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Bizzie Lizzie Bags - Not Just a Bag - Your Bag!
I just adore Charlotte and am so happy I found her shop, BizzieLizzie, on Etsy over a year ago. Her creations are artfully crafted and the workmanship is impeccable. From messenger bags to travel tissue covers and everything in between, Charlotte really has a knack for choosing the finest fabrics and making exquisite and useful creations.
Okay...here is more information about Charlotte in her own words. I asked, she answered!
MJ: How long have you been creating/designing? When did you first learn you had a creative side?
Charlotte: I've been creating for as long as I can remember. Making doll clothes was my first successful attempt - without a machine! I've always loved to "stitch" and I cannot pinpoint an exact time frame, but this I remember. My first outfit I had to whip up for Home Economics in School won 1st place in an Arts contest and I was certainly hooked after that!!
MJ: What is your inspiration to create? What is your motivation to succeed?
Charlotte: My inspiration to create comes from deep within. The fabric choices I see is what brings that out. Knowing I can create something from a piece of fabric thrills me to pieces. Working with scraps gets me the most excited. I love re-purposing! I have always been a motivator, doesn't take much to get me motivated on most accounts. I'm one of them gals with lots of energy and drive! Maybe surviving being the middle child of 8 kids got me started!! LOL What drives me to continue is the response I get from my customers. There is nothing sweeter to me than getting a call, an e-mail or a referral - while money is a great driver - the fact that I get to become part of anothers life story - keeps me trucking forward. When someone chooses something that I make as a gift for their loved ones - that just catapults me to keep moving forward!!
MJ: When you are not working on your craft, what are you doing?
Charlotte: I LOVE a great book, but don't find as much time as I'd like to read. I'm not a TV watcher, but I do enjoy good movies - no commercials! Most of the time when I'm not crafting - I'm spending time with my family.
MJ: Do you belong to any groups on Etsy?
Charlotte: Yes, I do. I belong to Richmond, VA Street Team, C.A.S.T. and The Etsy Trade-A-Holics. I don't get much time to get over to the groups and chat, but knowing their support is there if I need it.
MJ: What is on the horizon for you? New products? Etc.?
Charlotte: I just started blogging. I've put this off for years and well, finally - I've done it!! AND, just opened a FaceBook account and Twitter - all within the last couple of weeks. New products are definitely on the horizon. I love perfecting my craft and coming up with different products to see what works and what does not. I've given up my part time day job - to stay home and sew for others! Whilst I am a bit nervous - I am ULTRA excited and look forward to the peace that comes from being home in my comfort zone while still helping the family along!! =0) Check out Charlotte's blog!
MJ: Share one thing about you that you think would surprise people.
Charlotte: 10 years ago most people that I know would have NEVER imagined me settling down, being married with a child. I was SUCH the ULTRA career gal. Made big money. Spent 8 years in the military (USN). Traveled 4 out of 5 days a week for Caterpillar Inc. and would have never thought I'd ever trade that life. My sewing was on hold. I've known my DH since 3rd grade - I would have never dreamed that he would be the one to change all that for me! =0) I couldn't be happier now, but boy was it a huge adjustment!! Lizzie is our Blessing and we get rewarded with her gifts daily!!
Here are some photos that Charlotte has shared, each with a wonderful little story!
The retro/vintage sundress was re-purposed from an adult's dress - it was my first big sale on Etsy and it went to Australia!
This is my patchwork messenger that took me forever to make and it took me a year to list it! That was my heart and it sold immediately!!
I love turning vintage lines into little girl's clothing such as this pillowcase top. I collect tulips avidly - so anything I see with 'em on it - I just have to buy!! =0)
My 3 largest sellers have been anything made with the metro blue fabric, the gorgeous Full Moon Forest fabric and the aqua and brown spa dot. I never tire of creating something with those fabrics, either!! =0)
Check out Charlotte's Etsy Shop.... BizzieLizzie.
Merkaba Jewelry has now expanded its online marketplace venues. Now you will find jewelry and scarves available on DaWanda, a place for unique and individual handmade products. Appealing to an international market, Merkaba Jewelry ships all around the globe!
Happy Shopping!
I've really been enjoying learning about my fellow Fabulous Artistic Moms. This week's feature is Amy a.k.a. NewEnglandQuilter. She and her little boy are gorgeous, aren't they?!!! Her shop on Etsy is fantastic too. I've really loved seeing all the new products available. The fabric blocks, crib rails, the memory matching games, baskets, etc. Amy is enthusiastic about her crafts and it really shows in her product line. She is also really loving motherhood...have you ever seen a happier child?
Okay...here is more information about Amy in her own words. I asked, she answered!
MJ: How long have you been creating/designing? When did you first learn you had a creative side?
Amy: I have seen crafting since I was a little girl. After school, I would go to my grandmother’s house. She is the one who taught me how to crochet. My cousin lived across the street from my grandmother and would visit us after school. When we weren’t playing dress up or having adventures she taught me how to knit. I didn’t learn to use a sewing machine until I was in college. I wanted to make some holiday skirts for my sisters and scrunchies for myself. My mother taught me how to sew. I can thank the women in my family for teaching me the basics of crocheting, knitting, and sewing.
MJ: What is your inspiration to create? What is your motivation to succeed?
Amy: There are many things that inspire me. My son is one of my main sources of inspiration. He loved his inflatable beach ball so much that I decided to make him a fabric one. He is also my inspiration for the quilted crib rail guards in my shop – he likes to chew on those crib rails! When he started throwing everything in site, I decided that it was time to make some fabric blocks. They do not hurt as much when I get hit in the head.
Another thing that inspires me is looking at fabric. I bought some fabric to make some blocks and as I was pairing up the fabric squares, I thought that they would make a great memory matching game.
I am motivated to create something new to me. I love a challenge. Two of my biggest challenges this year were sewing curved crib rail guards and designing a pattern for pajamas and an outfit that would fit Webkinz Cats and Dogs.
MJ: When you are not working on your craft, what are you doing?
Amy: I love playing with my one-year-old son and spending time with my husband. This fall I will be going back to teaching high school mathematics. I also love to cook and go for long walks.
MJ: Do you belong to any groups on Etsy?
Amy: I belong to Fabulous Artistic Moms and Etsy Moms.
MJ: What is on the horizon for you? New products? Etc.?
Amy: I just came out with a new product this past week – the No Sew Fabric Crib Rail Guard Tutorial. In the near future, I will be listing all inclusive kits to go with the tutorial. I am also going to be making my son some fabric slippers and leather shoes. I may add these items to my shop – we’ll see! I have never worked with leather before and am excited about trying out a new textile. I am also working on my first rag rug for my Etsy shop as a custom order. Here is a photo of a mini rag rug I made for fun! I will be blogging about the process of making the rag rug if anyone is interested in that craft. NewEnglandQuilter Blog
MJ: Share one thing about you that you think would surprise people.
Amy: I have never been to a quilt show. My mother-in-law and I are going to attend one next month and I am very excited to go!
Check out Amy's Etsy Shop.... NewEnglandQuilter.
To see additional photos of Amy's work, please visit her on Flickr.
I seem to be on a roll lately with the Front Page! This treasury, Funky Cold Patina, was inspired by the Tone-Loc tune, Funky Cold Medina, which I recently heard at the supermarket. It came on just after New Kids on the Block's, The Right Stuff. Luckily, I remembered all of those words too. Looking back on my junior high school crush on Joey McIntyre, the song suddenly made me feel old. Ah, the truth comes out :)
Anyhoo, congrats to the artists featured...JSurine, wirestormcreations, amieking, JMNPOTTERY, yellafish, photolena, CharmdImSur, sproutonline, ShannonAmidon, PatinaQueen, museglass, and jperegrine.
