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forgot to post this the other day! many thanks to oveja negra for including SB in her chevron etsy treasury!
sweet ivy girl, run by erica patten, is a handmade hair accessories shop out of salt lake city. i was lucky enough to 'meet' erica by way of tangled + true's downeast basics giveaway - we were both winners and chose the same spotlight polka dot dress. so not only do we have the same dress but we also have little girls just about the same age. read on for a little more...
01. tell us a little about yourself...
I have been married for 5 1/2 years and have a 18 month old little girl and another due in July (the gender is a surprise). I'm actually fairly new to the blogging world - I was a bit stubborn when it came to starting one...I didn't really think it was my kind of thing. Boy was I wrong! A few months after my baby was born I finally came to the conclusion that blogging was the best way for me to document our daily life. I love having a record of all the big and little happenings in our life. I'm pretty sure our families that live away from us are even more happy they get daily updates on their little grandbaby/niece.
02. how did you get started? when? obstacles?
I got started creating bows a few months after my little Ivy was born. I never seemed to find bows/headbands that I really liked that i thought were worth the money, so I started making my own! It wasn't until people started asking if they could buy some that I actually considered opening an esty shop — even then I was a little apprehensive. It was never my intention to make money selling bows (although it is nice), my desire really was to supply something that was affordable to everyone and maybe a little different. Sweet Ivy Girl has been up and running for exactly a year now and I have really enjoyed the ride, I hope to be able to keep it up with two little babes!
03. where do you seek inspiration?
Everywhere really!...magazines, the internet, family, and friends. I am really drawn to bright/bold colors and am not afraid to mix and match.
04. what's a typical day like at sweet ivy girl?
I am so lucky I get to stay at home and enjoy my little girl AND still have a creative outlet on my own time. Usually I take a Saturday here and there to make a bunch of my bows/headbands, that way when an order comes in I just have to package them up and send them off. I'm not always that on the ball though, so when something isn't ready I usually make them while Ivy is napping or at night when my husband is home. I hate having orders waiting so Ivy and I find ourselves at the post office multiple times a week.
05. what does the future hold for sweet ivy girl?
Currently I have no huge plans above and beyond what I'm doing now for sweet ivy girl. I'm just glad I'm consistently selling on etsy and hope that continues! I also sell Sweet Ivy Girl clips in some shops around Utah.
I really enjoy having a little outlet and I've always got my eye and mind open for what to create next.
06. can you offer advice for other first time shop owners / bloggers?
Go for it!! Don't be afraid to take the step - you never know who may be interested. I went into starting my etsy with no expectations and so every sale was and still is exciting!
Also a good support system is huge! If it weren't for my husband and family I'm not sure I would have been able to do it.
07. if you could pick one place to be right now where would it be and why?Anywhere that is hot and sunny is my ideal place of choice. My husband and I are actually going on a cruise this week, which I am really looking forward to. With the long winter we've had here in Utah I am ready for the heat! I am not sure how we are going to deal without Ivy...but she will be in very good hands, I'm sure we'll survive!e: ericapatten@gmail.coms: http://www.etsy.com/shop/sweetivygirlb: http://patten-family.blogspot.com/
thanks for the interview, erica - it's great to 'meet' you! be sure to check in on erica's blog where she writes quite candidly about daily family happenings - it's really great to follow; i check in daily!
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if you'd like to submit a shop for the Nice To Meet You collection, send an email on over to sweetbeaker@gmail.com
images submitted by Erica Patten of Sweet Ivy Girl
ok. i've got to let you know - i'm officially signed up for my very first arts festival! i'm pretty darn excited (and really nervous too).somehow or other, the festival chair found me on etsy, contacted me directly and asked if i would exhibit and fill their only paper goods slot. i felt honored, a little giddy and didn't share until now because i still had to go through the proper channels of being 'accepted'.all that aside, i'll be exhibiting at the sweet p's arts festival as a marketplace crafter from saturday april 24th to sunday april 25th. the festival is hosted on the grounds of the episcopal church of st. peter and st. paul, in marietta, georgia and proceeds benefit metro atlanta charities serving children and families. so now, it's go time. i've been making lists; lots of 'em. i've been doing lots of prepping and my mind is overloaded with tons of (new) ideas. does anyone have any advice or tips you' like to share?
be sure to check back as i share the building of my exhibit space with you!
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