After a successful 4 year endeavor, Winkydinks is no longer in operation (as of 12/31/12). Thank you to my wonderful customers for all of your support and great feedback.
Etsy Shop (inactive): www.winkydinks.etsy.com
Hyena Cart Shop (currently inactive): www.hyenacart.com/winkydinks
Facebook page
Twitter handle: etsywinkydinks
Photo gallery of past custom items/appliques: http://www.flickr.com/photos/winkydinks
Why I love working with wool
The following interview was originally published on the Team EcoEtsy blog, but I thought I'd share it here as well with my followers and customers.
How did you get started in your chosen craft?
I started cloth diapering with my youngest son, and found a free pattern to make my own fleece soakers (i.e., waterproof covers). I made quite a few for myself and friends, and they convinced me to start selling them! Now I make them out of recycled wool too, along with longies and hats. The name Winkydinks is a play on our last name “Winckler” and “dinky” (for the little ones)!
How do you make your craft or etsy store eco friendly?
I use unwanted wool sweaters that I find from thrift stores, or if I’m lucky, from donations. Most of them are dirty and/or have holes, and I can work around those to get good pieces to use. I also make items out of new fleece, which is an alternative to wool (easier to care for, and just as re-usable). I use minimal packaging, and send items out in polymailers which can be reused multiple times – especially in the cloth diaper world where people buy/sell/trade diapers often. I also do all of my shipping from home, which saves several trips to the post office per week.
To share ideas and motivation with like-minded Etsians! It’s great to have a support system. I love the thought that there are many more people living a more “green” lifestyle than just us.
What are you currently working on?
I’m currently taking a little break from custom orders, and only working on a few things for the shop. I felt the need to re-focus on family for a bit.
What steps have you taken to lead a green life style?
We have really cut back on disposable products; using reusable paper towels, napkins, Kleenex, diapers, menstrual products, gift bags, sandwich baggies, lunch bags. I love using neat products that get more people interested in going green when they see them! We focus on reducing waste; recycling/composting, buying things with less packaging, reusing when we can, or just going without. We also use all-natural products whenever possible (cleaning, make-up, soap, laundry detergent, dryer balls, etc.).
Is your art/craft your full time job? If not what do you do to pay the bills?
No, I’m lucky enough to be a stay-at-home mom with my boys (6 and 4). I started doing this as a hobby, but it has quickly turned into a part-time job – one that I can only work at while the kids are sleeping or away! It keeps me very busy, but I love it.
