When its broken, FIX IT!! Goals.

Alright so I didnt do as well as I wanted to with sales in July.
I was hoping to reach 40 sales by the end of July (For the second month in a row) I have missed the mark.
My hearts goal was blown away - I was hoping to reach 450 and got past 500....

So to reasses the situation. What should we do if we dont like the way things are happening? We change it up! Try new things!

Change Number 1 - Obviously from previous posts you can tell I am gearing up for the holiday season. I have applied to 4 seperate shows and heard back from one so far. I am sure I will get into three of the four. The last one may not have enough space left to let me participate. We will see.

Change Number 2 - Outside Advertising. I have listed my first ad on www.swankymoms.com
This website is not etsy related. I was encouraged by my friend Lisa (Savor) to try outside advertising. So I searched for sites with reasonable rates that I thought would cater to people interested in my product.
I also have decided to participate in The Little Black Box over the next couple of months..... It is a promotional tool that you send in samples of your product and she distributes it to people who purchase the box. Check it out! http://www.thelittleblackboxes.com So, let the games begin!

Change Number 3 - Get creative! Use what I have at home and stop spending. I know that was a July goal as well, which also failed miserably. I have enough product at home now to get a good HUGE chunk of product made. I need to stop with the purchasing and use up what I have. I have ample supplies to make all things I have slated for the holidays.

So here we are again about to list the goals I have for myself for the month of August.
I think it still helps strive for something to break it down monthly instead of just a yearly goal (Which I still strive to make at least 100 sales on etsy before my one year anniversary)
So for the month of August, I would like to get to 45 Sales. That is 10 sales for August.

I dont think I will set a hearts goal as that is a tool for me, not something I really need as a goal. As long as I see new hearts I will know that I am getting exposure.

Wish me luck!

Trial and Error...

So I have been looking at my stockings and wondering if something is amiss.
I think it is.
That is why prototypes are made before producing a lot of product. So you can feel it out. Let it marinate in your brain and then move forward with revisions.

This weekend I intend to make another Stocking prototype of the two designs combined. The cuff in vintage and cute fabric WITH the pocket for the Ornament.

I think they both are missing something on their own. What would happen if I shake it up and put the pocket on the stocking with the cuff and then match the ornament to the color combos there?!
It might boggle the mind and be the cutest thing EVER!
Pocket Peeper revamp here I come!

Gingerbread or Sugar Cookie?

Yay for more ornaments!

These are the gingerbread men I made this weekend.

I think they are adorable! I couldnt help myself making them in a couple of flavors. Of course the traditional Gingerbread man in the middle. Then the sugar cookie type gingerbead men on the outside.

Or its a burnt sugar cookie man in the middle.

I suppose they could be both, but I liked the variety of color.

The hardest part was cutting the piping along their hands and feet. That was tedious.

More styles to come!

Working on some moose and chickens this week!

Second stocking!

Whoo Hooo The Pocket Peeper Prototype is for sale here! I have decided to list this one as I am now well under way making more.

You can purchase Peter here: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=13658596

I finally got some vintage pom pom trim!
Here is the pocket prototype with an owl ornament hiding. He has an orange ribbon on his head.

Jeepers!

I think the next one I may do the pocket in one of the accent colors to give it more pop.













Here is a closeup of his little face sticking out.
This one is the same size as the green one earlier posted.










Full length shot!


Some of the pom pom trim I will use on others will not be vintage. But this one is unique because it has the two colors. Such fun!












Pocket can be for gift cards or any special littles you want to keep on the front of the stocking.

Aw look at him! (He came out a little darker than the yellow felt on the stocking for some reason....hm)

Id love feedback!

Christmas Prototypes

Voila!
Here are the animal ornaments!

They are just like the finger puppets I hand stitch only stuffed with a wee bit of polyfil and have a ribbon for hanging!

I intend to make them in ALL colors not just typical red and green. :)

Suggest any particular color combos?




Ta Da!
Here is the x-mas stocking prototype!
My pom pom trim is on order so I used ric rac in place for now. I intend to add a little detail on the toe of the stocking that matches the vintage fabric pattern.

I am excited to use the many types of fabric I have.
The stocking is 13" long and 10" from heel to toe.

I would love any feedback!

Thanks for looking!

Toast and Butter Scarf

Why is it called the Toast and Butter Scarf you ask?
Well look at it!
Brown and Yellow :)

Ta DA! My Scarf Prototype!

The brown back is a nice snuggly fleece.
The front is almost a linen vintage fabric I found on etsy. It is not in pristine condition so I will sell this scarf at a reduced rate eventually.
Id love to hear what you think?






It can be worn loose around the neck to cover a large swatch of chest area for more coverage over your heart.


















Some of the next ones I make I am considering patching several pieces of coordinating vintage fabric together to give it more visual texture.

I even have some rescued Denim that needs to be used. How about a patchwork denim scarf? Discuss... :)






Or, like in this photo, it can be tighter up under the chin for added warmth. Its adjustable.
There is a loop of fabric you slide the tail of the scarf through, and voila! You dont have to worry about it sliding around inside your coat or falling off your shoulders with your hands full!



I intend to do this even with a flannel backing as for some people the fleece may be too heavy. I also would consider a jersy knit backing for the fall.

It is 51 inches long total and gradually gets wider towards the end. It starts at about 6" wide at the neck then gets to 7" wide at the tail.

Depending on how snug you wear it up under your neck the length of the tail will be about 23"



I think for future scarves I may make them a squidge thinner and about 6 to 8 inches shorter.

I love the creative process that goes in to making a piece and then tweaking it to make it into something you are truly happy with.

Stocking Sketches

This is the sketch for the stocking that will have the pocket stitched in the front to hold a mini-stuffie.
It will be in a solid felt color with a fun little trim like rick rack or something across the top.

I intend to make the stuffie coordinate color-wise to the stocking.

My intention is to have Moose, Owls, Octopus, Bears, Bunnies, Apes, and Walrus all made into the mini-stuffie form for this application.


I have built up a nice little stash of vintage and retro inspired fabrics, and this is the second design of stocking I sketched up. (Sorry for the slightly blurry photo)
I intend to stich the body of the stocking out of felt, with a vintage fabric turned down cuff with a funky fun trim along the bottom.
Remember those pom-pom trims or Tassel trims?
Yeah.
Thats what Im talking about!

I had a side note on there about possibly making a toe and heel patch out of matching vintage fabric but that may be a bit much. Prototypes will be made this weekend and Ill have photos up soon!

I will also make wee little ornament stockings that you can fill with candy or a gift card. More to come on those!

Atomic Holiday Bazaar!!!

I buckled.
I folded under pressure.
I signed up.
:)
I was convinced by my FEST (Florida Etsy Street Team) friends to apply for the Atomic Holiday Bazaar in Sarasota, FL.
It would be my last craft show before the holiday - December 14th from 12 noon to 6pm.
http://www.atomicholidaybazaar.com/

I should hear back within two weeks of my application date whether or not I am accepted to become one of the infamous and addicted AHB participants.
I applied for a whole 10'x8' space. For those of you who have seen my booth you all know I can absolutely fill that space, but if I have to squeeeeeeeeze it down to an 8 foot table, I think I could survive!

How exciting! Ill keep everyone updated for when I hear if I am in!
Huzzah!

Pumpkin Prototype!

I just whipped up a prototype of a....

Pumpkin!
Gift Card Holders!
Halloween AND Thanksgiving all wrapped into one!

This is made out of an orangey gold felt and hand stitched in contrasting bright orange thread.

What do you think?
Should I make some with a deeper orange with light orange thread?





Do you think a little jack o lantern like face on it would be cute? Maybe with the little buggy eyes that are my signature.

I am entirely open to feedback.

Hmmmm?

My Muse ran off with the Milkman....

My Muse ran off with the Milkman...
So... all of those decopage ornaments that I was working on. I had WIP photos of them and was all motivated to get little creatures and holiday themed items painted on them. Poof. Gone.
Just like that.
It was like someone flipped a switch. Do I have a follow-through problem? Apparently.

I may revisit them in the near future, but I am working on a few items that have been long overdue for friends that have been entirely patient with me.
I also have a looooooooong list of items I intend to create for this Holiday season (Holiday in my brain starts in October) so I need to get cracking! I finally feel the creative juices flowing again as of this weekend (took them long enough, I thought I was dried up like a raisin there for a while) I suppose sometimes it just takes stepping away for a little bit.

I booked myself for the Circus McGurkis in St. Petersburg for October. I am on the fence with a few others, unfortunately everything is quite a drive and I really need to assess if it will be worth the booth fee plus the mileage.

I feel it safe to say that my Muse has returned and apologized for her lapse of judgement and infidelity. We are now in counselling, trying to work it out.
I have high hopes for us.

Lighting the fire of creativity.....without a match.

Happy Independence Day, America!
I know I am a little late, but better late than never, right?

I just got back from Kansas and had a wonderful time visiting family. I do miss them very much but it was nice to come Home.
No more vacation so back to creating!

I am working on a little stuffed character from Nickelodeon for a friend at work. Her daughter loves Moose A Moose so I am winging it. I am not used to creating from other peoples designs so this has been a challenge.

I also have to finish at least one tote bag for a friend. I have been burnt out on those totes since I made a bajillion of them all at once. That is a danger of mass producing.

I also was just commissioned for a wedding gift (decorative pillow) so that I will begin sketching up this week as well. It will hopefully pick back up on Etsy, sales wise.
Though I am loathe to admit I havent been spending much time promoting recently. I can see it affecting my sales, unfortunately.
I shall try harder!