Friday, March 26, 2010

Raspberrykidz Feature




Rachel Switall is the owner of the Raspberrykidz. She has an etsy shopand a website. She creates the most adorable artwork inspired by children's artwork. She takes artwork that her children draw and turn them into computer- generated artwork. She prints some parts of the picture twice, cuts out the specific shapes and then applies the finished piece with poster tape to create a 3D effect. She can take YOUR CHILD'S ARTWORK and create a breath-taking professional looking piece of artwork to frame. What an awesome idea for grandparent gift :) When my son starts drawing actually pictures rather than just his few scribbles now, Raspberrykidz is going to be my go to place for christmas and mother's day gifts. She describes her shop as whimsical, charming, and unique. I have to totally agree with her there. Check out her shop to see if you agree.

Rachel started her business 7 years ago because when her son was born, she created the computer-generated pictures for other moms in his group as a personalized gift. These pictures become popular to give to new moms and for birthday. When her son Ethan began to draw his pictures became the subject of her computer-generated pictures. Before she knew it other moms wanted her to 'transform' their child's artwork into professional looking, color, matted prints and her business grew and evolved into what it is today.
Rachel said that her children, Ethan (7 years old) and Samantha (5 years) are the inspiration for her work. They love when she takes their pictures and makes them into computer prints. She said, "They are especially excited when they are displayed in the library or a coffee shop. And they absolutely love when I sell one!"

Rachel's studio space is a small loft off of her bedroom. She just walks up a seven- step ladder and she's at her office. She has her laptop setup on her dad's old drafting table. She is able to do her computer work and her crafting in the same space. I think this would be a wonderful setup. I think it would inspire me to be creative :)

When asked what her typical workday is for her business she responded:
"I'm a stay-at-home mom, so I take the kids to school first. When I come home, I make my specialty, an extra-hot mint mocha, and I head up to my loft. I check my emails to see what I have to do. I also started a magazine at my kids' school, so I work on that as well. And I have started a magazine that goes to 5 different schools in Chicago, all based on student work, so I have to do a lot of work on that (mostly securing advertisers to keep it going). Along with these things, I teach an after school art class and am working on putting together a school cookbook, so actually Raspberrykidz isn't a huge part of my day. If I get more orders, I'm hoping that will change."

According to Rachel, her most memorable sale was the recent sale of "Jenna's Best Day". It was based on a picture that her son drew. He named it "Jenna's Best Day" even though he didn't know a Jenna. A woman bought it and wanted the name somewhere on the picture because her daughter's name was Jenna, and it looked just like her!
Her most popular items are normally custom work based on people's children's drawings but "Jenna's Best Day" is pretty popular too. He favorite item in her shop is "Butterfly girls." It is based on a picture that her daughter drew. She loves it because it just makes her smile when she looks at it.

Please check out Raspberrykidz and think of them the next time your child draws a picture that you love and would like to turn into a one of a kind piece of art.

CandyStick Lane Feature - win a free item

Enter to win one item under $50 of YOUR choice from either of Renee's shops
Renee Eggleston is the owner of not one but two etsy shops, Candy Stick Lane andThe Jump Of! She is a very talented lady and makes me want a little girl to put her adorable creation in. Her photographs of her objects are amazing. She has the most adorable little models to show off her creations. The 3 words she uses to describe her shops are eclectic, simple, and sweet. I think those words hit the nail on the head. Her email is candysticklane@gmail.com if you would like to contact her. She also runs a blog, a facebook page, and a twitter account. She also wanted me to say, "If there are any knitters or crochetters that are on Raverly.com - you can find me under candysticklane."
Renee has been sewing since before she started Kindergarten. Renee started sewing dresses 17 years ago when her daughter was born. Eventually her daughter outgrew handmade items and she still needed an outlet to make her dresses, so Renee went into business for herself. She has been doing craft shows for 15 years now and has been selling her items online for 10 years now.

When asked, "What inspires your creations?" Her response was, "Anything containing sugar - and little girls of course!" I can totally relate to her response. Sugar always gets my creative juices flowing as well.

Renee has 3 children Krystal (age 17), Sterling (age 11) and Roman (age 10). She said that for her daughter she made everything imaginable but not as much for the boys since "... they have a way of messing things up .... hee hee..." She has taught all of her children how to sew. She said they make for things for themselves; usually ninja masks and cuffs are made by the boys.
I asked Renee what her typical workday for her business looked like. She responded,
"Unfortunately my work doesn't start until I get home from my day job at 6 and then get dinner and homework with the kids. I usually answer emails, tweet and facebook on my laptop while I'm cooking dinner and helping the kiddos with homework then once they've had baths and are settled I begin. If I have orders then I fill them- I can usually make 2 - 3 pieces before midnight - but if I don't have any orders then I'll work on new designs and list [them]."

Renee works in a makeshift hobby area, like I do myself. Hey, you don't have to have a huge studio in order to make gorgeous items and Renee proves that. Her dining room serves as her craft space. She has a cutting table in there and 12 shelves worth of fabric. Can I say fabric addiction ;) She also has a cubby holder for little things and of course her sewing machine and serger. I love to see how creative people can be with their sewing and crafting areas. I know having a small space can make you get very creative storing your items.

Renee loves to listen to her ipod full of 80s tunes and the Beatles while getting into the creative mood. She says that "... 80s tunes and the Beatles are the best sewing music - hands down." She says that she is very impulsive when it comes to creating. When she gets an idea she has to play with it on paper and jump up and try it out. When an idea comes she has to work on it right then even if it is first thing in the morning and makes her late for work.

Her favorite item in her shop right now is the "Vintage scenes peppermint dress".
Isn't is adorable?
Her biggest sellers are her rompers and jumpers such as these.
When asked what her most memorable sale was she responded:
"A boutique in NJ ordered 45 dresses and she needed them for summer opening and I actually completed them all in 2 days." This is where my jaw dropped :) I have no clue how she did that. She continued to say, "I felt really accomplished and exhausted but it was a great expereience and it didn't hurt that she LOVED the dresses.

Renee did have some advice for anyone looking to sell their creations. She says, "Just do it!Etsy has made it incredibly easy to give it a go for a near nothing investment. There are no excuses. JUST DO IT!

She wanted to close this interview with the following statement "I'm thrilled to be a part of such a wonderful community of sellers and buyers. I enjoy sewing and networking with all of the wonderful people I've met. ---- I love to chat so anyone can convo me at anytime ----


DEADLINE: April 9, 2010

TO ENTER: Required: Visit either Candy Stick Lane or The Jump Off; Post a comment here and tell me what your favorite item is and why! (*IMPORTANT note: e-mail address must be included if it is not in your profile!)

Optional Bonus Entries (Please do each in a separate comment:

1.) Follow the CuteAsAButtonHandmades4Baby blog and leave an additional comment to let me know! (Current followers, too!)
2.) Tweet about this giveaway on Twitter with a link to CuteAsAButtonHandmades4Baby blog. Leave an additional comment with a link to your tweet! (Just one- no daily tweeting, please).
3.) Blog about this giveaway with a link back here. Leave an additional comment with a link!
4.) Follow Candy Stick Lane on Twitter, here.
5.) Make a purchase fromCandy Stick Lane or The Jump Off. Come back and leave THREE extra comments!
6.) Leave a facebook comment about this giveaway. Leave a comment here with the link.
7.) Become a fan of Candy Stick Lane here. Leave a comment here with your facebook link..

Winner will be chosen using a random number generator at www.random.org. Winner will have 48 hours to respond to email stating they are the winner or a new winner will be chosen.

Monday, March 1, 2010

We have bad news :(

Well.... so much has been going on lately that I am just plain overwhelmed.


I am having to either quit school or go down to two classes because James keeps getting hurt at daycare. I pulled him out today so he will be staying home with me full time. We have had two bad goose eggs on his forehead, each eye has gotten blacked, he has busted his lip, and other random bumps and bruises just in the past four weeks. Ever since he had that 105 fever with the pneumonia he has had these random arm twitches. His pediatrician is sending us to a neurologist to rule out problems with his brain and damage from all the recent falls. I just hope everything is ok with him. I hate to put school on hold and knock myself even further back but what choice do I have? I have to get him straightened out first. I am praying that it is all just a coincidence.


Please if you have a moment just send some good vibes my way. We need it.