1. Tell us a little about yourself
Hello everyone! My name is Karen.
I am a graphic designer who now design and make felt craft patterns for everyone. I live in Toronto with my hubby and two adorable kids. My daughter Jessie is 5, and my son Isaac is 4. They are the huge fan of my creations and I create things for these two little precious. Just like many other work from home mom, I quit my full time job to care for my two kids. I’ve been working as a freelance graphic designer for about 5 years now. I had a mom who used to make me everything from my own dresses to my Barbie doll dresses. I remember how proud I was to have a mom who can make things just for me. I guess I got that from her. I really enjoy when my kids praise me for what I make for them. I hear the words, “Are you done?” from my kids probably 100 times or more until I complete one set. I also love to design and sew clothing for my kids. I am planning to open a second shop for kids wear e-pattern shop. I will introduce you a simple-easy way to make kids fancy looking wardrobes in most inexpensive ways. (All computer drafted patterns in variety sizes) If you like my dear my kids felt craft shop, I’m sure you will love my new second shop.
2. How long have you been doing this?
I started my etsy shop in 2008. Earlier I was selling the completed set, not the patterns. The sets were selling pretty well, but soon I realized that I don’t have time to work on a new set. I also realized that I’m not a kind of person who enjoy to make same things over and over again. I stop selling things for about a year, I came back to etsy and started to sell patterns since November, 2009. Selling patterns worked better for me. Now I have more time to work on a new project and have fun at the same time.
3. Who/What inspires you?
They are the ones who assign me a project to work on next. They know exactly what they want. Sometime it amazes me when they point out the things I could never think of. They live in an imaginary land where adults have no access to it. They are definitely my number one supporters and the reason for these creations.
4. What's your favorite piece?
I really like how the tea party set came out. This also is my daughter’s favorite piece. This set will make a priceless, one of a kind gift when my daughter is invited to a friend’s birthday party. She will be proudly announcing to her friends, “My mom made it !”. My son’s favorite is the farm animal set. We bring the set when we are out to eat. It will surely keep him quite until the food is served. (And yes, people will come to bother you to ask where you got the set from. Tell them you’ve made them, they will have a googly eyes for you)
5. What advice do you have for a beginner?
My advice to a beginner is, DON’T be afraid. Many people convos to tell me that they love the set but they don’t know how to sew. I have developed this symbol system with my instructions. My instructions will tell you not only how to sew, it will even tell you where to apply which sewing method. All my instructions are fully explained with step by step, simple to understand illustrations. All my patterns come in full size scale so you don’t need to scale down or up anything. There is no high level of skills to practice here. Put the pieces together as the instructions tell you, and you will have the set ready for your loved ones. Once you finish one set, your next set will be a piece of cake. Felt craft can be a great way to make a unique gift for someone special. It will definitely make a priceless gift for everyone. I totally recommend to try it even if you've never sewn anything before.
6. Where can we find you?
My etsy shops: (felt patterns) http://www.dearmykids.etsy.com
(kids easy wear) http://www.dmkeasywear.etsy.com
My blog: http://www.dearmykids.blogspot.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/dearmykids
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/dearmykids
Karen has generously offered 3 people their choice of pattern from her felt pattern shop!! (Pattern sets & kits are not included)
To enter:
Leave a comment telling Karen what is your favorite item from her Dear My Kids shop.
Must do this first before you can get any additional entries.
Extra Entries (please leave a separate comment for each):
- Follow my blog via google friend connect (current followers count).
- Subscribe to my blog via RSS or/and e-mail.
- Blog about this contest and link it back to this post.
- Follow Dear My Kids Blog.
- Follow me & DearMyKids on twitter and tweet @melaniescrafts & @DearMyKids about this giveaway.
- Become a fan of me on Facebook.
- Become a fan of Dear My Kids on Facebook.
- Purchase a pattern from Dear My Kids during giveaway.
Don't forget today is the last day to enter the $40GC to Soms Studio Supplies Giveaway.
