Sugar Fly Designs -- A Giveaway

Today, we are doing a special feature on a Non-Etsy shop, but an online shop nonetheless, with some GREAT handmade goodies in it! That shop is Sugar Fly Designs, and I have asked the owner Michelle, for a little interview and giveaway. Of course, she said yes.

TDB: Please tell us a little about yourself and your business.

SFD: Although I’ve always been somewhat of a dreamer of bright lights and big cities, but fate brought me back to my small town roots several years after I graduated college with a degree in marketing. It really is true that God has bigger dreams for us that we can dream for ourselves. I’m happily married to the cowboy of my dreams with two amazing children. Along with Sugar Fly Designs, I also teach technology on the high school level at the same school where my children attend. Sugar Fly Designs started as a hobby several years ago but has turned into a fabulous collection of unique jewelry designs and styles that compliment the inner gypsy-cowgirl in us all. I’ve always thought of Sugar Fly Designs as my own little type of self-therapy. I have a small shop at my home where I design and create my items. I also have a large support system of friends and family that help out when needed. Its so relaxing to spend time creating items and doing what I love, and I have a fabulous time when my girlfriends and family come to the shop and help! We spend most of our time laughing and just enjoying each others company.

TDB: How did you come up with the name "Sugar Fly Designs"?

SFD: I’d love to say there was a fantastically interesting and exciting story behind the name Sugar Fly Designs but really there’s not. I just came up with it on a whim basically. Originally I called my business The Buckle Bunnies and focused primarily on handmade buckles. However, over time I started to venture out into more unique ways of expressing my style through t-shirts, flip flops, and accessories. I didn’t want potential customers to be limited from my items because the name Buckle Bunnies sounded purely western…so I thought about it and came up with Sugar Fly Designs. I think it sounds fun and allows me to showcase other items.

TDB: Who does all of the creating for the items on your website?

SFD: I pretty much design and create everything on my site with a few exceptions. The crystals initials, cake toppers, yard art, and ornaments are made by a very gifted friend in Texas, and the t-shirts are purchased wholesale.

TDB: How do you balance creating and family?

SFD: Very carefully!!! I value my time with my family and try to ensure they never feel neglected because of my business. I encourage my children to come to my shop and help in whatever capacity they feel most comfortable. Sometimes that means my 6 year old may string beads, or my 11 year old may help with inventory…anything I can do to help them feel included. I feel very fortunate to have the support of my husband and extended family as well.

TDB: If you were given three wishes, what would they be?

SFD: To live to see my children grow up and become successful

To have my grandparents back so I can spend more time with them.

To grow old with my husband and be able to look back on a life well lived without regrets.

TDB: How long have you been creating for "Sugar Fly Designs"?

SFD: I started in 2006 and hope to be doing this for many more years.

Here are some of the goodies you can find in Michelle's shop:





And here is what Michelle of Sugar Fly Designs is giving away: A Personalized Pendant, which Michelle will personalize with any name or phrase (whatever you want!) and create in the colors you want.

Here's how you can enter to win your own personalized pendant. Simply visit Sugar Fly Designs, then come back here and leave a comment, letting us know your favorite item from her shop. Please make sure you have a valid email address somewhere in your comment, or attached to your Blogger profile.

Deadline to enter is Monday, May 11th at 11:59 pm PST. This giveaway is open worldwide. You MUST have a valid email, so that I can get ahold of you if you win. If you don't, I'll move on to someone else.

To earn an extra entry, we'd love it if you would follow our blog. Simply click "Follow this blog" up there at the top left, and then leave a separate comment, letting us know you're a new follower.

Want another extra entry? Twitter about this feature & giveaway. Then leave me a separate comment with your Twitter ID. Please Twitter to @dwntownboutique.

Ok, I'll allow another extra entry. Simply blog about this giveaway, then come back here and leave another separate comment with the link to your blog post.

Have fun!