Mmmm! Episode 4: Minion Cupcakes & Special Guest

Lemon and Ian filmed their 4th Cooking with Lemon episode last week and it was too funny!  They were trying to make gluten free banana Minion cupcakes, but you've gotta see how they turned out (or didn't!).  Jonah, Lemon's bestie, also joined them to help frost the cupcakes, but he spent more time eating them then frosting them.  The best part was that Miranda, Jason (Jonah's parents) and I got to sit in the other room while listening to Ian wrangle two toddlers AND try to frost cupcakes!  It was the silliest and we hope you like it!!  Enjoy!

Also, this world of YouTube is fairly new to us, but we will be posting longer videos of Lemon's Instagram antics on our YouTube Channel, so please Subscribe!  (Just go to our YouTube Channel and then click the red Subscribe button under my name.)

Thanks to Amber from Dixie and Twine for the Lemon's Kitchen banner, we love it!  Lemon and Ian are wearing Indie Nook shirts and Jonah is wearing a Little Dude n' Dudette shirt.  (You know I love promoting mom-run businesses, I had to sneak some in here!)

Dads on Mondays - John from Gunner & Lux + Little Lux

This week I am so proud to feature John and Riley from Gunner & Lux!  They are a father daughter duo who make the most amazing jewelry for kids and adults!  They sent over a necklace for Lemon (in the cutest packaging!) and the minute we got it, she wanted to wear it.  John seems like the coolest dad and he is creating such awesome memories (and a smart business!) for his little girl.  Check out his post and then go shop, you must get your hands on some of their stuff!

What is the name of your shop and how can we find you?  

Our shop is Gunner & Lux + Little Lux and we are also on Instagram. 

Tell us about what you make/sell in your shop. 

We have two shops in one - Gunner & Lux jewelry (our adult line) and Little Lux jewelry (our kids' line).  I started collecting vintage jewelry for our five-year old daughter, Riley, when she was born, knowing there would be a time when she would want to play "dress up" while she danced her way to an imaginary costume ball. Since neither of her dads wear jewelry, we searched thrift stores, antique stores, and asked friends and family for jewelry that they didn't use. Within just a few short months, we had collected a treasure chest of amazing jewels. As our daughter grew, she picked out the jewels she wanted to keep, and I decided to try my hand at crafting a one-of-a-kind necklace out of them. Riley wanted to watch, and before I knew it, she was helping me create. My first necklace was a huge success, and I decided to start my own jewelry line. Riley also showed a knack for making jewelry, so after dinner she and I worked on the necklaces together. Using her fine motor skills, she learned how to tie knots, use pliers, and tweezers as she developed her own line of necklaces . . . and that is how Gunner & Lux and Little Lux was born!  {This is the cutest thing I've ever read, love it!  My daughter LOVES to play with all of my vintage jewelry as well!}

 How long have you been in business? 

We started Gunner & Lux 5 years ago and Little Lux a year and a half ago.  

What is your background?

I have a regular 9-5 job, so Riley and I work on our lines after school, and then I continue after she is in bed.  ;) 

Tell us a little bit about your family. 

I have been with my partner for 13+ years, and we adopted Riley when she was born. Best day ever! Riley is now “5 and half.” 

How does this company help your family? Or you? 

It's a fantastic way to spend time with Riley, laughing, talking, and being creative together. She has learned so much about building a business from the ground up. She writes “thank you” cards for each new website order, she goes to the post office to drop the packages off with me. She helps plan the Trunk Shows, and loves to talk about her “business” when handing out her business cards to people she meets. 

Did you ever think you'd be doing this? What did you think you'd be doing instead? 

I have always been creative and love to create. I wrote and illustrated a children’s book, I draw, I paint, I just need to constantly keep creating, and am lucky that Riley loves to do those things as well! As long as she is having fun, we will continue and see where this goes! 

 Does anyone help you with your shop? 

 Riley and I work very hard, and Riley’s other dad is great about letting the dishes pile up when we have big orders to fill! 

 How do you find time to run your shop and create products? 

 LOTS OF LATE NIGHTS! 

 What do you love about this businesses? 

Seeing all the kids/women wearing our necklaces through Instagram!! With Gunner & Lux, our adult line, I really love knowing that almost all the necklaces are truly so unique. You won’t walk into a party and see someone else wearing the same necklace. A G&L necklace has history, it's OOAK [one of a kind], it's bold, it's a statement. 

What is the most challenging part of this business?

Right now, its just keeping up with the demand. We are always producing! We love that we offer free shipping, and we get our orders out usually the same day, or the next morning, because we keep everything in stock. We ship USPS 2 day Priority. We just want everyone to get their jewelry super fast so they can enjoy their necklaces! 

Where do you see your shop in the future? 

We are so excited about the retail and on-line stores we are in. Each store is so unique. We will continue to move into more stores, and introduce more necklaces in the future. 

Tell us your favorite product or your most favorite thing you've created? 

We really love all of our necklaces, but each new necklace becomes our new favorite! 

Do you have any advice for future dad-entrepreneurs? 

Just do it! We had no idea, that we would be in over 40 stores so quickly with Little Lux, but we just figured things out as we went. We continue to push forward, and try new things. The Instagram community has been an amazing marketing tool for us, and we have meet so many amazing people through it as well.

What are some of YOUR favorite shops/products, besides your own? 

Wolfe Brothers & Co., Love Lane Designs, Copper and Torch, and NG Collective Studio.

Thanks John, so happy to have you here, and to feature my first Dad!  Best of luck to you and your sweet girl!  :)

Taxes Suck!

Last night I sat down to do our taxes for only the second time in our lives (together).  Our taxes aren't that tricky so last year I decided I was going to save us some money and do them myself, this little old English teacher was going to do (I do have a Master's Degree, after all).

Well, we ended up just breaking even on our Federal and getting a bit back on our State so I was happy, and confident that I could do it again.  I still thought things were a little strange, though, because every time we've paid to get them done we don't end up owing anything, on either taxes we file.  Oh well, we came out ahead so I was happy.

This year, instead of using Turbo Tax, like last year, I used TaxACT because it's free and I saw a commercial for it (so it had to be good, right?).  I was coasting along, and having a great time, they even let you upload a PDF of your previous year's taxes so that it's even easier, and everything seemed a-ok.  Then, on the next screen, it started showing me the amount I owed and it was $1,666 (yep, I know) to Federal and like a $500 something refund on State.  I thought maybe it was a mistake, because the numbers were in green (wouldn't they be in red if it was that bad?!) and so I kept on going.  At the end, when it asked if I was ready to file, it said that was what we owed, a bit over $1000 if we combine State and Federal - WTF.  I haven't owed on my taxes in over 15 years and it was a total shock.  It was also 11pm (the time I happen to turn into a pumpkin) so I took my depressed, defeated self to bed and tossed and turned all night thinking of my $1000 going out the window - to who?  The government?  Ugh, please.

I know you may think I'm complaining and it's not that much, because you are a real estate agent or are self-employed, but for two teachers who have claimed what we have claimed for years, it is a lot.  And, who don't make any money as it is, even with us both working (yes, yes, we get summers off, I got it!).  I just don't get it.  And, I think ok, I could pay to have someone do my taxes but then what if I still owe?  Then I owe $1000 AND $160 for someone to tell me that I owe $1000!  I'm just stuck.  I did review my PDF preview with my PDF from last year and it matches, for some reason we just didn't pay enough Federal taxes on our paychecks to give us a return, or even match what it should be.  What a fucking bummer.

$1000 to us - here it is.  We are planning another trip this summer for Lemon's birthday and this is usually a $2000 trip after it's all said and done.  And did I mention we are meeting friends we've never met in real life, who live in Australia, in Hawaii next New Years and our plane tickets alone will be $2300 for all three of us (thank goodness my mom has a time share and is letting us use it!).  Yes you are proabably saying, then don't go on all of these trips - duh.  But then I will say to you - why the fuck do I work all year then?  If I can't spend the money I work hard for, or even some credit card money, why do I leave my kid every day to go to work?  THIS is why I do it, so I can travel with my family and make memories.  Duh!  But, this $1000 really throws a wrench in my system and now I have it looming over me, along with our $3500 in credit card debt (also not a lot but enough).  All of the extra money (not our salaries) that we make, all year long, goes towards our debt and now I have to add $1000 to it - SO UNFAIR.

This is not a taxes suck rant post, not in the least.  If I had you fooled then I'm sorry.  Let me tell you what happened next.  I was grumpy, sad and depressed and this mama who already takes care of all of our finances, has another thing to worry about now, always in the back of my mind (along with a hurt neck that I've had now for a week, I'm over it).  But, if money is all that I have to fret about, I am a pretty lucky lady.

Last night, Ian went to a friend's house to spend the night so he could stay up late and hang with his boys.  Lemon and I were by ourselves after dinner, and after jammies and brusing teeth we laid in her crib together and sang songs and told stories.  We found some old Pooh stuffed animals of mine (it's one of her favorite movies right now), and I took the tags off of them and we played with them in bed.  One of the tags stayed around so I started throwing it up in the air and then watching it float back down to us, and Lemon thought it was the funniest thing.  She giggled when it would land on her, then when it would land on me and even more when it would land on Tigger.  We must have done this for a half an hour, and it was just one of those moments I want to remember forever.

Usually I am the one who puts Lemon to bed, and it has been this way for years.  Not because Ian doesn't want to, but because she's a mama's girl (and I'm a control freak).  The moments before I turn off her light and say, "Night, night Lemon, see you in the morning, sweet dreams," are some of my favorite moments in my whole life, in the whole time she's been on this earth with us.  The giggles we share, the jokes, the stories and the songs are what fuel me every day and what I look forward to every night.  These are the reason I am a mama and what make me a good mama, these moments we have together, just the two of us.  This is what my life was meant for, what my life is all about.

So taxes, who cares?!  I decided to save my work and come back to it later.  Right now, I choose to bask in the sun of my little girl who is growing up so fast, but still loves a tag slowly falling like snow to her, and I am going to enjoy these moments with her, despite everything else that is going on.  She is my light, my ray of sunshine and I am so thankful for her, even when I have another debt always on my mind.

It could be worse.  It could always be worse.  So, in the time of taxes - I want you to remember that - it's just money and we are all just so damn lucky in other parts of our lives.  Money is just money but we have our health, happiness and a family who loves us.  I couldn't ask for anything more.

Now, my wish for you?  I hope you get a big fat return!!  Nighty night!

Moms on Mondays - Jewels from La Tzigane

Today, I have the pleasure of featuring Jewels from La Tzigane!  This woman and I have been friends, on Instagram, since our babes were little tiny and I hope to one day meet her, and her sweet family, in real life (I need a little Canada in my life!).  This mama works so hard, has the cutest girls (one big, one small) and such a fun husband (it seems).  Her bead work is amazing, she makes some of my favorite kind of jewelry, jewelry I used to search antique and thrift shops for when I was younger.  You MUST check it out and go shop, she is even offering you a coupon code for 20% off:  LittleBlueberry20 on your purchase of $25 or more.  Seriously, go check out her stuff (and her Instagram), I have no idea how she does it but it is BEAUTIFUL!  :)

Tell us about what you make/sell in your shop.  
 
I liken La Tzigane to a sort of gypsy emporium, where I can showcase a little bit of everything I try my hand at. If it can be worn to adorn, I want to make it: scarves, hats, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, fascinators.  I enjoy trying so many different medium and techniques, that I couldn’t help expand from my beaded jewelry designs, and have in recent years added crochet, and knitting, but I know there will be so many more things to come. I’ve never liked confining myself to one single hobby, something my husband will vouch for wholeheartedly. So far, I love making jewelry and other fashionable accessories, but I try to step out of the mold and not follow ‘fashion’ too much. I prefer to
make items I like, items that I would wear, things that look good, feel good, and last. 

How/why did you start making these products and open this shop?

I’ve always been the creative type and come from a long line of creatives actually, my whole family on my mom’s side are known DIYers. Anything from painting, sculpting, knitting, sewing, building, writing, baking, millinery, anything. My family DIYed out of necessity most of the time, but this often developed into accidental money making ventures. 

I started my business back in 1998, to help sell some of the beaded jewelry I had been creating, at the urging of my then boyfriend (now darling husband), because, as he said, it was starting to take over the living room. I had contented myself in simply giving it away to friends and family, but once I started getting many customization requests, I knew that I had a possible business venture on my hands. It took me a few more years to even start sharing my work online, and after I discovering Etsy in 2007, I figured it would be the best way to get my work out there, without too much financial investment in a personalized website.

How long have you been in business?
 
I’d like to say that I’ve been in business my whole life. Ha! Ha! I’ve always had a bit of an ambitious enterprising nature, even as a child. But I’ll assume you mean as an adult, so since 1997.  {Ha!}

What is your background?
 
My work background is so varied, it would almost be easier to tell you what I’ve never done than what I have. I’m pretty resourceful, and never really worried about supporting myself, even holding a few little waitressing/bartending jobs while attending college. I graduated in 2001 from the Niagara College of Applied Arts and Technology, with a diploma in Visual Arts and Graphic Design. However, this coincided with the third trimester of my pregnancy with our oldest, and I chose to remain home and raise her. Once I felt comfortable that I could return to the work force, technology had changed enough that I no longer felt I had the necessary skills to go back with my current knowledge. So I chose to pursue my creative endeavors instead, and taught myself anything and everything beading related that I could get my hands on.

Tell us a little bit about your family.
 
Our little family consists of myself, my husband of 17 years Chris, our oldest daughter Mimi, our (soon to be middle) daughter Didi, and a new little one due in July, we still don’t know the gender, but hope to find out at our next ultrasound. We live in Niagara Falls, Canada, in a gorgeous unique home built in 1971, in what can only be described as a mashup between Mid Century Modern, and Retro Modern style, and which I thoroughly enjoy furnishing with found and thrifted items. I manage our household, and run my little business, while Chris works at his medical bracing clinic, and we just carve our own little quiet corner of the world, enjoying each other, our kids, our two cats, and the gorgeous Green Belt surrounding us. We have the privilege of living in one of the most beautifully and naturally diverse areas of our country.  {Sounds completely lovely!  I 'm coming to visit!}

My husband is my most ardent supporter, always encouraging me to pursue my creative whims, and is always first in line to help me further myself, be that educational or professional.  

Did you ever think you'd be doing this? 
 
I always knew that I wanted to be a Maker. Creating with my hands is something that brings me such incredible pleasure, it’s meditative to me. And the fact that I might create something that could bring anyone else pleasure is just the cherry on top. I can’t not make, it’s almost compulsive! I could be out and about, just shopping, or browsing a museum or art gallery, even just perusing a magazine or newspaper, and something will draw my eye, an image, a pattern, a flower, and my brain automatically wants to render this, somehow, either with beads, thread, yarn, fabric, pencil, anything.

How do you find time to run your shop and create products?
 
This is something I’m still actively working on. Finding balance to raise the kids, run a house, be a good little wifey, and then to find some alone time to not only create my wares, but to photograph them, edit them, list them, and advertise them . . . well, that’s not always easy. I admit to letting it all fall to the wayside more often than not, to concentrate on our family; but I am actively making it a personal goal of mine to learn to balance it all. Balance is key, I now know this after spending too many years putting myself aside. I also know that a perfect balance is elusive and difficult. Not an impossible feat, but that as Momtrepreneurs with so much on our plates already, we need to come to terms with the fact that some days, we’ll have more time to devote to business, while others, will see no creativity at all outside of household or family management. To remember not to beat ourselves up over it. This is definitely my greatest challenge: Finding Balance. 

What do you love about this businesses?
 
The flexibility. I create pieces I love, so most of the items listed are ready to wear, but I occasionally make bespoke items, but still made on my own time. Where custom work is concerned, I always make sure I have the time to make it before accepting an order. 

I love that I constantly meet new people and make new friends, some online (mostly), and some at art shows, where I get to meet like-minded people who make me feel just a little less alone on this crazy big blue orb. I love meeting other Momtrepreneurs who are going, or have been, through everything I’m going through working on getting my business out there, and learning from them, garnering more knowledge as I go.

Where do you see your shop in the future?
 
I love that I have the opportunity to share my work online, but my greatest dream, would be to have my own Brick & Mortar shop for my wares. Somewhere in our historic downtown, with a little studio/pied-a-terre upstairs where I could go lose myself in my creativity and make as much mess as I want, and host weekly classes by different artists and artisans who would share their knowledge with everyone.

Tell us your favorite product or your most favorite thing you've created?
 
My favorite thing is always what I’m working on at the moment. Every piece has been like that. Whenever I create, it’s always something imagined deep inside, and seeing it develop in my hands, come to fruition, an holding something that I made, and merely started as a “What If” moment, I don’t think there’s anything much better than that for a Maker. 

Do you have any advice for future mom-entrepreneurs?
 
My advice to all Momtrepreneurs: Make time for You! I don’t mean just for your business, that’s a given. But for you, personally. We spend so much time losing ourselves in the caring of everyone else around us, that it’s easy to forget ourselves in the caregiving role. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but remember that there’s so much more to You. And honestly, without Self Care, you start burning out, and then spread yourself so thin, that you won’t have anything left to give anyone else. So taking the time to care for yourself, pamper yourself, take an afternoon off just to do what You want to do, in order to recharge your own batteries, that is of upmost importance.  {This is the BEST advice!!}

What are some of YOUR favorite shops/products, besides your own?

Oh there are a few. One of the very first shops I encountered and fell in love with on Etsy was For Strange Women. She creates her own blends of darkly romantic scents, liquid and solid, I just love her style. My dear friend Celia, from Paco and Lupe makes gorgeous handbags which I covet regularly (more like every single time she shares one of her latest designs on Instragram!), and I swear I’ll own one, some day soon! ;)  And when it comes to spoiling myself, I can’t get enough of Burts Bees I am hooked on the Coconut Foot Cream, and their Hand Salve, and never leave home without the Beeswax Lip Balm! Oh, and a little guilty pleasure of mine, it’s not really a product or a shop, but a lifestyle blog written by a lovely young lady, Andee Layne. She mostly shares her adventures as a new mom, health, vacations and shopping ventures, but I love perusing her lifestyle and personal fashion photos, and living vicariously through her sometimes lavish life.  

Jewels, you know I love you girl!  Thank you!!  :)

Mmmm! A Special Valentine's Day Edition!

Ian and Lemon decided to make gluten free, strawberry cupcakes for Valentine's Day this year, and to record it, of course.  They turned out REALLY strawberry-y and super pink (almost red) but were really good!  They used Betty Crocker gluten free yellow cake mix for the cupcakes, added strawberry Kool-Aid and fresh strawberries, to the mix, and topped them with store bought strawberry frosting and heart candies.  They had fun and we hope you enjoy watching what happens!  Happy Valentine's Day to all of our internet friends!  xoxo

Moms on Mondays - Amber from Dixie + Twine

What is the name of your shop and how can we find you? 

My name is Amber and my shop's name is Dixie + Twine, I am also on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram. 

Tell us about what you make/sell in your shop.  

I make super fun party decorations for the modern partier!!!!!

How/why did you start making these products and open this shop?

When I got married in 2011 I was trying to find more modern decorations but could still really only find super traditional ones.  I found it frustrating because I had an idea of what I wanted in my head but couldn't find it in stores.  I was married before Pinterest came to life, Instagram hadn't caught on yet and Etsy was still relatively new to the general public. I had to take matters into my own hands and design my decorations myself. My bridesmaids are still making me pay them back for all the assembling they had to do the night before the wedding!!!  A few months after the wedding I opened my Etsy Shop under the name Lollipops & Pussycats and my decorations caught on!  It will really fun having something that was all my own.  When I got pregnant in 2013 I had to abruptly shut down my shop because I had such bad carpel tunnel in both wrists.  I ended up not reopening until my daughter turned one.  When I did reopen, I changed the name to Dixie + Twine to sound more modern and grown up.

How long have you been in business?

Just over 3 years now. I opened in November 2011

What is your background (college/career/etc.)?

My background is 100% travel and tourism.  At 18, I went to school in Vancouver, BC, Canada to be a travel agent.  I worked at Sears Travel for a year before deciding to move to Calgary, Alberta to be a flight attendant for an up and coming airline called Wesjet.  The small airline grew and grew and is now one of the top airlines in North America, and one of the best companies to work for.  I left this July, after 12 years, to stay home with my girl full time.

Tell us a little bit about your family:

I am married to a handsome devil named Mike.  I met him when I first moved to Calgary.  I didn't know anyone here, and I friend I made in my flight attendant training class invited me out to watch a hockey game at a local pub and meet some of his friends. Mike and I locked eyes almost instantly.  He had the BLUEST eyes!  I had just gotten out of a long relationship and wasnt looking to meet anyone new at that moment.  Mike felt differently and asked my friend if I would be interested.  After a year he finally wore me down! :)  I always say that had I known I'd be meeting my future husband and father of my child that night I would've dressed up a bit more!  Mike and I were married in July 2011 and welcomed Millie in July 2013. She is the best, and even though I found motherhood to be a steep learning curve in the beginning, I wouldn't change a thing!  We love her so much and she makes us laugh HARD everyday!  She's a tiny ham, a dare devil and a tender heart.  We all live together in Calgary.

How does this company help your family?  Or you?

This tiny company is my passion.  I started it just for fun, thinking maybe a few people would buy something but then it grew quickly and my decorations, especially my paper straws with flags, really caught on.  Its nice having something for yourself.  I deal mostly with brides, and I love feeling their excitement when we chat in emails and I help design something just for their day.  It's even better when they come back for their baby shower decorations!  I love seeing the pictures, knowing that was something I made in my house with my hands, and now it's off in this beautiful setting that's filled with such joy and love!  I recently just made gender reveal decorations that were also a surprise for not only the guests, but the mom and dad-to-be.  I had prearranged with the mom to be about what she wanted, decoration wise, but that her best friend would find out from the ulrasound tech and email me the gender. The tech, the friend and me were the only ones who knew what gender this baby was - that wasn't something I took lightly!  I stayed up late working on her decorations making sure they were just perfect for her reveal.  I bawled when she sent me the pictures from the reveal!!!!  THIS is why I love doing what I'm doing!

Did you ever think you'd be doing this?  What did you think you'd be doing instead?

Never in a million did I think I'd be doing this!!! LOL. To this day I still don't consider myself to be a "creative" person. I have no idea why.  I think I just assumed I'd be flying until I was retirement age and that would be fine.  I always liked the idea of owning my own business, but never thought that would be an option.  Etsy really changed all that.  

Does anyone help you with your shop?

Nope it's just me . . . Mike will do the occasional post office run or help me decide of a design or color scheme. He's a good sport!

How do you find time to run your shop and create products? 

Its tough, especially when you add a very active 1 year old in there.  I usually get up early and do some work before Millie wakes up.  I also work after she goes to bed.  I have note pads all over the house where I jot down ideas that come to me for new products.  Mondays and Fridays are my 2 big days to get a ton of work done because Millie goes to daycare all day.  I also try to keep up with my social media accounts first thing in the morning and right before I go to bed.  I always think that sounds a bit silly but social media is incredibly important in drawing attention to your shop.  Sometimes it's a bit overwhelming keeping up with all the accounts.  {Oh mama, tell me about it!}

What do you love about this businesses?

I love all the friends I've made in the Etsy and Instagram community! I love that I get to work from home!  I love that I can work and play with my girl at the same time!  I love seeing wedding pictures with my products in them!  The list really goes on and on! 

What is the most challenging part of this business?

Hmmmm, most challenging . . . well for one, everything is all done via emails.  Sometimes email isn't the best when you are trying to deal with a problem. It's very difficult to get a tone across, or have a tone confused.  I also find that sometimes people can say mean things because they aren't standing right in front of you.  I try not to be overly sensitive, but sometimes my feelings get hurt.  This is a rare occurrence though.  99.9% of people I've worked with have been absolutely fantastic!  Also, trying to stay original . . . you never want to look like you've ripped someone's work off.  It's tough when you have so many ideas, but someone has the same idea and posts it before you.  I always try to be up front and message others to say, "Hey, I know you just posted this but I want to give you a heads up that I was planning on posting this next week too."  I just try to do my own thing.  I'm of the "I hope we all succeed" mind frame.  I click the "like" button on other people's work even though we may make the same things . . . there's always room for more friends!  If you are making awesome stuff I want to cheer you on! {This is awesome.  You are SO right.}

Where do you see your shop in the future? 

I'd like to see my shop grow and be busy enough that I need a helper.  I'd like to have some of my products be carried in stores.  And, ultimately, it would be the best to have my own store front!!! 

Tell us your favorite product or your most favorite thing you've created?

My favorite product is my paper straws with flags.  They look so cute and you can put anything on the flags. I've done sweet messages to very very dirty messages!!!! LOL!  {ha!}

Do you have any advice for future mom-entrepreneurs?

JUST DO IT!!!!!  Start small.  I have a mom friend who was bored at night so she watched YouTube videos to learn how to knit.  Friends liked the slippers she made so she started a shop and now she is so busy with orders she can barely keep up.  I started with 3 items and expanded from there.  I've honed my skills over the years, and I think my products get better and better.  I had absolutely no idea what I was doing when I started.  I learned as I went.  Figuring out shipping costs was probably the trickiest, but you learn.  Seriously, if you have a passion and can turn it into a business - just do it.  It's scary putting yourself out there, but it's also exhilarating!!!!  I want Millie to be proud of me, I want her to grow up and be inspired by me!

What are some of YOUR favorite shops/products, besides your own?

Oh wow, there are so many!!  To name a few: Baby Jives Co., Leetle Chicken Shop, Little Hip Squeaks, Little Dovie, House of Mia, Lula Flora Designs, Little Paper Lane, Freshly Picked, Ahoy Amigo, Passive Juice Motel, Violet Tinder, Studio Mucci, Rad and Happy, Peg and Plum, Be Little You and Me, Paper Felt Shop and Girl Party Shop.

Thanks girl, this was so much fun to read and learn more about you!