When you design from the heart things that you love, you often find that others love them too!
Question: When did you open your shop?
I opened my first basic shop in the winter of 2009, just after the birth of my son. But I upgraded to a premium cafepress store this past Christmas season (2010). Since upgrading, I've really seen my business explode!
Question: What’s the story behind your shop?
I started designing shirts just after my baby was born because I wanted to celebrate his birth with fun gifts for the new grandmas, grandpas and aunts, but I couldn't find just what I was looking for. I wanted something simple and clean, but not overly cutesy. I loved the look of baby footprints and handprints, so I began designing with scans of my son's own feet and hands, and turning them into art.
Question: How do you find inspiration for your designs?
Life. From the joy I get from looking at my baby's tiny feet, to the joy I feel now when I hold my toddler's hands. Those connections are the things that link us to our children, and through the hands and feet our children grow to learn about the world. Watching my son expand his sense of the world is always the first point of design inspiration.
Question: What makes your designs original?
Clean designs typically featuring colorful baby handprints and footprints. I am very thoughtful about all the design needs of a newly expanded family, as you try to celebrate the new roles your baby has created just by being born! There are big brothers, new moms, new fathers, geek uncles, baking grandmas, golfing grandpas, and more.
Question: Where do you go to design and work on your shop?
Believe it or not, I first started designing one-handed during those long first months with an infant who cries the minute you put them down, and so was always in my arms. Now I usually work on my laptop on the couch after my toddler has gone to bed.
Question: What has been your proudest moment as a Shopkeeper, so far?
My son was born prematurely, and in those early weeks I desperately needed to feel proud and supported in the tough job of being a NICU mother. One of the first things I did was design for preemies and NICU Mamas. Every time I see a NICU mom or dad item has been purchased, my heart bursts with love and empathy for that person. Through my design, I feel like I get to help them walk that tough path.
Question: When you're not hard at work in your shop, what do you enjoy doing?
I am desperately in love with my toddler right now. He just learned to ride his tricycle, discovered how to speak in phrases, and his personality is fun and sweet. I honestly enjoy spending time with him and seeing him discover the world. When I'm not doing that, I'm writing my dissertation.
Question: What design tool can you not live without?
Well, since handprints and footprints are the basis of so many of my designs, I'd have to say I can't live without paint. That puddle of paint is where it all begins, before the designs ever get scanned into editing software.
Question: How would you describe your style?
Generally clean designs, simple graphic elements combined with short lines of text. Minimalist and sweet without being cutesy.
Question: What’s your background?
I'm a mother and a graduate student. I've been a food blogger for years (see my original recipes and photographs on the Skinny Gourmet), which is how I got involved in teaching myself a bit more about photography and design.
Question: What are you working on, in your shop, right now?
In anticipation of Mother's Day, I have just expanded to a line of personalized gear for moms featuring popular baby names, like "Liam's Mama" and "Chloe's Mommy." I am also working on a new line of gear for baby and grandparents celebrating their ethnic heritage using colored baby footprints to create world flags.
