Meet Anna Alvarez from Sweet Anna Cakes and Confections

Starting this week, I am going to post as many articles as I can about the contributors to our prizes for the Great Cloth Diaper Change.  The Locals that is, and the work at home moms....I am always amazed at all the moms with small kids that keep a business going... so without more from me, meet Anna:

What is your name and tell me about yourself ?
My name is Anna Rainbow Alvarez.  As you can tell by my middle name I am the child of hippy parents, for which I am very thankful.  I grew up living in farm houses, growing vegetables in our organic garden, raising chickens and goats.  We even lived in a school bus with a rainbow painted on the back for a while when I was a kid.  From my parents I learned that it is best to walk to the beat of your own drum, but it took a long time to really decide to live that way once I became an adult.  I sort of fell into the cubicle life working in the medical financial industry in my twenties.  The pay was good, but the systems I worked with were very corrupt (insurance companies, specifically) and the longer I worked within that system, the more burned out and cynical I became.  After my daughter was born in 2008 I started realizing that I had had enough of life in a soul-sucking job.  I felt like I was losing my creativity.  

At about the same time, my husband bought me my first cake decorating course at a local crafting store.  I immediately fell in love with cake decorating.  It felt fulfilling.  I had always been an excellent cook and baker, and I used to be a prolific artist - and cake decorating combined BOTH of these passions.  In 2011 after losing four hours of my life to (yet another) face melting in a meeting with a millionaire doctor who was upset he hadn't collected $900.00 for removing a splinter from a 96 year old homeless man's toe, I had had enough.  I put in my notice and shortly thereafter opened my business. 


What is your shop and how does it work?
My shop is Sweet Anna's Cakes and Confections.   As of Saturday April 7, 2012 I will be selling baked goods at the Lee's Summit Farmers' Market at the corner of 2nd and Douglas.  My website is: http://www.etsy.com/shop/SweetAnnaCakes.  The not fragile items in my store (cookies, brownies, unfrosted cakes) can be ordered and shipped anywhere in the world.  My pies are available for order as well through Etsy, but due to the fragile nature of pastry crust, they are only available for sale to patrons in the Kansas City area.  I deliver to homes and businesses, generally on the Friday after the pie is ordered. For wedding and other special occassion cakes, I set up a consultation with the client and then meet for a tasting of whatever flavors of cake and icing they would like.  

At that consultation, basic design for the cake is discussed (colors, flavors, size, flowers, budget, etc.).  I take this information and then sketch several designs for the client to choose from.  Once all the details are in order, I write up a contract for the client to sign with the final price of the cake and all of the details involved.  If the client would like to pay in installments, I will list the installments on Etsy in a reserved listing for the client. 


How did you get the idea for your shop?
The idea for my shop came from my sister-in-law, Elizabeth McDonald (a fanstastic and amazing painter - you can see her work at aesthetiac.com).  She emailed me shortly after I had decided I needed a change in careers with the suggestion that I take the first step by selling on Etsy.  She shops a lot on Etsy and turned me on to it as well. 


Scariest cake you ever had to move?

There were two scary cakes.  The first wedding cake I ever made for a paying client was terrifying.  I had very little time to set up the cake, so I had to bring it completely assembled to the reception site - this is not the way I prefer to do it.  I would much rather bring the tiers separately and then stack the cake at the site.  I was relatively new to the Kansas City area and I asked my mother-in-law what the least curvy route would be to the reception site.  She told me, but I neglected to ask for the flattest route.  I was going up and down hills with a fully assembled and stacked cake in the back of my van.  And then when I got to the reception site, someone had taken all of the signs down that I was supposed to follow to the reception room.  In the end, the cake got there safely and looked great. The second scary cake was a cake I drove all the way to Jefferson City as a favor to a friend.  I thought I had the whole thing in the bag because I had driven the route so many times previously for my job.  But when I turned off the main highway to get to the house the reception was at I was immediately confronted with a huge 45 degree incline of a hill (at least it seemed that steep!)  I said a really long, loud string of profanity as soon as I saw the hill.  But the cake arrived safely, and the reception site was one of the most beautiful I have seen. 


How did you decide on your name?
My company's name was decided upon kind of by accident while my husband was taking a web design class.  He had to design a pretend website, and decided to make one for my dream business.  He needed a name, and so we came up with Sweet Anna's.  People have always said I am a sweet person, and since I make sweet things, it seemed to fit. 

What is your favorite of the things you bake?
That is a hard question to answer.  I don't make anything that I don't like to eat, and I am fickle.  Right now I love my peach mango pie - it has a coconut crumble topping on it that really gives it a nice texture when combined with the silky fruit and the flakiness of the crust.  But before that it was cream cheese brownies and gingerbread cookies.  

As for cake, I love carrot cake.  Since I am so fickle, and also because I like to bake with what is in season at the moment, the menu I offer at the Farmers' Market will change each month, and you can be sure that whatever I am selling that month will be my favorite at the time. 


Anything else you want to say?
I have never felt more fulfilled and happy in my life since I started my business.  I am healthier, happier, and more content.  Follow your dreams...  there is a reason you have them.  My mom said this the other day on her facebook page:  "Y'know all those ideas in your head ... big important projects ... plans to save the planet ... stuff you've been putting off, because it's too huge or too hairy? Well, today is the day! Just start it. Just give it 30 minutes. Just plant a couple of seeds, or make one difficult phone call, or organize one drawer. 

Yay! Today, the world is gonna change!" That is exactly what it took for me to start this business.  Each day I did something small.  Every day when something bad happened at work I would tell myself, "Self, if you want to get out of this, you need to make the change happen.  You want to bake for a living?  Then find out what it takes to set yourself up as a corporation...  See if you can afford to rent a kitchen...  Make a call to the Health Department...  DO ONE THING NOW."  Because doing something is so much better than being miserable and waiting for something better to happen to you.  You have to be your own change. And I am not there yet...  Still have several steps in the business plan to go.  This year it is to sell at the Farmers' Market...  Next year I have another goal.  And the final goal will be to open a permanent storefront somewhere in Kansas City where I can promote other local artists' work.  I'll get there eventually, but at the moment I am just incredibly thankful that I have been able to get to the place I am.  Thankful for a family who supports me, thankful for a husband who is willing to work and make enough to pay the bills while I pursue this dream, and thankful that I finally, almost at the age of 40, I have made the changes in my life to be who I am. 


Anna will be donating a dozen cupcakes to one lucky winner in our Great Cloth Diaper Change Raffle!  Thanks Anna and it was good to get to know you!

Cloth Diaper Swim Suits

Well, it is about that time when we start thinking of spring and nicer weather....summer and fun.  Pools, swimming lessons, lazy days at the beach.....

I have been getting my spring cloth diaper swim suit line together for this spring, and I have already had lots of inquiries for custom suits.  I thought it would be helpful to give some instruction on measuring your baby for the best fit.  Full measurements are for girls suits with matching top. For boys just measure the bottoms.  List all measurements for me when you order.  I will work with you to get the best fitting suit possible and with adjustable snaps you should have some room to grow and adjust through out the summer.  Happy measuring.  You can see a few of my finished suits below...Click HERE to SHOP!

Meet Kissing Bunnies Cloth

I recently talked with Michelle of Kissing Bunnies Cloth.  I was really interested to know about using fleece for diaper covers, etc.  She makes some really cute fleece longies as well as diapers and other items in her Etsy shop.  She first started using fleece as she has a wool/lanolin allergy.  It works and is waterproof because it is made from polyester, the weave is so tight that it is both waterproof and breathable. The pattern she uses  is from  Christine Stevens, another etsy mom.  Michelle says, "  I really like her longie pattern because it is slim on the legs and still allows the child to wear a cloth diaper or none at all."  After trying many types of diapers and doing some embroidery (so much that her machine died!), Michelle discovered fleece longies, she says they make fantastic all day pants, or overnight pants.  

Michelle has been sewing for a long time, and started sewing diapers when her little man was about 4 months old.  A back injury has kept her from doing many things that she used to, so sewing has become her way of keeping busy while staying at home with her children.  I like how she puts it, "I sew almost everyday, it is kinda like my zen. Keeps me calm and rational with my back issue and my lack of movement.  My body may be much quieter than it once was but my heart will just not let me stop. Got to keep busy somehow! This is my solution."

Michelle now sells exclusively on Etsy and at craft fairs. I asked her what she loves about selling her creations,

she replied, "I love that people buy my items. I really love that people sometimes find me and come back to see what else I have made. I love being able to stay home with my little man and keep him out of daycare, and still supplement my fabric stash. " 

 Please check out her fleece longies, wrap diapers and all her different creations in her Etsy shop Kissing Bunnies.   

Meet CarpeDiemTreasures

I like to review Etsy shops when I can, so today I want to introduce you to CarpeDiemTreasures.  I love all things vintage, and as I was shopping for something on Etsy I happened upon their shop.  There was a vintage item that I just had to buy, but not in the sense you would imagine.  While stocking many amazing vintage items, CarpeDiem also creates pendants from vintage sheet music, maps or any other interesting vintage paper item.  The pendant I saw happened to have the word Winter in a piece of old sheet music, and I couldn't resist buying it for a friend as that is her last name.  

CarpeDiemTreasures has wonderful service, great communication and not only that, but my pendant arrived in a sweet little hand made origami box.  I didn't even have to gift wrap it, I just handed my friend the box.  They are a mother daughter vintage loving team, and have many vintage items as well as their recently added handmade section with origami pieces and pendants from vintage maps . Check it out! www.etsy.com/shop/carpediemtreasures?section_id=10597699

Find them on Tumblr, Facebook and Twitter.
http://carpediemtreasures.tumblr.com/
www.facebook.com/CarpeDiemTreasures... happy shopping!

Meet Viki of PettiBearKIDS

Viki Tiamat is the owner and designer of PettiBearKIDS on Etsy.  She is a very busy mom, as she also has two other Etsy shops; PettiBear, a shop for womens' fashions and accessories all designed by Viki, and TiamatDesign her original Etsy store specializing in graphic art prints, as well as branding, banners, and other graphic design needs. It is obvious by looking at her shops that sewing and designing are her passion.  I spent some time talking with her about her fitted AIO cloth diapers.  

Although her very first diapers were based on a free pattern she found online, her creative ability and sense of style soon tweaked the pattern to better fit her daughter.  Something I admire about them is that they are made with high quality all organic fabrics inside and out.  She uses hemp fleece for the inside layer, and bamboo velour for the outside super soft layer, as she believes these are the best fabrics for her daughters skin, and your babies as well!!  She says, "I owe a HUGE thanks to the free web patterns that got me started".  

She also told me,"I first started to make diapers with the birth of my second baby daughter ,Sheluv. She is fully diapered with mommy's organic diapers and I LOVE it!"  It was when her second daughter was born that Viki decided to open her third Etsy shop just for kids.  I am impressed with the high quality and reasonable prices of her all organic diapers.  

The opening in the front of theses diapers allows you to use the diaper both as a pocket diaper or an AI2 diaper style, by snapping in the insert on top of the lining. They have a Wrap & Snap option for petite babies, ADJUSTABLE button rubber back and a specially designed internal pocket flap to prevent the soaker from slipping out through the opening, and includes one 4 layer hemp fleece inner soaker .

I asked Viki her thought on being and Etsy seller in another country..."I think is the same like having an Etsy shop in the US but with shipping time difference! The only difficulty selling from abroad is that people not always aware of the fact that they buying from Israel and wondering why it takes so long for their item to arrive :) 

Time zones are a bit confusing as well,but with time I learn to understand that if one really like one of your items,he wouldn't mind waiting for a couple of hours till I reply to their questions..At the beginning I was obsessing about answering right away and lost many sleep hours trying to be in the American time zone while in Israel :D But now I know better-I sleep well and answer first thing in the morning!"  

Thanks so much for checking out her cute kids Etsy shop...PettibearKIDS.  No giveaway this week, but please go to the promotions and giveaway page and check out all the sales and promotions for  Black Friday ~ Cyber Monday and  and Small Business Saturday Sales!

Meet Baby Swank

I wanted to tell you about one of my favorite Etsy shops...Baby Swank. Megan Visser is the creator of all the beautiful and useful products at Baby Swank. She recently started making herb infused organic baby bath wash, shampoo and oils. I recently ordered the baby wash/shampoo for my grand babe. I choose the lavender chamomile scent, as I know my DL loves lavender. After trying it, my DL said that is smells wonderful, and leaves babys skin soft, silky and feeling moisturized.

Megan says of her products, "I love items that are fun & fashionable as well as natural, good for you & the environment, & save you money in the long run. I strive to make products that fit into this mindset. "

Megan started her shop in 2010 selling her one-of-a-kind wash cloth bibs.  They are fashionable and functional, and since they snap on in the back, toddlers can't pull them off too easily!  She decided to offer them to the public after making them for her own sons and friends.  In that short time she has not only created a very nice Etsy shop, but has also been an awesome encouragement and help to moms who are learning to manage a business and raise a family.  You can read more about her and her shop at her blog Baby Swank.

Meet Sunshine and Ravioli.......Etsy Shop Monday

SUNSHINE AND RAVIOLI is an Etsy shop featuring fun and whimsical paper goods for any special occasion you might have, or just to pamper yourself with something beautiful.  The shop is run by Stephanie and as she says her name comes from, "my favorite line from Louis Prima's version of "Pennies from Heaven". It's a fun, optimistic song and that's what I hope to offer you- fun, whimsical pieces of paper sunshine (but you'll have to get your own ravioli- sorry!)."

I recently ordered these book plates from her shop. They arrived in a sweet little glasine envelope and I love them because they have character and just the right touch of vintage feel to them.  I look forward to using them on my most special books.

You can find Sunshine and Ravioli at www.sunshineandravioli.Etsy.com
Stephanie is a self-taught folk artist, who says she doesn't remember a time when she didn't like to draw, color, paint, or just make things. Most all of her paper goods are made from high quality inks on acid free paper.
Creating her beautiful paper products from home allows her to be there when her kids get home from school.

 Please check out her blog and Facebook links:
newsletter, for special offers:
http://eepurl.com/eYZD

Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/SunshineandRavioli

Sunshine and Ravioli blog:
http://sunshinenravioli.blogspot.com

Meet Winkydinks....Etsy Shop Monday

 
I had the fun of interviewing Jen from Winkydinks for the Etsy Cloth Diaper Blog, I have reposted my interview here for the first installment of my Etsy Shop Mondays!

Winkydinks has been making fleece and wool covers for sale on Etsy since November 2008.   Using breathable covers is great for baby's skin and also helps regulate diaper temperature. Both fleece and wool work to repel the moisture back into the diaper, and protect the outer clothing. You might notice "compression wicking" if a child is sitting or laying for a long period of time with a full diaper - this is because they are not completely waterproof like PUL; but the benefit is the breath-ability and softness!

Winkydinks goal is to make things for the people who need them. Commitment to online customers keeps her shop busy. "I don't want people to have to wait weeks to get their fluffy mail, so I only offer custom slots when I know I'll have the time to get them done in a week or so. Last year I had to scale back production quite a bit and re-balance my life. I had gotten a little too caught up in Winkydinks and forgotten that I wanted to do it for fun. "

The passion behind Winkydinks is the excitement From knowing that their products are being used by people everywhere (including Malaysia, Australia, and Sweden!). Inspiration comes from browsing the fabric store and searching for great deals on old sweaters at the thrift shop.  Winkydinks never makes the same wool item twice, when you purchase a re-purposed wool soaker or longie, you are getting a one of a kind creation. Lately, Winkydinks does some custom orders with appliques. "They take more time and effort, but I get a lot of satisfaction knowing that someone is getting exactly what they want, and I like the challenge of doing something new every once in awhile." Click here to see some photos of new designs.

If you are interested in trying wool or fleece for it's breath-ability and softness on your babies skin, take a look at the options in Winkydinks Etsy shop.

This was originally posted on the Etsy Cloth Diaper blog...

Meet the Etsy Cloth Diaper Team: Kelly from Lil' Stuff

This week we'll meet Kelly, from Lil' Stuff. Kelly has been selling on Etsy for about one year. Kelly first started out knitting baby items as gifts. People suggested she sell her creations and once her daughter-in-law got into cloth diapering, she switched to offering those items. Her store: www.kellylulu.Etsy.com offers a wide variety of cloth diapering items including wet bags, diaper pail liners, cloth wipes and swim dipes. Kelly sews out of her home and enjoys a sunny view of the birds as she works.

Kelly has hung inspiration bulletin boards around her workspace to help inspire her and provide motivation while she works. Her major inspiration, though, is her granddaughter, Fable Rose.





Kelly cloth diapered her own children for economical reasons, because it is better for babies' skin and because it is less wasteful. Kelly shares this piece of advice for cloth diaper users: always do a cold water rinse before your wash cycle, as it allows the stains to rinse out before setting in the hot water.

Kelly recently designed a new wet bag that she calls her gramma go bag. It combines wipes, wet bag, and a pocket for your wallet, etc all into one bag with a strap! She has designed all of her own bags.

This past summer, Kelly introduced a new cloth diaper swim suit. Using her granddaughter as a model, Kelly designed a swim suit with a cloth diaper bottom and matching top. "I was rather pleased with my final design, and will make them again next summer," said Kelly.

"I just would like to say that it is a blast selling on Etsy, and also at the few craft fairs I have done. I love talking to young moms with a passion for cloth diapering and natural child rearing etc, I was really surprised at how many moms actually stopped and talked and made a purchase at our booth the last fair we did...and as I have said before, I am amazed at all the moms who sew on Etsy, you deserve a special award, I could have never done that amount of sewing when I had kids at home, let alone kids still in diapers..."