Mommaprenuer: Amy Costin, Giggleberry Creations

Tell us about yourself: I am a 20 something wife to a fabulous man, and work at home step mum to our full of life 8 yr old who has a severe form of Autism and mum to a busy bee 19 month old girl and 4 month old boy – it’s a busy house hold but I wouldn’t change it for the world! I am the driving force behind the unique fabric bunting banners of Giggleberry Creations. Oh and I love chocolate, hippo’s, winter, traveling and sleep ins.

How did you start creating your artwork? Giggleberry Creations started when I was at the end of my pregnancy with my daughter. I worked full time managing a retail store until the 2nd to last week of the pregnancy and when I stopped work I needed a way of keeping myself busy while I waited for her to arrive – I have always loved to be creative so when my mum finished a quilt that she had made ready for her new granddaughter I asked for the left over fabric and turned it into a set of flags to hang over the cot as a unique way to decorate the nursery.

How did you make the decision to pursue your art career and work from home? I had always planned to be a stay at home mum and was lucky to have a very sleepy, happy bubby so while my daughter slept I found myself making bunting sets for my nieces and nephews. Before I knew it I had friends and family asking for more and more which, along with my experience from working in retail, became the Giggleberry Creations WAHM business. I officially set up ‘shop’ in April of 2008 and haven’t looked back!

How do you balance work and family? For me – it’s all about routines. I have daily To Do lists everywhere in order of priority so I can cross off as I go – I LOVE getting the list all crossed off! When the kids are asleep I take the opportunity to do all the things little fingers would not quite ‘help’ with. Oh and we don’t own a TV by choice which may sound extreme to allot of people but it’s amazing just how much more you can get done when there is no chance to be distracted.

If you could go back in time to the beginning stages of your venture, what advice would you give yourself? It’s amazing how many different things I have learned or improved on since I first started. One of the main one’s would be making sure the product photos are of good quality. When I first started my photos were average. Slowly but surely I am improving. It is important to stand out from the crowd. I believe you need images that people just have to stop and look at and not ones that can get lost in the great wide world of handmade items.

Tell us about your average day: Ahhhh ‘average’, if only – LOL. Most days start with a quick email check before kids are up and about then it’s morning routine: breakfast, get everyone dressed, take daddy to work etc. Depending on what day of the week we are up to it’s playgroups, food shopping, visit friends – this is the time of day the kids are the most awake so I try to find something to keep them busy and entertained even if it’s as simple as helping mummy with the washing. Snooze time is then my chance to sew, take product photos, and list items in store. On the days we have my step daughter I only work ‘after hours’ and dedicate the day to her full time play therapy sessions, which actually is a great outlet for me to be silly, and juggling the younger kids too – like I said not really an ‘average’ day.

What do you love most about owning and operating your own creative business? The very best part is being home with my kids!! I love that I have the flexibility to do what I want everyday depending on what the business or life throws my way. It’s also so very rewarding going from sewing a set of flags together to packaging and posting them off to receiving positive feedback. Every satisfied customer helps put the ‘giggle’ in Giggleberry!

Besides your work and family, what else do you enjoy doing? Traveling! Before kids I was lucky enough to travel to many different corners of the world including Prague, Switzerland, China, South Africa, U.S, London, Malaysia to name a few but there are some many more places yet to see and experience. Hubby and I can’t wait to take the family on our first overseas family trip!!

Why do you think consumers should shop handmade? For the same reason I buy handmade; the one of a kind factor. I LOVE how each handmade item is unique and even if it’s in the smallest way it’s different to someone else’s item. I get so excited to give friends and family handmade gifts for their reactions; everyone always loves the individual factor. Seriously if had a dollar for every time I have heard “where did you find that?” when someone opens a gift or sees something I am wearing or using that is handmade I would be planning that next overseas trip sooner rather than later!