I don’t have kids. Visiting The Pink Camellia almost made me want one, just to be able to buy these gorgeous baby items. I’m always at a loss at baby showers. Everything seems so generic, boring and mass produced. Amy just started her Etsy shop back in April of 2009. Not even a year later and she’s been in a tremendous amount of magazines and blogs all over. She calls it luck, but I say she’s got some serious talent. It really says a lot about her business, as well. She wouldn’t have been able to get this kind of momentum without being really talented at what she does, as well as treating her customers right. She is truly an inspiration to other Etsy shop owners, and business owners everywhere. Whether it’s for your own baby or for your friends & family, The Pink Camellia is absolutely your number one source for baby cuteness.

A Brief Background:

My name is Amy, I’m a 30-something located in the San Francisco Bay Area here in California. I’m a Libra, but was born on the cusp, so depending on what publication you’re reading, I might be a Virgo…

The Interview:

You’ve been featured in numerous magazines and blogs. What’s the best part about that?
I’ve been extremely lucky and honored to be featured in many on line magazines & blogs, which has been so encouraging to me! The best part about that is that it makes me feel like I’m doing a good job. I think often, when we make handmade items, we sort of put them out there and wonder if other people like our work as much as we do. It’s a labor of love for all of us crafters to create these items, and it’s nice to see such positive feedback! I also get to see and follow some really great new blogs & websites, and I’ve found some new favorite sellers of my own through this! It’s a way for us to support each other in the handmade world.

When I say CSPIA, what does it make you think of? Has this effected your business?
CSPIA…well, I know what A LOT of us think about those fairly new regulations! Honestly, I think some kind of regulation was inevitable as far as childrens items go, but some of the CSPIA rules were a bit extreme. It has effected my business, as well as everyone else who creates baby items, insofar as we all have to make sure we are creating items that are still safe for baby, and that satisfy the new requirements. As with anything else new, I think there’s an initial shock, but it will all normalize with time.

What made you decide to focus on baby items?
I decided to focus on baby items mostly because that’s what I used to make and give to family and friends the most. It was just a natural place for me to start! I’ve branched out a little into some beautiful Swarovski hair pins and things, but my main focus is on baby gifts.

What’s the worst gift to give at a baby shower?
I think any gift given to an expecting Mom at a baby shower is given with the intention of being thoughtful and helpful, so I can’t say something would be necessarily “bad” to give. That said, I can say that some gifts are better than others, and I think that the BEST gifts are those that are either handmade, or gifts given with a little tidbit of advice from someone else that has been a New Mom, like a “I found this to be a lifesaver in getting the baby to…”, those kinds of things.

What do you Google the most?
Oooh, I Google lots of things! Mostly I would have to say I search for supplies I’m trying to find, or I’ll search new ideas I’ve come up with, to see if anyone else is already making them. When I came up with my Baby Washcloth Sushi, I was SO excited that I couldn’t really find many things like them! It’s always fun to feel like you’ve created something new.

Besides creating wonderful baby goodness, what do you do?
Besides my Etsy shop, I also have a full time job. It takes a bit of juggling sometimes to get everything done, and I admit some days I feel like sitting on the couch and staring at the television. But, I love what I do, and that gives me the energy to keep going!

How do you promote your work?
I mainly promote my work on Etsy, in the forums, and through wonderful blog & on line features. In 2010, I’m going to step up my promotions locally, and get my work into some local boutiques. I just opened up shop in April 2009, so I’m always learning & trying to grow.