It all started with the idea of the homemade holiday. In so many ways Etsy and I have always been made for each other. I just didn't know it until the beginning of 2011.
Every holiday, one of the traditions that has been in my life as long as I can remember is the making of Christmas Cookies. Always and forever. At first I remember just my mother spending a weekend making tons of cookies for us. Then as I got a bit older, I remember she and one of her sisters making large baskets for all their siblings (they are in a family of 8 kids). The amount of cookies the two of them would make was unbelievable - truly. But this is what they would give as gifts to all of them. I loved it.
As I got older and was starting a family of my own - that same idea of the need for me to give 'homemade' for so many occasions became important. A friend's new baby or a wedding... I would make a quilt. A new neighbor... a lasagna. And then the holidays. Each year the ideas would change depending on what I wanted to make. Hats, to dresses, to cookie making kits and aprons... I was always thinking of one way or another to create that homemade holiday for everyone I wanted to give to. It's a way for me to give a little piece of myself to those I love.
In the summer of 2010 my oldest daughter (then 5) and I sat talking about what we would make everyone for the holiday. We knew that we would bake some cookies to send everyone, then decided that it would be so fun to make napkins to wrap the cookies up in and send them that way. We started picking and ordering fabric. At the same time I decided to make my sister-in-law a holiday shower curtain that year. More fabric picked and ordered. And truly - this is where it all began.
My close friend received her napkins and cookies and said - this is it... you have to check out Etsy (she is a long time Etsy buyer). She said these were perfect and this is what I should do. So... much research, so much soul searching... and with a lot of hope and fear... I jumped right in and have never looked back. This business is challenging, but truly fun. I love what I am building here and I am so thankful to my family and friends (old and new Etsy friends) for their constant encouragement and support. I could not have made this happen without each and every one of you there by my side.
Thank you so much for stopping by my shop and reading a little about where everything began.
PRESS
Izy and Oly/Too Cute is so thankful and privileged to be included in each of these wonderful publications:
March 2017... http://homeandtablemagazine.com/easy-way-jumpstart-spring/
February 2015... https://blog.etsy.com/en/2015/10-podcasts-to-help-your-business-thrive/?ref=etsy_success
February 2015: Rocky Mountain Bride Magazine: http://rockymountainbride.com/styled-shoot-highlands-ranch/
June 2014... Podcast interview on Brilliant Business Mom's Blog: http://www.brilliantbusinessmoms.com/episode-9-etsy-seller-keri-bass-izy-oly-talks-community-kids/
April 2014... Napkins included in Designer styled Shoot for Couture Colorado Wedding
http://www.couturecolorado.com/wedding/2014/04/20/french-inspired-boudoir-bridal-shower/#comment-195459
February 2014... Napkins included in a Designer Styled Shoot
http://www.acoloradocourtship.com/2014/04/04/phantom-of-the-opera-wedding/
January 2014... Great blog from Maggie at Crafty Dog Blog http://www.craftydogblog.com/955/sponsored-product-review-izy-and-oly/
September 2013... Kid's Napkins found their way into an article on Random Recycling blog http://randomrecycling.com/the-story-behind-lunch-love-giveaway/
September 2013... A part of Momsfavorites.com blog for This New House http://momfavorites.com/2013/09/this-new-house-dining/
May 2013... Fun feat
April 2013... A part of The House that Etsy Built http://lookieboo.com/
March 2013... On the cover and 1 full page in Parenting Magazine - article Extreme Makeover: Leftover Edition (magazine Photographer Michael Kraus)
Spring 2013... ETSY 2013 SPRING Look Book
January 2013... https://brightnest.com/posts/trend-spotting-for-2013-geometric-shapes
Autumn 2012... http://www.mhcmag.com/p/archives_8.html pages 58-63 about dogs
September 2012... custom napkins for a tuscan inspired wedding shoot
http://www.stylemepretty.com/2012/09/25/villa-parker-wedding-inspiration-from-kokoro-photography-la-vie-le-gage-couture-events/#comment-473087
Summer 2012... You can find these placemats listed at iVillage.com's 50 items under $50 Summer Finds: http://www.ivillage.com/50-under-50-awesome-finds-brighten-your-home-summer/7-b-463151
April 2012... 2 full pages in Parenting Magazine - article Family Table (magazine Photographer Michael Kraus)
Spring 2012... cupcakeMAG http://www.cupcakemag.com/ for The Party Dress, see us in the Spring Issue http://issuu.com/whhostess/docs/thepartydressmagazine_spring2012issue/69
photography: Kim Flores of Whimsy Baby Photography
March 2012... http://www.milesandemma.com/2012/03/fancy-floor.html
November 2011... Apartmenttherapy.com http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/happier-holiday-161162#comments