Getting to know customdesigns4ubynan
Hello everyone out there in Heavenly Savings’s blog, andthank you very much for reading this interview. My name is Nancy. I grew up inMichigan and graduated from Wayne State University in (gasp) 1975 with a degreein Fine Art, Printmaking. I lived in Seattle for several years after that, andthen came back east to New York, in the early ‘80s. I have lived on Long Islandnow for decades, but have sold my apartment and am moving back to Michigan, tobe close to my parents. 
I was laid off from my last job as a buyer at Kravet, Inc. in 2009, when Iopened my etsy shop, Custom Designs by Nancy at www.customdesigns4ubynan.etsy.com.This was very exciting and challenging, as you can imagine. As a buyer atKravet, a leading fabric distributor to the interior design industry, I hadaccess to TONS of fabric, at practically no cost to me. I had sewn in highschool, and love fabric, and just had to have these pieces that were available.I soon had bolts of fabric in every corner of my studio apartment and yards oftoiles in every drawer. Of course I bought a machine and sewed tablecloths andaprons and bedspreads for friends and family, and then started selling on etsy.A relative told me about etsy and suggested it as a place I could possibly makea little income. I read etsy’s advice and pondered an appropriate name, and allthat came to mind was Custom Designs by Nancy, straightforward and to thepoint, so people would have a clue what my shop was about.
I love to sew and let the fabric speak to me for inspiration. Because I have somany pieces, I like to combine similar textures, colors and patterns to make alarger cloth that can be put on a table or bed. For instance, in this LauraAshley toile cloth www.etsy.com/listing/48284855/yellow-laura-ashley-toile-tableclothI combined squares of a yellow rural picnic scene toile with another LauraAshley print, a yellow vine, and used them as the places to put your plates,and yet another yellow Laura Ashley print as the border. I am happy with it,and think it’s pretty. I used the same print in different colors to make thiscloth which ALMOST made the front page of etsy last year www.etsy.com/listing/32434109/laura-ashley-black-toile-tablecloth,but my favorite is this extravagant large cloth combining many patterns in redand green, pieced log-cabin style www.etsy.com/listing/24591047/red-and-green-toile-tablecloth.This was a lot of fun to make, deciding which patterns go where, and putting itall together. It was a lot of work, well, all my cloths are a lot of workbecause I French seam them, which means each seam is turned under and sewndown. This is to strengthen the piece and to prevent raveling when beingwashed. All these cloths are cotton or cotton/linen blends and can be machinewashed and dried.
I make other things as well: pillows, bedspreads, placemats and napkins,aprons, etc., but my best-selling product is my catnip pillows www.etsy.com/listing/37549526/catnip-pillows.I blogged about making them once – customdesigns4ubynan-myheartandmind.blogspot.com/2010/01/catnip-trying-to-mak….Cats go crazy for my catnips. I made about 85 lavender sachets for a benefit inCalifornia, and my next sachet project will be cedar sachets, so men can enjoya fragrant drawer also.
Lately I’ve been working on commissions, which are always nice, and selling myfabric at www.nancysfabricshop.etsy.com.I’m moving soon and really need to lighten my load! I’m looking forward to alarger space with a separate room to sew, and using my dining table to actuallyeat at!
My Thoughts
I don’t know whatit is about spring but when it rolls around all I want to do is Bake! PineappleUpside Down Cake, Angel Food, or even that Ham for Easter! One feature forbaking that I can’t seem to go without is my apron! For the first time (Thanksto Nancy) I am able to have an Apron with a pocket!
I was able toreview lots of pieces of Nancy’s work. An apron, pot holders, and even a satchelfilled with potpourri! Each item is made with corresponding fabric which I findwonderful! Now when I entertain company I am able to have matching items thatwill help to aid in my décor!
The fabric that Ichose is Black and White Toile because it will go with just about anything. Ialso love the added feature of the pocket in my apron because it allows me aplace to put my recipe or even my measuring spoons so that I don’t miss placethem while I am baking. The two pot holders that I received are of differentsizes. One is perfect for pulling an item out of the oven and I like to use theother for under my baking pan after I pull it out (as to not burn my countertops.) I am thrilled with the work that Nancy puts into each piece! All threehave been put to use through many recipes as well as washings afterward.Nothing is fraying and no stitches have come undone.
Nancy’s shop istitled Custom Designs 4 U By Nan and you can purchase Aprons, Bedspreads, CatToys, Comforters, Pillows, Placemats, Pot Holders, and Table Clothes! All ofNancy’s work is exceptional and you will not be disappointed! So as Sprig is inthe air for most of you stop by and take a look at all of Nancy’s fine itemsfor the home! And, don’t forget about Easter! I am sure many of you will enjoya new Apron for your baking!
BuyIt!
You may visit http://www.etsy.com/shop/customdesigns4ubynan to make a purchase!
WinIt!
ONE of my lucky U.S. or Canadian readerswill win a $30.00 Gift Code to Customdesigns4ubynan!
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I did receive a product for the purpose of thisreview, However my opinion was used in this review and was not influenced inany way! All thoughts are my own and may vary from others. I do not handle themailing out of giveaway prizes and will not be held responsible for any mishapsthat may occur to such items!
