Featured Seller: RaeChele's

I'm so excited to have this shop as my next Featured Seller! One gal is a great Etsy/Chat/Blog friend of mine, Michele. Michele and her friend Rae are opening a new shop on Etsy and tomorrow is the GRAND OPENING!! I can't wait to see all of the children's stuff they are going to list! They have amazing talent and I can't wait to see all the stuff they've come up with!

MICHELE says....

How did you get started?

I was 9 years old when I first discovered my grandmother's sewing machine. She took me to K-Mart (yes K-Mart) and bought me a yard of fabric and sundress pattern. I sat in the floor and laid everything out and cut what I needed. I put that whole thing together all by myself. It looked fantastic (at least to a 9 year old girl ) all except that I did not know how to put in a hem, lol, and I did not want any help. Needless to say, that beautiful little butterfly patterned dress never saw daylight.

What inspires you?

I would have to say that being able to be home with my son has to be what keeps me going. I could not imagine having to take a "J-O-B" and miss him growing up.

What do you love most about Etsy?

It would have to be the individuality. There are so many creative folks that create in so many ways.

What do you love to do besides creating for your shop?

Of course spending time with my family is what is most important to me. My husband and I have been married for 10 years and together have the most beautiful son and do not forget our very sweet Boxer Baby Tyson.

What is your favorite item in your shop at the moment (or in your case, what will be your favorite item)?

I would have to say that it would be my Funky Diamond Dot Peasant Top.
It just turned out so spectacularly darling.

RAE says...

How did you get started?

Started sounds like there was once a beginning. As far back as I can remember, I have wanted to do some thing with my talents. My husband has been encouraging me for years, but I never really would have done any of this without Michele. She is the driving force, the beginning.

What inspires you?

Lots of things inspire me. I really love fabric. When I see a great print I think to myself, "How can I use this in a way no one else would to make something everyone will love?"

What do you love most about Etsy?

I love that Etsy has such a variety of creative individuals all together and so accessible. I love to just sit and watch the front page change every 15 seconds.

What do you love to do besides creating for your shop?

I have six kids. I love to be with my family. I love being a Cub Scout leader. I love to read. I love to watch my son's hamster chew paper. ( give her note cards on the fly) I find it vary relaxing.

What is your favorite item in your shop at the moment (or in your case,
what will be your favorite item)?

I really don't know, each item is so different. My favorite things to make are the go-go style diva dresses. But since I am forced to choose, I'm going with the Cowboy crib set. ( Look forward to the Math Diva, I really think it's going to be HOT, but it's not done yet).

Labor Day Sale

Here is another great chance to get some great stuff at a great price!! 50% your Entire Purchase (before shipping)! Stock up and Save!! Please play for your entire purchase and I will refund your discounted amount.

Featured Seller: AJ's Country Cottage

Our featured seller for this week is AJ's Country Cottage! I'm so excited to feature AJ as I love her candles and I have one in every room in my home! Her scents fill the room and the aroma just spreads throughout the house. My current favorites are Lemon Pound Cake and Pink Sugar, although I will be purchasing some of her Fall scents very soon! She is so great with communication and she convo's you each time you purchase and when she ships, so you always know the status of your order. Thank you, AJ, for allowing us to take a peek into your world!

How did you get started?

I've always loved creating things; I poured my first novelty candles when I was about 13. When I got older, the scent junkie in me got frustrated with store-bought candles that smelled great cold, but not at ALL when burning. So I decided to see if I was up to the challenge of building a better candle, one that actually scented a room when lit. After lots of research and practice, I figured out how to get what I was looking for. From that base, I springboarded into making my own soaps and bath & body items so I could control what went into the recipes and onto my skin. OK, OK ... I'll admit that part of the reason was so I could have my favorite scents with me in the shower!

What inspires you?

Nature! I love taking walks in the country. My rambles inspire reflection, and I think about new scent blends to try, new soap recipes to test, new looks to try to achieve. I want to capture the colors of a sunset, the smell of fresh rain, the feel and look of my favorite garden herbs. I don't always succeed in achieving my vision, but the journey itself is always rewarding. And sometimes the unexpected turns out to be better than anything I had planned!

What do you love most about Etsy?

I love how I can interact with customers on a one-on-one basis. They can convo me about what they're looking for, and I can answer their specific questions and point them in the right direction, if possible. And I love getting feedback about my products! It's the next best thing to selling face to face.

What do you love to do when you are not making your yummy candles and soaps?

I have an awesome family. I don't want to be so busy with creating that I neglect to build relationships with them. So I love spending fun time with my husband and teenagers. I also love crocheting and knitting, even though I'm still a rookie knitter! Working with yarn is so rewarding and relaxing for me, so when our family is resting by watching a video, or when we're riding in the car on a long trip, you'll usually find me with yarn and a hook or a pair of needles in hand. I'm telling you, I was BORN to create! I just can't NOT make things.

What is your favorite item from your shop at the moment?

Ooooh, I'm SO super excited about my new fall candle scents! I have been testing oodles and gobs of new ones, and I'm so stoked about them because I absolutely LOVE autumn! Everything about fall appeals to me -- the weather, the gorgeous colors of the foliage, and the delicious scents of the harvest! Must be because I was born in the autumn. :) It's hard to pick a favorite, but right now I'm especially loving my Cornucopia, Harvest Moon, and Vanilla Butter Cookies soy candles. They're so lovely and just perfect for the upcoming season. I'm such a sucker for vanillas, spices, and woodsy scents.

If you would like to visit AJ's shop, click on any of the photos to the left or go to (and tell her that Sassy Bows sent you:)):
http://www.ajscountrycottage.etsy.com

Saturday Night Special

Stop by my shop tonight!! Why? Because it's SNS Time! Get 30% OFF your entire purchase before shipping! What a great way to stock up on items for Back to School! This offer is good from 3 p.m. Mountain Time to 12 a.m. Mountain time.

I've Been Featured!!!

Check out RaeChele's Blog at:
http://raechele.blogspot.com/

She did an interview with me and she is also doing a give-away for a set of my clippies! All you have to do is comment on her blog about your favorite clippie (from the links she's provided on her blog)! It's that easy!

And the Winner is...

BLACK and WHITE!!! I will be making these special black and white clippies and will list them hopefully sometime this week! Thanks to all who voted!

I have listed a new poll today too, so check it out!

Saturday Night Special!

The more you buy the more you SAVE!!

Buy 1 item get 10% OFF
Buy 2 items get 20% OFF
Buy 3 or more items get 30% OFF
This includes SALE items, so fill your cart!!!

2 Days Left!!

Only 2 more days to take the Clippie Color Combo Poll!!

Also, check out the SALE section of my shop where I have some discounted summer items. I'm trying to make room for more fall and winter items!

Featured Seller: Boutique Mia

Our featured seller for the next two weeks is Boutique Mia. I have already purchased a pillowcase dress for my daughter and a pillowcase top and a pencil skirt for myself! She is so easy to work with and items are shipped so quickly, even though she custom makes them for each customer! Packaging is amazing and you feel as though you are getting a gift each time she ships something to you. Thank you for being our featured seller, Christel!

How did you get started?

Ever since I can remember I always told my mom, dad and anybody that would listen, I wanted to be a fashion designer. Actually even went to school for it, but felt I had to grow up and it would only be dream, never reality. So I went into the corporate world for 10 years. But finally realized there had to be more to life; Quit my job, sold our house and most of our belongings, moved overseas to travel and live. We ended up missing the States too much, so we moved back shortly after. We downsized everything, and relocated in Dallas, Texas. One day I took out my sewing machine to create and haven’t stopped since. If someone had asked me 10 years ago if I would be designing clothes, I would have laughed and told them “no way”. I could not be happier.

What inspires you?

Anything and everything, at times I remember an old clothing item from my favorite and dearest grandmother and I try to re-create it with a twist.

What do you love most about etsy?

All the fantastic creative people. The freedom Etsy gave me to stay home and showcase my craft.

What do you love to do besides making beautiful clothing?

Coming up with new ideas, of new creative things for my friends or I can do.

What is your favorite item from your shop at the moment?

My newest is the Aline a la' Tulip sleeve. When I started I was thinking...oh no...not very pretty and when it was done, I fell in love with the sleeves...just so pretty.

Weekend Sale!

********SALE********This weekend only! (8/8/08 to 8/10/08)
BUY ONE SET OF CLIPPIES GET ONE SET FREE!!!
(Free clippie set must be of equal or lesser value)
Please purchase both sets you would like and I will REFUND your Paypal account for the FREE Lesser valued item.

Clippies are perfect for Back to School! You can buy one to match every outfit! Design your Own Clippies are also included in Sale!

Shop away and have a great weekend!

New Poll!

Hi all! Hope your weekend was great! I've posted a new poll, so please take a look and vote! The next poll will be the "Poll Bow of the Month"! I have finished the last two poll bows from July (two since there was a tie) and will be posting pics soon.

Thanks and have a great week!