PookieTown Designs

So I make hair bows, among other things, and sell them in my Etsy store called PookieTown Designs. I got into making hair bows & flower headbands (predictably) after my baby girl was born 2 years ago. I saw ones I liked in the stores and thought they were kind of expensive, so I thought, "I wonder if I can make this any cheaper." It turns out I was right...and wrong. Yes, I can make them cheaper, but I discovered a passion for a new hobby that has definitely outgrown any normal person's hair accessory budget.

So now I have a small (6'x6') booth at a craft mall in Nappanee and I have done one craft show with my mom, and will soon do two more this November. She is the real crafty one, I'm just kind of a wannabe (but give me some ribbon and a glue gun and I'm a rock star).We used to have a scrapbook shop in our backyard and my parents recently did a two-story addition to their house adding a craft room that makes Hobby Lobby look like a hole in the wall. I'll have to get a picture of it up here sometime, it's totally drool-worthy.

It's difficult with 3 kids to devote any real time to this little business, and I often feel like I could do so much more if I was just a little less encumbered with keeping children alive, fed, and diapered. I've discovered it's really difficult to make any money selling hair bows- partly because EVERYONE is making hair bows and trying to sell them. Seriously.

Right now I'm about as busy as I want to be with this sideline, although I'd LOVE to be able sell more of my inventory so I can start making NEW stuff. I hope this blog can be a place where I highlight some of my favorite creations and share some of my tricks with other moms who want to learn how to do this stuff themselves (probably not the best business model, but hey, no one gets into making hair bows for the money).

Anyway, I also make a variety of other little accessories such as bottle cap zipper pulls & necklaces, felt hair clips, infant headbands, clippies, and fairy wands. Basically, you name it, and I make it. My mom contributes little baby onesies, although she is transitioning into tutu making (not available on Etsy yet). SO MUCH FUN!

Everything I learned, I learned online from tutorials, youtube videos, blogs, what have you. So, in a sense, I feel like now it's my turn to pass on the knowledge as well. For today I'll share the forum where pretty much all serious hair bow makers go for tutorials (many of them free!) ideas, and encouragement. hipgirlclips.com is a great place for ANYONE who wants to make bows for their little girls or for people already making bows to get ideas on running their business.

The Booth