Featured Designer: Miss Mavis Fun House

This month we are excited to showcase Miss Mavis Fun House by Mavis Stevens as our Featured Designer! Miss Mavis has been a long time customer with us at Cotton Creations – we love seeing her turn a plain kitchen towel into something personal and unique. Miss Mavis Fun House is a small batch company that is currently having a love fest with our colored kitchen towels! She’s located in the heart of Reynolds, Ga. (population 900). She occupies a space in the back of the town’s original funeral home, built in the 1800’s. How cool is that! This original artist sews images designed by Miss Mavis using her “secret sauce sewing technique” developed a long time ago. Most of her sales are wholesale to stores from elegant to over-the-top whacky. You can tell a lot of heart and soul goes into her creative funky designs! We can’t wait to see her current project – “Last Chance Trailer Park” blog!

Featured Designer Miss Mavis

WHAT IS THE STORY BEHIND HOW YOUR BUSINESS CAME TO BE AND WHERE DOES YOUR INSPIRATION COME FROM?

All About The Creator Of This Crazy Awesome Art:

I’m Miss Mavis Stevens, and I am a folk artist who specializes in Fiber Art. I love to sew and spend a lot of time creating for my company, “Miss Mavis’ Fun House“. I was born in Butler, Ga., but my first 9 years were spent in Americus, Ga. While living in Americus, several things came together to influence my life and make me an artist. When I was 7, there was a Street Fair. It was such a big deal the flipping street was closed off. I thought that was total awesomeness. At this event was Eddie Martin, a folk artist, ahead of his time and an honest to goodness hippie. He wore his colorful dashiki, and I so wanted just to touch him. The next day, all the kids in school were talking about him and I wanted to be like him. And so I discovered my passion.

On the night Neil Armstrong landed on the moon, my mother and her friend started knitting. They let me play with some scraps of yarn and I created a beautiful afghan. The adults were blown away that I had achieved this. So then I had my medium: yarn. One small stitch for a child, one giant leap into my future. I knitted, crocheted, embroidered everything for everybody. Then when I was 15 my cousin suggested I sign up for a festival. People gave me money for my work. That was it… I had my career as an artist!

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In 1984, I stumbled upon a one-of-a-kind sewing machine that does what has become my signature stitch. Let me tell you, this machine is totally badass! Only a very few of these machines were ever made and as far as I know, I have the only one left in existence. BTW, I run the sewing machine like Jimi Hendrix plays the guitar! I feel I am called by a higher power to do what I do. My work has taken me places and introduced me to people that are beyond any dreams I could have ever imagined! It is my great joy to create for you!!

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS?

The actual creation of my product. When I am at the sewing machine, all is well!

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PRODUCT THAT YOU MAKE OR SELL FOR YOUR BUSINESS?

My favorite product happens to also be the best seller, Lucy Fowler, the chicken with red shoes and purse. Featured Designer Miss Mavis Fun House I’m writing a story about her. She manages a trailer park in South Ga called “Last Chance Trailer Park” It’s going to be a blog soon! I love the Rainbow Waffle Towels from Cotton Creations. Delicious Colors!

DO YOU HAVE ANY FUTURE PLANS FOR YOUR BUSINESS?

By the end of the year, I want everyone in the world to know about “Last Chance Trailer Park”. I have plans for a blog to tell the story and merchandise to support it.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE WHO IS ASPIRING TO GET INTO THIS TYPE OF BUSINESS, START THIER OWN SHOP OR SELL THEIR DESIGNS?

The most important part of any business is to believe in your heart it will be successful. If you believe in yourself, the details will fall into place. Another thing to remember, there will be ups and downs. There is a lot to be learned from seemingly lean times. And last, surround yourself with people who thrive in areas you do not. For example, my photography skills are severely lacking so I leave that detail to a professional.

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