Back in December we met Beth - a multi-tasking momma with a FABulous little shop. The Bird & Elephant specializes in 100% organic cotton bodysuits, organic cotton appliques, and hand-carved & stamped designs. We just adore this eco-chic shop full of super soft baby & toddler wear. Read on to learn more about the designer and to enter a giveaway -- thanks to Beth!
{1} What made you begin your shop?
It was all really good timing during a really bad time period. The economy was great, my husband's job was great, my newborn son was great, and then came the recession. I had just said goodbye to benefits, retirement plans, and an okay salary, when I quit my full-time job as the Supervisor overseeing equipment and lab space in the Photography Department of a local arts & design college where I had graduated with a BFA. I was a full-time stay at home mom who needed to find a way to add to the household income. But never in my wildest dreams did I think I'd be in this line of work. I was the one gal in my family that preferred the wood shop, big loud tools and working with metals. I loved getting my hands dirty with charcoals and my clothing always had splatters of paint. But none of those things are safe for baby and baby was always with me.
Strapped for money, I was tired of the clothing available for my son, so I began knitting cute, urban style hats and started appliqueing his infant tee's and bodysuits. I used fabric remnants from old art projects, leftover balls of yarn, and recycled his onesies and other clothing to use in my applique designs. The knitting was pretty easy, but I had absolutely no idea what I was doing with the sewing. I come from a family of great sewers, quilters, seamstresses and doll makers, but I never paid close attention, and never learned the rules. Through trial & error, and a lot of research, I taught myself embroidery and then I began having some success with my appliques. I enjoyed what I was making, because I was transforming my sketches and doodles into wearable art. From there, I became addicted. My fabric stash grew, my threads grew, and my skill was developing to the point that I felt someone may actually purchase one of my creations. And that's where things took off. Since I loved what I was making and had a lot of fun doing it, I decided to give Etsy a try. From there, I've received several requests from brick and mortar shops to carry my products and I have chosen a couple to carry my goods. The making has been the easiest part; learning the ins and outs of online selling and marketing is hardcore.
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| cupcakeMAG for Littles pick: the Baby Sea Turtle Bodysuit in Pink |
{2} What are some of your other favorite Etsy shops?
Oh my, that's a tough one!
Amazing lampshades by umbu; quite unique & beautiful: http://www.etsy.com/shop/umbu
Rabbitsmoon has clean, crisp photography to show off the cute plushies and change pouches in her shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/
Miniatures: http://www.etsy.com/shop/
Photography: http://www.etsy.com/shop/
That's a pretty big sampling of my favorites. I could go on forever.
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| One of Beth's favorite designs: Hand Embroidered Heart Onesie |
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| Another of the designer faves: red heart + tree limb onesie |
{3} What is your favorite item currently in your shop?
It's a toss up between these two:
Organic bodysuit with a red heart + tree limb and the sweet little Valentine's heart on a pink bodysuit. I had a lot of fun with the embroidery on this one.
{4} What is up next for you?
Mommy to 2 is up next for me, with my baby girl Lila arriving mid-March. My son inspired me to create this business, it will definitely be interesting to see what a baby girl will inspire. I plan to eventually add gift sets to my shop that would include hand-carved, hand-stamped stationary to match some of the designs; knitted/crocheted booties & shoes in coordinating colors; and maybe diaper covers. I'd love to expand the wardrobe options to include pants and dresses. Right now, I'm developing an organic line of clothing. I have a background in printmaking, and would love to begin transforming some of my designs to silkscreens and hand-carved wood stamps for printing directly onto fabrics, bodysuits and tees. My hand-embroidered goods can take a few hours to create just one, so finding a way to simplify my work without affecting the work is a future goal. As for down the road, I plan to open a bricks & mortar shop of my own.
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| Perfect for the little man in your life - the Red Elephant Onesie |
READ ON TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY!
