PRINCESS DESIGNS on Etsy: April Featured EKTT Member

Classic Black Paisley Bandana Pillowcase Dress by PRINCESS DESIGNS on Etsy

During April we have the honor of featuring one of our original EtsyKids Treasury Team curators, Sue of PRINCESS DESIGNS on Etsy..  Sue has been a huge supporter of the EKTT and a force for positive change on our team from the beginning.  She is always there to recognize and encourage our newest curators, and quick to offer helpful suggestions and compromises.  We all thank you, PRINCESS DESIGNS, for sharing your wisdom and uplifting spirit with the EKTT, and we look forward to curating treasuries to honor you throughout April! 


Sue of PRINCESS DESIGNS on Etsy creates one of a kind bandana pillowcase dresses, swing and tunic tops, skirts, bibs and even burp cloths for your Princess or Prince!  Need something customized?  PRINCESS DESIGNS will work with you!  As a special treat for all of the EtsyKids Treasury Team fans reading this blog post, Sue of PRINCESS DESIGNS is offering FREE Shipping on any item in her Etsy shop!  Simply mention that you read about PRINCESS DESIGNS on this blog in the message to seller and Sue will refund your shipping costs.  But that's not all...if you hurry on over to PRINCESS DESIGNS on Facebook and like her page that will automatically enter you into PRINCESS DESIGNS' 150 fan contest!  When Sue reaches 150 fans one lucky fan will receive a FREE prize!

Baby Girl Heart Burp Cloth Set by PRINCESS DESIGNS

EKTT:  What is your favorite part of the creative process?  Least favorite?
PRINCESS DESIGNS:  My favorite part of the creative process is visualizing the creation and seeing the outcome.  My least favorite part of the creative process is making mistakes, but learning from them.

Classic Plaid Bandana Ribbon Pillowcase Dress or Tunic/Swing Top by PRINCESS DESIGNS

EKTT:  What was the journey that brought you to opening PRINCESS DESIGNS on Etsy?
PRINCESS DESIGNS:  My journey began approximately four years ago after I purchased a Bandana Pillowcase Dress for my daughter.  I then made several more and received many compliments.  My friends started buying the dresses from me and WALLAH, PRINCESS DESIGNS was born.

Classic Gray Paisley Bandana Pillowcase Dress/Swing/Tunic Top by PRINCESS DESIGNS

EKTT:  What is your best advice for sellers of children's items on Etsy?
PRINCESS DESIGNS:  Just have fun!  Design, create, and promote as much as you can.


EKTT:  Any favorite curating suggestions to offer EKTT curators?  How do you overcome curating challenges when featuring a partner's shop?
PRINCESS DESIGNS:  I dream up a theme and/or color scheme and go with that usually, keeping in mind that the picture is the most important part for the treasury.  I like to work with 2 colors in my treasuries.  

You PICK the COLOR Girl's Bandana Skirt by PRINCESS DESIGNS

EKTT:  Apart from your Etsy shop and curating treasuries, what are your favorite things to do?
PRINCESS DESIGNS:  My favorite things to do are volunteering at my children's school, gardening with my daughter, baking and reading.  I have been married to the man of my dreams for 12 years.  I am a mother of 4 wonderful children, and a very soon Grandma-to-be (17 more days for that miracle).  I work full-time as a front end manager for Target.  I started sewing about 20 years ago as a hobby which then grew into a small business.

Robert Kaufman Burp Cloth Set by PRINCESS DESIGNS on Etsy

EKTT:  Please share one really weird compulsion, habit or fixation of yours--we know you've got one!
PRINCESS DESIGNS:  I LOVE MICHAEL JACKSON ♥  I named my new car     M. J. seeing as how he was on the radio when I bought it.  I have Michael Jackson photos and such all throughout my house and car (which my husband hates, but has bought me most of it!).

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Thank you, Sue, for your loyal support of the EtsyKids Treasury Team and for granting us this interview!  We hope you enjoy your new grandchild at your very own Neverland Ranch (just be sure not to hang him/her over a balcony for the paparazzi to capture a photo!).

Show Sue of PRINCESS DESIGNS some paparazzi-style love in these fine locations:

Etsy Shop:  PRINCESS DESIGNS

Facebook:  PRINCESS DESIGNS 

SquishyBee on Etsy: February's Featured EKTT Member

Click HERE to see Scottish Terrier Flannel Blanket by SquishyBee on Etsy 

Congratulations Cortney, SquishyBee on Etsy, the winner of our January Monthly Treasury Challenge!  Cortney's treasury, "Those were the days" won the most votes for the treasury best representing our challenge theme, Reflections on Childhood Memories.  (Thanks for the awesome theme go to our January Featured EKTT Member, Heather of greensies on Etsy.) Cortney of SquishyBee's prize includes shop features by each February EKTT curator!  


Cortney of SquishyBee on Etsy has mom, baby, and kids covered in her boutique offerings which range from baby blankets, bibs, appliqued children's clothing and plush stuffed buddies to makeup bags, hair accessories and brooches.  Cortney is a mother of four--no wonder diversity is her forte!  EKTT was granted a glimpse into the mind of the woman behind the gorgeous SquishyBee Etsy shop in the following interview.

SquishyBee on Etsy - Cow Bodysuit and Burp Cloth Gift Set

EKTT: What is your favorite part of the creative process? Least favorite?

SquishyBee:  My favorite part is when I have an idea, seeing it come to fruition and it looks better than expected! I especially like when I have a custom order and have to come up with something totally new. My least favorite would be monotony...I get bored doing the same things over and over so I try to keep it fresh and come up with different things for my shop.

Cappuccino the Fleece Teddy Bear by SquishyBee on Etsy

EKTT:  What was the journey that brought you to opening SquishyBee on Etsy?

SquishyBee:  I graduated from PA college of Art and Design and didn't really have much space to do painting and drawing so I got a little more crafty. Then one of my friends asked if I have ever heard of Etsy...how I hadnt, I have no clue, but I had NEVER heard of it so I checked it out and opened my shop SquishyBee (my daughters nickname)! I LOVE ETSY!!

SquishyBee on Etsy - Damask and Polka Dot Quilted Reversible Bib

EKTT:  What is your best advice for seller's of children's items on Etsy?

SquishyBee:  Keep it fresh and trendy! Keep up with styles and even colors that are on the hot list and always be creating new things for your shop. You want your customers to come back but if you have nothing new to offer they might go elsewhere.  Be open to custom orders to maximize your sales potential.   ;)

Red Felt Flower and Tulle Girl's Headband by SquishyBee on Etsy

EKTT:  Any current favorite curating suggestions to offer EKTT members?

SquishyBee:  Stick with the same color scheme throughout the treasury so it is visually appealing and make sure the photos look as fantastic as possible.

Sugar n' Spice Pleated Clutch by SquishyBee on Etsy

EKTT:  Please share one really weird compulsion, habit, or fixation of yours--we know you've got one!

SquishyBee:  This is hard! Okay, so I ALWAYS wear socks (except when I go outside in the summer when I wear flip flops). I hate the feeling of air on my feet so they need to stay covered night and day! I also don't care to be breathed or slobbered on (babies are okay). Hmmm.....looking at this maybe I shouldnt be living with other humans-LOL

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Thank you so much, Cortney, for sharing part of your wonderful story with us.  Maybe we'll hear you invented something to vacuum pack your feet in to keep them away from air and slobber?  When you become famous for this invention we'll all be able to say, "I knew her way back when..."

Stalk Cortney of SquishyBee in these fine places (but don't breathe on her for heaven's sake!):

Etsy Shop:  SquishyBee

Facebook:  SquishyBee

  

Funky Friends Factory: December's EKTT Featured Member

Polar Bear PDF Pattern by Funky Friends Factory

Congratulations Pauline of Funky Friends Factory on Etsy for winning our November Treasury Challenge!  Pauline's treasury challenge submission, "Funky Festive Finds for under $45" received the most votes as the treasury best representing our Black Friday/Cyber Monday challenge theme.  To the victor goes the spoils:  Funky Friends Factory will choose our December Treasury Challenge theme, and Pauline will have an item from her shop featured by each December EKTT curator in one treasury!  That's truly something to celebrate!

Funky Friends Factory on Etsy is filled with simple plush toy patterns for you to spin into your own handmade lovey. Pauline prides herself on her clear and easily executable patterns and instructions that even a beginner can sail through in a day.  Want to upcycle a vintage quilt into an heirloom stuffed animal for your children and grandchildren?  Why not turn a special outfit into an everlasting memory for someone you love?  Funky Friends Factory will point the way for you to combine your own creativity with Pauline's ingenious animal and monster designs!  

Chris Mouse by Funky Friends Factory

Funky Friends Factory began as a desire to create baby-safe bunnies as gifts for friends and has expanded into the online critter factory you see today.  Pauline, the designer and veteran Etsy seller behind Funky Friends Factory was gracious enough to grant us an interview that you are sure to enjoy. 

EKTT: What is your favorite part of the creative process? Least favorite?

Funky Friends Factory:  Favorite part? I love spending hours sitting quietly in my sewing room making my toys.  Any troubles/concerns seem to melt away when I am 'lost' in my little sewing room.  Compared to a day job, working in retail for nearly 20 years, let me just say that dealing with the general public can be 'character building' at times!  : )  Least favourite... hmmmm, tough question!  Waiting for inspiration?  There are some toys I have tried to design and no matter what I do I can't get them to look cute.  I LOVE cats but just can't seem to create a design I am happy with.  I know that suddenly one day, maybe in a few weeks, months or even years time, divine inspiration will strike and I will have a whole litter of kittens! : )

Giraffe by Funky Friends Factory

EKTT:  What was the journey that brought you to opening Funky Friends Factory on Etsy?

Funky Friends Factory:  I have to admit I cannot remember if I found Etsy while surfing the internet myself or if someone told me about it... When I first went online in 2006, I knew nothing about the web and no one else around me did anything online.  I have a policy I refer to as "calling all pockets", which is kind of like when you are really bad at playing snooker/pool and hit the ball very hard so it travels for ages so you are in effect aiming at every hole?  I tried EVERYTHING I could find!  My Etsy shop seems to have been one of the few things (besides my actual funkyfriendsfactory website, of course) that has survived over the years... and I can see myself being on Etsy for many years to come!

Ellie the Elephant by Funky Friends Factory

Monsters by Funky Friends Factory

EKTT:  What is your best advice for seller's of children's items on Etsy?

Funky Friends Factory:  Love what you do! There are so many sellers in this category that it's easy to get lost!  Passion shines through.  You can tell when someone is just trying to make a quick buck, selling things they've whipped together, or if they genuinely love what they do.  Think about who you'd prefer to buy something from yourself? 

EKTT:  Any current favorite curating suggestions to offer EKTT members?

Funky Friends Factory:  I'm so new at this, I hardly feel I can give advice!  I'd just say - have fun and enjoy it, don't do a treasury when you aren't in the mood to create, from experience, it is much harder!

Christmas Reindeer by Funky Friends Factory

EKTT:  Please share one really weird compulsion, habit, or fixation of yours--we know you've got one!

Funky Friends Factory:  I thought that trying to make a living by creating cute fluffy things was a pretty weird fixation!  Besides being a 'chain-coffee-drinker' I honestly can't think of a crazy, compulsive habit, so either I'm pretty normal or have a memory like a sieve - probably the latter? Ha!Ha! 

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Thanks so much for granting us this interview, Pauline!  We think you're awesome even though you refuse to let your freak flag fly on our EtsyKids Treasury Team blog!  

Stalk Pauline of Funky Friends Factory in the fine places on the world wide web listed below.  When she lets her guard down and you have the key to her secret weird compulsion, you're duty bound to drop in and leave us a comment, eh? 

Etsy Shop:  Funky Friends Factory

Facebook:  Funky Friends Factory

Website:  Funky Friends Factory