Featured Handmade Artist- SweetStitchShop
Hello! I'm super excited to introduce you to Sue from SweetStitchShop! Sue is relatively new to etsy, having only started her shop in January of this year, but you'd never know it by looking at her shop!
I LOVE this little fabric bucket! (I'm imagining having several of them on my shelved storing all my little sewing and scrapbook bits...)
Hi Sue! Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
My name is Sue Redekop and I live in the capital of Canada- Ottawa, Ontario. I sew and design items for children and the home. I love creating items that are cute to look at but functional at the same time.
What is the first craft project you remember making?
My first craft project takes me back to grade school days where I made a jewelery box out of popsicle sticks and glue. It was "fancied" up a bit with gold spray paint (what can I say - it was the 70's!) I think my mother still has it to this day.
Where does your inspiration come from?
I am inspired by sweet, whimsical fabrics and modern design. I love to stay on top of worldwide design trends and colors by reading blogs and magazines.
Can you please describe some of your creative process?
My creative process usually begins by sourcing fabrics and thinking "that would make such a cute peasant top...fabric bin...etc." or saying to myself " I MUST use this fabric in some project...it's too sweet to pass up!" Fabric is definitely my starting point.
What is your most prized handmade possession?
My most prized handmade possessions are stuffed Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls made by my aunt who is a wonderfulseamstress and a little stitched sampler my mother made for my son.
If you could give one piece of advice to a new etsy seller, what would it be?
Being new to Etsy myself my best advice would be to believe in yourself everyday and just keep doing what you love despite slow or hard times.
What are some of the ways you promote yourself and shop?
I try to promote my work through my blog, twitter, flickr, word of mouth, local craft fairs, and local boutiques.
Shop: www.etsy.com/shop/sweetstitchshop
Blog: www.finehandstudio.blogspot.com/
Twitter: twitter.com/shopsweetstitch
Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/35966835@N02/
Local Shops: Flock Boutique - www.flockboutique.ca/
Workshop Boutique - www.workshopboutique.ca/
Boutique Le Local - www.boutiquelelocal.com/
What are three website that you cannot live without?
The three websites I couldn't live without are:
Etsy
Twitter
New York Times online...(I am a newspaper junkie!)
Where do you see yourself in ten years?
In ten years I see myself in a smaller house with a dedicated sewing/music studio space and hopefully growing my brand.
If you could have one super power, what would it be and why?
I would love to have some type of magical superpower that would clean my house, do the dishes and all the mundane things that take time away from the creative process!
Thanks so much Sue! I really enjoyed this interview!!!
Please be sure to stop by Sue's shop and check out all the wonderful homewares and gifts!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/sweetstitchshop
If you would like to be featured on my blog in a Featured Artist series, or you would like to recommend an artist to me, please leave a comment or send me an email at aprilbern at gmail dot com.
Thanks so much!!!
-April
http://www.creativeapples.etsy.com
I LOVE this little fabric bucket! (I'm imagining having several of them on my shelved storing all my little sewing and scrapbook bits...)
Hi Sue! Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
My name is Sue Redekop and I live in the capital of Canada- Ottawa, Ontario. I sew and design items for children and the home. I love creating items that are cute to look at but functional at the same time.
What is the first craft project you remember making?
My first craft project takes me back to grade school days where I made a jewelery box out of popsicle sticks and glue. It was "fancied" up a bit with gold spray paint (what can I say - it was the 70's!) I think my mother still has it to this day.
Where does your inspiration come from?
I am inspired by sweet, whimsical fabrics and modern design. I love to stay on top of worldwide design trends and colors by reading blogs and magazines.
Can you please describe some of your creative process?
My creative process usually begins by sourcing fabrics and thinking "that would make such a cute peasant top...fabric bin...etc." or saying to myself " I MUST use this fabric in some project...it's too sweet to pass up!" Fabric is definitely my starting point.
What is your most prized handmade possession?
My most prized handmade possessions are stuffed Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls made by my aunt who is a wonderfulseamstress and a little stitched sampler my mother made for my son.
If you could give one piece of advice to a new etsy seller, what would it be?
Being new to Etsy myself my best advice would be to believe in yourself everyday and just keep doing what you love despite slow or hard times.
What are some of the ways you promote yourself and shop?
I try to promote my work through my blog, twitter, flickr, word of mouth, local craft fairs, and local boutiques.
Shop: www.etsy.com/shop/sweetstitchshop
Blog: www.finehandstudio.blogspot.com/
Twitter: twitter.com/shopsweetstitch
Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/35966835@N02/
Local Shops: Flock Boutique - www.flockboutique.ca/
Workshop Boutique - www.workshopboutique.ca/
Boutique Le Local - www.boutiquelelocal.com/
What are three website that you cannot live without?
The three websites I couldn't live without are:
Etsy
New York Times online...(I am a newspaper junkie!)
Where do you see yourself in ten years?
In ten years I see myself in a smaller house with a dedicated sewing/music studio space and hopefully growing my brand.
If you could have one super power, what would it be and why?
I would love to have some type of magical superpower that would clean my house, do the dishes and all the mundane things that take time away from the creative process!
Thanks so much Sue! I really enjoyed this interview!!!
Please be sure to stop by Sue's shop and check out all the wonderful homewares and gifts!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/sweetstitchshop
If you would like to be featured on my blog in a Featured Artist series, or you would like to recommend an artist to me, please leave a comment or send me an email at aprilbern at gmail dot com.
Thanks so much!!!
-April
http://www.creativeapples.etsy.com