Maggie Whitley Designs

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{sponsor feature + giveaway: Barn Owl Primitives}

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This giveaway is now closed.

Today’s sponsored feature & giveaway is from Kristi of Barn Owl Primitives. Reading through her interview, which is more like having a 1-on-1 conversation with Kristi, gave me goosebumps. The words she uses and the encouragement she shares and her story and wisdom and heart for handmade is exactly what this blog is all about ~ so I’ve highlighted bits & pieces that really spoke to me, things I thought would speak to you, too :]

I’m so proud to be working with Kristi; I hope you’ll take a few minutes to soak in her advice, because it’s so good!!!, and then at the end there’s a super generous giveaway for you to enter. ENJOY + happy Friday!

* * *

My name is Kristi and I’m a mom to Maddie and Connor, wife to Sean and a daughter, sister, aunt and friend to many. I’m a day dreamer with a LONG list of projects yet to be completed. I’m a lover of coffee and all things vintage. And I’m the creator of Barn Owl Primitives.

A few years ago, when money was tight and making handcrafted Christmas gifts seemed like the way to go, I started making hand painted door hanging snowmen for my family and friends. They were well-received and friends of friends started placing orders. That snowballed into Barn Owl Primitives {BOP} and a little shop on Etsy. Since Snowmen eventually melt I needed to add some things to my shop that would last all year. I started with my You are My Sunshine and a Family Rules Typography Word Art Signs. Things were slow at first, but after months of marketing my shop on facebook, building relationships with fellow shop owners and bloggers, I started to see some steady sales. During those first few slow months, I read every article on the Etsy blogs about building a good business. I educated myself on what it means to create a brand and I set out to make BOP something that people would recognize. I focused my energy and efforts on making new and exciting products and looked for big and small ways to set myself apart from my competition.

It’s important not to get too comfortable or too complacent in your business. Challenge yourself to always be moving forward. Set goals and continually revisit them and constantly set new ones.

I have sold signs to some pretty amazing people. My We Can Do Hard Things sign is hanging in the Etsy Corporate Office in New York City and the MTV Office in London. Brené Brown purchased my Playroom Rules sign and I almost fell off the couch when I received the order. But by far the orders that I am most proud of are from people you’ve never heard of — The daughter who purchased a sign for her dad’s 70th birthday with all the sayings he’s been repeating to her for the last 46 years. The mother who allowed me to see and paint the special and private poem that she repeats to her autistic son each night before he goes to bed. The grandmother who ordered my Strength of My Love sign for her granddaughter, who spent almost a year in the NICU before finally coming home. The mother who lost her twelve year old son to an unthinkable accident during a flood. These are just a few of the accomplishments that I am the most proud of and the one’s that make what I do so rewarding and worthwhile.

Starting this business has been such an amazing journey for me. I’ve gained friends, grown my confidence, tapped into a creative side I didn’t know existed, and developed a love of handmade products.

If you are thinking about starting you own shop the best advice I can offer you is this:
* We Can Do Hard Things.
* Owning and growing a successful business is HARD WORK. But, it is that hard work that will set you apart from your competition.
* That hard work that will drive you to produce quality products and to be passionate about what you create.

Remember, you are not alone. There is an entire community of people willing to help you. There are fellow shop owners, bloggers, customers, fellow creatives, and friends that want to see you succeed. Ask for help when you need it and more importantly, accept help when it is offered.

It’s been such an honor to share a little bit about myself with you here today! Hope to see you around the Barn real soon!!

xo ~ kristi

* * *

G I V E A W A Y: Kristi is offer a $100 shop credit to her shop, AMAZING! To enter, please visit Barn Owl Primitives and leave a comment below with your favorite item.

For extra entries, follow BOP on facebook or twitter, follow Gussy Sews on facebook or twitter, or share this giveaway with your community via blog, twitter or facebook.

Remember to leave an extra comment for each {up to 8 extra entries}; I’ll pick a winner in a few days!

G O O D ♥ L U C K


Comments

  1. Katie says

    Can I say all of them? But really, I like the alphabet letterpress design and the wine list. Although I might change my mind if I win. Thanks so much!

  2. Katja says

    Oh! So many favourites! But the Mom’s Diner sign would be SOOO perfect above our kitchen doorway! What a beautiful shop.

  3. Cindy H. says

    I absolutely love Barn Owl Primitives wooden signs…they are amazing, I LOVE the worn look they have, they are just wonderful!

    • Cindy H. says

      oh, and I guess I was supose to pick just one, not all of them! haha! I love the family rules sign!

  37. Southern Gal says

    How can you choose from all those great signs? I love all the Family Rules ones. Maybe You are My Sunshine or Mom’s Diner? Too hard to choose just one!! Thanks for introducing us to her shop.

  53. katy reitz (lil' alice) says

    love your work! it’s beautiful! I am in the works of making my hobby a business….. for 2012! it’s exciting but it’s hard work, just like you said. but if it’s your passion it’s fun too!

  57. Candydawn says

    I adore people who can take words and saying and turn it into something that is visual. I love writing, but I have to admit that whatever font my doc defaults to, is just fine. People like BOP turn it into art.

  59. Molly W. says

    I love the family rules sign! I have been hinting to my husband that I want one for Christmas!

  64. AnnaLucia says

    Love the “classroom rules” as well as the “playroom rules”! As a ‘just retired’ early childhood educator (soon to begin my own art school for kiddos under 7 yrs. of age) …wel,l these ARE the “rules of life” for me no matter how old one is! Delightful shop and interview! Thanks for the giveaway!!

  65. Melissa G. says

    Oh her shop is a treat to brows around in! I love the blue Family Rules Sign – Live Simply Typography Word Art Sign. It would be perfect for our little blue house and a great reminder.

    missylovsjesus at yahoo dot com

  66. Katie B says

    I first saw the Wash Your Hands and Say Your Prayers piece on Pintrest and I laughed out loud! Love it! :)

  67. Jessica says

    I recently got the A True love story never ends and I LOVE it! It is my favorite! Thank you for the giveaway and great feature!

  75. Sarah O. says

    I adore everything in the shop, but I absolutely love the You complete Me sign, the newest family rules sign, the nursery signs and finally the Keep Calm and Say I Do! :)

  77. Sarah O. says

    I have been following your blog, but now I officially “like” Gussy Sews on Facebook! YAY! :)

  85. Lauren says

    I LOVE the sign “love is all you need, all you need is love”. Your stuff is amazing and I love your story. So inspiring. :)

  97. Kelly says

    everything’s so great how do you choose? i love “all you need is love”, “the family rules”, and “you complete me”.

  102. Erin says

    Oh, I love her stuff! You are my sunshine is MY favorite but I have several others picked out for gifts!! Thanks for reminding me about this shop as Christmas shopping is nearing….(in case I don’t win, that is)!

  107. Amy says

    Super fun stuff! Added to my favorite shops on Etsy. My two favorite signs: A True Love Story Never Ends or Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. Thanks for the opportunity to enter!

  108. Angela says

    I am head over heels in love with the Little Darling with Bunting piece. I would love to hang it in the nursery for my babe due in January.

  111. Lisa @ Organized Chaos says

    I visited the shop and I absolutely LOVE the ~You Complete Me Heavily Distressed Sign in Hummingbird Blue Vintage Style~! I want that hanging in my bedroom! It’s the perfect colors too! Love it!
    ~Lisa @ Organized Chaos

  134. Georgia says

    As I am a nurse I have had my eye on the Wash Your Hands and Say your prayers sign for a while now….i even added it to my christmas list! Would love to get that one!

  137. Misty says

    oh my gravy…soooo many fun and inspiring pieces of art!!! the “have yourself a merry little christmas” piece is really catching my eye at the moment as i am in full “holiday prep” mode. thanks for the chance!

    ~misty

  158. Kate says

    I would love to get the famous golf courses sign for my husband for Christmas…it would be perfect in his office. LOVE your stuff!

  159. Jennalou says

    Hello! Stumbled onto your blog this morning via Facebook. Your blog is an inspiration of cuteness!!
    Unrelated to the giveaway, just wanted to give a shout out from Mankato, MN where I run Jenna Lou Designs. Love seeing other thriving creatives in the MN area!

  168. Ashley C. says

    i love the “A True Love Story Never Ends” signs. I would love to hang that in my bedroom.

  190. Brooksie says

    I love the “We Can Do Hard Things” sign. It would be perfect in my husband’s office.

  194. Shelly says

    I LoVe BOP’s “You Are My Sunshine Sign with Bunting Typography Word Art”. I have that sung that song to each of my sons since they were born. I can simply sing part of a line of the song, and they finish it – from anywhere in the house. It’s our special song…….. Beautiful artwork. Thank you Gussy for sharing!!

  198. Amity says

    I’ve always loved her signs! I like all of them! I have been wanting a family rules sign and I also like the “Come in we’re open!” :) Great giveaway!

  208. Lisa says

    I like the family rules sign – live simply. Sometimes I need to be reminded of those things. All the signs are so cute though. I would have a hard time chosing.

  209. Jen says

    I have been wanting one of Krisit’s signs for EVER! I love her Beach Rules, the Family Rules and her newer “Little Darlin” signs. Se is awesome!

  220. cati burbank says

    I really love the “play room rules” sign! that would be adorable in our new play space for the kids :)

  225. tiffany kraght says

    well, they’re all good, but the “be thankful” family rules sign is my favorite. i’d love to have this in my home as a reminder of what’s important!

  229. Pam says

    Kristi love the signs and your story. The orange & “good day sunshine” perfect- also” porch rules” has me wishing for a porch!

  244. Marcie Seery says

    We Can Do Hard Things fits our year…lots of loss and we’re growing through it. But I love them all, truly. They’re wonderful!

  256. Le Petite Hoot says

    Thank you so much for sharing Kristi’s interview! You’re totally right– it was very inspirational. I love the part about how her favorite sales are from everyday people that have a story to tell and share. So touching! Thanks, again, for sharing. :) Have a great weekend!

  260. Lisa says

    I LOVE the Family Rules Sign Version III – Typography Word Art.
    This would be an awesome sign to hang in our home.

  262. Jamie says

    I “liked” Barn Owl Primatives on Facebook and my favorite item is the awesome Halloween board! Too cute!,,

  269. Chelsea Dahm says

    I LOVE the “A true love story never ends” sign and “You complete me”
    All of them are gorgeous!! She does remarkable work!!!!!!

  292. Tonya S. says

    Love the faith, trust and pixie dust sign!!! We’re redoing our daughter’s bedroom, and this would fit in just right!!!!

  305. Katy~TheCountryBlossom says

    Wow! What an amazing giveaway!! I like the Farm Fresh Vintage Style Distressed Sign – The Perfect Little Sign to Help You Feather Your Nest and the A True Love Story Never Ends Heavily Distressed Sign in Black Vintage Style.

  315. SaRaH L says

    I adore the Family Rules sign — so versatile and so, so true! Thank you for hosting such a generous giveaway!

  317. Larissa pavei says

    I love the “be wholehearted” with the bunting! And I am all about some cupcakes!!! all of her art is fabulous!

  331. Kara J'Anthony says

    I am new to BOP and I am completely in awe of your signs. You inspire me to keep trying to get my ideas out there and hopefully follow in your footsteps of starting a business of my own that is successful and something that I enjoy! I have been showing everyone I know your site and hopefully sending some new business soon!!

  338. Shirley says

    I would choose the You are My Sunshine. This was a song that I sang to our beautiful granddaughter when I was rocking her to sleep.

  348. Elisabeth says

    I love the “You are my sunshine” sign. My husband and I sing this to our daughter all the time!

  355. Elisabeth says

    And I shared the link to this giveaway on Facebook. Goodness! That’s a lot of commenting!

  374. Alicia says

    I LOVE LOVE LOVE the “You are my Sunshine” sign. My grandma always sang that song to my and my sister and I can still hear her singing it today….it will always be one of my favorites! Thanks for the giveaway…very nice!!!

  376. Morgan says

    My favorite sign is the Playroom Rules
    I already follow BOP on FB and twitter
    I now follow Gussy Sews on FB and twitter too :)

  377. Tara says

    Everything is beautiful but I love the be wholehearted bunting or the good day sunshine. I say good morning sunshine to my daughter everyday and this sign made me smile!

  407. christy a says

    I love so many things: the family rules, the alphabet, the Christmas signs and the You complete me! Amazing colors and quotes! Thanks for the chance.

  420. Kathleen says

    I love Barn Owl Primitives- she has a beautiful way with words. I think my favorite is Strength of My Love, but all of them are pretty awesome. Thanks for the generous give-away!

  421. Alison says

    What an amazing interview! I love the stories she told about the people who have ordered from her. So touching! I also love it’s creative space. It’s simple & beautiful.
    I have wanted one of her Family Rules signs for a LONG time!

  443. Krista says

    I love the “A True Love Story Never Ends,” but, I also love “Wash your Hands and Say your prayers because Jesus and germs are everywhere,” And someday I will own one of each :)

  447. Jamie Schlenker says

    I cannot decide on one favorite!!
    I Love the Have Yourself a Merry little Christmas
    or Strength of my Love
    Your distressed signs are GORGEOUS!

  451. Holly says

    BOP has been marked as a favorite shop of mine on Etsy for quite some time. I don’t know if I can pick a fovorite, I’m really wanting the Strength of My Love for my daughter’s room, and the Family Rules by the Kids for the living room because I think it’s so important to remember they’re just little once, and a little extra of the fun stuff is always good!

  462. Michelle Ferrell says

    LOVE….LOVE….LOVE THE “We Can Do Hard Things.”. My husband and I own and operate a small business and are at the point where we need to decide whether he quits his full-time job and we concentrate on building the business. This would be the perfect daily reminder that we can do it!

  464. Brittany says

    I am SO excited!!! I would have to say that my number one desired item at the moment from BOP is the “wash your hands, say your prayers” sign! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT!

  469. Shanna Uptergrove says

    Love the laundry room typography! but I also love the Halloween one too.

    shanna.u at gmail dot com

  484. Christine G. says

    I love Strength of My Love and You Are My Sunshine. I sing You Are My Sunshine to my girls everyday but put their names in place of “Sunshine,” they love it.

  500. Karen J Moseley says

    I think I have entered at least 20 Giveaways for BOP! I’m hopin’ this is it!! My favorite sign is the: Be Wholehearted with Bunting Typography Word Art Sign

  508. Sarah says

    Wow! Thank you for introducing me to Barn Owl Primitives…my favorite~ Strength of My Love word art!! My little miracle took a long time in the making, and this sign brought tears to my eyes. I’ll post this on my blog, & like it on facebook. hugs, Sarah

  514. Genelle Gardner says

    I love ALL of the items in the BOP shop, but I think my favorite is the brown and blue Strength of My Love Word Art Sign. So beautiful!

  533. Elizabeth says

    eek! I love Barn Owl Primitives and have been wanting one of these beauties for a long time!! If I had to pick a favorite, I’d say the “fruit of the spirit” typography! I’d love to have that in our house to remind us to practice living the fruit of the spirit daily!! I *super* hope I win!!!! My birthday is coming up, so what a fun birthday presents that would be!!! :)
    xoxox

    PS: thanks for the email Maggie! I need to write you back! Happy Friday!! xoxox

  538. Aimee says

    I love BOP! If I had to pick just one it would be the Laundry sign. I have four boys… need I say more:)

  544. Lisa says

    I have visited the website, and I like the family rules and the Christmas one on the 3rd page.

  584. Meesh says

    I love love love BOP first of all!!

    My fav item{s} are: family rules live laugh love sign, don’t mess with Texas sign and the faith trust and pixie dust one!!

  587. mel says

    I really enjoyed this interview. I’ve been a follower of barn owl primitives for awhile now. Just *love* her signs! My fave would have to be the family rules.

  596. Suz says

    Wow, what an amazing post, amazing biz, and amazing products!!! I have the chills. Love!

    It is so hard to choose my favorite item from the shop, but the Playroom Rules would be at the top of my list.

    Hope I win! :)

    Cheers,
    Suz

  602. Kelly says

    I love “keep calm and say I do” My sister is getting married next summer and I know the stress a wedding can bring…she would love this. It’s a great reminder. :)