See Lora Etsy

"I would be remiss if I didn't
give all the credit to God."

--Lora, EagerHands

Even little Leo has eager hands!

Welcome to our third installment of our interview with Lora of EagerHands Blog & Etsy shop of the same name, EagerHands. In this post we'll see how Lora works out the little details of her Etsying, from time management to organization!

What is your biggest organizational/time management strength? I like to make lists! I find that if I write down all that I have to do for the day, I am more apt to do it. I also work better on a deadline than in planning way far ahead. So, I think I've grown in the fact that I don't really get stressed out about last minute projects that much. I am much more efficient and work better and faster when I have to get something done on a last minute basis. (I wonder if that stems from my college days when I pulled all-nighters for exams the next day... :) )

Weakness? I've got too much stuff!! I desperately need to de-clutter! I like to be clean and have everything organized, but with a family of six, it is difficult at times to stay neat and tidy! My husband and I both have a lot of hobbies and interests, so we have a lot of stuff between the two of us!! haha... One of these days, I'll get it all under control.

Formal Dining, Lora's Workspace

How do you store your Etsy supplies & stock?

My workspace is in my formal dining room (which we only use a few times a year as an actual dining room, so it works perfectly for me as a place to do my work everyday). I love all the natural light that streams in through the windows. I sew there at the window and cut fabric on the dining room table. The apron on the dress form was made by my husband's grandmother.

All the items listed in my shop and fabric waiting to be cut into yardage and fat quarters are in all the Rubbermaid tubs. Works in progress and fabric to be cut into quilt squares are stored in the drawers of that great vintage art-deco buffet that I picked up a few years ago at an estate sale. I am surrounded by photographs of my family and little vintage vases, dried flowers, candles, a vintage globe and a wonderful vintage family Bible - all the things I love and find inspiration in.

vintage art-deco buffet

Describe your typical Etsy week.

I ship orders out on Tuesdays and Fridays, so my busiest days are Mondays and Thursdays. I iron all the fabric that has been purchased and pack all the orders up to be shipped out. Usually, I am up pretty late on those two nights working and getting things ready. I pay a lot of close attention to how my packages look -lots of little details - handwritten thank you notes, little extra gifts, fabric wrapped up in a cute way, etc.. I've found that a little goes a long way, and my customers have really appreciated that! This is my favorite part of the job - personalization and putting my heart into every order!

I spend my other free moments (when the kiddos are napping or late at night) cutting, sewing, and keeping my shop updated with new or at least renewed listings every day.

Lastly, I go shopping once or twice a week (which I LOVE to do!!). My husband is very supportive and watches the kids so I can go all by myself. It is one of the highlights of my week. I love to treasure hunt!

Do you feel others respect the fact that you work from home, or do they tend to disregard what you do as something less than a "real" job and therefore not very important?

I have been so encouraged by my family and friends in this area. They are so proud of me and the success I've had with eager hands. It has been a real blessing! But, I would be remiss if I didn't give all the credit to God. He has been the absolute number one reason why I have been successful with my Etsy shop. I constantly give this little business of mine back to Him and pray that I can be a blessing to my customers and somehow express His love to them through what I do.

Antique Cabinet by Materials Unlimited

What item would be at the top of your Etsy wish list in terms of helping you in your job as an Etsy mom?

This amazing antique cabinet to store all my fabric in!!! Especially for fat quarters and quilt squares...Heaven!

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Be on the lookout for our final post with Lora coming soon to a blog near you! I also look forward to presenting Etsy seller LilBitSassy in the coming week!

Mrs.EagerHands on Etsying & Mothering

"Having a side business at home is not worth it if I neglect my little ones." --Lora, of EagerHands

Ruth, 2 yrs old, Etsypreneur in the Making!

How do you juggle family & Etsy?

I've got to be honest - it's a challenge! Day by day, I am easing into more of a routine with all that I have to do - from taking care of the children, being a happy and attentive wife to my husband, keeping the house clean, cooking meals, doing laundry, and all my Etsy shop work (ie. shopping, washing fabric, cutting fabric, photographing items, listing items on shop, networking, ironing/packing orders, and shipping). It's a lot of work! I try to keep it all balanced. Having a side business at home is not worth it if I neglect my little ones.

My family has to be my first priority! I try to work on my shop while my kids are napping or asleep at night. If they are playing happily in the kitchen, I can use that time to iron fabric and pack up orders. My "studio" is in my dining room in the center of the house so I can cut fabric, take pictures, or sew while my kids are playing and still be with them. I try to take little breaks and not work for super-long stretches at a time, too. That helps all of us to not get too overwhelmed.

Vintage Blue Sheet with Retro Flowers Hem - Full Flat XL

What do your kids think about Etsy?

They don't really know about Etsy. They just know that mommy is "working on her fabric" so that we can have money to buy the things we need. My kiddos are all so young - they haven't totally figured it out. They appreciate what I do when I take them to the thrift store with me and they get to pick out a book or video, though! They are also excited when I make a sale - I've got my own cheering section. It's so sweet.

Benjamin & Leo

To what extent do you rely upon the TV to keep the kiddos occupied while you work on Etsy?

This is another area that I am growing in as a mom. We don't have TV, but it's so tempting to put in video after video and let that "babysit" my children while I do other things. I confess that there have been days where this has been the case. I am trying to make more of an effort to use videos/dvds only in situations when it's the absolute last resort. They can be really helpful, though, during the time when I am cooking dinner, or when I have to pack up that last minute order before the mail comes. I really try to do my work while the children are sleeping or happily playing and don't need my help. My two older boys really love to play together and build train tracks, towers, etc., so that works out great when I have to get some work done while the two younger ones are having their morning nap.

What is your favorite family fun activity?

We love to go to this Latin-American mall up the road and eat some amazing authentic Mexican food and listen to the live bands that play incredible music. This place also has a gigantic play area and fun arcade, too. It's a great afternoon for all six of us when we go.

Jennifer's Large Kitchen from imaginethatwoodshop

If money were no object, what Etsy item would you buy for your children?

I think my kids would love this play kitchen from Imagine That Wood Shop and would have so much fun playing together with this.

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Thank you again, Lora, for a refreshing look at running an Etsy business from home with little ones underfoot. Your answers are inspiring, which is exactly why I started this blog, because I know there are so many lovely Etsy moms out there with so much experience to offer that we can all learn from. I love how you mentioned being a happy wife. Some days it can be such a challenge not to be a grumpy wife! I look forward to the next section of our interview where we cover some of your oganizational tips.

Introducing Mrs.EagerHands Herself

Lora & Baby Joseph

I am thrilled to introduce our EtsyMomPreneur of the week, Lora of Eager Hands. I lovelovelove the verse Lora has at the top of her blog, "She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands," Proverbs 31:33. As a busy mom of four & dealer of vintage fabrics, Lora gives us a glimpse into living life as a modern day Proverbs 31 woman.

One Hundred Rotary Cut 6X6 Quilt Squares of Vintage Fabric

How many children do you have and what are their ages? I have four amazing kiddos: Benjamin, 5, Leo, 3 1/2, Ruth, 2, and Joseph, 8 months. I am a blessed mommy!

Vintage Fabric Stack -- Happy Retro

Please describe your Etsy shop:

My Etsy shop, eagerhands, offers mostly vintage fabrics, including all kinds yardage, fat quarter stacks, pillowcase sets, quilts, curtains, table linens, aprons, etc. I also offer some handmade by me items as well, such as baby quilts, bags, and jewelry.

Everyday Button Bag featuring vintage fabric and buttons - Sweet Girl

What inspired you to start your Etsy shop and how long have you been running it? I opened my Etsy shop in December of 2005 a few months after I had my second child. (Wow, I can't believe it's been that long!) When I first joined Etsy, I wanted to have an outlet to sell the items that I was making--mostly crocheted items and jewelry in the beginning. Etsy was the perfect place to do that!

When I relaunched the shop a few months ago with my new vintage sections, I was looking for an opportunity to combine my love for vintage fabrics and my love for crafting. That's when things really got busy! It has been an awesome opportunity for me and has allowed me to make some wonderful friendships with customers from all over the world. I am also so thankful to be able to help out my family financially. It is a blessing all the way around!

One of a Kind Seventies Vintage Hand-Tied Quilt

Of which item currently for sale in your Etsy shop are you most proud and why? It's hard to pick just one item! I get a huge smile on my face every time I discover a "treasure". I love the idea of finding beauty in the cast aside and forgotten. It's so redemptive and goes along hand in hand with my faith in God. Probably my favorite thing in my shop right now is an amazing vintage quilt that I found at an estate sale tucked away in a cedar chest. It is truly incredible and one of a kind! I LOVE all the great vintage fabrics. And I love imagining the woman who made it sewing away late at night when her kiddos were in bed asleep. :)

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Thanks so much, Lora! This first part of your interview brought true joy to my heart!
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Everyday Button Bag featuring vintage fabric and buttons - Sweet Girl

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Keep checking back, everyone, as I will post more from Lora over the coming week. In our next installment she will share her insights into the ultimate ventures in multitasking--Etsying & Mothering. Not to mention you will get to see pictures of her three other adorably scrumptious little ones! They are just too cute!
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Rebecca's Life Beyond Etsy

Lime green maxi dress from mavenhaven

Do you take time away for yourself? If so, what do you do (other than Etsy!)? I am sort of a homebody and would rather be home with my family than "out with the girls", but my husband and I make it a priority to have a date night 1-2 times a month.

Are you taking care of yourself? Do you sleep & eat well?
I sleep OK. It's the eating that's a problem!!! I literally could go 2-3 days and have only eaten a few pretzels (or whatever I've picked off the boys' plates) & coffee. But then I'll eat a HUGE meal & it will hold me over for another few days. This is TERRIBLE I know, but admitting it is the first step, right! Oh & I have a weakness for eating a whole, large bag of peanut butter M&M's in one sitting. NOT GOOD, I know. I do try to work out for 30 miutes or so, 4-5 days a week, so I'm not all bad.

Retro Canister Set from 26OliveStreet

If money were no object, name three things would you buy for yourself from other Etsy shops?
I fell in LOVE with this Custom Made Posey Ring from KathrynRiechert the moment I saw it.

I am also CRAZY about this Lime Maxi dress from MaxMaven.

Finally, I am quite fond of these Retro Yellow Green Orange Lacquer Stack Canister Bowls available from 26OliveStreet.

Custom Made Posey Ring from KathrynRiechert

What other Etsy mom's shop would you like to see featured on this blog? enveJEWELRY & uncorked

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Thank you so much for letting us pick your brain, Rebecca! You have gorgeous shops & a beautiful family. I have enjoyed this interview & learned so much from you!

Rebecca's How to Etsy in the Home

Ms.Vintage's Work Station

It's finally here! Installment 3 of our interview with EtsyMom Extraordinaire, Rebecca of The Vintage Closet & The Vintage Dress. Today we are privileged to hear some of the details of how Rebecca runs her wonderful shops all from the comfort of her lovely little home.

Do you work from your sofa, at the kitchen table? I have a desk in the living room or I stand at my shipping station in the EVERYTHING room.

How do you store your Etsy stock & supplies? Until my husband is able to build me closets in the "EVERYTHING Room" (which will be the last thing finished in there) my supply of vintage clothing hangs in the boys' closet locked up tight, which works out well since they don't really have many clothes that hang & their toys are in the EVERYTHING Room. The rest of my inventory (shoes, purses, hats, etc.) is organized in storage containers under my shipping center in the EVERYTHING Room.

Do you work set hours or do you fit in Etsy as you can? My schedule differs depending on how well my shops are doing, but normally I try to set up days for each week: a shipping day, photo day, editing day, listing day, shopping day (my favorite) & an organizing day. I also spend about 1-2 hours a day on normal shop upkeep: convos, treasuries, blog, networking, etc.

Do you ever use daycare/babysitting for your children in relation to Etsy?
I don't get a babysitter because it seems kinda silly to me to pay someone to watch my boys, so that I can try to make money. I take my boys with me on my shopping trips to the thrift stores (they always get to pick out a book, so they don't mind). My husband is in the midst of transforming our garage into the "EVERYTHING room" (playroom, workout room, theatre, etsy shipping center, etc). While I package my orders or organize my shop stuff, the boys play in there with me. The one thing, though, that is VERY difficult to do while they are awake is take photos, so I try to do this while they are napping (Harry has gotten to the age where he can help me, though).

Easter Sunday 2009

If Estypreneur stopped by your house in the middle of a normal week day, what look would we find you sporting? On the days that I shoot pictures I look GREAT, but the rest of the time it's hit and miss. If I don't plan on going anywhere, I sometimes stay in my pajamas (boxers & a tank) all day. I'm not really a "princess" so to speak & I don't feel the need to ALWAYS look perfect. I kind of find it liberating to just be Me at times. On the flip side, I do LOVE any reason to wear a fabulous vintage outfit with all its trimmings.

Do you feel others respect the fact that you work from home, or do they seem to treat your work as something less than a "real" job? I think so, but I'm not one to really care if someone takes me seriously or not, which I think is sort of a blessing, but can come across the wrong way as well.

Children's Activity Table

If money were no object, what one Etsy item would you splurge on to help you in your job as an Etsy mom? I'm not sure if this counts, but I'm pretty much CRAZY about this Children's Activity Table from Etsy seller DennisKing.

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Thank you, Rebecca, for sharing your tips on keeping organized while running an Etsy shop from home. I love that you have a "day" alotted just to doing general "housekeeping" for your shops. It seems that is the main area I struggle in. I love to shop & the thrill of selling, but when it comes to keeping everything tidy, I tend to turn a blind eye. I will have to add an organizing day into my routine! And the children's activity table definitely counts, and spoken like a true mother. I am too am always on the look out for constructive ways to keep my kids occupied & engaged in beneficial activites while I finish up some of my work.
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Stay tuned for our fourth & final installment of our interview with Rebecca as she shares a little on how she manages to have a life beyond Etsy.

Three Little Indians

Welcome to our second installment of our interview with Ms.Vintage where she gives us a little peek into how she manages Etsying & Mothering. She has three darling little boys & runs two successful Etsy shops. How does she do it all?

Stressed Out Mother of 3...

How do you juggle family and Etsy? Um, well I don't think I do very well. I definitely drop a few balls or so quite often while juggling. I try to designate certain "etsy time slots" throughout my day & it seems the days that I actually follow through with my "plan", things are much smoother.

What do your kids think about Etsy? Harrison helps with the pictures & occassionally asks me how it all "works". They all join in on the excitement of a sale or Front Page exposure! but on the flip side, they get a little annoyed with the computer if I am in the middle of something and they want milk or peanut butter toast NOW!

You also home school. How do you manage to do all this? Well, I am blessed to have 3 boys, close in age who LOVE playing together, so they don't require much "playing" time with me, allowing me to get housework & other responsibilities accomplished. We work on "school" together in the mornings; the younger two are learning preschool stuff & Harry is finishing up Kindergarten. Next year will be a little more of a challenge as Harry will need more one-on-one learning time with me for First Grade.

To what extent do you rely on the TV to keep the kiddos occupied while you work on Etsy? We don't have cable, but we get DVDs from the library each week & we have many VHS tapes that I pick up from the thrift store for a quarter. I am all about the VCR, since the boys can't scratch the tapes like DVDs. But as far as how much they watch, it differs day to day depending on how hot it is outside. They usually watch approximately 30 minutes in the morning & afternoon before Daddy comes home (giving me time to get the house clean) & a few evenings a week we'll watch something together as a family before bed.

What is your favorite family fun activity? We live 4 miles from the beach, so we frequent there often, but we actually enjoy staying home together. My husband has transformed our backyard into a wonderland, so the boys, more often than not, would rather just stay home and swim & play. Also, this probably sounds strange but I actually like watching them wrestle with Rich, my husband. A few other "funzies" that we enjoy are: singing, dancing & "Go Fish" is a fave right now.

Child TeePee by GracieBeanBaby @ Etsy

If money were no object, what Etsy item would you buy for your children? This Child TeePee by GracieBeanBaby. They are VERY into fort & tent making right now.

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Stay tuned for the next part of our interview where Rebecca reveals her organization tricks for running her Etsy business from home.

Meet Ms.Vintage

blue, red and white .vintage. house dress

I am excited to introduce our debut Esty-Mompreneur, Rebecca, aka Ms.Vintage of The.Vintage.Blog. Rebecca is a personal & close friend of mine, and I was absolutely thrilled that she found time to take time away from her demanding day of chasing around her three little boys & simultaneously running her successful Etsy shops to answer my many questions. Rebecca is bubbling over with inspiring tips on growing a thriving Etsy business while taking care of an endless list of tasks as a stay at home mom.

Describe your Etsy shop: well, i actually have two--The Vintage Closet { fashion that transcends the decades } & The Vintage Dress { EXQUISITE vintage dresses }

"in my dress shop i am CRAZY about this wedding dress..."

How many children do you have and what are their ages?
3 beautiful, enegetic, fun boys! harrison: 6, jefferson (jj):4, & edison (eddie): 2

How long have you been an Etsy Mom?
since january 2008

What did you do before becoming a WAHM?
My boys were VERY young & close in age, which pretty much took up all my time, so I was just a SAHM.

harrison: 6, jefferson (jj):4, & edison (eddie): 2

What inspired you to start your Etsy shop and how long have you been running it?
I have always had a passion for VINTAGE & thus frequented local thrift shops for myself, a friend thought of me when they discovered etsy & turned me onto the site and suggested that I sell some of the amazing finds that I come across, but might not want for myself.

Do you currently have any other at home businesses?
Hmmmmm......well, 3 small boys, homeschooling, church & Etsy pretty much keep me busy enough...but it seems that my head is FULL of money making ideas & my goal is to one day hire on my husband, so that he came be home with us all day, everyday!!!

brown .vintage. fedora

Of which item currently for sale in your Etsy shop are you most proud and why?
In my dress shop I am CRAZY about this wedding dress: It is simple, yet STUNNING & you can feel the rich, history of it when you are both in the same room!

Which item in your shop is the best reflection of your personal style?
I am very much a hat person & this season I have been wearing a straw fedora, so this listing pretty much reflects my style.

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More to come! In our next post with Ms.Vintage she will share her insider tips on Etsying & Mothering.

Treasure Hunt #1

A Complete Linden Lane Look: Gunne Sax Perfection

Vintage Gunne Sax Prairie Dress, $64.95 Linden Lane Clothing

This little slice of American pie is now up for grabs in our Etsy shop, Linden Lane Clothing.

Complete the look with these amazing finds from other Etsy sellers:

brown leather lace up boots size 9, $28.00, nosam nosila

Vintage inspired pearl and filigree chandeliers

$36.00, jinyana

"A darling necklace! A vintage, aged brass bloom holds a creamy white pearl." $19.00, ERMoriginals

Be sure to visit these fabulous shops and complete your Linden Lane look today!


Stop by later this week to find out more about the gals from Linden Lane Clothing & get all the dirt on our Etsy story.


Please contact us through Etsy if you are a stay at home mom selling on Etsy. We would love to pick your brain and feature your shop here on our blog!

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Gunne Sax Love

Nap time is Etsy time for Mom around here, but as you can see, today Leighton is skipping his regularly scheduled siesta. He was contentedly enjoying a little tummy time when I dove into a bag of vintage treasures ready for measuring & listing over at our Etsy shop, Linden Lane Clothing.

I couldn't resist introducing myself to you for the very first time in my priceless Gunne Sax prairie dress. I am madly in love with it. I first found it at one of my favorite shops in downtown Tampa. It had been mistakenly hung with the Halloween costumes, or I'm sure it would have been grabbed up by one of the many vintage wear enthusiasts of Tampa Bay. I snagged it as fast as I could, ran to the dressing room, and tried with all my might to zip it up around my very pregnant torso. No luck. At 30 weeks, even the empire waist was not on my side. With a sigh I bought the dress for Linden Lane.

Today I am going to measure this red & white gem and offer it up to the world of Etsy. I will miss my darling piece of Little House. I will pray that the listing expires and that nobody buys it so that it will be mine, all mine. Alas, one day I will slip my heart into a white poly mailer, slap a shipping label on it, and send it away. But at least I will have these fun pictures of Mommy at work, an Etsypreneur extraordinaire.