Salutations Sunday with Josh and Teo and a GIVEAWAY

Please shout out your salutations for Jenny and her Etsy shop Josh and Teo for my Salutations Sunday feature!

Practical but stylish handmade creations for babies and mamas!

Jenny has also offered one of her creations for a giveaway...please see all of the details after the interview. Now let's discover her creative story...

Toy Leash Tether Strap in Rainbow Stripes

What is the first creative memory you have?

The first time I remember being called artistic was in Grade 1. I had just finished painting a picture of a tree and my teacher Mrs. Patterson asked me if she could keep it. I was so proud of myself! My Mom told me later on that my teacher was really impressed with my painting because it was so realistic – with lots of branches and leaves. There’s a bunch of other moments but this one was my first. My forte is sewing and I remember experimenting quite a bit with a needle and thread before my Mom would allow me to use her Singer. I tried to sew clothes for our dolls and even stitched up Barbie’s head! At the time, I didn’t think to use beige thread so we ended up with FrankenBarbie. Please don’t ask why she needed to be sewn up :) Let’s just say that 3 sisters and 1 Barbie equals trouble!

What or whom began your creative journey on Etsy?

My second child was 7 months old when I opened up my ETSY shop. Prior to that, I was posting pictures on Facebook of all the stuff that I made. Like many here on ETSY, I kept hearing “you should sell your stuff!” I opened up my shop at the end of April 2011 and listed 5 items. After my first sale, my shop took off and I’ve had the opportunity to sell to customers worldwide. ETSY is known for handmade and that’s why I chose to sell on ETSY vs other websites. In fact, I got my first national magazine feature when an editor at Chatelaine magazine saw my toy leash on ETSY.

How did you come up with your shop name?

I kept bouncing ideas off of my husband but nothing stuck. One day, I thought about why I was doing this and who I was doing this for and decided to name my shop after my two boys. Both boys are such an inspiration to me so I decided to name my shop after them. As they start to grow, I’m sure my shop will evolve too. Everything I make is designed and tested for them. If it works, then I put it in my shop.

Toy Leash Tether Strap in Green, Brown, Yellow

Describe what creations you have in your shop

My shop mirrors what I was searching for when I was pregnant with my first son. I ended up sewing many items for my baby boy (now toddler) because I could not find stylish products for baby boys. Hence, all of my fabric choices are unisex so that moms with boys aren't left in the cold! I sell toy leashes, wrist wallets, mini coin wallets, toddler backpacks, tricycle bags, nursing covers, and slim stroller bags.

My most popular items are my toy leashes. I love them and still use them to hold snack cups and toys. I originally designed it to be used with Sophie the Giraffe but it can be used for so much more. I also sell a slim stroller bag which is invaluable to me. I designed it after I got tired of lugging around a clunky big bag. The stroller bag is one of my favourite designs and follows my motto of “practical but stylish”. Lately, I have been sewing toddler backpacks, which I love. Each backpack is custom made and discussed at length by myself and my customer. Throughout the process, I usually end up getting to know these customers very well and I love seeing the pictures they send of their little ones with their new backpacks. I am currently designing some new items and hope to share them soon!

What insprires you?

Every day things inspire me. I look to my children for a lot of my inspiration as well as my day to day life. I market my items as stylish and practical because I love things that are stylish and practical. If it’s not useful, I don’t care how pretty it is. Sewing for boys is a great opportunity to demonstrate some creativity. The marketplace doesn’t have enough “boy” themed items so the sky’s the limit!

Slim Stroller Diaper Bag

What do you listen to or watch while creating?

I usually don’t like to listen to anything while creating as I find it distracting. However, I have started listening to audio books. That gives me the best of both worlds… crafting and reading. I like to sew when I’m at my happiest. If I am tired or not in a good mood, I do not sew. When I sew relaxed and happy, the outcome is always a good one!

Please share a favorite recipe

I have lots but a favorite recipe that I make for my kids is yogurt pops. I posted a tutorial on my blog : handmadebyjt.blogspot.ca/2011/10/tutorial-chocolate-and-yogurt-pops.html . I like to layer them with pudding, applesauce and yogurt. The trick for me is to make them in tiny ketchup cups so that the portion size is smaller. Little kids just can’t eat big popsicles and that’s just more mess for me.
I post my other fave recipes on my blog: handmadebyjt.blogspot.ca/p/recipes.html

Where else can we find you?
I love to blog about the stuff I make. My blog name isn’t my shop name because my blog is a mish mash of stuff I make, stuff I sell, time with the kiddies, and random musings!
Blog: handmadebyjt.blogspot.com/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/joshandteo
Pinterest: pinterest.com/joshandteo
Twitter: twitter.com/joshandteo


And now let's find out what creation Jenny is offering for her giveaway...

Toy Leash in Black and White

 

• 1 toy leash from Josh and Teo's Etsy shop of the winners choice (this black and white one shown is just one example...there are many to choose from in her shop)

***Shipping included for US & Canada entrants ONLY...all other international entrants will have to pay a $5.50 shipping fee

Now to enter...please keep in mind you do not need to do all of the entries, but the more you do the more chances you have at winning!

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/3a999e69/" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway