Feature Friday Presents:
BabyBerries!
“My name is Bridie Berry, I live in Lincolnshire, UK. I am a stay at home mum (to a 1 year old) and wife. I started Baby Berries after my son was born as I was making him things and really enjoyed it.”
What got you interested in crafting?
I come from a very arty family, My father is an artist and my mother and sisters are very creative. I remember as a child my mother used to do a lot of sewing, she used to make us all soft toys for Christmas every year. I always felt I lacked in creativity.
I have been an accountant for the last 10 years (until my son was born) and took up sewing and knitting as a hobby to escape from the stress of the job. I also started questioning where and how clothes are made. Most clothes available on the high street are made in sweat shops and this is an industry I don’t agree with so didn’t want to buy into it. So I thought I would start making my own clothes, that was 3 years ago, I now make all my own clothes, some for my husband and some for my little baby.
What has been your favorite project to make and why?
I love making all the items I make for Baby Berries imparticularly I like making all the hand stitched items. I love doing the hand stitched bibs, they are just so relaxing to make, even though they do take 3 hours each!
What’s the secret behind your etsy name?
Baby Berries, I wanted a name that suggests what I am selling (hence the baby part). My last name is Berry so I thought Berries just made it sound that bit different.
If you could open up a shop in your town what would you call it and what would it be like?
I’ve thought about this for along time. I would call it ‘Handmade with love’ and it would be an outlet for crafters to sell their goods. Something a bit like Etsy but as a physical shop. It would sell anything and everything handmade, from clothes to jewellery and candles to jam!
What is the most challenging thing you have made?
As mentioned already I make my own clothes, two years ago I needed a ball gown for a ball my husband and I attended. I had made a promise to myself that for a whole year I would not buy any clothes and anything I needed I would make myself, (then I remembered the ball)! So I set about making a dress. I had no pattern so designed it completely myself. It was fully boned and had a huge skirt. I made it in silver taffeta. It was a major success and I felt so proud wearing it. My husband was so proud that I had made it he spent the evening telling everyone that I had made it myself!
What are some of your goals you hope to achieve within the next year?
Oooh, well, I have so many! My main goal is to teach myself to crochet. I have so many nice things I would love to make but I honestly have no idea how to crochet, it just doesn’t make sense to me.
What is your best quality when it comes to your crafts?
You know when you buy a product from Baby Berries it is handmade by me, it hasn’t been made cheaply, or quickly, or mass produced, or made in a sweat shop. It has been made by me and I have enjoyed making it. You know that time and love has gone into the item to make it so special for the little baby who eventually receives it.
If you could have one thing to help your store what would it be?
More time.
I am first and foremost a mother and a wife so unfortunately any crafting comes after everything else, this only leaves me a couple of hours on a night. I would love to spend all day creating. However I am loving being a stay at home mum and bringing my son up so at them moment I wouldn’t change anything.
Thanks for stopping by! If you haven’t already visited BabyBerries – click on the link!
Love Always,
Jennifer
A Handmade Gift Store 