me the basics of sewing when I was little.  To be honest, I never really did anything with it until we opened this shop.  However, in the last 6 months since really starting the shop, I have pushed myself and found a real love for sewing and creating with my hands.  There have been a lot of self teaching moments at my house lately!
 
What aspects of your Etsy business do you find challenging?
It's funny, but my shop gets absolutely slammed when my personal life is allowing no extra time for anything. I'd say that's the most challenging thing about my store. And I just keep trying to make it as streamlined and organized as possible!

How do you advertise or promote your shop? 
I do a lot via social media sites, and even more through blogs (such as this one!). I've recently branched out to pay for advertising on a blog and am still feeling that out. So far so good, I think, but I'm still not quite sure. Only time will tell!
 
What is your marketing “philosophy”? 
Of course marketing and advertising are important! But, I don't think a lot of money needs to spent to do it. I really think that building relationships with other Etsy shop owners is just as a productive marketing tool than anything. Once you have those relationships in place, it feels like you kind of "have each others backs", so to say, and you build each other up.  

How did you set up your shop banner & avatar? 
I paid somebody to set one up for me, and it was great.  However, my sister in law was dabbling on her own banner and avatar, and just happened to make a few for me too. I feel like those fit my personality better than the pre-made ones I had purchased.

What else do you do to keep your shop looking great?  
I try to keep everything as uniform as possible.  All of my photos are taken in the exact same spot at almost the exact same time of the day to keep the lighting the same.  All the wording is pretty much the same from item to item, which I hope cuts down on confusion.  I like things to be organized!
 
How do you go about obtaining your supplies? 
I get 99% of my fabric from other Etsy shops.  I want to be supported in my business, so I want to do the same for others. My top 2 favorite fabric stores on Etsy are Bloome, and Raspberry Creek Fabrics. The women who run these shops have answered ridiculous questions for me, are super friendly and have amazing products. I just love shopping with both of them!

 Many thanks to Alyssa for sharing so many great tips and ideas with us! Please be sure to keep in touch with her and Kadydid Designs by visiting them on... 

Etsy: www.kadydiddesigns.etsy.com

Blog: www.kadydiddesigns.blogspot.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/kadydiddesigns

Twitter: @kadydiddesigns

  Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/acstander

 Alyssa has generously agreed to sponsor a giveaway for Snuggly Monkey readers!

Prize: $15 Gift Certificate to Kadydid Designs

Start Date: Monday, November 7, 2011

End Date: Monday, November 21, 2011

{How to Enter to Win}

The winner of this Giveaway will be chosen at random, so the more times you enter the higher your chances of winning! I like having options, so there are SEVERAL ways to enter.  Feel free to do as many or as few as you like. Don't have time to do them all now? No problem! Come back later and add a few more entries (this giveaway will be open for TWO whole weeks).  

Entering is EASY with Rafflecopter. When you have completed one of the tasks below, just click the green "I DID THIS" button, enter the requested information and move on to the next task! No need to leave a separate comment for each entry (unless the instructions for that particular task ask you to that is!). Good Luck!

{Giveaway} Show Stopper Bow from Love in Bloom Boutique

Yesterday we learned about Kristin and Love in Bloom Boutique. Kristin has generously agreed to sponsor a giveaway for Snuggly Monkey readers!

Prize: Extra Large Show Stopper Bow 

Start Date: Saturday, October 30, 2011

End Date: Friday, November 11, 2011

{How to Enter to Win}

The winner of this Giveaway will be chosen at random, so the more times you enter the higher your chances of winning! I like having options, so there are SEVERAL ways to enter.  Feel free to do as many or as few as you like. Don't have time to do them all now? No problem! Come back later and add a few more entries (this giveaway will be open for TWO whole weeks).  

Entering is EASY with Rafflecopter. When you have completed one of the tasks below, just click the green "I DID THIS" button, enter the requested information and move on to the next task! No need to leave a separate comment for each entry (unless the instructions for that particular task ask you to that is!). Good Luck!

{Featured Artist} Kristin from Love In Bloom Boutique

Welcome to Featured Fridays on Snuggly Monkey! Each Friday we chat with a different Etsy artist and take a peek inside their Etsy world. This week we are talking with Kristin from Love in Bloom Boutique. 

Kristin designs and creates a wide variety of gorgeous bows, headbands, fascinators and hair clips. Her shop is filled with rich colors and beautiful designs that are sure to add beauty to any wardrobe! Let's jump right and and learn more about Kristin and her designs. 

How did you come up with your shop name?  
My shop name is the result of a year’s worth of feeling like God was trying to get me to take my faith to the next level.  I saw a great outpouring of His love in a variety of ways and I started to ‘Bloom’.

How would you describe your work to someone who asked you “What do you sell/make/do?”  
I make accessories for girls and girls at heart.


How did you first become interested in designing hair bows and accessories? 
I wanted to do something to help my daughter feel pretty in her school uniforms.  I didn’t want to pay Etsy prices… Now that I make them, I understand completely why prices may seem high to some people.  Handmade goods are time consuming to make and it isn’t fair to ask a crafter to work for a pittance that won’t pay her for her labor. 

I started learning by watching a ton of videos on YouTube and experimenting with my own techniques.  I feel that I have come up with methods that now exceed what I have learned and I use them to make really well constructed accessories that are meant to last.

What is your favorite item to create?   
This changes often, but my favorite item right now is my ShowStopper Bow (the one I’m giving away) because of it’s simple yet high impact design.

What do you like about being a part of the Etsy community?  
The best part of being an Etsian is that I have connected with many different artists and artisans who are very kind.  I enjoy their camaraderie.  I also really love being able to see so many beautiful items in one place and there is a sense of spurring each other on to keep on creating new and wonderful things.


What aspects of your Etsy business do you find challenging? 
Getting noticed and winning sales has been a big challenge for me.  I think I did it to myself though, by not relisting as often as I should and not adding items that often.  I am trying to catch up and am also working on my SEO at the same time.  Hopefully, this will be a big help.

Are there any Etsy Apps that you  use and would recommend?
CraftCult {!}, and Craftopolis… but I need to spend some time looking around in the apps section because it’s been a while and I know there are new things to check out.

Do you know of any cool Etsy tips you’d like to share? 
One time I included the featured seller in a treasury… The views went through the roof… doesn’t always work though.

Are there any non-Etsy sites you use regularly to help in your Etsy work? 
I just started playing around with Sneaky Momma Blog Design.  I am such a novice blogger and she has great design tips that are written for the non-coder {like me!}  


Are you a member of any teams? 
I am a member of quite a few teams, but the one I have been most involved with is EtsyKids.  They really seem to have things together over there and I have learned SO much from my fellow teammates.  Teams are a great place to get to know people, learn from each other and market together.

As a fan of Inside the Actor's Studio with James Lipton, I've always enjoyed his final 10 questions that he asks all his guests. So, inspired by the questionaries of Mr. Lipton, Bernard Pivo (Lipton's inspiration) and Marcel Proust here are a few final questions for Kristin.

What is your favorite word?  Love
What is your least favorite word? Pick an expletive… I hate them all.
What sound or noise do you love? My children laughing
What sound or noise do you hate? Fingernails on a chalkboard
If you were reincarnated as some other plant or animal, what would it be? A Dolphin
Who are your favorite fictional heroes/heroines? Anne of Green Gables, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Heidi, Charlotte and Charly (of the Chocolate Factory)  I love children’s lit and still re-read my favorite classics on occasion.  My copy of Farmer Boy (Little House series) is so well loved that it finally split into about 5 parts this year.
Who are your favorite heroines/heros in real life? Jesus, Moses, Esther, and Job
What natural gift would you most like to possess? The ability to feel at ease in awkward social situations.
What would you like to be when you grow up? An artist
What makes you smile? When someone enjoys {a meal, craft, or whatever} that I have made

Thank you so much Kristin for sharing with us! Please be sure to keep in touch with Kristin and Love in Bloom Boutique!

Etsy shop: http://www.loveinbloomboutique.etsy.com

Blog: http://www.loveinbloomboutique.blogspot.com

Facebook: http://facebook.com/loveinbloomboutique

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/loveinbloomshop

Kristin has generously offered to sponsor a giveaway for Snuggly Monkey Readers! Be sure to check back tomorrow for details on how to enter to win one of her gorgeous Show Stopper Bows!

{Giveaway} Autumn Recycled Bakelite Pin from Very Creative Creations

Yesterday we learned about Ann Marie and her recycled art business, Very Creative Creations. Ann Marie has created a unique, one of a kind item to sponsor as a giveaway from Snuggly Monkey readers!

Prize: Autumn Recycled Bakelite Pin 

Start Date: Saturday, October 15, 2011

End Date: Friday, October 28, 2011

{How to Enter to Win}

The winner of this Giveaway will be chosen at random, so the more times you enter the higher your chances of winning! I like having options, so there are SEVERAL ways to enter.  Feel free to do as many or as few as you like. Don't have time to do them all now? No problem! Come back later and add a few more entries (this giveaway will be open for TWO whole weeks).  

Entering is EASY with Rafflecopter. When you have completed one of the tasks below, just click the green "I DID THIS" button, enter the requested information and move on to the next task! No need to leave a separate comment for each entry (unless the instructions for that particular task ask you to that is!). Good Luck!

{Featured Artist} Ann Marie from Very Creative Creations

Welcome to Featured Fridays on Snuggly Monkey! Each Friday we chat with a different Etsy artist and take a peek inside their Etsy world. This week we are talking with Ann Marie from Very Creative Creations. 

Ann Marie is a  a recycle artist who specializes in jewelry, textiles, accessories and garden art. Her shop is filled with her unique, one of a kind creations. Let's find out a bit more about her art and her shop.

How did you come up with your shop name? 
It is a variation of what many people have said about the items I create.

When did you start creating your pieces? Over 15 years ago when I met my husband as a way to update vintage pieces.

How did you first become interested in recycled art?
I guess I have been learning all my life since I grew up with grandparents who survived the Great Depression and impressed on my mom and us how important it was not to waste things but to save them to us again as something else.


What is your favorite item to create? 
Lately it has been the garden art and the jewelry Christmas  trees.

What aspects of your Etsy business do you find challenging?
Marketing is the hardest thing for me since I was raised to be humble and not boast about what you do.  I have been working on blogging about other artists, how tos and other things to draw people into my shop.

How do you advertise or promote your shop? 
Social media (Twitter and Facebook), coupons for percentage off for customers to create return business, offering custom services.


What is your marketing “philosophy”?  
I have tried to create a brand that emphasizes recycling and reuse of vintage items.

Any other marketing tips you would like to share?  
I like to be featured on blogs and offer giveaways for readers of the blogs I am featured on.


What do you use for packaging materials?
All of my packaging is recycled – second hand.  I get them where ever I can- mostly locally via estate, garage sales, thrift shops, etc

How did you come up with your banner and avatar?

I created my banner and avatar myself based on my business card patterns.  I had help defining my brand by Baby Swank on Etsy.

As a fan of Inside the Actor's Studio with James Lipton, I've always enjoyed his final 10 questions that he asks all his guests. So, inspired by the questionaries of Mr. Lipton, Bernard Pivo (Lipton's inspiration) and Marcel Proust here are a few final questions for Ann Marie.

What sound or noise do you love? running water
What sound or noise do you hate? cardboard being cutting by a knife
If you were reincarnated as some other plant or animal, what would it be? one of my dogs – we spoil them
Who are your favorite fictional heroes/heroines? GI Jane – she is one strong woman.
What would you like to be when you grow up? Do I have to grow up?
What makes you smile? My husband, my kids, sales

Thank you so much Ann Marie for giving us a peek into your shop world today! Be sure to keep in touch with Ann Marie & Very Creative Creations!

Etsy Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/verycreativecreation?ref=seller_info

Blog: http://www.verycreative-verycreativecreations.blogspot.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Very-Creative-Creations/105113499562957?ref=ts

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/vcconesty

Ann Marie has created a unique piece just for Snuggly Monkey readers! Be sure to check back tomorrow for a chance to enter to win one of Ann Marie's Very Creative Creations!

{Tutorial} Make Your Own Fabric Labels

SnugglyMonkey.com has moved over to Wordpress!

To continue receiving updates on Snuggly Monkey and new blog posts, please visit:

www.snugglymonkey.com

I will be leaving this blogspot blog up for awhile, but will not continue to write new posts here. So be sure to stop by the new site! Thanks :)

 ************************************************************

I was recently asked where I get the labels I use on the items I make, and the answer is I make them myself! So, I thought I would put together a quick tutorial and share how I make my labels. They are quick and easy to make. Whether you are making something as a gift or a new item for your shop, I think they are the perfect finishing touch for a handcrafted item. Enjoy and please let me know if you have any questions!

What you need:

• Sew-on Printable Cotton Fabric Sheets
• Printer
• Heat-n-Bond Iron On Adhesive (see notes below for which kind to get)
• Ruler, Cutting Mat, Rotary Cutter (Or Fabric Scissors)
• Iron

Step 1: Design
Start off by designing your labels with your favorite word processor/photo editing software. If you haven't checked out Picnik yet, you should! It is a fantastic photo editing site with lots of cool features, and the best part is that the free part of the site can often times be all that you need.

Once you have your design, decide how big you want your labels to be and then lay out the labels using your word processor onto an 8.5"x11" standard page.  For example, my labels are about 2" wide by 0.5" tall. I set my page up in the Landscape orientation and have 4 columns with 14 labels in each column, so I get a total of 56 labels per page.

Step 2: Print
Grab your Printable Cotton Fabric Sheets. You can buy these at your local fabric store (look in the "Quilting Notions" area). Typically, they cost about $10 for 5 sheets. There are lots of different brands available. You can usually find them in either white or beige, sew-on or iron-on. Pick whichever color you think would work best with your design.  For this tutorial I use the "Sew-On" kind, but you could use the iron-on sheets and skip steps 3 & 4. I will say that from my own experience, the iron-on sheets do not have as strong of a bond as the Heat-n-Bond will give you. That is why I iron on my own adhesive instead.

Follow the directions on the package for printing out your labels and heat setting the ink. If you are going to be putting your labels on something that can be washed (such as a quilt or clothes), I recommend following the instructions for colorfasting the fabric sheets as well.

Step Three: Iron-on Adhesive
I find it difficult to keep my labels exactly where I want them on my items when I try to stitch them on at this point. So, I like to put some iron-on adhesive on the backs of my labels first. Then, I iron the label in place and topstitch. I find that this helps me get a nicer, cleaner look in the end.

Once your fabric sheet is ready to use, grab your Iron-on Adhesive. You have two options with Heat-n-Bond: Sewable (Purple package) or Ultra-Hold (Red package). If you only want to Iron On your labels with no stitching, then go with the Ultra-Hold.

(Iron-On Labels with No topstitching)

If you want to topstitch your labels in place, go with the Sewable. Do not sew through the Ultra-hold - trust me - I learned this the hard way. You will get adhesive inside your sewing machine, and it will screw up your bobbin tension or worse. (And the money you are saving by making your own labels will go to getting your machine repaired!)

Cut an 8.5"x11" piece of the Heat-n-Bond and following the instructions on the packaging iron it onto the back of your labels.

{Tip: Put an old t-shirt down on the top of your ironing board before you iron on the adhesive. That way if your label sheet and the adhesive sheet do not exactly line up, the excess adhesive will get on the old-shirt instead of our ironing board cover. And, your husband won't get upset when he goes to iron his work shirts and ends up with an ugly, sticky glue mark on his shirt....}

Step Four: Cutting Your Labels
The final step is cutting out your labels. I find it easiest to do this with a rotary cutter and ruler, but it is also possible to do it with regular fabric scissors as well. I am just a bit challenged at cutting nice, neat straight lines with a scissor, so I use the rotary cutter. 

Once you have your labels cut out, all you need to do is iron them on to your item and stitch them in place.

Please let me know if anything is unclear, and I will try to clarify.
Have fun making labels!!

{Giveaway} Custom Bowtie and Suspender Set from j.marie designs

Yesterday we chatted with Jana from j.marie designs and learned about her business and unique children's clothing designs. j.marie designs is graciously sponsoring a Giveaway for Snuggly Monkey readers!

Prize: Custom Boys Bow Tie & Suspender set (value $30)

Start Date: Saturday, October 8, 2011

End Date: Friday, October 21, 2011

{How to Enter to Win}

The winner of this Giveaway will be chosen at random, so the more times you enter the higher your chances of winning! I like having options, so there are SEVERAL ways to enter.  Feel free to do as many or as few as you like. Don't have time to do them all now? No problem! Come back later and add a few more entries (this giveaway will be open for TWO whole weeks).  

Entering is EASY with Rafflecopter. When you have completed one of the tasks below, just click the green "I DID THIS" button, enter the requested information and move on to the next task! No need to leave a separate comment for each entry (unless the instructions for that particular task ask you to that is!). Good Luck!

{Featured Artist} Jana from j. marie designs

Welcome to Featured Fridays on Snuggly Monkey! Each Friday we chat with a different Etsy artist and take a peek inside their Etsy world. This week we are talking with Jana from j.marie designs.

 Jana is an amazing children's clothes designer. Her designs are meant to be unique and are filled with special personal touches, such as embroidery, applique and monograms. She offers Skirt-of-the-Month and Dress-of-the-Month clubs (a great idea for a unique holiday gift for that little fashionista in your life!). And she does this all from her home on a small island in Alaska! Jana runs across some unique challenges in her business life - read on to find out more about this great lady and her business. 

Your shop is called "j.marie designs" but your Etsy shop name is actually onetallmama.etsy.com. Why is that? 
I had my Etsy username before I started selling custom items, so it just stuck.  The onetallmama comes from the fact that I am 6’2” tall.

How would you describe your work to someone who asked you “What do you do?”  

I love designing unique custom children’s clothing.  Hair bows, embroidery, applique and monograms just add that little special personal touch.  I love polka dots and I think I usually try to find a way to work them into almost every outfit!

How did you get into sewing?   

I started sewing as a young girl.  I started making clothes about 7 years ago.My mom and grandma were a big influence.  I remember my mom was always working on some sort of sewing project.  She made a lot of our clothes when we were young.  Mom taught me to sew.

What is your favorite item to create?  

I think the dresses with layers of ruffles with matching ruffle pants (or as we call them Maddie pants).  It is really hard to pick a favorite.  I also really enjoy baby gift sets and doing custom embroidery as well.

What aspects of your Etsy business do you find challenging? 

I haven’t really had many challenges.  Sometimes shipping times can get out line when we don’t have mail coming or going on the island due to bad weather.  But that is just part of the adventure of living and running a business on a small island in Alaska. 

Any ideas for how you might overcome these challenges? 

LOL  I can’t change the weather.

How do you advertise or promote your shop?  

My blog/website recently got a facelift and it has made a huge difference in the perception of my business.  It gave my business a polished and cohesive look.  I worked with a great designer from Media Mom Creative.  I think that having a cohesive look and feel is really important.

I also use both facebook and twitter.  I have also found that Pinterest has been a great resource – not just for inspiration, but also for showcasing or getting my name out there as well.

What is your marketing “philosophy”? 

‘Branding’ is really important, I believe.  There was an article that I came across on the Etsy blog right when I was struggling with the decision to redo my website and my look.  It discussed the importance of having a unique look.  (Article:  http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2011/shop-makeover-creating-a-brand-identity-for-your-shop/).  Courtney took the vision in my head and it evolved into the design of my website.  

Your website looks fantastic! How did you set up your banner and avatar on your Etsy shop?   

My shop appearance is all tied to my new website.  The design of my website also included my Facebook ‘landing page’ and my Etsy page as well.

Do you photograph your own items? 

I have been incredibly blessed to have a great photographer friend.  Amy, from Simply B Photos, has been one of my biggest cheerleaders.  I have sewn outfits for her daughter for over a year now.  Amy’s photography style really meshes well with the style of my designs. 

You have so many fantastic photos in your shop! Any photography tips to share?   

I think good photographs are important.  And a variety of different angles or shots that shows off your product will help the customer get a better idea of what they are purchasing.  Good lighting is key to great photographs of your products.

 As a fan of Inside the Actor's Studio with James Lipton, I've always enjoyed his final 10 questions that he asks all his guests. So, inspired by the questionaries of Mr. Lipton, Bernard Pivo (Lipton's inspiration) and Marcel Proust here are a few final questions for Jana.

What is your favorite word? Coolbeans (it covers a wide range of emotions when a ‘that’s great’ just doesn’t fit).  I use it a lot!  

What is your least favorite word? CAN’T

What sound or noise do you love? My favorite sound, which could be noise to others, is the laughter from my 3 kids.

What sound or noise do you hate?  whining

If you were reincarnated as some other plant or animal, what would it be?  Dandelion.  To bloom, blossom and float away on the breeze…

Who are your favorite fictional heroes/heroines?  I love Dr. Seuss characters and books.  There is always a moral hidden away.

Who are your favorite heroines/heros in real life?  My mom.

What natural gift would you most like to possess?  Healing. 

What would you like to be when you grow up?  I’m still not sure.  J  I’m pretty happy with my life.

What makes you smile?  Life make me smile.

Thank you so much Jana for giving us a peek into your shop world today! Be sure to keep in touch with Jana & j.marie designs!

Etsy shop:  www.onetallmama.etsy.com

Website:  www.jmarie-designs.com

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/designsbyjmarie

Twitter:  JMarieDesigns

Pinterest: Jana Mays

Jana has graciously offered to sponsor a fantastic giveaway for Snuggly Monkey readers! Tune in tomorrow for details on how to win a Custom Bow Tie and Suspender Set from j.marie designs!! Thanks Jana!