Feature Friday - Boltz Raggedies

The Old Farmhouse Gathering team would like to introduce you to Cheryl & Chuck of Boltz Raggedies. Cheryl & Chuck opened their shop on Etsy in May, 2008. At first, they only sold their original pattern designs. From there they sold their goods to prim shops across the country in a wholesale group they started and ran on Facebook. In 2011, they decided to restructure their business and began to restock their Etsy shop in order to market their retail creations.

Not only are their staple goods raggedies and critters, but they are also planning to offer grungy goods such as cans, jars and other items. They are also working on custom created hand painted sign board that they hope to launch this Fall. Chuck loves to work with clay and they are hoping to be able to soon offer his clay creations. Everything they make is made with love and pride.

Since Cheryl could hold a pencil and paintbrush in her hand, her Mom has had her drawing and painting. They'd sit for hours and either draw or paint ceramics together. Her mom has been her inspiration. She taught Cheryl the love of art from a very young age and encouraged her to hone her skills and use her creativity. When she'd gotten older, her and her mom would hit their local craft store every weekend for ribbons, flowers and eucalyptus so they could make wreaths and swags. In 2001, Cheryl learned to sew and never looked back. Sewing is indeed her true passion. Even her Mom asks her to create items for her and Cheryl is so proud that she can do just that. Cheryl's mom is proud of all of Cheryl's creations. In fact, most of her original designs were created for her Mom's birthday, Christmas or Mother's Day.

Cheryl and Chuck are newly married and she feels so fortunate to have the love and support of Chuck, both of their families as well as their best friends, Niki and John. Everyone has helped her see the value of her work and time which has taken her from doing wholesale to retail.

If you ask Cheryl what her favorite items are, she will tell you her bears and her Uncle Sams. Also anything critter related! She loves animals and anything Patriotic and these are always her favorite to create. Cheryl doesn't feel that she has any "one" particular artistic style. She does folk, country, prim and whimsical. As she creates, each piece tells her what it wants to become. Sometimes she starts a piece thinking it might be whimsical and by the time she is finished, it comes out prim. 

Cheryl will admit that she doesn't do well with schedules. Being an artist, she creates whenever an idea hits, whether it is drawing out a new pattern or creating something. Because she is self-employed, her work time can be any time of the day or night. They live a simple and modest life in the country with their "fur" children. Home improvement, gardening and working on their yard are some of the things they love most.

The advice that Cheryl would give to someone just starting out would be to "chase your dreams and never give up! God gave us a talent that we should share with the world. With the internet, Pinterest, Etsy, Facebook and Blogger, there's SO many ways you can market yourself and get recognized. And you should be marketing yourself everyday. GREAT customer service and an amazing product should always be #1."

To visit Cheryl and Chuck of Boltz Raggedies, click on any of the photos above or the graphic below. You can also find Cheryl and Chuck on Facebook, Pinterest, their Blog, and Kaniki's.