Thursday, June 28, 2012

Featured Etsian ~ Patty of The Plaid Cupcake

Grey Chevron Luggage tag


I met Patty through a group I'm in called the "Clubhouse". It's a group of networkers with the common theme that we are all pursuing our dream career. She sells handmade, sewn accessories to "sweeten your life" in her Etsy store The Plaid Cupcake (click me). She has some really great stuff including luggage tags and coffee cozy sleeves (I think I will just HAVE to get one of these!) Anyway here's a little Q & A so you can get the chance to meet Ms. Patty and see the great stuff she does!






How long have you been sewing?
I’ve only been sewing about two years, but I’ve always been crafty. Before sewing I used to make jewelry as well as knit, crochet, and needlepoint. The only craft I’ve ever tried that I DIDN’T like was scrapbooking, I just don’t think I have the patience for it!


So since you are a knitter I HAVE to ask! What is the latest thing off your needles?
I save most of my knitting and crocheting for the holiday season! The last thing I did was a “red sox” knit cap for my 7 year-old nephew.


What got you interested in sewing in the first place?
I was actually at a local craft store that sold both beads and fabric. I popped in for some beads for a necklace but then fell in love with the fabric they were selling instead. I looked up some tutorials online and made my first project – a reversible tote bag. I was hooked from there!


What made you decide to open your store?
There were only so many coffee cozies and luggage tags that I could off load on my friends and family, so I thought a shop would be a fun way to share my creativity with the world.


Where does your inspiration come from?
I get inspired just by being around other creative people, both online and in person. I have a fabulous community of ladies online that I check-in with regularly, and two fabulous chicas that I work with every Wednesday at a nearby coffee shop. Together we keep each other on task!


I have 2 dogs and they run the house! Do you have any pets?
So funny you asked this – my husband and I just adopted two rescue bunnies. Their names are Cinnamon and Chili and we’re absolutely in love with them! I’m trying to teach them how to cut out patterns and iron but so far they seem to just prefer hopping around, eating hay, and keeping me company.


Cinamon & Chili eatin breakfast




What's your story?
I grew up in Upstate New York (near the Adirondacks) and went to school in Boston where I majored in Business. I met my husband while in College and he turned me into a Celtics and Patriots fan. My family are all rabid Red Sox fans, too! From there I moved down to the NJ/NY area and worked in Manhattan in fundraising. 


Who has been your biggest supporter and what about it is most important to you?
My husband is definitely my biggest cheer leader – he puts up with having pin cushions and scraps of fabric all around the house. My whole family is also fantastic and always spreading the word about The Plaid Cupcake – without all of them it would be a whole lot harder to keep myself going.

What is the most favorite thing in your store?
ACK! That’s like asking someone to choose their favorite child! My favorite fabric right now is the chevron that comes in gray, pink, orange, and turquoise.


Coffee Cozy Sleeve


What do you enjoy creating the most?
I love making custom orders or items that I know are a present for someone. I love picturing their face when they open up the item and the love they’ll hopefully have for it afterwards.




What do you like to do when you aren't working for your store?

I’m a sucker for reality TV shows (So You Think You Can Dance is my current fave.) I also enjoy running, trying out new recipes, and the occasional yoga.
*** So you think you can dance is my all time favorite show too!!! I've been watching it since it began. I've even sucked my husband into watching it. LOL

Do you run your store full time or do you have another job to fund "the dream"
I’m a part-time freelance grant writer in addition to running my shop and creative biz. For the time being, it’s what brings in the “bacon” but I’m hoping that will slowly change.

  I heard recently that you have started working on having your items in boutiques! Exciting and congrats! What can you tell us about that? 
Yes! It’s something that I’ve been wanting to do for a while. It’s been a slow process for sure. For the time being I’m only in one local shop, but I’ve been getting a bunch of interest from other small shops. I’m hopeful that part of my biz will pick up over the Summer. My thought with it is that I’ll get out of it as much as I put into it – so I really need to focus on contacting more shops and just getting my stuff out there! I recently launched a mission to get 100 No’s on my blog: http://plaidcupcake.com/2012/05/31/100-nos/

What has been the most exciting/memorable experience with your shop?
My first sale! It was a card wallet made out of NYC subway map fabric. It literally made my heart skip a beat and make me think “hey! People like my stuff! Cool!”

Do you have any new/fun things coming in the near future that you can give readers a sneak peek about?
Yes! I’m going to be selling new ruffled wristlets and am considering custom made laptop cases. I’m always up for new ideas and custom orders if people send them my way!



That's all for the interview! Thanks again to Patty for letting me quiz her and sharing with us! You can find her and her goodies @:
Twitter: @plaidcupcake

4 comments:

  1. Great post! Those are adorable rabbits. My husband and I adopted a dwarf jersey wooley rabbit in March. I've always had cats, but my husband is allergic. I missed having a pet, so we decided to adopt a rabbit. They make great pets!

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  2. It so great you guys were able to connect about a shared life goal. Patty's shop is awesome! I have a 13 year old pet rabbit that is a source of inspiration for me too! :)

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  3. Wonderful post! I love the idea of having a group of people getting together to share their journey doing something they love! I love Patty's shop name, too. She really has a great eye for patterns.

    Thanks for stopping by Etsy Tots!
    Tiffany

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  4. The clubhouse has been a wonderful resource for my business and sanity. I have met a lot of other wonderful people there, including some who are helping with my branding and marketing that has been invaluable. It's a safe place to scream, laugh, and cry. I recommend it to anyone who is building a business.

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