Item: Argyle Neckties
Seller:  CoutureParfait

Meet Ruthanne Eldridge, the Etsy seller behind a shop called CoutureParfait.  I heard about Ruthanne and her cute shop via my Etsy Item of the Day shop submission page (have you shared your shop yet!?)

“I’m 56 and have sewn all my life,” Ruthanne told me. “Began crafting after I married and had babies of my own. Alterations and dress redesigns of wedding gowns have been my life for the past 20 years. When my Daughter, Erin, was 16 she developed a love for photography. When her 1st baby, my 4th grandchild was born, she needed lots of photography props and Mom was here to make them all.”

My favorite newborn photo props in Ruthanne’s shop are these cute argyle ties.  Check them out in action below:

“So much encouragement was given to put them on Etsy and Couture Parfait was born and I’ve been going strong ever since. Started the shop on 2/12/12 as a total greenhorn and blundering all the way, my little sales in the past 3 months have double each month,” Ruthanne shared. “So I’m getting it and getting to do what I find most passionate in my life…creating Newborn Photography Props and Ready to Wear items that have found their way into France, Australia, Canada and Brazil. I think I get like an excited schoolgirl every time a new order pops up, I hope I never lose that glee. Now my daughter is expecting her 2nd and already we are designing new items to bring on board..oh did I mention how lucky I am to have my own photographer on standby when new props need a shot. Check her out at sixpencephotographybyerin.com.”

When she’s not working on new creations for her Etsy shop, Ruthanne stays busy.

“My grandchildren are so very important to me,” she said. “I would live in a great big house with all my peeps living within…but they keep insisting on staying in their own homes. So instead I visit and play with them often. For me, I love to ride horses, cook and sew for others.”

I always like to hear where sellers on Etsy.com find themselves browsing.  Ruthanne told me about a shop called BlueBirdHeaven that has some really awesome finds.

“Jessica Farmer has items that remind me of the home I lost in a fire. I had filled it with repurposed items I would find in junk stores, beside the road and dumpster diving,” Ruthanne said. “Her work is beautiful and has purpose.”

I was especially loving Jessica’s reclaimed barn lumber coat racks! WOW!

Ruthanne also said she likes to browse LuvinglyMade, which is a great shop by Bethany Ellis.

“She makes the most awesome purses, hand knitted items for newborns and wedding gown accessories. We have struck up a friendship and check in on each other from time to time,” Ruthanne shared.

Ruthanne’s advice to other Etsy sellers is really valuable:

“Study and read all you can from others crafters, blogs and articles,” she said. “Never stop learning, never stop perfecting and get the biggest boost to your ego you’ll ever find when that ding says “New Order”.”

So what’s next for this fun Etsy shop?

“Expanding by leaving the alteration world behind and spend my time designing new items. Currently I’ve got only 47 items online, but so many on the shelves that need tweaking. More Bonnets for certain, with Vintage Laces and Fabrics,” Ruthanne said.

Loving Ruthanne’s work too? Be sure to stop by her Facebook page to let her know!

- Jackie