Team Spotlight! Interview with Cody's Creations

After taking a little time off to get the yard, house, and family ;) ready for summer, I am going to start posting our Team spotlight interviews again! Today's interview is with team member Cody's Creations.

1. When did you open your Etsy store and begin selling?
I first started listing items/selling in November 2008, I had reserved the name months prior while I was shopping.

2. How did you select your shop’s name?
Cody’s Creations is named for my eldest dog, Cody. I knew when I was trying to name the shop that I wanted something with Cody’s name in it, and I just went through different words till I paired her name with Creations.

3. What do you create and sell in your Etsy shop?
Pet accessories – collars, leashes, treat pockets, bandanas, doggie day bags, I frequently add new items.

4. How did you become involved in your craft?
When we adopted our two younger pups, Kona and Pepe, I was searching for a camo crate mat and a crate mat with skulls. I could not find what I was looking for, so I went shopping for some fabric and my mom showed me how to make what I was looking for. Since then, I have taken sewing classes and developed an obsession for fabric and ribbon. I love making bags and purses as well – they have been all local custom orders. Maybe one day I will open a second shop

5. Explain your favorite part of the creative process.
I often will come up with a new idea as I am drifting off to sleep – it usually is enough to catapult me out of bed to draw out a quick sketch so that in the morning I can work on it. I love being able to come up with a concept in my head and be able to make the concept a reality.

6. Do you sell in another Etsy store or anywhere outside of Etsy? If so, where?
For now, just Etsy. I have been approached by many shops who would like to carry my items, I am just not ready to wholesale yet, but soon you will be able to find our items in some pet boutiques.

7. So far, what project are you most proud of?
The Treat Pocket! I admit I wore a “fanny pack” type treat pouch for training class and I hated every minute of it. I refused to wear it on walks so I would keep treats in my pockets. I got tired of having treats go through the washing machine, so I made the pocket. I love color, so you often see lots of bright color and patterns. http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5393437&section_id=6066499

8. What advice can you give to someone who would like to learn your craft?
Learn from everyone that you can. Take classes, but also make sure that you sit and learn from an experienced sewer – they have all the great tips and tricks that once you learn you don’t know how you survived not knowing them.

9. What motivated you to join the Etsy Beagle Street Team?
Honestly, the name! I have three rescued beagle mixes, and when I saw there was a Beagle Team I knew that I had to join. I worked for many years in veterinary hospitals and for animal shelters. Cody was supposed to be a foster, but I just couldn’t adopt her to anyone else. I have fostered since then, and have not had another foster failure.

10. Any other places we might find you (Flickr, blog, MySpace, Facebook, etc.)?
Cody’s Creations has a fan page on Facebook, we often post new items, look for testers and announce our sales. Our page can be found: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=38614&id=1742340739&ref=nf#/pages/Codys-Creations/51786178461