You Guys!! Its Handmade Love: Small Biz time again!!! I’m so happy to have the lovely Katy and her gorgeous creations featured on the blog today 😀
Tell us how you got started…
Growing up my nickname was lil’ alice™. I had her facial expressions, her love for bread, her nose. She taught me how to shop on Saturday mornings. When I got married and had to learn how to cook, I found out I had her cooking skills. When I had kids & they would request certain items to hold their treasures, I found out I could sew, just like she enjoyed doing.
So who is “her”?
Alice is my Grandma Vaughn. She had a heart of gold and she wore gold on every finger. She loved to work and she loved to shop. Alice loved to cook and she loved to eat! Grandma Vaughn passed away from cancer on Aug. 23, 2004. Too soon! After she passed away I inherited her sewing machine, a few tubs full of fabric, many with the tag still on it. I have a huge bin of threads & many needles & buttons & spools of ribbon & many notions that only a sewer knows what they are used for! I get a kick out of the spools of thread because many still have the price on them. Many say, WALMART….$.25. That’s unheard of. A quarter for a spool of thread!!!
After years of making odd and end things, I broke down and bought an apron pattern for $2. I admired aprons and the thought of wearing one. A picture of days gone by! I made my first one in October of 2009. Over the year, I’ve improved the apron etc. Proud of my accomplishments, I posted pictures on Facebook and started getting an order here and there. I was quite shocked that someone was paying me for something that I enjoyed doing. Then I made a tote bag for a little girl whom my son was invited to her birthday party. I posted that picture and got some people interested in purchasing a tote bag. Really? And so it began. I started a fan page on Facebook in March of 2010.
After a hand full of orders, I wanted to label my products with a tag and a unique name. So I rattled my brain for something catchy & fun that was affiliated with me but didn’t scream my name either. That was when lil’ alice™ was born.
I love what I do. I love to sew. I love to create fun things that put a smile on the faces of others!
In the Fall of 2011, I received my husbands blessing to take lil’ alice from a hobby to a business. This was truly an answer to many prayers that were prayed in my little sewing studio as I would stitch away on orders. By January 2012, lil’ alice™ became a business!
lil’ alice™ is a one man show! lil’ alice™ items are created with highest quality fabric & threads. If I am not proud of it, it’s not leaving the room. There have been many errors and many items that don’t make it out the door because they don’t meet my standards.
What inspires your creative process? Why do you do what you do?
I’ve always been creative from the time I was little. I don’t know life without a creative outlet. When I first started sewing I used it as a way to relax after a long day as a Stay At Home Mom.
I live in Michigan where we have all 4 seasons. All four are different. Each season inspires me differently!
ETSY // BLOG // FACEBOOK //TWITTER // PINTEREST
I’m pretty much in love with all of the Lil’Alice goodies… but I’m in desperate need of that Cupcake XL Essential Zipper Pouch!! Its just too adorable 🙂 Be sure to check out Katy’s shop and say hello!!
Which of the Lil’Alice items would you love to have?
pmoppins says
Her items are so pretty! I love the story behind the company name. Thanks for featuring her here – off to check out her site now. 🙂
Emily Humphries says
Oh my gosh love that shoe make up bag my sis would absolutely love that for her birthday. Thanks for sharing!
Katy says
Hey beautiful, thanks for your order. I'm so appreciative. I hope your sister loves it.
Helen says
Love these fabrics! The colors and the way she combines them are so much fun. Definitely going to have to go check out her shop!
Jamie (MamaMommyMom) says
Really cute stuff! I love the scarves. I'd love to get my hands on a tub of vintage sewing goodies!
massholemommy says
All her products are so cute and she is clearly great at what she does. I love the aprons!
Dionna says
How wonderful to have a talent that you can use to put smiles on someone else's face or to earn a little extra $! I'm sure you are always inspired to create something new!
framedfrosting says
Her items are so cute, especially that scarf!
Danielle at Framed Frosting
Deanna Ritz says
Aww, I love her story. How sweet! Her stuff is super cute too. I love that it is made with only the best! 🙂
Laura says
That apron is seriously something special!
Citizens of Beauty says
I love the bags! They are adorable
Paige says
I love all the things!!!!
Carly says
That apron???? PERFECTION!
kristinethefoleyfam says
Her quote = FABULOUS! So inspiring and tons of cute stuff! Love this series! Thanks for sharing!
Cassie says
That stiletto makeup bag is amazing. I love it!
Laura says
Those scarfs are awesome! also, totally not handmade, but that shirt looks fantastic on her!
omgitschelsea says
I love those scarves! And that cupcake little zipper bag is sooo cute.
Printcess Mineral Makeup says
I love the scarves and apron! Absolutely charming.