Sunday Shop

We're going to change the "Feature Friday on a Sunday" to "Sunday Shop" from now on. It was just becoming too much to type. 
This week's Sunday Shop is:

Cuddle Bug Gifts boutique has the most colorful children's clothing on Etsy. The designs that you will find in April's shop are loud and fun and playful.

We'll be featuring some of her newer Easter-themed listings.

Why not start with a bunny? This adorable little bunny appliquéd shirt comes with  pink ruffled pants that make for a very sweet outfit that can actually be worn all summer.

The second I laid eyes on this Knot Dress, I fell in love. My favorite thing about it is that no matter which hair ties you child wants to wear, they'll undoubtedly match! A little girl could have a lot of fun in this wonderful mixed-pattern dress.

The Pillowcase Dress is as sweet as it is simple. It would look great on any little girl AND it has matching polka dot bloomers for the girl on the go.

Cuddle Bug Gifts boutique also does boys clothing.

April, what got you started when you started learning how to sew?

I started sewing by hand as a child making clothing for my dolls with leftover scraps from my grandmother. She sewed all the time making clothing for her, her grandchildren, and the house. My mother bought my first sewing machine for me when I was 16 and I had first started out redecorating my room with some pretty wild prints. It wasn't until I had my first child almost 3 years ago that I began sewing children's clothing and have never looked back. My sister and I headed to our local Hobby Lobby and picked out some fabric to make a basic pillowcase dress {that honestly was terrible}, I had sewed for years but there was so much for me to learn about making clothing. I am constantly reading about new techniques and trying new patterns. Embroidery and Applique are new to me (I have only been doing it for a year now) and I have really enjoyed adding special touches to my outfits.

How do you manage to find time to sew with little ones running around?

Haha, I wonder the same thing sometimes. I have two girls~one will be three in 4 months and the other turns 1 in 2 weeks. My oldest is pretty good if I put on a movie and she will watch it if I need to get some things complete, but mostly I sew during their nap time and after they go to sleep. This is my unwind time and sewing definitely calms my nerves after a long day.

Where do you come up with the ideas for your outfits?

My ideas come from different things and places. I will follow the bigger name boutiques to see what the latest fashions are~ to recreate at home at much more affordable price. I also will spend hours browsing fabric stores and online fabrics to come up with new ideas. With some wonderful fabric designers out there~how can you not be inspired!!

Cuddle Bug Gifts also has clothing for little boys along with the many great outfits that it has for little girls. Be sure to check it out the next time you need an original gift for a little one!

Thanks so much for sharing with us, April.

The MET: 

http://www.etsy.com/teams/5505/murfreesboro-etsy-team

featured shop: cuddlebuggifts
featured shop's fb fanpage: http://www.facebook.com/cuddlebuggifts

Sunday Shop

Zephyr Art is the shop you go to if you're looking for quirky and fun accessories.
Their pieces, jewelry and otherwise, are bright, chunky and colorful. Especially this first piece. I love how all of the different textures and colors come together in this Cuff Bracelet. 



I would call their pieces bohemian chic.

I love these Fabric Earrings... the almost-pearl button against the bright blue yarn. It's fun and eye-catching.


Did I mention that they are also artists? Well, it's not like something this creative could come from anything less than an artist's hands. Or a couple of pairs of them. 

Okay Julie, how long have you been crafting and what got you started?
As a business Eppie Cataldo Bailey and I (Julie Barrett Cataldo) started in 2001. When we met, Eppie was primarily illustrating and I was primarily painting. We realized we have a common Art Philosophy of using the freedom and joy we feel in creating to spread our conviction that Art can and should be part of everybody's lives. Because we believe collaboration makes a bigger impact, we joined forces.
Your shop is a "close collaboration of creativity" with you in Tennessee and your sister-in-law in Pennsylvania. It can't be easy when you're 800 miles apart. How do you make that work?
We talk on the phone A LOT. (We are on the phone together right now, answering these questions!) Some days we feel like the phone is an extension of ourselves. Computers are helpful for transferring images and ideas and we spend considerable amounts of time in either place together. We have artist networks in both areas with which we are involved, because we believe real experiences create better art than a solitary vacuum. 
You have three kids, one on the way, and one is being home schooled. How do you find the time?
Eppie also has 4 children, three of which are home schooled. The way we find time is to refuse to the alternative: to not have time for our passion. We incorporate Art into our school and we live "school". There is no distinction between "school" ,"Art" or "life". Sometimes we have to do lessons when we want to paint and sometimes we paint when we should be doing lessons, it all evens out for us. There is no miracle here, sometimes things (laundry, dishes) get done and sometimes they don't, we've learned to accept this. We strive to balance structured education with our tenants of freedom and creativity. 


I think we can all agree with Eppie and Julie on how important art and creativity are in every day life.


Be sure and stop by their shop and check out the rest of their fun and funky work!


Thanks so much for sharing, Julie (...and Eppie in Pennsylvania)! 


-The Murfreesboro Etsy Team
http://www.etsy.com/teams/5505/murfreesboro-etsy-team


featured shop: zephyrart.etsy.com
featured shop's fb fanpage: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Zephyr-Art/112101272164246?sk=wall