Crypton Throver Stars on the Today Show

Yesterday’s most-watched and re-watched “Today Show” segment featured Animal Fair’s Wendy Diamond showcasing holiday gifts for four-legged, furry friends.

In addition to pet beds, winter coats, treats, and toys, Wendy highlighted home furnishings for the animal lover on your list.

And what was top of Wendy’s list? The Crypton Throver, of course!

Wendy’s pick was especially festive: the new “Show” pattern by William Wegman.

Happy Holidays !

Posted by Julia Szabo.

Crypton Throver Does Double Duty at Play Time

When home furnishings and accessories get drafted into service as kids’ play things, the results are not always pretty. No wonder many parents are reluctant to let the living room double as a recreational venue.

But, as my favorite brother act Jack and Reeve Walsh capably demonstrate, some home accessories are durable enough to stand up to almost anything a couple of rambunctious boys can dish out. The Throver, for instance, looks elegant draped over the sofa, yet it’s rugged enough for real rough-housing. (Wish Crypton had been around when I was growing up!)

As tough as the Throver is, it’s also soft and inviting enough to earn the approval of a creature-comforts expert: Betty the tabby. She’s clearly wondering when her boys will be done playing with those Throvers so she can claim one for … a cat nap!

Posted by Julia Szabo.

Do you have a clan of messy eaters in your house? Are dinner time spills taking over your table?  We’ve got an opportunity for you! Recently, Crypton developed a fun line of colorful and reversible mess-free suede placemats.  Not only are they stylish, the Crypton technology behind the fabric means they are completely stain- and water-resistant, too. Although you can’t buy these placemats in stores yet, we thought it would be fun to offer our readers an exclusive opportunity to test them out. We’ll even give you the full set of four placemats – all you have to do is share your story with us.  

 That’s all it takes to receive three additional placemats: a full set!  This opportunity won’t be available for long and space is limited, so sign up soon! All signed up? Once you’ve recieved your placemat, fill out a feedback form to recieve the other three.

We look forward to hearing your messy stories!

Featured Etsy Designer: Ni-Chern Designs

Our second featured interview from Etsy.com is Nicole, a fabulously creative crafter from Ni-Chern Designs Nicole named her Etsy shop after her own Chinese name, Ni-Chern, which means “little girl. 

Nicole has always loved sewing and crafting as a hobby, but began selling her creations in college to help fund a study abroad program. These days, she balances a regular job and a new baby boy, in addition to spending a few hours a week doing what she loves – sewing craft items.

Since May 2006, her online Etsy shop has sold a wide variety of adorable pouches (the ones above are made with Crypton!), small bags, coin purses and key fobs. Her newest item is The Everyday Handbag, shown below. 

Q. Describe the sort of things you enjoy making– what are your favorite tems to create?
Nicole: My favorite items to create are handbags. They take a long time to start and complete, so I grow attached to the end result. There is a part of me in all items that I make.

Q. Where do you get inspiration for new ideas?
Nicole: Inspiration comes from everywhere! Sometimes it comes when I’m driving, and I’ll see the clouds, or sometimes, I’ll be doing something that I’ll think that it’d be useful if I had this or that. I have so many new ideas and so little time to make them reality!

Q. How would you describe your design style?
Nicole: Fun and chic!

Q. What draws you to Crypton Fabrics?
Nicole: The first thing that drew me to Crypton is a pencil bag that I have, made with other fabric. It’s covered with pencil lead marks everywhere. I love how Crypton is stain, water, and bacteria resistant!

Q. What other materials do you enjoy using?
Nicole: I enjoy using cotton and upholstery. There are just so many playful and colorful fabrics out there that have turned me into a fabric-holic!

Q. What are the challenges for your business?
Nicole: Time! It’s always missing!

Q. How did you did you get started with Etsy.com?
Nicole: A few years ago, a friend of mine had introduced me to Etsy. She mentioned how Etsy is all about handmade and I was sold!

Q. How has Etsy changed the way you do business?
Nicole: Etsy really changed the way I do business by showing me that there are people out there that enjoy and prefer handmade items. It also has helped me make friends with people who have the same interest as me.

Featured Etsy Designer: Studio Cherie

This week, Life on Crypton is showcasing Etsy.com (see our post from yesterday). Today we bring you an interview with Cherie, the designer-sewer extraordinaire who is behind StudioCherie. Selling duffels, bags, pillows and other fabric goods, Cherie’s bright colors and unique designs (she is happy to do custom items) have kept her busy creating since April 2008.

Recently, Cherie has come out with a brand new line of products containing Crypton Suede in the cathedral quilt-style. In addition to table-runners, she now has tote bags and pillows to complement the line. Interested crafters can also purchase PDFs of many of Cherie’s designs to create at home on their own.

In addition to running her online shop full-time, Cherie is also a mother of three, and a regular blogger (you can read her blog at http://studiocherie.blogspot.com. Enjoy!

Q. How did you originally get started with designing and creating items for sale?
Cherie: I created the baby changing bag I had always wanted for myself (and no one ever made while I had babies in diapers.) Everyone at a friend’s baby shower got excited about it. One of the gals suggested I apply for a patent. It just snowballed from there.

 Q. Describe the sort of things you enjoy making– what are your favorite items to create?
Cherie: Furniture, doing upholstery and slip-covering are my favorites, but I ran out of room at my house. Bags are great too. A bit of portable creativity that still has high function value.

Q. Where do you get inspiration for new ideas?
Cherie: Usually my creations grow out of something I need myself. The duffle bag came out of my own need, and its popularity tells me I am not alone. Sometimes it’s more of an invention thing – like frame purses, I was always curious about how those are made, so I took some apart, learned from them, and redesigned from there. There are also times when an idea will simmer in the back of my mind for a long time, and when the right materials or tools appear, I just have to move forward.

Q. How would you describe your design style?
Cherie: Practical and fun.

Q. We’ve noticed you often work with Crypton in your shop what draws you to Crypton Fabrics?
Cherie: Did I just say practical and fun? I love how Crypton stays clean, which is a huge plus for home décor and for bags. The color range of Crypton makes it fun and easy to pair with the popular designer quilting fabrics which are my other favorite material.

Q. How has Etsy changed the way you do business?
Cherie: Etsy is a vibrant community of crafters and artisans, collectors and socially conscious consumers. Within that community I am able to tailor my offerings to the needs I see. There is a real satisfaction for me in connecting with the people who use my sewing patterns or buy the things I have made. Etsy is engaging from both the buyer and seller perspective.

Q. What are the challenges for your business?
Cherie: I am itching to expand my line like crazy right now. I have so many practical and fun ideas. I want to keep selling both patterns and finished products, but I am going to need to get help to do that if I expand my offerings.

Q. What’s next for StudioCherie?
Cherie: One or two helpers. More patterns more products.