Saturday Artisan: Pepper Skye

Meet Angela, the artist and owner of Pepper Skye. She is our Saturday Artisan.

If you have a little one or are looking for baby gifts, look no further. She carries many cute baby items from blankets, bandana bibs, burb clothes, and diaper wallets.

I love the story of her house, it's something that you don't hear everyday. Let's get to know her more, shall we?

Tell us a bit about yourself and what arts/ crafts that you make?

I am a SAHM. I have 3 kids - 2 boys and a girl, ages 8.5, almost 7 and 2.5. We live in central NH. I make Bandana baby bibs and other baby items.

What is the story behind your shop name?  

The business was created when my daughter Pepper was about 8 months old and drooling up a storm. Our bibs are backed in fleece which is a moisture barrier. The cut of these bibs is slimmer and cover the area that always gets soaked. Because they are cut slimmer you child can crawl and play w/o the bibs interfering. They are stylish yet functional.

Who is your target market?

Parents and grandmas that have children from 3 months to 18 months in age. Or anyone who has a child who is teething.

Which part of creation process that you enjoy the most?

Picking out the material I'm going to use or sitting down and sewing up something I thought up(most times there's no pattern used).

For us who love to travel, could you share a bit about your beautiful town/ city? 

Our town would be considered rural. I think this may have been a big farming community in the past with all the big old houses on large parcels of land. The land is being divided up and new homes are being built all the time. My children are the 6th generation to live in our house - lots of history in this town.  It draws tourist with the lake, the climbing rocks, and hiking trails. Here's a photo of our house before it was moved - it used to be a store -

Here's a current photo of it 

Could you share on how your organize your products, we all can use a little tips here and there in this department?

We got this awesome shelf from our neighbor who used to have a yarn store. It works perfect for our bibs. This was when we first started, we have more bibs than what's shown.

What is your best seller?

I think the neutral prints have sold the best, but it's hard to find ones I think people would like. A lot of people don't find out what the baby is(we didn't with 2 of our 3) so it's nice to be able to offer something that works for either.

How does your day go in general?

Now that school has started it's trying to get the boys ready for school and out the door on time. Then I come back home and have my coffee, check on Pepper Skye stuff and try to plan my day. Most days it doesn't go as planned due to Pepper having her own agenda. If I'm lucky I get some things sewn up or maybe get the house tidied(w/3 kids I always seem to be behind on it).

How do you balance your personal and work life?

It's tough especially with a toddler. Lately I haven't had much time to sew, but I've had a slew of ideas I want to work on. the boys have only been in school a week so I'm hoping to figure out a schedule where I can sew while they're gone.

What inspires you?

My kids. My oldest is very creative, probably more so than me. If I can create & sell bibs then it helps me be able to stay home with Pepper and the boys when they have days off of school.

What is your goal for 2014?  And are you on the right track?

Our goal was to get our name out to more people and have more sales. I think we've done that but not as much as we'd hoped. Advertising costs a lot of money. Also, re-doing the website was a goal and that has pretty much been completed.

What is the key to success?

Believing in yourself and your product.

Any advice for others running their on-line shop?

Make sure your pictures are done well. Neutral backgrounds that don't take away from the product and proper lighting is absolutely essential. Make sure you have an email, phone number, etc so people can contact you. Keep the site updated.

What does handmade mean to you?

Handmade is something made/sewn by a person, not mass produced. It requires time, talent and love.

You can also find Angela on Facebook.

EDITED:
Angela is offering 10% off the entire order for any order placed before Oct 1st at Pepper Skye. Use code: PEPPER10.

Would you like to be featured as a Saturday Artisan and sponsor a giveaway?Here is how to apply.