Amanda Petit of Luling came home from a craft market in 2016 with hairbows for her two young daughters and showed her husband.
“Why are you buying hairbows?” her husband asked. “Why not just make them yourself?”
Her husband’s questions inspired Petit. She had always been crafty, and after watching YouTube videos and researching online, she taught herself how to make hair accessories of all kinds: scrunchies, headbands, hair clips and hairbows. At her first craft show, she sold all the accessories she made.
Today, Petit makes hair accessories for her daughters, who are now ages 9 and 11, and her accessories are sold at Cherry Lane Boutique in Luling and online through her Etsy store: Cajun Lady’s Lagniappe.
Petit makes her accessories with the community of St. Charles Parish in mind. Petit was born and raised on the West Bank and her husband was born and raised in Luling. She sells bows printed with the names of parish schools and their mascots, hair clips with Mardi Gras designs and Valentine’s Day bows printed with Cajun sayings across hearts. She uses a sublimation printer, heat press and sewing machine to make her creations. She also sews by hand.
“The thing is, I focus on high quality and handmade,” Petit said. “Everything is sewn by me.”
Petit’s business took off after Cherry Lane Boutique noticed the accessories at a pop-up show at Best Life Nutrition. Petit decided then to get a business license and sell her accessories full time.
“It’s been a blessing,” Petit said.
Petit said her family’s medical bills piled up about 10 years ago when she went into premature labor with her youngest daughter, Mary, who spent time in the NICU. Petit decided to stay home to care for her special needs daughter and to support her mother, who was diagnosed with early onset dementia.
Petit, her mother, and Mary have a rare genetic condition called Cowden Syndrome, which can cause tumor-like growths and raise the risk of cancer. Petit was forced to step back from the business for 18 months to remove a tumor in her wrist in 2017. She juggles the business while juggling doctor’s appointments for herself and her mom and therapy for her daughter.
Petit said the hair accessory business gives her flexibility and allows her to contribute to medical bills.
“I try to supplement anyway I can,” Petit said. “I don’t want the financial burden to be completely on my husband.”
Petit said her daughters help her stay on trend. Years ago, big hairbows were trending, now long tail, fabric bows are in.
“My youngest is the one that is into all things girly,” she said. “I try to be original, and I try to stay hip and cool.”
The bows aren’t just for kids, either.
“The hair accessories are popular with adults, too,” she said.
Petit will sell her accessories at a pop-up show at Best Life Nutrition Jan. 31 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
