Some of you may be unfamiliar or just plain confused about what an Etsy treasury is and why so many people with Etsy shops create treasuries.
A treasury is basically a collection of pictures and links taken from other shops on Etsy. Usually you want them to have something in common such as theme or color, etc. (I've made all of mine with like colors but completely different items.) Anyway, the purpose of creating a treasury is to get your shop name out there (though they discourage you from actually featuring your own items in your treasury), make connections with other Etsy sellers who might discover your shop through a treasury you featured them in, and maybe even find some unique creations that you fall in love with yourself.
I love when I find out that I've been featured in a treasury because even if I'm not selling a ton of items, being featured lets me know that I have items that are interesting to others and I'm on the right track to eventually being discovered. It's almost like free publicity!
Here's the latest one I'm featured in:
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4db6c693d73d6d91955f9683/teacher-appreciation-gift-guide.
And I love making treasuries. Finding just the right items or colors that create an appealing design is a fun break from the business part of having an online shop. I enjoy browsing the shops of other Etsy sellers and finding so many amazing things.
Here's the latest one I made just this morning:
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4db82b298f868eef9398c885/rhapsody-in-blue
Basically, with Etsy being an immense online marketplace featuring literally millions of handmade items, there has to be a way for a shop to be found and to be recognized. Participating in things like treasuries and teams (more on that in another post) is a way to do that.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Make a Flower Clip
There is something you should probably know about me right up front. And that is that I am really not all that creative. I don't usually make anything that isn't super easy--and that includes the stuff I sell in my shop. I love to craft for sure, but most of the things I make can be done in one sitting and by just about anyone. A lot of my "creative" inspiration actually comes from other things I see. For example, I just saw this cute home decor item in a magazine the other day and it was listed at $45. But I looked at it and realized I could make a similar item and personalize it to fit our family even better using stuff I already have on hand. I wouldn't have thought to do it on my own, but now I totally want to give it a try. If I do get a chance to create it, I will post pictures on here.
Anyway, occasionally, I want to post tutorials for how I make some of the stuff I do. I will always try to the best of my ability to credit my source for inspiration, although I really, honestly don't know where I get some of it. If I used a tutorial myself, then I will definitely give credit to the artist. But most of my inspiration comes from stuff I see. I started making flower clips after I saw my niece with a cute clip in her hair last summer. I decided I could probably do that. So I did. And maybe it's even easier than I think it is. I've never actually been taught how to do this but I'm going to share may way anyway!
For this project you will need:
1. A silk flower, any size (you can buy these at any craft store and even the dollar store)
2. A metal alligator style hair clip (Hobby Lobby has these in all different sizes and quantities)
3. A 4.5 inch length of ribbon--I like grosgrain which adheres well and is really economical.
4. A hot glue gun
5. Optional: a decorative brad
I begin by dismantling my flower completely. I pull it off the stem and remove the plastic backing and the center part. (However, if you'd like to leave the center part in you can do that by taking off the back and then using sharp scissors, trim the remaining stem as close to the flower as you can get it so that it will lay relatively flat against the clip. You will probably also have to glue some of the layers of flowers together in the center so that it will hold.)
I like to use a brad because it holds the layers of the flower together nicely and the ends fold flat for a good fit against the clip.
Next, cut your ribbon to about 4.5 inches in length if you haven't already done so.
You can seal your ribbon to keep from fraying if you'd like by taking one end of the ribbon in one hand and a lighter in your other. Flick the lighter and bring the end of the ribbon as close as you can to the flame without actually touching it. You can see the end sealing up and looking more plastic. After it cools you can do the other side. You will want to seal the ends if you are planning to sell your clips since it preserves the initial quality of the clip. However if you are just making the clip for yourself or are deathly afraid of starting a ribbon fire (which won't happen by the way), you can skip to the next step.
Anyway, occasionally, I want to post tutorials for how I make some of the stuff I do. I will always try to the best of my ability to credit my source for inspiration, although I really, honestly don't know where I get some of it. If I used a tutorial myself, then I will definitely give credit to the artist. But most of my inspiration comes from stuff I see. I started making flower clips after I saw my niece with a cute clip in her hair last summer. I decided I could probably do that. So I did. And maybe it's even easier than I think it is. I've never actually been taught how to do this but I'm going to share may way anyway!
For this project you will need:1. A silk flower, any size (you can buy these at any craft store and even the dollar store)
2. A metal alligator style hair clip (Hobby Lobby has these in all different sizes and quantities)
3. A 4.5 inch length of ribbon--I like grosgrain which adheres well and is really economical.
4. A hot glue gun
5. Optional: a decorative brad
I begin by dismantling my flower completely. I pull it off the stem and remove the plastic backing and the center part. (However, if you'd like to leave the center part in you can do that by taking off the back and then using sharp scissors, trim the remaining stem as close to the flower as you can get it so that it will lay relatively flat against the clip. You will probably also have to glue some of the layers of flowers together in the center so that it will hold.)
I like to use a brad because it holds the layers of the flower together nicely and the ends fold flat for a good fit against the clip.
Next, cut your ribbon to about 4.5 inches in length if you haven't already done so.
You can seal your ribbon to keep from fraying if you'd like by taking one end of the ribbon in one hand and a lighter in your other. Flick the lighter and bring the end of the ribbon as close as you can to the flame without actually touching it. You can see the end sealing up and looking more plastic. After it cools you can do the other side. You will want to seal the ends if you are planning to sell your clips since it preserves the initial quality of the clip. However if you are just making the clip for yourself or are deathly afraid of starting a ribbon fire (which won't happen by the way), you can skip to the next step.Line up your clip with your ribbon by inserting the ribbon between the clip and aligning evenly.
Then take your hot glue gun and add a strip to the top of the clip; fold over the ribbon to adhere to the clip. Then add glue first to the top of the "sqeezy" part and then to the bottom, sticking the ribbon to both parts. And finish up by gluing the remaining part of the ribbon to the bottom. The ribbon will NOT cover the bottom completely. I always leave that part uncovered because the clip will grip hair better if it's not fully lined.
Next, place a line of glue along the bottom of the flower (right along the brad if that's what you are using as your center). Then quickly stick the flower onto the top of the lined clip.
And that's it!
My girls always get so many compliments on all their flower clips. Whenever I make some to sell, I know I will have to make duplicates for my own kids! But these are so quick and easy to make. I actually made one in about 5 min. one morning on my daughter's picture day when we couldn't find a flower clip to match her outfit! We even did it as an activity at the same daughter's birthday party--the girls were all amazed at how easy it was.
Then take your hot glue gun and add a strip to the top of the clip; fold over the ribbon to adhere to the clip. Then add glue first to the top of the "sqeezy" part and then to the bottom, sticking the ribbon to both parts. And finish up by gluing the remaining part of the ribbon to the bottom. The ribbon will NOT cover the bottom completely. I always leave that part uncovered because the clip will grip hair better if it's not fully lined.
Next, place a line of glue along the bottom of the flower (right along the brad if that's what you are using as your center). Then quickly stick the flower onto the top of the lined clip.
And that's it!
My girls always get so many compliments on all their flower clips. Whenever I make some to sell, I know I will have to make duplicates for my own kids! But these are so quick and easy to make. I actually made one in about 5 min. one morning on my daughter's picture day when we couldn't find a flower clip to match her outfit! We even did it as an activity at the same daughter's birthday party--the girls were all amazed at how easy it was. One last note: If you do make these to sell on Etsy or another site, it is important that you use materials which are CPSIA compliant. I only just learned this (and it has caused me such a headache!) and that is why my stock of clips in my Etsy store are sparse right now. But I just found a great seller on Etsy that sells supplies that have already been tested so I don't have to foot the bill for it! I'll be adding a new selection of gorgeous clips very soon!
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Would you buy this?
With the arrival of warm weather (at least in SOME parts of the country), I'm trying to expand some of my shop offerings since a need for hats, no matter how adorable, is tapering off. I've already been working on adding stuff like wash cloths and scrubbers and headbands and I'll be adding more floral hair clips as well. But I just tried out this project and thought I'd see if it might be something that people would be interested in.
When my husband and I got married nearly 17 years ago, it seemed that one of the big things to get at weddings were those dish towels that had the crocheted button-over hook that made it so you could attach the towel over your oven handle or a cupboard door handle. The problem was, if you needed to actually pick up the towel, you had to go to the trouble to unbutton the thing and then you'd have this long crochet part getting in the way. For us, it was more trouble than it was worth and the towels ended up being stuffed at the back of the drawer.
Fast forward a decade and a half later, and I found myself at the local kids museum where my youngest was taking a little "preschool" class. Since she and most of the other 2 year olds in the class were not potty trained, the parents/guardians were asked to stay in the museum just in case. So I'd bring my crochet projects and enjoy an hour or so of creative time. The grandmother of another girl in the class brought her crochet as well and we had fun comparing projects that we were working on. One day she brought in a little metal circle and began crocheting around it. I asked what she was doing and she told me she was making a dish towel holder. It was patterned after the old idea of the crochet dishcloths, but it made it so you didn't have to attach the dish towel. Instead it just slides right through the circular bottom. That way you have a cute place to hold your towel, but when you need the towel, you just pull it right out.
I watched her make one, and thought "I can do that!" So I went and bought some metal circles at JoAnn's and gave it a try.
So now my question to my (five) faithful readers is: Would you ever be interested in buying something like this? Do you think I should I add it to my store?
When my husband and I got married nearly 17 years ago, it seemed that one of the big things to get at weddings were those dish towels that had the crocheted button-over hook that made it so you could attach the towel over your oven handle or a cupboard door handle. The problem was, if you needed to actually pick up the towel, you had to go to the trouble to unbutton the thing and then you'd have this long crochet part getting in the way. For us, it was more trouble than it was worth and the towels ended up being stuffed at the back of the drawer.
Fast forward a decade and a half later, and I found myself at the local kids museum where my youngest was taking a little "preschool" class. Since she and most of the other 2 year olds in the class were not potty trained, the parents/guardians were asked to stay in the museum just in case. So I'd bring my crochet projects and enjoy an hour or so of creative time. The grandmother of another girl in the class brought her crochet as well and we had fun comparing projects that we were working on. One day she brought in a little metal circle and began crocheting around it. I asked what she was doing and she told me she was making a dish towel holder. It was patterned after the old idea of the crochet dishcloths, but it made it so you didn't have to attach the dish towel. Instead it just slides right through the circular bottom. That way you have a cute place to hold your towel, but when you need the towel, you just pull it right out.
I watched her make one, and thought "I can do that!" So I went and bought some metal circles at JoAnn's and gave it a try.
So now my question to my (five) faithful readers is: Would you ever be interested in buying something like this? Do you think I should I add it to my store?Monday, April 11, 2011
Excuses, Excuses
Well, my intentions were good anyway. I'm sorry about the lapse in posts, especially right after I started the blog! It seems like the minute I set it up, things became SO hectic. Our kids had spring break last week which I thought would give me more time to work on things, but I ended up with only a few rare minutes to spend online. I also started babysitting a little boy for a few days a week. And then my daughter got sick with some undetermined illness and has been miserable and clingy. Hopefully things will settle down a bit soon and I can do more with this blog.
In the meantime, I have actually managed to create a few new items. I especially love this little frog beanie. I made this without any real pattern, so I'm even extra proud of it. I also have some cute crochet headbands that I'll be listing soon too--one of them is already up in my shop and one of them has already sold (thanks Mom!). I also have a little polar bear hat featured at www.handmadetop10.com/#/lists/26. Voting continues for a few more days. The top 10 in the voting get to remain permanently on the list. You can vote multiple times. Hopefully I'll return soon with more fun stuff to post!
In the meantime, I have actually managed to create a few new items. I especially love this little frog beanie. I made this without any real pattern, so I'm even extra proud of it. I also have some cute crochet headbands that I'll be listing soon too--one of them is already up in my shop and one of them has already sold (thanks Mom!). I also have a little polar bear hat featured at www.handmadetop10.com/#/lists/26. Voting continues for a few more days. The top 10 in the voting get to remain permanently on the list. You can vote multiple times. Hopefully I'll return soon with more fun stuff to post!
Friday, April 1, 2011
And The Winners Are...
Thank you to all who entered the giveaways! For those who missed out on entering or didn't win this time, check back periodically because I will definitely do more of these. I'm thinking one a month possibly. Also, if you were really dying for one of my giveaway items or any other item in my shop, I still have a great coupon code going on until Monday night. Just enter MARCHMADNESS20 at checkout for 20% off any item in the shop. And now to the winners... The winner of the little daisy hair clips was Alison who said "I would love to win these." The round cotton scrubbies go to Rachael @ The Little Birdie who said: "What a great idea! Such fun giveaway items!" And the little lady bug hat goes to Adria who said: "This would be perfect for my hairless little girl. It is soo cute. Thanks." Congratulations winners! Now I just need a way to get these to you. Please contact me at kalensgal@yahoo.com with your mailing address and Adria I will need to get a size from you so that I can create your hat. Thanks to all who entered! If I haven't been contacted within 72 hours, I will pick a new winner from the remaining entries.
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