Today we have a guest post on the blog!! (Another fun, new feature I’ve decided to do every so often!) Recently we did our first ever Style File featuring a Mummy run, small business called Bumblebee Boutique!
I was lucky enough to sit down and chat with Timiney Colefax the proprietor of Bumblebee Boutique about her range of children’s accessories and photography props. She has not only created this beautiful boutique range available to the general public and professional photographers but is also a qualified Interior Designer! Timiney specialises in decoration and design of nursery and children interior spaces.
If you haven’t already, then have a look at the wonderful products available at Bumblebee Boutique including headbands, fur throws, boys accessories, maternity belly wraps and one of my favourites, her unique range of children sized French Provincial furniture.
Firstly I’ll start by saying that I love everything that you have in your online boutique!! I suppose that I will always be drawn to boys items now that I have two boys of my own but girls bits and bobs are absolute eye candy for me!
I adore your little boy’s photography props, they are very unique. Where do you get the inspiration for your designs?
My Nephews were my biggest inspiration – It was always hard to find funky little accessories for boys and when I started making them I just got carried away – Now my range of boys props are my largest seller.
Your furniture seems to be incredibly popular, I’ve never seen anything like it here in Australia before, tell us a little bit about it.
I fell in love with this miniature furniture when I saw it at a design show in Melbourne. Not only did I have to stop to look at it I noticed everyone was stopping to look. It was then that I decided I had to get my hands on these pieces. The person that was exhibiting at the design fair no longer imports this furniture so I put myself to work to find out where and how I could make and import this furniture myself. There has been a lot of trial and error but I was determined to create my own line.
I focus on French provincial and Traditional children’s miniatures where I select the timber and the fabric style that the piece is made in and in some cases I have to recreate from scratch by down scaling which is probably the hardest part. The furniture is my focus in developing my business, as an interior designer this is my passion.
Your woven rugs look very detailed, how long does it take you to make one?
Our woven rugs take 2 hours to make and depending on the size take anywhere between 4-6m of fabric. I find them so therapeutic to make and the response to them has been fantastic. Unfortunately due to the time frame it takes to make them I have had to limit fabrication to 2 a month, but that just makes them more unique.
What are some of your favourite colours to work with?
I have to say green is my favourite but I do have to be sympathetic to the market as green is not a popular choice for home renovations or design or even photo shoots. So other than that I love working with soft greys and accenting with splashes of colour like yellow, blues or pinks.
What are some of your newest products that you have added to the range?
I am just in the process of introducing a new range of boys clothing. There will be items available for ages 1-8. Also I have a large shipment of furniture due in the middle of April, when this arrives I will have some new furniture deigns to show that I am really excited about.
What would you say has been your most popular item?
In the way of enquiries my chaise lounges would have to be the most popular items but if we are referring to sales it would be a close call between the fur throws and boys suspenders.
Are there any products that you are considering adding to your range in the near future?
I am forever adding products to my range and I am always open to suggestions – most of the items I do stock or make now have been prompted by photographers or the general public wanting something in particular or something completely different.
I am considering adding cake smash sets to the range at the moment. I had one customer request a custom order done with bow tie, suspenders, bloomers and party hat. The response to this idea has been amazing! So over the next few weeks I will be working on some coordinating designs to see how they go.
I see your props used in so many stunning newborn photo shoots. Do you offer special incentives for photographers wanting to purchase your products?
We offer a few things to our photographers if they share the photos through Facebook using our products they become a VIP, entitling them to 10% discount off our full product range (excluding sale items). We also offer free advertising through our Website where each photographer will get their own page in our gallery to put whatever marketing material or details about their business along with the photos they have taken. This allows the general public to browse for their photographer in the one place and has proven to be very popular. I regularly get enquiries as to what photographers I recommend.
Do you offer payment plans?
I now have introduced a lay-by option for purchases over $50 – not including sale items.
A big thanks to Timiney from Bumblebee Boutique for taking the time to have a chat about her wonderful business. Drop by and check out her wonderful range today at her Facebook page or Website.
