Butterfly and Sparrow - Vanessa Workman

Hello my name is Vanessa and I'm the maker behind Butterfly and Sparrow. I've always loved
to create because the fun possibilities are limitless! My favorite creating tools have got to be
my sewing machine, scissors, and hot glue gun. I love to create different things, but Butterfly
and Sparrow's focus is on hair pretties for you and your littles. I hand cut and sew all of my
flowers and bows. Yes it's a lot of work, but it's also fulfilling to create something pretty out
of nothing and see it on your pretty little girls hair or in your pretty hair. I have two little girls of
my own now, so the hair accessory creating has only just begun for me. I love making stuff for
you all to wear to make your already beautiful selves only prettier. 

I love the small business/maker community!  I've been doing craft fairs for about 5 years now and meeting 

and getting to know all of the creators behind the creations is just as fun as seeing all the creations! I'm also 

part owner of Scarlet Threads Boutique, a twice a year upscale women's clothing and home decor sale event 

in Redlands. It's great to be a part of this small business community and support one another's dreams!

Hand-painted Character Ornaments by Paul Ginnetty

My name is Paul Ginnetty.  A resident of Redlands with my beautiful wife Tami, I'm a local freelance artist who loves to take on the small design projects just as much as the big ones.  I pride himself as being multi faceted in my artistic skills.  From sketching or painting portraits, murals, company logos and t-shirt designs, my body of work has been described as eclectic and very well rounded.  I am first and foremost a cartoonist.  My more proud career moments were designing for the Walt Disney Company, as well as Warner Bros. Studios.  You can find my most recent designs in the Disneyland Resort during Disneyand's 60th Anniversary celebration. 

Sweetly Sew - Amy Murillo

My name is Amy Murillo and I'm the owner of Sweetly Sew, a business specializing in creating custom baby items!  I started Sweetly Sew almost 2 years ago because I wanted to be able to get my son all the latest and greatest things, so I thought, why not make them yourself! My first sewing project was the MOMS Baby Shoes and the other items just kept on coming! 

Sweetly Sew's most popular item is the MOMS Baby Shoe. They are TOMS inspired and can be totally customized, right down to your child's name on the tags! Besides the MOMS, you can also find baby ring sling carriers, door silencers, bibs, baby wraps and the newest item is book slings! All of which can be customized to fit your home, color preference, nursery theme or your child's favorite things!! 

Ellie & James - Meghan Benson

What is the name of your shop and how can we find you?  (Shop website, FB, Twitter, IG, etc.)

My shop is Ellie & James. You can visit online at ellieandjames.com or @ellieandjames on Instagram and Facebook.

Tell us about what you make/sell in your shop.  (A little about your shop.)

I love to design, and what I sell are my designs. I have handmade pendant necklaces and key chains, tees for moms and their babes, and have recently added totes.

How/why did you start making these products and open this shop?

The reason I started my shop was to raise the funds to complete the adoption of our son.  Now that he is home, the money will assist us with in country re-adoption fees.

How long have you been in business?

In August we celebrated the completion of our FIRST YEAR!

What is your background (college/career/etc.)?

Prior to opening my shop I was a high school math teacher for six years. I was a math major in college and went on to earn my Masters in Educational Technology. This is where I learned many of my design skills. I absolutely loved being a teacher, but I just couldn’t shake the desire to be home with my daughter, especially knowing my son would be home soon too.  Now that they are both home I wouldn’t change it!

Tell us a little bit about your family.

My husband and I met in college through Greek Life. He was in a fraternity, I was in a sorority… we dated for two years and were engaged within 6 months of graduation. We had our daughter, Ellie, in 2012 (I can’t believe my baby is THREE) and shortly after she was born we knew we would adopt next. It had always been on our hearts and a calling we felt led to very strongly.  We were matched with our son, James, in October of 2013 and brought him home at the age of 2 in May 2015! The entire process was over two years long and one of the most difficult and exciting times in my life. I learned so much through the constant waiting about patience, accepting that I didn’t have control, and about love. My shop is named after my babies.  They are why I stay home now and why I have found time to start this shop.

How does this company help your family?  Or you?

Beyond adoption costs, this shop is my happy place. I love having a creative outlet to keep me sane (did I mention my kids are 6 months apart in age… to the day!). Having two toddlers really keeps me on my toes, but this is my “mommy time” and I love sitting down to design each night.

Did you ever think you'd be doing this?  What did you think you'd be doing instead?

I absolutely never thought I would have my own shop. I thought I would dabble in DIY for personal use, which I have, but I thought I would never leave the classroom until retirement.

How do you find time to run your shop and create products?

It is a balancing act, but I use my business as my mommy time. I couldn’t do it without a supportive husband who says, “I’ll take the kids today. You can get things done.”

What do you love about this business?

I love that I can share uplifting messages through my designs and that my time creating is a time where I can reflect. I also love networking, meeting other inspiring moms, and that I get to do what I love… design!

Where do you see your shop in the future?

I’d like to expand my products and designs. I have a few ideas in the works, but you’ll have to stay tuned to my social media accounts for info. ;)

Clover Arrownautics - Kindra Crandall

Hi! I'm Kindra Crandell, the owner and designer of Clover Arrownautics.  It all started last fall 

when my husband and I took a Dave Ramsey's finance class through our church.  We wanted 

to start saving for our kid's future and ours and on one income that's very difficult. (I am a stay 

at home mom and my husband is full time military).  We knew we didn't want me working part 

time or full time outside the home, so we needed to get creative. We had made these really 

cool bow sets for our kids and their friends but never thought about selling them. (That all 

started when our daughter was into the movie, Brave about 4 years ago and we looked into bow 

and arrow sets at the stores, and they were all poorly made and quite expensive.)  So we decided 

to take some Christmas orders via Facebook and Instagram and ended up taking almost 100 

orders in that first month!! After that, we decided to sell them at Moolala Boutique, the huge 

children's consignment sale in Redlands and that was hit.  Since then, it has just snowballed.  

My husband who originally created our bows has shown and taught me everything, and now I do 

80% of the work.  I do about 1-2 shows a month and continue to sell via Facebook and Instagram.  

It's truly been an amazing ride. 

In addition to spending a lot of my time crafting and creating in our home, my family loves to travel and camp. 

We have 2 children, Esther age 8 and Gideon almost 7 and they are big helpers with our little business. We also love 

spending time with our animals, 2 dogs, 2 cats and 2 rabbits.  I am also actively involved in our church, Sanctuary.  

My husband and I head up our Couple's Ministry and I lead a morning women's bible study. 

Clover Arrownautics has definitely made our life busier but blessed it tremendously.  It's allowing me to say yes to 

things like basketball and swim team and also meet the most amazing people.  

Looking forward to being a part of Little Brown Bag again this December!! 

Anchor of Love - Pam Hughes

Hi!  My name is Pam and I am the owner and designer of An Anchor of Love - a small etsy store specializing in patriotic and military accessories.

I am married to my best friend, Frank and we just (4 weeks ago!) had a baby girl!  I started making and selling military camo bows and accessories when Frank and I renewed a high school friendship and started dating after he finished basic training.
I wanted to show my support for his service to our country.  Now I share that with other military girlfriends, wives, mothers, sisters and friends of our service men and women. I love what I do, love my country and love my life!
Check out my FB page and follow the link to Etsy!
See you December 6th at Little Brown Bag!

PaperLily by Jessica Washburn

For as long as I can remember, I have been making things.  Whether it’s jewelry, handmade cards, baked goods, photography, or these beautiful wreaths, creating is a part of who I am. Creating is a way of blessing others and honoring God who made me.

 

Some of my fondest childhood memories are those where my mom, my sister, and I would turn our living room into a crafting center and spend the entire weekend being creative.  We decorated shirts and bags with puffy paint, made origami mobiles, egg carton Christmas ornaments, crocheted pot holders to give away, and many other projects.  We didn’t have a lot of money growing up and back then it was cheaper to make our own, rather than to buy it. My mother had an endless supply of craft ideas (before the days of Pinterest) and a thrifty knack for producing thoughtful quality projects on a dime. Creating was an everyday part of my growing up years.

I was an art major in college with a passion for painting and life drawing. As I started having my own kids, my personal projects took a back seat for a while. When I found the time, I’d craft presents for my friends and family. My husband eventually turned our walk-in closet into a craft station as he saw my need for a permanent creative space where my “artsy clutter” could have room to breathe and inspire.

Today, I find myself with a passion for these unique wreaths that are truly a work of art.  Each is one-of-a kind, having given a book a new life, a new shape yet still honoring the written word.  They are beautiful to behold and make me happy. I want to share that happiness with others.

Thanks for reading, hope to see you at LBB at The MItten Building!

-Jessica