Business Feature - Wacky Jacqui’s Designs

I had my blog designed by Jacqui and I love it!  She really does what she says and makes each one unique to each blogger!

1.Tell us about yourself.

I am a 20-something stay at home mom and wife. I just recently just started blogging this year. I have my own blog design business that I love doing. I have always been artistic and this allows me to expand my creative mind. My 2 little boys are 4 and 3 years old and they are my world, I have a cat named missy and she’s my baby girl (since I may never have anymore) and I have a hubby that’s a stubborn jackass but I love him so much.

2. Tell us a little about your shop.
I design blogs for cheap prices. I design clean and fresh designs for your Blogger, Wordpress.com or self hosted Wordpress blogs.

3. What got you started with your craft, and selling your items?
When I started blogging I couldn’t find anything I liked so I started designing what I wanted so and the obsession/hobby started from there.

4. What makes your products unique?
I design blogs for Blogger and Wordpress. I can also design ETSY banners, Facebook welcome pages for your fan page, Logos, Twitter backgrounds, and so much more. Wacky Jacqui’s Designs specializes in custom blog design and premade blog design for personal and business blogs. Each custom design at Wacky Jacqui’s Designs is created to reflect the style and personality of the client, rather than the designer, which is why every custom design created will always be tailor-made and 100% unique.

5. Where can we find you? (e.g. etsy, Facebook, twitter, blog, etc)
Site: http://www.wackyjacquisdesigns.blogspot.com/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/wackyjacquisdesigns
Twitter: www.twitter.com/JacquisBlogs

6. What would be your criteria for a "successful" business?
Be unique as possible. Try to be friendly for everyone and create/design stuff for both sexes.

7. How did your shop name come to be?
That’s a long story but the short version is my nick name when I was younger was Wacky Jacqui (I was weird) and I added “designs” to the end of it.

8. What product are you most proud of?
Everything I create, I put my soul into everything I create and design. I really love the facebook welcome pages I create.

9. Do you have any tips for bloggers or other Etsy shop owners you would like to share?
Bloggers since I do not own an ETSY shop so I can not comment on that. To bloggers I say be your self, we want to real the real you not some fake version that you have came up with. Talk about the good, the same, the embarrassing and definitely the UGLY!

10. Is there anything else you would like us to know?
I love every part of it. I love using my mind to create things. I love the reactions of people when they love the design. I love when they don’t like it so it makes me try harder to make it better in which this makes me a better designer. I love that I offer cheap prices that everyone can afford. I love that I offer many packages to suit your needs or budget. And last I love that I am always learning something new with this business.

I started to design because I wanted to make my blog beautiful. I tried everything I could do and find out there on the web but nothing did it for me. So I started to make my own backgrounds and headers for my blogs, then I started to make stuff for my blogger friends. After that I started to research everything I could find to start my own blog design business. I really want to make everyone’s blog look great.

Goals Met, and Announcement

So recently I met 2 of my goals that I had posted on the side bar!

1. I had my first etsy sale!  That was very exciting to me, and I wanted to celebrate that so keep reading to find out what I've done :)
2. I have also crossed over 1000 twitter followers on my www.twitter.com/knitwitshair twitter account! 

I desperately need more followers here on GFC so please follow if you haven't already :)

Ok so the exciting announcement is this:

I have some awesome blogger friends who are going to be joining me in doing a blog event!  One of the sponsors is going to be ME!!  I figured why not do my first giveaway for my shop on my blog to celebrate the goals met as part of the Christmas event.   You will have to keep your eyes peelled on Dec. 1st as I will have tons of giveaways to post, and you can find out what you can win :)

Check out the following blogs of my friends so you can make sure to be following them and all their links in order to not miss out on any of the awesome blog event items!  There might even be extra entries into my giveaways if you are fans of theirs ;)

Jayda:
www.twitter.com/momwithmigraine
http://twochildrenandamigraine.blogspot.com/
http://www.facebook.com/TwoChildrenAndAMigraine

Stephanie:
http://sweetsavingsincolorado.blogspot.com/
www.twitter.com/asthepotter
www.facebook.com/tentalents

Giveaways around the blogosphere Nov. 22

1. http://kindredspiritmommy.com/give-personalized-gifts/comment-page-1/#comment-59394 - $50 gift certificate for personalied gifts
2. http://www.theshabbychiccottage.net/2010/11/christmas-carnival-funky-bee.html - 3 Christmas towels from the Funky Bee
3. http://glimpse-reviews.blogspot.com/2010/11/hudson-and-saige-giveaway-and-discount.html - hudson and sage romper giveaway

Tagged

Ok so Jayda from Two Children and a Migraine tagged me.  I have to answer these questions, but she stole most of the people was going to tag, so I am going to cheat and not tag.  Take that Jayda LOL (you know you love me anyways)!

1.) How Long have you been blogging and why did you start?
I've been blogging since May 2010, and I started because I was reading 2 other blogs that I really liked and I thought it would be a fun thing to do.


2.) What is your favorite thing about yourself?
Um...hmmm sadly this is a hard one for me :(  I guess it has to be my organizational skills.  It is something that other people really admire in me, and it makes me proud that i can help others by getting things organized for them.

3.) Who is your favorite music artist and why? - I have many favs, but the top 3 have to be Garth Brooks, Steven Curtis Chapman and Barenaked Ladies (Yes it's a wide range lol).  I love Garth's lyrics, and how each song sucks me in and reminds me of a life experience good or bad.  I love Steven's music b/c it is like Garth's in sucking me in and reminding me of life, and you can tell he wears his heart for eveyone to see, which is the way I am.  Barenaked ladies, b/c they are so fun, and you can't be in a bad mood when you hear their songs (except for Lovers in a Dangerous time....goodness knows I hate that song).

4.) If you could be anyone for a day who would you be?  My baby.  That kid has it good :P

5.) When was the last time you read a book and what was it? I am currently reading the Queen Latifah book, but it is taking me a long time as I am focusing more on entering contests and knitting right now.  I can do those while watching the boys and watching tv with hubby.

6.) If you could visit anywhere in the world...where would it be? I've always wanted to go to Venice.

7.) What is your favorite childhood treat? Sour Keys!! I love sour keys!!

8.) What is your favorite T.V. show? Biggest Loser for me, as I love it, and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse b/c all 3 boys will sit quietly and watch it!  That is golden for a Mommy!!

If you want to answer these same questions, let me know that you did and I will for sure check them out!!

Featured Shop

This is my first Etsy shop that I am going to feature!  I am very excited, as I have been a twitter follower of AllyBu for a while, and think she is super sweet.  I love her etsy shop, and so although most of the shops I feature contact me, I had to ask her if she would do an interview.  Lucky for me, she said yes!

I seriously have one of her products on my Christmas list, but would love any of them!!  I might just have to spend some of my birthday or Christmas money on one ;)

1.Tell us about yourself.
I love to sew and create. Both of my parents were very creative when I was growing up so it was natural for me to follow their example. In my “day job” I am the controller for a software development company so my Etsy shop gives me a much needed creative outlet.

2. Tell us a little about your shop.
My shop is full of bright and colorful bags, hobos, totes and accessories.

3. What got you started with your craft and selling your items?
I started my shop in Jan 2009 hoping to make use of some of the left over fabric I had when I owned a custom window treatment business. After about a month, my shelves of fabric had tripled and it was clear that my business was definitely taking a different direction.

4. What makes your products unique?
My bags are all about the fabric. I spend a great deal of time searching for new patterns and unexpected fabric combinations for my bags.

5. Where can we find you? (e.g. etsy, Facebook, twitter, blog, etc)
https://twitter.com/AllyBu
http://www.facebook.com/pages/AllyBus/100896916477
http://www.etsy.com/shop/AllyBu

6. What would be your criteria for a "successful" etsy shop?

That’s a tough one because it is so subjective. Obviously, I need to have a certain number of sales per week to feel like I am heading in the right direction. However, it’s also important to me to get positive feedback from my customers. I need to have confidence in the quality of the bags I am creating.

7. How did your shop name come to be?

It’s a combo of my first and last names.

8. What product are you most proud of?

I honestly like all my items. However, I really like the new pleated hobos I am making where the band and straps are a solid canvas and the body is a bold fabric.

9. Do you have any tips for bloggers or other etsy shop owners you would like to share?

Learn to adapt and don’t give up.

10. Is there anything else you would like us to know?

I’m adding new items daily so my shop is ever changing. I’d love to have you check out AllyBu’s.

I really appreciate Ally taking the time to answer these questions!  I suggest following her on twitter as she occassionally does a twitter contest where you are a certain number of tweet and you get a bag!! 

Featured Blogger - Marvelous Mommy

http://twitter.com/#!/MMommie


Every Monday I am going to be featuring a blogger, if you would like to be featured please click the little envelope and fire me off an email.  I will send you the questions to answer :)

Today's Featured Blogger is Marvelous Mommy!  I love the way she answered the question about her main line of work!  It is so true!!  I hope you enjoy her answers as much as I do.  Also check out her blog and her giveaways! 

1. Tell me a little about yourself.
I am a 23 year old stay-at-home mom. I was married to my wonderful husband David in November 2008. We got pregnant 2 months later with our precious baby girl Natalie who just turned one this past October! I am now 5 months pregnant with another baby girl! Due March 31, 2011!!

2. How long have you been blogging?
I have been blogging since June 2009. I started a blog called “Expecting Our First” when I was pregnant with Natalie and then launched Marvelous Mommy in April 2010!

3. What is your favorite thing about blogging?
I love being able to share my life with everyone all at the same time. I have a lot of family and friends that I don’t talk to as often as I’d like or that live far away. Blogging is a great way to keep in touch!

4. What is your main line of work currently? (e.g.: SAHM, Accountant, etc.)
I’m a maid, a chef, an organizer, a nanny, a personal assistant, an interior decorator, a disciplinarian, a financial adviser, a psychologist, a seamstress, a teacher, a nurse, …. and the list goes on! Being a SAHM is a full time job that requires a lot of multitasking!

5. Do you have any blogging pet peeves?
I don’t really have many blogging pet peeves because I believe blogging is a way to express yourself and I think you should be allowed to do whatever you want on your own blog. However, it does annoy me when people post random crap they’ve found online especially when it’s not good information. If you’re going to share something or recommended something to your readers, I think you should know a little bit about it first.

6. Do you have any giveaways? If so, what's the most exciting one you have going right now?
I have a lot of exciting giveaways running right now. All of them are located on my right sidebar in order by ending date. Most are from Natalie’s 1st Birthday Bash and I have many more to come with my Holiday Gift Guide!

7. What led you to name your blog the name you gave it?
I am not good with catchy names at all! I wanted a name I could keep no matter how many kids I had and I wanted it to rhyme or at least start with same letters. Most everything I thought of was already taken and then the hubby came up with Marvelous Mommy. I didn’t love it at first, mostly because I thought it sounded kind of conceded, but it has grown on me.

8. What are all the ways my readers can find you?
My Blog: http://www.marvelousmommy.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/profile.php?id=1528044997
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/MMommie
Linked In: http://www.linkedin.com/in/marvelousmommy

Please check our her blog!  I love her giveaways, and her blog.

Nov. 13 - Giveaways around the blogosphere

1. Nuggle Mama Tangled Prize Pack - Prize pack for a new disney movie coming out

Nov. 12 - Giveaways around the blogosphere

Here are the giveaways you should check out:

1. The Etsy shop spotlight - elastic by the yard - Elastic for making headbands and crafts!

Nov. 11 - Giveaways around the blogosphere

In case you are new to this, I love entering giveaways, so these are ones that I have found and entered.  This means they are open to Canadians, as I am one.  If you have one you would like us to know about please post it in the comments, or better yet add it to my linky on the "Giveaway Linky" page!!

1. From The Hip Designs Card giveaway - here is a low-entry giveaway for some Christmas cards you should check out.

2. Belly Charms 3 pendant giveaway! - be sure to check out this and all the other giveaways listed on her blog.  She makes amazing things for maternity, mommy's, grandmas, kids, etc etc.

3. Precisely Mine - Savvy Cents Wallet Giveaway - This is very low-entry, and a great way to help budget your money, and organize your coupons.

4. Miss Capa Tosta - Boogie Wipes - Great for wiping sick kids noses!

4. One Income Dollar - Alarm Clock -she has a bunch of great giveaways going on, including this one for an alarm clock

5. The Ardent Sparrow - Banner Giveaway - Check out this really cute giveaway!

Tonight's Dinner - Meatball Soup

Dinner is something that I dread!  I really wish I didn't have to deal with it every night, but, alas I am not a millionaire with a personal chef....yet.

So I do my best to put food on the table that is nutritious and home cooked.  Sometimes I fail miserably, but we do get fed every day one way or another :P

Tonight I am making my MILs recipe for meatball soup.  I thought I would share in case you are trying to think of something to make, right now the meatballs are cooking!

Meatball Ingredients:
1 1/2 lbs extra lean ground beef
1 egg, slightly beaten
1/3 cup bread crumbs
1/4 tsp salt
1 tbsp dried parsley
1/4 cup milk

Soup Ingredients:
2 Oxo
3 cups water
30 shakes soya sauce
1 can tomatoes
1 package onion soup mix
2 cups chopped carrots
3/4 cup chopped celery stalks
1/4 cup chopped celery leaves
1/2 tsp oregano
1/4 tsp pepper
1 tsp dried basil leaves
1 tsp parsley

Directions:
Preheat oven to 325F

Combine meatball ingredients, mix well, shape into 12 balls.  Place balls into greased, foil-lined baking pan, bake for 45 minutes.

Disolve oxo in 1 cup of water, add with soya sauce and 2 additional cups of water to pot.

Set to cook on med-high heat.

Add onion soup mix. Break apart tomatoes, add to pot with carrots and celery.

Stir in spices and add meatballs.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and let simmer for 30 minutes.  Sitr occassionally.

Nov. 10 - Giveaways around the blogosphere

1. http://christiecottage.blogspot.com/2010/11/win-it-wednesday-new-giveaway_10.html#comment-form - The giveaway is a very cute sign that says "Love grows in small houses"! I love it.

2. http://momsreview4you.blogspot.com/2010/11/grandma-rubys-sweet-shoppe-review-and.html - a giveaway for fudge!  Who doesn't love fudge?? They even have diabetic fudge now that gets me excited :)

3. http://nurseryloveblog.blogspot.com/2010/11/httpwwwetsycomshopnotesbyredletter.html - low-entry giveaway for personalised gift tags

Nov. 9th Giveaways to Enter:

1. http://marvelousmommyamy.blogspot.com/2010/10/two-savvy-sisters-review-and-giveaway.html - printable party supplies with low entries!  She gets top billing b/c she tweeted it to me LOL and so I entered hers and found this next one b/c of it!

2. http://thetwosavvysisters.blogspot.com/2010/11/loveable-labels-giveaway.html - loveable labels giveaway!  What mom doesn't need labels for their kids things?? This is low-entries too!

3. http://kraftymax.blogspot.com/2010/11/3000-face-book-fans-contest.html - $25 to Krafty Max by telling her what is your favourite item from her shop!  Super easy, and low entries!!

4. http://abusymommy.com/2010/11/keeping-bath-time-special/ - Johnson and Johnson baby bathtime items giveaway! CAN only!  Let's support the Canadian only ones, as I know there are a lot of US only ones which bums me out b/c I can't enter.

5. http://abusymommy.com/2010/10/palmers-went-pink/comment-page-2/#comment-9178 - A busy mommy has another Canadian only giveaway with low-entries, and it's for palmers products!  They are pink to support breast cancer, but what an awesome shower gift this would make!!

6. http://megankayden.blogspot.com/2010/11/gift-guide-8-hasbro-review-and-giveaway.html -Here's a hasbro giveaway for a few different items!

7. http://megankayden.blogspot.com/2010/11/gift-guide-7-strider-prebike-review-and.html - Here is one for a strider prebike which I would love to get for my middle son!!

8. http://naturalmommie.com/2010/11/isabooties-2/comment-page-2/#comment-24748 - super cute shoes for 0-24 months age group!

Nov.7 Giveaways to enter!

I am going to try to post some great giveaways around the blog-o-sphere for you to check out!

1. Opi burlesque collection at This Birds Day - This one is for Canadians only!  It is for a collection of nail polish!  What a great gift for Christmas or keep for yourself!

2. Plush Octopus at Made by Melissa - This one ends today and is very low entries.  It is for a plush crocheted octopus, it is very cute!

3. Hand Stamped Leather Love Necklace at Olive Bites - very cute and ends Nov. 8th, and has low entries

4. Moby Wrap at Kelley Haute Mom - Very cool giveaway

Winners!!

I have 2 winners to announce!

SmartKnit Kids:

Congrats Jayda!  Will contact you shortly.

Creations by Doodlebug Winner:

Congrats Kiddo!! I will email you shortly!!