Dough and a Dear

With fall in full swing we are taking this week to review an amazing croquet hat by Tiffany! She is the shop owner of Dough and a Dear, on Etsy.com!

What can be better than a custom made oversized hat with a cute little pom-pom?? Add a scarf and I believe I am ready for a Sunday stroll around the park!

Let’s review!

The Feel – Oh la la just love that this hat is made with 100% acrylic yarn. It is soft to the touch! You know how sometimes you look at a hat and think it’s fabulous until you touch it and it feels rough on your finger tips?? Nope not here!

Durability – Can you say fashionable yet durable? Hehe this little purple and grey bundle can handle the weather, unlike certain pieces of outer ware that are basically just for looks. This hat is for turning heads and wearing around town – maybe even in the snow! Ohh how we miss the snow!

Sizes – Tiffany is so fabulous with customizing sizes not just for women, but for men, teens, children, & babies too!

 

Warmth ratio – Another plus from this hat is that the material is thick enough to keep your head warm, but light enough not to “hurt” your head but being too heavy. This is actually a concern I have with certain hat wear…If I’m going to wear it for a long time I don’t won’t to be bothered by it.

Conclusion – If you’re in the market to purchase a new fashionable hat for yourself or loved one, order from Tiffany!! You won’t be sorry! Remember to always support your local businesses and Etsy shop owners, they love you and want to bring joy to you through their beautiful work

**Let’s learn a little bit about the shop owner**

"Tiffany, a self-proclaimed Jill of all Trades, is the heart and hands behind Dough and a Dear. As a part-time nanny and longtime crochet addict, she opened an Etsy shop filled with handcrafted whimsical housewares and headwear. Taking the basics from lessons with grandma decades ago, she flips a traditional art on its head with bright neons and modern design. From flower crowns to heart blankets, each item is customized stitch by stitch for every customer and new friend.
 

Never wanting to settle down, Dough and a Dear is on track to open a doughnut food truck within the year. Currently, you can snag a bite of everyone's favorite guilty pleasure by pulling up a seat to Tiffany's kitchen table. OR have her cater your next wedding, shower, Tuesday night movie marathon...
Between experimenting with the tastiest flavor combos and prepping for her upcoming Kickstarter video to fund said truck, life is delightfully full.

 Check out etsy her Etsy shop HERE! Follow @doughandadear on Instagram for business updates, giveaways, and photos of really cute kids snacking on doughnuts the size of their head.  Also feel free to send an email to tiffany.aufmann@gmail to say "Hey!", support small business by inquiring about catering, offer words of encouragement, or make a coffee date! "

 

Thank you Tiffany for sharing your lovely talent and time with us! We are blessed to know you and hope that your new business venture (doughnut food truck) is a fabulous as your Etsy shop!! Have a wonderful season!

A love for art translated into jewelry

 

Today we meet the owner behind Zentranced on Etsy! We are super excited to be featuring another up and coming shop that has just hit the scene this past February! Entrepreneurship rocks!

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

My name is Hailey and I am the creative mind behind Zentranced.  I have a mom and dad who both run their own small businesses, and two younger siblings.  I am happily engaged, and my fiancé and I have recently moved into our first apartment together.  When I’m not crafting or wedding planning, I simply enjoy spending time with the people I love. 

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

I decided to open Zentranced as a way to do what I love while making a profit at the same time.  It’s a small shop right now, but I’m working hard to make it grow.  Eventually, I want to be able to quit my day job and have Zentranced be my full time career. 

Building Bridges: Best advice you received when you went into business for yourself?

Don’t sell anything you dread making.  If you love what you sell, so will buyers.

Building Bridges: Why make handmade products?

Handmade products are wonderful because they give you endless room for creativity.  It’s incredibly satisfying to start with an idea, and turn it into reality.  Making handmade products also allows you to be fully immersed in the process of creating it- you can see to it that no detail, no matter how small, is overlooked.

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

I pick a show to marathon on Netflix (I get way too wrapped up in my crafting to be bothered to switch shows) pour myself a hot cup of tea, and just craft.  I like to give myself more time than I actually need to finish a project, so that I don’t end up rushing and making silly mistakes. 

Building Bridges: Do you take custom orders?

I love custom orders.  It’s always intriguing to hear others share their ideas, and I enjoy taking those ideas and making them reality.  My favorite custom orders to accept are my Steal your Face Necklaces.  Deadheads come up with some pretty cool ideas!

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

My favorite item is my Cartoon Rain Cloud Necklace.  I wanted to create something very whimsical and unique, and I think the final product is adorable.  When I show people some of the stuff I make, the cloud necklace tends to get the biggest response. 

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

I love making the products in my shop, but I hate trying to market them. It can be frustrating to get my items seen.  I’ve been told over and over again that social media is a great way to advertise, but I’m terrible with social media.  Logging into Facebook rarely crosses my mind more than once a week; it’s just hard for me to be interested in it.  I just want to craft instead.    

I hope you enjoy my work as much as I have enjoyed creating it!

Hailey resides in Collinsville, Connecticut with her fiancé, Josh. 

Please be sure to visit Hailey at her Etsy Shop, Facebook, Tumblr, & Instagram! Follow, Fave, & love on this talented lady! Customers can best through her  Etsy Shop, or by emailing Zentranced@comcast.net. Hailey - Thanks so much for hanging with us and sharing your story! Have a wonderful fall season up there in Connecticut! Bet the weather is just beautiful this time of year. :)

Sunshine and Curls

The Story

My name is Savanna and I'm almost 17. I'm a high school student in Alabama and I've always had my hands in all kinds of arts and crafts. You name it I probably did it! Who doesn’t loving earrings?? I really love making my own original earrings because I believe they're a really great way to express my own individual style and interests, along with you the customer, being able to share yours!! Plus they are positively one of the best conversation starters there can be!!

 

 How did I get into starting my own shop on Etsy?? Well I just so happen to have some really amazing friends who asked me about the earrings I was wearing (told you they were a great convo starter!!) :) After I made a few pairs for them then it all spiraled into a shop from there! The name for my shop came from my best friend, Jordan. One day I was totally and completely “full of sadness”. It was one of those really bad days and she said ,"Savanna, but you're also full of sunshine and curls!". Her sweetness just made everything click because it is true I HAVE INSANELY CURLY HAIR! 

 

Please feel free to check out my shop Sunshine and Curls! Would love to make your day as bright and happy and my friend Jordan made mine!

The Review

Savanna was so sweet to contact us about reviewing one of her products via Instagram. I looked at her blossoming shop, that opened just this past July, and was completely enamored by the eclectic but positively too cute earrings that she makes. What pair of earrings did we ask her to send for review? None other than the Ferris Bueller studs!

1)      It’s Ferris Bueller memorabilia and who from the 80’s & 90’s can’t say that watched more than a dozen times?

2)      There is always the fear when mixing fashion with movie memorabilia that it will come off as tacky. Not these little studs! They are perfect for female or males to wear! I have a friend of mine who can’t wait to get his hands on these guys!

3)      Smooth no rough – these little round studs are perfectly smooth, lightweight, and durable for wearing out. Some earrings you worry they won’t last or fall out from being too heavy…definitely not a fear here.

Overall these earrings are in top notch gift giving condition! Be sure to get your friend a wonderful laughable present that will be sure to be worn and talked about when there just doesn’t seem to be enough categories in the room to fill your convo with!

Savanna – thank you so much for the sweet interview! You are doing just positively fantastic for such a young entrepreneur! We wish you all of the best and we love our new Ferris Bueller earrings! Have a wonderful holiday season! Readers be sure to check out her shop SUNSHINE AND CURLS for all of her latest products!

Feature Story - The Texas Gypsy

 
We are super excited to have met back up with The Texas Gypsy at another vendor event this past summer! I had the pleasure of bringing back some goodies to try out! What scent did I test you may ask? Well after  perusing the Dragon's Heart, Bongfire Bliss, & Sassy Strawberry, but was instantly infatuated with the Lemon Poppy Goat's Milk scent. Not only was she going to let me be the tester of a fine bar of soap, but also her new twistable lotion bar, & bath bomb too!

Lemon Poppy Goat's Milk Soap - I have to admit, I was a little cautious about trying a different brand of soap other than my trusty Dove. I even went as far as to warm up to using the new bar by first sitting it on my counter for a few days...then unwrapping it, moving it to the shower, to sit there and look pretty for a few more days. It's the truth I tell you! But then, I tried out this fabulously delicious smelling soap and I have fallen in love! It keeps my skin so soft and smooth and the actual poppy seed that is mixed into the soap is like it's own little scrub.  After a few days I realized that the lemon (from the Essential Oils) was helping aid in clearing my acne (yes as an adult I still have acne). Go get yourself some! it's only $5 for all of her soap bars!

Lemon Poppy  Lotion Bar - What do you get when you have
Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Shea Butter, Organic Coconut Oil, Refined Beeswax, & essential oils? You get sweet smelling, easy rub on lotion - that's what! So I'm not exactly a greasy lotion loving fan...and with this lotion I don't have to be! This lotion is THE BEST when it comes to softening my sometimes rough elbows and for rubbing on my legs after a nice shave. This lotion has ZERO GREASE and leaves my skin silky smooth.

Lemon Poppy Bath Bomb - I'm sold on this entire line! It's time for the last item for review, but definately, not the least! Put some steaming hot water in your tub, toss in the bath bomb (I broke it in half to use twice) and enjoy the suds! Kick your feet up and enjoy the pleasant feel of your skin being revitalized.

 I have only the most positive things to say about The Texas Gypsy's products and this line is a must try! I promise you will be hooked! Can't wait to see Heather this coming weekend (gotta love those Texas festivals) to hit her up for more soap bars! 

Here is a Flashback from out interview with Heather, this past April

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We had the amazing pleasure of catching up with Heather Barricklow AKA The Texas Gypsy at 7 Acre Wood's annual Easter market, this past weekend. After recently quitting her full time job to join the world of entrepreneurs, Heather has successfully launched her own shop on Etsy.com. Check out our interview below

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

The Texas Gypsy: My name is Heather Barricklow Cunningham, I'm 31 years old, been married for 8 years to the love of my life, and have always had a creative and artistic drive. I was never really into my school work with the "writing" of papers, but boy can I tell you, I always had the pretties reports!!! I am an only child of my beautiful loving parents Roger and Betsy Barricklow. I have been very lucky in life with, my parents who have always supported me in all my endeavors! When I was about 19, they encouraged me to start my own mural painting business. It was fun, but I figured out real quickly that I wasn't going to make my fortune at that. For fun I decorate my house,  and make dinner for friends and family. Not being from a large family myself my friends and in-laws are my everything. I don't have any children yet, but I do have two fur babies. One is a lab mix named Gator. And, my other is a rescued blue nose pit named Ludo (that big friendly creature from the "Labyrinth" movie). And I make Bath products. I love creating Soaps, lotion bars, and a multitude of other fun things.  

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

The Texas Gypsy: Well honestly, I started out making stained glass jewelry. I found I really enjoyed making soaps and sugar scrubs for myself (I have very sensitive skin) and gifts for others. The scrubs took on a life of their own and I started selling them at work, and to friends, and family. As for opening on Etsy, I’ve been a long time customer of Etsy and just loved the whole idea of the site. They really pioneered something grand in setting up a space for artisans. Not to mention it was/is a WAY better venue then Ebay for artists and those who appreciate art. Plus it was super easy to set up lol.

Building Bridges: When did your shop officially open?

The Texas Gypsy: I guess you can say I officially opened back in 2010. But really didn't get things going until 2013. That same year I made the decision to leave my full time job of 9 years, in the oil industry - to pursue The Texas Gypsy full time. My wonderful husband had encouraged me to follow my passion and it has meant a lot to me!

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

The Texas Gypsy: Yes I want to show my appreciation to everyone that is here with me during the beginning. So I have a promo code of THANKYOU15, where you get 15% off your entire purchase (expires at the end of 2014). Aren't I sooo nice to my peeps! www.etsy.com/shop/thetexasgypsy/

Building Bridges: Please keep us posted! We can’t wait to see your new website! We love to attend craft and vendor markets - do you?

The Texas Gypsy: I ADORE all the markets! I get great ideas, meet fascinating people, network, and buy all kinds of cool stuff.
 

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

The Texas Gypsy: Yes! I knew I didn't belong in corporate hell. I have always had a drive to create, try, and make my products profitable (and believe me they weren't always profitable)!! I believe you have to fail at things in order to achieve what you really want and need in life. It wouldn't be called work if it were always easy! The cubicle world was extremely hard for me – especially being away from my loved ones so much, that my co workers started to become my family. which is a whole other thing with in its self. LOL   

Building Bridges: Okay…maybe an odd question...do you use the soaps you make?

The Texas Gypsy: ALL DAY EVERYDAY. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I didn't love my products enough to use them. How could I sell to John Q public if I really didn't believe in what I made. Believing in what you do and being successful with it is the American dream, the core roots of what we were built on. We test ever batch for quality. I get excited about making my products look their best. Each product does not look exactly identical once it is made, but I can say they will always be the best quality every time, or it doesn't ship out!

Building Bridges: What is your favorite product on the market and why?

The Texas Gypsy: My favorite item I make as of right now, is our Shaving brushes. Mainly because I get the privilege of spending time with my dad in his workshop. We use his tools and even some of my grandfather’s tools, and I learn something new every time, whether it be, how to turn the wood a certain way to get a different texture, or a funny story from my father’s childhood. We put so much love in every one of our shaving brushes that they are just priceless to me!

The first brush me and my dad made!

Building Bridges: Anything else we can share about you and your shop?

The Texas Gypsy: I encourage everyone to learn from their older generations. Things like learning crochet from a co worker, recipes from my mom, how to get the lawn mower working again from my dad, how to change a toilet from your husband. Too many people have gotten caught up in the fast pace of life where if you know how to sew or make bread from scratch you’re the weird person. I say to heck with all of that. I find it has made me a more independent, well rounded person learning and listening to the generation before me to do everything! And if the Zombie Apocalypse happens believe me having these skill will make you much more appealing to your community to keep you alive. LOL 

Thanks to Building Bridges Marketing, everyone can follow my shop on Facebook, Pinterest, Intagram, Flickr, Twitter, Google+, and Tumblr. I am working on my own website as we speak (hoping to have it up and running before the fall)! Will keep you posted!! 

Building Bridges: Thanks Heather for taking time out of your day! We look forward to following your shop and enjoying your beautiful soaps and scrubs! We've added a few fun snap shots of Heather's booth from the vendor market this weekend.