Sunday, March 14, 2010

A Shrug for Harley

I never know what to expect with West Texas weather! One day it is sunny, 80 degrees, and we are all running around in shorts. And the next day it SNOWS! NO joke! This happens a lot here! In fact, it was a gorgeous 80+ degree sunny day today and tomorrow we are supposed to get rain showers and a high in the 50s!


With that in mind, I have a hard time planning for Easter wardrobes! I always want to let little Harley wear a pretty Easter dress or a cute spring outift, but we usually have one final cold snap right around Easter. So, this year I am prepared! We've got the pretty new dress and just in case it is slightly cold, I have crocheted a shrug to go with it! I'm hoping that by making the shrug, the weather will be wonderfully gorgeous and my time will have been wasted! :) Here's hoping!!! I got the pattern for this shrug here.


Wednesday, March 3, 2010

How To Be Successful At Etsy

So, day two of spring card making and guess what?!?! I only got one lousy card made! Yep! That's it! I was working on this springy card when it dawned on me, that I promised my son that I would go to the grocery store today and buy him some more Pibb...and Ritz crackers. So, I went off to ready myself for a trip into town and the dreaded grocery store...

Since I was going to be making the trip, I made sure to print a 50% off coupon for Michael's and take it with me. And since I was going to be in town, I thought I might as well stop by Hobby Lobby too. So, off to town I go...stop at Hobby Lobby to buy some yarn for some adorable baby booties that I am designing (I will have pics of those later in the week)...then off to Michael's for some bags to put my cards in for craft show this weekend...run into the grocery store...and then to the salon to get a quick trim (believe me I needed it!)...home again to help my daughter with her homework and then outside to enjoy the beautiful evening. So, now here I sit, catching up on the internet and with only one card done for the day [sigh] I don't think I will be getting those 5 spring cards completed before the craft show this weekend...But on a brighter note, here is my Friends Card:



Oh yeah! Get to the Success Tips! I completely forgot ;) OK, I am not an expert by any means! But I have been around the etsy scene for a couple of years and this is what I have learned...although I should be following my advice more closely ;) Use what you can and ignore the rest...

ETSY SUCCESS TIPS

PROMOTE PROMOTE PROMOTE
Send at least two business cards with every order. Leave business cards every where you can think of! Get a magnet for your car. Facebook, myspace, twitter, blog, cafemom (of course). Put your link in the signature of ALL of your emails (even those funny forwards because they will get forwarded on with your info). Offer discounts to 'special' customers like facebook fans. Contests for free stuff. Carry something you make with you everywhere you go. (I keep a coffee sleeve in my pocket and use it when we go out to eat on my coke glass). Get friends/relatives far away to show off your stuff. Keep a photo brag book with some of your pics (I printed a bunch of my pics when Walgreens had a sale). Use your children as advertising (T-shirts - my mommy makes X). Offer to teach a class on your craft at a local craft store.

Then there are your pics - make them good (remove background distractions, have the right lighting, make sure they are in focus). Include something in the pic that will help customers gage the size (a coin, a coffee mug, markers) but make sure they don't distract from the pic. Customers don't always read the item description.

Make your item description concise but detailed. Give sizes, colors, any special characteristics, etc. But you don't need to tell the item's life story."

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Spring cards

Today, I pulled out the paper crafts! My goal was to make 5 spring cards today. I gathered my supplies - stamps, punches, paper, trimmer, ink, markers, adhesive...printed out my inspiration...planned my projects...and got started. Unfortunately, I was only able to complete one card before it was time to go meet the school bus. Which prompted me to think that maybe digital cardmaking is the way to go! LOL

Anyway, here is today's spring card. And since I didn't put my supplies away, maybe I will have the time to make the rest of them tomorrow. Enjoy!


Monday, March 1, 2010

Mom Attack Monday



I am so proud to say that I am a member of the BEST street team on Etsy! The Cafemom Street Team is an awesome group of mommies grouped together to give advice, help, and even a shoulder to cry on when needed. Each week we choose a group member to attack with sells and promotion. This week's Mom Attackee is Patty's Pretty Things.




Patty loves making all sorts of things, as you will see in her shop! Plus, everything is One of A Kind! So, go check her out and support a Mommy Artist!