Amanda Medlin, founder and bow-designer-in-chief of Amanda Medlin Creations, was kind enough to answer a few of my questions about working from home.

With 2 kids, how do you find the time to run a business?

It’s not always easy.  The temptation is there to spend the entire day playing with ribbon…especially when I’m piling up with orders.  And there are days (um, often several in a row) when I don’t get the laundry done or the dishes washed.  But I have to remind myself that I’m first a stay-at-home mom.  It’s more important to meet my family’s needs.  Yesterday, my oldest came home from Kindergarten with a noticeable case of the grouchies.  I could tell he needed a little extra attention from me right then, so I dropped everything and we had ourselves a nice cuddle and a chat.  It was more important than getting rush orders done.  Gosh, I think it did us both good.

If I were the sort with any self-discipline at all, I’d make myself a schedule and stick to it–ideally, I set out to spend about an hour in the mornings responding to customers online, updating my website, etc., and sneak in about 2 or 3 hours of bow making while my daughter naps and after the kids are in bed.  In reality, it’s hardly ever so neatly compartmentalized as that.  I am open to suggestions; would anyone care to organize a goofy bow-making momma?

What is your most popular bow?

Probably the Princess clippies.  Those have sold like sweets.  The three most popular of those are probably Rapunzel, Belle and Ariel.

What the farthest place you have sent a bow?

I’ve shipped as far away as New South Wales, Australia, and most recently, to Zur Yigal, Israel.

Where do you get ideas for new bows?

Ideas for bows come from lots of different places.  Often, customers will suggest sculpture clip ideas on my Facebook page.  Or I’ll do a custom job that I really like and end up making a bunch of them!  My daughter and her friends are wonderful inspiration as well.  Mia’s enthusiasm for tea parties sparked the idea for my tea set clippies.  They’re my current favorite item.  Of course, I say that every time I create something new.

How long does it take to make a bow?

Depends on the bow.  I hardly every make just plain, 5-minute bows.  I figure you can get those just about anyplace.  I like being able to pick my bowheads out in a crowd!  Ha!  And I do a lot of quality control to make sure the bows are going to last.  For example, from scratch, a standard, layered boutique bow usually takes me about 10-15 minutes to design, cut, and assemble components.  I heat-seal the edges to keep them from fraying, then I ordinarily bake them in my oven for 15 minutes more before I put them together (baking the ribbon helps it retain its shape.  It’s a step many bow-makers don’t do, but it really works.  You can stick that sucker in your purse, sit on it, whatever…it’ll bounce right back)!  Previously designed bows are a snap, though.  They go much quicker.

I will let you in on a secret.  The character clippies are labor intensive!  ESPECIALLY Dorothy and Toto–LOTS of teensy shapes, cutting, weaving, braiding, placing tiny rhinestones and microscopic bows, not to mention the occasional hot glue burn…but they are entirely worth the trouble.  My gosh, they’re cute!  And the character clips are my best sellers!

And speaking of character clips, my Facebook page is currently running a contest.  If you haven’t already, go to my page, “like” it, and mention that you found me via My Spinning Plates.  You and Virginia will each be entered to win a free clippy of your choice, made by me.  If you are already a fan on Facebook, get a friend to “like” my page and you will be entered that way!  Contest ends at midnight, Easter Sunday, so hurry.

If you would like to know more about Amanda, check out her post about how she decided to start her business or leave a question in the comments.