Meet Shannon from Random Sacks of Kindness!

TGIF Ladies!   It's Friiii-Day!!!!   I don't quite know what I'm yippee-ing about; during tax time every day is a work day for me!  But hey, who is complaining?  Not I!   The brown, dry bleak wintery ground here in Texas has turned Bright Bright Green just in time for St. Patrick's Day!  It's so beautiful out there all I wanna do is go to Lowe's, by tons of plants and get to digging and planting and making everything beautiful in my yard!

Today, we have a lovely lady from California; by the beautiful Pacific Ocean!  Oh, I love Central California!   I would like you to meet Shannon, from Random Sacks of Kindness.  

She is truly a Busy Mom and quite colorful too, as we will see in a bit.   So, grab your Jelly Donut (@joycharde) or your tea, or your coffee and let's see what Shannon has been "whipping up" at her WAHM headquarters!

Kelly:  Hello, Shannon, and thank you for joining me here today! Tell us, how young are you?

Shannon:  Hehe, young…. I’m 39 years young, a wife, and mom of 4 kids or 5 if you include my husband ;).

Kelly:  What is the name of your business?

Shannon:   The name of my business is called Random Sacks of Kindness.

Kelly:  When did you begin?

Shannon:  I started last May when I realized how many plastic zip bags I was putting into my kids lunches and how many were not coming home! There had to be another way. So I investigated a fabric that I could use as a liner and went from there.

Kelly:  What motivated you to start  http://www.randomsacks.com/ ? What inspires you to create?

Shannon:  My kids, the idea of being green and reducing our carbon footprint. I really push recycling in our home and using products that are earth friendly. We have a garden each year and compost our yard clippings.

Kelly:  Do you have any background in business and/or sewing?

Shannon:  I worked in retail through college…then worked in the corporate environment before staying home with my kids. I have been sewing since I was 11. My mother taught me. My favorite thing to do is make awesome Halloween costumes.

Kelly:  What is your favorite product?

Shannon:  Kabuki Japanese Ladies Sandwich and Snack Bag Set of 2, Resusable  http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=42340492

I love this set because is is so colorful!

Kelly:  OH MY GOSH, that is So Cute!  I have to have that!  What are the special Features?

Shannon:   The snack bags are reusable… can be washed and dried with your kitchen towels. They have a waterproof liner so I can put things like grapes in the bags.

Kelly:  What are your business goals this year?

Shannon:   My goals this year is to achieve a total of 300 sales in my Etsy shop and just to get out there more… Get people interested in reducing the amount of plastic waste.

Kelly:  How do you get traffic to your website?

Shannon:   I have business cards, attend craft faires, hand out in the virtual lab on Etsy, and use social networking sites.

Kelly:   Yes, here are Shannon's Blog and Facebook Links:

 www.randomsacksofkindness.blogspot.com/

www.facebook.com/RandomSacksOfKindness

Kelly:  So, how do you juggle work/life balance? For instance, 4 growing children and a husband. How do you “do” all that you “do”?!?

Shannon:  I have to do a lot everyday… taxi kids to/from school, make lunches, volunteer in the classroom, all the mommy chores…and then work on my shop. I mainly sew in the afternoons when kids are at school and then at night after bedtime. It’s tough sometimes, but worth it.

Kelly:  Can you share some of your frustrations?

Shannon:  My frustrations are not being patient. I hate waiting. (lol) But I do take it one day at a time, because I have to .

Kelly:  What is the most valuable lesson you have learned?

Shannon:  You know, I’m not sure yet… my business is still very new. I’m just trying to keep at it and keep the house in control (ha!).

Kelly:  What word of encouragement can you give a person who wants to also start their own business?

Shannon:  Patience.

Kelly:  Any other thing you would like to share with us?!

Shannon:  My products are featured in the Local Collection store in the Glendale Galleria in California. It’s very exciting to have a retail store presence. I hope to just get out there more! I am also working on some Alice in Wonderland inspired snack bags.

Special Offer: Anyone who orders something from now through the rest of March (3/19-3/31) will be entered into a drawing for one of my reversible grocery/shopping sacks! For more details, check my Facebook Fan Page:    Here are the details!  Good for the planet, handy for you!!Pocket measures 7in/18cm X 5in/13cm.

Environmentally conscious bags!

Grocery/Shopping Sack

This is a beautiful grocery sack and is reversible!

Carry this to farmer’s market, grocery store, etc…

The sack has a pocket for holding your shopping list or coupons!

The sack carries 0.67 cubic feet of stuff. I have 2 large boxes of cereal,

3 boxes of rice, a box of something else, 2 cans of Chef. That just filled

the bottom of it... you could still add lighter stuff on top!

It measures 17in/43cm tall (including handles), 12in/30.5cm wide and 8in/20.5cm deep.

Kelly:   Here are some more Great Products that Shannon produces: 

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=42121138

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=42990731

Kelly:  Shannon, I can tell from these great pics that your work is very high quality, durable, and totally relevant to the eco friendly consumer products market!   I love your use of color, the subtle sense of humor, and the workmanship!   We all at the Busy Mom's Team wish you success above your wildest dreams!  And, I absolutely Have to have the Kabuki; but now I see these ants I am torn!

Why don't some of us ladies go on over to RandomSacks's Blog, Facebook Fan Page and Shop and see what we can do to encourage, support, cheer on, refer and even buy?   She has a great product!

That concludes our Friday Spotlight Interview!  Ladies, I am going rogue looking for more lovely Busy Moms to Interview!   Please check out this link to let me know that YOU are ready to increase sales, exposure to your shop, and new friends today!  

Toodles!

Contributed By: Shannon
Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/RandomSacksofKindnes

Meet Kathy Cherry of Kathy Cherry Designs

Reporting for duty, the rogue reporter from CassiasGarden!  Ladies,  I'm having SO much fun interviewing and getting to know each one of you!  Each of you is a treasure; kind of like a gift just waiting to be opened, or like a flower, just like the ones budding in our yards this time of year!  I absolutely can't wait to follow you and your businesses and to see where we all go one year from now!   Isn't it exciting?  

Today we have a new team member; Kathy Cherry from Kathy Cherry Designs!   So that means, time to grab a coffee break if just for a few to get to know this lovely Busy Mom of Etsy.  Enjoy!  Be sure to read to the very end of this post; Kathy has a Special Promotion in her shop just you!

What a radiant picture of Kathy and her darling little boy!

Kelly: Hello, Kathy, and thank you for joining me here today! Tell us, how young are you?

Kathy:  Thank you for interviewing me! I really appreciate it. I’m 37 years old.


Kelly:  What is the name of your business?

Kathy:   It’s called Kathy Cherry Designs and I make handmade greeting cards.

Kelly:  When did you begin?

Kathy:  I officially launched the business in October 2009, but have been making cards for several years for friends, family and my own use. In 2004, I even made my own wedding invitations, programs, and placecards.

Kelly:  Do you have any background in business and/or art?

Kathy:  I have over 15 years of business experience and have a Masters of Science in Public Services Management and been working for nonprofit organizations in leadership roles.

Kelly:  What motivated you to start Kathy Cherry Designs  What inspires you to create?

Kathy:  I was motivated to launch Kathy Cherry Designs after selling some of handmade cards as a fundraiser for my organization. They sold really well and received great feedback and thought why not?! Everything inspires me to create – colors, nature, objects, great pieces of paper and many other things. Also, my son inspires daily to create and just be an overall stronger, happier person.

Kelly:  What is your favorite product?

Kathy:  One of my favorite items for sale right now is this hug card:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=41406378

Kelly:  What are the special Features?

Kathy:  I really love the two pieces of paper and also how the brad attaching the tag matched so perfectly. The different components just fell together in a beautiful mix of pink.

Kelly:  What are your business goals this year?

Kathy:  My business goal for the year is to improve my marketing efforts and increase sales.

Kelly:  How do you get traffic to your website?

Kathy:  I’ve been trying different methods like my Facebook fan page and Twitter. I can definitely improve in this area and welcome any suggestions!

Kelly:  How do you juggle work/life balance? For instance, you have a day job and a small infant boy. How do you “do” all that you “do”?!?

Kathy:   I work 30 hours a week as director of human resources for a great nonprofit organization called Breast Cancer Network of Strength. I also have a great husband, adorable almost 2 year old boy, and very loving big dog. I usually do my creations in the evenings after bedtime or on my off days during naptimes. My husband works odd hours, so I have time when it’s just me and the pup to focus on creating new cards.

Kelly:  Can you share some of your frustrations?

Kathy:   My greatest frustration has been with my camera and taking decent photos of my products. It’s a learning process, but I have days when I might toss the camera in the backyard.  I have definitely received some great feedback on how to improve the photos to really show my cards better.

Kelly:  What is the most valuable lesson you have learned?

Kathy:  I learned to stay organized with my finances which really helped me out with my 2009 taxes. It’s easy to focus only on the creating and neglect the business stuff, but that business stuff is very important.

Kelly:  What word of encouragement can you give a person who wants to also start their own business?

Kathy:   Be willing to try new methods and be open to advice from others. I’m learning each day from my fellow Etsy creators and love the team networking.

Kelly:  Any other thing you would like to share with us?

Kathy:   Yes!  A promotion at my shop:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/KathyCherryDesigns!  Buy 2 cards, get one card free promotion!   Use the word Cassia during checkout to denote the promotion.



Etsy shop: http://www.kathycherrydesigns.etsy.com

Facebook fan page: http://www.facebook.com/kathycherrydesigns

Twitter page: http://www.twitter.com/kcherrydesigns

Web site: http://www.kathycherrydesigns.com/


A few fun facts about Kathy:


~ loves hiking, biking and camping

~ loves traveling

~ enjoying microbrew beers

~ loves to read a good book

~ really enjoys her time with her family

~ really, really loves making cards especially for you

Contributed By: Kathy Cherry
Shop: member's shop & http://www.etsy.com/shop/KathyCherryDesigns

Meet Rachel Kovaciny New Mom & Huggermugger!

Ladies, go on and get your cup of tea, or chocolate or if you must, coffee and let's welcome Rachel's newest edition!   I have had the delight to follow, check up on and watch this young woman build her business, grow her family, walk out her faith, support others, and be a free lance author in her own right!   Welcome Rachel Kovaciny of Huggermugger.etsy.com

 
Here she is: Mercedes Anne. She was born just before 5pm on Monday, Feb 22nd, and weighed 8 lb 10 oz and was 20" long -- the same length as her big brother Daniel, but nearly a pound heavier. Hence those chubby little kissable cheeks :-)

Says Rachel:  "My labor was about 4 times longer than with Daniel, oddly enough, but much less intense until the last hour or so. And I did way less pushing, so I'm recovering really rapidly. One of my Certified Nurse Midwives said it was a joy to assist me because she rarely saw women so in tune to what their body needed. To which I wanted to reply, "I just did whatever felt the most comfortable at any given time."


I went home that same night, about 6 hours after Mercedes was born. The birth center only lets you stay up to 12 hours post-birth, and I really didn't feel like making my husband wake up again at 4am to come get us. So we all slept at home, and probably got much better rest as a result. When Daniel was born (in WI, two months before we moved here), we stayed in the hospital for 2 days, which was great because it gave me time to get used to being a mom and caring for a newborn. But I've done this before now, so I felt very comfortable just coming home."

Why don't you take a second and travel over to Rachel's blog and congratulate her on her new bundle of love?  http://huggermuggerblog.blogspot.com/

Kelly: Hello, Rachel, and thank you for joining me here today! Tell us, how young are you?

Rachel: I'll be 29 for a few more months yet.

Kelly: What is the name of your business?

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Huggermugger

Rachel: Huggermugger. It's an old word that means, among other things, "jumble," and my store is definitely a jumbled mix of different items.

Kellly: When did you begin?

Rachel: I joined Etsy in September of 2008 and started my shop in October. But I began crafting pretty much as soon as I was allowed to use crayons, scissors, and glue.

Kelly: Do you have any background in business and/or art?

Rachel: I took Business 101 in college, does that count? And I took a lot of art lessons when I was in grade school and high school. I also co-owned a face-painting business when I was in high school -- a friend and I painted faces at all sorts of local festivals for several years. It was a great introduction to running a small business and also to the world of craft shows.

Kelly: What motivated you to start Huggermugger? (www.huggermugger.etsy.com) What inspires you to create?

Rachel: In the spring of 2008, I realized I needed a sun hat for my son, who was about six months old at that time. I looked at hats in stores, looked at sewing and crochet patterns, and decided I didn't like any of them, so I made up my own crochet pattern for a sun hat. I really enjoyed making it, and made several sizes as he kept growing. Then I just kept making more, and some wintery hats for babies too, but I didn't know what to do with them. My best friend Julie had just started an Etsy store and was really loving it, and she said I should sell my hats on Etsy too. I hemmed and hawed for a few months, then decided to give it a shot.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=26277158

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=40988759

All the things I sell in my shop are inspired from real life needs,just like my baby sun hats. I'm a writer, and I use a lot of journals and notebooks. I've always loved to create collages, and in college I started using them to decorate notebook covers, either to use myself or give to my writer-friends. I knew when I started Huggermugger that I would definitely be selling those in my store as well. My other products, from "instant canteen" water bottle carriers to crocheted scrunchies to finger puppets, have all sprung from things I needed to use myself and then thought maybe other people might like too.

Kelly: What is your favorite product?

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=18407788

Rachel: I love my journals, and my favorite right now is the Once Upon a Time Journal

Kelly: What are this product's features?

Rachel: I decorated this particular journal with a theme of taking time toread and savor books, one of my favorite activities. The covers are laminated so the collages won't come loose or be damaged. Inside are 60 unlined sheets (120 pages) just waiting to be filled up. The journal as a whole measures 7" by 5" and is 3/8" thick. To me, this would be the ideal place to keep a record of books you want to read or have read, or even to write down favorite passages you want to remember. And of course, it would be great for every-day journaling too, especially for a book lover.

Kelly: What are your business goals this year?

Rachel: I'd like to survive! Okay, I'm somewhat kidding, but I have a two-year-old son who's very active, and I have a new baby on the way, just born on February 25. So I'm hoping not to be overwhelmed by keeping my shop moving and growing while at the same time doubling my mommy load.

Kelly: How do you get traffic to your website?

Rachel: I have a blog, http://www.huggermuggerblog.blogspot.com where I post not only news about my crafting and my shop, but also recipes and book reviews, and features of other Etsy crafters. I also try to find cool blogs like this one that are willing to feature my shop. I had a booth at a few craft fairs this fall, to try to build up some local awareness of my business. And I hand out my business card to anyone who admires a hat I or my son is wearing, things like that.

Kelly: How do you juggle work/life balance? For instance, you have a two-year-old boy and a baby on the way. How do you “do” all that you “do”?!?

Rachel: I call myself a time thief. I steal time here and there, the wasted minutes that would otherwise be lost. I crochet in the car while my husband drives us to church and back. I work on collages while watching a movie when my son is napping. I combine taking my son on a walk in the stroller with taking sold items to the Post Office. Basically, I just utilize my time as well as I possibly can.

Kelly: Can you share some of your frustrations?

Rachel: I think my biggest frustration is coming up with an idea for a new product, making several of them, and then having them be ignored in my shop. What I like isn't always what other people like, and that can be really tough to accept. I tend to fall in love with everything I make, especially my journals and notebooks, and then to have them either get few views or else sit in my shop for months can be very frustrating.

Kelly: What is the most valuable lesson you have learned?

Rachel: Be willing to fail. I'm a perfectionist, and failure is not something I deal with well, but I'm trying to learn to accept that not every idea I have is brilliant.

Kelly: What role does your faith play in your business?

Rachel: First Corinthians 10:31 says, "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." God gave me my creative abilities, and I try to use them to his glory however I can. If that means crocheting the best hat I possibly can, then that's how I will praise and serve my Creator and Redeemer.

Kelly: What word of encouragement can you give a person who wants to also start their own business?

Rachel: Jump in! But look before you leap. Do some research, see what kind of competition you'll have, and then keep improving your products and yourself.

Kelly: Any other thing you would like to share with us?!

Rachel: Never underestimate the power of a happy customer! My biggest custom order yet came because someone saw a child wearing one of my hats, asked the mom where she got it, and then ordered some from me for themselves.

Kelly: Thank you so much, Rachel, for taking the time to be a guest on our Busy Mom's Blog! I wish you much success in your business, and multiplied blessings with the birth of  Mercedes Ann! Each new child bring promises of blessings and added joys to life!
OK, ladies, coffee break is OVER and now back to work and our lives as Busy Moms!  Stay well, be blessed, peaceful, productive, and prosperous!


Contributed By: Rachel Kovaciny
Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/Huggermugger

Friday Spotlight Interview: Meet our Fearless Co-Leader!

Hi Ladies! Welcome to Friday Spotlight Interview.

I had so much fun doing this post, now I am really psyched about getting to know each one of you Busy Moms! We will be doing these interviews and posting them every Friday, so please let me know when you are ready for your interview!

Is she a rock star?

Addicted to sweets just a tad, maybe?

She describes a perfect evening as....

a good book, mug of hot chocolate on one hand and a glazed donut on the other...

Clearly the love of her life and constant sidekick! aka "The Munchkin"...

Working with Mommy.....awwww!

She loves to spend time with the family camping

Her home studio in the kitchen!

Wow. She does commissioned art too!

Oh, Me, Oh My, I Love Pie!

Some of you might think that I'm being partial to our fearless co-leader,

but that is not the case! I had sent this interview to her 2 months ago, and

just decided to use it first.

Let's get down to it, shall we? Grab a cup of coffee, and maybe even a doughnut LOL.

Meet our Fearless Co-Leader.....Joy Charde of TheArtofJoy

Kelly: Hello, Joy! Thank you for interviewing with us! Tell us, how young are you?

Joy: I am 33 years old.

Kelly: What is the name of your business?

Joy: The Art Of Joy on Etsy http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheArtofJoy

Kelly: When did you begin?

Joy: I started the business on July 31, 2009
Kelly: Do you have any background in business and/or art?

Joy: I don't formally have a background in art, but I have always doodled, etc. ever since I can remember! I was also a teacher for 10 years and taught art then. Currently, I'm the business manager for our public library... so I guess, that counts as experience?

Kelly: What motivated you to start The Art of Joy ?

Joy: I really needed to find an alternative for using toxic paints since I just recently had a baby. I decided to go back to paper and doodling What inspires you to create? Things that I see around me.

Kelly: What is your favorite product?

Joy: Fun 2010 Write In Calendar - 12 months and 40 mini stickers

Kelly: What are the Features?

Joy: Here are the specs:

Calendar with stickers

12 write in months - Approximately 5.25 x 8.5"

40 trim and stick stickers (10 of each: Fun Time, Day Off, Don't Forget, Special Day)

* Some of the US holidays are printed on the calendar (New Years, Valentines, St. Patrick's, Mom's Day, Dad Day, Easter, Independence, Veterans, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas)

Illustration: printed with my original design 110 lb. bright white cardstock and the sticker are printed on adhesive paper

For your personal use, gift giving, and more...

I also love to make these stickers! Here is the link to the stickers section:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheArtOfJoy?section_id=6523448

Kelly: What are your business goals this year?

Joy: To just have fun with the whole creating aspect. The business side is a bonus.

Kelly: How do you get traffic to your website?

Joy: I participate in teams and forums

Kelly: How do you juggle work/life balance? For instance, you have a day job and a small infant boy. How do you “do” all that you “do”?!?

Joy: It's a definite balancing act. My day job is really a night job :). I work from 1pm - 8pm. Fortunately, my baby loves to nap, so I can get some stuff done at home.

Kelly: Can you share some of your frustrations?

Joy: Finding time to do everything! I clearly need more than 24 hours.

Kelly: What is the most valuable lesson you have learned?

Joy: To try to be patient about the whole selling business. I really can't control what people like or want to buy from me... I just need to put relevant products out there.

Kelly: What word of encouragement can you give a person who wants to also start their own business?

Joy: Try to list things as often as you can, and be patient.

Kelly: Any other thing you would like to share with us?

Joy: I think that's all I have for now...

Kelly: That concludes our interview! I want to thank you Joy, for all you do to promote our Busy Moms of Etsy team and the hard work and effort you put forth. We all wish you much much success! I like to use your Thank You stickers on my package and in notes to customers to thank them for their purchase! Why don't some of us go on over to Joy shop and get some of her fabulous cards, sticker and art? You'll be glad you did!

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28647334

Or, how about these: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=34000800

Clearly delightful! And oh so joyful!

Au revoir, mes amis!