Giving and Receiving

 

It is a privilege to bring you The Little 19:14 Shop this week. Nothing warms our hearts more than a young woman pursuing a hobby she loves, perfecting her trade, loving God’s children, and giving back to those in need. Without further ado, enjoy reading our interview with Elizabeth, owner of The Little 19:14 Shop.

Alice in Wonderland dress in the making

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

I'm 21 and I currently live in the big bustling town of Climax, GA, home to Swine Time and complete with one caution light. I moved back to be closer to my grandparents and boyfriend of 4 years after living in Knoxville and then Nashville for the past 7 years with my parents, older sister, and two younger brothers.

I've always been creative and really fell in love with the art world when I was 14 and began dancing, now I am working at a dance studio in Thomasville, GA working with the younger classes and doing private lessons with one of the little girls who is working through being diagnosed with Apraxia of Speech and Global Apraxia, she has completely stolen my heart! I also enjoy photography and doing anything outdoors. My biggest passion though is giving back and helping those in need, I love working at the local food bank and working with my church's Operation Christmas Child Ministry.

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

The name of my shop, The Little 19:14 Shop, comes from Matthew 19:14 which says, But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven." I decided on this name because the purpose of my shop is to not only to sell handmade but to also give back by donating one dress for every one I sell to go into Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes or, for other items, donating 10% to World Vision to provide things like clean water, food, and education to children all over the world.

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

I decided to open my shop after finding the idea for pillowcase dresses on Pinterest, I was looking for ideas for the shoe boxes and decided to try out sewing and began making 200 dresses for this year's shoeboxes, after making some of the dresses people began encouraging me to try to sell some so after a little research I dove head first into the world of Etsy.

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

All of my family, especially my grandparents, and many of my friends encouraged me greatly to start my shop and put my creative side to use.

Building Bridges: When did your shop officially open?

My shop officially opened March 14th and had my first sale March 17th, it was a custom made black maxi skirt, I was so excited and amazed I had a sale that soon after opening.

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

All September long I am doing a buy one, donate two dresses. Normally for every dress I sell I donate one to go in a shoebox for Operation Christmas Child, but this month I will be doubling that donation.

Building Bridges: Do you take custom orders?

YES! I love custom orders, I took a break because of travel from custom orders, but have just got that  park of the shop up and running again. I have done orders that range from just changing the size or maybe colors to taking an idea and turning into a custom creation, recently I had someone ask for an Alice in Wonderland dress and we worked together to create a custom pillowcase dress for her little girl, hands down it was my favorite order so far!

Building Bridges: Why make handmade products? If applicable

When you make/buy handmade items you are getting more than just another thing, you are getting someone's creativity, love, joy, and dreams, you are getting a part of them not just a mass produced factory item. It's something someone has poured their time and and ability into, it's truly something one of a kind.

200 pillowcase dresses I've done for Operation Christmas Child so far this year

Building Bridges:  What do you love or hate about selling?

I love the joy I get from someone choosing something I spent time making, I love creating and coming up with new color combinations or trying out a new size dress or a new scarf design. What I hate is the computer side, the tedious stuff, like managing/updating pages, social networking and things like that, I'd much rather be at my sewing machine creating.

 

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

My favorite part of owning my own business is the freedom it brings, it's mine, I make the rules and I get to pour myself into it and make it exactly what I want it to be, it’s all up to me. I love that. It's just another way to express my creativity.

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

Out of everything in my shop: scarves, pillowcase dresses, bandana dresses, bracelets, maxi skirts, my favorite thing to make/design are the pillowcase dresses.

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

My advice is to be confident in what you do, know that you have something offer and let your creativity shine, there is a place for what you do in the world of handmade. Believe that.

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

I haven't done any fairs or vendor markets yet, but this fall I am planning on starting with the Swine Time festival in Climax, which is held the first Saturday after Thanksgiving. So if you are in the area come check it out!

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

I have always loved the idea of starting my own business, but I never imagined it would be something like this. I always pictured a dance studio or cafe, but it's been such a fun adventure starting this Etsy shop.

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

My most popular items are my pillowcase dresses, I have sold several of these recently from newborn to size 9 girls, each one a one of a kind dress.

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

My most favorite item to make right now are the bandana dresses, I've been working on making smaller sizes in these.

Building Bridges: What is a typical day like when you are crafting?

A typical day begins with my grandmother and I driving over to her office in Thomasville, I have a back office where I work, I then either start on any customs orders I have or if I don't have any invoices I begin getting together the dresses and/or scarves I plan to make that day and then begin cutting and sewing, I do this typically on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Tuesday and Wednesday I work on product photos, new listings, updating/managing pages, and other tasks like that. Thursdays I spend the mornings at my local food bank and then work on making things in the afternoon and Wednesday afternoons I teach at the dance studio. I spend my weekdays making things and just running various errands or working on things for my church.

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

I currently don't have any giveaways going, but I am planning in the near future to offer giveaways through my Instagram account - @thelittle1914shop

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

I absolutely love what I am doing now and hope that through pursuing my love of creativity I can not only provide quality handmade items but help change a child's life as well. That is what this is all about for me. Thank you for taking the time to read a little of what my shop is all about, if you would like a custom order you can contact me through Etsy, my email: elizabethnstarling@gmail.com , or through my Facebook page. I can also be found on Twitter: @little1914shop, & Instagram: @thelittle1914shop.

Building Bridges: Thanks so much for joining us Elizabeth! We have helped with Operation Christmas Child for many many years at our hours and it is very inspiring and exciting to see how you have involved your love of giving through your shop. Keep up the great work and always let your creativity shine! You are a blessing to the world! We wish you many sales as we quickly move into the gift giving season!