Pay It Forward 2015 – Chykaboo

I love this time of the month as it when I get to be inspired by wonderful handmade fabulousness through my “Pay it Forward” initiative. This month is the utterly gorgeous Chykaboo. A stunning baby and kids decor brand based in the UK.  Since I first saw the name “Chykaboo” I have been intrigued by it and I have wanted to discover more about its maker, Louise, her story and divine products.

Chykaboo (pronounced CHeeKaboo) is a cute name of “Chyka” which is Japanese in origin and means “beloved” and “Boo” which is Louise’s favourite nickname for her 3 children. Like a sweet hybrid of peek-a-boo, Louise created a unique brand name to represent her baby and children label.

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With a fabric obsession for Scandi inspired designs coupled with a talent for sewing and creating, Louise has established a boutique brand for parents looking for more than your typical cars and princess based baby products!

All unisex in design with a love of monochrome alongside pops of colour and the gorgeous Mr P print, Chykaboo is a gorgeous collection of baby blankets, organic teething rings, hand dyed/hand stamped swaddle wraps and stunning pillowcases that make stunning baby gifts, divine kids decor and more!

With 3 beautiful children aged 10 down to 3, I am not quite sure how Louise fits all this creative brilliance in among raising her children, but I adored having the opportunity to get to know Louise, her boutique brand, Chykaboo and her passion for handmade products more for this feature.

Meet the Maker: Louise aka “Chykaboo”

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1. You started your Etsy shop back in 2014, what made you decide to start the shop and what did you do PB (pre babies) ?

I first began making baby blankets after the birth of my first child, I had an idea of what type of blanket I liked, but couldn’t find anything I had in mind on the high-street, that’s when I decided to make my own & began making them for others. I decided to take a break from sewing during having my second and third child, then opened my Etsy shop in 2014. Etsy hadn’t really taken off in the u.k and there wasn’t social media when I first began, so when I re-started in 2014 with the Etsy shop and Instagram page, I found it easier to reach people. I did something a lot different PB, I was employed by a bank working in mortgage operations/retention, after having children I really wanted to try and do something I could do from home and try to work it around them.

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2.  You make some seriously cute baby blankets with over 22 different designs to choose from and all beautifully handmade, was this your first product for Chykaboo?

Yes it was, but since launching my Etsy shop in 2014, I’ve expanded the range to include larger blankets, pillow cases, cushion covers, organic teething rings, cot bar bumper covers, prints and softie cushions. I also make hand dyed/hand stamped swaddle wraps during the summer months.

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3.  The fabric for your designs are just beautiful, where do you source your fabric in the UK or abroad?

I source the majority of the printed cotton fabrics I use from overseas, although some of the fabrics I use to make my organic teething rings have been sourced in the u.k. I think I have a fabric obsession, I love looking through different fabrics and deciding what I could make next and enjoy co-coordinating colours and designs, there are so many beautiful fabrics to choose from!

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4. Your softie penguin I just adore and I go and check your feed just to look at him. Tell me a little more about he came to life? 

Thankyou! The penguin image I use is designed by Theresa Rizzuto, I thought the image of the penguin was so adorable and I was so pleased when the designer agreed to let me use the image on prints and postcards, as well as the softie cushion I sell in my shop. 

The penguin image is printed onto cotton fabric, I then choose a co-coordinating monochrome style fabric for the reverse which is machine stitched, he’s then stuffed with soft filling and sewn up by hand. He has become know as Mr P through his popularity on Instagram!

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5.   You are a big supporter of other IG mamas who also make gorgeous handmade items. Did you ever imagine you would find such a supportive like-minded community on Instagram?

I do try to support other small business’s and IG Mamas and I’ve also received a lot of support myself. I love to buy handmade because I can appreciate how much love and work goes into each product, It’s also nice to have something which is quite individual. I do a lot of shopping for birthday’s, Christmas and for room decor through Etsy and from shops I’ve come across on IG. The Instagram community has been amazing and I’m so thankful for that, I find it really inspiring as a mother and for my business, I also feel like I’ve made real friends through IG, which I have found really beneficial being a stay at home mum.

6.   You create and sew, what do you like to do in your downtime, if you get much downtime with 3 children that is!

There doesn’t seem to be a lot of spare time at the moment, but I do try to do the majority of work for the shop during the week and then spend weekends with my family. We enjoy walking in the countryside and spending time at the beach during summer. I would also like to start reading again, I don’t think I’ve read a book since my first born!

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7.   If life gave you a crystal ball, what would you want for Chykaboo’s future?

I would really like to continue with what I’m doing and hope that people enjoy my products. I have lots of new ideas in my head, but just not enough time to fulfill them at the moment. Once all the children are in full time school, I hope to have more time to expand the product range to include more nursery decor and design some of my own fabrics.

If you have a penchant for scandi design, the cutest of Penguin prints or softies or just want a gorgeous kids blanket for your child or as a gift, then you must check out Chykaboo.

Keep an eye out on this little piece of handmade heaven as with Louise’s passion for creating and love for fabric, the best is yet to come!

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