The lovely Tamsin from Tamsin’s Toys in on the blog this morning to tell you all about herself and her business and she also has a fab giveaway for you which can be found at the bottom of the post! Thanks for your time Tamsin x
Who are you?
I’m Tamsin Morris, I live in Cheadle which is in South Manchester/Cheshire. I have two little boys aged 2 and a half and 8 months.
What do you do? When did you establish your business? What made you start your own business?
I have recently founded my own business ‘Tamsin’s Toys’ selling a range of hand-sewn bandana bibs, comforters, bunting, quilts and scarves. I use vintage & repurposed fabrics, where possible, and mix these with statement and designer fabrics to create a look which is unique and stylish as well as environmentally aware. Just like you and your child!
I’m actually a Solicitor specialising in Medical Law but when I had my first son I was unable to work flexibly and was unwilling to go back to work full-time. I think this is a dilemma which a lot of highly-qualified professional women find themselves facing. A high-flying career is not always compatible with family life and, for me, my children had to come first. However, I still wanted to combine looking after my children full-time with something else which kept my brain active. I became a Governor in a local Primary School, which is a role I really enjoy but I wanted to do something creative as well.
I’d always been really interested in fashion and clothes and started sewing toys and clothes for my little boy and friend’s children. These attracted admiring comments from friends and relatives and soon I was being asked to make things for other people. Things just grew from there and in March this year I decided to try and make a proper business of my sewing.
Tamsin’s Toys is still very much in its infancy but I am really proud of what I have achieved in a short space of time. I have designed and set up my own website www.tamsinstoys.com, secured 4 retail stockists in the South Manchester area, attended craft fairs and baby events and am continually designing and creating new products. Everything is, at present, sewn by me and I love the creative energy and the satisfaction of seeing children wearing or enjoying something which I’ve made.
I think what sets Tamsin’s Toys products apart is that I use patterns and fabrics that are not always used in kid’s products – such as repurposed denim or funky colours (not just following the babies like garish colours mantra) as I think parents like their children to reflect their own personal style and, setting the current colour blocking trend aside, not many adults wear bright yellow, red, green etc at the same time! I think my products are stylish and contemporary yet bring traditional values of handcrafting and attention to detail that are not present in mass produced products. I am conscious that we are still in difficult economic times but I have found that parents are happy to buy something beautiful for their children which is supporting the local community and is not too damaging to the environment.
There is a real trend towards ‘make do and mend’ and all things crafty. My products re-use existing fabric and turn them into something new and durable. I create lovely memory quilts – using treasured baby clothes that have been outgrown and incorporating them into a quilt that the child can use and treasure as they grow (and make mummy forever go ‘ahhhhhhh, I remember when you were tiny and wore that’!)
I source a lot of my vintage fabrics from charity shops so when you buy a Tamsin’s Toys product you are also helping to support local charities.
What do you love about working for yourself?
I love working for myself and having the freedom to decide in which direction my business should head. After the world of corporate law firms it is certainly refreshing to be able to wear what I want to work and I feel that I can express my personality far better. Without a doubt, the best thing is that I can work primarily from home and fit my hours around my children. I sew when they’re napping and at the weekends and have one child-free day a week when they’re at nursery. My husband is also very supportive of my business and without that I don’t think I could do it. I also take my 8 month old along to meetings with stockists too. As they’re primarily baby boutiques they don’t mind him playing on the shop floor whilst we discuss business!
Is there anything you do not like about working for yourself?
In some ways I miss the (reasonably) regular hours of office life and also the office banter and lunchtime shopping and lunches. Haring up the stairs to sew for half an hour while my baby naps, still with his lunch in my hair, is a long way from the glamour of Chancery Lane! Of course, there have been financial implications of my leaving my career in law as well.
Is there anything you would go back and do differently if you could?
It’s still very early days but I’m happy with how everything has gone so far. I’ve always been someone who has a very positive outlook, so if an event or product hasn’t worked out quite how I expected I try to see what i can learn from it and move on.
What advice would you give to a Mum considering starting her own business?
My main piece of advice would be to utilise your contacts, be it friends or family. I have received donations of vintage fabric and clothes, my friends’ children did a modelling session for me, another friend proof-read my website, an accountant friend helped me with costings, a lawyer friend looked into relevant legislation for me. I am lucky to have such lovely friends and family – but I’ve found that people have enjoyed being involved and I’ve certainly needed their support and encouragement.
Also, plan your business thoroughly before launching it. I spent a while tweaking and refining products to be confident I could fulfil orders and ensure customer satisfaction before I started properly. That said, I’m constantly evolving the business and the products I offer!
Tamzin is offering one of my readers a fab prize consisting of a matching bib and comforter for your child. The bandana bibs (RRP £6.50) are super-cute as well as practical. Perfect for both babies and toddlers and boys or girls, one size fits all children up to the age of around 30 months (have you ever noticed how those chubby baby necks slim down as baby turns into a toddler?!). They are made in cotton and backed in super-soft anti-pil fleece and fasten with a press-stud. They have been designed to be comfortable for baby to wear and also easy for you to care for. All Tamsin’s Toys products and machine washable and designed to be quick drying. The Patchwork & Ribbon Comforter (RRP £11.50) is hand sewn, backed with fleece and surrounded by gorgeous ribbons. They are a super-stylish way to stimulate your child’s senses and to provide comforter. Using one of the ribbons they can be attached to the straps of your stroller so that baby can snuggle on the go. Remember, every Tamsin’s Toys product is unique and the winner will be contacted by Tamsin to discuss your requirements. Different colourways are available for boys and girls and Tamsin has a large range of designs in stock.
- Follow my blog via Google Friends
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- Subscribe to my blog via email (left hand column – 4th box down x)
- Follow me on Twitter @SoniaThorpe
- Follow Tamsin On twitter @tamsinstoys
- Like Tamsin’s Toys on Facebook
- Tweet the following “I’d like to win a bib & comforter set in @SoniaThorpe blog giveaway at http://thismummyloves.blogspot.com“
100 Comments
Hiya ,
I'd love to enter this lovely competition!
I follow you on Twitter , I'm @TheDizzyMama .
And I tweeted too! x
Liked Tamsin's Toys on facebook
Page called Dear Beautiful Boy
following tamsinstoys on twitter
@love_from_mummy
Following you on twitter:
love_from_mummy
Subscribed at looby_boo@yahoo.co.uk
I've liked you on facebook
Page called Dear Beautiful Boy
Followed you on GFC
hydrangea&sweetpea
I follow you on twitter 🙂 x
I like your page on facebook x
I follow your blog via GFC x
I have tweeted 🙂 x
I've tweeted 🙂
@VictoriaJayne23
I've liked Tamsin's toys on fb
@VictoriaJayne23
already follow you on twitter
@VictoriaJayne23
I am now follow you via email
@VictoriaJayne23
I already like you on facebook 🙂
@VictoriaJayne23
I already follow your blog
@VictoriaJayne23
And like your page on Facebook too! Can't believe I hadn't already… 🙂
Oooh, lovely bibs! I've tweeted 🙂
Have tweeted this too X
and i have tweeted the message lol @jessws2011
following tamsin toys on facebook too @jessws2011
following tamsin on twitter @jessws2011
following on facebook @jessws2011
following you on twitter @jessws2012
following on google
I like you on FB
@snowfairie
I like Tamsin Toys on FB (Louise Strachan) @Bobbity666
I follow Mummy Loves on FB as Louise Strachan @Bobbity666
I have tweeted the comp slogan as @Bobbity666
I follow @tamsintoys as @Bobbity666
I follow you on Twitter as @Bobbity666
I follow your blog @Bobbity666
i am following @tamsinstoys
on twitter as @ashlallan
i have tweeted as @ashlallan
i follow you on twitter as @ashlallan
i am subscribed by email
i follow with gfc
Oooo its drawn on my birthday am following and about to tweet
I follow you on twitter
@daisyangel1
I have tweeted too
@daisyangel1
I'm following Tamsin Toys on Twitter
@daisyangel1
Following your blog via GFC
@daisyangel1
Liked tamsin toys on Facebook 🙂 @ninafrost
Tweeted your giveaway 🙂 @pipersky1
While I'm here, just wanted to say your comforters look amazing – I really hope to win one but if not I suspect I may be along to buy one for my great-niece who is due in September 🙂 Thanks for the fab giveaway 🙂
Liked Tamsins Toys on Facebook 🙂 @pipersky1
Following @tamsinstoys on Twitter 🙂 @pipersky1
Already a follower on Twitter 🙂 @pipersky1
Already subscribe to your blog 🙂 @pipersky1
Already like on Facebook 🙂 @pipersky1
Already follow on GFC 🙂 @pipersky1
And of course I already follow you on Twitter!
@Kanga_Rue 🙂
I have Tweeted 🙂
@Kanga_Rue
I am now following @tamsinstoys on Twitter!
@Kanga_Rue
I have tweeted about the giveaway too xxx
I am following Tamsin on twitter x
I now subscribe to the blog xxx
I don't just liek your FB page, I love it xx
I follow you on twitter of course my lovely xx
Hi Tamsin, great post and fab read, do you have a blog ?
I really love the bibs and fantastic price, I paid £9 for one for my son the other day. I love the fact you use vintage fabrics, so much better. Congrats on making a success.
xxx
Have tweeted your message on twitter as picklepie35 😀
Liked tamsins toys on facebook 😀
Following tamsin on twitter as picklepie35 😀
Already following you on twitter 😀
Have subscribed to your blog via email 😀
Already like you on facebook 😀
Already follow your blog 😀
Tweeted! (@pandcands)
I Like Tamsin's Toys on Facebook.
I follow Tamsin on twitter @pandcands.
I follow you on Twitter (@pandcands)
I am subscribed to your blog via email.
I Like You on Facebook.
I follow your blog via Google Friends.
Already following you on twitter
@snowfairie
gorgeous stuff! I'm following via GFC as kittysclearance
kittysclearance@hotmail.co.uk
and I tweeted the giveaway
@Dorothee77
I like Tamsin's Toys on FB
@Dorothee77
I follow @SoniaThorpe on Twitter
@dorothee77
I subscribe to the blog via email
@Dorothee77
I am already a fan of your FB page
@Dorothee77
I'm following your blog via GFC
@Dorothee77
Liking Mummy Loves on facebook!
@neljones
Following @tamsinstoys on twitter!
Liked Tamsin's Toys on Facebook
evahnt@yahoo.co.uk
Following Tamsin On twitter @tamsinstoys
evahnt@yahoo.co.uk
Followed you on Twitter @SoniaThorpe
evahnt@yahoo.co.uk
Subscribed your blog via email
evahnt@yahoo.co.uk
Liked you on Facebook
evahnt@yahoo.co.uk
Following your blog via Google Friends
evahnt@yahoo.co.uk
Tweeted too
@littleboo_21
Liked Tamsin's Toys on Facebook – Sarah Anguish
@littleboo_21
Following Tamsin On twitter
@littleboo_21
Following you on Twitter
@littleboo_21
Subscribed to my blog via email
@littleboo_21
Liked you on Facebook – Sarah Anguish
@littleboo_21
Following you via Google Friends
@littleboo_21
I'm following tamsinstoys on Twitter
@snowfairie
Tamsin you really are an inspiration to other mums out there. Your products are gorgeous and the idea of using the childs old clothes is so wonderful, It needed be restricted to children. What a fantastic mothers day present to have something made out of your little angels old baby clothes. I'm so glad I came across this article, thank you!