Hall of Fame {Gussy}

Welcome back! Grab your coffee and pull up a chair. You won't want to miss this...

Meet Maggie, the girl who has a lot to say and the talented seamstress behind the Gussy brand.

There are many words I could use to describe her lovely designs, but above all, I think that the most fitting is colorful. Not only her designs, but Maggie herself. From our chats and her blog posts, I can tell how much of a sweet and radiant person she really is. Reading her blog makes me smile - her cheeriness is contagious. Her mission? "I make all my items with the intention of them serving a great purpose: your happiness."

Maggie is a self-taught sewer! I won't give away too much. You'll just have to read on to find out more! After all, Gussy does have a lot to say...

♥ ♥ ♥

What inspires you?
Bright, fun, lively colors! Ruffles, textured buttons, colored zippers. Music is also a great inspiration -- anything upbeat and unique such as piano rock.

Where do you call home? Are you from there originally?
Let me simplify it by this: I grew up in Grand Rapids, MI, currently live in the Detroit-Metro area, and am hoping to move to Minneapolis end of August. My life is incredibly insane... It is very busy with sewing, Etsy, creating my own website and e-commerce shop, and visiting family :)
Name something unique to where you live.
When driving around town I often feel like I'm on a water slide. I know that is silly, but there are so many roads, bridges, and overpasses above and below me that swerve, curve and intertwine each other I can't help but feel like I'm at a water park. Besides, a water park sounds like great fun! :)

Share an interesting fact about yourself.
I like to do a lot of things on my own, specifically when it comes to learning. When I first started sewing I immediately went to the library and checked out about 20 books -- not kidding -- so I could study the craft. I love to talk {hence my blog name, Gussy has a lot to say} so naturally I ask a lot of questions. I like to know who, what, where, when and most importantly WHY? It helps me to problem-solve a future situation.
How did you come up with the name Gussy? And just who is Maggie Whitley?
My mom came up with the name Gussy. A couple years ago we were watching Charlotte's Web (2006) with my nephew, Collin. My mom and I have a very close-knit relationship. We're always talking to each other and so, naturally, we noticed that Gussy the Goose (in the movie) talks a lot! Then my mom found a TY Beanie Baby that was part of the Charlotte's Web character line. She saw the goose, read the tag, and bought it for me. The tag reads, Gussy always, always, always has a lot to say, say, say. Hello! That is me! My mom and I take roughly 15 minutes just to say goodbye on the phone. There is always one more thing to share before we hang up. Since then, I've been known as Gussy. And, I have to admit, I love it :)

Now on to this Maggie Whitley person ;) I think this will be a bit harder to describe than Gussy was. Let me try.

I am a 24-year-old blue-eyed girl. I never imagined myself sewing, let me start with that. It is a talent that I recently discovered, like a handful of months ago. I am a graduate of Central Michigan University and I met my husband, Zack, there. We are college sweethearts. I have two majors because one wasn't enough, ha ha. With my journalism major I have a news editorial concentration. Not only do I love to talk, but I love to research and write. My second major is in Art with a 2-D concentration in photography. Both my majors blend well together, especially with the professional side of my life. I very much enjoy life, laughter and family time. I love hugging my nephews and going on day trips with them. I also love a large city and the busyness of it. This leads me to another fact: I'm a huge multi-tasker and it has allowed me to be successful with my sewing.

I think I'll stop there. I have to leave some things a surprise :)
If you had to describe yourself in a word, what would that word be?
Oh, this is easy: sassy!

What made you decide to open up shop?
I opened up a shop mainly because I lost my job and suddenly had a lot of time on my hands. I started selling in November 2008 but February was the month it all became "official." On July 20 I reached 100 sales. That was a big, exciting day for me.

Name your favorite thing about selling handmade.
My favorite thing about selling handmade is knowing each item I make is an extremely limited, one-of-a-kind item. Also, it's HANDMADE! How sweet is that?!?!
Do you have a day job or sell on Etsy full-time?
My job is selling Etsy full-time.

Give us a little glimpse into what a typical day in your life looks like.
I get up in the morning and head straight to the kitchen, looking for a tasty cup of coffee with hazelnut creamer. Once I'm a little caffeinated I get on my iMac and start my to-do list: check my e-mail, read some blogs, and re-list an item or two on Etsy. I especially love when there are a few comments waiting for me on my blog. Reading peoples thoughts before I start sewing is such an inspirational start to my day. Once my computer time is done, I start sewing. Or cutting material, ironing, then sewing. However you look at it :) Late morning/early afternoon is the best time to take pictures of new products. I love the lighting that comes into my living room. The rest of my afternoon is spent sewing/creating new items, purchasing supplies, or painting my fingernails. Just kidding on painting my fingernails. Once it is evening time I put a few more hours in on my Mac. I send out e-mails, I look for new places and ways to advertise, and I work on building my website and e-commerce store. It's safe to say I put a lot of time and energy into sewing :) I want to take this new found talent as far as I can.
Share with us a favorite Etsy purchase or shop.
This is hard because I have a few favorite shops. Can I list three? OK, here I go:
The Vintage Pearl
Brooke Marton
Pretty Things By Meg

List a few of your most favorite pastimes.
Aside from having a good chat, I love to read and take pictures.

Read any good books lately?
Well of course! Nicholas Sparks Dear John.
What is your most prized possession?
My red couch! It came into our family over 30 years ago; My parents picked it up at a garage sale when they were newlyweds. They used it for a few years, then it went to the basement. When I started college in 2003 I was able to bring it with me to Central. I fell in love. It's a vintage-meets-modern couch with great big, flat armrests, perfect for doing homework or hand sewing :) I have loved that couch ever since it became mine. Just this January I had it recovered. My husband's mom and grandma did it with me. It is now a beautiful, rich shade of red with a tiny bit of tweed texture. It is gorgeous... and sassy! :)
What are three of your favorite foods?
Blueberries, kettle corn popcorn, and any Italian dish.

What would you like to learn to do?
I would like to learn HTML!

What are you listening to right now?
The washing machine spin.

Name one place you must visit in your lifetime and why.
I would like to visit Ireland with my hubby. It seems like such a beautiful, magical place...
A great big 'thank you' to Maggie for giving us a peek into her life. I can't wait to see what she comes up with next!

Maggie, it has been so much fun getting to know you. You are an inspiration!

♥ ♥ ♥

Time for a giveaway!


That's right! The winner gets $20 to spend on their favorite Gussy product from either Maggie's Etsy shop or her new website. Sweet!!

Show Maggie that you can be a Gussy, too! To enter, just leave a comment with your thoughts. It can be any random thing! Maybe you have a favorite piece from her shop. Or there's something you would like to see in there? It could be your favorite quote, a Bible verse, a happy thought, or what you'd spend the $20 on if you win. You could tell us your favorite color, or movie, or food! Maybe you have a comment on something you read in the interview... Anything at all!

Be sure to include your name and email address or Etsy username!

For extra entries you can:
Tweet this giveaway: 2 additional entries
Follow my blog and/or Maggie's Blog : 5 additional entries
Blog about this interview/contest: 7 additional entries
Purchase from Maggie Whitley: 10 additional entries

(Please include this info, if applicable, with your comment for additional entries. You do not need to leave separate comments for additional entries. Important: Don't forget to include your name and contact info!)

Contest ends Sunday, August 16th at 11:59 pm EST. Winner will be chosen by traditional drawing and will be announced Monday, August 17th.