INCrowdteam INterview with Michelle @ Hi Mamma

Good morning guys and gals! I am pleased to introduce you to our very own Michelle from Hi Mamma! With a unique shop name, and a real passion for her craft, Michelle shares some of her favorite goodies with us...

Name: Michelle Vackar

City of residence: Carmel, Indiana

Shop name: Hi Mamma

INCrowdteam: I love the name of your shop! What made you decide on it?

Hi Mamma: Hi Mamma actually is what my older daughter, now 5 years old, would say walking around the house, pretending she was talking on the telephone, playing with her dolls or to me. I always thought it was kind of a catchy name. When I learned more about Etsy, I thought, that might be a good name for my shop! The products that are offered are all something that have been a part of their lives (as well as mine). Now that we are getting older, we are going to be expanding our product line. My logo represents my two daughters and me. Both of my girls love monkeys! I just thought it was appropriate for the logo to have all three of us as monkeys.

INCrowdteam: Tell me about items for sale at your Etsy shop.

Hi Mamma: I love to sew and one of my favorite things has been to make baby/toddler changing pad covers! There are so many fun prints, as well as beautiful solid fabrics that make cute covers. Currently all changing pad covers are made out of soft flannel. That way the covers are soft and warm to the baby/toddlers back. I also sew a fair bit of customer orders where people will email me to see if I have fabric of this type of theme they are wanting to do for their nursery. It has been so much fun to help another family create something special area for their little one. My younger daughter (who is 2 years old) has had fun with various print changing pad covers. We have one changing pad cover that has owls, lady bugs, birds, etc., on it and she will just talk about them as I change her diaper. She also loves to pick which changing pad cover she would like to have in her room each week. In addition to changing pad covers, I make cloth diaper wipes, have embroidered baby bibs, burp cloths, baby/toddler car strap covers for in the car/strollers and make pumpkin seat covers for babies staying warm in the fall/winter months.

INCrowdteam: What’s your real-world job?

Hi Mamma: Freelance marketing/public relations, logo embroidery for companies, and working to on Hi Mamma items. I work from home so that I can be home with my daughters. I have a little bit of crazy hours after the girls go to sleep but it is worth it to me! I also volunteer my time for Modern Handmade Child online magazine (www.modernhandmadechild.com), where I serve as their public relations manager for the magazine.

INCrowdteam: How did you learn your Etsy craft?

Hi Mamma: My mom. When we were growing up we would always do some type of craft, sew, etc. It was not until I had my oldest daughter that I totally fell in love with it.

INCrowdteam: What's your muse, or what turns that little creative light inside you on?

Hi Mamma: My daughters will sometimes come up with some ideas, I will be like hmmm that might be a good idea. After I have thought about the idea, I think try to create my own pattern.

INCrowdteam: What are your five favorite shops on Etsy?

Hi Mamma:

1. The Cocoon Wrap Mama - http://www.thecocoonwrapmama.etsy.com/ (this is my sisters website)


2. Gudonyatoo - GudonyaToo.etsy.com


3. My Beautiful Girl - MyBeautifulGirl.etsy.com


4. Paper and String - paperandstring.etsy.com


5. Rabbit Stop - rabbitstop.etsy.com

INCrowdteam: Which three of your own items for sale are your favorite? Why do you like them so much?

Hi Mamma:

Lady Bug and Bumble Bee Changing Pad Cover

Lilly Pad and Frog Changing Pad Cover

Whimsy Doodle Car Strap Covers for Car Seats, Strollers, and More

INCrowdteam: What's the best compliment you've received from a buyer?

Hi Mamma: I participated in the Etsy Kids Baby Shower. The mom that I had was just about to have her fourth baby. I made her a baby changing pad cover. She shared with me what colors she was going to have in the nursery, the theme, etc. I emailed her some swatches to see if she liked any of them. She wrote me a really nice note after the birth of her little girl.

INCrowdteam: Where else can we find you on the Internet?

Hi Mamma: I have a blog called Hi Mamma Designs – http://www.himammadesigns.blogspot.com/

Are you an INCrowdteam member who'd like to be featured in this Q&A? Or maybe you know a member who'd be perfect for it? If so, contact me at ThePeachMartini!