Featured Vendor - Oatmeal Lace Design

McKay, from Oatmeal Lace Design, is another AMAZING vendor I met on twitter. She makes customized clutches that are to die for!!! I recently ordered a bridal clutch for my friend and just received last week. It was even more amazing in person! She even customizes the inside fabric. Oatmeal Lace Designs is definitely a vendor to follow :)

Here are a few of my favorites:








Q&A with McKay:

What inspired you to start your business?

I found my creative side really came into play in the year leading up to my wedding, as I'm sure a lot of brides discover when planning. I had a hard time deciding what to get for my bridesmaids as a gift that would:
a. be something they would use after the wedding,
b. be customized to fit their unique personalities and
c. fit in my dwindling budget.
I know my way around a sewing machine and I love bags, as did my bridesmaids, so decided to run with that. Long story short, I loved making the clutches and with some not so subtle pushes from family and friends to open a shop, I decided to go for it. Finding a creative outlet that allows me to still be involved in the wedding community, which I love, that also helps pay the bills has been a dream come true.

What exactly does Oatmeal Lace Design entail?

The primary goal of Oatmeal Lace Design is to provide quality custom bags for all occasions. The main focus has been on brides to be and their bridal parties, although I have expanded that with the collegiate line and everyday collection. I strive to maintain a close relationship with my customers and really love hearing all the stories from the brides to be. It's such an honor to be a part of this special time in their lives. My hope is that former brides revisit us in the future, either for a personal bag, a gift for a loved one or to mark the start of their new family with our baby line (debuting next month).
What advice would you give other female entrepreneurs?
Oh wow, what a question. I feel like I'm still learning so much in the short time I've been in business, that I'm not really qualified to impart advice, but one thing I was told by a good friend and successful business owner that has stuck with me was 'Go ugly, early.' The opportunity to start Oatmeal Lace came quite unexpectedly, without giving me the proper time to plan, research and organize all the pros and cons of starting a business. Basically, if I waited until it was the perfect 'time' we would not be talking because I wouldn't have opened my shop. :) So, long story short- if you have a product/service that you are passionate about, get it out there! Work through the kinks as you go because it will constantly evolve as time passes. Also- get involved with the social media outlets of twitter/facebook/blogging. It can help open the doors on opportunities you may never have had otherwise.

What are 3 things people don't know about you?>

I was born with one kidney, but didn't know until I was 18.
I've never eaten a peanut butter & jelly sandwich.
I'm obsessed with the show Clean House.

Thanks McKay!

http://www.oatmeallacedesign.com/

http://twitter.com/oatmeallace