Living the Crafty Life

Working on Wednesday - Holiday Home Prep!

2011-11-30T06:00:00.002-06:00

Is it really possible that Christmas is like four weeks away? We've been so busy in the Crafty household just enjoying our little one's first year (read: not sleeping but enjoying her smiles) that the holidays have really snuck up on us.

So now I've got to detail clean the entire house in time for the holidays. OMG! How am I ever going to get this done?! I've got a few ideas for taking all of this on that I thought I'd share. I hope they help you as you get your house ready, too.

Set Small Goals. I get a little overwhelmed at the phrase "detail clean the entire house," so I've decided to focus on small goals. This week, I'm planning on cleaning out the laundry room and kitchen pantry. Next week, our bedroom and the nursery. By focusing on one week's tasks, I'm hoping to avoid scaring myself into inaction.
Set Priorities. My vision of my home on Christmas looks kind of like a showroom, but I can quickly tell you which things I will punt if I can't get everything done. The Crafty Baby to Be's room, for instance, may not be ready for public viewing when guests invade my home. I'll close the bedroom door.
Enlist help. I try to take on a lot at home especially since the Crafty Husband has been workign so hard at his new job these past few months. But when it comes to getting the house ready for the holidays, I know I'm going to need help. As much as I like to think I can do everything, I really can't set up the Christmas tree by myself. (Big box, big pregnant belly, and basement stairs do NOT go together.) So I know that I have to ask him to help me with that. I also plan to invite my sister over to watch her favorite niece on the day that I tackle the closets. Some projects go better when I don't have to stop every five minutes.
Make lists. Since I've had "pregnant brain" for about two years now, I've learned that lists are my friends. Besides, I get some kind of perverse satisfaction out of crossing things off my list.

Small Business Saturday

2011-11-27T14:45:00.000-06:00

In all the hype about Black Friday, I forgot to tell you guys about a shopping day that we can all get behind: Small Business Saturday. In its second year, Small Business Saturday is a day for shoppers to support the small businesses in their communities and online. Of course, I include my favorite Etsy shops among that small business group.

So this Saturday, as I scoured the internet for great deals on the items on my shopping list, I made sure that I checked out a few small business, too.

For one thing, I ordered this awesome-looking ornament by Personalized Painter to add to my family's Christmas tree. I really wanted something special to commemmorate this Christmas when our family will include the Crafty Husband, the Crafty Baby, and myself. After all, this is the only Christmas when we will be a family of three.

My Small Business Saturday shopping didn't stop there, though. With a whopping ten weeks to go until our newest family member makes his appearance, I've still got a lot of baby prepping to do. I'm convinced that it won't hurt him to use pink bibs, but I just can't subject him to wearing all of the pink/princess things that his sister wore. So I stopped by my local children's resale shop to pick up some sleepers/outfits for him.

Finally, while I was out and about, I decided to stop by my favorite downtown shopping district Lee's Summit, MO. There is a wonderful scrapbooking shop there that I love to visit when shopping for one of my girlfriends. The downtown area in this suburb to Kansas City, MO has really grown in the past few years and is a total gem. If any of you happen to live in my neck of the woods, you should check it out.

So Much to Be Thankful For

2011-11-24T21:00:00.001-06:00

After the Crafty Baby finally went down for the evening, my husband and I were able to take a few minutes last night and really reflect on the things that we're thankful for this year. We must be two of the most blessed people in the whole world because our list is pretty lengthy:

The Crafty Baby - We're thankful that she's happy and healthy and that none of our first time parent mistakes seem to have caused her any permanent harm.

The Crafty Baby to Be - Every time he moves around I am thankful that he seems to be getting stronger and more prepared to make his appearance in our family. I can't wait to meet him. (But don't read that the wrong way little man...you're not done baking yet so stay put!)

Our home - You can't turn on the TV these days without seeing something about the people who are losing their homes right and left. I am incredibly grateful that we have a roof over our heads, warm air pouring out of the furnace vents, and lights to sew by.

Our family - This year has been hard on some parts of our family. My husband lost his grandma...my Grammy had to come to terms with the fact that she can't live on her own anymore. My dad's health isn't great. Even with all of that going on, though, they are always a constant source of love and support.

Each other - Nothing could have cemented my feeling for my husband like the experience of bringing the Crafty Baby into our family. He was so wonderful, so supportive that I really feel like I am the luckiest gal ever born. I hope I give him half as much to appreciate about me.

Okay...I'll stop the mushfest. It must be all of the pregnancy hormones. But, again, I want to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving. I hope my posts find you with as much to be thankful for as I have!

What's the Big Deal with Black Friday?

2011-11-24T06:00:00.004-06:00

I’m sure you’ve seen all of the hubbub over Target choosing to open its doors at Midnight on Thanksgiving/Black Friday. It’s been all over the television and the internet these past few days. I have to admit, though, that I just don’t understand what the big deal is here.

Now, don’t think I’m cold and heartless. I understand the plight of people who have to work on holidays. I just don’t understand why Target’s decision is any different than Walmart’s decision for years to be open on Thanksgiving. Or Quiktrip’s. Kmart’s been open at least the last couple of years during Thanksgiving. I know I went to a special “Black Friday” event at a Michaels craft store a couple of years ago at like 10 PM on Thanksgiving. Why is this one guy at Target causing such a ruckus?

I have to wonder if all of these people who are signing the petition against stores who are opening on Thanksgiving really understand what they’re complaining about (or maybe I don’t). Are they all really saying that they aren’t going to stop at a Quiktrip for gas while they’re driving around on Thanksgiving? Or won’t run to Walmart for the napkins they forgot to purchase on Wednesday?

I think if you’re going to be against stores being open on Thanksgiving it should be all stores. Not just the ones where an employee complained loudly and got some attention. I’ve worked those shifts in retail. My husband will be working this year. And don’t get me started on the number of nurses/doctors and other emergency folks who are kind enough to work to ensure that we are all safe.

Clinginess Doesn't Leave Much Room for Craftiness

2011-11-23T11:03:00.001-06:00

You guys know that I'm always a bit stretched for time. Between my FT job, the crafty baby, and the Etsy shop, and trying to keep up with this blog, there just isn't a lot of time leftover for other things. This weekend, though, reminded me that it's okay to let everything else go once in awhile and just choose to focus on one thing.

Now I don't want to get too melodramatic. The Crafty Baby was sick all weekend, but not with anything serious. She ran a light fever and was pretty lethargic. (Dr. confirmed it all for us; I'd never just guess with our little one's health.) But she was pretty clingy. Lots of snuggles with Mommy were required.

So almost no crafting got done...so much for my big plans to re-stock the Etsy shop. Oh well...there's always next week.

Making Some Life Adjustments

2011-11-08T22:22:00.000-06:00

Boy this crafty life just keeps getting busier and busier! If there is one thing I have learned since adding the Crafty Baby into our lives, it's that life constantly needs some adjustments.

When she was tiny, I almost never found time to blog or sew. I didn't know how to look after her and do my own things, too. Eventually, though, I realized that I could put her in her little swing and let her watch Mommy sew away.

As she got older (and learned to sit up on her own) I started learning to find ways to include her in what I'm doing. When I cook, she bangs away from her high chair with a measuring cup or two. When I am laying out a baby quilt, I give her a few fabric scraps to play with. (Be sure to watch out for scraps headed for the mouth!)

Now that she's much more active, though, I find that my routine is in need of an adjustment again. I've given up sewing with her in the room because she has developed a heck of a pincer grasp and I'm petrified that she's going to try to eat a pin that I drop. So now I sew like the dickens after she's down for the night (but before the middle of the night fussies start).

The Modern Megan bag has gotten a small adjustment too. I found these new glides for the adjustable straps on the messenger bags. Aren't they awesome?!

I bought them on Etsy, of course, and can't wait to use them on lots of new bags, They seem to adjust a little easier than the hardware I was using before, but still look stylish. Now if only my life adjustments were this simple!

New Fabric Day!!!

2011-08-15T06:00:00.003-05:00

Immediately after the birth of our baby, I have to admit that I haven't had a lot of time to shop for new fabric. I got to buy an assortment of fabrics to make a baby quilt last month, but that has been the extent of my fabric adventures of late.

Kind of accounts for the excitement today, doesn't it. I've totally been into the gray, yellow, and black color palette lately. Heck, I even find myself checking out the set and clothing used in the Sprint PCS commercials! So I indulged myself last week and ordered some new fabrics. The box arrived today and I feel like it's Christmas!

I can't wait to start crafting something new for my Etsy shop with these fun fabrics!

UPDATE *** UPDATE *** UPDATE

I finished one of these bags this week. I love new fabrics! Here it is:

You can check out all of its details here in my Etsy shop.

Friday Favorites - August 12, 2010

2011-08-12T11:16:00.000-05:00

This week has definitely been a rush. The Crafty Baby had her six month check up, and she's awesome! She just keeps getting taller. We don't really understand where that's coming from, but can't help thinking good for her.

I had a doctor's appointment this week, too. It turns out that the Crafty household is going to get even bigger as a new crafty baby is going to be making an appearance on the scene. Yea! We're all super-excited (and a little tired just thinking about it)!

So, you can see why this week's favorites post is a little shorter than normal. I just haven't had as much time to trawl Etsy looking for things that caught my eye.

I do have one thing to share with you all, though. I actually saw this on CraftCult and couldn't keep myself from clicking the ad. Have I ever told you all that I was/am a huge Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan? Well I am...really of anything that Joss Whedon does. So when I saw this t-shirt by BRANDED I knew that I had to share it with you.

Crafting Outside of Etsy

2011-08-10T12:11:00.000-05:00

As much as I love working on customer orders in my little Etsy shop, sometimes it's fun to make something completely unrelated to my Etsy orders. This summer I took the time the create a baby blanket for a family friend in my spare time. I'm really happy with the way it came out, so I thought I'd share it with you.

The inspiration for this project started with this Petit Collage project that I saw on Martha Stewart's website. I loved the elephant design, but I'm not really much of a papercrafter. I was convinced, though, that I could turn it into a great fabric creation.

I started out by blowing the pattern pieces up to 150% of their normal size. Measuring the ending size of the pieces, I decided to make a baby quilt that included six blocks. So, next I picked out an assortment of fabrics in my chosen colors and started cutting out.

Now, I've never tried applique, so I decided to cheat a little and use some fusible web to adhere the applique pieces to the block background. Then end result looked like this:

Next, I used the blanket stitch on my trusty sewing machine to finish the edges of each piece. So now the blocks looked like this:

Finally, I added smaller blocks of the same fabric to create sashing and put the quilt together. In retrospect, I wish I had taken the time to add some trim around the outer edge, but other than that I think I'm pleased with it.

So what do you think? Would you have been happy to receive this as a gift? I sure hope my friend likes it!

Friday Favorites - June 24, 2011

2011-06-24T06:00:00.002-05:00

Many, many moons ago a girlfriend and I went on a trip to Ireland. At the time, she was a newlywed, and we saw this trip as out farewell to our single gal lives. It was a blast.

Well, this week I was cleaning out some things in the closet and came across the souvenirs and trinkets from our trip. (I told you I was spring cleaning!) I have a few coins that we brought home and a bunch of brochures we picked up along the way. At the time I planned to scrapbook pages using the things I saved. I guess I'll have to chalk that up to one of those things that I'm never going to get done.

Anyway...that little trip down memory lane is responsible for this week's edition of Friday favorites. Check out these goodies and imagine your own trip to Ireland:

First up we've got a photograph of The Quay's Bar by ThomasDean. Looking at this reminds me of meandering around Dublin and soaking up the atmosphere.

Next, I liked the Ireland Pendant by cyncitypendants. I love the look of maps and this little gem is the perfect reminder of a wonderful trip.

And finally, you've got to see the Dog Magnet - Recycled Beer Can Art by ideasthatbloom. It's so cool! You know that you can't get any more Irish than Guinness beer and I love the idea of taking trash and turning it into something special.

Lessons in Laminated Fabric

2011-06-22T06:38:00.001-05:00

Well, last week I decided to try my hand at creating a waterproof bag to hold some of the Crafty Baby's diapering supplies in. I wanted something that was cute, of course, but would be easy to clean up when spills happen. I was also hoping that it would provided an added layer of protection to my bag.

After playing with the laminated fabric I ordered for a few days I've discovered that you can't handle this fabric exactly like the rest of my fabrics; you need to change tactics a little. So, here are a few tricks I've learned along the way:

1. Use a roller presser foot. Laminated fabric doesn't glide under the presser foot. It tends to stick. I tried gently guiding the fabric along (read: pull like the dickens) but this is a stubborn fabric. For a few dollars on Ebay, I purchased this specialty presser foot and it had made the project go much more smoothly.

2. Go slowly. I tend to get in a hurry, sew a seam in the wrong place, and rip it out to do all over again. Unfortunately, you don't get a lot of trial runs with this fabric. While the thread rips out just fine, the holes don't close up the way the would in other fabrics. So I have to slow down and make sure I really mean to sew that seam just the way I am.

3. Keep pins in the seam margins. As I mentioned above, any holes you make in laminated fabric are permanent. So try not to make any that will be visible from the outside of the finished product.

4. Finger pressing only, please! I'm pretty sure that using a hot iron is a no-no on this fabric. You may be able to get away with a light press using a cloth, but I wouldn't chance it.

First Waterproof Listing

2011-06-18T15:18:00.001-05:00

The Crafty Baby took an extra long nap today, so I actually had the time to finish and list my first project using laminated fabric. Yay! I've got a few tips for you all about how to work with this fabric that I'll share with you later this week.

In the meantime, though, I had to show you guys how this project turned out. I've got another version following quickly on its heels, but I hear the stirrings of a little one awakening so it may not get finished today.

So...what do you think? You can check out the whole listing at my Etsy shop to see more pictures. I am already thinking of things that I wish I had included in this one, but then again I remember that it took me six months before I felt like I had finally gotten the Modern Megan handbag perfected.

Friday Favorites - June 17, 2011

2011-06-17T06:00:00.002-05:00

Hey everybody! Are you all ready for the big day? That's right Sunday is Father's Day. Although I've always celebrated this holiday with my Daddy, this is the first time that the Crafty Husband is a Daddy. The Crafty Baby and I can't wait to shower attention on her Daddy. :)

So, it stands to reason, that the focus of this Friday's Favorites are gifts with Dads in mind. I've found three super-cool gift ideas for folks on the budget. Which one is the Crafty Dad getting? I can't tell...he might see this. But trust me when I say that he'll be feeling very appreciated this weekend.

Anyway...if you're still shopping for the Daddy in your life, or if you just want to see some cool gift ideas, you've got to check these out.

Being new parents, you know that we have tons of pictures of our little family. Can't you just see your own pictures in this Custom DAD Collage Photo Frame by SPELLitOUTbyLSudler?

Cool and casual dads will look great in this simple tee by zoeysattic. You can even have the year customized!

And finally, beer drinkers (or soda drinkers for that matter) can tell the world about their kiddos with the Proud Dad Of can cooler by PamelaFugateDesigns.

Working on Wednesday - June 15, 2011

2011-06-15T06:00:00.001-05:00

Wow, what a week! My day job is going strong now that summer is here and I find myself pulled in a lot of directions. I am almost always late to work...I just can't stand to leave the Crafty Baby when she's being all cute and smiley in the morning. We are so blessed to have such a good-tempered little one.

On the other hand, I am always late from work, too. Getting out of the office at 5:00 PM is next to impossible, so I'm always rushing from there to my mother-in-law's house to pick up the Crafty Baby. Life is good, but hectic to say the least.

Well, this week got even a little crazier. While out running errands this weekend with the Crafty Baby, I found myself in a sticky situation. Some of her gooey diaper cream managed to make its way into the open compartment in my purse. Ugh, what a mess! It leaked out of the cheap diaper carrier that I got when we registered for baby gifts at Babies R Us. At that point I realized that I could make something that would work much better and this Wednesday's project was born.

I purchased some laminated fabric from my favorite fabric store and am using it to line a diaper carrier. Check out the fabrics and see what you think:

My plan is to give the carrier a flap with velcro closure to keep everything nice and secure. I'm a little nervous about sewing with this laminated fabric, though, so I'll keep you posted about the progress I'll be making.

Managing the Hoard

2011-06-14T06:33:00.000-05:00

I have to tell you a secret…I think the Crafty Husband might be a hoarder. Now, I say this with a smile on my face. I’ve seen those shows on TLC and the Discovery Channel and I know that my wonderful husband isn’t like those unfortunate folks. I really hope they get the help they need to recover.

I couldn’t help but notice as soon as we started getting serious that my husband loves his little scraps of paper. Newspapers that he hasn’t gotten around to reading yet, sketches he’s made of custom cars (that he hasn’t actually started building yet), and old billing statements were everywhere in his home. The worst of it, though, were the lists.

He always intended to be organized and get a lot done so he would make lists. But because he doesn’t like to waste things, the lists would be on these random scraps of paper torn from other things. Then he’d lose the list and have to start again. Of course the original scrap of paper wasn’t gone; it was just hiding somewhere.

Fast forward seven years or so and you’ll see that we’ve developed some tools to help my husband deal with this odd little quirk. I’m in charge of sorting the mail so that junk mail doesn’t hang around the house. I have converted us to paperless billing wherever possible. (His sketches are sacred, though; he can do those whenever he wants.)

The lists were a little more challenging. Like every husband, the Crafty Husband has a “honey-do list.” Unfortunately for him, his has gotten a little longer with the birth of the Crafty Baby. And he needs a list to keep him on task. So how do we stop the flow of paper scraps?

This is my latest idea: keep the list on something that’s too big to get lost or thrown away. Now we used to keep it on a dry-erase board held by magnets on our fridge. Our current fridge, though, doesn’t hold magnets. (It’s stainless steel.) So where do I keep it? On the door!

I saw this craft where a gal framed a pretty piece of fabric and used dry erase markers to keep track of her grocery list. Fully intending to follow suit, I dug out my markers and started looking for fabric to coordinate with my kitchen. But somewhere along the way I got side-tracked. (Read: the baby cried and I had to put the project down.) So in a moment of desperation I grabbed the marker and wrote on the back door glass. An idea was born!

The door is the perfect palette to write anything I want. I use one side of the door to write cute notes to my family members and the other side holds the Crafty Husband’s perpetual to-do list. The marker wipes off with a wet sponge leaving no marks at all. I wish I was always so clever!

Local Shopping Discovery

2011-06-13T06:00:00.002-05:00

I have to share with you a new shop that I discovered with my girlfriends this week. The name of the store is Stuff and it's located in Kansas City's Brookside neighborhood.

Like Etsy, this shop is all about the artisans. Everything in the shop is handmade by one of the artists who have been accepted by the shop. But there's more to it than that. There's a feeling (dare I say ambiance) to this shop that is contagious. I wanted to touch everything in it and buy way more than is in the Crafty Family budget. Wouldn't it be cool if my little creations were good enough to be sold there someday?

I don't know if any of you readers are in the metropolitan Kansas City area, but if you are you simply have to visit this store! If you aren't in my neck of the woods, be sure to visit Stuff's website to view some of the great pics of the store.

Friday Favorites - June 10, 2011

2011-06-10T11:28:00.001-05:00

Man, I am seeing red this week! No, I'm not angry...I've just found a lot of really great Etsy items featuring the color red. Check out the pictures and links below and you'll see what I mean.

Although I don't get to wear a lot of jewelry these days (the Crafty Baby has started teething and she'd just drool all over it), seeing this Red and Black Tagua Bracelet by jocaledesign could change my mind. Isn't it pretty?

And forget those bland looking cupcake wrappers you see at the grocery store. The next time I serve cupcakes, I'm going to have to step my presentation up quite a bit. Look how adorable these Red and Black Polkadots cupcake wrappers by CelebrationPaperCo are!

Another red item that really stood out for me this week was the Red and Black Confetti Soap Dish by melsieglass. I almost asked the Crafty Husband if I could re-paint the guess bathroom in our house just so I would have an excuse to order this. (He quickly reminded me that I have a full-time job, a side business, and a new baby; I don't have time to re-decorate right now.)

And finally, you know I couldn't do a whole edition of Friday Favorites without having a cute baby thing, right? After all the Crafty Baby must be represented in everything. So check out this Red and Black Tutu by JennysBlankets. How sweet!

Spring Cleaning...a Little Late

2011-06-08T06:00:00.000-05:00

If there's one thing that I'm learning to make my peace with as a new mom, it's the fact that I am always late. I'm late to work...I'm late to meet my friends. Heck, some days I'm even late to my mom-in-law's house to pick up the Crafty Baby.

So why shouldn't I be late with my spring cleaning? Now that I'm the Crafty Baby is able to amuse herself for short periods of time I've started spending a little time in my craft space again. And it's a mess! So I'm clearing some clutter and trying to get more organized.

I've been putting old books on ebay, sorting my fabric scraps into useable and un-useable piles, and even designing a new product or two. Let's hope that you guys are going to get to see the fruits of my labor one day soon.

Guilty Pleasures

2011-06-06T06:00:00.003-05:00

Okay, forgive me for a completely off-topic post, but I have to ask. Do any of you have guilty pleasures? You know what I mean, right? Those things that you enjoy that you're really a little shamed of enjoying.

For some folks it's a special treat that they know they shouldn't be eating. For others it might be a fluffy television show that they secretly love. I've been catching a lot of flak about mine lately, so I thought I'd share.

Okay...here it is: I LOVE listening to music from the television show Glee. I know what you're thinking. So what; lots of people enjoy Glee. The show and its stars are everywhere right now. The part that the Crafty Husband (and everyone else I know) has been harrassing me about is that when I say Glee I really mean the Warblers. For those of you that aren't Gleeks they are the choir at the "other" school on Glee. It's an all boy acapello group and they're fantastic. Can you say boy band?!

I listen to it in the car, blast it while I'm sewing in my work room, and even belt out a song or two while I giving the Crafty Baby a bath. I know that I'm about fifteen years too old to be this into a boy band (let alone one from tv) but I just can't help myself.

Tell me that you all have guilty pleasures too! It'll make me feel so much better about them.

Aren't Diaper Cakes Cool?

2011-05-18T15:29:00.002-05:00

It occurred to me today that I never showed you guys one of the coolest crafts I've ever seen. No, it's not one of my creations. It isn't even made out of fabric (my favorite textile) It's a diaper cake!

This is the diaper cake that one of my girlfriends made me for my baby shower last fall. Isn't it cool? Before you wonder about the odd color scheme...my shower was on Halloween: my favorite holiday! I love all of the cute little toys and embellishments that she added to it. In case I didn't say it enough C...Thank you!!!Thank you!!!

Friday Favorites - May 13th, 2011

2011-05-13T11:57:00.000-05:00

Who says people are the only ones who can enjoy hand-made goodies. This week's Favorites is all about our canine friends. Check out these treats I found through Etsy. I bet your dog's mouth isn't the only one that will be watering!

The brightly colored confections can be found at ZoeysCookieJar!

I had to read the description at SignatureBonz three times to convince myself that these weren't real chocolates!

Fiscal Results for 2010

2011-03-20T14:33:00.000-05:00

Although I have been putting a lot of time into my Etsy shop these days, there are some responsibilities that can't be ignored...filing our taxes. Ugh!

This last week I put my accounting degree to work and finalized the financial returns for my Etsy shop for 2010. (I had to have the numbers to input for my tax return.) And I was pleasantly surprised to see how I did. Let me share:

Gross Sales: $3,139

Expenses: $1,658

Net Profit: $1,481

Now, this type of profit certainly isn't going to start paying my bills anytime soon, but it is nice to confirm that I made more than I spent. Yay! Now I just need to get started on this year's business...

Miss Me Yet?

2011-02-26T18:59:00.000-06:00

Wow! It's hard to believe that it's been three months since I've talked to you guys. Crazy, isn't it? Just in case you all thought I had dropped off the face of the Earth, I thought I should give you an update on the Crafty Family and our happenings.

Some of you will remember that the Crafty Husband and I announced last year that we were expecting our first little crafter. As the holiday season approached, things got a little hairy in the land of pregnancy. I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Although I was fortunate enough to be able to control my sugar levels through diet and steady monitoring, I was more than a little scared. With my diagnosis also came many discussions about the size of our little crafter. My doctor started talking about my giving birth to a 10 lb baby...maybe my little crafter wouldn't be so little.

As our due date came closer and closer (as well as the Christmas season) I had to press "pause" on my Etsy shop. I just couldn't continue to work on others' projects while I was trying to wrap up my responsibilities at my day job, too. So business has ground to a stand-still.

January brough a much bigger change to my life, though. On January 27, our little crafter finally made her appearance. I, of course, think she's perfect and can hardly tear myself away from her. My sewing machine actually has dust on it from lack of use. I can't remember the last time that has happened!

As she gets a little older I imagine I will try to find a little time in my craft room again. In the meantime, I just plan to enjoy getting to know this new addition to my family.

Friday Favorites - November 19, 2010

2010-11-19T11:37:00.000-06:00

As some of you already know, I've been working on baby bedding for the newest member of the Crafty family. Although I can't wait to show you all how it's coming together (I promise; a picture will be forthcoming!) my thoughts have definitely wandered this week to some of the custom baby bedding options offered by my fellow sellers at Etsy.

So, in a weak moment this week my mouse started wandering through the pages of crib sets on Etsy. I know; I should be working, but sometimes a girl just needs a break! These are some of the ones that I liked best:

I loved the bright, but different colors in the Flora and Fauna custom bedding set by fingers and toes. If lime or chartreause isn't your thing, there are some bright pink options in this listing too. Click here to see all of the details.

I thought the rich golds and browns of this Ironwork crib bedding set by LavishLamb would work well for a boy or girl nursery. Click here to really see the detail in these wonderful textiles.

Finally, I love the playful, but graphic, design of this red and black crib bedding set by nanajanjoy. It looks every bit as luxurious as the high end sets I've seen at USA Baby. Click here to get a closer look.

I have to admit that I spent way more time trolling the pages of Etsy looking at other's bedding designs than I should have. There are just too many beautiful sets to show them all to you here. I would suggest that you conduct your own search if you find yourself in the market for a crib bedding set for your family.

Featured EtsyBlogger - November 2010

2010-11-16T23:31:00.000-06:00

This month I get to tell you guys about the fabulous work of one of my fellow EtsyBlogger teammates…DevineDesignsJewelry.

To say that this Etsy shop offers uniquely, gorgeous jewelry creations isn’t enough. I have to show you. My favorite item is undoubtedly this one:

Check out that wire work! And the lampwork beads are exquisite. The variety of colors and shapes make this bracelet a one-of-a-kind piece.

Cindy from DevineDesignsJewelry also finds time to maintain the shop’s blog at devinedesignsjewelry.blogspot.com. Be sure to visit her blog to catch up on the latest happenings in her shop. I noticed while I was there that Cindy is a DisneyWorld fan; she’s got several pictures from around the parks. I loved her post on Hidden Mickey’s.

Facing My Goals...

2010-11-16T14:22:00.002-06:00

Earlier this year, I decided that I needed a few goals to keep myself on track. I set 2 goals that I believed where achievable. First…I wanted to introduce 5 new designs into my little Etsy shop. Second…I wanted to reach 75 sales by the end of the year.

“So,” you’re wondering. “How did you do?”

I have to admit that I didn’t do so great. If you had asked me in September, I would have told you that I was on my way to making my goals of 75 sales. I had just over 50 sales and had been selling 7 or 8 items per month. I figured with a little bit of a push during the Christmas season, I would just make my goal.

Then, in October, I had two sales. November has seen two, so far, as well. I’ve quickly realized that I will not be making my goal after all. Seriously…I don’t even think I could handle the kind of holiday rush that would be required to make it to 75 sales.

I also didn’t get even close to adding 5 new designs to my line of bags. I added a mid-sized version of the same bag I’ve done so well with, but there hasn’t been any real expansion of my shop’s offerings. I’m afraid my little Etsy experiment has taken a back seat to baby plans (for my own and my sister’s).

I did, however, learn a lot in my failure. I learned that I should break my goals into smaller, discrete steps. I also learned that I need to find a way to remind myself about my goals every day so that I don’t look up and realize that I’ve missed the boat.

Do I still think goals are necessary? You bet I do! I just have to learn to manage mine a little better. I suspect there will be some new goal setting in my future (perhaps on January 1)!

Finding Inspiration

2010-11-15T13:38:00.001-06:00

I’ve noticed lately that inspiration takes all kinds of shapes and forms. I like to think of some types of inspiration as emotional inspiration. You know what I mean, right? Maybe you see a sunset and feel inspired to try to capture it with paint or photography. Maybe you get a glimpse of a special moment between a father and daughter at a park and are compelled to try to honor that moment. There are lots of experiences and emotions that inspire crafters or artists.

I, however, am more likely to experience what I think of as tactile inspiration. I might see a sweet detail on a dress in a shop and feel inspired to try to make that work in one of my own projects. I have to admit a certain weakness for pleats or pin tucks. Other times I simply see a fabric and know that I HAVE to use it somewhere. It’s this type of compulsion that has led me to me ever-increasing fabric collection.

Finally, some people, myself included, are prone to what I call need-driven inspiration. Personally, I’ve found that I’m a nicer person when I eke a little time out of my schedule to sew. My husband has actually said, “Honey, why don’t you spend the evening in your craft room. You’ll feel better.” I think a lot of Stay At Home Mom’s (SAHM) experience a much, more tangible version of this since they often truly need to make their business a success to realize their goals of being with their children.

What inspires you to create? Do you craft because you HAVE to? I’d love to hear what makes you excited about a project.

Friday Favorites - November 12, 2010

2010-11-12T12:14:00.000-06:00

So, this week I've been busily working on baby bedding for my own little one's nursery. I am so excited to finally be making things that our little girl will be using!

After agonizing for weeks over fabrics and colors, I've finally decided to go with some pink and black fabrics I found at my local Joann's. The pink is bright, and the black keeps everything from being too sweet.

In honor of that work, I've decided to focus on the colors pink and black for this week's faves. Check them out and see what you think:

This pink and black pettiskirt by TwoAngelsBoutique is too cute! I'm already imagining my little Tadpole twirling around in one when she gets older. Click here to view the listing.

As a purse-maker, I couldn't pass up sharing this sweet purse in shades of black, grey and pink by luzadderbags. I love the way all of the different fabrics work together! Click here to see the listing.

And what nursery would be complete without some cute artwork? This pink and black button painting by addilyneli definitely caught my eye. Now, I'll just have to work on convincing the Crafty Husband that the Tadpole and I really need this for her room. Click here to view the listing.

Another Blog You Should Be Seeing

2010-11-11T14:58:00.002-06:00

I am constantly scouring the internet trying to find things that I think might be of interest to you guys. (Honestly, it gives me an excuse to surf the web when I should be working on a crafty project.) Some days I come up dry, but other days I find a real treasure.

Today is definitely one of those treasure days. I was wondering around Craftgawker and was immediately drawn to this whimsical handbag:

As soon as I saw it, I knew that I had to know more...

With the click of a mouse, I found myself at Hideous! Dreadful! Stinky! With a name like that you know it hs to be fun, right? The blogger over there created her purse as part of a swap with another crafter. Once I arrived, though, I found many other great things to read and view. She features tutorials for those of us who can't wait to try our hands at a new craft. You should check out her "About" page, too. As someone who has always felt that I was more crafty than artsy, I loved hearing about the ways she's been able to put her love of crafts to work.

Friday Favorites - November 5, 2010

2010-11-05T14:53:00.001-05:00

I've started doing a little Christmas shopping this week for the many babies in my life, so it stands to reason that this week's Favorites are all about baby toys. Check out these cute items I found throughout Etsy and you'll see why this is my favorite place to shop.

These organic duck toys/rattles by SewnNatural are some of the most adorable things I've ever seen. With those long thin necks, I know little hands will have no trouble grabbing onto them and having tons of fun. Click here to check out these fun toys. Don't stop there, though...SewnNatural has tons of things that you'll enjoy.

Next, you've got to see the Baby Owl Rattle by Dollbirdies. These fun little guys will be a colorful additional to any baby's toy box. They even come in an array of colors so you can fit any nursery decor. Click here to view their listing.

Finally, the Snuggle Square by MySunshineDesigns is a timeless toy that never goes out of style. Stuffed to make snuggling perfect for baby, the fun fabrics of this toy coupled with ribbon tags for baby to hold onto will make this toy a favorite for babies everywhere. Click here to check out the listing.

Another New Addition to the CraftyLife Family

2010-11-01T15:10:00.003-05:00

Now before you guys get too excited about the title of this post, I have to stop and tell you that this addition to the CraftyLife family isn't living or breathing. In fact, she was in pieces when she first arrived. Here she is...Mannequin Margie!

After getting multiple convos from Etsy shoppers hoping to see pictures of my handbags on models I decided that I needed to change the way I display my creations. I certainly don't blame anyone for wanting to see exactly how their new bag will sit on their bodies. Unfortunately, I hate having my picture taken (especially now that my belly bulges a little more than normal) so modeling them myself wasn't really an option.

That's where Mannequin Margie comes in. From now on, I hope to incorporate some pictures of my handbags hanging on her intricate frame to help my potential buyers get an idea of the real size and shape of the bags.

It's Almost Here!

2010-10-30T08:00:00.002-05:00

There's something you may not know about me...Halloween is my absolute favorite holiday! I know; I know. Favorite holidays are supposed to be family holidays like Christmas or romantic days like Valentine's Day, but nonetheless my favorite holiday is Halloween.

It all started when I was a kid. I never seemed to be able to contain my excitement about the approachign fun. (Of course, it didn't hurt anything that my birthday is four days behind Halloween.) My mom who sews beautifully always made our costumes. It was our tradition to go to Northwest Fabrics (which sadly isn't around anymore) and pick out the pattern for our costumes. Then my super-frugal mom would comb the remnants and clearance fabrics to find the things we needed to bring those patterns to life. Over the years, I was everything including a super-scary witch, a sweet clown, a prairie girl, Snow White, and even a pirate. (I still think the most memorable of my mom's creations was the pink bunny costume my little sister wore. It was incredible!)

As I got older I really started to enjoy the spookier side of Halloween. Creepy books and scary movies are must-haves for any Halloween. Sometimes I even keep my little nephew up late telling him the spooky stories that I enjoyed as a kid. You have to pass on traditions, right? Fortunately his mom (the little sister who wore the pink bunny costume) is willing to let me corrupt her son. :)

I can't wait to start seeing the little kids around my neighborhood and their costumes this year. Seeing their outfits always brings back memories of my favorite Halloweens. Are any of you Halloween nuts like me? What did you like most about the day? I'd love to hear about some of your Halloween memories!

October's ETSYBlogger of the Month

2010-10-29T15:04:00.000-05:00

I know I've been far from consistent these last few months (sorry...baby mania has definitely stricken my household and my extended family, too) but I wanted to take a minute to share some of the really awesome things created by one of my Etsyblogger teammates. This month's Etsyblogger of the month is...

Margaret from SplendidLittleStars.blogspot.com!

Margaret runs not one, but two Etsy shops. Man...I feel busy just thinking about the challenges of that. She manages to make it all look effortless, though. Check out these picks below from her shops:

Aren't those snowman socks the cutest things you've ever seen? They come in different colors, too! Be sure to stop by her shops, SplendidLittleStars and SparklyPark to see these and more.

Friday Favorites - October 29, 2010

2010-10-29T12:40:00.001-05:00

With Halloween quickly approaching, I couldn't help but focus on some of the great Halloween items available on Etsy for this week's edition of Friday Favorites. Below are a few of the things that caught my eye, but you should definitely visit Etsy yourself to get a real idea of the things that are available.

Who wouldn't love to display this simple, but elegant sign by sierrametaldesign in their home for the holidays? Click here to view it at Etsy.

Nothing is sweeter than this little gal in her lady bug costume by Zacharydickorydock. Seeing this picture makes me wish my new little niece was going to be big enough to wear this. Click here to see this costume on Etsy.

Finally getting your home ready for a Halloween party is easy using this assortment of printable decor items by FrogPrincePaperie. Maybe if I bought this my husband would let me throw a party! Click here to see this listing on Etsy.

Crazy or Really Brave?

2010-09-18T19:21:00.000-05:00

My little sister has to be one of two things: crazy or really brave! No, I'm not picking her; I'm just really in awe of the things that she is willing to take on.

You see, my sister is expecting her 2nd child any day now. In fact, she's been working all week while dilated to 4 cm. Her due date is technically still two weeks away, but I have to thing that my new little niece is going to make her way into the world any time now.

So is my sister clearing the decks for a long, restful maternity leave? Of course not! My super woman sister is planning a short getaway for her 1st child (a ten year old boy) to coincide with the tail end of her leave. She's dead-set on spending some special time with him so that he doesn't feel like he's less special now that he has gaining a little sister.

I don't think I could do it. I've been so exhausted and nauseous with my own little Tadpole that I just can't imagine trying to plan a holiday right now. Wow!

Fortunately, all I have to do right now is craft the vacation bag that my sister has asked for. She wants something that she can use to carry their necessary items while they run around. Here's what I came up with:

Now some of you will think this bag is pretty familiary. It's basically my Modern Megan handbag shrunk to a smaller, sleeker size with an adjustable strap. I think a cross body bag like this will be just what my little sis has in mind.

I hope it's helpful for her while they're on their trip. I have to say, though, that I'm tired just thinking about it.

A New Milestone for MickeysCreations

2010-09-12T21:02:00.001-05:00

After struggling to find time to make new items as quickly as I sale them (which is a great problem to have by the way) I have finally added my 20th listing. Yay! Now I can get back to the custom orders that I'm working on for a couple of buyers.

Here's the much-celebrated listing:

Big Changes in the Crafty Life Household

2010-09-06T11:46:00.000-05:00

I know some of you have probably noticed the sporadic nature of my postings. Well, I have to admit that my time has been a little divided this summer. We have some big changes coming in the Crafty Life family and I'm more than a little overwhelmed these days.

The good news is...we're having a baby! That's right; there's going to be a Crafty Baby! My husband and I had been secretly hoping for a little over a year to be growing our little family, and God has answered our prayers. He or she will be joining us in February of 2011.

Needless to say that my focus on my little Etsy project waned a bit during that first trimester. There were certainly days where it was all I could do to keep up with my day job and sew the products that I sold here and there.

With the new trimester, though, has come a little more energy (and a little less time spent leaning over the toilet bowl!) So, I've renewed my resolve to build a little business. Toward that end, you're going to be seeing a few new fabrics and designs on the shelves of MickeysCreations. This is the first of what I hope are many!

What do you think?

It’s Not All About Me

2010-08-19T22:45:00.000-05:00

Since I’ve started this blog to chronicle my experiences with my little Etsy experiment, I’ve written a lot about my own life. Sometimes I mention things that are going on my in my life; other times I’ve focused on the things I’ve been learning about Etsy. In either case, I tend to talk a lot about myself.

I have to admit, though, that I am not the center of the universe. There are other people out there in the world and some of them are pretty cool. Today, I thought I’d share one of the awesome blogs that I discovered while wandering around the internet.

Now, I have to preface this with the idea that I love people who find ways to reuse or repurpose older things. Seeing something that might have hit the trashcan find a new life is always inspiring. I suppose that’s why I love this blog so much:

New Dress a Day

The author of this blog loves vintage finds and sewing and was inspired by the Julie and Julia phenomenon. Rather than undertaking a cooking project, though, she decided to challenge herself to swear off retail shopping for a year. Instead, she has pledged to create 365 new outfits in a year for $365! How cool is that?

Her blog posts show the original item, her re-construction, and the end result. It’s totally inspiring! I can’t imagine how she sees the potential in some of the items that she selects, but I am totally in awe. Check it out and see what you guys think. In the meantime, I am headed to my closet to see what I can re-vamp.

Dressing for the Weather

2010-08-15T09:07:00.002-05:00

I don’t know about you guys, but it’s been hot in my neck of the woods lately. Seriously, for almost two weeks we’ve reached 100 degrees (give or take a degree or two) every day. And, since my day job is at an outdoor theatre, I have definitely been feeling the weather.

All of this heat has made it next to impossible to dress attractively and stay cool at the same time. My normal uniform of khaki pants with a knit top just isn’t making the grade. So, I’ve taken a little time to sew up a skirt or two.

Just in case you guys are in the same boat in your hometowns, or maybe you just want a new skirt, I thought I’d share this awesome tutorial on making a simple skirt that I found on Etsy.

My favorite thing about this tutorial is that it leaves all of the embellishment to you. You can make a simple, or plain, skirt or you can add your own touches. Since I was pressed for time when I undertook my project, mine are pretty plain. I’d love to hear about your own versions, though, and see how you made them unique. Happy sewing!

Stupidity Strikes at MickeysCreations!

2010-08-13T15:06:00.000-05:00

Oh my gosh! I am so mortified by my own silliness. I’m almost embarrassed to tell you what I’ve done.

A week or so ago, I noticed that my total number of items for sale had dropped by one. At first, I got all excited thinking it was a sale. But I never got my happy, little Etsy Transaction email. How odd! Finally, I decided that I had just convinced myself that I had more items than I thought I did. Oh well.

A few days later, though, I was in the same situation again. I did a quick head count of my most popular store items but nothing was missing. Was I losing my mind?

Today the situation occurred again. This time, though, I could tell what item was missing. It was a small zipper pouch that I had created and listed a long time ago. Did someone finally buy that little pouch? No, it wasn’t listed as sold. Where could it be?

Out of desperation I checked out my list of inactive items. Nope, it’s not there. Then, it occurred to me that I don’t regularly renew those one-offs that I created early in the days of my shop. You guessed it; the item had just expired. You know what else: the other “missing” items where in the same boat.

Needless to say, I’ll be relisting those items in the next few days. I have to ask, though, have you guys ever done anything so silly? Tell me your “Silly Me” stories so I won’t feel so bad about mine.

Friday Favorites – August 13, 2010

2010-08-12T22:35:00.001-05:00

Hey everyone! It’s Friday the thirteenth. Are any of you nervous? I’m not; who could be apprehensive while they’re surrounded with terrific Etsy finds like these?

I’ve been looking for something to adorn the wall behind my living room sofa and all of these are in the running. What do you think?

As always…don’t forget to click the link below the pictures to see the corresponding Etsy listing.

Winter Tree Wall Decals by surfaceinspired

Vintage Views by AmyGiacomelli

Letter B Canvas by letterperfectdesigns

Shopping Like Crazy Actually Taught Me Something

2010-08-10T21:35:00.002-05:00

Last weekend was the “tax holiday” in my neck of the woods. What does that mean, you ask? Well, my state typically declares one or two tax holidays per year when shoppers can purchase products in a specific category without paying any sales tax. This time the tax-free items were clothing and school supplies. Retailers simply program their registers (or adjust them manually) to skip the step of adding sales tax to the appropriate purchases. The result: an instant savings of 7% - 8% on eligible shopping trips. Yay!

Of course, I ventured out into the shops around my neck of the woods to take advantage of the savings. As I wandered around, though, I couldn’t help but think about the effect of sales tax on my little Etsy shop. Should I be charging sales tax? How do you even go about getting set up for that?

Fortunately, my state’s department of revenue has a great website. With a little research I found two important truths about sales tax.

1. I don’t have to charge sales tax for my internet sales that are shipped to folks in states other than my own. So, I haven’t broken any laws yet.

2. Getting set up to charge sales tax and remit it to the state isn’t too complicated. Basically, I have to estimate how many tax-eligible sales I will have in a year and pay a bond with the state. Then, I have to file quarterly statements with the state telling how much sales tax I actually collected.

Now, I wouldn’t begin to offer advice on setting up your own sales tax account in your state. I will tell you, though, that I don’t think the process will be as hard as you think it will be. In general the folks at the state offices are willing to help answer your questions, so don’t hesitate to talk to them. And, as always, don’t forget to speak to your tax professional.

Can a Bag Be Pretty & Rough?

2010-07-31T20:22:00.000-05:00

You bet it can! One of my custom order clients was looking for a new bag, but she wasn't in love with the corduroy that I usually use for my bag's shells. She was hoping for something more like canvas. The end result was this new variation on the Modern Megan Handbag.

This bag was made out of a Pecos Open Weave fabric that I bought at Fabric.com. It's pretty plum color was the perfect complement to the blue/plum swirly fabric that was used for the lining. The customer also preferred a sleeker look than the original Modern Megan so she opted to get rid of the buttons that normally adorn the purse's handles. I was so pleased with the outcome that I've decided to stock it in my shop.

I have to admit, though, that working with this fabric had its own special challenges. The Pecos fabric tended to ravel, so I treated each of the seams with Fray Check. The last thing I want is to have a customer's bag didn't hold us to her use. I created a sample bag to carry myself to test the treatment and (Yay!) everything worked wonderfully.

I’ve Missed You Guys

2010-07-31T20:10:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone! It feels like forever since I’ve been in touch with my crafty community. I’ve missed you all so much. Who else can I confide all of the ups and downs of my little Etsy experiment to?

The month of July has been busy for me personally and craftily. My crafty husband and I have received some incredible news (I’d love to share, but we haven’t told all of our family yet…expect a big update late next week, though). I can’t wait to see where the next few months are going to lead us, but I’m going to have to work even harder at juggling lots of projects.

In addition, I’ve had several sales at my little Etsy store. Most were custom orders which I love to do. Nothing is as fun as creating a product that was designed specifically with a customer in mind. If you check out my shop, you can see a few of these custom items that have made their way into my regular stock.

So what have I missed with you? I can’t wait to hear what is going on all of your lives.

Do Promo Codes Help Sales?

2010-06-17T21:12:00.000-05:00

The truth is that I don’t know the answer. But I’ve always wondered if a promotional discount would encourage people to browse my shop. My hope is that once I get folks into my Etsy shop, they won’t be able to help wanting to purchase on my creations for themselves.

This weekend, I’ve decided to find out. After stumbling upon a post about coupon codes in the Etsy forums, I had an epiphany: I could try to use a coupon code for my shop. As an avid internet shopper, I always check out Retailmenot.com before I complete a purchase, just in case I can find a discount code. Maybe having a promo code listed on their site would serve as a good advertising tool.

So, I’ve listed a 10% discount code at Retail Me Not. You can click here to be taking to the listing. I’ll keep you posted on the results, if any.

Working on Wednesday – June 16, 2010

2010-06-16T23:33:00.000-05:00

I’m afraid this edition of Working on Wednesday doesn’t find me in my craft room at all. With the coming of the summer months has come my busiest time of year at my day job. I’ve been working extra hours, but there is relief in sight. I get the benefit of an intern each summer, and she’s quickly getting up to speed.

Don’t think, though, that I have nothing for you guys this week. My day job is at a small theatre that features a retail center for gifts and souvenirs. Since I work in the accounting department, I get to see the stock for that shop a little earlier than the rest of the staff and our patrons. This week’s purchases include something you have got to see.

I’d like to introduce Howdy the Bouncy Rubber Cow:

Isn’t he cute? Our gift shop is selling him in blue and pink rather than the traditional black/white. He’s made out of rubber that makes him feel like a kickball. He even bounces when you drop him. Yes, I had to test that theory.

By the way…Barneys New York sell these too if you decide you have to have one.

Friday Favorites – June 11, 2010

2010-06-11T22:12:00.000-05:00

Babies are everywhere! Ok, maybe that’s just in my crowd, but this year everyone I know seems to have baby fever. One of my favorite girlfriends had a little girl a few months ago, my little sister is having a baby in October, and, now, I’ve just found out that a cousin is expecting. It’s no wonder that I spend so much of my time browsing baby gift items on Etsy.

This week, I’ve found some great baby products to show you. If baby fever is in your family, you should definitely check these listings out:

Dr. Suess Cat in the Hat Bedding Set by alexiskleegrandma

Modern Little Birdies Baby Girl Shower Invitation by digitaldelight

Monkey See Monkey Do Mobile by PinkPerch

Goal-Setting to Keep Myself on the Crafty Path

2010-06-10T19:29:00.000-05:00

While hanging out in the Etsy forums this week, I’ve read a lot of posts about different Etsy seller’s goals. Some sellers hoped to build their business enough to allow them to quit their day jobs. Others were hoping to reach a milestone sales number. Some of the newer sellers were just hoping to make their first sale. Etsy folks are a goal-oriented bunch!

Reading these goals inspired me to dream a little and set a goal or two of my own. After all, having a goal will help me stay on track and work a little harder. I didn’t want to set unrealistic goals, though, that would just leave me depressed. After thinking things over I’ve landed on these two goals:

I’d like to reach 75 sales by the end of the year. It’s a decent goal. I would have to sell 6-7 items each month to reach my goal. That’s a few more than I sold in my early months but a few less than I sold in my slowest month.
I’d like to introduce 5 new designs by the end of the year. When I get distracted, I find it hard to force myself to work on new designs. They’re in my head; I just have to set aside the time to perfect them and create new patterns so I can recreate them.

What kind of goals do you guys have? Maybe you have an Etsy shop that you would like to grow. Some of you might still be hoping to open your own shop. Whatever your goal might be, I hope that you have success.

Grammy on My Mind

2010-06-09T20:24:00.000-05:00

Isn’t it weird the way that things can stick with you forever? Like many of you, I’ve always liked to play at crafts of one kind or another. I have to admit, though, that I’m most at peace when I’m at my sewing machine. Is it because I like to create? Maybe it’s because I like to be useful (and I can’t cook for anything). Both of those are probably more than a little true, but the reality is that neither of those are the real reason I sew.

I learned to sew at my Grammy’s knees. She used to make shorts sets for my cousins and me every summer. Now, let me tell that you there were A LOT of cousins. So Grammy would sew shorts sets for a couple of weeks. And I would sit on the floor next to her chair and help her.

Initially, I matched seams for her so that she could pass them through the machine quickly, assembly-line style. Later I got to graduate to cutting out pieces. Then, finally, she let me sew a seam or two. I was hooked.

Today, my Grammy doesn’t really sew much anymore. She has arthritis in both of her hands, and she can’t handle pins and fabric the way she used to. I know, though, that every time I show her something new that I’ve created she shares a little of my joy. After all, she is as much responsible for my creations as she is. She started it all.

Whenever I’m particularly proud of one of my designs I drive across town to show it to her. Sometimes she tells me it looks great; other times she shows me things that I should have done differently. Either way I know that I couldn’t do any of it without her. I love you, Grammy!

Stylish Animal Lovers Unite!

2010-06-09T20:05:00.000-05:00

Lots of people profess to be animal lovers. Sharla from BeadedTail are definitely the real thing, though. These crafters not only create cute jewelry (for people or pets), they also support important organizations like the ASPCA and the Humane Society.

BeadedTail specializes in beaded jewelry pieces that have an animal flair. Check out this stylish bracelet with onyx and leopard glass beads to get a feel for their creations:

Buying a piece of jewelry from BeadedTail doesn’t just leave you with a cute accessory. A portion of their revenue from each sale is given to a charity that supports animal awareness causes. How cool is that?

After visiting Sharla’s Etsy shop, I knew that I had to know more about this special crafter. Fortunately, a trip to Sharla’s blog was just a click away. Readin g through her About page, I really got an idea of how strongly she feels about supporting animals. I couldn’t help but think that if everyone were so passionate about something, the world would be a much better place. Thanks, Sharla, for being so inspiring!

The Best Ideas Definitely Come From Customers

2010-05-27T18:16:00.001-05:00

After almost six months of selling on Etsy, I have to admit that some of the best ideas I’ve seen have come from my customers. Little tweaks and adjustments that they’ve requested have become standard in my bags, and, this week, one customer has even created a whole new product line for me.

I had the wonderful opportunity to create a smaller version of the Modern Megan handbag for a customer last week through Etsy’s Alchemy function. As we worked out the details of the order, the customer had one last question: did I ever create coordinating wallets?

I was thrilled to comply with her request and this is the resulting creation:

I love that I was able to create something so useful. It’s got a little zipper to small items secure holds a credit card (or two). Customer ideas rock!

Keeping up with the Numbers

2010-05-23T10:17:00.002-05:00

Business has picked up a little in the last few months, and I’m starting realize that an Excel spreadsheet may not be the best way to track my little business’ earnings and expenses. My spreadsheet doesn’t give me the option of tracking who I purchase expenses from (without making the spreadsheet way too elaborate to manage). I also struggled with remembering which invoices I had entered and which ones were still waiting to be entered.

So I’ve finally succumbed to the idea of using some accounting software to keep things straight. Fortunately my two-year stint as treasurer of my church has left me with access to Quickbooks. All I had to do was create a new company and get started.

I have to say that I don’t know why I put it off for so long. It’s so much easier to keep everything organized now. With a few mouse clicks I can see how much I’ve made this year…this month…or even this week. I can also see where I’ve spent my money, not just categories, but vendors too.

I feel so much more professional now!

Adding a Little Art to Your World

2010-05-18T22:05:00.000-05:00

This month the members of the EtsyBloggers team are discussing their favorite pieces of art and what they find inspiring about those works. I have to admit that I was initially feeling a little stumped about this topic. Although I can definitely appreciate the skill and talent that go into artwork, I don’t really spend a lot of time pondering art.

Then it occurred to me that “art” doesn’t always mean “fine art.” So I’ve decided to introduce you to my favorite picture in my home. After agonizing over the purchase for weeks, I bought this print at Art.com to hang over the mantle in my living room:

Now, you may think this is an odd choice of art. What you don’t realize, though, is that this photograph symbolizes the perfect blending of mine and my husband’s tastes. Orange is my favorite color; I love it so much that I had my bridesmaids wear it in our wedding. My husband, on the other hand, loves vintage cars. Finally, we met while working at a convenience store/gas station in our home town.

Isn’t it weird how something so simple could end up symbolizing the most important relationship in my life?

May 2010 – Featured EtsyBlogger: HandmadebySandi

2010-05-17T16:40:00.000-05:00

The featured blogger/Etsian this month is definitely someone who does it all. Sandi doesn’t just stop at having her own Etsy shop. She has two Etsy shops and a blog. One Etsy shop features her adorable creations; the other features goodies for her fellow crafters Now that takes a lot of work!

Her handicrafts don’t seem to suffer for all of her activities, either. Check out these items from her shop:

Join me in spending some time getting to know my teammate by visiting her shop or browsing through her blog. You’ll be glad you did!

Being a Team Player

2010-05-16T17:50:00.000-05:00

Having always been shy, I never really belonged to a lot of teams as a kid. Most of the time, I’m pretty happy with my small circle of friends and close family, so I don’t meet a lot of new people.

My experiences with this blog and at Etsy, though, have really opened me up to the idea of being a part of a community (even if it is a virtual one). So I’ve joined the Etsy Bloggers team. This folks are all Etsy shop owners who also maintain their own blogs. Sound familiar?

I can’t wait to get to know all of my new teammates. You guys have been so fun that I know this going to be a great experience. If you’re interested in meeting these folks, too, be sure to check out the new link on my blog to find out more.

New Fabrics Are So Fun!

2010-05-14T22:09:00.000-05:00

I feel like a kid at Christmas today. I recently ordered some new fabric from Fabric.com and found it sitting on my doorstep when I got home from work today. After a long day at work (I attended a conference on the effects that Healthcare Reform will be having on employer-sponsored plans…fun stuff, let me tell you) I was more than ready to spend a little time relaxing in my craft room. So I put some of the new fabric to work right away.

I love this new bag! Really! I’ve added an adjustable strap to my favorite bag shape for this design. And the bold graphic design of this fabric rocks! I’ve listed this one on Etsy, but I think I’m going to make another one tomorrow for myself. Otherwise, I’m afraid that I’ll be pilfering out of my shop again.

We’re Not the Only Ones Talking about Etsy

2010-05-13T21:05:00.002-05:00

We all know how great Etsy is, right? Crafters love Etsy because it provides the perfect venue to sell their wares. Shoppers love it, too, because Etsy can introduce them to unique items that they may not find in stores. It’s now wonder that Etsy continues to grow every year.

It’s always nice, though, to get outside confirmation about Etsy’s prominence in the marketplace. I recently discovered this article at Inc.com. It’s great reading for anyone interested in the Etsy phenomenon. Although the article is primarily directed towards sellers hoping to build their businesses, I have to feel that the article also leads credence to the strength of Etsy.

I think I’ll be bookmarking it to forward to anyone who asks me to explain what Etsy is to them in the future.

A Little Weekend Reading

2010-05-09T23:14:00.000-05:00

My husband and perfect nephew surprised me this weekend with a new book. Have I mentioned lately that I love the fellas in my life? My husband said that he saw the book and immediately thought of me. (I am always reading books about crafting as a business.) He even thought the picture of the cover reminded him of me. (I have to say I don’t see it…I wear glasses and have brown hair but the similarity ends there. The cover art is way cuter than I am.)

The book, titled Crafty Superstar, was written by Grace Dobush. I loved this book. I literally couldn’t put it down. That’s saying something, too, when you factor in how tired the home improvement projects at Mom’s house this week have left me. I couldn’t wait to read every bit of this book.

Many times I read crafty business books and find myself disappointed. Some books focus on building a huge business which has never been my goal. Other books assume that I will be traveling from craft fair to craft fair. That’s not really my business plan either. For the most part, Etsy has just been too new to garner a lot of attention in printed books (at least the ones I’ve found).

Crafty Superstar doesn’t have either of those problems. It’s written in a fun voice. In fact, it sounds like one of my girlfriends is talking to me. And it covers every aspect of building a crafty business. If you’re interested in starting your own Etsy experiment, you should definitely read this book.

Lest I sound like an infomercial, I should add that my local library carries the book. I bet yours does, too. While I’m glad to have the book as a part of my permanent library of books, I think you could get just as much use out of it by checking it out at your library.

Loving the Custom Orders

2010-05-06T07:00:00.003-05:00

As I mentioned yesterday, this week is swamped with home improvement projects at my mom’s house. In fact, my husband turned me loose with the pneumatic brad-nailer today. It was awesome! I love power tools!

I have managed to find a little time, though, to complete a couple of custom orders for my Etsy customers. I just finished this one up and shipped it out.

I love to see the different combinations that my customers come up with as they place their orders. I’ve also customized bags to turn them into messenger bags or lengthened the straps to make a bag fit a customer’s shoulder more comfortably. Custom orders are so fun!

Working on Wednesday – May 5, 2010

2010-05-05T19:47:00.000-05:00

I’m afraid my little Etsy experiment is being sorely neglected this week. This Wednesday found me on top of a ladder painting my mom’s house. Once I came down, I still had to paint the shutters, build a screen to go around her a/c unit, and put legs onto a small deck for her back porch. Yikes!

My mom only has two children, and we’re both girls. So we always feel behind on the home maintenance/improvement projects that need to be done at her house. Fortunately, my wonderful husband agreed to take a week of vacation to try to tackle mom’s “Honey Do” list. It’s been a heck of a week, but we’re glad to help her out.

Other Etsy Folks…marryslostandfound

2010-05-04T20:13:00.000-05:00

I’m pretty shy about telling my friends and family about my Etsy shop. In the beginning I was worried that they’d think I was involved in some kind of hare-brained scheme. Now that I’ve enjoyed a little success, though, I’m getting a little braver.

This weekend I was sharing my Etsy adventures with one of my girlfriends when I realized that she didn’t even know what Etsy was. I described it to her briefly and mentioned that I had actually purchased a recent gift for her there. As we talked she asked me if I thought anyone on Etsy sold clothes for Barbie dolls. I assured her that I was sure someone did and promised to send her a few links later.

The next day I was browsing around on Etsy looking for a few items to send her. I found a few really gorgeous dresses and was getting ready to paste them into an email for her when I discovered marryslostandfound.

Check out this pic from their listing:

These are exquisite! Look at their seams and details. These clothes are so tiny but appear to be perfect. I sew, so I know how much work goes into making something so small look so good. If you are in the market for some unique clothes for your favorite little girl’s dolls be sure to check out their shop.

Friday Favorites – April 30, 2010

2010-04-30T09:00:00.000-05:00

One of the reasons I began sewing was my love of great-fitting clothes. There’s nothing like owning a one-of-a-kind garment whether it’s a special dress, a cute top, or simply a comfy pair of pajamas. Sewing allows me to create something really unique every time I make something.

This edition of Friday Favorites celebrates this type of sewing: handcrafted items that will be perfect for their owners. Please take some time to check these items out and visit their creators. These artisans are truly talented!

The 50's Picnic Dress by mademeadress

Anais Marguerite Blouse by zorya

Pretty Polka Dot Pyjamas by shulamite

Do You Ever Wish There Were Two of You?

2010-04-27T18:29:00.000-05:00

I’ve really been struggling lately with finding the time to add new items to my store while keeping up with my day job and my customer orders. My day job’s busy season is coming up soon so my day just gets fuller and fuller. Ugh!

This week, I’ve decided to try to solve some of my problem by making two items every time I have an order. This decision, coupled with a shortage of blue, swirly fabric has resulted in this variation of the Mini Megan.

I hope you guys like it!

Just What I Needed

2010-04-24T09:00:00.000-05:00

Sometimes you get a surprise just when you need it…

My husband interviewed for a new job last week. (I realize that this new is completely unrelated to my Etsy experiment, but you’ll all bear with my deviation from my normal topics, right?) He wasn’t planning on leaving his current employer; he’s been there for over fifteen years. He just wants to take his career in a new direction. He’s a little topped-out in his current department and is hoping to find a new ladder to work his way up in another division.

We were really excited. His interview went well. We found out from his current supervisor that he was in the top three applicants. All signs pointed towards his getting the position. Then we found out Wednesday that the Powers That Be have selected a different applicant. Ugh!

I was so disappointed for him. He still likes his employer, but it was just a let down.

Now, add in to that mix that things are rather tumultuous at my day job right now. (Don’t get me started on what’s going on there…we could be here for awhile!) Let’s just say that I really, really wanted my husband’s career to be going well.

So I’ve been down for a couple of days. Not depressed…just worried. Then, the best thing happened: I got one of those wonderful little emails from Etsy confirming that I had made a sale. The good news didn’t stop there, though. In fact, I made three sales in twenty-four hours! What a great way to end this rocky week!

Working on Wednesday – April 21, 2010

2010-04-21T21:09:00.001-05:00

During my childhood years my dad often worked as an auto mechanic. Sometimes he owned his own repair show; others times he worked in others’ shops. Regardless of where he was working, though, you could almost always find a little grease under his nails.

A common complaint I’ve found among family members of mechanics has always been that their cars are the last to be fixed. There is always a customer whose car takes precedence over yours. Or the mechanic in the family is just tired of working on cars by the time he gets home from work, and he doesn’t want to spend his down time working on another one.

I’ve realized this week, though, that the same concept can apply to crafters. Think about it for a minute...how many times have someone in your family asked you to make something special just for them? How many times have you put off crafting that item because there was another project that had to be completed first?

So I’m working to make up for my shortcomings this week. My mom has been asking me to make her a purse for months. She would like her own Modern Megan bag with a black corduroy shell and a light blue lining. The lining fabric has the cutesy little poodles. I vow to have it done before I go to bed tonight. Keep your fingers crossed for me, or I could be burning a little midnight oil tonight.

Craftgawker!

2010-04-18T17:57:00.000-05:00

Hey! I mentioned to you guys a few months ago that I was trying to get a picture of one of my items accepted at Craftgawker. Well, after many, many tries I was really starting to accept the idea that it just wasn’t going to happen for me. Let’s face it; I’m not a photographer.

Then, on a whim, I submitted a picture of the Mini Megan handbag. I think it’s cute, so I thought, “why not?” All I have to invest in it is a little time, right?

I was pleasantly surprised this afternoon to find that I’ve been accepted. Yea!!! You can see my listing on the front page of Craftgawker today. Or follow this link to search for submissions by me.

An Official Logo

2010-04-15T09:00:00.001-05:00

Check it out, loyal readers, my little Etsy business is starting to take on the appearance of a real business. Yay!

Although I love to create with fabric and thread, I am a little artistically-challenged. I can’t draw to save my life. Most of the time, I’m okay with my shortcomings, but when it came time to come up with an official logo for MickeysCreations, I was more than unhappy with my own attempts.

Thankfully, Gina from DangGinaGives was kind enough to help me out in this department. Check out the cool logo she made me.

I love the colors and it corresponds nicely with the design on my business cards and shipping labels. My little shop is starting to become all grown up!

What I’m Working on Wednesdays – April 14, 2010

2010-04-14T11:45:00.002-05:00

This Wednesday morning I’m just shipping out one of my newest creations. At the request of a customer, I’ve transformed the pleated purse that I’ve been selling into a bolder, brighter bag than any other bag I’ve ever made.

Isn’t it fun?

This one already has a home, but I’ve created a twin for my Etsy store. You can check out its details here.

Next on my list of things to do is to put the finishing touches on a custom bag that I’m making for a customer order. I really like the shell and lining combination that this bag is using. It’s comprised of a soft gray exterior and a bright gray/yellow floral print. I hope its new owner likes it as much as I’ve liked making it.

Burning the Midnight Oil

2010-04-13T09:00:00.001-05:00

I’ve mentioned before that I love the Quit Your Day Job article series at Etsy’s Storque, but I think I’ve found a whole new favorite series. The writers at Etsy’s blog have started including a few articles on Etsy folks who opt NOT too quit their day job.

I always thought the Quit Your Day Job articles were inspiring, but these new articles titled Working Overtime are much more relatable to my personal situation. These are folks who enjoy building their Etsy business while continuing to work at their “day jobs.”

Since Etsy is still a hobby for me rather than my main source of income, I really enjoy hearing how others juggle the demands of their Etsy shop with the demands of their other job. Finally, I get to hear from other folks who check their Craftcult counts at lunchtime, answer convos as soon as they get home from work, and are using the evening hours to fill customer orders.

I’m definitely adding these to my “Sites That Inspire Me” list.

To Specialize or Not To Specialize

2010-04-12T09:00:00.001-05:00

When I originally opened my Etsy shop, I always planned for it to offer a wide variety of crafts. I thought it would be the perfect outlet for any craft that happened to strike my fancy at any given time. Fabric crafts, painted wood objects, and paper crafts…my shop could have it all.

After listing a few items, though, I realized that I would probably be better served by a shop that focused on fabric crafting. Fabric creations are my favorite so I would enjoy making them the most. Since I hoped my shop would be popular, I thought it was best to choose something that I would like to do for a long time.

Now I’m wondering, though, if it isn’t best to specialize even further. You will all remember that my shop used to offer a few baby quilts and kids’ crayon rolls. The bulk of my sales, however, have been purses or bags. After checking out some of the more successful shops around Etsy, I’ve noticed that they tend to stick to one type of product. So I’ve officially decided to focus on bags and other accessories.

Don’t get me wrong, though; I’ll still be crafting some of the other projects that I’ve always enjoyed like baby blankets. I’ll just be saving those for my friends and family members.

It’s official…I’ve Got Spring Fever!

2010-04-09T11:13:00.001-05:00

There’s just something so special about Spring that its arrival always puts me in a great mood. The sun comes out, the yard turns green, and magnolia trees are in bloom all around. Winter is gone, and I have to say that I’m glad to see it go.

This week I’ve been reflecting on how lucky I am. I get to spend my time making things that I love and send them off to new homes all over the place. How cool is that?

My favorite part of making all of these things has to be getting to share them with new people. One of my little creations was shared with Gina over at Dang Gina Give-Aways. I sent her a Mini Megan bag to enjoy. You can check out her kind review of her bag here. I want to share with someone else, too, so I’m giving another Mini Megan bag to one of Gina’s readers. Entering the giveaway is easy…just check out Gina’s blog for the details.

Quick Update

2010-04-06T09:00:00.001-05:00

Well, another month has passed and my little Etsy experiment is still chugging along. I feel that March has brought me a lot more questions than answers, but I’m still enjoying every bit of my new business.

I’m still more than a little confused by some of the CPSIA and FTC requirements that crafters face. After all of my looking forward to the special presentation over at Etsy, I ended up having to work late that evening and missing it. I trolled the forums for a few days hoping some insights some of the others might have gained would show up there but nothing has struck me yet. Ugh!

March didn’t bring any great strides in sales. I only sold two purses throughout the month. On a positive note, though, I didn’t really have a lot of expenses in March, either. I’ve stocked up on plenty of fabric and other supplies. So when the orders start pouring in, I’ll be ready.

I’ve also applied to join the EtsyBloggers team. They only respond to new member requests once a month, so I’m sort of in limbo right now awaiting their response. I’m really looking forward, though, to interacting with a whole new group of Etsy folks.

I’ve decided to think of my March experience like a farmer must think of March. It’s a time of preparation and planning for the fertile season ahead. Sure, I’m not seeing a ton of results right now but I know my hard work will pay off later.

A Gift from Me to You…

2010-03-29T12:00:00.003-05:00

It seems like it has been awhile since my little blog experiment has done anything to really benefit you, my faithful readers. You support me and encourage me. That surely deserves a little reward.

So, I thought I would scout out something that could actually prove to be useful to you. I’ve just found out that I’m going to be getting a new little niece or nephew this year, so my thoughts have definitely rolled back to baby items. What better way to celebrate the growth of my family is there than to make a new baby quilt?

I’ve scouted at a bunch of websites and finally found a baby quilt pattern that I think we all will love. From about.com: The Easy Baby Quilt. What I really love about this pattern is that you can make it as easy or as complicated as you want. Since the only component for this pattern are five inch squares, anyone can make it.

Those of you who are experienced may like to added sashing to the pattern or use different colors of fabric to make a more intricate pattern. Those of you, though, who have always wanted to make a baby quilt but been too intimidated to try will find that a charm pack of fabric (an assortment of coordinated fabrics already cut into five inch squares) is all you need to get started.

Now get out there and make something cute!

Friday Favorites – March 26, 2010

2010-03-26T14:21:00.001-05:00

Now that I’m back to working my shop, I’m working fastly and furiously to create some new designs. I love messenger bags, so I’m working on adding one or two to the store. I wanted a cute embellishment, though, to adorn the flap. Since my fabric flower skills are sorely lacking (I’m working on them, though), I thought I’d turn to my fellow Etsians to find just the right thing for my new bags.

Here are some of the front runners, so far:

Mixed Linen Blooms by IttyBittyPrettyShop

2 Inch Fabric & Felt Flowers by zorryl

Handmade Fabric Flowers by Likron

Still Working on Info about the CPSIA

2010-03-25T09:00:00.000-05:00

Since my post a couple of weeks ago about trying to work out the requirements issued in the CPSIA, I’ve done a lot of research. Unfortunately, my hard work hasn’t yielded a lot of definitive answers. There seems to be a lot of confusion everywhere I go about this topic.

The good news is that I must not be the only confused person out there. And, thankfully, Etsy is trying to help its crafters work out their confusion. Etsy will be sponsoring a discussion group on Thursday at 4:00 PM (CST) on this very topic. The discussion can be found in the Virtual Labs.

I know I’ll be in attendance. Hopefully, I’ll have more answers for myself, and you, when the whole thing is over.

What I’m Working on Wednesday – March 24th, 2010

2010-03-24T09:00:00.000-05:00

Wow! What am I not working on this Wednesday? I’m guessing that most of you have noticed that I haven’t made any posts for awhile. Between keeping my nephew over his spring break from school and taking vacation with my husband, I’ve been super busy with things that didn’t relate to Etsy or crafting at all.

Now, though, I’m home and ready to turn my attention back to normal life. I’ve got a new bag to make, as well as one for my mom. I’ve got to re-shoot a ton of pictures for my Etsy shop. I need to find new things for you, my wonderful followers, to read. Oh, and I’ve got to go back to my regular job tomorrow.

It’s going to be quite a day!

My First Treasury!

2010-03-11T09:52:00.002-06:00

I am so excited. I just found out this morning that I have been included in my first Treasury! Some of you will remember that I’ve curated (or created) some Treasuries of my own in the past, but I’ve never been included in one before. Yay!

Be sure to visit it to see my Modern Megan bag on display.

The CPSIA Has Me Intimidated

2010-03-08T10:42:00.002-06:00

While browsing around the Etsy message boards one day, I happened upon an entire category of posts related to the CPSIA (Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act). I was curious, so I decided to check out some of the posts.

A few minutes of reading quickly told me that I do not know enough about this important aspect of my business. Anyone who makes items that are meant to be used by children has some very specific responsibilities when it comes to making their products. Some products needed to be tested for safety. Others are exempt from testing. I think everything needs to be labeled. It was all very overwhelming.

I came away from the message boards that day sure about one thing: I need to do a lot more research on this topic. I’m fairly confident that the purses and handbags are make aren’t an issue. They aren’t meant for children. However, the crayon rolls that I love to make are another story.

Until I can get a better grip on what is required from me as a crafter, I have decided to de-activate my listings for children’s products. Those of you who have been watching my Etsy shop from the beginning will notice the absence of my crayon rolls as well as my little stuffed dog.

For now…I’m off to do more research.

Where I Shop

2010-03-07T10:12:00.000-06:00

Whenever I tell people that I have an Etsy shop, one of the first questions I am asked is “where do you get your supplies?” Well, the truth is that I get the supplies for my creations in a lot of different places.

Fabric.com – This is one of my favorite places to buy cotton fabric. I get very high quality fabrics at a decent price; in addition, I can almost always find a coupon on the internet to help reduce my cost. Add in the fact that any order over $35 ships for free and you can bet that I’m a fan for life.
Joann’s – If I need something in a hurry, I usually stop at my local Joann’s. Shopping at a retail center doesn’t mean that I overspend, though. I always come armed with a coupon or two to help keep my costs low.
Etsy – I love to patronize my fellow Etsians whenever I can. The snaps that I use on my purses come from Etsy. I’ve also been looking for a good source for buttons on Etsy, but haven’t found quite what I want yet.
eBay – Shipping supplies can quickly run the cost of shipping my creations to someone else, so I really hunt around for good prices on shipping supplies. The best I’ve found so far have been on eBay. I ordered a whole case of padded envelopes for under $20. Can’t beat that!

Of course I realize that I would probably get better prices if I bought things in bulk from wholesalers. I’m just not ready to make that kind of investment, though. In the meantime, I am certainly open for suggestions. Do you guys know any great shopping options that I haven’t thought of yet?

Friday Favorites - March 5, 2010

2010-03-05T13:10:00.000-06:00

This week, I find myself all about black and white. Maybe it's just a mood, but I was really struck by the strong visual statement that simple black and white art can make. So, I thought I'd share some of the best ones I found with you.

ki Series O by greenkaijyu

The City by pamwishbow

After the Snow by birdandbloke

What I'm Working On Wednesday - March 3, 2010

2010-03-03T14:43:00.000-06:00

This week, I thought I'd take a stab at trying to eliminate some of the guess work from my Etsy creations. Usually my design process includes finding fabrics that I love and trying to turn them into something special. I was thinking, though, why should my potential customers have to be limited to my tastes. So, I'm creating a "design your own" listing.

I'm planning on photographing each of the colors of corduroy that I have and listing them as shell options. Then photographing a variety of lining fabrics to list as lining options. Then buyers can really create something they want.

What a Great Way to Start the Day

2010-03-01T09:00:00.001-06:00

I was surprised to find a convo waiting for me at Etsy.com this morning from one of my previous customers. This buyer received her purse (she bought one of the Modern Megan bags) a few weeks ago and left feedback. I really didn’t expect to hear from her ever again.

Nonetheless, she sent me a convo this morning just to let me know that she still loves her bag. What a compliment! I always hope that my little creations are as well-loved in their new homes as they were in my craft room, but you don’t usually get to know.

I hope this buyer knows how much she made my day.

Etsy Update – February 2010

2010-02-28T10:12:00.000-06:00

This month has been a little less exciting than last month, but I’m still more than pleased with my Etsy results. I haven’t had a ton of sales, but I feel like I’ve learned a lot. (I should send a special “Thanks!” out to followers like Little Scotia here.) And I’m still enjoying making each of my creations. All in all, I can’t complain.

February brought four sales. So far, the Modern Megan bag is definitely the most popular item in my shop. I’ve sold several of the gray versions of this bag and one brown. I think the lesson I’ve learned here is to embrace the popularity of its design and to try to create new versions. Currently, I’m at work at a differently-colored versions and a smaller, clutch version.

Anyway, thanks for hanging with me for another month. I can’t wait to see what March holds!

Friday Favorites – February 26, 2010

2010-02-26T09:00:00.002-06:00

As I mentioned earlier this week, I have a new camera. Yay! Of course, I want to keep my camera looking shiny and new for as long as possible so I decided that I needed a camera case for it.

Did I turn to my local shopping mall or Best Buy to find a camera case? Of course not; I’m looking to my Etsy neighbors to find just the right thing for me and my camera.

I’m still trying to decide which one I like best, but these are the contenders right now. What do you think?

Camera Camera Case by hine

Gadget Monkey by MonkeyTravelClub

Emma Wristlet by lisaroy

Other Etsy Folks…LoveLeeSoaps

2010-02-25T09:00:00.001-06:00

Whenever I am shopping for gifts for my friends and family, I find myself turning to Etsy to find unique gift options. This year while shopping for a girlfriend’s birthday present I found a great gift idea made by LoveLeeSoaps.

To give you a little background I should tell you that my girlfriend is a huge movie fan. We started hanging out together as teenagers and were always running to our local movie theatre to see the latest releases. Today she and her husband regularly attend a marathon movie event that includes all of the movies that are nominated for Best Picture in the Academy Awards.

Her love of movies is what makes the soaps I found at LoveLeeSoaps so perfect. They are literally shaped like tiny little pieces of movie popcorn. They are a soft yellow and they smell like cotton candy. How cool is that? Even the packaging is perfect; they were shipped to me in a paper popcorn bag. Check out this picture to see the soaps:

If you’re looking for a fun gift idea for someone in your life, I strongly recommend that you check out LoveLeeSoaps’ Etsy shop. There are all kinds of cute soaps to be found there. Imagine how much your kids would love using tiny little robots every time they wash their hands. Can you see how cute little baby bottle soaps would be as giveaways at a baby shower? I know I’m going to be returning to this shop often.

Craftgawker...First Try

2010-02-23T09:00:00.001-06:00

Remember last week when I mentioned that I thought I was going to try my hand at getting one of my items on Craftgawker? Well, it didn't work...at least, not yet. My poor little picture was rejected.

I'm resubmitting today, though, so maybe my new little camera will work some magic. Send me happy thoughts!

New Photos…Yay!

2010-02-22T09:00:00.002-06:00

Last weekend my wonderful husband surprised me with a new camera. It turns out he was listening to all of that whining I’ve been doing about my Etsy photos. He knew that I was having a hard time getting my pictures to be crisp and bright, so he found a camera that was made to stabilize my shots. He rocks!

So this week on Etsy, you should expect to see updated photos on most of my listings. I’ve tried to incorporate a few of the tips you guys have given me, too, to help make my little creations look as good as they possibly can. Let’s see how this helps my Etsy sales.

Favorites Friday - February 19, 2010

2010-02-19T09:06:00.001-06:00

I’ve been shopping for a new bookcase for my family’s living room this week. I don’t think I’ve found exactly what I want, yet but I have found some amazing pieces of furniture on Etsy. Check these out!

Modsu Chest by wookwoodworking

Cottage Craft Crate by PurposeReDesign

Big Purple Square Bookshelf by FurnitureFromRed

A Weird Thing I’ve Noticed

2010-02-18T09:00:00.000-06:00

I’ve always loved getting emails. I think it comes from my childhood enthusiasm for getting traditional mail. I always smile when my Yahoo page says that I have a new mail.

Lately, though, I’ve noticed an extra little excitement whenever I see that I have two emails. “Why?” you ask. Well, because I typically receive emails telling me that I’ve had an Etsy sale I get one email from Etsy and another from Paypal. Each time I have two emails my heart skips a beat, and I cross my fingers hoping for a sale.

Isn’t it weird how quickly I’ve gotten used to looking for news from Etsy?

Working on Wednesday – February 17, 2010

2010-02-17T09:00:00.001-06:00

This Wednesday finds me working on a modified version of my favorite pleated bag. I was fortunate enough this week to land a custom order on Etsy. The customer says that she wanted to orders this bag, but she was concerned with being able to comfortably fit the bag over her shoulder while wearing a heavy winter coat. In addition, she wished the bag had a little pocket for her to slip her car keys into. I’ve agreed to make some adjustments so that she can enjoy a bag that is a perfect fit for her.

I have to say that I love custom orders. First of all, it’s always nice to know that a project I’m working on is going to be sold. I worry about some of my little orphans (that’s how I refer to my unsold products in my head) ever finding a new home. But custom items already have somewhere to go.

In addition, I like thinking about the buyer as I work on his or her project. I had a custom project earlier this year that was purchased by a gentleman for his girlfriend. What a thoughtful boyfriend! I loved thinking about how excited she would be when he surprised her with her gift.

Looking for Ways to Promote My Shop

2010-02-15T22:44:00.000-06:00

Things have been a little slow over the past week, so I’ve been looking for ways to draw more attention to my shop. I’ve already spent a lot of time renewing my listings. I spend a little time each evening hanging out in the forums. I’ve even tried listing a few ads on my local Craig’s List site that links to my Etsy shop.

I think all of them work, but I’m sure there’s room for improvement. After doing a little research, I’ve decided that my next trial will be at Craftgawker.com.

Now, I had never heard of Craftgawker before I opened my Etsy store. I saw a few people mention it in the Etsy forums but didn’t really understand what it was right away. My current understanding is that it is a website that allows people to submit their pictures of products with a short description and a link to their website. Sounds like a long-standing Treasury, right?

The tough part is, though, that they seem to be pretty selective about which pictures they accept. You all remember how awful I am at photography, don’t you? I hung out at Craftgawker tonight for a little while and I have to say that their pictures are striking.

So, I’ve submitted my first picture. I’ll let you know how it goes. In the meantime, though, you should go check it out for yourselves. Even if you don’t see me there, you might find some really great items.

Friday Favorites - February 12, 2010

2010-02-12T17:43:00.000-06:00

This week I am all about eighties cartoons. Do you guys remember the cartoons of the eighties? I loved Jem, the Get Along Gang, She-Ra, and a whole host of other shoes. (I guess I'm showing my age this week, too.)
Anyway...while strolling down memory lane I found these great Etsy finds that helped me with my trip.

Rainbow Brite Zipper Pouch by Damecreations

Jem and the Holograms DIY Magnet Set by MSunflower

Good Luck Bear Bow by mypeekabow

Working on Wednesdays – February 10, 2010

2010-02-10T19:49:00.001-06:00

Oops! I got so excited working on my wristlet design that I almost forgot to write a post to tell you guys about it. I’ve been working on wristlets because I want to make some smaller, more budget-friendly items. I’m still not sure that I’ve quite got the shape right yet. Here are the two I’ve just made:

What do you think?

Another New Listing

2010-02-08T09:00:00.001-06:00

I finally got around to spending some time cleaning up my craft room/office. In the process of folding and putting away fabric, I’ve also had to deal with the overwhelming amount of scraps I’ve accumulated. I hate to waste them, so this afternoon I created a cute little zipper pouch out of some of them. (I told myself that getting to spend the afternoon at the sewing machine was my reward for a day of cleaning!)

Anyway, I’m really proud of how cute this little bag ended up being. Of course I’m biased because the fabric scraps I used were from my favorite fabric.

I’ve listed it on Etsy. I guess we’ll soon see if anyone else thinks it’s as cute as I do

The Numbers Are In…

2010-02-07T09:00:00.001-06:00

Since I’ve been all about numbers this week (I’ll be glad when tax mode is over), I decided to take a hard look at the numbers surrounding my little Etsy business, too. I know that I’ve had a few sales, but I really have no idea if I’ve made a profit yet. I should know that, right?

So, I’ve crunched the numbers. I listed all of my sales, added up all of my receipts from supply purchases, and calculated all of my Etsy fees. Unfortunately the results weren’t quite what I had hoped for. Let me show you:

Gross Sales $364.80

Etsy Fees -$ 28.67

Paypal Fees -$ 12.37

Shipping Costs -$ 35.33

Supplies -$247.57

Promotions -$ 5.15

Total Expenses -$329.09

Net Profit $ 35.71

That’s not exactly a staggering profit, is it? Before you feel too badly for me, though, take heart. I’m not really sad, that disappointed.

Obviously buying supplies is what really killed my profits. The thing to keep in mind is that many of my supply purchases were for several yards of fabric. I will still be using that fabric for some time, so I have hope that my profits will go up from here.

I’ve decided to call it a good day.

New Design Re-Visited

2010-02-06T09:00:00.002-06:00

Remember that bag I talked about making last week? The one with the cute pleats? Well, it’s finally done! I know that this isn’t “What I’m Working on Wednesday,” but let’s face it. This week’s Wednesday wasn’t really that fun. This is way better.

I ended up creating a tote bag that featured this pleated detail I was so excited about. Here’s a close up shot of the pleats.

I’m listing the new bag on Etsy now. Maybe other people will be as excited about it as I am.

Friday Favorites – February 5, 2010

2010-02-05T09:00:00.001-06:00

Last weekend I got to spend a day with my best friend’s twin boys. They are so cool! They are in first grade and really fun to hang out with. We spent part of our day watching Star Wars. In celebration of our good time, I thought I’d share these cool Star Wars-themed Etsy finds with you. I hope you enjoy them.

Star Wars Crayons by stickben

Star Wars Skirt by razorbloom

Yoda Hat by PrettyPeaPod

Postage Woes

2010-02-04T09:00:00.002-06:00

After having several sales in the past month or so, I’ve come to a quick realization. I hate going to the post office. Let me back up and explain to you that I live in a rural setting. While I am fortunate enough to live close enough to a metropolitan area to drive in to work everyday, my good fortune requires me to spend a lot of time in my car. I drive close to 1 ½ hours everyday.

What all of this whining about commuting means is that by the time I am headed home from the office, the last thing I want to do is get off the highway to stand in line at the post office. I want to get home to see my husband, spend time with my nephew, or work on my crafty projects. I know that everyone else on Etsy must deal with the same angst, so I turned to the message boards for a solution.

What I’ve discovered is that by using PayPal and a scale, I can cut my trips to the post office down to almost none. I knew that I could print postage labels through PayPal; I was just stuck with trying to decide how much postage I needed. Several of my items are a little different, so they all require different amounts of postage.

A quick visit to eBay today, though, has yielded the answer to my whining. For just over $20 I can purchase an electronic scale that will answer all of my problems. I can weigh each of my packages and add postage to them. Then my friendly neighborhood postal person will come and pick them up. Yay! Now I only have to go to the post office when I ship internationally.

What I’m Working on Wednesday – February 3, 2010

2010-02-03T09:00:00.001-06:00

This week I’m afraid I’m not getting a lot of crafting done. My family members all received their W-2 forms last week, so I am firmly embedded in the land of tax filing. Although I am not a public accountant, I do have a degree in accounting. Compared to the rest of the family, that degree makes me a tax expert. (Don't worry too much about the fate of their tax returns; I'm always quick to pass anyone with a complicated return to a tax professional.)

So once I get home from my day job every day, I dig into one person or another’s tax return. I finished my sister’s return first. Next came my mom’s. Now I just have to finish my dad’s, my grandma’s, and, oh yeah, ours. Then, tax season will be officially over!

I’m sorry that this week’s “Working on Wednesday” isn’t incredibly fun. I’ll just have to plan lots of fun things to work on next Wednesday.

Organization Needed

2010-02-02T09:00:00.000-06:00

As my Etsy business has gotten a little busier, one thing has become painfully clear: I’ve got to become more organized in my craft space. My space is a mess. I can’t find anything quickly and I’m struggling to keep my work table cleared.

Thankfully, my wonderful husband has always allowed me the luxury of having one room to house all of my hobbies. My desk and filing cabinet are in there, as well as all of my craft supplies. So I don’t have the problem that many crafters have of having to share my space with the rest of the family. I’m just finding that I need to turn my single work space into several different work spaces.

For one thing, I need to have a space to prepare my items for shipping. I like to go over everything carefully to make sure there aren’t any stray threads on it. Then, I take a lint roller to the surface to make sure that it looks pristine. Finally, I iron anything that needs attention, add a note saying thanks, and package the item for mailing. Right now I’m using my work table, but I hate having to move everything off the table to work on shipping.

I also need to work out how to share my cutting space with my sewing machine. Initially, I did most of my cutting on the living room floor. This leaves my living room in a state of total chaos, though. My poor husband (not that he’d ever complain) has to walk around hoping that he won’t step on any stray pins.

So this week, I’m planning on setting aside some time to work on my craft room instead of just in my craft room. Then I can get back to work on creating stock for my Etsy store. Yay!