Polka Dot Market {Tuesday Giveaway & Sponsor Spotlight}

So excited to introduce you to Polka Dot Market, with some truly darling party products and gift ideas, just in time for the holidays!!!

                                      {Image by Laura Winslow Photography, styling by The TomKat Studio}

Sally of Polka Dot Market is as genuine and thoughtful as they come, and I believe you will greatly enjoy getting to know a bit more about the woman behind the business in her interview featured below!

                                              {Image by Laura Winslow Photography, styling and printables by The TomKat Studio}

Check out the *FABULOUS $100 GIFT CERTIFICATE GIVEAWAY* AND exclusive FREE SHIPPING CODE at the end of the post, a great opportunity to add style to your party or a special treat under the tree this year!

Now here is a fun interview with Sally!

 {Question} How did Polka Dot Market come about (a bit of a background of turning your passion into your business)?

{Answer} I started Polka Dot Market six years ago and there have been many changes along the way! I have always enjoyed crafts and being the oldest of five sisters, I sure like being in charge so opening my own business was right up my alley! I chose the name “Polka Dot Market” because when researching potential products to sell, my eye was always drawn to polka dot fabrics, papers, etc. I knew I needed a focus or else I would fill our house with every cute fabric design (there are so many) and craft supply under the sun! Then the “Market” part was selected because I knew my business would evolve over time and what I started out selling (handmade polka dot purses) may not be what I would be selling in 2 years, 4 years or 6 years. A “Market” is a place to find everything you need…in polka dots, of course! There is a long story starting with being a rep for a line of monogrammed purses and personalized stationery, coding my first web site in Front Page, sewing my own polka dot purses, creating my big initial canvas totes (top seller), moving to big initial tees and aprons, then adding polka dot party supplies, tutus…I could go on and on! My business has definitely evolved and I love it because my brain is always moving a million miles a minute with new ideas and directions. So my passion for bossing my sisters around and taking charge, creating handmade items and now stocking really cute party decorations has come full circle!

                                  {Image by Laura Winslow Photography; styling & printables by The TomKat Studio}

{Question} You sell darling party products for children, many with a polka dot theme. When did your passion for children's party products begin, and is there a special meaning behind the polka dots?

{Answer} Polka Dot Market came from my absolute obsession with “researching” (aka shopping) for potential products to sell or make for my new business idea. I was constantly drawn to polka dot fabrics, vases, jewelry, stationery, etc. I knew I needed to focus on one thing, so polka dots became my focus!

                       {Image by Laura Winslow Photography, styling and printables by The TomKat Studio}
{Question} You offer an array of darling products from party hats to bunting, balloons to pettiskirts. What other fabulous new party products can you share with us that will be added to your shop in 2011? Any hints?

{Answer} 2011 will be adding more birthday appliqué tees, leggings, party centerpieces, new Easter baskets, more initial appliqué bags, party favors and long-awaited personalized and assembled cupcake toppers and thank you tags! (I’m not good at keeping secrets)

{Question} For a parent looking to create a stylish party for thier child, what products do you believe are the "staples" from your shop that allow them to create a look that isn't what you would find from your local party chain?

{Answer} Definitely the polka dot balloons, our new favor boxes and our polka dot “Spots” plates and napkins are not available in large stores.

 {Question} Tell us a little bit about birthday celebrations in your home. Any special traditions?

{Answer}  I start planning the party two months in advance. I plan all the details, gather all the supplies, send the invitations, order everything, then wait until the very night before the party to actually make the banners, thank you tags, party games, favors, decorations, etc. I’m usually sewing my daughter’s birthday tee at 6am when she wakes up. I am so busy all day every day shipping orders that it is hard to squeeze out time for your own family parties sometimes. Terrible, I know!

 {Question} If you could tell us 3 of your absolute favorite products from your shop (I know it is hard), what would they be?
1. These new mini polka dot stripe favor boxes are so cute in person. I love the colors!
2. I’m a big fan of our new birthday hats. An amazing price, I just love them.
3. I love our balloons and cupcake liners too…and my daughters’ always have a birthday number tee for parties or an initial appliqué tee for holidays and school events!

 {Question} What items would you say are the most popular from your shop, and any idea as to why?
{Answer} Definitely the balloons. I would say almost every order includes at least one pack of 5 balloons. When we started selling balloons, only the multi color packs were available. For a long time we were the only shop selling balloons by the color. You no longer had to buy the multi-color pack when your party was only hot pink and orange. You didn’t need the aqua, purple and chocolate balloons that came in that pack. Now it is more common to find our balloons by the color, but we are still busier than ever.

 {Question} How is it that you are able to balance family and work--what are your priorities, and how do you keep them in order, even when business is booming?

{Answer} I find little time for myself, to be honest. My husband is now working the business full-time with me and that has made a huge difference in how many orders get shipped per day and in turn, relieves one of my biggest sources of stress. My new goal is to give more control to him so I can have a life again! Did I mention I’m a perfectionist too??

{Question} We would LOVE to get to know a bit more about you!!!
Favorite Color  Green
Favorite Movie  Steel Magnolias
Favorite Flavor Ice Cream   Strawberry
Favorite Places to Shop Online  Etsy.com and my suppliers – that is my shopping!
Best Birthday Memory   I always celebrated my birthdays at the beach growing up – I’m an August baby. But my best birthday was in 2006 when I was in the hospital and had just given birth to my 2nd daughter. I was induced one day before my birthday. I really wanted to have her before I turned 30.
Top Vacation Destination   Just went to gulf shores, Alabama and want to go back . I love it!

Celebrity You Would Love To Meet    None – not my cup of tea! I’d rather meet up with my four younger sisters any day. We live in Alabama, North Carolina, Kentucky and Michigan. Can’t wait to see them for Christmas!

{Question} What are your top daily blog/websites you read?

{Answer}  Just A Girl, Lettered Cottage, One Pretty Thing and my customer’s blogs when they post their parties.

 {Question} The holidays are fast approaching. How do you decorate your home for Christmas?

{Answer} With a real Christmas tree, white lights, kids’ art, collected ornaments and crafts, candles, books and The Nutcracker CD! (No perfect, all matchy-matchy tree here – though I think they are gorgeous!)

{Question} For women looking to launch their own online business, what advice do you have to offer as they are starting out?

{Answer} This may sound backwards, but I always tell ladies to start with a domain name. Do not name your business something that is not available as a domain name. I use www.register.com to search names, then I purchase from www.1and1.com. This is not an ad, just what I do myself and I do recommend it! I have lots more advice and am happy to help – ladies can email me via our website contact form and I am happy to answer questions on getting started  { “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” (2 Corinthians 9:6)}

 

 
 
Thank you so much Sally, for sharing such wonderful thoughtful responses to our questions!!!
 
 
 
Now, for the giveaway.....
 
 
One lucky winner will receive a $100.00 (one hundred US dollars) gift certificate to Polka Dot Market!!!!

AND EVERYONE gets FREE SHIPPING (no minimum order!) using code LoveKateLanders through 11:59pm EST on Monday, December 6th, 2010!!!!!!!
 
Here's how to enter:
 
 Visit Polka Dot Market, and come back here leaving a comment with your two favorite items in the shop!
 
For ***SIX*** incredible extra entries:
 
1. Become a fan of Polka Dot Market, and come back here leaving one additional comment letting us know. (3 additional entries will be awarded. NOTE: You need not leave 3 comments telling us you are a fan of Polka Dot Market, just one additional comment telling us so is perfect!)
 
AND
 
2. Become a fan of Kate Landers Events, LLC, and come back here leaving another additional comment letting us know. (3 additional entries will be awarded. NOTE: You need not leave 3 comments telling us you are a fan of Kate Landers Events, LLC, just one additional comment telling us so is perfect!)
 
 
Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on Monday, December 6th.
 
Good Luck!