This giveaway is now closed.
Today’s sponsored giveaway is from Amy of Evy’s Tree ~ and OH MY, this is not only a super gorgeous shop but Amy offers some amazing advice for fellow handmade shop owners. If you own a shop, read on! I highlighted some of my favorite pieces from the interview to help guide you as you read. One thing she wrote, which I cannot agree more on, is her tip to hire help. Amy writes, “if you are too overwhelmed or too tired to do it well, you will never succeed.” Ahhh… so true! :]
Enjoy the interview and be sure to enter the giveaway at the end!
My name is Amy and I am a 35-year-old mother of two amazing kiddos, Jacob and Evelyn, and wife to a youth pastor named Brandon. I am a 4th grade public school teacher by trade, but just under two years ago made my first hoodie and posted it on my family blog… shortly thereafter Evy’s Tree was born. We make embellished clothing for men, women and children, specifically hoodies and tees. I am told often that Evy’s Tree hoodies are unique because we have taken something as plain and practical as a hoodie and made it a statement piece… something you can wear lounging around the house or even dressed up to work or dinner out. My husband calls them “The Happy Hoodies” because I am told all the time that they make people happy.
How Evy’s Tree came into my life is completely by accident; definitely what I would consider a God thing. When I decided to stay home with Jacob, money was VERY tight. In October of 2009, I was inspired by many wonderful and creative stay-at-home moms who could whip up these beautiful items for their family with practically no money. So I borrowed my mom’s sewing machine and attempted to learn. In fact, I did a big post on my family blog regarding my feelings about being crafty right after I brought the machine home. The post is a bit of a joke now as I complained how I wasn’t creative, and yet here I am- creating for a living! You can read about that here.
Anyway, I started sewing a little for myself and then I took on the task, with some help from some do-it-yourself blogs, of embellishing some hoodies from my closet for a trip to Disneyworld that my family was taking in December. I got gobs and gobs of compliments while in Florida, and my nieces begged me to make them some for Christmas. When I returned home I made them all The Hoot {now retired}. My sister in law, whose nickname is Brilla, asked me to embellish her favorite hoodie for her and give it to her for Christmas. I made her the original Brilla, which is now my staple style. I took pictures of all the hoodies and put them on my blog after Christmas. Almost immediately I started receiving emails from people asking if they could purchase one. A couple of weeks later I put up a PayPal link on my blog and sold 15 in 30 minutes. And my business was born.
I am proud of the whole Evy’s Tree thing, actually. I would NEVER in a million years imagine myself doing something creative like I am doing. But I LOVE it. Absolutely love it. So I am proud that I overcame my doubts in myself and have developed something as great as it has blossomed into what it is today.
When I opened my Etsy shop, I was so disappointed that I didn’t sell one thing off etsy for about 3 months {I sold mainly in person and off my blog}. I think the first piece of advice I could give anyone starting an online shop would be don’t be discouraged. It does take time. Also, don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. I sell often at markets, church ladies conferences or retreats and the first one I went to was a three-day overnight trip and I sold ONE hoodie the entire time. I was so discouraged and almost gave up. But the next one I went to I was the busiest booth out of all of them. My second piece of advice would be don’t give up.
Lastly, create a community of people who will support you. I know it sounds crazy, but I have some of the best friends that I have never met in person, but communicate with weekly. They all have online shops and have been so helpful to me. Also, don’t be afraid to hire help. It might cost you in the beginning, but it will come back to you in the end. It’s so important that you are good at what you do… if you are too overwhelmed or too tired to do it well, you will never succeed.
G I V E A W A Y: Amy is offering ANY in-stock item {yeow!}, to enter simply leave a comment below. *This lavender + grape ruffled hoodie is totally calling me.* Not only does Amy offer hoodies in her shop, but tees, cardigans & wraps, but accessories and more! *Share this post via your blog, Twitter or Facebook page* for extra entries. Be sure you leave a comment for each entry!
This giveaway is open to the US only and will end in a few days from now. I’ll announce the winner here and email them directly. GOOD LUCK!
PS. enter code GUSSYSEWS at checkout for *free shipping* on your order.
BEA. UTIFUL!! LOVE these…I am hooked! :)
I think I would have to have the EGGPLANT RUFFLE CARDIGAN. It’s so beautiful!
Shared on FB. :)
I would LOVE one of her simple gray hoodies! So precious and versatile!
Shared on my blog. :)
Tweeted this giveaway. :)
GORGEOUS! So talented. Truly one amazing momma! Thank you for sharing your story!
OMGoodness, I am in love with these ruffle hoodies! I also really like the ruffle cardigans…win or no win, I see one of these in my near future!
I’m loving the grey ruffled cardigan! Cute shop!
gorgeous cardigans!
shared on FB, Shandell Pottorf
tweeted https://twitter.com/shanleann/status/112161398368370688
I love the Grey Ruffle Cardigan! :) SO cute and looks super comfy!
Love Amy’s work! I’ve been window shopping her shop for way too long…living on a budget really *stinks* sometimes, lol. I absolutely adore the Adult Doublemint Brilla. Oh how I would give it such a nice home =) Hope everyone was a wonderful weekend ~ Happy Friday!
I love these! My wardrobe is so boring right now. Amy, I’m so inspired by your creativity. Thanks for the chance to win. : )
I tweeted it and mentioned @GussySews in it! :)
I just tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/BeckyAvella/status/112162198985523200
These are so cool! I like the concept of taking something like a hoodie and spicing it up. Definitely inspiring!
Shared this on my Facebook (Elizabeth Lynch Garland)
I tweeted!!
oh wow. these are magnificient! I would LOVE one, either a hoodie or a wrap! :)
Love the Boom Town Brilla hoodie, just a beauty.
I absolutely love her stuff! She makes beautiful clothing!
Her stuff is so awesome! I would love to win an item from her shop
I’ve been following Evy’s Tree for awhile and LOVE her work. I have my heart set on two Diana wraps – the winter white and the pink one. And when the giraffee hoodies come out, one will be mine. :) Thanks for the chance!
aww these are so beautiful! I would love to win one!
I love the diana wrap! sooooo nice!
What gorgeous, fun things! I think that gray simple is calling my name, too!
Love that Army Green Hoodie!
I would love love love the simple black!
I tweeted.
http://twitter.com/#!/chambanachik/status/112167682597601280
They are all so cute! Very inspiring post!
Tweeted my entry
I am loving the ruffled cardigans! Perfect for a working mamma!
I’d love to win! The hoodies are great. Who doesn’t love a fancy yet comfortable cozy top?
Shared the giveaway on Facebook too….
I love the Eggplant Ruffled Cardigan! How pretty!
Love. Love. Love. :)
I’m torn between the light charcoal dana wrap and the army green simple hoodie. Love Evy’s Tree items.
Shared on my facebook page :)
Love the army green simple!
What beautiful work!
I am in LOVE with the coffee ruffled cardigan! so ridiculously pretty!
What a WONDERFUL story and I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to win this!!! Fingers, toes and EYES are crossed!
Oh. My. Goodness. I <3 the ruffle cardigans!! I also love the brown one pictured above but didn't see it on the website…
Love her shop!
tweeted!
What an inspiring story! I fall into tge got discouraged and overwhelmed category. I’m gonna pray abt getting back on the horse, so to speak, next fall. Thank you so much for sharing!!
So much cuteness! I am glad read that she did not get discouraged because she is girly, giftly talented! This would be fabulous for my daughter and I to own as our first Mommy and Me coordinating outfit!
The diana wraps are calling my name! Fall is here and I’m looking for the cozy against the cool mornings.
I follow Amy’s blog and just love her creativity and it’s so obvious that she has a beautiful soul. I have been eyeing the Diana wrap for a while and really love the charcoal one. It’s on my birthday list and also on my Christmas list (for backup in case I don’t get it for my b-day next week). Thanks for a chance to win.
How fun! I love hoodies!!
All of Amy’s items are gorgeous! I’ll definitely be sharing her work with my friends.
Oh my goodness!!! I love all her stuff! Fingers crossed.
not only are here products great, but i also love her thoughts and encouragement!
I love all the ruffles she uses! :)
love anything ruffles :)
your designs are super cute!
wow – I am torn between the grey ruffled cardigan and the simple grey hoodie
I wanna win somethin’ ruffly!
Hi –
Just tweeted this (naycover2cover)!
Really cute products Thanks for the opportunity to win!
Shared this on my blog page on FB: “Cover to Cover and Everything in Between”
Oh my goodness – how lovely are these?!
Oh my word, I’m pretty sure me and my little gal each need one of these hoodies :)
Aren’t we often our worse critics? We think we can’t do something, so we don’t even try! Thank you for the words of encouragement. I definitely have some dreams on the back burner that are worth perusing :)
I need one……………….
I really love the black night brilla and the simple line…any color! You both are so inspiring…really!
I love Amy’s jackets and have been wanting one for awhile
LOVE Evy’s Tree!!!
I love the blue and orange cut off pullover. So adorable!
LOVE that eggplant ruffle cardi. The ruffles are just so amazing!
I tweeted about it!
https://twitter.com/#!/KassieRew
I love the blue simple hoodie!!
I like the simple olive hoodie, super cute and great for fall.
Evy’s Hoodies are awesome. In love with the adult Zebra!!
I have never seen her items before, but oh my goodness, how to pick just one! She takes comfy chic to a whole new level!
I tweeted @autumn824 and @mentioned both gussy and Evy
I Facebooked and @mentioned Evy’s Tree & Gussy
I love the eggplant ruffled cardigan – really cute!
I love, love the cardigans it would be really tuff to decide. I think I’m going to have to get a few for my sisters for Christmas! they would love them!
i love the brown wrap!
I really like the hoodies and the wraps would be awesome to win!!
Evys tree hoodies are amazing!!!! The Brilla SCREAMS Marlana
Shared on Facebook!!!! http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=1107458303
I REALLY REALLY REALLY love the Grey Lacey zip-up!
I posted the giveaway on Facebook
Would love to win one of these!!
totally NEED one of those hoodies!!
Lovely clothing I would love to win one!! Thank you!
Did someone say ruffels? So cute!
I love the eggplant ruffle cardigan and the brown cardigan wrap pictured above.
That’s purple ruffley cardi is gorgeous!!!
tweeted! @NSPottery
WOO! :) What a great giveaway!! It will hopefully be hard to choose something if I win! ;)
Beth
Love the Brilla’s so adorable!
tweeted about it!! :)
@markgirlbeth
Shared on Facebook
Wow, she’s got some awesome stuff :)
So beautiful! I love those cardigans as well as the hoodies.
tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/yes_teacher/status/112213319070392320
Wow, these are so beautiful! Perfect for Fall :)
I love Evy’s Tree! I might just have to buy one of those purple ones!
I tweeted!
http://twitter.com/#!/DonnaONeil/status/112215197065805824
The baby blue Diana wrap is lovely – simple and elegant.
I love the Sapphire Diana wrap!
Light charcoal Diana wrap
I just found out about Evy’s trees thanks to Gussy Sews. What a great product.
What an awesome product…thanks for doing this giveaway Gussy!
How wonderful! I would love to win!
What beautiful products! I really love the Army Green hoodie and would be proud to wear it about town!
I LOVE the Navy Lacey. Her things are so pretty!
facebooked it!
Chirped it!
Let’s talk about that eggplant ruffled cardigan…yummy!
Love her shop, and I love the story. That’s so inspiring and something I’ve been thinking about for awhile! :)
The black Grace wrap is very pretty!
I love the cardigans- they’re all so beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing.
Love the lemon twister briella hoodie, so cute!
Love her hoodies!! Such an awesome giveaway :)
What a cool story! Love that she was able to make a business for herself doing something she enjoys! Hope to win!!!
What inspiration! Starting a craft business sometimes feels like you’re swimming up stream so I appreciate the encouragement to not give up!
Still never won on Gussy, here’s another shot! :)
Good grief, I love every single thing in the shop! How does anybody decide what to buy? Tweeting my heart out right now!
OMG! My “little” 36 year old sister was just commenting that though she loves wearing hoodies, since becoming a mom a year ago, she feels she should wear something more age-appropriate/mature. Amy’s hoodies would be perfect!
The coffee ruffle cardigan is amazinggg! So in love.
– Jaimie
fawnandfoe.blogspot.com
Cute stuff!! Thanks!
Tweeted about the giveaway! @fawnandfoe
– Jaimie
fawnandfoe.blogspot.com
Oooh, I love the navy and orange cut-off hoodie! It’s so encouraging to read people’s start-up stories. I’m devouring any handmade shop info I can get my hands on since I’m starting my own at the end of the month!
So many pretty things! I love the cardigans!
Oh, I would love to win! I love the cardis!
She is so talented and super sweet! =o)
Those hoodies are SUPER LOVELY! I’d love the chance to win one! =)
my e-mail addy is:
EvenstarHeart{at}gmail{dot}com
I love LOVE Evy’s Tree! What a great giveaway!
Amazing! I love her light charcoal diana wrap-perfect for fall! :D
Count me in.
I love her wraps. Especially the Black Grace Wrap.
Awesome giveaway!! Love her stuff!!
love the Light Charcoal diana wrap!! it’s awesome that you can wear it many ways! :D
facebooked!! :)
tweeted! @hunnybunny727
I’m just planning a trip to Japan with my husband and have been looking all through my wardrobe to come up with enough nice pieces to cover all of the convention days/events. The Light charcoal Diana wrap would be perfect!!!
I’m a work from home mom and my wardrobe tends to reflect the days spent home behind the computer.
definately bookmarking the shop!!!
Amy is one of my favorite people in the world, and if you could peek in my closet you’d know that her shop probably is my favorite in the world….it’s pretty much where all my money goes!! If I were lucky enough to win I’d go for the brown grace wrap or a sapphire diana wrap!! Thanks for the chance, my friend!
The winter white diana wrap is beautiful! What a lovely shop!
tweeted it!
Oh how I love me some Evy’s Tree!! What a great start to the weekend!!
Cute blog! LOVE Evy’s tree – my current favorite of the fall line (because it’s ALL so darn cute!) is the Pink Giraffe Brilla!
Such a WONDERFUL giveaway!!!
My daughter would love the “Army Green Simple” or the “Gray Simple” hoodies. What darling work! Blessings
So so so lovely!!
The “Black Grace Wrap” is so classy. A really beautiful sweater that would work with any outfit, I think.
Love love love these!
Awesome inspirational story and a beautiful product!!
I am LOVE with her eggplant cardi! GORGEOUSNESS! would ADORE winning! Thanks for the chance!
http://www.facebook.com/#!/Jon.Kelsey.Vigil i shared on FB!! LOVE me some Evys tree!!
Wow! Love the ruffled hoodies! Thanks for the opportunity to win one!
Aren’t they all just too cute!!! Would love to own one :)
i love the Eggplant Ruffle Cardigan !
http://twitter.com/#!/DesMoinesDealin/status/112307045998411777
What a precious shop! I love the hoodies! The colors are amazing!
Great giveaway, thanks!
I love love these! How creative!
Shared on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mcmaestas83/posts/233603496691310
Ooooh, I like the Diana wraps.
I really like the simple black hoodie….simple enough for everyday mommy stuff, but with pretty, happy ruffles!
xoxox
Elizabeth
PS: Gussy, I miss you!!! I was going to email you the other day to say hi, but got sidetracked….I will send you an email this weekend to say hi and catch up! :) Happy Friday!! xoxox
Such an inspiring story. Hoodies are so comfy and now dressy too. What a great idea.
Great story! Great giveaway!
I’d love love love to get the Eggplant Ruffle Cardigan or the Grey Ruffle Cardigan!
demureprincess7(at)gmail(dot)com
These hoodies look like the perfect thing for a Gussy gal. I also love the advice not to get discouraged, which is so easy to do.
Love, love, love the Diana Wrap. :)
I would love one of the hoodies!!
I Absolutely Love Amy! She is such a beautiful person inside and out. She is so down to earth and super talented! Her Brillas are my favorite. :)
Wow, her hoodies are awesome!
oh ma goodness! love her shop! and i love the black simple hoodie!
Ooooh so fun! Love those hoodies!
Tweeted about this giveaway :)
Posted about this on mah facebook!
LOVE! Thank you Gussy for introducing me to Amy and her shop! What great handmade gifts! LOVE!
So lovely!
I love her hoodies and ruffled cardigans!!!!!!!!!!!!
The lavender & grape ruffled hoodie is totally calling me.
I am in such a rut lately and reading this helped give some new perspective
I would love the grace wrap or the black brilla – so cute!
Oh, I would love to win this! All of her stuff is so lovely…I especially like the black & gray ruffley cardigans. :)
tweet! @thesweetpetunia
This shop is cute! I love me a hoodie for fall.
Her hoodies are so fun!
Oh, I love the Grey Ruffle Cardi. I would love to win!
Wow! Thanks for the chance! She has amazing pieces!
I am really loving the Diana wraps!!! and the ruffle hoodies..both are adorable!!
I am really loving the Diana wraps!!! and the ruffle hoodies..both are super adorable!!
oh sorry..didnt meant to send it twice!!
I tweeted the giveaway!!!
I love the eggplant ruffle cardigan and the sapphire diana wrap. All of her stuff is absolutely gorgeous though!!!
woah! cool giveaway! I love it all!!!
beautiful, beautiful work! inspirational post to, thank you
Wow, how inspiring! Her pieces are gorgeous!
i love the boom town brilla! the best part is that i could get a coordinating one for my daughter, adorable!
I spent a ton of time admiring her beautiful website this morning. I would LOVE anything from her shop :D
I absolutely LOVE the Wraps! They are gorgeous!
I tweeted this giveaway https://twitter.com/#!/astroqueen67/status/112667440403595267
Oh my goodness — LOVE this site!!! Her items are beautiful!!!
I love the navy Diana wrap! Wonderful giveaway! thanks!
Thats so generous!! Thanks!!
nelly dot barney at yahoo dot com
I’m adding the Adult Zebra Brilla with Mrs. Darcy Brooch to my wish list right now! Thanks for the chance to win!
mrsmchappell at gmail dot com
http://twitter.com/MrsMChappell/statuses/112750660537155584
Tweet
mrsmchappell at gmail dot com
Tweeted!
nelly dot barney at yahoo dot com
I love their wraps! They would be perfect for a Minnesota fall day :)
I’d love to have one of these hoodies. The ruffled shoulder ones are my favs.
Beautiful…so hard to pick a favorite but any hoodie would be perfect for the fall in Upstate NY.
these are sooo cute. i think the simple design is my fave!
I love all her work! It’s so beautiful!!
The Navy Blue and Orange Cutoff is super cute!
Blogged about the giveaway!
Facebooked the giveaway!
Chelsea Sanford – Personal
Posted about the giveaway!
A Pinch of Color – Blog site!
Wow!! This shop is darling!! LOVE the army green ruffle hoodie!
I posted on facebook! https://www.facebook.com/justsewsassy/posts/286466261369426
I also tweeted!! @justsewsassy
LOVE! What a fun way to take something so simple, and add to it to make it special. ;) My sis would LOVE this as she is always wearing a hoodie! me too of course!
Adore these! Would be thrilled to win!!!
Wow what an inspiring story. I wish you the best of luck and continue to making beautiful designs.
so so fun!
Such an inspiring story!!
Love!!! Shared on Facebook
The black Grace wrap is lovely!
yeek! I would LOVE to win something from this lovely shop!
Her clothes are simply gorgeous! Would love to add something to my fall wardrobe!!!