I’m so excited to introduce you to Kara – the owner and designer behind The Thrifty Trendsetter. She is the mom to a 2.5 year old son who keeps her hands full. I can totally relate when she says that he is “testing his boundaries constantly.” Seriously, what 2.5 year old boy isn’t?
If that weren’t enough to keep her busy, Kara has a full time job outside the home and crafts and creates for The Thrifty Trendsetter. She’s recently relaunched her online shop and it is gorgeous. To celebrate the relaunch and spread the word about her shop, Kara is offering an awesome giveaway to one reader of The Shopping Mama! But, before we get to that, let’s learn more about Kara and The Thrifty Trendsetter.
TSM: What’s the focus of your store?
I love creating different items for the home, and love to make custom items for people. One thing that a lot of people don’t realize is that I would be happy to make a custom item in any color/size! They can just send me an email, and I would love to work with them. In fact, I am actually working on a custom order for a new shop in a college town here in Oklahoma! I am making customized MAG Boards, Board Bling, and Picture Frames for all eleven different sororities at the University!
That’s a fun project – what a great idea!
TSM: What is your favorite item to make or sell?
I LOVE to make the MAG Boards and Board Bling! I think it is so fun to turn a piece of metal into a beautiful and useful piece of art! The Board Bling is probably the most fun item to make, because I can get totally creative and turn all different items into really cute magnets!
TSM: What is your inspiration?
I would have to say that my inspiration would be everyday objects. I know this sounds strange, but I love to just look at regular, everyday items, and imagine what I could turn them into! When I’m in a thrift store, my mind is going wild with ideas of what amazing items I could create out of these everyday treasures!
TSM: Do you have any plans for new, additional products or business expansion?
Of course!
I am always designing new products! You never know what you are going to find when you look on my website! Some new products that I plan on adding soon are boxed sets of notecards, wall plaques, children’s décor, and anything else I come up with! I am so excited about an item that I actually created last night! I made the cutest recipe box that looks like a little house! It would be so cute on the kitchen counter! I will also be adding these soon! You’re going to love them!
Yay! I look forward to seeing them.
When it comes to expanding my business, I am hoping to turn The Thrifty Trendsetter into a full time job over the next couple of years! I would love to be able to quit my day job and do this full time! Crafting is my love, along with my family, and it would be a dream come true to get to spend more time with my family and create items every day!
Good luck – here’s hoping you can go full time with The Thrifty Trendsetter. I can only imagine how nice it would be to earn a living doing what you LOVE.
TSM: If money were no object what is one thing you would buy right now?
If money were not an object, I would have to say that the one thing I would buy right now would be a new work station. I have a room that I do all of my crafting in, along with a large desk, and some bookcases, but I would love a new work station geared specifically towards crafting. I have to say, I get so jealous when I see some of the craft studios that other people have, and I would love an updated area that I could sit at and create items!
Sounds awesome!
TSM: What are some of your favorite online stores or Etsy shops?
Wow! I don’t even know where to begin! I have so many favorite Etsy shops, it’s hard to mention just a few, but I will try!
* Right now, I am totally obsessed with the Etsy shop Fabric Shoppe-they have a weekly special where you can buy a fat quarter for $1.00! (I’m such a sucker for beautiful fabric!)
* I also love the Etsy shop momomadeit- they sell amazing aprons, and I LOVE aprons!
* AScrappyDesign is another great Etsy shop, and she just created her very own line of scrapbooking embellishments that are great. She is so talented! (Ca-ute!)
* Jenna Designs is also a fav of mine! She sews really great items, and takes beautiful fine art photography.
* I love Paper Cakes! She is such an inspiration to me! She makes the cutest items, and has just recently started up her business.
I know…there are a lot, but I could go on and on! Etsy is a great way to find such unique handmade items. For those of you who have never shopped on Etsy, I would highly recommend it!
I couldn’t agree more!
Shop! You can purchase Kara’s beautiful creations at www.thriftytrendsetter.com. The MAG Board is $24 and the adorable Board Bling is $10.
Win! A Flights of Fancy set of MAG Board and Board Bling.


A MAG (magnetic and gorgeous) Board is a multipurpose board to help organize and beautify your life. The Board features decorator paper and inked effect for a super unique and aged look. At 13 inches by 10.5 inches, the size is perfect for a kitchen or home office and I think it would be adorable in a girl’s room.
Board Bling are sets of magnets created to coordinate with the MAG Board. The set of six is whimsical and super fun. But, don’t let their sweet appearance fool you – they are strong, too.
How to Enter
: Take a look around The Thrifty Trendsetter and tell me your favorite item.Bonus Entries:
* Help me celebrate the new “vanity address” The Shopping Mama’s Facebook Fan Page by becoming a Fan at www.facebook.com/TheShoppingMama
* Be a Shopping Buddy: a.k.a. Follow The Shopping Mama in Google Friends Connect
* Add The Shopping Mama to your blog roll
* Subscribe to The Shopping Mama in Email
* Subscribe to The Shopping Mama in a Reader
* Follow The Shopping Mama on Twitter and Tweet: Organize with style: Win a gorgeous handmade magnetic board with board bling by The Thrifty Trendsetter http://bit.ly/1QYYri
The fine print: Open to US residents only. Giveaway ends August 31 11:59 PM. Please leave an email address so that I can contact you if you win. If you prefer, you may email me your contact information.






















