I've been on etsy for a couple of months and have had only one sell. I'm trying not to get too disappointed and give up so I'm on a search for tips and suggestions.
I found this page on etsy and picked up a few great tips; http://smallerbox.net/blog/ecommerce/4-things-your-outgoing-orders-should-contain/
1. I need to create an invoice. I suppose I don't have to do that right away because I don't expect to sell anything right away but it's on the list.
2. I need to change my return policy.
3. I should come up with a goodie to send with customers.... no ideas yet but I'm brainstorming!
4. Consignment bad; Wholesale good.
How to make labels:
http://www.curlyqdesign.blogspot.com/
Get featured in treasury!
***stop by and comment and leave 12 clicks!
N e w b i e . M a g i c . 5
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=113946
I found this blog too. Which I thoroughly enjoyed and started to follow- my new blogging inspiration. (:
http://www.scoutiegirl.com/2010/02/sponsor-feature-buster-and-boo-2.html
Also this post
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5215453
Gaaahh connections is what I need! Off to the forums I go!
Note- Sigur Ros (music) is really good.
** Add more jewelry
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
Inspiration Day!
I'm going to start a day solely for inspiration. I think it'll be saturdays, I'll post up my inspiration for the next weeks projects. So I'm kickin' it off today with some sweet softies.
http://www.flickr.com/people/jilllynch/
This is a collaboration between a husband and wife who make dolls. I can't even describe how in love I am with every single one of these dolls. They are so cool and such an inspiration to me. Where do people come up with this stuff?! Insane.
Also Hearts for Haiti
http://www.etsy.com/people/HeartsforHaiti
a collaboration of hundreds of shops on etsy that donate items and all the money goes to http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org
I'm thinking of donating some jelly fish, I just have to list them first!
Thanks for reading, if anyone's out there.
http://www.flickr.com/people/jilllynch/
This is a collaboration between a husband and wife who make dolls. I can't even describe how in love I am with every single one of these dolls. They are so cool and such an inspiration to me. Where do people come up with this stuff?! Insane.
Also Hearts for Haiti
http://www.etsy.com/people/HeartsforHaiti
a collaboration of hundreds of shops on etsy that donate items and all the money goes to http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org
I'm thinking of donating some jelly fish, I just have to list them first!
Thanks for reading, if anyone's out there.
Jellyfish Softies
At Hancocks the other day I was looking through the books and magazines when I came across one that had all kinds stuffed animals that I thought were just amazing. They really put a twist on stuffed animals and made them like art not just some dinky kids toy. They were just incredible and I got inspired so I've been trying to make my own unique stuffed animal that I enjoy doing over and over again. This is what I came up with.
(Top from the right) I started out making pandas then a panda bunny but they had too many little pieces and I got bored. Then finally I started the jellyfish which was simple and quick and I had fun mix and matching. I'm going to list them in my etsy store soon so keep an eye out! They're not much but I'm really excited about them.
Also I've got some new vintage/homemade stuff I'm going to list soon here's a little preview
(Top from the right) I started out making pandas then a panda bunny but they had too many little pieces and I got bored. Then finally I started the jellyfish which was simple and quick and I had fun mix and matching. I'm going to list them in my etsy store soon so keep an eye out! They're not much but I'm really excited about them.
Also I've got some new vintage/homemade stuff I'm going to list soon here's a little preview
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Fingertip Mitts and Serger Scrap Bag
Ok so I finished my valentine's gift for my dad yesterday. I made one on Valentine's and one yesterday (a bit late, I know). I have to say they turned out pretty darn cute! I was excited but I really don't think my dad even cared... men.
They were super easy and I added a two little velcro straps so they hang on the oven.
Here is the link to the tutorial I followed.
http://www.savvyseams.com/apt/mitts.php
Also today I started and finished my first real serger project! It took literally like 15 minutes and was probably the easiest thing I've ever sewn.... well serged.
I got two fat quarters, cut one in half and the other in quarters. I took one of the quarters and did a rolled hem on the top that wasn't going to be sewn onto the half. Then pinned it to the bottom end of the half, both right sides facing up and serged away! So easy and turned out great!
I really really like serging, I'm just still getting used to it and I'm not very good at adjusting the tensions and such yet but I'm workin' on it!
They were super easy and I added a two little velcro straps so they hang on the oven.
Here is the link to the tutorial I followed.
http://www.savvyseams.com/apt/mitts.php
Also today I started and finished my first real serger project! It took literally like 15 minutes and was probably the easiest thing I've ever sewn.... well serged.
I got two fat quarters, cut one in half and the other in quarters. I took one of the quarters and did a rolled hem on the top that wasn't going to be sewn onto the half. Then pinned it to the bottom end of the half, both right sides facing up and serged away! So easy and turned out great!
I really really like serging, I'm just still getting used to it and I'm not very good at adjusting the tensions and such yet but I'm workin' on it!
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Hair Towel Dilema and Solution
Ok, while I was pregnant last year I went through a weird hair phase. See my hair used to be thin and easily managable but when I started taking prenatal vitamins, it got really thick I just didn't know what to do with it. I got really frustrated and decided to cut it off. Like all of it. In some places it was shorter than an inch but it was cute and most of all easy. Well now my hair is getting long and to the point where I need a separate towel just for my hair but we just got these new huge fluffy towels and it just doesn't work. So I used some old towels and some scrap fabric lying around to make this towel cap thing.
Supplies:
1 sheet printer paper
Towel
Scissors
Sewing Machine
Pins
Scrap fabric about 20" x 4.5"
Steps:
1. First you need to cut out a quarter circle. Grab your paper and pick a corner. Measure 8" on the side parallel to you and 7.5" going up (the side perpendicular to you. Now connect the two curving it so to make a quarter circle. You should end up with something like this.
2. Grab your towel and fold in half. (You don't need to fold all the way in half, just enough for your quarter circle to fit on.)
3. Take a side that is not on a fold and fold that over just enough for your quarter circle to fit. It should look like this.
4. Place your quarter circle onto the towel with the straight sides on sides of the towel with folds. And cut along curved edge.
5. Unfold the quarter circle to a half circle and you're going to cut the folded edge.
6. Pin along the curve from one corner to about 2" from the other corner. You're going to leave that open. Sew along curve remebering to leave out 2" from one of the corners.
7. Turn hat right side out. On each side you're going to mark 2 spots where you're going to put pleats.
The size of the pleat will depend on the size of your head. To decide, I measured the length around where the band would go and divided that by 2. Then I made the pleats and just adjusted them till that side measured out to the length I had decided on. I made each side measure out to about 11"-11.5"
8. Take your scrap fabric and cut two pieces that are 20" x 4.5". If you would like it longer or thicker, cut accordingly.
9. Fold in half hotdog style, right sides together, and pin.
10. You are going to sew along the open edge and about 4" from bottom you are going to curve and sew towards the corner with the fold. See picture.
11. Turn inside out and iron flat. Tip: use a long pointy object like a chopstick or pencil to push out corner.
12. Sew the two open ends of the straps together making sure the angled ends are facing the same way.
13. Attach strap to end of hat, right sides together (raw edges of where you sewed straps together facing out) with the center of entire strap to center seam of hat (not end with 2" left open). Sew, making sure you get the pleats.
And you're done!
Now when you're putting it on, I usually make the end with the 2" left open on the top of my head. There's kind of a trick to putting it on but once you get it, it's so worth it. I flip my hair upside down, kinda shaking out the excess water and then I twist my hair into a bun on the top of my head to fit it in the hat so I can tie it without my hair all falling out.
I hope that was easy to understand, feel free to comment if you need help!
Supplies:
1 sheet printer paper
Towel
Scissors
Sewing Machine
Pins
Scrap fabric about 20" x 4.5"
Steps:
1. First you need to cut out a quarter circle. Grab your paper and pick a corner. Measure 8" on the side parallel to you and 7.5" going up (the side perpendicular to you. Now connect the two curving it so to make a quarter circle. You should end up with something like this.
2. Grab your towel and fold in half. (You don't need to fold all the way in half, just enough for your quarter circle to fit on.)
3. Take a side that is not on a fold and fold that over just enough for your quarter circle to fit. It should look like this.
4. Place your quarter circle onto the towel with the straight sides on sides of the towel with folds. And cut along curved edge.
5. Unfold the quarter circle to a half circle and you're going to cut the folded edge.
6. Pin along the curve from one corner to about 2" from the other corner. You're going to leave that open. Sew along curve remebering to leave out 2" from one of the corners.
7. Turn hat right side out. On each side you're going to mark 2 spots where you're going to put pleats.
The size of the pleat will depend on the size of your head. To decide, I measured the length around where the band would go and divided that by 2. Then I made the pleats and just adjusted them till that side measured out to the length I had decided on. I made each side measure out to about 11"-11.5"
8. Take your scrap fabric and cut two pieces that are 20" x 4.5". If you would like it longer or thicker, cut accordingly.
9. Fold in half hotdog style, right sides together, and pin.
10. You are going to sew along the open edge and about 4" from bottom you are going to curve and sew towards the corner with the fold. See picture.
11. Turn inside out and iron flat. Tip: use a long pointy object like a chopstick or pencil to push out corner.
12. Sew the two open ends of the straps together making sure the angled ends are facing the same way.
13. Attach strap to end of hat, right sides together (raw edges of where you sewed straps together facing out) with the center of entire strap to center seam of hat (not end with 2" left open). Sew, making sure you get the pleats.
And you're done!
Now when you're putting it on, I usually make the end with the 2" left open on the top of my head. There's kind of a trick to putting it on but once you get it, it's so worth it. I flip my hair upside down, kinda shaking out the excess water and then I twist my hair into a bun on the top of my head to fit it in the hat so I can tie it without my hair all falling out.
I hope that was easy to understand, feel free to comment if you need help!
Friday, February 12, 2010
Oh so cute plushies
For some reason it's not letting me post links... uggh.
Some other little plushies I wanna try out some day?
http://www.allcrafts.net/f.php?url=www.make-baby-stuff.com/bunny-pattern.html
http://www.allcrafts.net/f.php?url=mollychicken.blogs.com/my_weblog/2008/09/hegehog-softie-with-a-pocket.html
http://www.allcrafts.net/f.php?url=mollychicken.blogs.com/my_weblog/2007/04/easter_birdy_tu.html
I have a project I'll upload later.
Some other little plushies I wanna try out some day?
http://www.allcrafts.net/f.php?url=www.make-baby-stuff.com/bunny-pattern.html
http://www.allcrafts.net/f.php?url=mollychicken.blogs.com/my_weblog/2008/09/hegehog-softie-with-a-pocket.html
http://www.allcrafts.net/f.php?url=mollychicken.blogs.com/my_weblog/2007/04/easter_birdy_tu.html
I have a project I'll upload later.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Just a little bit.
Update:
I have all of my quilt pieces cut and ready to go! Now just to assemble them... That might be a while.
My bathroom shelves are still missing two cabinet doors. I have knobs for them but no doors yet, that'll probably have to wait till next week.
Sooo, valentine's day is approaching. I'm putting on sort of a show for my boyfriend. Throughout the day I'm going to give him things hinting towards what'll come later ;)
For my dad I'm thinking of making him some oven mits because well he needs them. I like these alot and am going to try them out manana.
http://designspongeshop.com/sewbettie.pdf
Oh! I had my serger class today and it was sooo helpful! I'm looking forward to putting it to good use.
I cleaned my workstation/kitchen table today. It's still a wreck but I got a good start! In the process, I found some lost-never-finished projects that I need to get to.... Ya. One of which are curtains for my front door for some privacy.
Oi, Eliza's just about crawling and we are no where near baby-proofing the house. Where do I even start? I moved into a house inhabited by a 7 year bachelor who never throughs away anything and leaves his tools laying about the house. It's been a work in progress and let's just say I can't see a light at the end of the tunnel.
These are some links to some cute crafts I may be attempting in the near future
(:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/quinn68/sets/72157604858981410/?page=2
http://www.cluckclucksew.com/2009/10/tutorial-scrap-buster-fall-pillow.html
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hillarylang/sets/463804/
I have all of my quilt pieces cut and ready to go! Now just to assemble them... That might be a while.
My bathroom shelves are still missing two cabinet doors. I have knobs for them but no doors yet, that'll probably have to wait till next week.
Sooo, valentine's day is approaching. I'm putting on sort of a show for my boyfriend. Throughout the day I'm going to give him things hinting towards what'll come later ;)
For my dad I'm thinking of making him some oven mits because well he needs them. I like these alot and am going to try them out manana.
http://designspongeshop.com/sewbettie.pdf
Oh! I had my serger class today and it was sooo helpful! I'm looking forward to putting it to good use.
I cleaned my workstation/kitchen table today. It's still a wreck but I got a good start! In the process, I found some lost-never-finished projects that I need to get to.... Ya. One of which are curtains for my front door for some privacy.
Oi, Eliza's just about crawling and we are no where near baby-proofing the house. Where do I even start? I moved into a house inhabited by a 7 year bachelor who never throughs away anything and leaves his tools laying about the house. It's been a work in progress and let's just say I can't see a light at the end of the tunnel.
These are some links to some cute crafts I may be attempting in the near future
(:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/quinn68/sets/72157604858981410/?page=2
http://www.cluckclucksew.com/2009/10/tutorial-scrap-buster-fall-pillow.html
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hillarylang/sets/463804/
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