Tell me a bit about yourself.
I married my best friend, Caley, in May of 2013, am a new
mom with a 17 month old baby girl (Annabelle), and we have a gigantic 5 year
old golden doodle (Charlie).
I studied Kinesiology and Health Science and dabbled in business courses for my electives (marketing, new business ventures, accounting, etc). I continued my education with a Bachelor of Education (primary/junior) and graduated in 2012. Worked part time as a bartender to pay for my education. I still work a few nights a week when my husband is home.
Prior to going to university I had a career as an Event Planner for a non-profit organization where I discovered some of my creative passions.
I come from a big family of 9 kids total with all of the step siblings, half siblings and one adopted sibling from China!
I spend much of my spare time with my siblings many of whom are musically talented. There are many jam sessions and now playdates with the kids. Our last family get together included about 15 siblings with their partners, 3 little babies, 6 dogs and 7 puppies. My sister fosters dogs, owns a few of her own and of course we all bring our doggies too!
How did you begin your journey in the world of selling handmade goods?
I studied Kinesiology and Health Science and dabbled in business courses for my electives (marketing, new business ventures, accounting, etc). I continued my education with a Bachelor of Education (primary/junior) and graduated in 2012. Worked part time as a bartender to pay for my education. I still work a few nights a week when my husband is home.
Prior to going to university I had a career as an Event Planner for a non-profit organization where I discovered some of my creative passions.
I come from a big family of 9 kids total with all of the step siblings, half siblings and one adopted sibling from China!
I spend much of my spare time with my siblings many of whom are musically talented. There are many jam sessions and now playdates with the kids. Our last family get together included about 15 siblings with their partners, 3 little babies, 6 dogs and 7 puppies. My sister fosters dogs, owns a few of her own and of course we all bring our doggies too!
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| Merry Everything Banner |
How did you begin your journey in the world of selling handmade goods?
When I got married in 2012, I made all of the banners and
decorations for my wedding. I received many compliments on the décor, many
saying it was the best and most beautiful wedding they had attended. When I
became pregnant a few months later (and not employed as a teacher), I found
myself thinking about what am I going to do?! When I was about 4 months pregnant a cousin of mine who had
attended the wedding asked me to make a banner for a baby shower that she was
organizing. I spent $300 on a machine to help me make the $50 banner perfect, and Rustic
Daisy Designs was born. I dove in head first! Knowing that my time and focus
would be limited once the baby was born, I raced to get the business going; developed
marketing materials, set up my Etsy shop, took product photos, created product descriptions,
and so on. I worked right up until the morning my baby girl was born! Of course
I had to take two weeks off after she was born, but then I quickly jumped back
in. I did not want to lose
momentum. One of the joys of owning your own business is that you are never
left without something to do!
I will be celebrating my 2 year anniversary on February 26th,
2016!
Where do you find your inspiration for your products?
Where do you find your inspiration for your products?
Literally everywhere! Party invitations, bakery packaging,
trending party themes, nature, and now my little girl inspires many of the
items I create! We recently celebrated Annabelle’s first birthday, and I created
a sunshine and lemonade theme. I made all of the decorations for her birthday and
my goal for the future is to become a premier custom boutique party supplier
for many moms like me who want their celebrations to be sweet and unique. For
example in the photos below, I made the cake topper, birthday
hat, hand-painted wooden sign,
bunting hanging across the table, tissue poms, party hats for guests, wands for
the little ones, and custom name confetti.
What is the process of getting one of your banners created from start to finish?
I am a one lady shop. I source and purchase all of my
fabrics locally. I cut the flags. I cut the various fabrics that I need for
images and lettering. Some banners I paint the lettering and images while
others I cut the letters and images out of fabric. I sew the banners together, package them up, and ship them. 
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| Birthday Banners |
What is the process of getting one of your banners created from start to finish?
So far I have shipped to: Australia, New Zealand, Norway, Germany, Singapore, Ireland, England, Scotland, United States, and of course to my fellow Canadians.
In your opinion, what is the value and appeal of the handmade/maker movement?
There is so much value in handmade.
Handmade items aren’t typically made in waste-producing factories. You can reduce your carbon footprint, particularly when you buy locally handcrafted items.
You get to connect directly with the artisan.
You can buy quality goods that have been made to last.
You can support local businesses and have a direct effect on the artisans financial well being without paying all of the various levels within a large corporation.
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| I love Santa Banner |
What handmade possession do you own that you must cherish?
I have two:
1) A
wooden shelf that my dad made many years ago that I now have hanging in my
living room adorned with Christmas stockings of course!
2) A small ceramic dish that I purchased while studying to become a teacher. We all made and painted clay bowls that had a social or eco justice theme. After many student teachers made their bowls, we held a fundraising event and the entrance fee included lunch and a handmade clay bowl.
It’s a nice feeling to support a greater cause just by purchasing handmade. \
How do you balance
motherhood, working, and finding time just for yourself?
Ha – I don’t! Honestly this is something that I struggle with all of the
time. Some of the moments that I find for myself are just that – moments! Going
for a run with my dog in the local park, having a hot shower, heading to the
gym for an hour are a few of my favorite moments! 2) A small ceramic dish that I purchased while studying to become a teacher. We all made and painted clay bowls that had a social or eco justice theme. After many student teachers made their bowls, we held a fundraising event and the entrance fee included lunch and a handmade clay bowl.
It’s a nice feeling to support a greater cause just by purchasing handmade. \
What’s your favourite thing to do as a family in Toronto?
Right now it is simply walking down the street with our little girl. (I think that this will change as Annabelle’s interests develop). There is nothing more enjoyable than getting down and playing with rocks, sticks, ladybugs and grass. Taking joy in walking on new materials and taking delight in the sound the leaves make when you walk through them. Taking a seat wherever your heart desires. Walking around a tree 20 times. Stopping to smell the flowers. Dancing in the rain and anywhere our little girls reaches up and says “dance”.
Be sure to visit Quinn's Etsy shop - Rustic Daisy Designs to order a banner or see more!
You can also follow her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest.
xo
Jenn
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