July's Crafter: Belles N Beaus

This month's crafter spotlight is on Jessica with Belles N Beaus. I'll let her tell you a little more about herself and what she does. . .

My name is Jessica Crosslin. I am a Christian, a wife, & a mom of 4.

I am just beginning my business Belles & Beaus with a diaper bag collection. I have hopeful plans to include a purse/handbag collection, as well as a small children's line of clothing.

I am a mom of 4; one 5 year old daughter and 15 mo. old triplets (2 boys & a girl!) and live in North Alabama. They are the inspiration for my business name: Belles & Beaus, because that's what I have . . . southern belles & southern beaus!

With the birth of the triplets I became a stay at home mom and designing, creating & sewing are my creative outlets. I decided, with God's help, to embark on a small business venture to help my husband support our family. I am an Auburn University grad with a BS degree in Apparel Production Management/Design/Merchandising. War Eagle!

I believe that excellent quality, craftsmanship and customer service is the key to customer satisfaction. I strive to provide that in all of my work and believe that I accomplish that goal with every creation.

I am also available for commissioning custom work for select bridal needs and light upholstery/decorator needs.

~ Belles N Beaus ~

Now Introducing Duck Soup!

Duck Soup is a hodgepodge of crafters (we sew, scrapbook, stamp, make jewelry, knit, crochet, quilt, paint . . . you name it) in Western North Alabama that have banded together to help each other.

(From Merrium Webster's Online Dictionary) Duck Soup: noun - something easy to do

When I think of crafting, sewing and making things with my hands I usually smile. I enjoy doing what I do in my spare time, I wouldn't do it if I didn't enjoy it. There seems to be a surge of people (mainly ladies) taking part in this "Return to Home-Made". This surge combined with easy access to today's technology has brought about new resources like Etsy and Splitcoast Stampers for the home crafter.

However, it is still difficult to get your name, product and ideas out there without spending multiple weekends away from home sitting at craft fairs that cost goodness knows what. Word of mouth is still the best marketing tool out there, but is there more?

We are attempting an "old-school" style of business management and marketing. . . a cooperative (of sorts). The idea of "together we can accomplish more" is a great one, but will it work for us? This is our experiment.

~SarahsStampin~