Shipping of to COLD Wisconsin!

One of my favorite things is sending and receiving blessed little gifts that I didn't know where coming. I think it's so fun to open up something and know that someone else put the time and thought in it, thinking of you all along the way! It makes me smile.

Seeing this idea, I'm planning on making one for my little cousins who are stuck in the snowy cold weather!



I can just imagine how excited they'll be to receive this little delight!



And on the way, learn the joy of giving.

Images and idea from Katherine Marie

Carnival Umbrella

Thought I'd share this sweet little yellow umbrella to make your day happier! Plus, it's on sale for $15!

Turning a fantasy into a reality

Floaty dancing

So I have this fantasy dream...

...I am soaring across the ball room floor, a stunning dress floating, swirling around my ankles. Everything oblivious except for the next move to make and Mr. Darcy following every movement.


Dancers

Every piece of everything, out of my thoughts, except for the movement of my feet on the still floor. The trust that my partner will keep up and follow along.

I would love to learn ball room dancing. My Grandma and Grandpa have been ballroom dancing, waltzing, somba, and other dances, for years and they are great at it, and love it! I would love to follow in their footsteps laid out to learn ball room dancing. It would come in handy for that ball I plan on attending.....

My 2011 resolution is to start to learn Ball room dancing.


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Stolen Summer Kisses

I came across these lovelies from Cath Kidson, they are making me want to buy an Iphone - to bad they cost $800 on Amazon! I wonder if it would fit a Ipod touch?



I mean, if I had an iphone case like this, I'm not sure I would be able to ever put it away, not because of the apps, but rather because I'd be staring at the beautiful case!

I decided to explore their lovely shop some more and discovered this material that I immediately fell in love with! Vintage circus Anthro inspired dress anyone? I'm in!



I also love these fabrics:




And this one, which reminds me of something that would be used in a stunning 1890's dress:



Which are your favorites?

Mockingbird Blue Bloomers

One of my favorite colors....

Leggings.....

Dainty ruffles.....

The most adorable little girl bloomer/leggings! I just love these! Aren't they the cutest? I am excited to find some material to make a pair soon!

You can find the full tutorial over at No Big Dill.

Stunning Anthro Inspired jewelry Tutorials

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Playing around on pinterest today, I came across a great tutorial for an adorable Anthropologie bow necklace, and then I decided to take a peak at the rest of the blog and found a bunch of gorgeous tutorials, I am so excited to get working! I am also looking forward to using some of these ideas in an upcoming 4H FACSY camp were I am teaching a Fashion Revue class!


Bow Tutorial


Lace and Bow Necklace



Potentilla Bib Necklace


Pretty in Pinking


Which necklace is your favorite? Do you think you'll be making any? I can't decide on my favorites, but I really love the pretty in pinking and potentilla necklaces!

Greetings in Velvet

Found

Something about these little cards just makes me love them. They are whimsical, but remind me so much of Mr. Darcy! Quite charming indeed.

Now, how to make them! I think that you would need quite a thin layer of velvet, very thin, and then cut it out to fit a gift tag shape from a cricuit, or even designed and then printed from Photoshop. Do you know where I could find super thin velvet that would work for a project like this?

Otherwise, you can buy them here!

3 Ways to Use Social Media to sell your product

Siren Song Dress - Etsy Seller Claire La Faye

You've spent days developing your product. You have your Etsy or BigCartel shop all set up and ready to go. You're addicted to checking your email to see if you have any orders...1 day...2 days....3 days turn into 4, and you still don't have any orders? Here are some tips to help you learn how to use social media in a way that will help build your sales!

1) Develop a readership. Whether its through your blog, Twitter, Facebook, or all (the most effective) you will want to develop a loyal readership. Make sure that every time you post something, or update a status, it is the highest quality as possible. The goal is for your following to learn to trust you, and if they trust you, they will be more interested in purchasing from you!

2) Find others that share the same interests as you. Read a lot of blogs, especially ones that relate to the products that you are selling. Comment (high quality, meaningful posts of course! You already knew that though,right? ;)) on these blogs frequently and follow them on Twitter and Facebook.

3) Use Twitter and Facebook effectively. Talk to others, ask how their day went, if they are enjoying the snow, or comment on a tweet or message they sent out. You will seem more "human" and soon you will develop a following back!

4) Don't be spammy! On Twitter, if you send out a tweet about a new blog post or item you put in your shop, only tweet it once, not 10 times, and if you do start tweeting 10 times a day, don't be surprised when your 300 followers drop down to 3!

Do you have any more social media advice that you've been successful with to help you sell your products?