Melissa owner of My Gigi Doll
Learn more about her and her business, and check out the GIVEAWAY of an amazing and adorable handmade doll or superhero doll of your choice!
1. What products do you make/sell? I make soft dolls that are made with eco-friendly and/or all natural materials.
2. What inspired you to start creating? I’ve always been artistic. I’ve recently discovered that fiber is my favorite medium. I love fabric and yarn made of natural fibers. My mom bought me my first sewing machine when I was 19. The first thing I made on my own was a quilt. Over the past 20 years I’ve made quilts, Halloween costumes for my kids, clothes for my daughter, dresses to raise money for clean water in Africa, doll clothes, knitted hats, felted purses, and more. I never imagined I would fall in love with making soft dolls!
3. What room do you do your creating? I make the dolls in my studio. And by that I mean I make the dolls in the dining room. We now eat in the kitchen. Sorry family!
4. What is your favorite organization tip/ tool? I am great at getting organized but terrible at staying organized. I could use a few tips myself!
5. What tip can you give others interested in making/selling similar items? The best tip I can give is to make and sell what you love. Do what you love, work hard at it and success will follow. As for specifically making dolls, I would look online for techniques and even buy a doll making book to get started.
6. What is your day job? I am a homeschooling mom to my 3 kids: Jackson, 15, Nathan, 13 and Gianna (Gigi), 8. Before having kids I worked in the mortgage industry.
7. Describe your ideal weekend. My ideal weekend would include being outside somewhere green, taking an afternoon nap and hanging out and laughing with my family.
8. What other activities do you enjoy? I’m always doing different things and don’t stick with one thing for long. I like to run and knit. Coming up with new doll ideas is currently my favorite activity.
9. What is your sweetest memory from childhood? I grew up in the Pacific Northwest and on weekends and school breaks I would spend time at my dad’s farm in Oregon. I loved to explore in the woods for hours at a time. We had a tree swing that hung from an enormous oak tree that I would swing on while making up and singing songs. I love the solitude and beauty of nature.
10. What is your favorite item in your shop and why? My favorite item is the Gigi Doll. The Gigi doll is based on my daughter, Gianna. Even though I love each doll, Gigi is and will always be my favorite.
Anything else you want to share? I took my first ever sewing class two weeks ago! I was surprised at some things I didn’t know after sewing for 20 years.
I really have loved being able to donate dolls to some great causes. I got to make one for a little girl with Down's Syndrome who was undergoing treatment for Leukemia. The most special thing I think I've ever done with the dolls, though, is to make a set of sister dolls for a little girl who lost her big sister. The family is a missionary family from Canada that travels around the U.S. speaking at different churches. In February they were driving on black ice, lost control of their van and crashed. Their oldest, a 3 year old little girl, died in the accident. She left behind her mom and dad and her little sister. I was approached about making sister dolls for the little girl and I jumped at the chance. I made the dolls look like the little girls, dressed them in their favorite colors and made them an elephant and a giraffe, older sister's favorite animals. It was such a special thing for me to be able to give in this way...it truly is more blessed to give than to receive!
You can find Melissa here:
Now the Exciting Part! Melissa is giving away
a handmade doll for a girl or superhero doll for a boy of your choice! Valued at nearly $70.00!
Thank you so much for participating! Entries close Monday, April 16th at 11:59 pm. All entries will be verified. A winner will be announced by April 18th. Good Luck! CLOSED.
The Sweetest Memory Facebook link is not working. Here is the Link! Thanks! www.facebook.com/thesweetestmemory
**Would you like your shop featured in my Sweet Shop? It is a great way to get more exposure for free. Please contact me for more information at thesweetestmemory@cox.net.**
Linking Up:
Someday Crafts
{Aren't these the cutest things you have ever seen?!}
Here's how to win!
CONGRATS TO ALICIA Z!
The Sweetest Memory Facebook link is not working. Here is the Link! Thanks! www.facebook.com/thesweetestmemory
**Would you like your shop featured in my Sweet Shop? It is a great way to get more exposure for free. Please contact me for more information at thesweetestmemory@cox.net.**
Linking Up:
Someday Crafts
