OH MY CUTENESS

  

We have a confession to make….when receiving a certain package from a certain shop owner…we nearly exploded with anticipation upon opening the “OH MY CUTENESS” that we knew was bound to be inside! Join us as we review a couple of products that we received this week !

Lindsey – the amazing owner of The Blue Piano on Etsy.com first came across our radar when she followed us on Instagram. Boy, are we glad she did! So after a few exchanges of how are yous I learned that not only does she have her own shop, but so does her hubby! Go check out The Creative Sumo (on Etsy), when you get a chance! Oh how we love power couples, crafting it up! Hehe. Soooo on to our reviews!

We received a floral pattern key fob, which is better than a lot that we have seen in the past that are flimsy and not very durable. This  key fob has what we like to call “wonder woman strength”! Can be used for any and every pretty occasion and great for gift giving.

Darn those adorable push pins! We know it’s not wise to choose favorites, but it possibly may have happened. These tiny, but cute additions to your cork board are a cutsie must. The fabric is delicate and firmly attached to make for long lasting additions to your wall décor.

Our runner up for first place were the fabric covered bobby pins & elatic hair tye (conveniently also a sweet little bracelet hehe) which have been seeing a lot of wear, just around the house!! Can’t wait to go out and actually show them off to…THE WORLD! A lot like the push pins, these little cuties are nothing by well made, durable, and will be long lasting in our accessory box for a long time to come!

Thank you so much for sharing all of these fun products and accessories with us! We couldn’t find fault with them, even if we wanted too! We were lucky enough to be able to get Lindsey to stop in for a quick interview as too!! Read on to learn more about the lady behind the shop!

Building Bridges: Tell us a little bit about you, your family, and what you like to do for fun! 

Lindsey: Well I married my best friend 10 yrs ago (this July) and we have 2 awesome boys who just turned 6 and 8. We're all pretty "artsy" or "craftsy" haha, so we do a lot of that around here. Movies, beach, hangin out with the family...we're always having fun. 

Building Bridges: What other hobbies do you have?

Lindsey: Other than raising my boys and occasionally keeping house (lol) making stuff is my only hobby. It's a pretty broad one though...I'll try anything once. 

Building Bridges: Why did you choose the name of your business? Is there a special meaning behind it?  

Lindsey: Yes! I wrote the story up on my blog (earth2bellas.wordpress.com) but basically we got this ugly hand me down piano that I painted blue and it was originally the background for all my item pics.

 

Building Bridges: Why did you decide to open your shop and why sell on Etsy.com?

Lindsey: My family was over loaded with my stuff and I was running out of space to store the rest. Haha...that's true but really I love the idea of my work going out into the world and being used and loved by someone else. The idea of making someone's day when they get something pretty in the mail and because I believe in small business. And that's why I chose Etsy too. Lots of small business’s on there. You deal with real people and it's personal, it’s a community. 

Building Bridges: Did someone encourage you to start a business?

Lindsey: Haha...not really. My Hub is of course always behind me and that's all that matters

Building Bridges: When did your shop officially open?

Lindsey:  You know...I'm not sure! Very recently like May or June of this year. 

Building Bridges: Do you remember your first product that sold, what was it?

Lindsey: Of course! It was “Dirk” the dragon and he went out to another shop owner for her lil boys birthday. 

Building Bridges: Do you have any shop promo discounts, if so when do they end?

Lindsey: There's a coupon for 15% off for repeat customers. Be sure to check out my shop for new coupon codes!! 

Building Bridges: Do you take custom orders?

Lindsey: Omg yes please! I'd love to make something by special request. 

Building Bridges: Why make handmade products?

Lindsey: I was an Etsy shopper long before I opened a shop and the Christmas when I handed out custom handmade gifts from Etsy, to my family and friends, is my favorite. I love giving gifts but that was just so special. I wanna do that for people too. 

Building Bridges: What do you hate about selling?

Lindsey: So far there's nothing to hate. It's a lot of work, especially just starting out. More than people realize I think. But I'm grateful for the experience. 

Building Bridges: What is your favorite part about owning your own business?

Lindsey: I have an excuse to make stuff now! It's fun and exciting and I think it's important right now, even though it's tough, for people to step out and try something new. 

Building Bridges: Do you have a product that you prefer to design/create over others?

Lindsey: I'm loving the button earrings right now (branching out to rings and stuff next!) I love the creative process there...hunting for a story in a piece of fabric. The toys are always very special to me too...bringing them to life and giving them character. It's a much longer process but so worth it. 

Building Bridges: Do you have any advice for other crafters who would like to start selling their creations?

Lindsey: People say to me all the time "I wish I was crafty" or "I know I could never do that" makes me sad. Do it! What have you got to lose? It's .20 cents to put up a listing on Etsy.  I'll spot ya if you're really worried about it, haha. You really have everything to gain...there's more people out there like you than you know. 

Building Bridges: Haha you better be carful you might just get a influx of future Etsians asking for 20 cents here and there! What’s the best advice you received when you went into business for yourself?

Lindsey: Hub tells me all the time to make sure I stay true to myself...don't go with the trends just to make sales. He's right...and he needn't worry. (: 

Building Bridges: We love to attend craft and vendor markets - do you?

Lindsey: I do! I have one coming up in August. Very excited about that. 

Building Bridges: Did you always see yourself becoming an entrepreneur?

Lindsey: Noo...I started the shop in one of those "why not" moods. Now that I'm in though I love it!!! 

Building Bridges: What is your most popular product on the market right now?

Lindsey: People seem to love the lalylala dolls and the button earrings based on shop faves and feedback on my Instagram account. 

Building Bridges: What is the favorite item you make and why?

Lindsey: That's tough...it's between the earrings and the toys for sure. 

Building Bridges: Your kids toys are our absolute favorite, of course we adore everything you sent, but seriously sometimes we just want to hug the wee animals we see in photos!! What is a typical day like when you are crafting?

Lindsey: It's pretty random...I have so much going on at the same time. I'm toy making as I wait for earrings to dry, taking pics while making lunch for the kids, making paper pinwheels as I'm waiting for the fabric ones to be ready for the next step and all the while trying not to make TOO much of a mess as I go. 

 

Building Bridges: Do you have any giveaways running right now?

Lindsey: Oh I'm just dying to do one! I don't think I have enough followers though. I'm waiting on 100 actually and it's really hard haha. 

Building Bridges: Tell us anything extra you would like to be added to your feature.

Lindsey: Hmm...I'd love to hear from people about things they'd like to see made. 

Building Bridges:  Lindsey lives in lower Delaware with her Husband and two lil boys. 

Customers can best reach her through Etsy convo: shop.thebluepiano.etsy.com. Be sure to check out The Blue Piano on Instagram: @doesydoates & her blog at: earth2bellas.wordpress.com.

It has been an absolute please working with you Lindesy and we cannot wait to see the amazing places you will go with your creative mind and enthusiasm for crafting! Have a “OH MY CUTENESS” Summer & once again thanks for sending us the wonderful package of goodies!