Etsy shop owner Joanie Reeder, of Tails & Snails, creates the cutest felt cuisine made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles. It is both Earth-friendly and fun for your little ones.

I recently sat down with Joanie to talk about her delicious creations:
Briefly describe yourself/ how you found Etsy:

While growing up, my mom put us in 4-H and we learned pretty much all there was to know about crafting and such. I put that knowledge away when I “grew up” and got a real job. While on maternity leave with my second child, I saw a feature on Etsy sellers on “Good Morning America” and thought to myself, ‘I can do that.’ I had been making bows for my daughter’s hair because I couldn’t find any cute ones and making them for everyone else’s kids because I had all this leftover ribbon. That’s how my store started and now, I’ve branched out into sewing and making tutus in addition to the bows. Pretty soon, I’m going to be adding felt food and felt items to my shops.

Children information (gender and/or ages etc):

My son is 2 and my daughter just turned 1. Thankfully, they aren’t Irish twins (where two are born within a year of one another). My son was 19 months when my daughter was born.

Describe your spouse/partner/single parent situation (i.e. How much do they work, how is time spent together):

My husband is pretty supportive of my crafting – when it doesn’t look like a bomb exploded in the kitchen, where I do most of my crafting. I do most of my crafting around naptimes and when the kids go to bed. I usually try to put it away for several hours in the evening when my husband gets home from work to shower him with love and attention.

Does Etsy help contribute to your family’s income?:

If by contributing to the family income you mean I don’t spend my husband’s money, SURE. In reality, that would be fantastic, but my shops are not at that point yet. I am successful enough that we are taking only Etsy money to Disney this winter and I am able to use Etsy money to pay for my husband’s and kids’ Christmas presents.

How do you find time to work with kids around?:

I usually craft in the morning, before they wake up, or during naptimes or in the evening when they are sleeping. Sometimes, if I have a craft show coming up, I will craft during the weekends or evenings and my husband will take care of the kids. He’s a big help when I need him.

How do your kids get involved with your Etsy business:

I try out a lot of my new ideas on my kids. In my boy’s shop, for example, I have an eyepatch. Before I ever listed it, I made my son wear it around and make sure it would be kid-safe. And of course, I am inspired every day to make something for my daughter to wear. If only I had the time… When they are a little older, they will be able to help me by cutting felt (with safety sissors of course) and such. I will hopefully have the patience to teach both of my children how to sew and craft.

What are your Etsy goals for the future?:

I would absolutely LOVE to be able to carry the income I was carrying when I worked. I know that’s an unrealistic goal, but I enjoy staying home with my kids. My realistic goals for the future are to continue to provide cute kid items, at an affordable price. I would like to continue to be creative and offer new products and services.

You can find Joanie at all three of her Etsy shops:

thegirlyplace.etsy.com
tailsnsnails.etsy.com
ruascrapper.etsy.com