Biz Kids: Meet Scarlett of Fiddle Dee Designs!

When I saw the facebook site this little girl and her mom had started, I had the idea to showcase talented and entrepreneurial kids and their work. 🙂 Please make sure you check out her facebook page and give it a like!

Scarlett is a ten year old homeschooler who creates Duck Tape wallets, smallets, and other accessories, with her business “Fiddle Dee Designs.” I had the privilege of interviewing Scarlett.

Here’s one of her newest creations, made for herself, so I guess I don’t need to ask if she likes Despicable Me. 🙂

Hi, Scarlett! So good to have you join us. Thank you so much for being our first kid interviewee here at Busy Being Blessed. 🙂 Your business fascinated me when I saw it. I have heard of Duck Tape wallets, but I’ve never seen anyone sell them before.

Thank you for interviewing me! It was a surprise to me that anyone would want to know more about what I do.

Well it’s always refreshing to see a young person with great ideas! What gave you the idea to start creating Duck Tape wallets?

I saw some at a store and thought maybe I could make some. After that I watched some videos and just began making them.

Ah, I see. 🙂 How much time does it take to make one wallet?

For a smallet it takes about 20-30 minutes. For a regular wallet or a tri-fold it takes about 45 minutes to an hour. The larger ladies wallets take about an hour to an hour and a half. If the wallet needs to be personalized with a name, it takes an extra 30 minutes.

That sounds reasonable. How long have you been making them?

It will be a year in June.

So you’re a pro by now. 🙂 How long have you been selling them?

I sold a few to close family members beginning in October 2013. But I began really trying to sell them shortly before Mother’s Day.

That’s great. When did you put up your facebook page?

Just before Mother’s Day this year.

Oh, so a brand new page! What does a roll of fancy Duck Tape cost, and how much of a roll do you use for one wallet?

It depends on where you buy the tape, but I can usually find them for about $3.50 per roll. Licensed (character) and sports tapes cost up to $8. Depending on the size of the wallet it takes about 1/4 to almost the whole roll. I usually use more than one kind of tape per wallet, but those are total amounts (if I made the whole wallet out of one tape).

Good explanation. How long does a wallet you have made last?

I’m not sure, because people have usually wanted new wallets just because they want a new tape design before their old wallet wore out. I believe they would last for at least 6 months to a year, depending on how much it is used.

Sounds like quality work! 🙂 How did you come up with your business name?

I was trying to think of a name that didn’t talk about duct tape or wallets, because at some point I may want to sell other things. Since my name is Scarlett, my mom tried to think of something that had to do with Gone with the Wind. I have never seen the movie, but my mom says “fiddle-dee-dee” is something Scarlett says. We just changed that up a little bit.

I think you and your mom did great. The name is perfect! How much time do you spend on making wallets each day?

About 3-4 hours

Wow, you are very dedicated! These next couple questions are from my son, Jeremiah (ten years old):
How do you make the wallets? (Did you find a tutorial site or something?)

I learned to make the wallets by watching YouTube videos. One of my favorite channels is Allison’s Wallets. I also have the book “Tape It and Make It” by Richela Fabian Morgan. Then I just practiced a lot. Now I can take the designs I have learned about and change them up. My uncle wanted a very small wallet, so I made changes to my basic design and created the smallet I make. Others make smallets, but I don’t think anyone makes them just like I do.

Is it tiring to make them? Does it hurt your hands? How many can you make in one sitting before you get too tired?

No, it is not tiring, but it does get boring after a while. No, it doesn’t hurt my hands, but I did cut myself with my x-acto knife once, and that hurt. I’m not sure how many I can make in one sitting. If I have orders or some new tape, I am excited and keep going. If I’m not excited, I get bored much sooner.

(Jenn again!) That makes sense. Even the most fun things can bore you after a while! What do you think the next step for your wallet-making business will be?

I would like to start selling other products because everyone may not want a wallet. I have thought of trying to sell pencil cases, coin pouches, flower-pens and Bible covers.

Those sound like great ideas. Do you plan on opening a website or an etsy shop any time soon?

I did reserve a similar name on Etsy, but I haven’t posted any products there yet. Hopefully I will be able to begin using Etsy soon. If my business is successful I may try to get a website.

Good plan. 🙂 Is there anything you’d like to tell other kids who might want to start a business at home?

You need to be patient and practice until you get really good before starting your business. If you are really good at something already you should give it a try. I was surprised how well my wallets sold once I opened my business. It is really fun to earn money selling something you love to make!

You are a wise girl! Is there anything else you’d like to share with us?

If you try making duct tape crafts, you should know that different brands of tape are better for different things. The main two brands I have used are Scotch and Duck brands. Although I like a lot of the Scotch designs, they are thinner, or not as stiff, as Duck brand tape. I think the Scotch brand would be better for decorating things, but I like using the Duck brand to make wallets. It is easier to use and makes sturdier wallets.

Great advice! Can you leave us with a little bit about yourself that’s not business-related?

My favorite color is purple and my second favorite color is bright, light blue. I love lots of bright color on everything. Also, I am 4 hours and 3 minutes younger than my twin sister Savannah. We have different birthdays.

Okay, that is cool! I finally know twins with different birthdays. 🙂 Guess what? My favorite color is purple, too! 🙂 Thanks so much for taking the time to visit with us, Scarlett! We wish you continued success! God bless!

Thanks everyone for visiting with us, and don’t forget to check out Fiddle Dee Designs by Scarlett!

God bless,
Jenn