What is your name?
Hi, I'm Erin Evans! (a.k.a. Mom, Momma, Mother, Ma, Mommy, Noooooo Mommy - ok not the last one but I hear it so much sometimes I think that might possibly be my name!)
Where are you located?
Grand Rapids, MI (west side of Michigan, and yes I would whip out my hand and show you the little MI "hand map" to show you that Grand Rapids is located right on the back of my left hand ring finger knuckle!)
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| Go Fish Felt Fishing Game with Yellow Handle |
Tell us a little about yourself.
I am follower of Jesus and married to a wonderful guy and we have three great kids, two girls ages 6 and 4 and one boy age 2. When we first started having kids I worked outside of the home and my husband stayed home. About three years ago we switched, and now I stay home and my hubby works outside the home. This year we decided to begin homeschooling our kids (1st Grade and Preschool/K). Totally LOVE it and hope to keep doing it!
What type of merchandise will shoppers find in your shop?
My shop offers sewn creations for babies and small children such as bibs, burp cloths, crayon tote bags, aprons, diaper clutchs, tooth fairy dolls, felt fishing games and car seat strap covers.
How/why did you get started?
Like most moms when you need something for your little one you need it now! So as those moments arose I just whipped them up on the ole sewing machine. After a while I started making "extra" and began giving them away as gifts to friends and familiy for baby shower gifts. As the "inventory" began to outgrow the gift giving my hubby finally asked, "What in the world are you going to do with all of this stuff?" That is when I decided to set up shop on Etsy and sell the items I created. Etsy also gave me an opportunity to be my own boss, work outside the home from inside the house and make/create anything I want to.
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| Reversible Bib in Orange and Brown Stripe with Fish Applique |
How long have you been crafting? How did you get started sewing?
I've always loved to craft/create and have been doing so since I was little. I got serious about sewing when I was pregnant with my first kiddo and just couldn't ante up the $$ to buy more maternity pants to fit my growing belly so I decided to try to make my own. After creating my first pair of pants with two left legs I was hooked! I just kept sewing and sewing and I just loved it! (Maternity pants fit much better when they have one right leg and one left leg!) From here I started making baby items and really let the creative juices flow!
What is your favorite thing to make?
I have a short attention span and love to jump from one project to the next, so right now I really am having fun making the Go Fish Felt Fishing Game offered in my shop. My kids love to play with it, and it brings me joy seeing them enjoying it. My little girls are big time into the 18-inch dolls and love when I surprise them with new outfits, so I am having a lot of fun making doll clothes too.
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| Children's Crayon Bag in Pink and Black Houndstooth with Pink Crayon Pockets |
What inspires you to create?
I draw a lot of inspiration from my kids - they have amazing imaginations! I also am a magazine-a-holic and love to browse just about any magazine for inspiration, which could be anything from colors to texture to how to make a new recipe.
What is one thing you need to have with you while you craft?
I don't have one tool that I have to have when crafting but I absolutely must be barefoot! And yes, in the cold MI winters my tootsies can get a little frostbit! I just can't seem to sew with shoes and socks on. Kind of weird, I know, but it works for me!
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| Children's Apron in Blue and Green Plaid |
How do you balance mothering and running a small business?
Wow, this is challenging, but when I began this adventure I made sure my priorities were first on my family and kids and the crafting/store stuff came second. Every day is different so squeezing in a few minutes here or there is challenging especially since my two oldest do not nap. I've gotten the kids involved so they feel part of the process of creating something for mommy's shop. I even found this great little kid sewing machine at a garage sale, and they love cutting up my scrap fabric and making something by themselves. My little boy loves to sit on my lap and help me "feed" fabric into the sewing machine. He thinks mommy''s sewing machine is hungry!
What is your favorite thing to browse Etsy for?
Right now my favorite thing to browse Etsy for is earrings. I've gotten some great earrings from various shops on Etsy!
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| Diaper and Wipes Clutch in Upcycled Blue Denim |
When you're not crafting, what are you doing?
Playing with my kids, sweeping the kitchen floor, cooking, sweeping kitchen floor, riding bikes, sweeping kitchen floor, cuddling my kids, sweeping the kitchen floor, hanging out with my hubby - the heck with the kitchen floor, it can wait until morning!
Where can we find you?
Etsy Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/Sapucha
Blog: http://www.erinairout.blogspot.com/
Store: http://www.readingtreebooks.com/
What is your favorite shop (not yours) on Etsy currently?
http://www.etsy.com/shop/obrienobjects (check out those cool earrings!!)
Great fun, your house sounds like a blast!
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