Tell ALL Tuesdays - Cheryl from Tiny Modernist

GOOD MORNING all you fabulous lovelies...I have a treat for you this morning...one of our lovely vendors from our Mamas and Chicks Show has so kindly taken part in our Tell ALL Tuesdays...please meet Cheryl from Tiny Modernist:

Tell us a little about the Town you live in... & have you always lived there?

I live in Toronto…but only for the last year and a half. I grew up in Ottawa- a great little city; and spent several years in Vancouver and then Seattle before moving back to Canada.


If you could move anywhere tomorrow, where would it be?
I don’t really want to move- I feel like we just got here! It’s our first house, and we are really into DIY, so every weekend we have something to work on around the house. It’s a lot of fun!
How structured is your day usually?

I have two little daughters (3yrs. and 6-months old) so usually my day is structured around naps, meals, and playtime. I do get work done, believe it or not, and I feel very fortunate to be able to work from my home studio so I can be around for my kids.
What did you do today?

I mailed some clients’ packages at the local post office, got new business cheques at the bank, took the kids to the wading pool at the park- then spent the afternoon drafting a new pattern for the Fall line, while the girls’ napped.

Are you a cat or dog person?

Definitely cats. I had the sweetest calico cat when I was growing up, and I loved her so much. We would love to have another cat, but my husband and daughter have allergies.

Are you a breakfast, lunch or dinner girl?
I love all three- but I especially like eating breakfast for dinner.
If you had 6 friends over for Dinner what would you make for them?

I make a really tasty Shrimp Etoufee. It’s a spicy tomato-based sauce with shrimp, red and green peppers and onions, served over puff pastry shells. It’s delicious and easy to prepare. And a nice bottle of Semillon-Chardonnay.
How old were you when you knew you were on the right path in your Life?

It was when I began the Fashion Design Program at Kwantlen Polytechnic in Vancouver. I just had a feeling that it was right- I loved the program, and was excited every day to go and learn everything I could! It’s funny, because the previous year, I graduated university with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and I never felt quite like I was doing the right thing…although I did meet my wonderful husband there, so I guess there’s a reason for everything!

Who /what drove & inspired your love to create?

From a very young age, it was my mom who nurtured my creativity, and I always knew that I wanted to do something in a creative field. Because she was a sewer and a quilter, I grew up surrounded by interesting fabric and started sewing at a young age. I guess it was natural for me to go into the fashion industry, it just took me awhile to realize it!

Tell us something not too many people know about you.

I play the recorder. It’s usually thought of as a child’s instrument, and I did start playing when I was 5 years old. But it’s actually a very pretty instrument, and I play beautiful Classical and Baroque chamber music- it’s especially nice as a duet or a trio.

Shoe choice:: flats or heels?
In a perfect life, it would be heels. In real life I usually wear flats- so much more comfortable! And you can get some pretty cute shoes that don’t have much of a heel.


What was the last book you read?

I just finished the Girl who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest (the 3rd book in the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series) I would definitely recommend the trilogy! It was a fantastic series.

What advice would you give others just starting out?
I have two pieces of advice:


1. Start small and realistic, and have a plan. When I began Tiny Modernist, it was a part-time online business. My plan was to grow over time as a local designer, adding wholesale clients, doing tradeshows, and building my online presence. Two years into it, Tiny Modernist products are available locally at Bean Sprout, 565 Mount Pleasant Road, Toronto, and Planet Kid, 87 Roncesvalles Ave., Toronto, The Mamas and Chicks Show, Oshawa, The Children’s Trunk Show, Toronto, and The One of a Kind Show, Toronto, and online at www.tinymodernist.com and www.tinymodernist.etsy.com.


2. Learn all you can about your industry- and find a niche where you can offer something different from your competitors. For example, I began in Men’s wear, making custom shirts for my husband, friends, and co-workers. It wasn’t really a viable business for me, because there is already a lot of competition. When I had my first daughter, I realized it was hard to find cool, retro modern kids clothes, and Tiny Modernist was born! Now I have a unique product that people love and continue to buy.


Name 5 blogs you love visiting, and tell us why.


Apartment Therapy
Pictures of great modern spaces and excellent home inspiration.


H is for Home

This is great eye-candy for anyone who love vintage things…they also have an online store!


Ottobre Design
Dutch Children’s Magazine, and their website has free downloadable patterns.


Fashion Incubator

Great interactive forum for sewers! For anyone in the fashion industry- this is a very personable, informative website.


Gigi Sews

Gigi is a home sewer that documents all her work online, and has some great sewing tips.

Thanks SO much Cheryl for an insight to your everyday Life...I loved reading about how you manage to continue your passion....even with you little treasures around you.

As you can see...our girls LOVE your clothes, they're So comfortable, afordable and very pretty!
Have a wonderful day everyone...
and make sure you go and say hello to Cheryl HERE or you can visit her Etsy Store HERE... OR stop by her BIG CARTEL store HERE ...please pass on to all your friends who have little girls...and boys!



HUGS
Char.x