Thank you so much for stopping in & reading the blog! I appreciate all the love from friends & strangers that have ever placed an order. lil' alice exists because of you! I strive daily to learn & to build the business to what it is suppose to be. I am not sure the final destination, but He does & He continues to grow it.
How did you begin the business?
When the boys were little I would make odd & end things for them. I made Zakkery's halloween costume, a tiger, out of the furry fabric. It nearly killed my machine but my Mom did most of the work. Zakkery also asked for a quiver, to carry his arrows in. A bag for hot wheels too. Just a few of the things I made for them, nothing fancy & all without a pattern.
I picked up an apron for $2. I thought I would give it a shot. I am not proficient in reading a pattern, but I was able to piece it together in no particular order. I finished it up & posted a pic on FB, that was September 2009. Friends loved it & asked if I could make one.
And so it began!
It's a business built on consumer love. I didn't go seeking to start a business at all.
But when you discover a talent & you love every minute of it & you have awesome friends that place orders, the journey begins.
I picked up an apron for $2. I thought I would give it a shot. I am not proficient in reading a pattern, but I was able to piece it together in no particular order. I finished it up & posted a pic on FB, that was September 2009. Friends loved it & asked if I could make one.
And so it began!
It's a business built on consumer love. I didn't go seeking to start a business at all.
But when you discover a talent & you love every minute of it & you have awesome friends that place orders, the journey begins.
What do you use to sew your products with?
The floor model I bought in 2000 with my birthday money is a White Sewing Machine. It's very basic & cost me $127. At the moment it needs to be looked at by someone professional.
My back up machine, that I am currently using, was my Grandma Alice's machine. It's a Necchi Machine, also very basic.
My serger is a Simplicity brand & I bought it at a garage sale for $40. It came with a VHS tape which I didn't have a VHS Player but it did come with the manuals & I was determined to learn it! And I did.
My back up machine, that I am currently using, was my Grandma Alice's machine. It's a Necchi Machine, also very basic.
My serger is a Simplicity brand & I bought it at a garage sale for $40. It came with a VHS tape which I didn't have a VHS Player but it did come with the manuals & I was determined to learn it! And I did.
I saw something on Etsy, can you make it for me?
No. Let me explain my blunt answer.
Everything that I make & sell in the shop is perfected. I have made several mistakes on previous ones that don't make it in the shop for various reasons. I sew in mass amounts & I do the assembly line. This has cut down on production time for each item.
For me to make 1 item, it will involve me writing a pattern (a couple times, because dimensions can be off), it involves a large amount of time just to make 1 item 1 time. Also, I usually hate the first one that I make of a new item because it's usually never right.
If you see something on Etsy, support that handmade shop & buy it. They have that item perfected!
Everything that I make & sell in the shop is perfected. I have made several mistakes on previous ones that don't make it in the shop for various reasons. I sew in mass amounts & I do the assembly line. This has cut down on production time for each item.
For me to make 1 item, it will involve me writing a pattern (a couple times, because dimensions can be off), it involves a large amount of time just to make 1 item 1 time. Also, I usually hate the first one that I make of a new item because it's usually never right.
If you see something on Etsy, support that handmade shop & buy it. They have that item perfected!
Are you a Stay At Home Mom?
I have 2 sons. Zakkery was born October 1999 & Jeremiah was born July 2002. I was a SAHM when they were little. When my youngest went to 1st grade, I got a job in the same district, actually school, as them. I was blessed to have those years at home with them. It was a tough job being in the toddler trenches, but I wouldn't trade it for the world.
Although I work outside the home & I have the home business, I still feel like a Stay At Home Mom. It's my first priority in life!
I tell them all the time, "I am not raising teenagers, I am raising Men!"
Although I work outside the home & I have the home business, I still feel like a Stay At Home Mom. It's my first priority in life!
I tell them all the time, "I am not raising teenagers, I am raising Men!"
Where is your Sewing Studio located?
My Sewing Studio is in the basement. My dear husband built me a finished room in the basement a few years ago. I had invaded the Media Room above the garage & the fabric was reproducing & the straight pins were getting stuck in the carpet. He needed to contain me & fast.
It's a very small room, but I love it & it's the only place in the house I can have pink!
It's a very small room, but I love it & it's the only place in the house I can have pink!
How long have you been married?
Rich & I got married November 22, 1997! Yeow!
Where do you sell at?
I use to have a shop on this site, but it was really hard to maintain.
As of Jan. 2013 I have been on Etsy. It's easier to put products up on & to maintain them.
I also sell a lot to friends & family, which those sales don't show up on Etsy sales.
As of Jan. 2013 I have been on Etsy. It's easier to put products up on & to maintain them.
I also sell a lot to friends & family, which those sales don't show up on Etsy sales.
Do you sell wholesale?
Yes! For more information & a price list: mailto:[email protected]