We did an interview with each of the shop owners to familiarize you with them!
First, we have Katie Shesko of Easy on the Tush:
So, a bit about me. I'm a 25 year old SAHM to a beautiful 18 month old daughter. I have my BS in Industrial Engineering and am an avid flute player. My husband and I have been together for 9 years and married almost 4. We also have a Scottish Terrier who is like a big baby himself.
Where did you get the name for your shop? My husband actually came up with the name. I am not creative with naming things at all, and when my husband said it, I just thought it was cute and went with it.
Is it big business or a hobby? Somewhere in between. It started as a hobby, but I really want to expand my business so I have something to do when my daughter is old enough to go to school.
Why do you like selling on Etsy? Etsy is such a great place to find a variety of things. I also like being in the Etsy Cloth Diaper group because the businesses cross promote and really help get each other's names out there.
How long have you been sewing, knitting, crocheting, etc.? I've been sewing about 3 years, and crocheting about 2. I've always wanted to learn to sew, so I bought a cheap sewing machine and just started sewing stuff. I really into it when my daughter was born and I saw how much fun I had making her diapers. Then I started to make more than my daughter could wear and that's when I opened my etsy shop.
What is your favorite thing to make at the moment? I really like making all of my items. But my favorite right now are probably AIOs, but mostly because those are my favorite diapers at the moment.
What are you passionate about? I'm passionate about engineering and music. Very opposite ends of the spectrum. I have a Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering. I'm also the president of the Phi Sigma Rho Foundation as a way to help other female engineers. I'm also very passionate about music. I've been playing flute since I was 10, and I was in band all through high school and college. I am in a flute choir and do occasional solo performances. I think both sciences and arts are important and hope to instill a love of both in my daughter.
What is your favorite thing in your shop at the moment? Why? Probably my pink penguins bamboo velour diaper. The penguins are adorable and the bamboo fleece wicks quickly for my daughter who holds her pee for hours and then pees all at once. Though I have lots of new fabrics waiting to be made into diapers, so that will change quickly.
Who/What is your inspiration? I'm inspired by fabrics. Even if I go to a store or a website for something specific, I usually look for fun fabrics that I think would be cute diapers, or cute items.
Why is cloth diapering important to you? I originally got into cloth diapering to save money. But after really thinking about it, the environmental benefits are great, and it has allowed many moms like me the opportunity to start our own business, now matter how small or large. It allows me make some extra money, use my degree, have fun, and more importantly, stay at home with my daughter while teaching her life skills.
What is your favorite or least favorite cloth diapering memory? My least favorite CD memory and my favorite was the huge leaking problem I had. Like I said earlier, my daughter is partially potty trained so she is learning to hold her bladder, which means she pees all at once. Most the diapers I made for her used a micro fleece as the wicking layer and it was not wicking quickly enough. So it was an experiment to figure out the cause, which just brought my engineering side out. After stripping and elastic adjustment, I noticed her diaper with the bamboo never leaked and I didn't have issues with her cotton preoflds. My research had shown that natural fibers wick a bit faster, though less stay dry. So it was frustrating to deal with, but it was nice to solve a problem and learn more about the fabrics that I use.
Next we have Stephanie Allen-Ziegler of Sazzy Baby Assets:
Where did you get the name for your shop?
My initials are SAZ so Sazzy just happened and Assets well that just means necessities, right? lol.
Is it big business or a hobby?
It is a hobby that is turning into a business very quickly. I have a booth at a local Farmers Market and between Etsy and the market I am very busy. I love bring cloth diapering to people who may never have seen new diapering options.
Why do you like selling on Etsy?
Esty is a great marketplace for people to search out exactly what they want and if they can't find it someone will most likely be willing to create it for them. I personally love shopping on Etsy.
How long have you been sewing, knitting, crocheting, etc.?About 4 years now my husband bought me a sewing machine because we needed curtains and I said I wanted to make them. Well lets just say I never made those curtains but I have been sewing for babies ever since.
What is your favorite thing to make at the moment?
Sized Diaper Covers. They are by far my favorite. So simple and inexpensive yet so adorable. I buy a ton of fat quarters and scrap pieces to make them. As a fellow mama with a diaper addiction individuality is important. By cloth diapering in the first place we enjoy the stares and questions at the changing table by other mommies. So the crazier the better!
What are you passionate about?
Car Seat Safety and rear facing till ***at least*** 2 years old. I am an EMT so I have seen first hand why proper use and installation of a car seat is so important. I'm also a Breastfeeding advocate and a mom of 4 with lots of attachment parenting/ homeschooling experience. In fact I work 24 and 48hr shifts(on occasion) and have an 6 mo EBF baby at home so my pump is my best friend and my babies. If I can do it then I hope to be an inspiration to other mommas.
What is your favorite thing in your shop at the moment? Why?
Unpaper Towels. It is saving us even more money on top of the cloth diapering. They are so darn cute too!
Who/What is your inspiration?
My family is my inspiration. I love my away from home job but would love to be able to stay home even more with my family.
Why is cloth diapering important to you?
I wont lie for me it is the money saved. I want a large family and without saving my pennies it would be hard.
What is your favorite or least favorite cloth diapering memory?
Favorite- First diaper I ever sold! Least favorite.UGH! Lost diaper found week later in back of Black SUV after not leaving the house or going out to the car the whole time. I think I am still recovering.
Be sure to check out their stores!
There's an incredible new opportunity that is trending online.
ReplyDeleteLarge companies are paying people for sharing their opinions!
You can earn up to $75 per each survey!
This is available to anybody in the world!