Designer Interview With Ewers*Truly...And A GIVEAWAY

Where were you born and raised? Where do you live now?

Missouri

How many children do you have? Names and ages?

I have three sons: Ben (7) - he’s real sensitive, artistic and musical; Drew (5) - a super sweet junk-food-junkie - and my best model; and baby Jack (2) - my little barrel-chested, Thomas the train crazy bully!

What are your hobbies (besides designing and sewing)?

I collect old Barbie dolls. I love photography and PhotoShop. Digital scrapbooking (making books and keepsakes on the computer). A traditional scrapbook would never work for me. I’m a real packrat; I save everything, and I want it all in my baby books and vacation journals! I worked in magazine editing and design before staying home with my boys, and so, I still do that because I enjoy it and my former coworkers so much. I am a contributing writer for a couple local parenting magazines. And, I also write for Country Lines Magazine. You can read some of my stories here: http://www.countrylines.com/column/tams-place/. I’m also writing a children’s book based on my little dog!

What is your eBay ID?

ewers*truly

How did you come up with your ID, is there a story behind it?

Well ... my first name is actually Tameria (which means palm tree). My maiden name meant big. So, I grew up being a "big palm tree" ... which I always thought was unfair since my little brother, Shane, was a "big gift from God." Then, I married my high school sweetheart, a Ewers (which means "a vessel for holding water"). We’re a perfect match! Creative Designs by Ewers Truly is also the name I used when I did free-lance graphic design and custom greeting cards/invitations/announcements from my home.

Do You Have An Etsy Store?

No, I only sell on eBay, but I do have a few small things for sale on seamscrazy.com.

Are you a member of a design group? How long have you been a member of that group?

I’m a rather new member of MAX, Ateam and M2Minc (I joined them all in October of 08). Before that, I was a member of BellaLuna, which has since dissolved. I met some great ladies there, though, that I still enjoy working with today. I’ve been a member of Planet Boy the longest (since April of 08).

How long have you been selling your designs on eBay?

About a year and a half, I guess. Before that, I didn’t know how to sew a button! My boys would routinely go next door to my neighbor’s house for sewing lessons. She’s forever taught sewing and embroidery, and her entire downstairs is an enormous sewing workshop. Oh ... and don’t even get me started on her fabric stash! Anyway ... my boys would go to her house and come home beaming with pride over the pillows and other projects that they’d made. I always wanted to take lessons from her but could never get out of the house for very long without interruption. So ... she gave me an old Bernina 802 for my birthday and told me to go make friends with it! The Bernina and I have been best friends since! And, we’ve added a new friend, a Babylock Imagine. Next ... I want an embroidery machine! I learn best by just jumping in feet first and doing. And, as luck would have it, I took to sewing like a fish to water!

What got you started?

A major addiction to buying customs got me started! First, I have boys ... three great boys. That being said, I also wanted a little girl with all my heart. I always will. And it was depressing for me to walk into stores and see 3/4 of the room filled with gorgeous little girl’s clothing ... and the other 1/4 of the store plain, miniature man clothing with no real appeal. Then ... I discovered customs ... and found that dressing little boy clothes can be fun, too! But, sometimes I would need a custom in a hurry and wouldn’t be able to find a designer to get it done for me ... or it would be way out of my price range (especially if I wanted three that matched). And, more than once, I asked designers to do something specific for me, I drew my designs out on paper for them, and then watched them bring my ideas to life and sell them for big bucks on eBay.

Do you remember the first set you sold on eBay? How much did it sell for?

My first real set sold for just at $100, I think. It was a sock monkey set for BellaLuna’s Moda fabric launch! But from that, the off-eBay orders started rolling in and I started to work regularly for certain clients. That is still one of my favorite sets. Before that, I did several other sets that were just never seen or offered. I’ll attach a photo of the first thing I ever did (which is actually how I learned to sew a button). I didn’t make the outfit itself. It was a custom that I bought on eBay, but I added several buttons all over it to it to form a jack-o-lantern face on the leg. I also added buttons to the hat and appliqued a matching initial shirt. Since this was the first thing I ever did, it has a lot of sentimental value to me and I’ll never sell it.

Have you noticed a change in your designs from when you first started?

Oh yes. I have gotten extremely detailed in my applique. I love going way over the top. My customs are much more involved.

What is your inspiration for your designs?

It comes from all sorts of sources! But, basically, I sew for my boys. I sew what they are into, what they want. I don’t part with my samples because the boys and I grow attached to them. And, as a buyer, I also know what I want ... and that’s detail, quality and durability.

You do so many detailed applique sets. How long is the design process for you from start to finish?

It just depends on the set and its details. Sometimes the design comes easily; I can clearly picture the finished design before I ever start it ... and sometimes it doesn’t work at first, and I have to walk away from the sewing room for a while and come back (maybe days later) before it can come together. I keep a design journal and idea file so ideas don’t slip my mind, and I try to work on new designs and custom orders a few hours each day ... in between dropping off and picking up three little boys from different schools and preschools ... at different times ... and on different days.

Since your outfits are so detailed...how often does you list?

I list as often as there are launches. I never like to miss a group launch. But, I don’t have a lot of time in between them (with four groups and off eBay orders from regular customers) to list any more regularly.

Is all the applique work overwhelming, or is it something that you love doing?

I really love doing it! But, there are times when I’ve had enough of a particular outfit or set. For example, I spent many, many hours on a couple custom t-shirts for a buyer. These t-shirts were hand-made and each had 50 individual applique pieces on the front alone (some which I did twice/applied backing to so they wouldn’t be see-through) and several buttons for detail. Then, they got lost in the mail, with delivery confirmation! So, I remade them both. By the time I was done, I was ready to do a cartwheel. And, though my sewing room is a great stress relief and creative outlet for me, I do feel guilty spending too much time in there -when I could be playing with my kids. They grow so fast; I don’t want to miss a minute. Right now, for example, I’m typing these answers at midnight so it doesn’t cut into my boy time tomorrow. I’m never alone; each day I have at least one boy home with me at all times. Basically, the creating is the fun part for me. Recreating the same set a handful of times ... not so much fun. And, I’m not a huge fan of sewing on buttons ... or mending my husband’s things. Funny, I don’t mind mending injured stuffed animals. But, when buyers send me photos of their boys wearing my clothing ... that’s the best!

Do you hand-draw your appliques?

I do hand-draw my own appliques. I do have my embroidery done professionally - but don’t misunderstand ... that’s only after I’ve personally scanned all my appliques into my computer, drawn the details I want for each of them (typically in PhotoShop) and then printed them out for exact placement at the embroidery shop. Setting up the embroidery I have done is very time consuming in itself - and it has to be done over again with each set, even if they are "identical" to ensure precise placement on the garment.

Have you ever had any complaints or concerns about your 6-8 week completion time? Or do your customers just realize you do intricate work and expect that length of time?

The work I do is not quick by any means. I sew slowly and precisely. But, I don’t always have a 6-8 week wait. I’m usually much faster. But, sometimes, life gets in the way. Recently, I had surgery on my left wrist to remove a painful cyst at my joint. This didn’t stop me, but it certainly slowed me down a bit. So, I gave myself a little extra time cushion due to my recovery. But, my wait time will also vary depending on what customs I already have down on my calendar. Probably for every eBay sale I get, I get two more off eBay sales for the same item.

Are there any other designers you admire?

Where do I start? I couldn’t possibly name just one! I’m kind of a collector of the top designers’ art work. My favorite designers are everyone’s favorites (and many are in my great design groups!). I’m lucky to be a part of such talented groups of ladies. If I had to count, I’m sure I’d find more Little*Blue*Duck customs than anything else the the boys’ closets, followed by pbandj*creations. But, I’ve got several customs by Gorillabear*boutique, wildbydesign, sew.cute.on.you!, key*west*kids, bayoubabe5, whimsykids1, bananable, serendipity*sweethearts, kippydoodles, zootz, boyz*in*style. See, told you I had an addiction! Of these gals, though, I was most inspired by Kary of Gorrillabear - who told me that a couple years ago, she didn’t know how to turn a sewing machine on ... and she’s amazing.

What is your favorite design you have created?

I love the Graveyard Dugout (my sample is actually on display right now at our city’s art gallery!). And, I did some Thomas the train costume contest overalls for my son (which were never offered at auction). But, my most recent design - curious monkey - is my overall favorite. When I was little, I had a dress that held one of my cloth dolls in the pocket. That was this set’s inspiration. So, this one just melts my heart. But, I had to fight the design on this one. For the longest time I couldn’t figure out a way to bring it all together with monkeys everywhere. Then, one morning at about 3 am the idea of questions children ask came to me. In the end, this set had 12 different embroidery applications - the most embroidery I’ve ever put on a set.

Is there still a demand for appliqued overalls? Or more for pant/tee sets?

I guess it’s a personal preference, but I sell many more overalls than 2-piece sets for little boys.

Who is your favorite fabric designer?

I really don’t have a favorite fabric designer. I love unusual knits, and I can’t find them locally. I also love vintage fabrics.

What is your favorite custom auction on eBay right now?

Oh, I couldn’t say! I’m watching 87 eBay items! I’m a sucker for sets that have matching hats! I love hats!

If you could max out your credit card at one store, what store would that be?

I don’t shop for myself. And, I love flea markets, antique shops, garage sales and thrift stores. But, I could spend a fortune on eBay on boy’s customs, for sure. Since I can make my own sets, I’m kind of a tight wad and prefer to buy reasonable resells. I might be able to max out a card at Pottery Barn Kids. Mini Boden for sure ... or Toys R Us!

What can we expect from you in the future?

Applique overload! Creativity! Detail, detail, detail! I want to impress, show you things you haven’t seen before. And, I stand behind my work. If a set of mine ever needs a repair, I’ll gladly do that for my buyers. And, I’ve got some great ideas for future customs! I have never made a girl set ... but I’d like to!

Giveaway Time...All you have to do to enter is bid on Tam's current Monkey auction she has on eBay right now. Then leave a message here that you bid, with your eBay ID. One lucky bidder will get a curious little gift package for their child. Check back to see if you have won!

To Go To The Auction CLICK HERE.