Local Artisan Highlight + Giveaway: Buttons & Birds {Handmade Baby, Children's and Women's Pieces}

We are excited to introduce to you Janelle of Buttons & Birds who is sharing her darling shop with us today. (And giving away a set of burp cloths too cute to burp on...one of which is––you guessed it––chevron!)

Tell us a bit about yourself and your family.
I am a wife to a smart and handsome man for over 8 years now, and a mother to three little beauties, ages 4, 3 and 1. Three kids in four years is as crazy as it sounds, but I’m immeasurably blessed to stay at home and care for all four of them.

Buttons & Birds is a sweet name. What was the inspiration for it?
The inspiration for the shop name came from my two grandmothers whom I love, one who loved buttons (and taught me a ton about sewing, embroidery and crochet) and one who loves birds (and taught me about loving God’s creation).

I have always loved to create, learning to sew in elementary school, embroider in junior high, and crochet in high school. The thrill of seeing something in a store, being inspired, then creating it for myself led me to start accepting custom orders from friends and family. 

I'm learning how I can use my talent to be who God created me to be. For now, selling my handmade creations helps supplement any income I was making outside of the home, all the while allowing me to be an huge part of my kid’s upbringing.

What items do you offer in your shop? 
I offer a mix of colorful and unique accessories for women and children in the Etsy shop. Items include: Hair clips, fabric necklaces, headbands, baby blankets, burpcloths, as well as hand-crocheted items in the fall & winter such as neck cowls and beanies. I also love to make custom crib bedding and items for kids bedrooms.

Really, I make new things everyday and love to have the shop filled with unique, handmade items that are made with quality materials. I have realized over the years that high quality materials equals high quality results.

What is your inspiration for your creativity?
My inspiration? God’s creation. I mean seriously, have you watched Planet Earth lately? Those colors? Uh-Maze-Ing. I’m also in love with Swedish design, most anything vintage, mid-century modern style, color, JCrew, and Anthropologie. (Someday I WILL work there…I’ve got to!)

What does your week look like as a shop owner?
My days usually consist of wiping noses, changing diapers, prepping meals, running errands, organizing closets, rocking babies, bandaging wounds, playing dress up, laundry maid, prayer leading, song teaching, and basically being the ring-master of this circus. My favorite time to create is right away in the morning, during nap times and while my family is watching TV at night. I usually have a crochet hook and ball of yarn in my diaper bag.

Where are some goals you have for your shop?
My goal in the next few weeks is to group items together that would make an awesome gift. Perhaps a set of burpcloths paired with a darling hand crocheted beanie for a newborn boy. Or a luxurious minky blanket paired with a cute headband for a newborn girl. Then it can be gift wrapped and sent directly to the new mom. I want to make it simple for my customers to pick out a gift that will dazzle the recipient.

I seriously love to create things; it is just in me. What I struggle with as a creator is putting those things online. Technology is not my strong suit; it takes me forever to sit at a computer and upload photos! It’s my goal to simplify that arduous task and get more things in my shop. Additionally, I try to keep up on my blog, but weeks often slip by with no posts (gasp!)

What’s playing on your iPod these days?
I’m into Pandora lately. My favorite channels are Miranda Lambert, Sara Bareilles, Earth Wind & Fire, Johnny Cash, Praise & Worship, Adele, and truth be told a lot of Disney is played to pacify the wee ones.

And your top 5 faves this month?
Velvet bows, new school supplies, crocheted flowers, afternoon thunderstorms, & chocolate chips out of the freezer. (Janelle, we love many of these, too!)

Visit Buttons & Birds Etsy shop or peruse items at Visalia's Studio 317! She also loves creating custom orders! Just e-mail her: jahighstreet@gmail.com. And don't forget to check out her lovely creations on her blog.

This week, Janelle is kindly giving all of our readers FREE SHIPPING by using the code CitrusandCream! And enter the giveaway to win this set of burp cloths! In order to enter, please show Buttons & Birds some love. Head over to her shop and leave us a comment, sharing what item caught your eye! (There are more easy ways to get more entries.)

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