• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Social Icons

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • My account
  • 0 items$0.00
KimLapacek.com | Home of Persimon Dreams and Project QUILTING

KimLapacek.com | Home of Persimon Dreams and Project QUILTING

Quilt designer, teacher, artist, dreamer

  • Shop
    • Quilt Patterns
      • PDF Patterns
      • Print Patterns
      • Templates
      • Wholesale
    • Fabric
      • Fabric Kits
      • Gelato Ombré
      • Moongate
    • Notions
      • Hardware
      • Pincushion
      • Rulers
      • Straight Pins
    • Fiber Art by Kim
      • Bags
      • Ornaments
      • Quilted Pillows
      • Quilts
    • Misc.
      • All Things Dresden Neighborhood
      • Event tickets
      • Make a Donation
      • Stickers
      • Swag
      • Tula Pink
  • Project QUILTING
    • What is Project QUILTING?
    • Project QUILTING Season 14 (2023)
    • Season 13 (2022)
    • Season 12 (2021)
    • Quarantine 2020 Challenges
    • Season 11 (2020)
    • Season 10 (2019)
    • Season 9 (2018)
    • Season 8 (2017)
    • Season 7 (2016)
    • Season 6 (2015)
    • Season 5 (2014)
    • Season 4 (2013)
    • Season 3 (2012)
    • Season 2 (2011)
    • Season 1 (2010)
  • Quilt Alongs
    • Quilt Alongs Overview
    • Old School BOM
    • Scrap Quilt Challenge
    • Dresden Neighborhood Sew Along
    • Focus Through the Prism Quilt Challenge
    • Scrappy Crown of Thorns Quilt Along
    • 52 Twisted Traditional Blocks Quilt Along
    • My Favorite Block Quilt Along
    • Home Sweet Home Quilt Along
  • Teaching
  • Gallery
    • My Quilts
    • My Quilts from Project QUILTING
  • Blog
  • About
    • About Me
    • Contact Me
    • Errata
    • Sponsors
    • FAQs
  • Show Search
Hide Search

An Interview with PammyDawn

January 22, 2009 by persimondreams 2 Comments

Another interview with a great shop, PammyDawn, that will be affected by the CPSIA Law…
Tell me a little bit about your background in arts and crafts.
Creating has always been a source of satisfaction for me. My mother and grandmother were crafters, and I grew up sewing, sketching, painting, and generally making fabulous messes! I originally intended to study graphic design, but after two years in the program, I changed directions, and ended up with a degree in Art History. Currently, I teach 2nd grade part time, and spend my days off with my two-year-old daughter, and during the spare snippets of time I craft.

When did you first start creating things?
Oh, I don’t even remember. It seems like I’ve been creating something or another since I was old enough to hold a pencil.

What were the first things you created? and how did your creativity progress from there?When I was younger, I sewed a lot. I made my own prom dresses, and in college I worked in the theater department, sewing costumes for theater productions. After I got married, I didn’t make much time for sewing, but I became interested in stained glass. I have a little stained glass studio in my garage that has a layer of dust on it (unfortunately). I let it go dormant when I was pregnant because of the lead involved, and I keep meaning to work on it again…. perhaps when my children’s line goes belly-up after February 10th (compliance date for the CPSIA) I’ll go back out there. But back to the topic: after I became pregnant with my daughter, I went into a crafting frenzy making things for her room. And after she was born with a full head of hair, I starting looking at hair clips in boutiques. I thought, I can make those! I started out with little bow clips, and got rather bored, creativity-wise. I started sketching little animals and things to make into clips, and things just sort of progressed from there. I get really excited when someone requests a custom item because I get to sketch a new idea and bring it to fruition.
Is this your only business or do you do other things as well?
I teach 2nd grade part-time, and this is my creative outlet. It’s a bonus really that my need to craft can also bring in a little extra spending money for our family!
Do you still dream about making other things? If so, what?
Yes, I envision new things all the time, but the problem is finding the time to plan and implement. Plus, the trick is coming up with something in which the market isn’t already flooded!
How did you hear about Etsy?
My cousin started selling scrapbooking things on Etsy, and I just happened to check them out from her blog. I fell in love with the site, and decided to start my own shop last March.
Any words of advice to others?
Research! Check out other things that are doing well. And I don’t mean copy others, I mean look at the REASON things are thriving. How are others marketing? How are the items presented? I’m still working on making my own shop the presentation that I’d like it to be, but it is a work in progress!
How will the new law by CPSIA affect you and your shop?
The CPSIA (Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act), as it is currently written, will definitely change the direction of my crafting business. My main focus has been creative and unique hair clips for children, which under the CPSIA, would be required to undergo costly lead/phthalates tests. I cannot possibly afford to comply, so my plan is to remove the option of hair clips, and only make pins/brooches for women. I’m saddened by this because the majority of my clients have come to me for hair clips, so I’m expecting a huge dip in sales.I’m hopeful that the CPSC will clarify the law, and perhaps make exemptions for micro-businesses, like mine. Even amending to allow for component testing, while still costly, may allow me to continue.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Estela says

    January 23, 2009 at 12:21 am

    Her shop is adorable! I have hope that they will change the way the law is written so her and many other children's shop can continue to sell their creative wares!

    Reply
  2. bananaicecream says

    January 23, 2009 at 8:49 pm

    That apple is adorable!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Helpful links

Questions? Contact me here

Project QUILTING overview

Dresden Neighborhood SAL

Tricks and tips for quilt challenges

Sign up for quilt challenges and inspiration!

Thank you for subscribing!

Shop on Amazon and support me!

Start here when shopping on Amazon and I'll get a little kickback!

Join me on social media!

Persimon Dreams page

Project QUILTING page

Quilt & Dream Along with Kim Lapacek group

Challenge Quilts group

Scrap Quilt Challenge group

Persimon Dreams account

Follow #projectQUILTING

Persimon Dreams boards are full of inspiration

Persimon Dreams account

Fat Quarter Shop Quilting Fabrics and Supplies

Archives

Categories

Affiliate Disclosure

Some posts on this blog contain affiliate links to vendors such as Amazon – at no additional cost to you. The small amount of affiliate income I earn allows me to bring you free patterns and DIY tutorials, as well as pay for domain fees. For more information, please visit my Disclosure Statement and Advertising Policies page.

  • Home
  • Project Quilting Season 10
  • Quilt Alongs
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • About
  • Errata

Copyright © 2023 · KimLapacek.com | Home of Persimon Dreams and Project QUILTING | Designed by Lindsie Bergevin | Terms and Conditions of purchase

Social Icons

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter