I officially have house fever. A while back, while searching for possible link partnerships for work (I build links for a auto covers site and a patio furniture cover site), I came across two AMAZING house blogs:
Young House Love
The Lettered Cottage
Both blogs are written by couples who are DIY junkies. The before and after photos of some of their rooms are absolutely incredible. Fast forward to me begging my husband to buy a house- just so I could decorate it. We settled on me THINKING about how I will decorate it. Which, as you can tell, brought me to an unhealthy addiction to Etsy, Craigslist, and Pinterest.
Right now, we’re renting and decor options are limited. It’s not easy to rationalize putting a lot of time and money into a home that isn’t yours. So I’ve settled on temporary, removable decor items that I can bring with us when we decide to move.
I started in the bedroom. We currently have a yellow, gray and black thing happening in there. I was shopping online for some possible decor gems, when I came across My Pillow Studio, and this pillow cover:
::audible gasp::
Hello, lover!
Of course, I scooped them up. They’re incredibly well made- a thick, canvas material. Side zippers allow you to change the inserts easily. Anyway, besides having a serious shopping addiction, you know that I can never just let things be. I had to talk to them. So brings me to this post, about Suzan and Glenda, the two ladies behind My Pillow Studio. Suzan gave me all the details behind the success of their innovative, fun Etsy store. I’ve included pictures of their adorable pillows throughout.
M: Tell me more about your business- why pillows? When did you guys start working with fabrics?
S: We have always worked with fabric, since childhood. Both our mothers sewed, so we grew up sewing. About 20 years ago I started a custom window coverings business, which was very successful….but very stressful. Last year, Glenda and I decided to start making “ready mades” and about that time, discovered Etsy. It took us 6 months to realize Etsy would be a great outlet for us, and thought pillows and bags would be good products to start. Online customers are so nice and appreciative…I’m loving it! I especially the interaction between shops. It’s like a big family sometimes.
M: When did you two start working together? How did you meet?
S: Glenda and I have been working together for about 4 years now. She came to my shop (when it was still open) and asked for a job. We work so well together that we decided to partner up.
My Pillow Studio, Turquoise and Lumbar
M: What styles inspire you the most?
S: All fabrics. The colors, the textures, the hand. But if there had to be a favorite, it would be the natural fibers…cotton, linen, silks, bamboo and flax.
M: How does this fit in with your everyday life? Is this a full-time job for you, or just a hobby? What are your future plans?
S: Oh, this is a full time job…we’re self employed, so we really work more than full time. We will be adding ready made curtain panels this summer. We hope to get this performing like a well oiled machine so we can work smarter…not harder 🙂
M: Five things you can’t live without:
S: A cup of tea in the morning, sunshine, the ocean in my ears, my family/friends and my pillow 🙂 Sometimes in that order.
M: What’s your advice for other people looking to monetize from their passion/creativity:
S: Do your research before jumping in…and then work your butt off!
My Pillow Studio Giveaway
Suzan and Glenda were gracious enough to give one of my readers a chance to win
a set (two pillow cases) of these 16″ Zig Zag Light Blue/Tan canvas pillow covers
(shown below):
To enter, just comment on this entry, (please include your name).
To gain an extra entry, purchase something from My Pillow Studio, and link to it in your comment on my blog.
Giveaway ends on Thursday, May 17th, 2012 at Midnight.
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