Shop Feature: Bashful Bear Designs

This week's shop feature is Bashful Bear Designs. This shop  specializes in making Petite clothing  such as  skirts,  shorts and  dresses. She also has a few cute  tote bags which I love  too. I think my favorite item from her shop is the  Green Reversible tote bag. Please  check out more about her and the work she does. you just might find something you like.

1. How did you come up with the Name of your Shop?
The last few years people have started calling me Emma Bear. It’s such a coincidence, because Emma’s Pet by David McPhail was the first book I ever read. It was about a bear named Emma. I thought Bashful + Bear would be a cute and memorable name!

2. Tell us a little bit about your shop and what you think makes it unique?
I started my shop in February 2013. As someone with a petite build, I’ve always found properly fitting clothes hard to come by, especially one’s that are cute! I wanted to focus on clothes that had simple lines with a certain classic femininity about them. I think what makes my shop unique is that I use thrifted materials to make my garments and that the shop focus is on custom made items.




3. What is your favorite item at the store and why?
My favorite item in the store is the dress Clarene. She’s comfortable and cute, two things that I love! Plus, she has some amazing vintage purple trim that I adore!

4. What inspires create your products?
I’m really influenced by feminine vintage styles. I love pouring over old magazines and ads for inspiration!



5. Where can we find you?
You can find Bashful Bear at:
Shop: www.etsy.com/shop/bashfulbeardesigns
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bashfulbeardesigns
Twitter: www.twitter.com/bashful_bear
Blogger: bashfulbeardesigns.blogspot.com


6. Do you have any coupons or discounts for us?

Of course! Please use the coupon code BEAR10 to get a 10% discount off your purchase!



7. What advice can you give for other sellers out there for their shop?
I haven’t been at this long, but I have found out that perseverance is key to being successful. It’s not going to happen over night!

Now some fun facts about you?
Here’s three fun facts about me:

I have six cats that are super sassy.
I completed my first half distance (70.3 mi) triathlon last year!
I’m addicted to vegan donuts. No joke!

8. What is your Favorite Food?
Ha, ha! Vegan donuts. I live in a raised vegan donut desert. When I go to Portland or Seattle, I get several dozen donuts to bring home and freeze! (Not that they last long!)

9. Describe us one positive event in your life in your life that you felt was a miracle to
you or that you knew the Universe was there watching over you.

When I started my half distance triathlon last year, I was terrified. I knew I could complete it but there was that part of me that was deeply, deeply afraid of failing myself. After the bike ride, I was feeling like I had heat stroke. I had to complete the half marathon, and instead of running it like I’d hoped, I was walking it. To be quite honest, at this point I was starting to cry because I was so out of it and disappointed in myself. That’s when a race volunteer started walking with me, asking me how I was doing, giving me more water, etc. She told me that when she did her first big face she finished 20 seconds after the finish time had expired. It didn’t matter though, because the most important part was that she finished. This really stuck with me, and even though I had to walk the rest of the race, I didn’t quit. I finished thirty minutes after the finish time expired but it was amazing, because I had just done a 70.3 mile race combination of swimming, biking and running (eh, walking). It really showed me that just staying positive and trudging on even when conditions aren’t optimal, is really important.

10. What is your favorite vacation shop and why?
I love Rome! I think it’s because I studied Classical Civilization in college, but I find the ancient history there fascinating. It doesn’t hurt that it’s a very walkable city with great food!

11. Anything else you like to share about you?
I’m excited to start digging in my garden and enjoying the summer sunshine!