What is your
business’ name? Itty
Bitty Animals (Adoption
What sort of items do
you make? This
is a low-tech as you can get. There is no sewing machine involved, but only a
needle and a thread. With a pattern, hand-sewn sheep, calves, penguins, birds,
reindeer, pigs, flamingos, rabbits, and pandas can be fashioned before your
very eyes. Since they are hand sewn, each animal is distinctly different. Each
animal is given a name and a fictitious history is created. The history
describes where the animal was found, a little bit about its personality, and
information on its likes and dislikes.
I
also make Itty Bitty Friendship Hearts which can be passed on to friends and
relatives or just to keep for yourself.
When and how did you
learn your craft? I
am a retired school teacher who was looking to develop a crafting hobby during
retirement. I did a lot of sewing of garments and even darned socks! I never
thought of sewing as a career choice or even as a hobby. I started out when I
found a project to make a reindeer in a Better Homes and Garden Christmas book.
I had a lot of trouble getting it put together correctly, but I love challenges
and kept working at it until I got it right. Then I moved into making birds for
the Piedmont Bird Club’s 75th anniversary in April, 2013. I
distributed them as table favors and everyone seemed to enjoy them.
Where do you get your
inspiration from? I
am surrounded by dogs, cats and fish. I love animals and I like to imagine what
it would be like to be that animal and picture its story in my mind. Another
source of inspiration is Antiques Roadshow. I want my collection to be thought
of as “collectibles.” Adopt the animals now, and in 20 – 30 years, they will be
worth much more. You can think of it as investment.
How did you get
started doing this as a business? My first experience was a December craft fair
at St. Pius X School. I literally sold out and was hooked from then on. I
gradually signed up for more craft fairs which were not quite as successful but
my initial success spurred me on to continue. I also took a business class
sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the Small Business
Center.
Do you have any
advice for other crafters/artisans just starting out?Network – network –
network. I highly recommend looking into the Business Readiness Certification
which is an educational program in collaboration with the Greensboro Chamber of
Commerce and Guilford Technical Community College – Small Business Center. This
will provide not only the background you need to be successful in business, but
it will enhance your connections with the business people around you. Check the
Internet for local craft stores that will support your product and check the
availability of craft fair opportunities to promote your product and get
exposure.
No
matter what your career is, always have some kind of hobby. It doesn’t have to
be something you make with your hands; it could just be collecting things. Your
hobby doesn’t necessarily need to grow into a business, but it needs to be
fulfilling for you.
Itty
Bitty Animals (Adoption Center) will be a featured artist at the First Friday
Indie Market on September 5, 2014. The market is located on the corner of
MLK and Elm St in Downtown Greensboro, NC and is open from 4-9 pm.
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