Feature & Giveaway: Tutubelle

Tell us about yourself

I am a stay at home mom of two sweet, but completely wacky little girls. I began sewing as a small child (over 20 years ago), and have come back to it time and again throughout my life as time and circumstances have allowed. After having my kiddos, I began to focus most of my sewing time on them and eventually on other children as well. Now, as soon as my girls are in bed, you can pretty much bet that I will be at the sewing table...making custom dolls, putting together embroidered doll quilts, or squeezing in a new skirt for one of my own munchkins.

Tell us about your previous working situation and how you discovered Etsy

Once upon a time, I was a teacher. I left my job when I had my second daughter and discovered Etsy through an old friend of mine. It seemed a perfect fit as I had recently been getting a lot of requests from friends and family to make custom items for their kiddos.



How did you come up with your shop name?

My etsy shop was named after my oldest daughter...well actually her nickname, Belle. But when baby girl number two came along, I had to add her nickname too, so my business became Belle + Bee, but I can still be found at tutubelle on Etsy.

What first made you want to start selling your creations?

Other people:) I was posting tons of pics of my girls in the clothes that I had made for them and my friends and family started hounding me to sell some things.



What inspires you?

My babies:) Everything I make is inspired by their actions, their personalities, memories of them when they were still tiny and squishy, hopes for their futures, and the things that make them smile.

How do you promote your work?

Currently, most of my business is local...I have a pretty strong base in my hometown area that was created totally by word of mouth (and a few well-placed garment tags!). It has taken me a while to find my niche on Etsy, but I am feeling really good about my current direction with the focus on toys and gifts. So, now that I am finding my groove, I'm trying to increase my exposure through swaps, website features, etc. But I think the best promotion is the smiling face that receives one of my creations...how can you resist that?


What goals do you have in store for the future of your shop?

I am currently working on two major lines of dolls/stuffed animals. The first has a days-gone-by feel and is made with lots of vintage fabrics and sweet little trimmings. The second is a collection of modern stuffed animals, that are very minimalistic in design and rely heavily on fabric selection to create a personality. Each of my dolls are one-of-a-kind. I absolutely never duplicate a doll. I believe that they all have their own little stories, lives, souls and that can never be reproduced. So my main goal is to expand on my collection of dolls and doll accessories and to increase exposure for my toys.

What is your favorite item in your shop at the moment?

PENELOPE:) And her pirate stitchings quilt, of course. That one was very much designed with my oldest daughter, Belle, in mind. She's a hard-core princess fanatic, but all of a sudden has shown great interest in all things piratey...it's a new obsession that we are happy to encourage:) Her mama was never the princess type!



Is there anything else you would like to share?

The best part of my venture into a home-based business has been getting to know the online art community. I have been truly amazed at the generosity, willingness to share, and team spirit that I have found on Etsy and through my blog. And I try really hard to give back as much as I have received, but I have been truly blessed by the connections I have made in the last year.

Thank you Becky for letting us get to know your business!

Connect with Belle + Bee (tutubelle)

Etsy: http://tutubelle.etsy.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/pages/Belle-Bee/319006404683
Blog: http://belle-n-bee.blogspot.com

Belle + Bee is giving away a custom onesie!

Giveaway is open to everyone

TO ENTER. REQUIRED before you do any extra entries!! (please leave a valid email so I can contact you if you win)

1. Visit Belle + Bee and tell me what design you will put on the onesie.

EXTRA ENTRIES (please leave separate comments for each entry)-

- Follow me on Twitter @Petitetuques (please leave me your username)
- Tweet this giveaway and leave a status link (1x daily)
- Like In a Poke Reviews on facebook
- Like Belle + Bee on facebook
- Follow In a Poke Reviews via GFC
- Follow Belle + Bee via GFC
- Subscribe to In a Poke Reviews newsletter
- Subscribe by email to In a Poke Reviews
- Blog about this giveaway ( 1x daily)

Winner will be chosen via random.org on Aug 1, 2011. Comments will close at 12 pm EDT