Meet the Designer : *golden*

I contacted Rachel O'Connor to make a bib for Beckett's first birthday after her and I were both doing a giveaway on the same website. I swear we were best friends from the first conversation. She was going through all the same things I was with a young family, opening a new shop, working late nights, etc. She has made so many of the very late nights working on projects bearable...her humor and spice are just what I need at 2 AM! In fact, we talk on the phone and IM so much that my son asks me "Is it Aunt Rachel or Rachel Golden?"...about the only two people I talk to every day! Since a trip to visit her in February we can officially call each other "real life friends"...can't wait until July when she comes to visit MN...so much more fun than LA, right? Ha.

And let me tell you...I can no longer throw a party without dreaming up something for her to make...her work is over the top creative and top notch quality. Here is more from Rachel of *golden*!

Her additions to the Made to Match Collection:

1. Polkadot Party Bib for Girls
2. Polkadot Party Bib for Boys
3. Circus Party Bib
4. Polkadot Party Dress
5. Circus Party Dress
6. Polkadot Party Bloomers
7. Circus Party Bloomers

Now more from Rachel herself:

I am a work at home mom to one daughter in Los Angeles, CA. I've been sewing since middle school, but decided to start sharing my creations with others after making the birthday attire she used for her daughter's first birthday party.

I am a self proclaimed perfectionist when it comes to my work and love making the perfect piece that will make your child's party or photos something extra special. I have a degree in Merchandise Marketing, emphasis in Product Development from FIDM, and am a former buyer in the fashion industry so I have the eye for picking out fabulous fabrics and designs.

*golden* shop started after I heard the most dreaded 6 words from my husband in March, 2008: "Time to go back to work". I cherished my new life staying home with my then 1.5 year old daughter. I couldn't imagine paying someone to take care of her, to do the work that I was dying to do for free. That night I threw up a shop on Etsy literally in 2 hours with photos of bibs, burpcloths, and ONE party hat I had made for friends. I believe I had about 6 items in my shop, no blog, no logo, no business plan, no real fabric supply, nothing! Just the desire to do ANYTHING to keep from going back to a "real" job (I hate that term!). I had been researching the option of having a shop for a while and the most discouraging info I found online was that it would most likely take up to 6 months for my first sale. Well, 4 days later I had my first sale. And it hasn't stopped since!

My favorite 3 Projects:

1) Willie Wonka Bib/Hat/Tee. I was contacted by a client who was having a Willie Wonka party. She had no clue if there was a way that could transform her invite, a candy bar wrapper with the party info wrapped around real chocolate, into a had and a bib. I assured her I could do it, although had no CLUE what I was going to do. Well, after a few prototypes, including an entire fabric candy bar wrapper that I had to throw out last minute due to melting thread from the iron (AHH!!) we were left with the result! Each part of this bib is sewn on one by one, down to the little "Wonka" letters. I consider this one of those projects that I will never do again, although I loved the result. Well, fast forward to three days later when I received an email from the client who had received her items in the mail. She loved them so much she wanted a tee! :) Who am I to say no? :) So, again, I created another little Wonka bar replica for her tee. It was well worth the work and time when I saw the pics and heard the reviews from the big event!

2) Celebrate Door Sign. Again, another client's idea. She saw a similar sign to this made out of canvas and paint and wanted a fabric one to reuse year after year. We worked hand in hand to find the perfect cake image, font, fabrics, etc! As usual, this sign falls under the "never again" category after taking close to 12 hours to create, which kills me! I am so extremely proud of this project and wish that A) I made one for myself! and B) it was easier to make and/or I could charge the $500 that i would need to make it worth it to do again!

3) Cheerios Hat/Bib/Tee. A client was recommended through a friend (thanks, Sara!) to come to me for a custom set for her son's Cheerios first birthday party. I was stumped. How the heck would I make an applique to look like a cheerio and not have it end up looking like a life preserver or a donut? :) I did a search on cheerios allover the internet and found nothing. Until it hit me! What if there were little mini faux cheerios buttons or charms I could sew onto the bib? I searched and searched and found nothing. So, being the crazy person I am (just ask Jess!) I decided I would buy some fimo dough and make them myself! Let's just say after 2 hours of making cheerios (see photos) I was half regretting the project, half OBSESSED with it! The final product turned out SO amazing that I put it on my blog (if only I had better photos) and have been contacted by 3 or 4 people since asking me to make them a set!

If you're a regular reader, you obviously know of my mad <3 for both Rach and her work. Buy from her for both comic relief and great products. Thanks Rach!