Monday, May 30, 2011

Member Interview & Giveaway: B.Inspired Vintage


VKC: Tell us a bit about yourself, Krissy, and your shop, B.Inspired Vintage.
Krissy: I'm a former art teacher turned stay at home mom to two (*awesome*) little ones, Sawyer (age 4) and Priscilla (age 2).  And I haven't announced it yet, even on my own blog, but my fiance, Cliff, and I are now expecting another little one, too!  Which wasn't planned but is definitely a welcome surprise!  While I sometimes miss my professional life, I am SO happy to be able to be home with my kiddos.  I fulfill my creative and professional desires through my blog, B.Inspired Mama, and my Etsy shop, B.Inspired Vintage.

 
VKC: Why are you drawn to vintage?
Krissy: I started selling handmade photobooks on Etsy after my son was born and a relocation (for my ex-husband's work) resulted in me leaving my career as an art teacher.  But I had such a hard time, with a little one at my feet, finding time to create, market, and list items.  So I started selling vintage.  It was great because I could take my little guy right to the thrifts and flea markets with me and involve him in the process.  After the birth of my daughter (a divorce, another relocation, and finding my love, Cliff), I've narrowed my niche to fun vintage kids clothing, toys, and decor.


VKC: Where do you find your treasures?
Krissy: I find most of my goodies at thrift stores, like Goodwill and The Salvation Army.  But sometimes I get lucky at a yard sale, too. 

VKC: What is your process when working?
Krissy: My process has gotten a lot more streamlined since narrowing my focus to kids stuff in the shop.  When I'm in a hurry I can just stick to the kids sections in the thrifts.  Then when I get home, I have a spot in the corner of my dining room to hide my treasures that need to be photographed.  After photographing a batch, they get moved into the living room near my laptop to list.  Finally, after being listed, they go upstairs into storage bins until they are sold.  I ship on Saturdays when I can get to the post without the kiddos in tow.  So on Saturday mornings, I print my sales receipts, go gather the goods, package them up, and head to the post office. 


VKC: How do you promote your business?
Krissy: Here's my blog post about my top 3 favorite ways to market my Etsy shop.  I LOVE social networking, so I love Etsy's new circles feature.  And I utilize Facebook and Twitter.  I utilize my blog, B.Inspired Mama, to journal my fun and preschool homeschooling with my kids as well as updates in my shop.  I've just started advertising on great blogs like Modern Kiddo, Mama Loves Papa, and So Fawned.  And last but not least, I've had great sales (and made awesome friends) since starting the Vintage Kiddo Collective!

VKC: What do you do when you are not working?
Krissy: Hang out with my kiddos, my love, family and friends.  During my marriage to my kiddos' father, we lived over 3 hours away from my hometown, my family and friends.  My kiddos and I are so happy to be back "home."  So we spend lots of time with my parents, my brother and his family, and my friends. 


VKC: What is your favorite item in your shop or that you have sold and why?
Krissy: Honestly, I love EVERYTHING!  I wouldn't put something in my shop that I don't totally love.  It our home were bigger and we had kids of every size running around, I'd keep it all!  (We're working on the kids of every size part!  haha!)  But really, my favorite thing in the shop right now is this Striped Pinwheel Toddler Dress that my daughter wore when she was little.  If we find out that we're having a girl, it will NOT be in the shop long!

VKC: How do you juggle your business, your personal life, and motherhood?
Krissy: This is a constant battle for me.  I never really feel in balance.  I'm always just swaying back and forth between focusing on my business, my kids, my love, and myself.  It helps that Cliff is totally supportive and interested in my business.  He loves to go treasure hunting with me.  And it also helps that I've made my kids a part of my business by focusing on them on the blog.  Spending time with them, playing and doing creative things, and helping them learn is my first priority, but also gives me blog content!

GIVEAWAY
I would LOVE to offer a GIVEAWAY for...


 TWO ITEMS of CHOICE from B.Inspired Vintage!

Enter to win by visiting B.Inspired Vintage and leaving a comment on this post letting us know your favorite item.
OTHER WAYS TO ENTER:
(Leave a separate comment for each one!)
  1. Become a follower of the VKC blog (along the right sidebar).
  2. Blog about this giveaway and comment with the link. 
  3. Become a follower of the B.Inspired Mama blog
  4. Follow B.Inspired Mama on Twitter.
  5. Follow B.Inspired on Facebook.
  6. Follow VKC on Facebook.
  7. Subscribe to the VKC via RSS or email (along the right sidebar). 
  8. Visit another member shop and let us know your favorite item (one comment per shop visited).
Giveaway end Thursday, June 2nd at midnight (EST). 
GOOD LUCK!

70 comments:

  1. congrats on the new baby! our third is a surprise too!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Lovin' those little girl's ruffle blouses!

    ReplyDelete
  3. At first I saw the adorable kids' clothes and was not going to enter since I don't have kids. But then I browsed and saw great housewares and womens' things. I love the vintage Rainbow raffia clutch.
    jhbalvin at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  4. following vkc via email
    jhbalvin at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  5. following this blog on gfc as jhb
    jhbalvin at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  6. My favorite item is the Vintage Wooden Dutch Boy and Girl Stand Up Figurines. So adorable :).
    bd_657(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Following your blog VFC on Google Friends Connect under Berendina.
    bd_657(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  8. Following B.Inspired Mama blog on Google Friends Connect under Berendina.
    bd_657(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Following B.Inspired on Facebook under Berendina Dykema.
    bd_657(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Following VKC on Facebook under Berendina Dykema.
    bd_657(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Subscribe to VKC via email, bd_657(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  12. I am now a follower of the VKC blog!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I love the classic yellow sweater from 3 ring circus!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love the olive green and blue striped sweater vest and the spirograph set from B.Inspired.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Love the floral garden dress from Kyssa Vintage! Too bad it's too small for my little lady.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Love the girls folk skirt and the 80's heart sweater from Lishyloo.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I like the Vintage Shabby Chic Pink and Gold Tin Canister
    shilobeedy@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. I love the Vintage shopping list holder from fuzzymama etsy shop. The little dutch boy and girl are so cute.

    bd_657(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  19. I really like the Vintage Dutch Wall Hanging from OhSydney Etsy shop. Very cute!
    bd_657(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  20. I love the Plum Mini Dress from edithscloset etsy shop. I love the pattern and length, plus I'm obsessed with the color purple.
    bd_657(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  21. I really like the Dorothy Thorpe Ombre Punch Bowl Set from rachelchayes etsy shop.Its beauitful and I love that it has a carrying rack for glasses.

    bd_657(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  22. I found these super neat. The Vintage Warner Brothers Drinking Glasses Lot of 5 from WonderlandToys. I'm surprised they are in such great condition. I love porky pig :)

    bd_657(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  23. I love the Vintage Holly Hobbie-ish Painted Wooden Plaque from miskabelly etsy shop. Very cute and I love that it has a holly hobby feel to it :). Be great hung anywhere around the house especially the kitchen.

    bd_657(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  24. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  25. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  26. These Vintage Wooden Canister Set from jherrman etsy shop are truly my favorite because I love to bake and the little images on each are great. Especially the women with her batter on canister of flour lol.Wish they made canisters more creative now.
    bd_657(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  27. Following Following B.Inspired on Twitter.@TheArtOfBaking
    bd_657(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  28. Krissy you are the BEST--such an inspiration! Oh and I'm so happy for your surprise!!! I can't wait to find out what it is..

    My favorite thing in your shop right now is the vintage little boys healthtex shirt 3t. Yay for stripes!

    ReplyDelete
  29. I like the Fun Red Polka Dot Cherries Vintage Baby Dress Shirt in size 18 months. Thanks for the chance into this giveaway.

    unforgetable_dreamer_always (at) hotmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  30. yay krissy! i can't wait to hear more about the baby. :)

    my favorite thing in your shop right now is that spirograph set! but i'll just be honest...i'm the one who wants to play with it! :)

    ReplyDelete
  31. My favorite item is the Vintage Pretty in Purple Corduroy Kids Dress.

    ReplyDelete
  32. choo choo train tray

    jcwga@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  33. Love the choo choo train tv tray!

    elizabethglassturner (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  34. Email subscriber :)

    elizabethglassturner (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  35. I like the Vintage Olive Green and Blue Toddler Vest. coreybrennan26@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  36. From the Vintage Nursery, I picked a second item of interest, the Marshmallow Cloud Hooded Sweater. coreybrennan26@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  37. I love the little girls quilted jacket in size 4! I bet my daughter would love it!

    hrfarley at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  38. Congratulations to Krissy and Cliff, what a blessing!

    I'd love to own Smile When Everything Goes Wrong, this cast iron trivet is such a pleasure!

    yumihamano@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  39. I follow VKC with gfc, thanks for the lovely giveaway.

    yumihamano@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  40. Email subscriber, thank you.

    yumihamano@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  41. Readers need to check out Sweet Shop Vintage on Etsy, especially the decorate category. This cutie brought a smile to my face:

    http://www.etsy.com/listing/75078517/vintage-1950s-dog-ballet-tray

    This shop definitely earns my "heart"

    yumihamano@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  42. My fav is the Vintage Olive Green and Blue Striped Toddler Sweater Vest in size 3T
    skklemm at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  43. I love the little Vintage Fisher Price Circus Train from toys of the past. If I could afford to buy it I would give it to my nephew as a gift. He loves trains and I dont think he has a circus version :).Its in such great condition for a toy :)

    bd_657(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  44. I really like the owl and baby cookie jar from lishyloo etsy shop in her vintage housewares section. Its wonderfully charming and very creative idea of having the baby owl as the handle. I'm surprise how great of condition it is for a cookie jar. This would be a great gift to someone that loves baking or love owls :)


    bd_657(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  45. I love the Mini Vintage Nursery Rhymes Calendar Cards from pretty little studios. They have wonderful illustrations and the rhymes are really cute.Some of them would be great framed.

    bd_657(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  46. I would love these!!
    http://www.etsy.com/listing/74348774/vintage-hunter-green-winter-star-boys
    http://www.etsy.com/listing/74304771/vintage-health-tex-toddler-overall

    ReplyDelete
  47. I love visiting your blog for fun kid ideas! Keep 'em coming.

    ReplyDelete
  48. I like the Cute Vintage Toys Summer Ruffle Toddler Outfit in size 9 months http://www.etsy.com/listing/74678134/cute-vintage-toys-summer-ruffle-toddler
    lusizova at gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  49. Like the Vintage Kiddo Collective = Lyudmila Sizova
    lusizova at gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  50. Congratulations Krissy, what exciting news!
    p.s. I love that red riding hood doll in your shop

    ReplyDelete
  51. i love the vintage sorter blocks

    annae07 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  52. gfc- annae07 'vkc' blog

    annae07 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  53. gfc-annae07 'b. inspired mamma' blog

    annae07 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  54. My favorite item is the Vintage Old School Cabbage Patch Kids Thermos. I used to have one! :o)

    ravensrascals at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  55. I'm now a blog follower via GFC. :o)

    ravensrascals at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  56. i like the vintage raggedy andy doll on 'lishyloo vintage'

    annae07 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  57. I'm a blog follower of B. Inspired Mama via GFC.

    ravensrascals at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  58. I'm following B. Inspired Mama on twitter (ravensrascals)

    ravensrascals at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  59. I'm following B. Inspired on facebook (Rachel Earle Edwards Martorano)

    ravensrascals at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  60. I'm following VKC on facebook (Rachel Earle Edwards Martorano)

    ravensrascals at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  61. following your blog via google FC

    donna zittel at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  62. Liked your page on Facebook

    donnazittel at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  63. Now following the mama blog via GFC

    donnazittel at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  64. love the vintage toys ruffle outfit! jmmccarr@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  65. i follow via gfc jmmccarr@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  66. love the Little Girl's Pink Gingham Vintage Spring Kitty Dress in size 3T!

    ykatrina at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete

We'd love to hear what you think!