Child of Privilege

I discovered Heather's work while looking for a present for my newly born niece.

Great products, elegant, well fisnihed and a nice change from the usual pink for girls, with even some brocade items.

Here she talks about her work for us:

My name is Heather and I create practical accessories for posh tots.
My site's are: childofprivilege.etsy.com & childofprivilege.net
My blog is: childofprivilege.blogspot.com

I got started because I had my 3rd son and wanted unique and fashionable baby items that weren't covered in bears or trains or typical "baby" things. I made him a Shopping Cart Cover which led to me giving a few to people for baby shower gifts, they said I should sell them and before I knew it I had orders. I started selling word-of-mouth, then at Farmer's Markets, expanded my product line, and then on the web.

I was born in Hawaii and raised in Southern California where I currently reside.

For most of my items I only make a few of each pattern, some only one. It depends on how much of the fabric I can obtain.

I have had my business for 2 years.

I grew up in a very artistic home, my parents created and sold woodcrafts at fairs. My grandma recognized and encouraged my interest in art by buying me top quality supplies from the time I was really small. We had no TV and were encouraged to create and experiment with all types of artistic mediums. I took various art classes whilst growing up but no sewing classes. I'm a self-taught "seamstress" through much trial and error. :) I like to say that this is my favorite hobby and people actually pay me for it.

I am inspired by what I would like for my son and by color combos and styles that I'm attracted to.

Right now, my favorite item is probably my Peppermint Dreams Mary Janes, they just make me feel happy.

I promote by word-of-mouth, Etsy forums, Neatostuff, Twitter, my blog, and Facebook.

I sell my items on Etsy, my site, my blog, and in the summer at the Lake Arrowhead Market Night. I'm also going to launch a home parties venture in mid January.

I don't really have a favorite material but my Serger definetly makes my life easier!

When I started out, I wish someone would have told me that I needed to spend roughly the same amount of time promoting my business as I did creating the items.

There's a wealth of great info on Etsy, I would advise reading as much as you can and implementing the ideas that work for you. Twitter has been a wonderful resource for me, but I try to limit my business promotions so that it's not one constant advertisement all the time.

SPECIAL PROMO:
All of my Hide N Peek Nursing covers are on sale right now!

Some days I feel VERY OLD and grown up, other days I enjoy being a kid with my kids.

There are SO many incredible jewelers on Etsy, I'm always amazed at the beautiful work I see displayed and one of these days I'll poke around a bit more. One that comes to mind is PaperAffection.etsy.com she creates these amazing pieces from Origami.

Right now Etsy is my favorite website, there's such a wealth of tremendously talented people and their creations.

Again, thank you so much! Your jewelry is beautiful by the way

Cuddle Baby

Just like a fairy tale princess, Belle

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/