woohoo! another giveaway! i have a sweet blogging friend named jenna, of
inspired by jenna, who has a fantastic business called
sweet baby creations. jenna and i say that if we lived in the same town we'd proably be best friends: we have really similar tastes and styles, our boys are the same age and equally nutty, and our daily ups and down often seem to be parrallel. its nice to hop on the computer at night and read her blog, only to see that her day was just as crazy as mine. something about that is comforting (is that wrong?).
jenna makes a number of amazing products - mommy bags, diaper clutches, nursing covers, burpies... all from amazing fabrics - and you know i'm super picky about fabric!
just so you all could get to know jenna a little better, we did a little interview:
1. tell me a little about your business - name, products...
I am the owner/creator of *Sweet Baby Creations*, unique handmade baby goodies for precious babies and hip mamas! I sew Nursing Covers, Designer Cotton and Chenille Burpies, Diaper Clutches, Mommy Bag Diaper Bags, Mini Mommy Bags, Pleated Purses and Totes, Changing Blankies, Matching hip Onesies, and hip Toddler Shirts. Depending on what will happen with CPSIA in February, I would like to add Toddler size Minky Blankies and offer zippered pouches for the Mommy Bags.
2. how long have you been in business and how did you get started?
About 3 years ago I started sewing a few burpies for baby shower gifts and got a great response. I decided to take them to a local consignment shop to sell them. One of my girlfriends wanted me to make her a nursing cover, and then another needed a bigger changing pad than the plastic ones you get in your diaper bag, and then I made a diaper clutch for myself because I only needed the diapers and wipes to carry around for my daughter and then my business was born. The more I would make, the more they would sell. My daughter Elliana (who is now 4) was just 18 months at the time and I kept thinking, how am I going to be able to do this with a baby? But things kept growing and I sold my things on ebay, and now have an online boutique *Sweet Baby Creations* on etsy www.inspiredbyjenna.etsy.com . I sell my products locally in two shops and out of my house. Is that kind of like the black market? I do custom orders, gift sets, and take special fabric requests (upon availability.) I always knew I would sell something I made. When I was a little girl I made those friendship bracelets and tried to sell them in my dad’s hair salon. It wasn’t until I became a mother that I found my niche and am able to use my hands to create something special and unique for precious little babies! I also have a fabric shop on etsy called Sweet Baby Fabrics www.sweetbabyfabrics.etsy.com
3. where do you do most of your work? and how do you fund the time?
I am lucky enough to have a studio where I do all my sewing and crafting. When my son Tucker was smaller I used to sew during the day wearing him in the sling and was super productive. Now that he’s a super active toddler, I mainly sew when he’s sleeping. And naptime during the day usually consists of dishes, laundry, picking up, showering and normal household maintaining. This is also the time I work one on one with my daughter with her “homework” or a special art project. Lately I get in my room as soon as the kids and hubby go to sleep. I need that uninterrupted creative time to get my ideas flowing, or to just get in my groove. I generally stay up way too late and wake up to my little 18 month alarm clock way too early. Caffeine and chocolate keep me going throughout the day. My husband and I have a little joke that I say at night, “well, I’m off to work!” (at 9 o’clock at night!) I love being able to add a little extra income to our family and stay at home with my family AND get my creative time in. Everybody wins!
4. tell me about your family and how they affect your business
My husband is extremely supportive of my craft and understands how necessary it is for me to get my “mommy time.” He is so encouraging in all that I do and supports my business whole-heartedly. My daughter loves being in my sewing room with me doing some sort of “craft-art” and is always asking me to make her something out of a fabric scrap she’s discovered.
5. what is your biggest seller?
My biggest sellers are probably my Nursing Covers and my Mommy Bags. There are all kinds of brands of nursing covers out there, but I think the thing that sets mine apart are the option for adding matching set of Cotton or Chenille Burpies, or a matching Mommy Bag, Diaper Clutch and Changing Blankie. They really make a nice baby gift.
The Mommy Bags have been a great seller too because they are so versatile. They don’t look like diaper bags, and they come in super cute fabrics. But what I love is that once they are done with their diaper bag destiny, they can be a craft tote, book bag, purse, or just that extra catch all bag.
The mini Mommy Bag is a great purse size bag with all the great pockets of the regular size Mommy Bag. It’s great for when you don’t need to carry around the kitchen sink anymore and you just need the diapers and wipes (carried in the Diaper clutch of course!) and a sippy cup and a toy or two. I carry mine around everywhere!
6. where do you find inspiration?
I think one of my biggest inspirations is finding new fabrics. I love shopping for new fabrics, pairing different fabric combinations, and coming home (or opening up a box) of fresh, crisp off the bolt fabric. I love (*read: slightly addicted to*) browsing on etsy and seeing so many creative and talented sellers. I am that person who won’t buy anything if I think I can make it cheaper and cuter and with my own spin on it. So I love gathering ideas from other crafty blogs (like Lindsey’s!) and turning it into my own creation. I also get inspired out of necessity. I love it when friends ask, “can you make something like this?” Or “I need a bag that hold this, can you make it for me?” I love figuring out a new pattern for something. I’m obsessive about it until I get it right. I often say, “oooohh, you know what would be cool….” And I am daily inspired by my children. Wanting a little sling for a baby, a super hero cape, a skirt that twirls just so, or wanting a shirt with pink butterfly on it. I love that I can make things like this for my children.
thanks so much, jenna! i learned something new - i didn't know you also sold fabric. great - just what i need more of!
and how great are these diaper clutches? i so need one of those. i'm at the stage where all i need for the boy is a couple diapers and wipes, yet they get destroyed in my bag along with everything else that accumulates in there. a diaper clutch would help keep things nice and tidy!
jenna is offering a diaper clutch of your choice and a matching key fob to one lucky winner. but for those of you just dying to buy something from her and can't wait to see if you win, she is also offering 15% off all her items! just convo her and tell her i sent you for the discount. yay for discounts. so go visit jenna. visit her at
her blog. visit her at
her etsy shop. then go visit
her other etsy shop. then come back here and tell me how much you love her stuff for a chance to win!
***edited: giveaway now closed!***
-enjoy!
a sweet little friend helping me choose the winner
Posts
