Feature Shop: MegOri Girls

This week, meet Lang of MegOri Girls. She's been active on our team since she joined more than a year ago, and she manages the tutorials posted to the blog each week. Read on to learn more about this busy mom of two! -Cori of Peace, Baby! Batiks


What is your name?
Lang

Where are you located?
Northwest region of the Chicago area

Tell us a little about yourself.
I am married and have two girls age 8 and 11. I originally came from Vietnam but married to an Irish husband who's U.S. born. Before becoming an SAHM, I worked as an staff accountant for various companies. Some of the things I most enjoy doing are sewing, reading, watching movies, gardening, baking, tasting new food, and spending time with my family.

What do you sell in your Etsy shop?
Mostly clothes and shoes for 18" dolls

Doll Boots, Off White, Cream with black trim

How long have you been sewing and designing doll clothing and accessories?
I started to sew at about nine years old and took some breaks in between kids but never truly stopped. My sewing background is largely related to women's and children's fashion. Sewing doll clothes and accessories is a passion that I picked up within recent years when my girls and I discovered the beautiful American Girl dolls!

What or who got you started in your craft?
My (late) mom was the first person who taught me how to sew. I took some sewing classes but mostly did a lot of self teaching over the years. My mom had an antique sewing machine that had the foot peddle, and that was what she used to teach me. I even managed to make a few things out of that peddling sewing machine!! Now every time I see them, I think of Mom.

Ruffle Top and Leggings & Bracelet Beige with Red Rose Trims

Tell us the story behind this item: Ruffle Top and Leggings & Bracelet. What inspired you?
I was inspired by the sunny cheerful weather that day and wanted to make something playful and girly, so I decided to make a ruffle outfit for the dolls.

How did your shop get its name?
“MegOri” is a combination of the names of my two daughters, Meglan and Orianna. I named the shop in their honor because I would not have turned to doll clothes and shoes if I didn’t have girls. So, they were the original inspiration that brought me to where I am today.

Pink Turtleneck with Mauve Leggings and Black Shawl Poncho

How do you balance mothering and running a small business?
It gets hard at times because no matter what I do, it’s never enough time in a day to do everything I want to do. I think in reality there’s no such “good balance” when you run a small business and have children at home. If you get something done, something else falls behind. I learn to set daily priorities and come up with smaller goals to reach, and I am much more “lenient” to myself than I was before I had the shop. Some days my plan is just “go with the flow” where not everything will get done but something will be done, and that’s okay. I also always try to put the kids first.

What is one piece of advice or a tip you'd give other stay-at-home moms?
Set your priorities straight, and stay focused on what’s most important to you. Plan your life the way you think works for you not on how other moms do.

Do you have a favorite quote or inspirational saying you'd like to share?
"The way you treat yourself sets the standard for others." -Sonya Friedman

Pink Damask Dress, Headband, Bracelet

What do you like to browse for on Etsy?
I enjoy looking at beautiful paintings, aroma candles, tiny crochet animals, and women's or girl's clothes.

What is your favorite Etsy shop currently?
Love this creation and can’t believe that it’s edible: www.etsy.com/listing/81883833/sugar-gumpaste-hot-pink-anemones-set-of

Where can we find you?
www.megorigirls.etsy.com
www.facebook.com/megorigirlsboutique
www.twitter.com/megorigirls
www.pinterest.com/megorigirls/

Feature Shop: Handmaiden Canada

Reading these questionnaires each week makes me want to meet everyone in person. This week, I'd like to book a plane ticket to Canada to have a cup of tea or coffee with Rebecca of Handmaiden Canada. Read on to learn more about this mom of nine, her wonderful Waldorf dolls, and her lifetime of crafting. - Cori of Peace, Baby! Batiks


What is your name?
Rebecca

Where are you located?
A little place in Ontario, Canada, called Barry's Bay.

Tell us a little about yourself.
I live with my husband and nine children in the "back woods" of Canada. I grew up in the country, and I love it. I love that I can sit out on my back porch in the early morning and hear silence. I love that I can walk down the road to a sparkling, clean lake to swim. I love the drama of the seasons. I love that I can see and feel God in His creation that surrounds me.

Waldorf Doll, Luvkin, Jade, 15 in

What type of merchandise will shoppers find in your shop? 
Handmade Waldorf dolls and doll clothing, handknit and felted purses, upcycled wool purses, girly dresses.

How/why did you get started?
My father and mother both instilled in me a deep love for all things handmade. My dad was a luthier (built handmade guitars) until I was about eight years old, and my mom was the type of mom who would make her own granola, hand-smock each one of us dresses for Easter, always had a knitting project on the go, and wasn't afraid to get her hands dirty in the garden. She had me sewing my first outfit when I was six years old. I'll never forget it...many seams sewn and then ripped out....and then sewn again. Did I mention she had the patience of a saint!? :)

Creativity was always encouraged. It was a very "organic" process. We had trunks of fabric scraps, yarn and craft supplies always at our disposal and we were encouraged to just try stuff. My mother would teach us the skills necessary, and then give us free reign to design and create. And of course she loved every single project even more than the last! A woman can always use another pot holder, right?!

How long have you been crafting?
I remember learning how to embroider when I was really young, probably about 3 or 4. My mom gave me a little piece of gingham in an embroidery hoop and taught me how to do crosstitch.

What is your favorite thing to make?
Waldorf dolls!! I love how each one is completely unique...it's like his or her look and personality gently unfolds as he/she is created.

Waldorf Doll, Luvkin, Fiona, 15 in

Why is it important to you to use recycled or upcycled materials?
Recycling, or "upcycling" as some now call it, was and is just a part of life in a big family. Things are passed down...re-used and re-purposed. We often shop second hand. There is something so ultimately satisfying in taking someone else's "junk" and making it into something funky and useable.

Waldorf Doll Bed -- Rustic Twig Furniture

What makes your dolls unique?
They are one-of-a kind and they are made from all natural materials. The skin and clothing are made from cotton fabrics, they are stuffed with 100% wool for stuffing, and they have hair made from handspun, hand-dyed yarns of natural fibers. They are handmade with love and attention to detail...something that your child could pass on to the next generation.

What inspires you to create?
Colours...people...faces...nature.

What is one thing you need to have with you while you craft?
A cup of coffee/tea and MUSIC. :)

How do you balance mothering and running a small business? 
It's tricky, because I don't have huge chunks of time available to me, but I just do a little bit at a time...whenever I get the chance...while helping the kids with homework, riding in the car, waiting in the dentist's office, while watching a movie. You'd be surprised how all those little bits of time add up! ;)

What is your favorite thing to browse Etsy for?
Yarn and fabric. :)

When you're not crafting, what are you doing?
Spending time with my hubby, mothering, enjoying the beauty of nature.

Waldorf Doll Dress, 15 inch, Folk Art Flowers

Where can we find you?
Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/handmaidencanada
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/handmaidenetsy
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Handmaiden-Canada/180546945310397

What is your favorite shop (not yours) on Etsy currently?
I absolutely LOVE the shop applenamos

Feature Shop: Hollyberrys Dolls

This week, I'd like to introduce you to Holly, one of the newer members of our team. She's the busy mom behind Hollyberrys Dolls, and she's jumped right in to be an active member of our team! -Cori of Peace, Baby! Batiks

American Girl Doll Matching
Paisley Nightgown

Tell us a little about yourself.
My name is Holly, and I recently moved from Knoxville, TN, to a beautiful town called Liberty, MO.

I am a stay-at-home mom of four beautiful girls. My oldest just turned 15, and I am freaking out about it. Not sure how the time has gone by so fast. It is almost time for her to start driving! I also have a 13, 12 and 7 year old. I always thought things would slow down once they got older, but it seems to have gotten crazier instead. I have been married for 17 years to a wonderful guy, I love to do anything crafty, and I love to read ... if I can ever find the extra time. My favorite tv show of all times is "Friends." Whenever I am feeling down or sad, I just put in an episode and am laughing in no time!

What type of merchandise will shoppers find in your shop?
I specialize in making matching clothing for girls and their 18-inch dolls. I love to work with customers one on one and make custom items just for them. I also make clothing just for dolls along with sleeping bags for them. I have to say that I love my sleeping bags. They are fully lined and have a full-size zipper!

How/why did you get started?
It wasn't until the last five years that I really started to sew. When my three oldest were younger I could never find the time. Then as they grew up they discovered a love for dolls. They were always wanting to buy them new clothing. So I gradually started making clothes for them. I soon discovered a love for it and enjoyed creating new outfits with them. Watching their faces as we created something new was priceless. I slowly started selling on Ebay and then someone told me about Etsy. I quickly fell in love with it, and here I am. It has allowed me to stay at home with my girls while they grow up, which was my ultimate goal!

What is your favorite thing to make?
My favorite things to make are my princess outfits and my girls' dresses. I LOVE anything girly! I guess it's a good thing that I had four girls! :O)

American Girl Doll Matching Blue Flower Dress

What are your favorite materials to work with?
I love to work with cotton and flannel materials -- the brighter colors the better!!

What inspires you to create?
My inspirations always seem to come from my daughters. I always ask them for an opinion, and they are quick to jump in!

What is one thing you need to have with you while you craft?
The one thing that I need to have with me while I create is definately a Dr. Pepper! While I craft I also need to have my iPhone with me so that I can have it on Netflix and be listening to something.

Snow White Outfit for American Girl Doll

How do you balance mothering and running a small business?
Finding a balance between mothering and running my business is tricky. Now that my girls are all in school, it helps a little. I try to do most of my work during the day while they are at school and at night after they go to bed. But then there are always the doctor's appointments, teacher conferences, someone forgetting their lunch, someone wanting me to eat lunch with them at school ... you know what I mean. Some days I get more done then others. It's just a day-by-day adventure!

What is your favorite thing to browse Etsy for?
My favorite thing to browse Etsy for is jewelry. My daughters are always picking things out that they love. There are some wonderful necklaces, bracelets, and rings!

When you're not crafting, what are you doing?
When I am not crafting I am being a mom.: Cleaning, cooking, being a chauffeur, helping with homework ... you get the idea!

American Girl Doll
Pink Flower Sleeping Bag

Where can we find you?
You can find me on Facebook at Hollyberrys or on etsy at www.etsy.com/shop/hollyberrysdolls.

If you live near Liberty, MO, come by the fall festival this September 23 and 24 and look for my booth!

What is your favorite shop (not yours) on Etsy currently?
It is hard to pick a favorite shop on Etsy! I think right now, my (two) favorite shops are:
lizhutnick: She has beautiful rings that my daughter and I just LOVE
Pippaloo: She has the cutest little food items for your 18-inch doll ... so ADORABLE

Feature Shop: MegOri Girls

The adorable doll dresses and fabulous shoes at MegOri Girls make me want to be a little girl again. Meet Lang, the artist behind this week's feature shop! (And don't miss the photo of her awesome workspace at the end of the interview!) -Cori of Peace, Baby! Batiks

What is your name?
My name is Lang

Where are you located?
I am located in Schaumburg, IL

Tell us a little about yourself.
I was born and raised in Vietnam. I am married to an Irish man, and we have two girls. I graduated from Roosevelt University in Chicago, class 1997, with a concentration in Accounting. I had worked many years in the corporate accounting field before becoming a full-time stay home mom in 2005. 

What type of merchandise will shoppers find in your shop?
I sell handmade clothes and shoes for 18" dolls like American Girl dolls.

How long have you been crafting?
My mom taught me how to sew since I was a young girl in elementary school. She also sent me to sewing school in my teens. In college, I tried some clothes designing classes but had no interest to be in the volatile world of fashion design. Most of my sewing background was on women's and children's clothes. I had also done a few bride maid dresses for weddings and my own wedding dress. Sewing 18" doll clothes is relatively a new interest for me. In fact, I did not know or hear about AG dolls until my oldest daughter turned 4.

American Girl Dolls 18" Dolls Sandals -Italic Gold

Why did you decide to make clothing for this size doll?
I love the sweet and innocent image of girls that the 18" dolls represent! Looking at them I can really relate to my own girls.

What is your favorite thing to make?
Right now, I am into making doll shoes. I love shoes in general, so it is a perfect place for me to be.

American Girl Doll 18 Inch Dolls Dress Handmade 3 PC Set

What inspires you to create?
Knowing that the things I make help brighten someone's day.

What is one thing you need to have with you while you craft?
My cup of coffee is a must, sometimes soft music, most of the time I prefer to work in quietness.

American Girl 18" Dolls Bow Sandals Handmade - Lemons and Limes

How do you balance mothering and running a small business?
I used to think that working from home is an easy thing but not anymore. It has been a challenge trying to keep up with everything when you have children at home. It has been tough to balance everything but deep in my heart I know that there is nothing else I would rather do.

What is your favorite thing to browse Etsy for?
I love looking at cute art works that have short funny sayings that make me giggle.

American Girl 18" Dolls Sandals Handmade - Bow Style

When you're not crafting, what are you doing?
House cleaning, time with girls, and gardening.

Where can we find you?
https://www.facebook.com/MegOriGirlsBoutique
https://twitter.com/megorigirls
http://www.etsy.com/shop/MegoriGirls

18" Doll Tank Tunic-Dress 3 pc Set

What is your favorite shop (not yours) on Etsy currently?
I came across this art shop the other day, http://www.etsy.com/people/hjmart and love it. I like the whimsical, cheerful color compositions.

Lang's craft space. Raise your hand if you're jealous!