Doodlebug Boutique

As a little girl growing up, Emily Parman didn't have to look much further than her own loving Roswell household when she needed a little crafty inspiration.

"I had a stay-at-home mom who always did crafts with us, and she was always coming up with new things for us to do and make," Parman said. "My mom used to make our clothes and our hair bows."

Now as a Woodstock mom with children of her own, Parman hopes to share that heirloom of creativity not only within her own family, but among the community as well. 

Parman's business Doodlebug Boutique, which specializes in creative hair accessories, tutus, costumes and more for children of all ages, became the brainchild of necessity when she couldn't find what she needed at any local retailers.

 "I started making bows because I have two girls, and I couldn't find the colors that I needed at affordable prices," Parman said. "So I decided to start making them myself."

And after having studied computational media at Georgia Tech, Parman admits that it wasn't so much of a stretch to transition from one medium of art to the other.

"It was all art and design on a computer, and I did logo design and Web development for years," she explained. "My art has just changed from computers to ribbons and hair bows."

Doodlebug's following has already increased dramatically in the year since Parman began the business, and she now takes orders for everything from infant-sized tutus and flowered hats to cheer bows for teens.

"Everything is made to order and fully customizable," Parman said. "Customers can pick the style of bow, the sculpture, and what clip and color they want."

Parman also creates dress-up costumes for such party themes as Minnie Mouse, Princess, Ladybug and the especially popular "My First Birthday Outfit," among others.

Perhaps the most important and insprirational aspect of Doodlebug Boutique, however, springs from the owner's insistence that, as a local business owner, she bears a responsibility to give back the community.

Besides participating in Woodstock events that benefit the Children's Miracle Network, Parman also regularly donates her time and creations to the Foster Care Support Foundation. Parman's parents have taken in more than 50 foster children over the years, and it has left her with a strong desire to make an impact with her own talents.

"For the kids, it's not just about hair bows themselves," Parman explained. "It's really about how it makes them feel."

Doodlebug Boutique products can be found at the , purchased at My Storyhouse Toys in Roswell or ordered online.