Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Etsy Seller Package and Business Card Design
In my experience as a buyer on Etsy, I've come across many, many a shop who have, let's face it, a very ugly shop banner (like Microsoft Word clipart 2.0). This is the first thing you see when you click on "shop"and it's the first impression you're giving to your customer! About 7 times out of 10, I will neglect to even look at the products in a shop with an ugly banner. I think many people don't realize how much visual appeal actually helps to market your stuff for you. Ignoring that fact may result in fewer sales and fewer visitors to your shop.
And so, I decided to offer my services to help folks have the opportunity to improve their store front, to gain more customers and hopefully gain more sales. I'm going to add an Etsy Seller Package as an item for purchase in my shop. This listing is for those creatives selling on Etsy who are really serious about presenting their business and their wares in a very professional manner.
The package includes: a shop banner, a sale banner, an away banner, an avatar, a reserved listing graphic, a thank you graphic for feedback, and 100 printed business cards.
The designs shown are samples of my design style. I'll encourage Etsy sellers to make custom orders so the materials they order are theirs alone. (The watermark will not be present on the actual order, of course).
For those folks who don't own an Etsy shop but have some endeavor for which they may consider business cards for, I'm open to custom requests for that too, definitely!
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Idea: Petal Scarflette
I think it'd be cute in various print fabrics, and maybe with a little button or couple buttons on the over-flap. Opinions? Think anyone would buy one? It's warm ;•)
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
A Note of Dedication
Since I know what the receiving end of that situation is like, I've made it a goal to be almost overly-dedicated to each individual project to the best of my ability. Aside from Maslow's heirarchy of human needs, my service to you is pretty much top priority. And I think the customer deserves that.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Clothing Shop Grand Opening!
Comfortable yet classy cotton wrap-around skirt with art deco styled black and white pattern. Waistline ties at the right side when worn. Fits a variety of sizes. Machine wash cold / tumble dry low, requires ironing.
Waist: 24”-35” Hip: free Waist to Hem: 27”
Green Tea Skirt - $27.99
This lightweight broadcloth skirt with flat front pockets is great for a hot summer day. Pockets are edged with embossed floral design ribbon. Skirt is unlined and zips up the back with double snap closure at waist. Machine wash cold / tumble dry low, requires ironing.
Waist: 25”-26” Hip: free Waist to Hem: 26”
Lovely Lavender Mini - $49.99
Show off your fun and youthful vintage appeal in this lavender cotton mini-length dress. It has a snap-on belt, covered buttons at the shoulders and belt and gathered sleeves at the shoulders. Dress is unlined and zips up the back. Machine wash cold / tumble dry low, requires ironing.
Bust: 34”-35” Waist: 28”-29”
Navy Winter Dress - $65.99
I don’t know about you, but I never want to dress up when it’s too cold out. Thankfully I made this cute dress lined with flannel to wear with warm stockings on such days. This vintage appeal navy dress has a snap-on belt, cute red buttons at the shoulders and belt and gathered sleeves at the shoulders. Dress is lined with a playful “bunnies” flannel to keep you very warm on those chilly winter days. Zips up the back. Machine wash cold / tumble dry low, requires ironing.
Bust: 34”
Viridian Tea Dress - $95
I love this dress. It’s actually made from a light teal curtain I found somewhere, lined with cream-colored lightweight linen. It has a darling sweetheart neckline, puckered under-bust and very fitted waist. The back zips up to the bust line, and is open at the shoulder blades with a hook at the neck. Hem is trimmed with a striped organza ribbon. Too cute! Best dry cleaned.
Bust: 33”
Friday, January 15, 2010
First Custom Dress Request
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
A Little Preview!
Teal Tux Dress
This dress was my first real on-my-own dress sewing project. I started it about 5 years ago, from the same basic pattern my mom and I used to make my high school prom dress. I used a light weight teal linen for a more casual look, lined it for support and left out the crinoliney under skirt bits. The small front pockets were an addition to the original pattern.
Looking at it now, it becomes obvious the multitude of things I've learned in the past 5 years about dressmaking and fitting. The bust was a bit bunchy, so I decided to make it interesting with the little tuxedo shirt treatment I did on the front with wide satin ribbon. I thought the little white pearly buttons were a nice touch as well.
It's always nice to sort of recycle old projects into new and better versions. This dress is not for sale, as I have personal connections with it being my first project, and being the one I wore to my bridal shower :0)
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
•m• Clothing Tags!
Monday, January 11, 2010
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Gems Of Creativity
As adults, often times we have a more difficult time finding those "gems" of creative thinking to occupy our idle mind with, in between busy and sometimes wearying daily tasks. I think as people driven by insight, we need those little personally gratifying moments of 'wow look what I've created for myself.. something to do!'
My gem of creativity is planning new projects... what next to design, paint or sew... and I am really enjoying that I've given myself those 3 areas. If I become bored with one I can just move to another and never interrupt my desire to be thinking. I think about them when I'm falling asleep, looking out a window or during my long drives home from work.
Today I'm thinking about how design for clothing is basically a 3D puzzle, but one that changes according to body shape, body size, clothing shapes, clothing styles and fabric types. There certainly are a lot of things to consider. Once the technical stuff is hashed out, the creative and decorative stuff is really fun... IF you get the technical stuff right! I like the challenge.
I kinda wish I had a play sewing machine when I was little. I'm sure I could have come up with some wild projects.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Seamstresseries Are Under Way
Anyway from the book so far I took away this tip: If you're going to be making clothes, buy Pinking Shears:
The blades are shaped to cut a jagged pattern on the edge of the fabric, which helps prevent fraying. I had to buy a pair - $10 at Hobby Lobby. I'm curious to see how well they work on fabrics that have been notorious for shedding.
Shop Update:
I'm in the process of preparing 5 garments I've already created, to sell in my shop soon. They'll be available after my new dress form and fun clothing tags come in, so I can photograph and tag them! I'm so excited!