The Creative Connection

In December 2008, Kim decided to leave her career in real estate to stay home with her young kids, Tommy and Kate. Always crafty and creative, she started a blog to share her craft projects, decorating, and party ideas. She had recently decided to convert a room in her home to a craft studio and came up with the blog name “TomKat Studio” from the combination of her kids’ names. Kim’s blog quickly gained a loyal following and readers asked if they could buy things that she was making, including hand-decorated frames and invitations. On a whim, she decided to open an Etsy shop. Within weeks she was overwhelmed with orders. After her daughter Kate’s lollipop birthday party was featured on a popular party blog—Hostess with the Mostess—in April 2009, demand for her creations soared. Not being able to keep up with the demand, Kim closed up shop that summer and took a short break. She came back and reopened as a printable party shop. (more…)