Maggie Whitley Designs

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{sponsor feature + giveaway: Evy’s Tree}

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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!

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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.

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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.


Comments

  8. Liz G. says

    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!

  14. Sydney S says

    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!

  18. stac says

    These are so cool! I like the concept of taking something like a hoodie and spicing it up. Definitely inspiring!

  25. Mandi says

    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!

  43. Lauren says

    What a WONDERFUL story and I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to win this!!! Fingers, toes and EYES are crossed!

  47. Jennwith4 says

    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!!

  48. Lillian P. says

    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!

  50. MaryBeth says

    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.

  64. Meg says

    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 :)

  66. Angie H. says

    I really love the black night brilla and the simple line…any color! You both are so inspiring…really!

  75. Brooke says

    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!

  79. Yolanda says

    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!

  114. Stacey says

    Love her shop, and I love the story. That’s so inspiring and something I’ve been thinking about for awhile! :)

  120. Erica says

    What inspiration! Starting a craft business sometimes feels like you’re swimming up stream so I appreciate the encouragement to not give up!

  122. Katy says

    Good grief, I love every single thing in the shop! How does anybody decide what to buy? Tweeting my heart out right now!

  123. Helen says

    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!

  127. Megan @ Lemon Tree Studio says

    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!

  140. connie says

    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!!!

  141. Heather G. says

    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!

  145. andreanurse says

    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!

  147. EFY says

    My daughter would love the “Army Green Simple” or the “Gray Simple” hoodies. What darling work! Blessings

  149. JESSICA says

    The “Black Grace Wrap” is so classy. A really beautiful sweater that would work with any outfit, I think.

  163. Elizabeth says

    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

  166. Ashley says

    I’d love love love to get the Eggplant Ruffle Cardigan or the Grey Ruffle Cardigan!

    demureprincess7(at)gmail(dot)com

  167. Catherine says

    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. :)

  169. Monique McGovern says

    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. :)

  193. ashley says

    i love the boom town brilla! the best part is that i could get a coordinating one for my daughter, adorable!

  200. Michelle C says

    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

  205. Wendy Spence says

    Beautiful…so hard to pick a favorite but any hoodie would be perfect for the fall in Upstate NY.

  215. Lisa Somerville says

    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!

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