Issue 045 - Featuring Junkyard Baby Threads
Shop Name: Junkyard Baby Threads
Owner: Chelsie Kendall
Facebook Group: Junkyard Baby Threads VIP Website: www.junkyardbabythreads.com Instagram: @junkyard.baby.threads
“I like to think of my shop as a happy place on the internet where everyone can find
something they love” -Chelsie Kendall, Owner
In mid-2020, while everyone tried to navigate their new COVID-19 "normal", Chelsie Kendall decided to throw herself into a small business due to popular demand. Located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, she opened her shop after making clothing for her own child which inevitably led to friends requesting she make clothes for their children also. This, now well-established, shop offers handmade clothing for children and adults, available in sizes 0/3m to 12y and adult sizes XS-4XL. To accommodate the custom nature of her handmade clothing she opens weekly pre-orders for her products.
Picking a name to define your shop's direction and products is one of the most challenging tasks when it comes to opening a small shop. Some shops change names and "rebrand" multiple times before getting it right – the name of a shop is so very important. Chelsie chose to name her shop “Junkyard Baby Threads” because she does a little bit of everything in an effort to have something for everyone. In a way, this reminded her of a junkyard since junkyards are filled with many different things and have something for every person to find and appreciate.
Chelsie wants handmade clothing to be within reach for everyone so she aims to offer affordable handmade options for everyone. Her children inspired her to make clothes in the beginning. Each child is so unique; Their personalities and interests are different which makes creating for them fun and inspiring. Now that she makes clothing for customers outside of her family she has come to love meeting new people and getting to know them. Seeing her creations on her customers' babies brings so much joy to Chelsie — It’s just like creating for her own children.
Chelsie said, "I like to think of my shop as a happy place on the internet where everyone can find something they love." She truly loves creating items where the customer has given her creative freedom. The ability to make something truly unique is rewarding and dream-fulfilling for a creative soul like Chelsie who loves thinking outside the box and seeing the happiness her own craft brings to her customers.
1. Are you more of a hunter or a gatherer? I am a gatherer. Gatherer of fabric, hobbies, lost souls. 2. You’re a new addition to the crayon box. What color would you be and why? Yellow! I like to think I bring sunshine and happiness to those around me.
3. You find a lottery ticket that ends up winning $10 million. What would you do? After paying off some debt, I would take care of my friends and probably build a self-sustaining community. 4.What do you think about when you’re alone in your car? I like to turn up my music and focus on the road.
5. What’s your favorite ’90s jam? Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana
6. If you could be any animal in the world, what animal would you be and why? I like to think of myself as a house cat. I come and go as I please, take care of myself, but show affection when I choose to.
7. What was the last gift you gave someone? Handmade clothing.
8. What were you like in high school? I was your typical small town 2000s emo kid. Or basically, the greatest person you ever met. I kid.
9. What’s the last thing you watched on TV and why did you choose to watch it? The Ultimatum on Netflix. My friends said there was a lot of drama and twists that made for entertaining TV. They were right.
10. Any advice for your previous boss? Remember to turn off the coffee maker.
11. Tell me something about your last job, other than money, that would have inspired you to keep working there. More support from upper-management.
12. What is the funniest thing that has happened to you recently? Every day is interesting in my home. One that stands out is my daughter sneaking an entire slice of pizza into her bath with her. 13. What is your dream job? This. I love having the freedom to set my own schedule and create clothing!
14. What inspires you? Alt and “off the wall” type things.
15. What’s your food/drink guilty pleasure? Chinese food is my favorite guilty pleasure.
16. What are you known for? My sense of humor and unfortunate autocorrects.
17. What do you work toward in your free time? In my free time, I try new patterns and designs and make some creative clothing pieces to support my growing business.
18. What’s the most interesting thing about you that we wouldn’t learn without asking this question? I don’t like potatoes, but I love Lord of the Rings.
19. How would you rate your memory? 2/10... ADHD means out of sight, out of mind. But I have an awesome team that supports me and keeps me in check.
20. If you woke up and had 2,000 unread emails and could only answer 300 of them, how would you choose which ones to answer? I would answer by who sent me e-mails first.
21. What pizza topping best represents you? Pineapple!
22. Describe the color coral to somebody who is blind. Happy in the shade on a summer day.
23. If you were to get rid of one state in the U.S., which would it be and why? Idaho because they produce potatoes and I don’t like potatoes.
24. What is your favorite tv show to watch when you’re alone with the remote? I’m not a huge TV person, but I’m always down for a good Spotify playlist. Queue MCR.
25. Are you now who you thought you would be ten years ago? I think I am even better now than I thought I would be. I am learning and growing each and every day.
