{"id":66,"date":"2009-07-01T09:07:00","date_gmt":"2009-07-01T13:07:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/oliverands.com\/blog\/2009\/07\/boutique-sewer-profile-tiffany-james\/"},"modified":"2018-11-28T10:53:47","modified_gmt":"2018-11-28T15:53:47","slug":"boutique-sewer-profile-tiffany-james","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/blog\/2009\/07\/boutique-sewer-profile-tiffany-james.html","title":{"rendered":"boutique sewer profile: Tiffany James"},"content":{"rendered":"

Today we continue our series of posts highlighting participants in our <\/span>Boutique Sewer Program<\/a> by sharing a short discussion with Tiffany James from Seattle, WA. Tiffany took time away from preparing for the impending arrival of her first baby to answer a few of our questions.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Tell me a little about yourself and your background. How did you learn to sew?<\/span>
Sewing is something I’ve just really always done. I was a creative kid and it didn’t hurt that there was a cabinet of craft supplies and stacks of fabric and boxes of buttons at home. I used them to make everything from clothes for my dolls and dog to gifts for my friends and family. Over the years I have self-trained and have expanded my skillset by reading books and blogs, and of course by trial and error and by simply making lots of different types of things.<\/p>\n

Your Etsy store<\/a> features an interesting assortment of things\u2014various sewn items, jewelry, and vintage goods. Does this eclectic mix say something about your personal style?<\/span>
Yes. I think eclectic is a good word for it! My shop reflects the fact that I’m constantly trying something new and I’m drawn to so many different media and activities. I love to research a new craft or project, and then I tend to spend a lot of time gathering the materials and perfecting new techniques. Then, before long, something new has caught my eye!<\/p>\n

As a result, I have a studio full of interesting materials to inspire me and experience working in a wide variety of media. To the untrained observer, however, it may just look like I have a problem with my attention span, which may or may not also be true!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

What other crafts do you pursue that you may not be selling on Etsy?<\/span>
Well, lately everything has been about getting ready for the arrival of our first baby at the end of July. My husband and I are definitely do-it-yourselfers in every aspect, so we’ve done all of the work preparing the nursery ourselves. We built a changing table, and we’re working on a bookshelf next. We’ve also tackled minor renovations around the house like updating lighting and plumbing. But we haven’t done any major demolition yet!<\/p>\n

I also knit here and there, and I’ve recently started making clothes for myself–both from patterns and by refashioning thrift store finds. I guess I just like to stay busy!<\/p>\n

How did you first discover Oliver + S patterns, and how did you come to participate in the Boutique Sewer Program?<\/span>
I started reading the Oliver + S blog after I saw the patterns mentioned on another site, and I fell in love with the adorable styles. When I saw the post about the Boutique Sewer Program being born, I knew right away that I would want to participate at some point and bookmarked it for future reference.<\/p>\n

Months later, when I learned that I was pregnant, my craftiness bug kicked into high gear and my attention naturally turned to baby and kid’s clothes. I was absolutely convinced that our baby was a girl for the first few months, so I picked up the pattern for the Tea Party Sundress (my favorite) and got to work on “her” wardrobe.<\/p>\n

We found out soon after that “she” is a “he,” but I was already hooked by how beautifully the pattern came together and how much I loved the styling, and I couldn’t wait to make tons more. I’ve got stacks of fabric waiting to be turned into new Tea Party dress combinations as soon as I can find a free minute!<\/p>\n

What have you done to market your business that has been successful for you?<\/span>
In the past, I have set up booths at a local Saturday market and sold my jewelry, and it also helps that I have wonderful fashionable friends who have purchased my creations and wear them around helping to spread the word!<\/p>\n

I’ve recently gotten a few requests from friends to make up special items for them that weren’t in my shop, and I love that. Custom work is exciting, and I love to try new designs, so I’ve been more than happy to oblige.<\/p>\n

My blog<\/a> was originally created to keep our friends and family up to date with the pregnancy and baby news, but I’ve been showcasing my crafty pursuits there as well, so that has led to increased traffic to my Etsy shop<\/a>. The Boutique Sewer page on the Oliver + S site has also sent new viewers my way, which is wonderful and much appreciated!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

What plans do you have for the future?<\/span>
Our immediate future plans involve an easy and trouble-free home birth and some wonderful family time with our new little one!<\/p>\n

Once the babymoon is over, my plan is to concentrate more on my shop and my sewing, and perhaps I’ll even narrow my focus to just a small selection of handmade goods for sale. Of course, I’m sure I’ll still be creating all over the board, so we’ll see how well that pans out!<\/p>\n

One thing I’ve considered is perhaps moving things through my shop on a rotating basis, featuring new groups of items at different times as the particular medium appeals to me, instead of having such a mix in there at once. That might help me satisfy my need for variety in a way that makes things appear more cohesive as well. Time will tell.<\/p>\n

One thing is for sure, and that is that I will always be making something. I just have an inherent need in me to create, and I feel so lucky to be able to do that and to have a venue to share that and learn from others around me.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Today we continue our series of posts highlighting participants in our Boutique Sewer Program by sharing a short discussion with Tiffany James from Seattle, WA. Tiffany took time away from preparing for the impending arrival of her first baby to …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6295,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[20687],"tags":[5],"class_list":["post-66","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-general","tag-boutique-sewer-profiles"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/TiffanyJames-734254.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p5jZS5-14","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":145,"url":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/blog\/2008\/06\/boutique-sewer-program-launches-at-last.html","url_meta":{"origin":66,"position":0},"title":"the boutique sewer program launches at last!","author":"Liesl Gibson","date":"June 5, 2008","format":false,"excerpt":"During the three years that I've written a blog, I've really come to love the crafting community. There are so many wonderfully creative people out there with so many ideas and skills, and they all seem to be the nicest, most friendly and warm people I've ever met. I've made\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "general post"","block_context":{"text":"general post","link":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/list\/general"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oliverands.com\/community\/content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/lable-3-770574.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":6,"url":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/blog\/2010\/02\/boutique-sewer-profile-jeanie-taylor.html","url_meta":{"origin":66,"position":1},"title":"boutique sewer profile: Jeanie Taylor","author":"Todd Gibson","date":"February 3, 2010","format":false,"excerpt":"We're continuing our series of posts highlighting participants in the Boutique Sewer Program by introducing Jeanie Taylor from Cape Cod, MA. Jeanie sells her work through her boutique sewing business, The Pea Green Boat. Jeanie, why don't you tell us a little about yourself and your background. When and how\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "general post"","block_context":{"text":"general post","link":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/list\/general"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oliverands.com\/community\/content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/JeanieTaylor-727563.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":36,"url":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/blog\/2009\/11\/boutique-sewer-profile-meg-lineberger.html","url_meta":{"origin":66,"position":2},"title":"boutique sewer profile: Meg Lineberger","author":"Todd Gibson","date":"November 17, 2009","format":false,"excerpt":"We're pleased to continue our series of posts highlighting participants in the Boutique Sewer Program by sharing a recent discussion with Meg Lineberger from Durham, NC. Meg sells her work through her boutique sewing business, Nora's Room, which is named after her four-year-old daughter, Nora Kate. Meg also has a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "general post"","block_context":{"text":"general post","link":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/list\/general"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oliverands.com\/community\/content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Meg-798435.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":69,"url":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/blog\/2009\/06\/boutique-sewer-profile-ajjacks-clothing.html","url_meta":{"origin":66,"position":3},"title":"boutique sewer profile: a.j.jacks clothing","author":"Todd Gibson","date":"June 3, 2009","format":false,"excerpt":"Today we continue our series of posts highlighting participants in our Boutique Sewer Program by sharing a recent exchange with Sandy Stewart of Virginia Beach, VA--ringleader of the all-in-the-family a.j.jacks clothing team.Sandy, can you tell us a little about yourself and the others who sew with you under the a.j.jacks\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "general post"","block_context":{"text":"general post","link":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/list\/general"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oliverands.com\/community\/content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/ajjacks-796117.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":77,"url":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/blog\/2009\/05\/boutique-sewer-profile-rachel-baker.html","url_meta":{"origin":66,"position":4},"title":"boutique sewer profile: rachel baker","author":"Todd Gibson","date":"May 3, 2009","format":false,"excerpt":"Today we\u2019re introducing a new blog feature. We will regularly be highlighting one of the participants in our Boutique Sewer Program. These talented individuals are creating unique, handcrafted garments from Oliver + S patterns and are selling them through a variety of channels. We\u2019re always interested in talking with our\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "general post"","block_context":{"text":"general post","link":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/list\/general"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oliverands.com\/community\/content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/2009-05-04-27192-761324.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":288,"url":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/blog\/2010\/03\/boutique-sewer-profile-gail-keyes.html","url_meta":{"origin":66,"position":5},"title":"boutique sewer profile: Gail Keyes","author":"Todd Gibson","date":"March 2, 2010","format":false,"excerpt":"We\u2019re continuing our series of posts highlighting participants in the Boutique Sewer Program by introducing Gail Keyes from Louisville, KY. Gail sells her work through her boutique sewing business, Guurrrl Designs. Why don't you start by telling us a bit about yourself. 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