I don't know why, but Wednesdays seem to always get me into a creative rut. Blogging ideas evade me, sewing slips, knitting isn't motivating. Somehow, someway, Thursdays are incredibly productive. I think I need to go out and figure out what it is about Wednesdays that put me in this rut.
Perhaps it is the build up from the day job's pressures on the week, then as the weekend draws near the pressure subsides. Who knows, but I'm forcing myself to write this blog in hopes of breaking the cycle! Will it work? I'll let you know tomorrow.
Do any of you have a particular day of the week or time that is very hard for them to get and stay motivated?
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Talk to Me Tuesdays! - Cuddle Yarn Designs
Stitch Silly: Tell me about yourself.
Cuddle Yarn Designs: My name is Jessica I reside in Ohio, I am newly married! Although I am not currently employed outside the home, my husband works, so I enjoy the spare time to keep myself busy with crochet! I have been a crocheter for eight years now, and just to sit in a quiet place and let my mind free to do wonderful work is relaxing! I have always thought of myself to be creative and imaginative and I definitely take pride in the things I make! I have no children yet, but look forward to when I do!
SS: How did you get started with Etsy?
CYD: My mother actually got me started with Etsy, she has two amazing shops! Therefore; knowing my own creative ways and how I can make items people would love just as much as I do creating them, so with a room full of yarn, I can now put my heart into my work! you name the colors, I have them! Etsy.com is a wonderful place to get my own little shop that defines me and my work!
SS: What is your favorite part of about being your own boss?
CYD: The greatest and most favorite part of being my own boss, is that no one is standing above me to tell me what I can and cannot do with my work. I can simply be..myself and that is wonderful!
SS: What are your two favorite products in your shop?
CYD: My two most favorite products are my crocheted jewelry, and vintage inspired doilies. I am a fan of vintage and love accessories!
SS: What do you most want to improve?
CYD: I would like to improve my designs, I am still learning different skills and stitch work! I love new ideas and open to suggestions!
SS: What is you ultimate goal for your Etsy shop?
CYD: My ultimate goal, is to make items like no other! all are one of a kind and it brings me joy to know people love my work! it makes me feel great!
SS: How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie pop.
CYD: How many licks DOES it take to get the center of a tootsie pop you may ask? I just eat it!
And lastly, to reach me would be on my shop www.etsy.com/shop/
Cuddle Yarn Designs: My name is Jessica I reside in Ohio, I am newly married! Although I am not currently employed outside the home, my husband works, so I enjoy the spare time to keep myself busy with crochet! I have been a crocheter for eight years now, and just to sit in a quiet place and let my mind free to do wonderful work is relaxing! I have always thought of myself to be creative and imaginative and I definitely take pride in the things I make! I have no children yet, but look forward to when I do!
SS: How did you get started with Etsy?
CYD: My mother actually got me started with Etsy, she has two amazing shops! Therefore; knowing my own creative ways and how I can make items people would love just as much as I do creating them, so with a room full of yarn, I can now put my heart into my work! you name the colors, I have them! Etsy.com is a wonderful place to get my own little shop that defines me and my work!
SS: What is your favorite part of about being your own boss?
CYD: The greatest and most favorite part of being my own boss, is that no one is standing above me to tell me what I can and cannot do with my work. I can simply be..myself and that is wonderful!
SS: What are your two favorite products in your shop?
CYD: My two most favorite products are my crocheted jewelry, and vintage inspired doilies. I am a fan of vintage and love accessories!
SS: What do you most want to improve?
CYD: I would like to improve my designs, I am still learning different skills and stitch work! I love new ideas and open to suggestions!
SS: What is you ultimate goal for your Etsy shop?
CYD: My ultimate goal, is to make items like no other! all are one of a kind and it brings me joy to know people love my work! it makes me feel great!
SS: How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie pop.
CYD: How many licks DOES it take to get the center of a tootsie pop you may ask? I just eat it!
And lastly, to reach me would be on my shop www.etsy.com/shop/
Monday, October 10, 2011
Happy Columbus Day
Here in the U.S. many of us are celebrating Columbus Day. I must admit, this is probably the most baffling U.S. holiday, but alas, people celebrate it...
That said, October is shaping up to be just as busy a month as September. I just finished another toddler blanket (quickly becoming my best seller!) and a pillow case for a repeat customer. All the while I'm working on a set of burp cloths and bib set for yet another custom order. And finally I'm finishing up a pair of gloves that were ordered. Also, I finally finished my son's Elmo costume with weekend. (with a little help from mom of course!) Pictures are coming soon on this one!
In addition to my antics, here's what's happening around the crafting world:
Livi Stitches is talking about her mounds of scrap fabric she has.
Asterope Bead Creations educated us about search ads. (Very informative I might add!)
And finally, Sea Marie did a wonderful dedication to Steve Jobs.
Enjoy your Columbus day!
That said, October is shaping up to be just as busy a month as September. I just finished another toddler blanket (quickly becoming my best seller!) and a pillow case for a repeat customer. All the while I'm working on a set of burp cloths and bib set for yet another custom order. And finally I'm finishing up a pair of gloves that were ordered. Also, I finally finished my son's Elmo costume with weekend. (with a little help from mom of course!) Pictures are coming soon on this one!
In addition to my antics, here's what's happening around the crafting world:
Livi Stitches is talking about her mounds of scrap fabric she has.
Asterope Bead Creations educated us about search ads. (Very informative I might add!)
And finally, Sea Marie did a wonderful dedication to Steve Jobs.
Enjoy your Columbus day!
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Our Generation's Alexander Graham Bell
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| Early Steve Jobs, courtesy of fanpix.net |
The man who brought us the apple computer and then proceeded to revolutionize how we live, work, and play with our the modern day gadgets of the iPAD, iPhone, and iPod will stand out in our history with the likes of Alexander Graham Bell. There probably won't be any mathematical theorems named after him like the Pythagorean theorem that we all learned about in high school geometry class. (Thanks Whit!), but through his ingenious thoughts we are a more connected society, for better or worse.
Steve Jobs challenged us all to be more creative in our thinking. Few of us ever knew him intimately, but he has touched our lives in some way and I thank him for his great contribution to technology. While I am not an apple fanatic like some, I appreciate his ingenuity and realize that I probably would not have my Google Droid phone today if it wasn't for the iPhone.
My heartfelt condolences to his family in this time of mourning, but he is in a better place now delivering the iPhone G to the Big man himself. (iPhone G = God's Phone)
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
How to Get New Product Ideas
As a designer, you have an eternal issue of looking for new products or new twists on old products. For me it can be hard to just search the internet fabric stores or even to walk into a fabric store to get ideas. Sometimes I need a clear jolt of what can be a successful item to sell. Well this morning I got that jolt or idea from an interesting source. It may be obvious to some of you out there, but for me it truly hit me this morning.
I have a morning routine of sitting down at my computer and immediately looking at my Google Analytics page to see if I've had any hits and if so what are the details of those hits. Well today I was doing a little more review of the site and really sat down and looked at what people are searching for when they land on my Etsy Site. In looking at some of the search terms they do hit on some products I have on my site, but don't exactly match some of my products. For example, I have terry cloth burp cloths for sale, but one of the search terms I have on my Google Analytics is "falls creek terry cloth burp." The next time I am searching for fabrics, I'm going to keep in mind that people are searching for "falls creek," whatever that is.
Knowing how people are getting to your website not only helps in creating a new product, but also in selling current products. There have been a lot of discussions on blogs about the new Etsy relevancy search and SEO. Some are more helpful than others. Of most interest is Market My Shop's recent discussions of relevancy. Stop by their blog for more information.
Now that I've brightened your day with my latest place to get product ideas, I'm off to search for some new fabric to purchase!
Where do you get your new product ideas?
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| Terry Cloth Burp Cloth Set |
I have a morning routine of sitting down at my computer and immediately looking at my Google Analytics page to see if I've had any hits and if so what are the details of those hits. Well today I was doing a little more review of the site and really sat down and looked at what people are searching for when they land on my Etsy Site. In looking at some of the search terms they do hit on some products I have on my site, but don't exactly match some of my products. For example, I have terry cloth burp cloths for sale, but one of the search terms I have on my Google Analytics is "falls creek terry cloth burp." The next time I am searching for fabrics, I'm going to keep in mind that people are searching for "falls creek," whatever that is.
Knowing how people are getting to your website not only helps in creating a new product, but also in selling current products. There have been a lot of discussions on blogs about the new Etsy relevancy search and SEO. Some are more helpful than others. Of most interest is Market My Shop's recent discussions of relevancy. Stop by their blog for more information.
Now that I've brightened your day with my latest place to get product ideas, I'm off to search for some new fabric to purchase!
Where do you get your new product ideas?
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Talk to Me Tuesdays! - ColdhamCuddlies
This week we are talking with one of my most active readers. Coming from you the UK. She creates some amazing bears for your little ones and little ones at heart. So without further ado...
Stitch Silly: Tell me a little about yourself.
Coldham Cuddlies: I'm a 70+ silver surfer, who makes toys mainly as occupational therapy to keep my increasingly arthritic fingers moving. It is also an alternative to full-time caring for my disabled husband (of 42 years this September). I've been making toys since the mid-1950's when taught while at boarding-school in Bath, about 20 miles from where I now live in Wiltshire, England. We have lived and worked in both South Africa and Canada between 1959-1987 since then. We returned to the UK, with our two daughters, to enable them to qualify for UK universities in 1987, and have lived here ever since. Both girls did well at uni, one is married and both are employed - which in these uncertain times is an achievement in itself.
SS: How did you get started with Etsy?
CC: One daughter sent me a newspaper cutting about a UK Etsy member who spun and sold her own yarns: then I decided to try and make some money doing toys, after years of just making them for family, friends, and their friends. Etsy seemed a logical vehicle with which to try "to conquer the world" of hand made toys! I joined in January 2010, began listing in September 2010 after building up a small stock of toys, and since then have made 9 sales while trying to promote the shop via social media, about which I had little knowledge when I began. What I've learned has really been a "seat of pants" job, but with the aid of Handmadeology, Sunday Afternoon Housewife and others' advice, think I'm finally getting there! But, boy, there is so much to learn and do. If there were 48 hours to each day, I just might manage to do more! The drawback is that one cannot be sewing toys and "playing" on the computer at one and the same time!
SS: What is your favorite part of being your own boss?
CC: Being able to decide which toy to make next: learning how to blog as and when I feel there is something about the toys to talkabout; and being able to do it more or less in my own time (which is limited and dependent on how husband's health is at any given moment).
SS: What are your 2 favorite products in your shop?
CC: They're all favorites so it's difficult to choose, without seeming to pick one out. Perhaps I'm more partial to my Foxes, Coyotes and Rabbits - because I can be more creative with them when dressing them, whether they are ladies or gentlemen. All the toys are gender impartial and really are made for children of all ages - from 0 years to 80+. I decided to include Coyotes in the mix when I joined Etsy, because Foxes are not that well-known in the States and Canada: whereas, Coyotes, with their similar facial features are! The irony is that my first Coyote is now the mascot for a local After School Club (known as the Wylye (wiley) Coyotes) which operates five days a week in a nearby village. Charlie Coyote has been featured in the weekly local paper several times since he was appointed to this important role in December 2010.
SS: What is your greatest success since joining Etsy?
CC: Actually making sales - the internet world is so huge, and Etsy is enormous in the handmade articles field, that for an Wrinkly like me to actually connect with folk and be successful in selling a relatively small thing as a plush toy has been tremendously exciting.
SS: What do you most want to improve?
CC: A new service recently launched is the ColdhamCuddlies Soft Toy Clinic. It is there for folks with teddies who have seen better days, and any other soft toy in a similar distressed state. No dolls, though: I'm not into them, nor have I ever been. The first two projects have been Teds - one 75+ years old and Red in colour: the other 50+, which is about to be completed and made in mohair. I have a daughter's Teddy that requires a make-over, and my sister-in-law in France wants me to refresh a Mrs. Rabbit and Mrs Fox I made for her over 30 years ago. She now has a grand-daughter to whom she would like to give the toys, but feels that they have become faded over the years. My other daughter still has her Mummy Fox I made at the same time, by the way, so I feel I can justly claim my toys are long-lasting! However, that does not necessarily equate to a rapid sales rate!
SS: What is your ultimate goal for your Etsy shop?
CC: Unlike many Etsians, I'm not planning to go full-time at the moment: I already have a full-time, lifelong commitment in looking after my husband. However, it would be great to have enough sales so that I can finance some of life's "little extras" that are not easily available on a fixed pension: visits to France for example, and things like that.
SS: How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie pop?
CC: Not sure what a tootsie pop is! Does that betray a lack of knowledge of what makes the world tick these days, I wonder? So, I'll have to pass on that one!
Want to learn more about Coldham Cuddlies? Find them here:
Facebook.com/Isobel Morrell/ColdhamCuddlies/pimstg
Twitter: Isobel Morrell@pimstgabriel
E-mail: pimstgabriel@hotmail.com.
Blog: http://www.
Website: www.Etsy.com/shop/
Stitch Silly: Tell me a little about yourself.Coldham Cuddlies: I'm a 70+ silver surfer, who makes toys mainly as occupational therapy to keep my increasingly arthritic fingers moving. It is also an alternative to full-time caring for my disabled husband (of 42 years this September). I've been making toys since the mid-1950's when taught while at boarding-school in Bath, about 20 miles from where I now live in Wiltshire, England. We have lived and worked in both South Africa and Canada between 1959-1987 since then. We returned to the UK, with our two daughters, to enable them to qualify for UK universities in 1987, and have lived here ever since. Both girls did well at uni, one is married and both are employed - which in these uncertain times is an achievement in itself.
SS: How did you get started with Etsy?
CC: One daughter sent me a newspaper cutting about a UK Etsy member who spun and sold her own yarns: then I decided to try and make some money doing toys, after years of just making them for family, friends, and their friends. Etsy seemed a logical vehicle with which to try "to conquer the world" of hand made toys! I joined in January 2010, began listing in September 2010 after building up a small stock of toys, and since then have made 9 sales while trying to promote the shop via social media, about which I had little knowledge when I began. What I've learned has really been a "seat of pants" job, but with the aid of Handmadeology, Sunday Afternoon Housewife and others' advice, think I'm finally getting there! But, boy, there is so much to learn and do. If there were 48 hours to each day, I just might manage to do more! The drawback is that one cannot be sewing toys and "playing" on the computer at one and the same time!
SS: What is your favorite part of being your own boss?
CC: Being able to decide which toy to make next: learning how to blog as and when I feel there is something about the toys to talkabout; and being able to do it more or less in my own time (which is limited and dependent on how husband's health is at any given moment).
SS: What are your 2 favorite products in your shop?
CC: They're all favorites so it's difficult to choose, without seeming to pick one out. Perhaps I'm more partial to my Foxes, Coyotes and Rabbits - because I can be more creative with them when dressing them, whether they are ladies or gentlemen. All the toys are gender impartial and really are made for children of all ages - from 0 years to 80+. I decided to include Coyotes in the mix when I joined Etsy, because Foxes are not that well-known in the States and Canada: whereas, Coyotes, with their similar facial features are! The irony is that my first Coyote is now the mascot for a local After School Club (known as the Wylye (wiley) Coyotes) which operates five days a week in a nearby village. Charlie Coyote has been featured in the weekly local paper several times since he was appointed to this important role in December 2010.
SS: What is your greatest success since joining Etsy?CC: Actually making sales - the internet world is so huge, and Etsy is enormous in the handmade articles field, that for an Wrinkly like me to actually connect with folk and be successful in selling a relatively small thing as a plush toy has been tremendously exciting.
SS: What do you most want to improve?
CC: A new service recently launched is the ColdhamCuddlies Soft Toy Clinic. It is there for folks with teddies who have seen better days, and any other soft toy in a similar distressed state. No dolls, though: I'm not into them, nor have I ever been. The first two projects have been Teds - one 75+ years old and Red in colour: the other 50+, which is about to be completed and made in mohair. I have a daughter's Teddy that requires a make-over, and my sister-in-law in France wants me to refresh a Mrs. Rabbit and Mrs Fox I made for her over 30 years ago. She now has a grand-daughter to whom she would like to give the toys, but feels that they have become faded over the years. My other daughter still has her Mummy Fox I made at the same time, by the way, so I feel I can justly claim my toys are long-lasting! However, that does not necessarily equate to a rapid sales rate!
SS: What is your ultimate goal for your Etsy shop?
CC: Unlike many Etsians, I'm not planning to go full-time at the moment: I already have a full-time, lifelong commitment in looking after my husband. However, it would be great to have enough sales so that I can finance some of life's "little extras" that are not easily available on a fixed pension: visits to France for example, and things like that.
SS: How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie pop?
CC: Not sure what a tootsie pop is! Does that betray a lack of knowledge of what makes the world tick these days, I wonder? So, I'll have to pass on that one!
Want to learn more about Coldham Cuddlies? Find them here:
Facebook.com/Isobel Morrell/ColdhamCuddlies/pimstg
Twitter: Isobel Morrell@pimstgabriel
E-mail: pimstgabriel@hotmail.com.
Blog: http://www.
Website: www.Etsy.com/shop/
Monday, October 3, 2011
What a Month
September turned out to be our biggest month since opening our doors in May. Thanks so much to everyone who made it possible. There is a slight downside, my inventory took a huge hit! I'm working feverishly to increase it. I mentioned that I was making some beautiful fall gloves, that I wanted to post. But before I could post them, they were sold elsewhere with an order for another pair to boot. I'm working on pair number two already, and then hope to make a third pair to finally post. While I'm knitting my fingers off, I made this sports themed toddler blanket over the weekend. Watch for it to be posted soon. It's a great flannel sports blanket that is backed with a soft and cuddling baby blue minky. I love this combination so much that I wish I could use it myself! To go with this blanket I also made a toddler pillow case shown below. Buy both together an get a discount! These will make a great shower or Christmas gift for that special little one in your life.
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| Hot off the presses pillow case. |
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