Shop Talk Feature: The Vintage Byrd

As the seasons finally change I am extremely grateful that new and wonderful small businesses are budding as well (see what I did there)! A dear Instagram friend has recently opened her shop: The Vintage Byrd filled with gorgeous one of a kind clutches and bags. I'm already a sucker for a great pouch or bag that I can compartmentalize all of the toys, snacks, and other items I carry regularly - so I could not help but share this shop with you all. From the maker to the product, read all about the beginnings of this shop as well as the awesome discount on the several new items just put up! I hope you enjoy and support this wonderful maker and watch this shop take flight.

Q: Who is the maker behind The Vintage Byrd?  

A: I have been sewing and quilting for about 10ish years now. I started out teaching myself how to do most everything. When I've come across new friends who are talented and willing to teach me their ways, I soak up their teachings like a sponge. My dream has always been to open a shop of some sort and sell some of the creations that I make. Over the past few months my husband and I have gone through a devastating loss and to keep myself busy i just started sewing again-and didn't stop. I have found it's where I talk to the Lord and have found peace through this whole ordeal. I started sending pictures to my mom and sister in laws and their responses were an overwhelming unanimous 'start selling your stuff!!!' So here I am...with my passion of creating.

Q: What is your creative catalyst?

A: I like to be different. So I try to make up my own patterns and designs to make the fabric that I use more unique and fun. That's really all there is. I don't use patterns-they trip me up. So everything I make is in my head and just comes out in the form of what I'm making. I'm always dreaming up new bags or ideas of things to sew and sell, so check in with me frequently to see what's new! I'm always open to suggestions and custom orders because they open up new creative avenues to explore.

Q: What has been your biggest seller?

A: So far my best seller has been the Lil' Bre. My sister in law really wanted a clutch, but wanted a smaller version of the one I was carrying (the sideways Azzey). So I whipped one up and she's loving it!

Q: What is your advice for small business owners? (Top Three) 

A: My advice to other small business newbies: {to quote Nike} JUST DO IT. Get your support system and go. Even if it fails, you need to try.T here's no sense in living the 'what if' life---that's just a waste of the beautiful brain the Lord has blessed you with.

You can find The Vintage Byrd on etsy as well as Instagram! For you, the shop has given each reader a discount! Use code GRANDOPENING10 to receive 10% off of your order until April 17!

Weekend Adventures: We're Two!

This weekend was extra special since we got to celebrate the big #2!! I can't believe how fast time is flying by and I'm not sure if I want it to continue at this pace (slow.down.please). However, this was by far my favorite out of the two parties this year. We were able to celebrate in our new home and we had a bounce house! Thanks to Mike (he truly saved the party this year) we ended up renting one out while I had a series of meltdowns since I was so far behind on planning.

Though I had a Pinterest board for this event and I had talked about it; I just wasn't ready or prepared as much as I had hoped to be. I scrambled for a theme since Kai is into several different things. Would it be cars? dancing? wrestling? I just couldn't decide until as of recently he has fallen in love with matchbox cars - AHA! So with a simple car theme we made this party happen from start to finish. It was a great combination of house welcoming and birthday party all at once. Our dearest of friends came and I realized just how grateful and blessed we are to be surrounded by authentic friendship. I even stepped out a little in style since I've been developing my eye for thrifted goods!

With lots of bouncing, laughter, and heartfelt embraces we celebrated the sweetest gift I've ever been given.

photography courtesy of Uplifted Photography

Bird's Eye D.I.Y.: I AM Jar

Kick off your week with this fun and simple craft you can make with your little ones that not only encourages them, but also allows you to share and shape their identity. Several weeks ago I did a small support group with a co-worker for children we work with and we created "I Can's." Each child designed a can and wrote down all of the things they can do! It was bittersweet to see some children able to fill their cans and watch as others struggle to list a handful of capabilities. So I figured to do a twist on that craft and create an "I AM" Jar (plus my husband threw away my can by "accident"...). This is a great way to help your child share who they believe they are AND to reaffirm the wonderful things about them.

What you need:

• A jar or can
• Scrap paper
• Address label 
• Scrap yarn (optional) I made small yarn balls as a filler
• Sticks (I used lollipop sticks I had leftover from another craft)

I made the flags out of extra scrapbook paper I have and address labels, which I always keep on hand. However, you can simply use scrap pieces of paper and fill your jar without the flag concept. Here is how I created the flags:

Place your address label with a portion of it hanging off of your scrapbook/decorative paper.

Write your I AM statement - notice the lip of the label. Cut out your flag!

Fold your extra piece of the label around the stick

Ta-da! You have your flag!

You can create a ton of statements that when your little one is feeling down they can go to their jar and remind themselves of how amazing and great they are! I have ours now sitting right on our shelf in the living room. Mike even joined in with a few statements of his own. Creating an environment where you celebrate and embrace the positive aspects of who you are will only allow your children to thrive. I'm constantly reminded how important my own self speech is and how that even sets the tone for Kai's development of who he will see himself. Make your own jar, it's a lot more fun than you will even realize!

 

Shop Feature: Dainty Revelations

It has been some time since we've had a Handmade Shop Feature! I've saved this one for too long, but am nonetheless excited that this feature will not disappoint. I met Jenn through my first mug swap, where she showered me with chocolate, a mug (my husband and I fight over...), and beautiful handmade gifts that I use regularly. To my pleasant surprise, Jenn shared that she had a blog and also a shop (to add to the list of hats she wears daily!!). She was more than happy to share a little bit of who she is with you and her love for what she does. I hope you are inspired and enjoy this feature, as well as check out her other daily adventures at Dainty Revelations!

My name is Jenn, and I'm a work at home mom of 3 boys under 5. It can get pretty crazy - both because, well...3 boys, and because I love to collect projects (see my list of jobs on my blog - you'll see what I mean!). We live in

WNY (near Buffalo & Niagara Falls) with my awesome husband and our two pretty kitties.

How long have you been doing this (drawing, sewing, etc)?

I've been crafting since I was a kid, sewing and paper crafting since high school, and crocheting for about 5 years. Everyone once in a while, I'll pick up a new craft-related hobby (this year's is embroidery, last year's was painting, the year before was jewelry making). I'm kind of ridiculous like that!

What is the catalyst for your shop (i.e. passion, inspiration, etc)?

For most of my life, people would say things to me like, "I can't believe you made this!" and "You could totally sell these!". The problem I had was that I could never settle into a niche. I didn't want to just make one thing, and name a shop in a way that would limit me. I am a jill of all trades lady (have you picked up on that yet? Haha!) I finally had the idea one day to just make things I love and add copies of them to Etsy, and that's how Love Forward was born. I like thinking that I'm sending a little bit of love out into the world!

 

When did you open your shop?

I started the shop in August of 2012, but didn't officially launch it until November 2012. It was fun - I learned a lot that month. Getting started in the middle of Christmas shopping season was both good and bad. I had great success right off the bat, and it was easy to find the items that people liked purchasing the most. But it also set expectations that were kind of unreasonable for the rest of the year. As I said, it was a learning experience, for sure! Maybe don't start your own shop during busy season ;)

What are you favorite supplies/items to use?

I am so addicted to yarn and fabric - their colors and patterns just speak to me! I love color. Lots of bright, ridiculous color!

What type of items do you sell/offer? Can you purchase custom items?

My most stocked and best selling items are my bow coffee cozies. I love mixing color combinations for holidays and seasons and then seeing what people love. You can ALWAYS find my bow cozies in the shop, but since I list what I love at the moment, you can also find other little things at any time - reusable handwarmers, handmade cards and jewelry, Christmas ornaments, and other little art. I've got some big plans for some fun embroidery pieces and colorful garlands coming this summer, and even more for the holidays. I'm so excited about my shop this year! And yes, unless I post a note because of a vacation or something big happening in life, I'm happy to take custom orders - especially for my bow cozies!

How can people purchase your items? (website info)

Love Forward is on Etsy, here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/loveforward and you can also follow along on Facebook and Instagram for sneak peaks, coupons, and sales!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shoploveforward

Instagram: http://instagram.com/loveforward