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Friday, February 26, 2010
on "vacation"
My Etsy shop is currently on vacation, which is why you don't see anything in the widget at right. I'm traveling a lot right now because my dad is terminally ill. Still cooking up ideas for future product and doing some craft therapy when I am actually at home.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Quilt in progress
Working on a quilt for my sister in law's birthday. I had these lovely Amy Butler Bella precuts hanging around,
so presto! Easy quilt top. I like the simple lines with the ornate clash of prints.
I went to the quilt shop to get fabric for sashing, though, but when I put the whole thing together I didn't like it. Ended up pulling out an old pillowcase to use instead!! The outer patchwork sashing was fun.
I really like making up all this stuff as I go along. That's the best part!!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
so presto! Easy quilt top. I like the simple lines with the ornate clash of prints.
I went to the quilt shop to get fabric for sashing, though, but when I put the whole thing together I didn't like it. Ended up pulling out an old pillowcase to use instead!! The outer patchwork sashing was fun.
I really like making up all this stuff as I go along. That's the best part!!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
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Friday, December 18, 2009
oh, the holidays...
I LOVE the holidays...all of the shopping, fun music, special time with family...you name it! I am done with all of the custom orders and have now moved on to family gifts. There are probably a lot of things I could be doing to promote my business more during this time, but I want to put my family first, and treat them to some special things...like tissue covers in their favorite colors, little dresses, handknit scarves and hats, a giant blanket for my kids, and aprons of course! I would post pictures but that would spoil the surprise!!
So, HoopDeeDoo is formally taking a rest until January, when there will be new orders to fill and new ideas to implement. A local shop has requested some of my tee dresses for Valentine's Day (!!!), and I have lots of ideas for etsy stuff for next year. I plan to beef up my blogging and take a more aggressive approach to marketing next year, as I am continuing to find my niche. It has been a joy and success thus far. So Merry Christmas, happy crafting, and see you next year!!
So, HoopDeeDoo is formally taking a rest until January, when there will be new orders to fill and new ideas to implement. A local shop has requested some of my tee dresses for Valentine's Day (!!!), and I have lots of ideas for etsy stuff for next year. I plan to beef up my blogging and take a more aggressive approach to marketing next year, as I am continuing to find my niche. It has been a joy and success thus far. So Merry Christmas, happy crafting, and see you next year!!
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Monday, December 7, 2009
Who knew?
So this has been my official top seller: little tissue packet holders. I got the idea for these from a magazine, but then I tweaked it to make it my own. I added a pocket on the back for hand sanitizer or a lipstick. These are great because they keep your tissues from getting all over your purse. Before I used a tissue cover, after I closed the sticky tab on the tissue packs a few times, it lost its stickiness, and so the tissues would creep out and shred fuzz everywhere. Not anymore!!
I am listing some of these in the shop in groups of 5 - 10, but also can sell them individually, or in larger groups. These are wonderful little gifts for just about any woman you know, but especially for older people. I sold many of these at the craft show to people who were planning to hand them out at the nursing home.
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Friday, December 4, 2009
Updated Shop!
I have updated the shop with some new items, so go check it out! www.hoopdeedoo.etsy.com
Sales have been good, mostly custom orders. I have made 9 hats in the last 12 days. I am taking a knitting break today and tomorrow to save my wrists. Remaining custom orders include two more hats and 7 aprons. All of this is due by Dec. 15, but is totally do-able! I have been approached about more custom orders too...It seems everyone wants that stripey stocking cap in the boy colors. I don't even have a picture of it because I can't keep them in stock! Definitely making more of those to have on hand next year!
Sales have been good, mostly custom orders. I have made 9 hats in the last 12 days. I am taking a knitting break today and tomorrow to save my wrists. Remaining custom orders include two more hats and 7 aprons. All of this is due by Dec. 15, but is totally do-able! I have been approached about more custom orders too...It seems everyone wants that stripey stocking cap in the boy colors. I don't even have a picture of it because I can't keep them in stock! Definitely making more of those to have on hand next year!
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Thursday, November 19, 2009
Breakin' even!!
My first craft show was a success! I had no idea what to expect, but people were definitely in the mood to buy aprons and baby hats this year! I had to stop taking Christmas orders by the end of the first day. WOW!! That completely exceeded my hopes for the show. I already have a page of ideas for next year!
And other big news...10 1/2 weeks into this business, I have officially started making a profit! I have done other businesses before, and fully expected that it would take a while to build it up, because I had no supplies other than my sewing machine and my brain when I started. I was shooting to break even by the end of the year. So I met my goal early and am completely thrilled. Now I am starting to put the leftover inventory from the craft show up on etsy (see the widget at right), so hopefully that will generate even more!
Some goals for next year include: making up more Christmas-themed merchandise for the Christmas craft shows, placing some product in local storefronts, and saving up enough to buy a dress form. A long term goal is to purchase a monogramming machine and offer personalization.
The biggest necessity I have right now is better storage in my office, so probably that will take some precedence in January (Christmas money may help with this!) It looks like I will be filling more orders for my specialty pathology smocks as well, and perhaps that will involve some medical trade shows...well, I'm just brimming with ideas!
But for now, lots o' knitting and sewing to finish existing orders, and making up some handmade gifts for my super-supportive family!
And other big news...10 1/2 weeks into this business, I have officially started making a profit! I have done other businesses before, and fully expected that it would take a while to build it up, because I had no supplies other than my sewing machine and my brain when I started. I was shooting to break even by the end of the year. So I met my goal early and am completely thrilled. Now I am starting to put the leftover inventory from the craft show up on etsy (see the widget at right), so hopefully that will generate even more!
Some goals for next year include: making up more Christmas-themed merchandise for the Christmas craft shows, placing some product in local storefronts, and saving up enough to buy a dress form. A long term goal is to purchase a monogramming machine and offer personalization.
The biggest necessity I have right now is better storage in my office, so probably that will take some precedence in January (Christmas money may help with this!) It looks like I will be filling more orders for my specialty pathology smocks as well, and perhaps that will involve some medical trade shows...well, I'm just brimming with ideas!
But for now, lots o' knitting and sewing to finish existing orders, and making up some handmade gifts for my super-supportive family!
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Wednesday, November 11, 2009
FBC Christmas Spectacular tomorrow!
I'll be at FBC Georgetown for three days at the Christmas Spectacular, which is their fundraiser for the preschool there. It truly is spectacular...there are huge gift baskets on raffle, over 60 merchants, usually 1000 people attending over the weekend. I am thrilled to be a part of it, to support the school, and for this to be my first event as HoopDeeDoo feels just right!
Thursday 11/12 and Friday 11/13, 9-5
Saturday 11/14 9-3
First Baptist Church
Hwy. 29 in Georgetown, one mile west of IH35
fbcchristmas.org
I will be selling children's art aprons among my merchandise. Here's one of them:
Hope to see you there! It will be a fun time and there is great gift shopping!
Thursday 11/12 and Friday 11/13, 9-5
Saturday 11/14 9-3
First Baptist Church
Hwy. 29 in Georgetown, one mile west of IH35
fbcchristmas.org
I will be selling children's art aprons among my merchandise. Here's one of them:
Hope to see you there! It will be a fun time and there is great gift shopping!
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