An Interview with Nancy from TuTuCuteandMoore

Do you really not want to be able to buy your child/granddaughter/niece/friend an adorable handmade tutu from TUTUCUTEANDMOORE? SAVE HANDMADE!
Tell me a little bit about your background in arts and crafts.
I grew up watching my mother sew and run a small business with her creations. She taught me patience, as well as giving me the freedom to make messes and jam her sewing machine hundreds of times! I received a degree in Family & Consumer Science, formerly home economics, so I’ve always enjoyed creating and teaching the arts to my former students.

When did you first start creating things?
When I was old enough to thread a needle!

What were the first things you created? and how did your creativity progress from there?
Clothing, curtains, pillows, recovering furniture, Barbie Doll clothes, then I was off to children/baby creations. I started Tutu Cute & Moore in 2001, when I was approached by a children’s boutique to create a line of tutus for her new shop, which I’m still selling to.

Is this your only business or do you do other things as well?
I retired, after 35 years of teaching Family & Consumer Science to high school and middle school students. I was ready to retire from teaching, but not ready to retire from life, so I’ve continued with my sales to retail children’s boutiques, opened my Etsy shop and I’m now teaching a YogaStretch class, which is wonderful.

Do you still dream about making other things? If so, what? I don’t spend time dreaming, as I’m making exactly what I love to make…beautiful flower filled tutus, sweet tooth fairy pillows, fun birthday party hats and personalized onesies and more! Also, I’m adding a new line of personalized handpainted birthday placemats, as well as, a party animal line. How could you not enjoy doing this?

How did you hear about Etsy?
A friend had opened a shop and thought I would also be interested.

Any words of advice to others?
It’s been said many times before, but, do what you love and everything seems to fall into place.

How will the new law by CPSIA affect you and your shop? My motto is: things turn out best for those who make the best of how things turn out. I’m an eternal optimist, so I’ll deal with what ever happens. However, it would be an incredible loss to our country if handmade shops were closed!