Saucy Girl Aprons Mother/Daughter owned business based in Wisconsin

Saucy Girl Aprons is a Mother/Daughter owned business based out of Wisconsin that designs and distributes vintage inspired aprons and accessories including oven mitts, potholders, placemats and napkins. We use high quality fabrics and all of our designs are manufactured right here by local seamstresses in the United States. Our products appeal to women and children of all ages.

Saucy Girl Aprons sells retail and to the wholesale trades.

Our contact information is:

Saucy Girl Aprons

132 Nob Hill Lane

DePere WI 54115

920-609-7272

Our story:

home : people : people	Share	December 20, 2011

9/17/2010 3:47:00 AM
Local women offer up saucy aprons

Carmen Carter (left) and Connie Krupp test out their new aprons in Connie’s New Holstein kitchen. As owners of Saucy Girl Aprons they want everyone to savor their vintage-inspired aprons which can be used for several uses. Wear them for function and style, or protect your favorite clothing while cooking, cleaning, gardening and crafting. Fresh and fun designs for every occasion can be viewed at www.saucygirlaprons.com.

By Gina Kabat
TC News correspondent

Business owners Connie Krupp and Carmen Carter said they feel a little bit "saucy" in the kitchen, especially since they have the right embellishments.
For Connie and her daughter Carmen, whipping up retro-styled print aprons is just the right mix for their trendy entrepreneurship and local business flair.
When Carmen owned and operated a flower retail shop in DePere, she wanted to find colorful, vibrant, fun and functional aprons to wear while assisting customers with flowers and arrangements. After searching catalogues, online sites and other stores, she was disappointed in the selection available.

Carmen started looking at fabrics and different patterns to make her own aprons. Her creativity and business sense directed her attention to a consumé of sewing, marketing and selling her products.
Retro-styled themed aprons seemed to fit these two material girls. "I wanted to have something fun and functional," Carmen said. By finding fabrics to match any type of personality or holiday or special occasion, she is able to custom design aprons according to seasonal interests, personal tastes and current trends. She purchases her fabric from wholesalers and is assisted with seamstresses who work for her business part-time.
Their recipe is simple. Connie and Carmen gather ideas from the past. Carmen used her grandmother's original aprons as her inspiration and guide to get started. Thinking back to when her Grandma Emily would wear aprons brought back fond memories of her own childhood. Carmen and Connie wanted many of their custom aprons to be heirloom quality so the purchaser can pass them down. "We've seen many grandparents buy them for their grandkids to make special holiday cookies," said Connie, secretly knowing that it is more than cookies that are being made in the kitchen. "Memories are made just by being together and having fun in the kitchen," she added. Connie enjoys spending time with her own grandchildren, with a sprinkling of confectionery treats and her daughter in the fold.

Any strings attached?
Connie and Carmen decided to simplify their design and offer two styles. Full-length or half-length aprons are both available with pockets and embellished trim. They have a flat back design that allows for easy wear around the neck and a smooth flat fit. This design means a tie is not binding behind the neck, but is very comfortably designed to fit as a one size fits all. Two generous ties are attached to the sides of each apron, which can be wrapped around the waste to create a bow. Full-length and half-length aprons are available for the same price. Half-length aprons have a double layer of material that offers a "T" front. Many people use these as a hand towel and quick impromptu pot holder when grabbing hot dishes from the oven.
Have women gone back to the days of June Clever? Maybe not entirely, but entertaining at home certainly has taken on a new priority as families are inclined to stay home more to cook for family and friends. "What a great way to spice things up, create a conversation and enjoy making meals again," Carmen said.
Some of the most popular aprons she and Connie have sold so far are among the patterns that include bold prints with hues of electric green and neon blues. Also gaining in popularity is her Christmas apron demonstrating a lighter shade of "Christmas Blue" with added prints of ornaments and holiday themes.
Calling all cupcakes! For the past year, their business has spoken to a niche of consumers out there, looking to get back to basics but with a twist. "When the 'Sex and The City' episode came out with Carrie wearing a cupcake apron, we had many orders come through," Carmen said. With many outlets and avenues to expand her visibility, added feedback from Hollywood did not hurt either. She found a whimsical pattern of different flavors of cupcakes, complete with sweet purples, blues and creamy yellows against a pinkish background to add some weight to her already delectable selections.

Martinis or munchies
But, a gal can't live on cake alone. How about a saucy martini? Or, a charming cherry? Got the munchies? There's an ice cream cone apron that will make you smile. How could a person not love the checkered black and white accents on a 1950s parlor themed print. With eye popping colors to make your mouth water, it could be easy to pick a favorite and give one as a gift. Get one for all of your friends, but don't forget, a girl with a fancy apron must have the accessories to match. This year, matching pot holders, table runners and oven mitts in any design are also available. Now, that's something June never had!
To date, Carmen and Connie have their aprons in over 30 stores both locally and in specialty shops in Iowa, Illinois and Michigan. "The networking is incredible," said Carmen, who coordinates her schedule with her mom for upcoming artisan fairs, consumer trade shows and local venues to talk about their products. In Chicago, they met several buyers for noteworthy stores like Crate and Barrel and bakeries that consider displaying their products. They have also displayed their brand name saucy girl aprons at the Old World Christmas Market in Elkhart Lake, and have selected styles at Gina's Custom Framing in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin Trader of Kohler, Country Floral in New Holstein and Village Wine & Liquor in Chilton. They have participated in Strawberry Fest in Cedarburg, Cranberry Fest in Eagle River and will have guest chefs at Kohler's Wine and Food Event in late October wearing their aprons.
Aprons are not just for the women of the family. Connie and Carmen have thought about men and children too. Saucy Girl Aprons is working on a unique line of men's aprons. A subtle yet rugged black and grey toned half-length bistro apron is currently available. Smaller versions of all listed aprons on their Web site are considered for children's sizing as well. Saucy Girl Aprons also takes special requests. "We've done an order for a Mexican themed party, and chili peppers by request," Carmen added. They continue to look at other markets and subsequently add to their creations.
Carmen and Connie track their popular items, research generational color preferences and styles. Upcoming designs for Halloween and the holidays are being sewn now. "We have fun with this," Carmen said as she is able to use her background in design and colorizing in a new fashion. Connie's ability to handle the bookwork of the business balances out the delicate recipe of "too many cooks in the kitchen."
They hope to offer something for everyone to browse through at their online store and when they are attending craft shows. "They're all special to us," Carmen said when asked which aprons are her favorite.
Together, Carmen and her mom make a product from their homes and from their hearts. With aprons this beautiful, it is a shame to get them dirty.