Lists

image from Skel Design

Wow - almost a whole month without posting!  So I have to warn you, this is going to be a super lame post.  Even lamer than May's Pac Man post.  I have a bad case of blogging block, and am not sure what the cure is.  Maybe a list?  Lists always help.  At least with a list, you know your intentions are good.  Like a cleaning list.  Or a work list.  You can feel good because, since you wrote it down, obviously you meant to do it.  Or, it can be self-satisfying to make a list of things you've already done and check them off...

Friday
made it to work only 10 min late (x)
made coffee (x)
checked email (x)

phew - so busy today!  accomplished so much already!

So here is my real list for today...

Things I've accomplished in 2010 (we're already half way through!)
-Opened up the Ink Blot Cafe on Etsy selling SEO writing services
-Made 13 writing sales! (special thanks to all of my customers Doctor Sweet Tooth, The Pink Pig, and Planet Earth Essential Oils)
-Learned html and css
-designed a wedding website for my friend, Liz

You Might Be Closer to Hiring Help Than You Think...

image from here.

Somedays, when the dishes are piled up all over my kitchen, and the bathroom is a little less than sparkly, and the dog hair starts to clump up in the corners, I think:  wouldn't it be nice to have a maid?

If you're like me, you associate hired help with luxury and wealth, a "someday" expense.  But if you run your own small business from home, hiring help could actually help you make money.

I came across this Freelance Writing Success Article, which is a great read for any small business proprietor, including all of you fabulous Etsy shop owners.  One of the author's tips for making more money is to hire people to do anything that can take valuable time away from your business. 

You are an expert at your craft, and that's why people pay you the big bucks you deserve.  But if you're spending time mowing the lawn, running to the post office, or vaccuming, you're taking away precious time from your expertise.  While you might have to fork over a little dough to eliminate these chores, you'll make up for it by spending that time honing your craft.

Say you design swim wear.  You've decided that you're worth $50 an hour.  If you spend one of your hours running to the post office, you've lost valuable time in which you could have been creating.  There is a multitude of people who have the ability to make a run to the post office, but no one has the knack for designing figure flattering swim wear like you do.  So call the kid down the street who's off for the summer.  He'll happily run your packages to the post for $10.00.  You've made $40.00 instead of losing the $50.00 you could have made designing. 

Awesome reason to hire help!

Lunch Break Finds - Mustard, No Mayo

Had a wonderful Easter weekend - it just wasn't long enough!  It was incredibly hard to get back in the grind today, so I thought I'd share some lunch break Etsy finds.  Lately I've been drawn to mustard - both as a color and a condiment.  Here are some of my favorites:

by Farewell Pony

Mustard Scarf by SR Design

I would love to pair either the scarf or necklace with this turquoise skirt from My Lola Fashion

love this dress from THIMBLE and ACORN

This listing is for the belt, but I love the mustard scarf with the dusty blue belt from Pretty Birdie

Etsy Front Page!

Was so excited to see that my wrist warmers made it to the front page of Etsy yesterday!  Thankful for my fifteen minutes of fame.  If only my shop was a little more full and that it wasn't full of mittens and scarves when we are on the cusp of spring and summer, I may have actually sold something!  Still great and fun to be recognized.

Mystery Bag on My Doorstep

please stop leaving mystery bags at my door.  thxs.

Like a huge lame-o, I go home for lunch everyday.  Earlier this week, I came home and was slightly disturbed to see a lumpy plastic bag stuck behind the storm door.  I approached cautiously - when a strange bag shows up at your doorstep, common sense dictates to always procede with caution.  My heart was racing a little, because no one had called, emailed, or texted me to say, "hey, i'm going to drop such and such off at your house this morning."  So there was the huge possibility that this was a stranger's plastic bag, and there was no telling what could be inside....a bomb, dog poo, regular poo, dirt...

There was that time when I came home to find the railing that goes down our front steps missing.  I was certain someone had stolen it in broad daylight at first, but eventually rationalized that my grandpa had been working some home improvement magic.  Sure enough, it showed up later that day, painted silver and secured with extra bolts.  So it was possible someone I knew had left the bag.

I got my face down close to the bag, but was careful not to touch it - did not want to get cootied on by this weird bag.  No weird smells, which was a good sign.  I could make out a note and some very familiar handwriting.  Beginning to feel better about the whole situation, I felt it was safe to pick up and open the bag.  It was a sweater with a note  from mm that her mom was donating it to my sweater recycling venture.  Sweet relief.

Button Bouquets - A Wedding Alternative

Bouquets designed by Really Bad Kitty

With spring fast approaching, I can hear the distant chime of wedding bells as brides scurry to put the final touches on their upcoming spring and summer nuptuals.  (I can also hear the sound of the ATM shreiking in pain as I withdraw more cash for new shoes, dresses, manicures, shower and wedding gifts to prepare for wedding season.)  There's nothing more fun than unique wedding ideas, like a bouquet of buttons as alternative to fresh flowers. 

I do love fresh flowers, but they die.  There is a bitter-sweet, everything good and beautiful must fade aspect of fresh flowers (there is a Japanese phrase I'm trying to think of here...).  But a button bouquet, like diamonds is forever.

If you're a do-it-yourselfer, a button bouquet could save you some cash, but remember that your time is worth something too.  If you're a super busy bride, it might be better left to the professionals.

Plum button bouquet from Sunweeds Secret Garden 

Bouquet designed by Miss Jennifer Ray

Strung Out

Image Courtesy of
Implexus's Etsy Shop

Check out my T-Shirt Yarn Tutorial Slide Show on IndieSmiles.com. Feel free to stop by and leave a comment!

Bunting (Not Baseball)

What the heck is bunting, and why do I care? I came across the most adorable Etsy shop selling the aforesaid bunting, and I wanted to know more. Apparently bunting is loose cotton or wool fabric used for flags. And Little Kitten Homemade features the cutest selection of flags and banners for birthday parties, holidays, and the like.



Sarah, the proprietor, favors quality fabrics in nostalgic florals, trendy mod designs and ginghams. Banners and flags are personalized with hand appliques. She pieces together appliques, buttons, rick-rack and fabric to make each design truly unique and shabby chic.



I would highly recommend checking out Little Kitten Homemade for the one who has everything. What better way to announce how special you think someone is than by displaying their name on a flag or banner for all to see. I mean, I'm 26 and I kind of want one! Or, customize a flag or banner for your newly engaged friends. It could showcase their new name, or simply say "love". Hosting a baby shower? Decorate with adorable bunting, or give personalized as a gift that can be hung with care in the nursery.

Bunting is a niche in the arts and crafts market that I wasn't aware of until now. With quality craftsmanship, and a knack for creating appealing designs, Little Kitten Homemade is sure to be a successful shop.

The Vintage-Inspired Home by Octavia and Brown

Our everyday surroundings are a great influence on our mood, our self-perception, and our imagination. Whether you live in an old comfy space, or new modern digs, vintage pieces can whittle their way into your home and heart. Octavia & Brown is an Etsy shop dedicated to selecting vintage pieces that can transport you back in time while looking right at home in the present. Liz Geddes, shop owner, follows a credo that "great design can come from any era." Peeking into her shop, you'll also find that great design isn't snobby and is attainable at a variety of price points.

You might find cool refreshing milk glass, like this hobnail planter. Or stumble upon a vintage motor oil can with retro lettering and design. You may even fall in love with a simple glass jar that evokes memories of your grandmother's breakfast table.

Octavia & Brown has carved out a niche in home accessories that is both nostalgic and modern. Keep your eye on this shop for some irresistible vintage finds at OctaviaBrown.

Launch of InkBlotCafe

Checked one thing off my list for 2010 and opened my Etsy shop for writing services. Now if only I could get that first sale...

CAREER
Create a writing portfolio in pdf format___
Open new Etsy shop selling writing services X
Register for at least one class pertaining to web design___

AT HOME
Finish homemade Christmas gifts (they are late!)___
Make slip cover for dining room chair___
Re-finish chandelier___
Refurbish ottoman to match dining room chair___
Ceramic tile in kitchen & guest bath___

Flavor Me

Found this new site where I can put my whole online life in one place. I still need to figure out if I can get an etsy feed or not.

When Pigs Fly...My Etsy Treasury

Made my first etsy treasury. This one features cute piggly wigglies handcrafted in a variety of ways beyond the piggy bank. You can check it out here. (until treasury expires)

image from here

New Wrist Warmers for Emily

Made the cutest warm fuzzy fingerless mittens/wrist warmers for my sister. I kind of don't want to give them away! Soooo happy with how they turned out. Happy Birthday Em!

Whale of a time...

Betz White had the cutest tutorial on cashmere bunnies, so I thought I would give it a try. Instead of a bunny, I decided to go with a whale, no big deal - it's not rocket science. So I drew a whale, cut out my pattern and sewed it together. But I just felt like something was missing. I had to look at a picture of a real whale to realize I'm missing fins! Not the tale fin, but the side fins. I mean it's a pink cashmere whale, so I'm not trying to get that anatomically correct, but come on. Fins make the thing a whale.

image from here

Crafting Goals

The trouble with being a part time Etsian is never a lack of ideas, but being organized enough to make them a reality. It's difficult to capture an idea long enough to put it on paper so it can be revisited at a later date. So I've made an excel sheet to track all of my projects from conceptualization to the finished project. I've also included potential keywords, pricing, shipping, product names and descriptions. Also helpful are reminders of upcoming events. I opened up shop in the beginning of September, and it already seemed too late to work on any Halloween-specific items. And here it is, the middle of October and hints of Christmas are everywhere. The point is, you need a little forsight to be successful. Thanksgiving, Christmas, the New Moon release (look for my Bella scarf) seem to be coming at me like a freight train. Hopefully I can get my little engine to chug along quick enough to maximize on some holiday sales.

First Sale!

I made my first sale on Etsy today! It feels so good to have my first sale under my belt and add credibility to my shop. I have to admit, I feel a little unprepared since I was reluctant to think out my packaging and business cards before I made any sales. Looks like I will be doing some graphic designing when I get home tonight. And once I get packaging in order, I can concentrate on my pending projects:

Cute cashmere whale
cashmere leaf scarf
cashmere brooch pins

If only I were as good at finishing projects as I am at starting them!

My Etsy Shop

Just posted my first item for sale in my Etsy shop, Jessy Ray. I already have seven views and one heart since last night! I have another pair of gloves I'm working on right now, and then I'll be on to working on some felted pillows. I grew up watching my grandma sew, and she would always have needle points for me to work on. I also liked to crochet and had started many a unfinished scarf. But I kind of got away from doing crafty stuff in high school and college, and I'm glad I rediscovered sewing and whatnot as a past-time. It's been really theraputic finding things I love to do outside of work, since work has been very slow lately. It's so relaxing to make stuff without a intended purpose (besides going in my Etsy shop). And it is something interesting to do while my husband watches football all Sunday...