*A Note from DDIB: The ladies from the Red Hat Society are among the sweetest, friendliest people you will ever meet. We had the pleasure of meeting several members last summer at a local mall and were touched by their kindness. (We loved seeing their gorgeous red hats too, by the way.) Hope you will enjoy meeting one of their very talented and creative members. Her name is Rose Anne... ***Introducing our Featured Diva***Name: Rose Anne
Shop: Redhatlady
Shop url:
www.redhatlady.etsy.comTell us a little about yourself: I am married, mother of two and grandmother of three. I love everything about life! I have lived long enough to have developed an appreciation of the beauty in all things and I like to think I contribute to it in my own way.
Give us a description of your business and the items that you offer: My shop features a little bit of everything! I like custom designing accessories for Red Hat Society members in their signature shades of reds, purples, pinks and lavenders, but that is not all there is. I have a line of vibrantly colored and fashionable magnetic bracelets and anklets. And, as I think jewelry should be something you should wear and enjoy everyday, most of my bracelets, pendants and earring are done in classic styles. I leave the trendy stuff to those who have the talent and eye for those designs. I very much like seed beads, glass beads from around the world and crystal. I am currently in the process of beading porcelain and resin face cabachons, giving each a character of their own based on the ladies in my family. Each has a name and different personality.
What are your bestsellers? Your specialty? Most popular items? No bestsellers yet, but I am working on it!
Are your items targeted toward a specific age group? I think you can find a little something for a wide range of tastes and ages in my shp. I have beaded wine bottle tassels, decorative door hangers, and a group of Anywhere Angels, along with the usual things.
What inspired you to start your own indie business? I started making different things for the girls in my Red Hat Chapter because everything available for us was all the same. I ended up falling for beading in a big way and made much more than my daughter and I could wear. My daughter owned a small botique at the time and her clients began asking if I would make a few things for them. That was the beginning. But, clearly I do not bead to sell, I sell so I can bead!
As an independent business woman, what keeps you motivated? I have this never-ending need to learn all that I can about whatever I get involved in. My Etsy shop has enabled me to garner a new respect for all types of art expression. All that wonderful talent in one place keeps me striving to evolve. I do not consider myself to be an artist, but a "beader" who hopes one day to become an artist.
What do you consider to be your greatest achievement thus far? The greatest achievement in my life is having raised two children who have become responsible adults with a good work ethic, are good citizens and appreciate the beauty in the world. My other accomplishments pale by comparison.
What has been your biggest challenge as a business woman? Promoting my product and staying true to my own style. It is hard not to give into trends just to sell. I always have remind myself that I do this because I truly love it. Selling is secondary, but it is hard not to use sales as a yardstick to measure your success and the quality of your work.
What do you believe makes a business successful? Hard work, constant promotion and dedication.
Do you have any specific goals/plans for the future? I want to build my shop into one that will be successful; that is my goal right now. I'm not doing a lot of shows or putting a line our on consignment. I do plan on doing an open house for the holiday season, however.
Do you have any words of encouragement or advice for women out there who may be considering starting their own business on Etsy? Yes...... by all means give lot's of consideration to the name of your shop because once you pick it you cannot change it. If I had to do it over again, I would not be Redhatlady. It pegs me as selling one kind of item, when really I have so much more.
Tell us the best way to relax after a busy day of work..If I am not beading, or designing or printing business cards, or shopping for beads or attending bead shows, I am doing laundry, grocery shopping and balancing the checkbook. I must admit to being a TV junkie, however. And I read novels about forensic anthropology.
While growing up, who was your role model? Who impressed and inspired you most? An American History teacher in high school really showed me that learning could be fun and exciting.
Give us three (3) words that best describe YOU:Energetic.
Confident
Creative
Give us one (1) word that best describes your business:Growing
What is your favorite quote, line or saying? I have two:
"Imagination is more important than knowledge". (Albert Einstein)
"You can't legislate common sense". (anon)
Posts
I have been setting up my online store and website, missprissybows.com, and it should be up and running in the next week or so. Currently my shop focuses on hairbows, clippies, ponytail streamers, and burp cloths. I make my bowboards and bulletin boards as ordered (customized). I have recently added a few embroidery items like the acrylic beverage bottles, key rings, and desktop pencil holders. I also have added a few pet items as well, such as the acrylic monogrammed pet bowl and personalized bandanas.
I have always been an entrepreneur at heart. My friends use to laugh at me because I would see something and say..."I could make that!", and would usually try. My youngest daughter is the prissy one and hairbows were a necessity! I decided to learn how to make them myself, and from there people started asking me to make bows for them. It was just perfect to me. Doing something fun and getting paid for it.
While growing up, who was your role model? Who impressed and inspired you most? 
Speaking of coffee, you've got to check out these signs that we found at Country Workshop. First of all, take a gander at this 6"x12" sign that says, "If I'm not here...I'm at Starbucks!" A sure hit with coffee-lovers! Hang it in the kitchen or office. Show the world just how addicted you really are for only $9.99.:-) A great conversation piece.
And you've gotta love this primitive sign that says, "Anything's possible...with enough coffee!" Oh, yes! Great sentiment for those of us who tend to act a bit sluggish in the morning before we get our caffeine fix.(lol) It measures 6"x14" and is sold for $11.95 at Country Workshop. Christmas is coming and these signs would make great gifts for anyone who enjoys a little coffee humor.:-)
Look at those expressive eyes and those pouty lips! This 8" x 8" decorative, hand painted Olivia Pillow by Priscilla Mae et al is truly one-of-a-kind. The detail that has been put into this piece is remarkable. As an added bonus, there is a quote on the back of this pillow that says, "Youth is a gift; Age is an art." How true! What lovely words. 
While browsing around Etsy this morning, we came across something that totally tempted our taste buds. Look at these homemade chocolate covered pretzels from Twist Of Taste. Our tummies are saying "gimme gimme gimme!" This small box contains "an Assortment of milk, dark, and white chocolate". Plus, each pretzel has a different topping. Oh, yummo! 
What are your bestsellers? Your specialty? Most popular items? 
I work FT as a flight attendant, and I needed a bag tag that didn't just hang off the bag, and one that people would see immediately in the overhead bin. People are constantly grabbing the wrong bags in the bins.
Do you have any words of encouragement or advice for women out there who may be considering starting their own business? 
