Member Interview & Giveaway: LaDiDottie

LaDiDottie on ETSY

Shop: LaDiDottie

Name: Kari
Twitter: @Laladidottie

VKC: Tell us a bit about yourself and your shop.

Kari: My husband and I have two beautiful and crazy little girls, Dottie, a truly funny 2 year old, and Rosemary Plum, our 9 month old sweetie pie. I get to stay home with them everyday, which is an incredible opportunity. I love our days together, playing and creating, and doing whatever else we feel like. I think I have a pretty amazing little life with all of my loved ones.

I opened LaDiDottie this past summer, after collecting a few items after I had found out I was pregnant with my second, knowing that I was going to finally leave my cubicle and start a new little hobby at home. Its been so exciting to have this little shop on Etsy! It gives me an opportunity to give myself a break from my mom mentality, for either a couple minutes or hours a week.

VKC: Why are you drawn to vintage?

Kari: I was drawn to vintage at a young age. I love the fact that each piece you find has some sort of history, and has already had their moment in time. My parents always told me that I was born in the wrong era, chuckling when I would wear my moms old bell bottoms and prairie shirts to school. I love seeing the metamorphosis that fashion and styling has gone through over the years, and appreciate it so much, when I can find an item that has survived the years, and wear it myself, or give it someone would appreciates it too. Its such a joy!

VKC: Where do you find your treasures?

Kari: I usually pack up the girls and hit a few of the thrift stores we have around town, about once a week. I go at a pace that works for them, and so far it seems to work. Maybe in a year or two, we can start making days of it and hit some of the other ones closer to the cities. I also love stopping in at antique stores and yard sales.

VKC: What is your process when creating/working?

Kari: I'm usually waiting around for that one super nice sunny day, where I can get my items photographed with nice natural lighting, and then I get this itch to get my items on Etsy as fast as I can. :) When I have an item that my daughter Dottie can fit into, I try my hardest to persuade her to model it for me, but as of late, those toddler no,no,no's have taken over, and so we've just been hanging items on the chalkboard like usual.... someday...she'll be back!

VKC: How do you promote your business?

Kari: Right now I don't really have the time to invest into some of the ways I could be promoting my shop. No facebook, no pinterest, no blogging. I did sign up for Twitter not too long ago, but I can't say I use it all that much. Mostly word of mouth, and trying to be a great seller so that I get those repeat customers.

VKC: What do you do when you are not creating/working?

Kari: Oh typical mom stuff. I try to get household chores done, while singing and playing with the girls. We go on play dates, visit grandparents, and try to do some volunteer work once a week, sharing positive messages with our neighbors. I also really enjoy photography, so I'm always trying to get some cute photos of the girls. My husband and I love gourmet dinners, so most nights, its enjoying good food and playing scrabble or cribbage.

VKC: What is your favorite item in your shop or that you have sold and why?

Kari: I'd have to say, the yellow corduroy jumpsuit!! It was just so cheery and cute,,. :) I hope whoever has it, enjoys it immensely!!!

VKC: How do you juggle your business and your personal life/motherhood?

Kari: I'm still trying to figure that one out. I try my best to do most of my work while the girls are napping, but sometimes that isn't enough time! So, sometimes I'll try to add an item in the morning while the girls are eating breakfast, and then wait until nap time to finish up. Paperwork and packaging waits until the girls are in bed usually. The girls obviously always come first, so some weeks, LaDiDottie just has to wait...

VKC: What giveaway or discount would you like to offer our readers?

Kari: I would like to give a $20.00 credit to my shop and free shipping!

Thanks so much, Kari!

If you'd like to enter to win a $20 credit from LaDiDottie, please leave a comment below.

There are a few other ways to enter - please leave a separate comment for each.

1. Favorite LaDiDottie on etsy!

2. Tell us which item is your favorite at LaDiDottie!

3. Tweet about this giveaway!

4. Follow @Laladidottie on Twitter!

5. Blog about this giveaway! (Please include a link.)

This giveaway will be open until Friday, February 16, and a winner will be selected randomly. Good luck!