Introducing Debra of Sleepy Cat Designs

   

Debra 

of 

Sleepy Cat Designs

and

Sew Bizzy Gifts

 Debra has two passions that drove her to open her online stores. 

Fabric and Kitty Cats! 

 Debra told me,  

"I love fabric...oh yes...I really love fabric!"

She began with Sew Bizzy Gifts and after she noticed that she had accumulated a ton of fabric with kitties on it, she opened up Sleepy Cat Designs.

 


Debra loves sewing and using fabric in her many crafts, and she has quite a variety of items for sale between her two Artfire studios.

It is not surprising in the least that she has been sewing for 40 years!

Cats all over the world are enjoying Debra's collars!

But you won't hear Debra brag about that fact because she is rather humbled and feels honored that the cat's people like what she makes enough to purchase them!

If you are wondering who this handsome kitty is, why, that would be Debra's one and only, Chester!

Although Debra loves cats and would like to have one or two more, her current circumstances allow her to only care for Chester; however, Chester doesn't mind being Debra's one and only!  She says, "I'm grateful I can still have one kitty who keeps me company, makes me laugh, and brightens my little world immensely."

I am certain that Chester doesn't mind being spoiled at all, just look at his face and you will see that he is perfectly content. 

Debra not only loves making things from kitty fabric, she also helps other animals in the community.  

She does this by donating some of her household income to The Hermitage Cat Shelter in Tucson, Arizona, and to Best Friends Animal Society in Kanab, Utah.  She also contributes cat cage cushions for the local animal control center and HSUS when possible.  Debra does all of this for fur babies even though she is unable to work outside her home any longer.  

What an inspiration for all of us, thank you Debra! 

 

 When asked why she sells online she states, "selling online has been a fantastic activity that has helped me stay connected with others and to stay active mentally and socially."  Right on! 

One thing that Debra enjoys outside of crafting, is to teach!  She used to teach sewing, but can no longer do that; however, she volunteers as a Bible teacher and teaches a weekly class in a residential care home. She also teaches one-on-one classes and is constantly looking for new students!



 A few of Debra's creations are shown here, but this is only a small sample of what she makes.  In her stores I have seen:

Eyeglass cases,

Business card holders,

Jewelry,

Tissue cases,

Keychains,

Lots of collars, 
and so much more!!

And although she does use her kitty design fabric, she has a lot of stuff done in other fabrics also!

I have personally received a photo brag book / business card holder from Debra and I definitely recommend her products!  Her work is beautiful, priced reasonably, and she pays attention to detail.  Further, she is customer oriented and is a fast shipper that wrapped my brag book so that it wouldn't get damaged in the mail.  She quickly got back to me when I asked a question, and I had an excellent customer experience all around!   

Debra can be found online at:

http://www.SleepyCatDesigns.artfire.com
http://www.SewBizzyGifts.artfire.com
http://www.artfire.com/users/SleepyCatDesigns/blog

By: Tsilos Schoener,

owner of TS Beading

Feature Artisan: Mona Peepers Ahleman

 Mona is the owner of 3 Peeps Designs, and is a member of the Crafting for Animals Guild and the Artfire Beadweavers Guild on Artfire.com.

Mona is an animal lover, especially when it comes to cats and dogs, and has a big heart for rescued animals.  She donates some of her beaded dog cuffs to different rescue groups, and most recently donated some Greyhound cuffs to GALT and TIGR, and cuffs for Luv-A-Bull and their silent auction.

She loves the fact that she is making a difference in the world!

The cuff on the right was made using the peyote stitch and is Mona's own design of a Pit Bull and paws.   This cuff is made-to-order in any colors that you would like.  

She also makes cuffs with various other types of dogs, and I've also seen that she has some tutorials for sale in her other shop, 3PeepsDesignsToo for us bead lovers!

Mona makes various beaded items, one of my personal favorites is these small paws that can be used in scrapbooks, crafts, and/or jewelry - making.  I think that they would make the perfect magnets to put on the fridge or in a locker!

Mona's love for animals extends to her own home where she has two large dogs named Charlie and Apple, and three cats named Buffy, Dixie, and Einstein.  

Mona's main inspiration for beading and creating stems from her husband and two children.  

For now she sells items to help supply her love of beads, but hopes that someday she can do it full-time.

Mona has been beading for 9 years, as is evident in the quality of her work.  Just looking at her studio I can see that her items are made with love and are top quality.  I truly believe that she has what it takes to do it full-time!

 

Mona can be found at the following locations on the web: 

http://www.3PeepsDesigns.artfire.com

http://www.3PeepsDesignsToo.artfire.com
http://www.3peeps.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/3peeps

Thank you for sharing with us Mona!

If you would like to be featured on my blog, please fill out this form.  You will be notified when I feature you.  Thank you for supporting our fellow artisans!
TSBeading 

Featured Artisan: Pamela Todd


Pamela Todd is the owner of Bags and More By Pam.  She was finally able to pursue her passion of crocheting after she retired as a school teacher!  She first created her own website to sell her items and then moved on to Etsy, Artfire, and other venues.  She also sells her handmade items at local craft fairs and has been known to make donations to her local humane society.  She's been selling commercially for the past 9 years, now that's commitment!

 


Pam is a member of several Artfire Guilds, her most active being Crafting for Animals, where I have had the privilege of getting to know a little about her.  She writes a bi-monthly blog for the Crafting for Animals Blog on various subjects, her latest being about sea turtles, a very interesting and informative article.  She is also a member of three Etsy teams, including Boomers and Beyond (BBest Team,) EtsyHookers Team, and Indiana Etsy Street Team.

Pam is getting ready for the winter season and has lots of sweaters, scarves, dog sweaters and neck wear, leg warmers, and other items to keep everyone and their dogs warm this winter!  In addition, she makes bags and other items such as this featured this lovely holiday stocking that can easily and beautifully be hung by your chimney with care.  In viewing Pam's items I see items for men, women, children and dogs, and I find myself amazed at her perfect stitches and the quality of her products, no wonder she has a perfect 5 stars and rating of 10/10! 



Pam has three children, three grandchildren, and two dogs.  Her dogs are a Shepherd mix named Daisy, and Ed, a Boston Terrier, both of whom proudly model her crocheted wonders in her shops, such as this pink Pizzazz Dog Collar on Daisy:



And this lucky clover, green and white collar on Ed:

Such a gorgeous pair!

Pam can be found on the web at:

http://www.bagsandmorebypam.etsy.com/
http://www.bagsandmorebypam.1000markets.com/
http://www.bagsandmorebypam.artfire.com/
www.bagsandmorebypam.icraft/ca
http://www.bagsandmorebypam.com/

Here are a few more of my favorite items in Pam's Artfire Shop

   

Thank you Pam for sharing your story with us! 

If you would like to be featured on my blog, please fill out my feature artisan form.

Feature Artisan: Elizabeth of Miss Ma'am Boutique

Child's Bolero

By Elizabeth of Miss Ma'am Boutique

These boleros can be custom ordered, but she also has pre-made ones in her shop, ready for purchase!  Each can be made with or without ruffles and comes with an adorable, matching hair piece.

Elizabeth Crosby is a stay at home mom of three children who are ages 6 and under, she mostly sells her creations online, but also hits some craft fairs and farmer's markets.  She hopes to someday have her own brick and mortar boutique and is saving up for that big day!  In her free time, Elizabeth enjoys doing volunteer work with her children.  What a great example she is showing them! 

Elizabeth is one crafty lady and offers a variety of homemade and vintage items in her shop, I was impressed with the variety of her skills, from beaded earrings, to cuff bracelets, from pillowcases to dresses, and even a beautiful tea-length wedding dress!  Please take a moment and visit her shop - and tell her that TS Beading sent you over!  I'm certain you'll love her items as much as I do!

Please Miss Ma'am on the web:

Miss Ma'am's Etsy Shop

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