Meet The Designers!

Every couple of weeks, we will highlight one of our group's designers. Sort of like an interview/get to know them type thing. This week, we will introduce Karen, of Growing Up With Rosy. Karen is actually our fantastic group leader.



How long have you been creating?
I started sewing at a really young age - mostly things like bean bags and doll blankets using my mom's scrap fabrics. I made a few larger projects - a queen size quilt in 8th grade and then took a sewing break for a while. Then I had Rosy! It was nearing her 1st birthday and I found the perfect dress. When I discovered it was $120 I KNEW there was no way. So... I made my first boutique set. Purely driven by my need to duplicate a dress that would be as cute or cuter that the $120 variety. Here it is...

When did you start selling your designs on eBay?
I started selling toddler jewelry on eBay about 3 years ago. Rosy started wearing her jewels the day she came home from the hospital. I made some necklaces for the boys and then quickly added some mommy jewels too. All the while I kept making cute clothes for Rosy and eventually decided to offer my clothes on eBay too. That was just about 2 years ago. The response was wonderful so I continued to plug away. Searching out the latest fabrics and adapting patterns to make unique boutique sets under the ID growing*up*with*rosy.
these are my kiddos - they inspire me!



Also one of my hubby and I.


Do you remember the first thing you sold on eBay?
Oh the first thing I sold was a double strand mommy bracelet. I quickly sold a couple more shortly after. As far as clothing I don't know the very first item, but this set was one of my firsts...


How did come up with your name?
Rosy is my daughter and since I am always creating item with her in mind I call my line Growing Up With Rosy

Do you have a favorite item to create?
Definately my Signature Twirl Top. It's a best seller of mine and can easily be adapted to look totally different. I love to pair it with ruffle jeans or Growing Up With Rosy gauchos - another signature pattern of mine. Here are some photos. Different every time ;)





What other things do you enjoy besides sewing and making jewelry?
Scrapbooking, playing board games with my kids and hubby, bike riding, snowboarding - although I rarely go anymore, swimming, and vacuuming - really it is just so gratifying! lol.

What did you do for work before ebay?
I still work full time outside the home. My sister and I run our family company Quenvold's Safety Shoes. It is a mobile shoe company that sells steel toe work boots. I mostly work in the office doing invoicing, orders, etc. Pretty much anything that needs to be done. Last week I put away a few hundred pairs of boots in the warehouse. Ugh! Before this I worked for 7 years for Gap in the Old Navy division. I started with them when Old Navy was brand new. I quickly moved up the ranks while going to college and was one of the youngest in management with one of the largest stores in the area - continually surpassing any goal set for me. I implemented many management programs and attended many meeting with corporate employees in San Francisco to share with them my ideas and plans for the stores. BUT...my 60-80 hour work weeks were certainly going to take a toll on my family goals. A few months before I got married I quit that job and went to Quenvold's. The regular work week was just what I needed. I love it there and am still so happy I made that change. I continue to be able to work with the public and so love interacting with people and being able to work so closely with my family.

Do you have any ebooks for sale?
Oh yes! My favorite patterns are ones I have made myself. They've been tweaked and perfected and now I share them with everyone!

I have: Twirl Top, Gauchos, Double Ruffle Twirl Skirt, Peek-A-Boo twirl skirt, Ribbon Flowers, Petal Romper (like Rosy's 1st birthday outfit), and Angel Wings. You can view them all right here...

www.youcanmakethis.com


I also tag my jewels - attention to every detail!


You can find Karen's Kreations, here, on ebay!