1- Tell us about yourself (family, interests, other talents...)

As you know I'm Carol :-) I live in the central coast of CA in Santa Maria. It's right between San Francisco and Los Angeles. My wonderful DH and I will be sharing our 18th wedding anniversary together Aug. 4th. I have two awesome kids, Heather 16, Devin almost 13 and the family dog, Sierra who is an American Eskimo bread. We love doing family outings, such as taking our boat out and watch the kids wakeboard and water ski. We also go camping at least two times a year. I have an identical twin sister who lives about an hour away. We are very close and get together quite a bit. Although she doesn't have kids of her own, she and her DH love seeing my kids and my kids love their auntie and uncle.

2- What or who inspires you?

Of course my kids inspire me in many ways, but as far as my graphic design work or sewing...I'm a very visual person, so when I see something I'll make a note of it. For example for my birthday my MIL gave me a gift in a pretty gift bag. I was inspired to create an auction template similar to it.

3- What is your favorite item (or type of item) to create?

I love creating graphic design work, but once in a while I will get the urge to go into my huge fabric stash, pull out some fabric and sew something.

4- How did you get started?

I've been sewing since I was young. My mother taught me how and I loved it. My sister and I would make our own clothes throughout the years. When my DD was born, I would sew her outfits. I had so much fun creating that I started selling applique dresses and shorts and tee sets at craft shows. With the birth of my son, I was too busy and did not sew as much. Some years had gone by and I was cleaning out the closet. I came across the outfits that I did not sell at the craft show. I started looking on eBay to see what was selling and if I could sell those items. Wow, I was blown away by all the boutique clothes, embellished overalls, etc. I had to start sewing again :)

5- Where do you see yourself with your business in the future?

That's a good questions, LOL. Right now, most my sales are from eBay. I do get a few sales from my web site. But, I the future, I would like to have it such that most my sales are coming from my web site and I do not have to deal with eBay.

Thanks! Carol

FEATURING...

BowCrazyBowtique!

We at Glamsquad are often tickled by our featured designer Rachael, owner of the fabulous Bowcrazybowtique!

Why are we tickled you ask? Let's just say that Whoopi & Ellen better

look out, because "heeeeeere comes Rachael!!!!!"

We recently interviewed Rachael to learn more about her :)

(GSB) 1- Tell us about yourself (family, interests, other talents...)

(Rachael) Oh gosh, I hate having to talk about myself! I never know where to begin! LOL Okay, here's a quick life story! I have always loved hairbows! When I was little I wanted to wear them everyday, but my Mom wasn't the hairbow type. I remember I went to school with another little girl who always wore hairbows and I found out her mom made them for her. I had my mom ask her to make some for me and she did! I was thrilled!
I married young and wanted a family right away, but I kept having miscarriages. My husband and I decided to become foster parents and adopted our first child and son, Destyn. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/RSHAW000/IMG_9647.jpg
After five years of trying and one loss after another, I finally gave birth to a PERFECT baby girl, miss Tessa! http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/RSHAW000/5monthsoldfavorite.jpg
I could not wait to get a bow on her cute little head and she's been wearing bows ever since. Almost 3 years later, we were blessed again with another little girl! Her name is Samara and she too does not leave the house without a hairbow.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/RSHAW000/IMG_9654.jpg

(GSB) 2- What or who inspires you?

(Rachael) As a SAHM, I was on a limited income and I could not afford to pay boutique prices for hairbows. I decided to try and so, I decided to start making them on my own. I do try to be on the cheaper side when I sell hairbows. This is more of a hobby for me and not so much about the money. I want to make it affordable for other moms to buy hairbows for their daughters.

(GSB) 3- What is your favorite item (or type of item) to create?

(Rachael) My favorite item to create is the two color topper boutique bows! http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/RSHAW000/IMG_9367.jpg

(GSB) 4- How did you get started?

(Rachael) I started making hairbows when Tessa was about two. I just sat down with ribbon, wire and a glue gun and started playing.

(GSB) 5- Where do you see yourself with your business in the future?

(Rachael) I hope to continue to improve and become a better bow maker. Bow making for me has never really been about making money; it's something I really enjoy doing and I love knowing that there are little girls from all over wearing the bows I make. I recently was sent pics of a little girl wearing my bows in India! I love what I do and hope I can continue doing it in the future.

Congratulations Rachael!

We LOVE you here at Glamsquad & thank you for keeping our tummy muscles worked from all the giggles that you create!!! Where can you find Rachaels bowtique bows? Why on ebay of course! Click the link below:

http://members.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=bowcrazybowtique