Hi there! {waves} My name is Gussy and I want to introduce you to my ruffled accessories. Be sure to read through to the end ~ I'm offering a $50 shop credit giveaway. Here are a few of my products:
Next month is my second year since teaching myself how to sew. I started in November 2008 after the idea of "let's learn how to sew" popped into my curly head. My husband, Zack, and I had recently moved and I wanted/needed something to do in the evening when Zack was working late. Etsy was a recent addition to my bookmark folder, and sewing seemed so… amazing. And popular! I decided I had to try it :]
My parents let me borrow their sewing machine and I fell in love. In between reading 30 library books and watching multiple YouTube tutorials, I received a sewing machine of my own for Christmas. It had belonged to my husband's grandma ~ a true gift. Soon it was January 2009 and I received "the call" — Zack had lost his job. Three weeks later, I lost my job. At this time we were living in Michigan, and it seemed like EVERYONE was experience Michigan's poor economy. With my recent job loss I suddenly had a lot of free time ~ but not just in the evenings, like I originally had. We spent the next seven months looking for work, praying for a change in Michigan's economy. We finally realized we needed to look out-of-state for work. We were renting a little house near Detroit; our lease would be over soon. …We had to move, and soon. But, throughout these seven months of unemployment a lot of great things happened and my eyes were opened to many blessings. I soon learned my own sewing style: ruffles had become my signature look and I had branded my product line Gussy, after Gussy the goose from Charlotte's Web {a nickname from my mom}. Zack and I ended up moving to Minneapolis in August 2009. I had been offered a job — my first job offer in seven months — so off we went. A few months after starting my new job I felt like I needed to be doing more, something that would encourage me to be more passionate about life.
Zack and I talked about some options, prayed a lot, and starting saving our money. I then attended my first blog conference, Blissdom (February 2010) and was blessed by my friend, The Nester, during a panel on blogging about your niche. Once I returned home from Blissdom, my Gussy business really took off. It seemed like more and more people were familiar with my story and product, and so three short months later I was able to quit my day job, the one we moved from Detroit to Minneapolis for, to sew full-time exclusively. CRAZY! :] {But I love it!}
It's now been almost 6 months since we made this decision to pursue Gussy full-time. Yeah! I'm so thankful to the women who have helped bless and grow my business. The last two years have been such a wonderful whirlwind, and I love to encourage others in their journey as I blog about mine. PS. I've shared some of my tips that helped me quit my day job. Want to connect even more?
So about that $50 shop credit giveaway ~ Please visit my shop and tell me which product is your favorite. If you'd like extra entries, please blog/tweet this giveaway and leave an additional comment for each. ~ good luck! xoxo, Gussy
~Thank you so much Gussy~
All you need to do is comment to this post and you're entered!
Additional entries:
*Visit Gussy's shop (www.maggiewhitley.bigcartel.com) and tell us your favorite item
*Follow WWC on Twitter @WHEREWOMENCREAT
*Tweet about this contest
*Blog about this contest
*Follow TCC on Twitter @TCCEVENT
*Have a WWC button or link on your blog
*Have a TCC button or link on your blog
Remember to post separately for each additional entry and PLEASE only post the amount of entries allowed. This contest ends on Tuesday, November 2nd at Midnight (MST), so make sure to get your comments in by then. We will announce the winner that day by email and on the blog.
~Have a FABULOUS weekend~
This is great that you found ‘your calling’! Love how you taught yourself to sew!
i have been doing the self employment style for so looooong now. perhaps 20 years? and am like so many others, still struggling to make things work. i would love to read more about how you have found this so rewarding both financially and creatively. i do have a nice niche, but you can always add more info to increase your business acumen. thanks for sharing, it was refreshing as heck to read about someone doing well these days.
xowendy
I love the grass green baby blanket
These are truly charming. I’m off to check out your Etsy story and see all your ideas. What a great way to spend your time now, pursuing something you love. Glad to have popped in this morning.
Kate – The Garden Bell
http://www.thegardenbell.blogspot.com
I love that *prayer* was/is part of your process!!
I’m a big fan of the Gus! Love, love, love her pretty things :)
My favorite item is the wristlet that I own! :)
I follow WWC on Twitter
I follow TCC on Twitter
I tweeted
I too love that you taught yourself to sew and it has become a passion. I also love you were able to take the leap into the business world with this passion. I’ve wanted to with other crafts but have been scared of the ins & outs of the self employed business world. Maybe soon I’ll dip a toe in. hmmmm. Best wishes and happy sewing!!
We’re expecting our 1st grand-daughter on Halloween…I ♥ the baby blankets!!!!
♥’s
Sherry
I love the fabric on the Umbrella print zipped pouch! plus I love all things ruffled! Congratulations on finding your sewing ‘gift’! It’s inspiring to hear a story like yours.
tears stream from my eyes…your precious sewing machine…from your grandmother.
my grandmother worked in a sweatshop using a treadle sewing machine. i have 4 sewing machines, but still use the singer portable that i purchased w/ my first pay check in 1965 for $65.
hugs from a fellow sewer
Wow, your projects!! My favorite is the makeup bag (teal/green polka dot). Thanks for the chance to win and good luck with your endeavor!
God is good!
love that pink floral tote
best wishes & success in your creative business
I’m a follower
Hi Gussy. That’s quite a story. Good luck with your new business venture. I love the VACA bag. Love that size. I’m also loving all of the yellow ruffles. Just makes me happy.
Oh, I love her creations! I have her bookmarked on my computer. I love the floral handbands. I have three girls and I’m always looking for things for their hair!
I meant headbands….
LOVE the Gussy Girl Zippered Purse, Strawberry. My dear granddaughter would LOVE it.
I follow WWC on Twitter
I follow TCC on Twitter
Thanks WWC for featuring this talented gal. And congrats to her for a business successful enuf to take it full time.
The wristlets are super fun – and I really like the laptop bags! They are both things I’m in the market for, so I’m glad I found your shop! Your success is really inspiring! It just goes to show – you never know where your interests might take you!
Love the tote bags, of course!
I love the idance wristlet! It’s perfect! :]
I love the headbands along with the laptop bag!
I love the clutches and make-up bags. A girl can never have too many!!
What a great story – I love your products!!
I love the pink floral wristlet and all the pretty headbands!
pretty. I like the “Purple floral zipped pouch, small”. I need something to hold my iPhone earpods.
The Vintage Floral Laptop Bag is my favorite thing!
Hi Gussy! Oh how I love ruffles. So happy to meet you, a girl after my own heart. LOL
Oh and where to begin with picking a favorite item. I fell in love with several things: the orange polka dot make up bab {polka dots and orange my 2 favorite things} and that laptop bag is so GORGEOUS … the pear purse. Oh my! Love your stuff.
I absolutely love everything – but my favorite has to be the damask laptop bag – and also the girl’s zippered purses. Your story is inspiring.
I like the funky white pinstripe headband….
What fun that you followed your passion and learned to sew!
Thanks for introducing me to Gussy…I love ruffles, so she and I are on the same wave length!
My favorite thing in Gussy’s shop is the damask tote with the “choose your color” ruffle!
I am glad that you and your husband has found much joy in your life. I love the tote bag, makeup bag and the little girl purses.
Your story is inspirational!
I love the zippered pouches! Also, I think you should try out some aprons!
I love the blue and yellow baby blanket and the make-up pouches! I also love your story!
I have a WWC button and link on my blog. :)
I also have the TCC button and link on my blog! :))
love the blanket!
Lovely ruffled assecoires, Gussy! Great fabric and color choices too.
I love the Gussy laptop bag! And I think I would choose color 5 or 6 to it. I would have to see the colors more closely.
What I like about this bag is that it softens the hardware that is inside it. Modern technology joined with handmade goods. Great combination!!!
I I have had the WWC button on my blog for quite a while, on the right hand side.!
Congratulations to Gussy on their inspiring success and can do attitude. What a pleasant article to read. I really like the wristlet purse – it reminds me of the little leather one I carried around as a young girl.
Congratulations on your success, Gussy! You make such cute stuff! Love the gray and yellow wristlet. Darling. :)
How adorable are all your products…..I love the umbrella print pouch, my granddaughter would love, she is umbrella obsessed. Me thinks she will be getting that for Christmas. Good luck and I hope your business grows leaps and bounds.
I’m pretty much in love with the Pretty Bouquet makeup bag for me and the Orange Dot Makeup Bag for my teen daughter! So pretty!
I so want the Vintage Floral laptop tote!
I follow you guys on twitter :) @celeste_w
My favorite is the Damask laptop bag, I would choose the bright green as the ruffel (like the diaper bag) it’s my favorite color! My laptop is even green.
Great story! Love the headbands! Me and my three girls would sport them everywhere! Count me in!!!!!
WWC linked!
I love pretty much everything with her famous ruffle! The small zippered bags – just the right size! I’ve followed Gussy for a long time now and am always inspired!
Got the button!
Thanks for the opportunity to win!
My favorite is the Love fest vacay tote!
I love your tote bag. I’ve been sewing since I was 13 years old. I learned in home economics class and from my mom, that’s been over 50 years now. OH MY! I wish they would teach some of these things in school now. I have been working with my grandsons, 7 and 10, and they are learning to sew and alot of other projects. We all love it.
Amazing giveaway! My favorite: http://www.maggiewhitley.bigcartel.com/product/pretty-bouquet-make-up-bag
Thanks Gussy for the chance to win :)
I now follow @WhereWomenCreat on Twitter
@mdmerenghi
I now follow @TCCEvent on Twitter
@mdmerenghi
Tweet tweet! @mdmerenghi
gussy is the sweetest person ever! love her to pieces.
i love her headbands, but i’m thinking it’s time for a clutch or two, like this one:http://www.maggiewhitley.bigcartel.com/product/ruffle-gus-pink-floral-wristlet-52
blogged about it here:http://simplysarahanne.blogspot.com/p/giveaways.html
i shared the WWC link there also!
and, finally, i shared the TCC link on the same link, too!
So glad to read of your success; it’s always wonderful when young women have found the faith and courage to grow and stretch.
God’s blessings on you, yours and the work of your hands and heart.
Wonderful story. Thanks for sharing. Count me in for the prize. Thanks.
Your story about starting your business was inspiring. I like the vintage floral laptop bag. Everything is great!
Your Love feast vacay bag is amaaaazing and I’ve been coveting it for quite some time. Thank you for hosting such a generous giveaway!!!
I now follow WWC on twitter! @sarahmonkey23
I love you LOVE?FEAST VACAY TOTE bag. It is beautiful!
I follow WWC @freritcinge
tweeted @freritcinge
I love the houndstooth zippered pouch!
Your fabric headbands are more than “cute,” they’re totally wearable, even for THIS 40 year old! I also love your laptop tote- beautiful and feminine!
I will pray that Gussy will continue to be such a great and ongoing success for you.
My favorite Gussy item is the Love feast vacay tote!!! And I love Gussy headbands! Also Gussy is a very sweet, kind, and inspiring women. Her blog has been such an inspiration to me and has so many helpful tips and she’s just plain darn cute…along w/Bauer!
Way to go girl – love your story. We must follow our creative dreams
Damask laptop bag is awesome. Love it.
I love your wristlets… especially green and orange. It was great to read your story and I will now read about your business advice. Thanks for sharing
thank you for the inspiration. i need to be open to blessings ready to be poured out myself.
ok, i don’t know if what i would like would matter because when my 3 little daughters see your shop, they will go wild. they LOVE headbands. but i must say that they would love the make-up bags – but which one? maybe the orange polka dot?
Mod floral makeup bag. Yous story is inspirational — how wonderful you can do what you love.
I love the headbands. So cute!
I follow WWC
I follow TCC.
I wanna win! :)
LOVE Gussy’s stuff!
OMG I love her Damask laptop bag!
I follow WWC on Twitter (@CrowndVic)
Tweeted!
http://twitter.com/#!/CrowndVic/status/29362621246
I follow TCC on twitter! (@CrowndVic)
What a wonderful story! It is so inspiring. All of your items are beautiful! I’m thrilled that you taught yourself to sew and found your niche.
I’ve had my eyes on one of those laptop bags! Mama wants one!- Amanda!
I follow Where Women Create @primandpropah
I have a Where Women Create Button on my Blog http://www.primandpropah.com
I follow The Creative Connection on Twitter, @primandpropah
I love Gussy! Online and in real life too :)
I follow Where Women Create on twitter (I’m anna_r)
I follow TCC on Twitter
My favorite Gussy wishlist item right now is the Pretty Bouquet makeup bag. So sweet and girly!
I tweeted (not sure how to single out that tweet for a url, but it was on Monday at 12:31pm from anna_r)
a @gussysews giveaway from @wherewomencreat! http://tinyurl.com/2bdpsmx
LUV the Gussy Girl Headband, Purple Leaf-so pretty!
I follow WWC on Twitter @WHEREWOMENCREAT!
I left a Tweet about this giveaway on Twitter!
I follow TCC on Twitter @TCCEVENT!
So inspired after reading your post…now I need to get working on all these ideas :) I really love your Gussy Girl Zippered Purse Pears.
thank you for the inspiration.
I loved everything, so sweet and so colorful :~). My personal favorite was the Gussy Girl zippered purse, pears.
Love your ruffles, but my FAVE item is the Cafe colored Baby Blanket. So cute with blue or pink and so soft and warm!! Be blessed always!
i heart gussy. a lot :)
the stockings are hands down my favorite! :)
i follow wherewomencreat on twitter!
i also follow the tccevent on twitter & hope to be able to go next year!
I love the spearmeint dot makeup bag and the vacay tote that comes with a zippered pouch!!
Following and loving it!
Luv the cute baby blankets.
The baby blankets are the cutest