Thursday, October 30, 2008

Interview with 1Maddie And Me

What little girl would not love a vest with hoot owls and pumkins, or a jumper flaunting holiday ornaments...1Maddieandme is a must visit to find unique ideas for your children's wardrobe!

1)What were your thoughts when you first found Etsy?
My Aunt has sold on ebay for years now, not handmade stuff but just stuff in general. When I was searching for online ways to sell my children’s clothing she suggested that ebay would not benefit me, but etsy would. I did some research on the items similar to what I was already making and selling locally and was ecstatic to find that the prices were comparable to what I thought was fair for my work. I first set up the crudest (most embarrassing now I look back on it) version of my shop and went straight to the critiques to get nice honest appraisals of what I needed to do. This was just under a year ago and everyone was so nice and most helpful.

2) Tell us about a little about yourself and your favorite craft/art! Well since I have two shops on etsy and two on Hyena Cart I am very busy trying to keep up with it all. I am a wife and mother and I work for my mom’s Interior Design Firm. I went to school for an English Literature degree and promptly went to work in the business world using very little of my degree knowledge. My favorite craft is hard since I have two shops I love doing the items I do for each of them. I think that when I start to burn out on one is when I begin focusing more strongly on the other. I love making children’s clothes, but in the same token I love coming up with new bath & body products. My creativity extends as far as I’ll let it on any given day. Some days my creativity is coming up with new ways to market my products.

3) Tell us something about yourself that would surprise others! Well most people who know me know that I am very out spoken and I like to share the knowledge I have (whether or not you’ve asked my opinion, which is the down side). I think it would surprise people to know that although many people consider me the “go to” girl when it comes to how to run a business or market products, I just don’t see that in myself. I suppose I’m still a little unsure of myself.

4) How do you get the word out about your shop and Etsy?
Word of mouth (or e-mouth) is the best way so far. My favorite way to start a conversation with someone is “Have I told you ____?” Have I told you about etsy? Have I told you about the new items I’m releasing next week? Have I told you about America’s Handmade Homefront? Have I told you___?” I use facebook, myspace, post card mailings to previous customers, business cards, emails, but the best of all is word of mouth.

5) Without a picture, how would you best describe your work area? Organized clutter, that’s how I’d have to describe my work area. Most unfortunately having 2 businesses on 2 e-commerce sites running out of the same 300+/- square feet it is usually a mess. My lead times and are kept on a calendar; my fabrics are kept in shelves according to season and weight. My bath and body products are never worked on in or around the fabric areas, but it is hard to keep it neat and tidy all the time.


This "go to" girl was lucky enough to win this interview and what a wonderful job she is has done! I enjoyed hearing her story and sure hope you do too!

Visit 1maddieandme

I want to interview your shop, I will draw a random shop from all the comments...so leave a comment for a chance to win. Be sure to put your shop name in the comment, all types of shops are welcomed! An online randomizer is used to choose the winner....so leave a comment each week as your chance to win! Good luck!

If you've left a comment in previous weeks, and haven't won just yet, then just leave another comment to qualify for the next weeks drawing...!

16 comments:

Homemade Zen said...

Love maddie and Me's shop! Wondeful feature!

Maddie and Mommy said...

Thanks so much for the feature / interview. I love your blog and truly enjoy reading all the interviews you've done in the past. Thanks for the intro.

BadCat said...

I love Kristina! We email and talk on the phone and just exchange information. I am more on the receiving end, I think. I'm so happy that you chose her to interview. She is a fabulous person and business woman. Congrats and great interview.

KP said...

Great interview! I am lucky enough to have benefitted more than once from Kristina's input! I love her shop!

Anonymous said...

I love maddie and me's shop such awesome things.

Unknown said...

I love maddie and me's shop. Her children's clothes are awesome.

Emily of Ella-Bear Bowtique said...

Great feature! I love Maddie and Me's dresses. We have bought two for our daughter so far and have plans in the future to buy more. Her pieces are lovely.

Robin@creations-anew.com said...

Maddie is great..and don't let her fool you...she know ALL about everything!!!!

The interview was informative..and who would have known that Maddie was a bit "outspoken"..HEHEHE
RObin
CreationsAnew

Amariah said...

That was a super interview. I love the Maddie and Me shop!

Anonymous said...

What a lovely interview and great site!
Becky
Sewhappyfabricshop.etsy.com

gretchen w said...

I love the Maddie and Me shop, and am so glad to see it getting the attention it deserves! What a wonderful interview!

Melissa and Scott said...

Great shop, great interview! She looks like a busy and successful Mommy!

Anonymous said...

I love the interview with Maddie and Me shop. She has inspired me so I'm glad to see her getting this attention. Good luck to her.
Ellen
Sewlittletimeinnc.etsy.com

missknits said...

great interview and such a cute shop!

owlbot said...

What a great interview! :)
owlbot.etsy.com

erin, maker of chimes said...

Such a cute model!