Monday, February 8, 2010

Spotlight On: Michelle and Adam of The Crazy Elephant

Today's Spotlight On participant is a husband and wife duo! Michelle and Adam from The Crazy Elephant.


1. Tell us a little about yourself.....
Adam and I went to school for media arts and animation. Due to the high cost of school, we were not able to finish. After we got married we started Morgan Media our small animation company online. It was a great creative outlet for us but only at a hobby level. We have done advertisements for .tv and Acer laptops. When we had our son, Jayne, our animation time went down to 0 and we started creating thing just for him. it started with the burpcloths for me. I designed them based on one I got a a gift, but adjusted it to work better for me. Many people asked where I got them and I told them that I made them. Then I started to get orders from people for them. Adam started by making Jayne the cutest little knit bear hat. That was just as popular. Then, in August, a friend of ours recomended that we sell our artwork on etsy. We thought that was a great idea, but it really never took off. I thought of the success I had with the burp cloths when Jayne was a baby and decided to give it a shot on etsy. We opened The Crazy Elephant at the end of August. The shop is named after Jayne, who loves elephants and spends many hours stomping around the house (he's 2). We have been very happy with our start and are looking forward to seeing our shop grow.

2. What made you decide to get into the crafting boutique business?
We enjoy creating things and this gives us a chance to do that. At some point I would like to make this my full time job, but until then I just enjoy being able to give my customers exceptional speed and sevrive, and creating great products.

3. What do you sell?
We carry burpcloths, breast pads, wash cloths, hats, Owie Fixers (ice pack covers), and my children's books which are a mom favorite. We just recently started listing pantiliners and recucled paper embelishments as well.
In the last week we started a line for a family friend. She was diagnosed with Luekemia just before Christmas and the line benefits the Casey Bishop Luekemia Relief Fund, or as we like to call it the Crazy Casey fund. We have found amazing support for our efforts to help her and will be continuing to add new items to The Crazy Casey Fund section.

4. Where do you sell, online and off?
Our shop is thecrazyelephant.etsy.com we have not brought The Crazy Elephant to any shows yet but plan to this spring and also Arts in the Park on the 4th of July in Stewartville, MN

5. How do you juggle selling your items and your personal life?
We both work full time so it is a little difficult sometimes. Adam knits while he is on break at work. I ussually do most of my work after Jayne's bedtime.

6. What is your favorite thing to create?
I really like making the Owie Fixers because Jayne loves them so much. Adam likes the animal hats because they allow him the most creativity. And Jayne loves making the paper because he can help and it is gooshy and messy.

7. What are your long term goals for your creations?
We are still thinking of new products including a possible elephant rice pack. I also have a book writen that I need to get around to illustrating. One day I want this to be my job. I would love to be home with my son and I think our product line will grow with his needs.

8. Any advice for someone just starting out in the creating community?
There is so much advise out there to look at and you can drive yourself crazy trying to follow it all. Do what feels right for you.

Links:
www.morganmedia.us for animation
http://twitter.com/thecrazyele for twitters'

Giveaway Information:

Win a copy of Colorsaurus!
There are 4 ways to enter:
1. Go take a peak in her shop and/or website and come back here and let us know what your favorite item is!
2. Follow this blog and leave a message. If you are already a follower, just leave a message!
3. Follow her blog! Don't forget to come back here and post about it!
4. Heart her shop and come back and let me know. In your comment, please let me know what your Etsy ID is!

Four chances to win, that means you need to leave a comment for each entry! Don't forget to leave a way for me to contact you if you are the winner. The winner will be drawn next Sunday, February 14 in the evening. I will contact Michelle with the winner and you will have 48 hours to get back in touch with her once she contacts you! Of course, I will also post it to the blog too :)

24 comments:

Wehaf said...

I love the stick people earrings!

urchiken at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

Little peanut Burp Cloths. I like these!
june_spirit2628 at hotmail dot com

Bella's Bowtique said...

I also love the little peanut burp cloths!!!!!!

What a very nice giveaway. My almost 2 year old would sure to love!

:)

Kristie
bellasbow-tique(at)live(dot)com

Bella's Bowtique said...

Following your blog! :)

yay yay!

:)

Kristie
bellasbow-tique(at)live(dot)com

Bella's Bowtique said...

Hearted her ETSY shop!

Bella's Bowtique

:)

Kristie
bellasbowtique2008
bellasbow-tique(at)live(dot)com

Bella's Bowtique said...

Following her blog now too!

Keeping my eyes, toes, fingers, everything crossed. I wanna win for my little one so bad!

:)

Kristie
bellasbow-tique(at)live(dot)com

hoffee and a nuffin said...

I follow your blog! :)

hoffee and a nuffin said...

I follow Morgan's Bubble, too :)

hoffee and a nuffin said...

Hearted The Crazy Elephant's Etsy shop...

hoffeeandanuffin
hoffeeandanuffin@gmail.com

hoffee and a nuffin said...

I like Popcorn and a Movie Boo Boo Pack... too cute! :)

karmiclaw said...

I like the Jolly Roger hat... very cute!

karmiclaw said...

I'm following your blog!

karmiclaw said...

I hearted her shop!

Karyn
PixelPerfectBoutique

Andrea W. said...

I just hearted her shop!
Thanks, chasedreams

Michelle Hrin said...

Love the frog Owie fixer, what a great idea!

Michelle Hrin said...

Became a facebook fan. If you like you can check my SewBebe page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/sewbebe

Michelle Hrin said...

I added you as a fav. on Etsy, my shop is http://www.sewbebe.etsy.com and I'm a member of the CafeMoms team.

Stephanie said...

I like the cotton knit striped hat.

stephanielcobb(at)yahoo(dot)com

Michelle Hrin said...

Also a Stitch N Love Blog follower.

Linda Kish said...

I like the cotton knit striped hat


lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Lizzie said...

Love the Little Peanut Burp Cloth - contempo flowers - contoured.

smrtmouse at yahoo dot com

Lizzie said...

I hearted thecrazyelephant shop.

smrtmouse at yahoo dot com

Lizzie said...

I'm following your blog.

smrtmouse at yahoo dot com

Lizzie said...

I'm following Morgan's Bubble.

smrtmouse at yahoo dot com