Welcome to the Etsy Cloth Diaper blog! Today we're going to spend some time getting to know Kelly of Lil Stuff. Kelly is joining us from the edge of a little farming community near Kansas City.Where did you get the name for your shop?
My shop is called Lil Stuff. I started making baby things when my granddaughter was on the way, and it just seemed right because I make little things for little people and their moms.
What is unique about your products?
I design several of my products myself (ok most of them actually) and they have evolved from seeing a need, wishing I had a certain style of bag, or from someone else needing something. I think that is what makes them unique.
What are your most popular products?
Any wet bag from the Japanese Designer fabric I sell, and also my cloth diaper swim suits.
How did you get the idea for your products/business?
Mostly from seeing a need and filling it. I am a gramma as well as a mom and when my grandaughter was on the way I started my Etsy shop. I began by making my daughter in law things that she would need, as I was excited that she decided to use cloth. The business grew from there. The swim suits came from us shopping for cloth diaper swim suits and not really finding something we liked. There are a lot of swim diapers out there but not actual suits, so I started experimenting with some designes and found one that is a pretty good fit. What have you found most challenging about running your own business?
The most challenging part is definitely the internet, learning about SEO and key words and relevancy in searches...that was all really greek to me, so that has been a challenge that I finally feel I am starting to understand.
Has anything been easier than you expected?
When I first started, I thought, Etsy and the online marketplace is so big, how will anyone ever find my things! They have so that has been easier than I expected.
More difficult?
I would like to take my shop to the next level, although I'm not sure what that is, and as I mentioned above, optimizing my key words etc, can be a challenge.
Why do you like selling on Etsy?
I love doing custom orders for people. I designed a large hanging wet bag for an expectant mom to match the fabric and decor of her nurser. I have done several other custom orders, they are a little more personal, and you have some communication with your buyer. I also love being on the Etsy teams...especially the Etsy Cloth Diaper Team :) I feel it is a great way to build relationships with other moms that work from home.
How long have you been sewing, knitting, crocheting, etc.?
I have been sewing or knitting as long as I can remember. I love to make things and have always had some kind of project going.
What is your favorite thing to make at the moment?
Right now I am designing some custom wet bags and I am probably liking that the most, as well as working with people to make swim suits.
Why is cloth diapering important to you?
For the standard reasons of economy and environment, and because I really feel it is best for baby bums. I don't sell diapers but I make my granddaughter's diapers. Recently she got a really bad rash from antibiotics, I really noticed a difference when she was in my organic hemp diapers - she was so much better than when she had anything else on.
What is the kind of diaper you like the best at home?
As I said above I do make some diapers, they are micro fiber on the inside and organic hemp cotton fleece on baby's skin. I probably like those the best. I have not been able to try any other Etsy Cloth Diaper Team diapers, but I am partial to Scotia Farm Girls all in ones, they are very well made and beautiful.
What is your favorite cloth diapering memory?
I did use cloth when my four boys were in diapers, but that was a long time ago....I think one of my fondest memories was seeing all those clean diapers hanging on the line. Who or what is your inspiration?
Definitely Fable Rose my Grand daughter.
Do you have anything new going on now, or upcoming, such as new products or promotions?
I am hosting our local Great Cloth Diaper Change event and that is pretty exciting, it has been great to get to know our local cloth community.
I am giving away a dozen of my super soft organic hemp wipes in the April Etsy Cloth Diaper Team giveaway! And look for some new wet bag designs appearing in my shop this spring or summer.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
I will offer a 10% discount to anyone who reads this article! Use promo code ECD10
Find Kelly and her beautiful products here:
Etsy shop www.lilstuff.etsy.com
Twitter @kellylulus
Thanks for spending some time with us, Kelly. We've enjoyed chatting with you!
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