MMM: What is Whistlepea the business and what do you MAKE?
Whistlepea: My name is Amy and my shop is Whistlepea. I primarily make items for children and babies including dresses, scarves and skirts, dolls and doll clothes, Happy Manitoba tees and knit baby hats. Kids are so fun to sew and knit for and there are so many great fabrics and trims out there! I also make infinity scarves and headbands for women and occasionally I make vintage tea cup candles. I like to keep things varied because I want this to be an enjoyable endeavour for me, not a one-lady sweat shop and I like there being something new to check out every time you visit my Etsy shop or see me at a craft show.
MMM: Why did you decide to start doing what you do?
Whistlepea: I graduated from teacher's college in 2004 and I always struggled with finding steady teaching jobs. I'd learned basic knitting and sewing as a kid and I picked it back up again to fill the time between terrible substitute teaching jobs. I moved to Japan in 2005 to teach English and the craft scene there is just amazing. You can find incredible yarn and fabric and patterns all over the place. I didn't have a sewing machine there but my knitting obsession really took hold. When I returned to Canada, I had a lot of trouble finding permanent work again and I opened my first Etsy shop mostly for something to do. I relaunched it again last year as an outlet for all my crafty output and for a focus outside of parenting my two small children.
MMM: Thank You Amy for your very honest response. I think fellow crafters and parents can relate to the happiness and fulfillment that one gets out of perfecting and sharing their craft.
MMM: What is your favorite product to make?
Whistlepea: Hmmm... it really varies. Right now I'm really proud of the embellished skirts I fell down a rabbit hole of making recently. They're so cute and really reflective of my style with their Scandinavian inspired ribbons, tiny pockets and vintagey ricrac.
MMM: Where part of Manitoba did you grow up in?
Whistlepea: I was actually born in Cape Breton and grew up mostly in Eastern Ontario. I moved to Manitoba in 2008 and I've lived in Killarney for three years. I will be moving to Winnipeg when we sell our house here. I'm really looking forward to exploring the big city more!
MMM: What is one of your favorite things about Manitoba?
Whistlepea: Maybe it sounds boring and practical but I really appreciate that the cost of living here is still manageable, especially compared to Ottawa where I lived previously. It gives me the freedom to stay at home with my two kids and work when I can. My life is fairly slowly moving here and I like that.
Some places you can find Whistlepea products:
Whisltepea Etsy Shop
Whistlepea is on facebook
Also Whistlepea goods are available at Little Green Stone's pop up shop on Broadway in Killarney, Manitoba.
There are so many great products from Whisltepea to check out
Whistlepea's Soy candles in vintage tea cups! Brown Sugar and Fig Scent are a hit!
MMM: What is your favorite product to make?
Whistlepea: Hmmm... it really varies. Right now I'm really proud of the embellished skirts I fell down a rabbit hole of making recently. They're so cute and really reflective of my style with their Scandinavian inspired ribbons, tiny pockets and vintagey ricrac.
MMM: Where part of Manitoba did you grow up in?
Whistlepea: I was actually born in Cape Breton and grew up mostly in Eastern Ontario. I moved to Manitoba in 2008 and I've lived in Killarney for three years. I will be moving to Winnipeg when we sell our house here. I'm really looking forward to exploring the big city more!
MMM: What is one of your favorite things about Manitoba?
Whistlepea: Maybe it sounds boring and practical but I really appreciate that the cost of living here is still manageable, especially compared to Ottawa where I lived previously. It gives me the freedom to stay at home with my two kids and work when I can. My life is fairly slowly moving here and I like that.
Some places you can find Whistlepea products:
Whisltepea Etsy Shop
Whistlepea is on facebook
Also Whistlepea goods are available at Little Green Stone's pop up shop on Broadway in Killarney, Manitoba.
There are so many great products from Whisltepea to check out
Whistlepea's Soy candles in vintage tea cups! Brown Sugar and Fig Scent are a hit!
Brought to you by Makers Move Manitoba?
Makers Move is a hub for all things handmade and home grown locally here in Manitoba!
Makers Move Manitoba was created by proud Manitoba girls Mandy Johnston and Brandy Sylvestre. We wanted to create a platform to showcase the MANY incredibly talented makers movers and shakers located right here in our amazing province!
Makers Move is a community for our Makers and those who value the importance of shopping local and supporting small business; we work towards fostering connections between businesses and consumers, and in doing so we hope to inspire Manitobans to think about where they want to spend their money. Join the Makers Movement; together we can educate Canadians about the importance of supporting local business.
"Every time you spend money, you're casting a vote for the kind of word you want."
- Anna Lappe
In order to ensure that we do our best to spread the word of this fabulous community, we have developed a presence on both Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter; Please be sure to check them out . Like and share to help us continue to grow the community.
Fellow Creative Souls and Founders of Makers Move Manitoba
Fellow Creative Souls and Founders of Makers Move Manitoba
No comments:
Post a Comment