Posts Tagged: pillows/toys
Very Beautiful Things
Full on into the swing of things for Christmas over here. That’s right, Christmas. As many of you know – I’m a retailer of sorts. In that I am a full-time artisan who mostly sells on-line via my Etsy shop. Come the holiday season, the beginning of spring, mid-summer and fall, I do some shows. I’ve refined (shall we say), my involvement from the hot-mess of shows I did last year. Ah, I was such a newbie to the crafting world then! Still am in many ways – but know enough to surmise that the constant vending life is not for me. Not with 2 littles under 2.
So. I have a wish-list of shows that I want to do yearly, and that list is small. To be honest quite a few of the smaller, less organized shows (however amazing to be a part of from purely an artists’ perspective), are a lot of work with very little pay off. I have bills to pay,
The Madness That Is This Week
Doing a big show this weekend. My first one. Talking in point form. Up all night (and no, nothing to do with that weak-ass new show – sorry peeps, meh. Looks like it could be good, but in fact – overall? It’s sucks monkey balls. In my humble opinion.)
So. Up all night finishing plush and all sorts of other new product and stock…you can read about how I’ve managed over on the Babble’s today. Meanwhile, here’s a few pics of the madness.
Bloggy Tweaks & Chevy Quilts!
Things are hustle and bustle around here and I am nothing short of a multi-tasking queen of ferocity. At this exact moment I am typing one-handed whilst pumping some dodosh (milk), for Lil’ Abner. No point in wasting the tiny pockets of time I have. Speaking of which…other larger amounts have been dedicated to product assembly. That’s right, I have a line going and shit. It feels good. I’ve put so much work into my business, I can’t quite describe to you how much awesome it is to get in my studio and whip things off.
Murderous Mondays
As of Late
Custom orders seems to be where it’s at these days for me and my little Etsy Shop, here are some pieces I’ve done recently…
This fabric combo has been popular. Mix of soft vintage & organic flannels, backed with organic fleece by Michael Miller Fabrics. The softest I've ever touched!
Folded Detail
Where, Oh Where
Have I been? Painting, painting, painting. Designing kitchen islands and fireplace mantles, unpacking and organizing galore. Not to mention working on my new spring line, making application deadlines for summer fall and Christmas artisan shows and taking on a new contract as the ‘social media maven’ (?) for Borealis Records. Yes, the WSL in in daycare part-time. Going on 2 weeks and he LOVES it. I am not that kind of super-woman.
We may not have done ‘hard-core’ reno’s…but yea. It’s been quite enough for us! Phew! (Not to mention the actual pack, move and the un-packing which can’t really be done till the painting is done, all with a toddler under-foot, WHEEeeeEEEee!
To Have & To Hold…
I’ve been a kick of creating Treasuries on Etsy lately, like this most recent one. And yes, it’s chock full of baby gift ideas. All chosen from Canadian sellers. This, my friends, was no easy task. But so rewarding in that I have found so many amazing fellow Canadian artisans! Bring on the trades! Even if you don’t have a little one – surely there is a carpet dweller on your list this year? If no, then keep a look out for some awesome Fashionista, Geekery, Holiday Decor and Gifts For Him Treasuries I’ll be putting together over the next few weeks. Just sayin’.
When last night this lovely Etsian notified me that she curated my Bear & Beaver Clan 3D Dreamcatcher Baby Mobile! What an honour! I seriously had to sit on my credit card when viewing the adorable elephant here, and the BSM are in discussions over ordering it for the WSL for Ecksmas.
Many of these shops offer custom work (at no additional cost), gift wrapping and tagging (at little to no extra cost). Like mine. Big box stores, what? Who? Phhhht! Happy Shopping! Actually really, especially if you abhor malls, most especially during the holidays. Your welcome for introducing you to all of this awesomeness. Don’t mention it 😉
le petit rêve on etsy!
So I’ve finally got my shop up on the lovely online shopping network of Etsy. Etsy is a place where artisans who make handmade goods thrive, support one another and promote each-others business’. With a big-time grassroots community vibe in a hip, trendy yet traditional and professional manner. Serious. I’m quite impressed with the quality of useful resources, handbooks, guides, articles and tech-geek plug-ins available to sellers. I have been utilizing everything they have to offer for success by researching, reading and studying my booty off. Ask me how things are going next year this time.
Please, visit my shop – and in the spirit of the upcoming Holidays, remember to buy handmade! Perhaps I don’t have what you are looking for, another seller does! Spin a record, pour a drink and check out my favourites, or go off on your own adventure without venturing into the dull-drum of malls.
As with the nature of shopping on-line, the waiting time for shipment can be a bother if you are in a rush. So I created these groovy little gift cards on Picnik. Oh my that action is
Proof Me
Ya’ll probably know by now about my little aspiring Etsy venture…well things are finally starting to come together. Joy!
I was away for the weekend and came home to a package dropped in my mailbox with proofs for my labels and business cards. I actually didn’t even know they had arrived until we were in bed, all cuddled up and about to pass out until the BSM was all casual like and said, ‘o yea, you’re proofs for rêve are here’. Trickster.
Back To The Drawing Board…
So I did not get into the market. Poo Poo. Truth be told, it’s probably for the best as I’d be tearing my hair out to make enough product to sell over the 6 weekends. While it was/is a great opportunity/initiative; I’m not ready yet, in many ways! No dice for market means that I have been taking a really good look at my product and refining my designs to appeal to the ‘mass-market’, not just the lovely folkies.
While I was initially disappointed at the ‘rejection’, I realized that this is the world I have now entered into! Strife with competition and turn down’s.
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