Stacey is the owner of Elle Belle. A fabulous little find full of useful and delighteful items for moms and children. She crafts with 3 other friends and her Mom.
Where are you from?
I'm from a small town in IL, now I live in St. Petersburg Fl and love it here!
Are your creations one of a kind?
Lots of Elle Belle stuff is one of a kind. Although, as we've gotten more experience with what customers want we've been able to narrow down the choices on some things which has allowed us to be more focused on developing the lines we currently have.
How long have you been doing it?
My Mom, my friend Ann, and I have been crafting in some (and many) forms pretty much since we can remember, there's about 75 years of experience between the three of us. Jennifer has a really great eye for color and pattern, she comes up with super cute fabric combinations, so the design aspect of crafting is what got her started a year ago. Karie was a preschool teacher for several years and always had creative projects to work on with her kids there. Once she had her daughter, Ava, and decided to leave teaching, we expanded those ideas for Elle Belle.
I have a business license, sell through multiple venues and promote my shop lots, so I guess it's a job, but I really love doing it, so most times it doesn't feel so much like work.
What inspire you?
Our children inspire us
What is your favorite item?
It's hard to pick a favorite item. We have such a large variety of products that are each special for their own reasons, I can't possibly narrow it down to just one thing. I think the slings are the most useful and practical items in the shop, the pillowcase dresses are the prettiest, the chalkboard placemats are the most fun, the ballet slippers are the most unique/special, and the memory quilts are the most valuable.
How do you promote your items?
I have a pretty extensive mailing list, so I send out emails when we introduce a new product or when we're going to be at a local event (which we do lots of). One of my favorite ways to promote is to attend open houses at local hospitals... it's so much fun to talk to all the Moms to be and introduce them to some things that can make being a Mommy easier and more fun.
We get good results participating in craft fairs at upscale malls. There's one locally that hosts Thur-Sun shows so we get to talk to lots of stay at home Moms with their children in the mall. We also do more traditional outdoor craft shows, baby expos, and even an open house at a couple of the local hospitals.
What is your favorite material?
I really love the super soft combination of satin and fleece together, but some of the fleeces that are especially soft are sometimes difficult to work with.
Any advice for fellow crafters on etsy?
My advice (which isn't exactly working for me at the moment) is to post an item in your shop at least once every week day.
Satcey's site is http://ellebelleonline.com/
Her Etsy shop http://ellebelleonetsy.etsy.com/
and her blog http://ellebelleblog.blogspot.com/
Where are you from?
I'm from a small town in IL, now I live in St. Petersburg Fl and love it here!
Are your creations one of a kind?
Lots of Elle Belle stuff is one of a kind. Although, as we've gotten more experience with what customers want we've been able to narrow down the choices on some things which has allowed us to be more focused on developing the lines we currently have.
How long have you been doing it?
My Mom, my friend Ann, and I have been crafting in some (and many) forms pretty much since we can remember, there's about 75 years of experience between the three of us. Jennifer has a really great eye for color and pattern, she comes up with super cute fabric combinations, so the design aspect of crafting is what got her started a year ago. Karie was a preschool teacher for several years and always had creative projects to work on with her kids there. Once she had her daughter, Ava, and decided to leave teaching, we expanded those ideas for Elle Belle.
I have a business license, sell through multiple venues and promote my shop lots, so I guess it's a job, but I really love doing it, so most times it doesn't feel so much like work.
What inspire you?
Our children inspire us
What is your favorite item?
It's hard to pick a favorite item. We have such a large variety of products that are each special for their own reasons, I can't possibly narrow it down to just one thing. I think the slings are the most useful and practical items in the shop, the pillowcase dresses are the prettiest, the chalkboard placemats are the most fun, the ballet slippers are the most unique/special, and the memory quilts are the most valuable.
How do you promote your items?
I have a pretty extensive mailing list, so I send out emails when we introduce a new product or when we're going to be at a local event (which we do lots of). One of my favorite ways to promote is to attend open houses at local hospitals... it's so much fun to talk to all the Moms to be and introduce them to some things that can make being a Mommy easier and more fun.
We get good results participating in craft fairs at upscale malls. There's one locally that hosts Thur-Sun shows so we get to talk to lots of stay at home Moms with their children in the mall. We also do more traditional outdoor craft shows, baby expos, and even an open house at a couple of the local hospitals.
What is your favorite material?
I really love the super soft combination of satin and fleece together, but some of the fleeces that are especially soft are sometimes difficult to work with.
Any advice for fellow crafters on etsy?
My advice (which isn't exactly working for me at the moment) is to post an item in your shop at least once every week day.
Satcey's site is http://ellebelleonline.com/
Her Etsy shop http://ellebelleonetsy.etsy.com/
and her blog http://ellebelleblog.blogspot.com/
3 comments:
ElleBelle has a great variety of adorable children's (and parents') clothing and accessories! I had to check out her shop after your feature and the Cherries with Lime outfit and the Sling (baby/toddler carryall) are fantastic.
Of course, if I were married, I'd get the "Etsy Widower" shirt :)
I am glad you liked this feature
Good post.
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