Meet Etsy Owner Elizabeth form It’s All In the Bag

Where are you from and tell us a little about yourself?
I am a SAHM born and raised (and still living) in Rhode Island.

What is your favorite item in your shop and why?
Currently my favorite item is my Campy Apron. I was just thrilled with the way it came together and the final product. The print on the fabric is just so fun and I love the retro feel of it.
I am looking forward to the fall though and starting to make more patchwork scarves. These are my favorite items to make and sell. They come together naturally as I lay out the fabric and each scarf truly is one of a kind.

Where do you get your inspiration for your pieces?
I mostly get my inspiration from my fabric. I love to shop for new fun prints and fabrics that I haven’t worked with before, each night when I sit down to sew I go through my fabric and find what inspires me at that moment. One of the best things about making and selling my items on Etsy is that it is fun for me. Letting the fabric inspire me and making what I am feeling at the moment helps me keep it fun.

Apart from creating beautiful pieces, what else do you do?
Up until March of this year I was a working mother, doing my Etsy shop on the side. I have worked as a robotics engineer and biochemist in the last several years and look forward to going back to that eventually. Right now, however, I am enjoying sewing, staying home with my 2 boys, and preparing for our third (due in December).


Any advice on selling things handmade?
It is not as easy as you think it will be. Getting into it part of me thought that I would just open my shop and the customers would come. I am now realizing that a lot goes into making a shop successful. Right now I am still trying to find what I like to make that there is also interest in. Also advertising and marketing yourself can help in huge ways. I am still trying to figure it all out, but really enjoying the whole process.

Why should people buy homemade?
So many handmade items are made with love and are one of a kind items. You can get to know who the person is behind each item, what inspires and moves them. I have found that on Etsy a lot of sellers are more than willing to chat with you, answer your questions on their items, there is more personality in each shop and each item than what you can usually find in mass produced goods.

Any other sites you can be found on?
Currently I only sell on Etsy, and I try to keep items and updates current on my facebook page (www.facebook.com/ItsAllInTheBag)

***Remember if you visit Elizabeth’s shop here and leave the name and link of your favorite item you can get a TOTAL of five extra entries into any/combination of my giveaways.  This offer will end on Saturday at 11:00 am MST.