New Items & New Shop!

So I've been crafting like mad these past couple of weeks, and I've opened a new Etsy shop to focus specifically on upcycled items- UpandUpcycled. I also finally made a lightbox, and I have to say the pictures are WAYYYY BETTER. If you have a shop and you haven't done this yet, you must. I just used printer paper, white posterboard, tape and a box I had laying around. Here's an example of photos with the box:

This was my first item added to UpandUpcycled, a sweet little armadillo pincushion, which sold instantaneously. If only all listings worked that way! :)

I have also been making linoleum cuts and printing. Here's a nifty Star Trek tie I adore.

I also made this rad Paris clutch out of an old pillow cover. I may unlist it and keep it. Haven't decided yet. :)

Just in case you didn't know, I have the world's cutest dog. (In my opinion, of course) I also whipped up this Robin Hood costume, and will be posting the pattern for it soon. Yay!

My Etsy Wishlist

Oh, Etsy. Full of goodies. I can honestly say there's never something I'm NOT curious to search for. Here are some things I have been meaning to purchase forever, and am just waiting for a lottery win, or a good commission month, or finding a $100 bill on the ground... I want these!! :)

This hot/cold therapy pack is from TheFerrisWheels's Etsy Shop

Do not eat! Pink grapefruit awesomeness (soap) from SunBasilGarden

Sweet stack rings from KiraFerrer in Hawaii. Aloha!

Heart! Heart heart heart!!! Fab upcycled poppy clutch from GetReadySetGO

Gorgey-mc-gorgeourson! Love it. Cotton cloche with vintage flourish from BonniesKnitting 

Handmade Stories?

Once you're bitten by the Etsy/Handmade bug, it can be a lifetime affair. I'd love to hear some stories on how you got turned on to handmade, how you turned others on to it, and how you found it to be successful.

I find that sending people items I know they'll love is effective, or giving handmade gifts as well. Any other ideas to help spread the handmade love this holiday season?

Five Fabulous Lino Prints

As promised, I picked out five nice linoleum print/products from Etsy. I see that the love of printmaking is worldwide- 3 out of 5 of these Etsy sellers are outside of the US! Enjoy!

This mouse plate is from QuietAnimals.etsy.com

This floral print is from ReallyGoodThingsEtc.etsy.com

This great lino-printed notebook is from Isis.etsy.com in Australia

This lovely lino is from Inugie.etsy.com in Ireland

And this colorful iguana print is from Minouette.etsy.com in Canada

A go at printmaking!

So in general, I've always been jealous of printmakers. Whereas I may take 20 hours to complete a one-of-a-kind painting and can't afford to make any quality prints of it, these clever craftspeople spend a couple hours on a plate/woodcut/lino block, et voila! Potentially hundreds of prints, priced to sell and not a bad profit margin at that. I eventually realized that I, too, could learn some printmaking. So I picked up some easy-cut linoleum and made my very first print. Watch out world! ;) I'm also going to be highlighting some of my favorite printed goods via Etsy today to celebrate. Stay tuned!

Autummmn

See the listing: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=18166610




See the listing: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=6403337





See the listing: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=20777111



See the listing: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=26354645

See the listing: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29393010

See the listing: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=20469135

See the listing: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29272981

See the listing: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29459427

Well, since it's awfully difficult to nab a treasury on my beloved Etsy [ especially with the firewall at work blocking access to it ;) ], I've decided to post some of my favorites here. I am always inspired by colors. I went to a local thrift store the other day and found some remnant fabric- about 5 yds. of a fabulous coral linen and a scrap of chocolate microfiber. Seeking out coral and chocolate combinations on Etsy, I found some yummy, warm, gorgeous pieces. I know it's not quite full-fledged Autumn yet out here in California, but I am looking forward to it. Enjoy!

The Handmade Crusade Part 2

Okay everyone, ready for reason #2 to buy handmade? You'll never guess what it is...

AFFORDABILITY. I know. You're thinking- seriously? This one's off her rocker. But it's true. When you buy retail, what happens is that a buyer for a store chain negotiated a discount from the manufacturer for purchasing wholesale. Then they shipped it and packaged it (potentially), and paid people to put it up on shelves and work registers and all that good stuff. So the price you pay only equates to somewhere between 10 & 30% profit in most cases for the store you bought it from. The rest is overhead.

When a crafter sells an item online at a site like Etsy.com, for example, his or her overhead is greatly reduced. You are paying them for the cost of the supplies and the time it took for them to make it, but most crafters end up underpricing work just to sell SOMETHING because some grocery money is better than no grocery money. It doesn't take a lot of looking to find something handmade that's surprisingly affordable.