Talk to Me Tuesday!

This week I am featuring “The Wonderful World of Skylar’s Candy Clips.” I love these accessoriies. They are beautifully made, and I love the way they are displayed and photographed too!  Learn more about the creator, Sherryl on her blog, (where you can conveniently enter a RaspberryKidz giveaway going on now) and go shopping at her etsy shop.

What’s behind the name “Skylar’s Candy Clips?”

Skylar's Candy Clips was named after my oldest daughter Skylar. She was almost two years old when I started making hair accessories. She called her clips "candy clips" because she thought they looked like candy.

What origingally got you started in creating your accessories?

Skylar was constantly losing or breaking her hair clips. And I was tired of spending so much money on hair clips that broke all the time. I wanted to created unique and durable hair clips that can withstand a toddler. 

What did you do before this?

I was just a stay at home mom. I left my full time job as an account executive at a cosmetics company a few months before my wedding. My husband hated my travel schedule.

What inspires your designs?

Skylar LOVES flowers. Hence the logo. Also, if you notice, a lot of the pieces in my etsy shop have names. Those are the names of little girls who've inspired me to create that piece whether it's the color, shape, etc.

Do you have a favorite item in your shop? Do your daughters? And are they the same item?

My favorite pieces right now are my Happy Flower Headbands. They are currently my best seller. The flowers are both the same and different at the same time. They can be color customized to match a dress or just a specific color that the customer has in mind. I've had a lot of happy customers who've bought them. They've certainly lived up to their name. 

I see you take requests (Delaney Butterfly Hair Clip is adorable). What was your favorite request?

The Delaney Butterfly was created for one of my favorite customers. She is a regular repeat client. My favorite request for the Delaney butterfly was from a customer who wanted funky colors. I made the butterfly in turquoise blue, hot pink and lime green to match her daughter's birthday dress. That was fun.

What is your most productive time of day? 

After 8pm when the kids go to bed. Then I brew a pot of coffee, make a mug, and go to my craftroom to do some work. Even my husband is not allowed in there unless he is helping me.

Where do you see your business in 5 years?

I'd like for it to stay small. I would love more boutiques across the country—that is why my own website is being created. I'd love to have a couple of employees helping me though!

9. What’s one thing you can’t live without?

Besides coffee? My computer! My husband got me my own Mac for Skylar's Candy Clips and all my files and pictures are stored in there.

10. Anything else you want to share?

Skylar's Candy Clips wouldn't exist without the support of all my wonderful customers. If you want a little glimpse of the world behind the shop, visit my blog at www.skylarsclips.blogspot.com. I have met some very wonderful people through my blog and I just can't help but feel so very lucky. 

Talk to Me Tuesday!

This week I'm featuring Bootsie Marie Boutique. I met Jill, the owner, at an art festival. Though I was only at her booth for a few seconds, I took her card and knew I wanted to know more about her beautiful bow business. What struck me was not only how beautiful everything was, but how reasonably priced! My daughter is in kindergarten, so it's her first year wearing a uniform to school. I am planning on dressing up some of her navy blue and white outfits with some goodies from Bootsie Marie Boutique. Have a look yourself!

How old is Bootsie Marie Boutique?

Bootsie will be a year old in October!  YAY!

How did your business start? 

I had been purchasing bows for our daughter, Josie (who Bootsie Marie Boutique is named after, it is her nickname), even before she was born and many times I was disappointed with either the price or quality. I have an Art degree and thought to myself, “I can make this!” I went online looking for bow instructions and started making my own korker bows for Josie. We would get stopped everywhere we went by people asking where I got her bows. I would let them know that I made them and they would ask if I sold them and I always answered, “no.” Finally one day my husband answered, “YES!” and the rest is history! I thought it would be a nice hobby and maybe bring in some extra income to use as “fun money”, never in my wildest dreams did I think it would get this big in such a short period of time.

What did you do before Bootsie Marie Boutique? 

My resume reads, too many years in Real Estate and Construction, a few in Corporate Banking (YAWN!), and lots of Mommy duties! It is hard to believe that I have an Art degree! :o)

Describe a typical work day. 

 My Bootsie Marie Boutique’s work day doesn’t start until the kids are in bed either for a nap or for the night. I am not a late night person but for some reason my best work is done then. 

How do you promote your business? 

I have been fortunate that I haven’t had to do any promotion. Word of mouth and repeat craft show customers is where all of my business comes from. I write a silly blog but it is more informational than promotion.

What is the best advice you’ve ever gotten? 

To not be afraid. (Even though I panic the night before every show. No joke!) It is sooooo hard to put myself out there, but if I don’t do it, I will never know.

Where do you see Bootsie Marie Boutique in 5 years? 

My 2 year goal is to have one of my hair accessories mentioned in People magazine because it is being worn by a celebrity’s child, My 4 year goal is to be on Oprah’s favorite things, in 5 years....sheesh, I thought Oprah would be the highest point of my career. :o) I would love to have a cute retail store or a mall kiosk but will settle for a rockin’ website.

What is your favorite part of your business? 

Ahhh, so many to choose from, I can put, my creative energy to use or as my Dad says, “It is about time you use the education we bought you!” I also love meeting new friends who are also customer and fellow crafters at shows.

I met you at the Glenwood Arts Festival. Do you do a lot of fests and fairs, and what do you like most about them? 

Wasn’t the Glenwood Arts Festival so much fun?!?!?! That is all I do right now, fests and fairs. I usually participate in 1 a month but I am hoping to take part in Farmer’s Market’s on Saturdays next year. Please see answer #7. Seriously, the people who come to my booth are always so complimentary and so much fun. I love to help the little (and big!) girls rock out with some bows. :o)

Anything else you want to share? 

GO HUSKERS! :o) Oh yeah, and please become a fan on Facebook!