Etsy update
Claire May 28th, 2008
At long last! I have been meaning to update the Etsy shop in so long – I really have neglected it – check back over the next few days to see even more new items being listed xoxo
Claire May 28th, 2008
At long last! I have been meaning to update the Etsy shop in so long – I really have neglected it – check back over the next few days to see even more new items being listed xoxo
Claire April 16th, 2008
I went to collect this from the post office on my way in to work this morning and was so pleased with what I had been made by Stephanie. I now am the proud owner of a lovely blue and green (vintage I think) lunchbox. Stephanie has also made me a matching placemat (I know when I whip that one out at work I will be mocked, but then I already am by bringing my lunch every day – may as well do it in style!). Stephanie also added a lovely box of sweets , a china thimble and some info on the area she lives in, which I thought was such a lovely touch.
It’s so nice to see other people’s handiwork and I can’t wait to use it tomorrow.
Still no joy on the Etsy shop – in all honesty I have been running round like a headless chicken trying to embroider things and ended up making an outfit for my friends’ wedding last saturday at 4pm Friday (why do I let myself do this?!?) and I have booked some time off work to sit and make things up. The theory is that I will get up when David gets up and instead of getting ready for work, sit and sew. In reality I am that tired I will probably sleep in for an hour and then spend all day trying to catch up with myself and kicking myself at the same time for not doing what I had promised to do…..
Better go and get some paid work done! xoxo
Claire April 7th, 2008
Or rather, no shop at all. Was pootling round Etsy on my lunch break to log in and view my shop. There is no shop! I tried updating the shop at the weekend and for some reason it hasn’t saved any of the changes I made, but wiped everything off – Bah! I may update it tonight but I have a mass of things to do and little time to spend on updating it, which takes a while to re-size the photos (although in return for cooking dinner tonight I may pass that job on to David as he’s far quicker than I am on Photoshop). If anyone is a fan of Steven Fry and Hugh Laurie -I quote “Damn, double damn and and extra slice of double damn!”
Claire April 2nd, 2008
And the winner is (drum roll please…) Shabby Chic (sorry, I don’t know your real name, only your blogging one) -please drop me an email and I will send you some lovely bits and bobs. I enjoyed this one, and it was so nice getting the warm fuzzy feelings I always think of when I remember my childhood, so thank you all so much for sharing them with us. I have decided that giveaways are great and, since I do need to clear my stuff out, I may have a craft supplies giveaway next, maybe for my 100th post, although my rate of blogging, won’t be any time soon!
I did try posting over the weekend in between trying to get loads of other bits and bobs done, but had to save the draft as I was so frustrated at the upload speed for photos that I gave it up as a bad job. Including trying to update the etsy shop. Here are a couple of pictures of the new things that I will be adding once the images have been re-sized (boring job and I hate it – does anyone have any tips on doing that quickly and painlessly? I use Photoshop to save and resize the image although I am sure there must be something easier – al help is appreciated!
I have been really busy making things recently – it was Faye’s daughters’ birthday yesterday – she’s an April 1st baby the same as I am, and her granny, my best friend Rachel’s mum wanted me to make a blanket for her, so I made this one
backed in vintage flanelette and I put on some vintage baby buttons and applique’s that Edie gave me ages ago and I had saved for something pretty. I made her a felt bunny with vintage fabric applique (one of the old 50′s dresses I wore at Uni) filled with lavender for nap times.
It’s been really wierd crafting recently – it seems to be all I have done in my spare time (well judging on the state of the house, housekeeping hasn’t been high on the agenda….!) as I am really paranoid that I will turn up at the craft fairs I have booked with nothing to show. Since most of the things I make take ages as they are hand embroidered or crocheted, I can’t just churn things out production line style. Anyway, I am going to make a small number of everything I make, like these Matroshka needle books, and keep half for Etsy and the other half for the craft fairs.
I want to get loads of stuff made too so that I can ease off making stuff to sell with making stuff for the wedding. I am also making a dress to wear for my friend Vicky’s wedding, and embroidering a shawl she will wear using the Weldon’s spring flowers I psted ages ago. As well as working on my swap stuff…. Aargh! Craft overload! Need to slow down and blog more – it makes me sit back and appreciate what I am doing , as well as generate new ideas for other things to make. If uploading pics wasn’t such a royal pain in the behind I would do it more often….
Anyway, I shall get back to work now – to be back again soon x
Claire March 30th, 2008
Well, it will be later when I have re-sized the images. That has to be one of the most boring jobs in the world! Have been trying to make quite a few of the same thing, last week I completed 12 make up bags. I am going to sell (fingers crossed that is) some at the craft fairs and also list a couple of each thing on Etsy. I will be adding the Matroshka, cup cake and flower basket needle books, as well as a couple of make up bags using some of the mini pin – up girls I embroidered over a year ago. I also have a dozen laundry bags cut out and pinned that have mannequins in prom dresses embroidered on them.
In amongst all of this I have been working on something for my friend Vicky to wear at her wedding, my swap partners’ gifts, and a present for Ella, Faye’s daughter. Rach, my friend myself and her mum were chatting and her mum wanted me to make her a blanket for her birthday, so I embroidered a ginger kitten, added her name and then backed it onto a blanket from vintage sheeting and flanelette – I added a few vintage buttons and flower applique’s that I thought she may like too. You have to celebrate having a fellow April Fools day person. Anyway, the shop should be updated this evening if you want to have a look at anything on there. And keep adding your comments to the birthday giveaway – it’s been lovely sharing some of your memories, so thank you x
Claire December 13th, 2007
That’s all I seemt to do – promise things and then give updates. I swear that I have set myself the task of blogging properly next year – naughty blogger that I am! I envy people who seem to mamage to fit in taking pictures and posting regularly. Instead of spending time envying them I just need to sort my life out and get on with it really.
Have put some more stock on Etsy (at long last – it’s almost Christmas and I have only just managed to get things photographed and on there… how slack am I?) with the hope that some of it will go before Christmas, such as the bunting and the stockings, but as selling on Etsy seems to be slow I am not sure – let me know what you think to stuff anyway – all feedback as usual is gratefully received!
I think like so many people at the minute I am so tired and really ready for a break. Last week we ran a trip for 50 people to go to the pantomime (which was such good fun, and so much better than supervising 50 young offenders and almost being barred from a theatre which was my expeience for the last 2 years- Oh the humble pie I ate then….) as well as organise and run a Christmas party for 17 kids with special needs on the Saturday. I am also trying to fit in meeting my friend Rachel regularly, spend time with David, unpack, and finish things off for stuff I want to sell. Something has got to give, and I am counting the days down to next Weds whenI finish til 7th Jan – see the blog posts then!
Anyway, is I have learned anything in this job, it’s to be grateful for what I have got, so I will shut up moaning and show some pretty pictures instead. xx
All stockings are hand embroidered, and as usual use vintage patterns and are lined with some vintage gingham that Edie gave me in the summer. I’m pleased with them – they’re in my shop or email me if you would be interested in any of them
Claire December 2nd, 2007
Woohoo! Pinky and Boo loveliness is stocked on Etsy! I am so easily pleased aren’t I? It was the product of a very late night, and I can’t believe the mental blocks I had to push away to get it done – for some unknown reason I stuggled with listing things, but after a bit of a stern word with myself and coaxing from David on how easy it really is, the majority of the things I have ready are on it, waiting for a new loving home like eager kittens needing to be picked up and loved (I am soppy aren’t I – no, it’s OK, I do know it!). I still have a few bits and bobs to finish off that will be on there this week, such as Christmas stockings and bunting, but the more time I spend blogging the less sewing I do….
Anyway, as a tease – here are some of the things I have on sale – if you want to see the rest – go and have a look. Best wishes xoxo
Claire November 30th, 2007
I knew the regular blogging wouldn’t last long… Too much to do and too little time to do it in. And as you may have noticed, I do like to have pretty pictures with my posts. Finding the time to take pictures however is another thing. It means clearing away the half unpacked crud that is littering the house, removing cats etc, and just seems like a bit too much effort at the minute.
However, I have opened an Etsy shop (at long last) in the long wait for my little website to be up and running (at this rate it will be the new year…..). I will be adding some stock to it this weekend, so please pop along and see what sort of things I have put on it. Not ready to be photographed yet are some Christmas stockings, and some vintage christmas bunting and some cute bird bauble things I have almost finished – they should be up there by next week. Then when that is all done I have some presents to make for some lovely people, but that will be a secret until I have given them to the recipients (in case they read this!).
I popped into a shop in Nottingham called “Joy” this week with some samples of what I have done- when the shop opened up it was when I was starting to make things, and it scared me that the shop looked like the thing I had in my head – lots of glittery birds, enamel jewellery, bags that looked vintage etc…. I tell you, it’s more nerve-wracking than a craft fair displaying your wares for some other person’s opinion and critical eye. Anyway, the upshot of a conversation with the owner and bringing along some of the bits and bobs I had made was that they have 5 of the needle cases I had with me – the basket of flowers ones, and 4 pincushions, on sale or return. The thing that miffed me somewhat is that my lables weren’t attached to anything, so no one would know who made them. And my own naivity really at the price I would be paid for my stock. (I didn’t get quite what I wanted for the needlecases, but it is a valuable lesson for me to learn I suppose). Feels like I have put in a lot of hard work to the things I make for someone else to profit from it, but such is owning a shop, and such is the role of the supplier.
I will pop back again when I have loaded some of the stuff for sale – feel free to let me know what you think – I am just starting out at this, and all feedback is appreciated! xoxo