Showing posts with label makers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label makers. Show all posts

When you feel like quitting, remember why you started (free printable!)

Today's guest post is brought to you by Celeste of Be You, Not Them.

So many things happen on this wildly crazy, beautiful journey from hobbyist to small business owner. LOTS of things –they may be great, scary, sad, funny, joyous things. That’s life, it’s made up of all of these little and big moments that shape who you become and where you are heading. Let those things, both the good & bad, happy & sad, mold you into a great person, a loving and giving person who proves can’t be beat by circumstance. Life can be rough & sometimes things don’t go as you may have planned. Perhaps you or someone you care about falls ill, or you have some extra responsibilities thrown your way that you think you can’t handle. Maybe you’re angry or frustrated with something or someone, maybe you want to stop trying sometimes and just say forget it. Don’t.



Things on the business side tend to move slowly for me. Sure, sometimes I have a flurry of sales, butsometimes there just aren't many at all. There have been several times when I have thought about quitting my little handmade business, but you know what? I just don’t have it in me to quit.  I always come back to this quote: “When you feel like quitting, remember why you started”. 

I have been through a lot in my 36 years, some sad, some scary, but SOOO many good things have happened along the way. I have the best hubby in the world, three awesome kids and a great extended family. My little creative business has finally enabled me to stay at home with my kids. I choose to let the good outweigh the bad and strive to live a life that I and my family will be proud of. I make time to do what I love, help who I can, teach what I know to anyone who will listen.

I started because I have a passion to create things, I need to create them or I just don’t feel whole…so I’m not quitting. I’ll keep on creating – because that’s what I love to do and that is what I’m trying to teach my kids. 

Download your free printable here. And hey, never quit your daydreams. Treasure each moment of this wild journey, love yourself, love your life, love those around you – fiercely. You just never know what’s around that next corner.

connect with Celeste
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The number one way to show a maker you love them

Since February is love month I wanted to share the number one way to show a maker that you admire that you love their stuff!


Buy it. 

If you can afford it, treat yourself to a little something-something from a maker you admire this month! There is no better way to show your support for the maker movement than by actually supporting a makers dreams! For me, there is no greater joy than knowing that someone loved something I used my two hands & my heart to make enough to invest their hard earned dollars on it. So I try to make at least one handmade purchase a month, no matter how small, to bless other creatives with that same beautiful feeling!

My latest handmade purchase was from Moose Country Crafts - little MO & NC blocks with hearts over my home town in NC & our current home in MO.

Last month's purchase was this sweet art print by Aimee Ferre. Image from her Etsy shop, since I still have to paint the frame & hang my print!


I feel like the art of slow purchases - finding something you love, saving up for it, buying it & truly enjoying it - has been swallowed up by an instant gratification society & the convenience of super stores like Target that have kitchsy, artsy looking products on the cheap - but cheap, quick purchases do nothing for your soul.

So this month, the month of love, I challenge you to buy a gift from the heart - and hands - for yourself or a loved one. Try to support a maker you love to show them that you enjoy their work enough to invest in it, because no matter how small your purchase, I promise you it will make their heart sing.

There is still plenty of time to place an order from most makers & have it arrive in time for Valentine's day, so head to your favorite market place & scoop up a goodie for your guy or gal!

 How frequently do you buy handmade? What was the last handmade thing you purchased? 
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Lovely Made in America Gifts for the Ladies

We have teamed up with Aftcra to put together loads of sweet, handmade in America gifts for your loved ones for Valentine's Day! Today it's all about the ladies. In the comments, tell me your favorite items that you would love to give & receive!


Price: $75.00
Handmade in Arizona



Price: $20.00
Handmade in South Carolina




Price: $30.00
Handmade in Ohio



Price: $30.00 
Handmade in Texas


Price: $15.00
Handmade in New York


Price: $14.00
Handmade in North Carolina


Price: $44.00
Handmade in Wisconsin

Price: $105.00
Handmade in Indiana

Price: $65.00
Handmade in Pennsylvania 

So, which would is your favorite? Which would you love to get for Valentine's Day (or any day of the year)?
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Give Your Mister Made in America Goodness This Valentine's Day!

This year, wow your man with marvelous made in America goods! Erica from Aftcra put together this collection of handmade giftables for guys just for Daft & I am loving each & every one of these! Which is your favorite? Tell me in the comments! 

Valentine's Day Gift Ideas for Him

For the chef - Custom City/State Cutting Board
Price: $56.00
Handmade in West Virginia


Price: $120.00
Handmade in California


Price: $19.95
Handmade in California


Price: $159.00
Handmade in Colorado


Price: $39.00
Handmade in Wisconsin



Price: $150.00
Handmade in North Carolina


Price: $69.95
Handmade in California


Price: $42.00
Handmade in Massachusetts

So, which is your favorite?
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Handmade Goodies for Every Walking Dead or Zombie Fan

The Walking Dead is kinda a big deal. I'm still about 3 seasons behind, but since it's premier I've been seeing tons of zombie goodies & wanted to share some of my favorites with you! 

Wee Amigurumi Zombie by Crafteroni & Cheese - who knew zombies could be so cute!

Baby Zombie Sock Monkey by Stacey Jean 

Zombie linen sachet by Winter Solstice Dreams - bet these smell better than real zombies!
Undead Bread by Saint Angel Productions - bread that bites, look out! 

Zombie T-rex shirt by Krmbal - now THAT is a zombie to be afraid of! 


Are you a Walking Dead fan? If so, who is your favorite character? 

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Meet the Maker - Alison of Petit Cadaeu

I'm Alison Butler, a part-time maker/creative from Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada (basically I live on a island jutting out into the middle of the North Atlantic) - it's rugged and beautiful and I would never choose to live anywhere else. I'm a mom to my three and a half year old daughter (the best job in the world!) and I work full time for a local non-profit for the past nine and a half years. I'm really passionate about my day job, BUT I also LOVE being creative, and can't imagine a life without it, so I started my blog, and my shop!


I started The Petit Cadeau blog about 3 years ago while I was on maternity leave with my daughter. I wanted to write about pretty packages tied up with string and other creative projects for thoughtful gifting. From there, my shop seemed like a natural next step, making products that fit with my ideas about thoughtful celebrations and thoughtful gifts. In 2014 I launched Petit Mail because I LOVE snail mail, and I wanted to share that love of something fun in the mailbox with children like my daughter. This Fall, I'm starting to sell at local markets and am really looking forward to the experience of interacting with customers face to face!


My business name has a fairly simple story. Petit Cadeau is French for small gift, and it seemed to fit the idea of small, thoughtful gestures that I wanted to convey. While I'm not fluent in French, in Canada we study French as a second language throughout school & so the name came to me very naturally.


Selling products hasn't been easy - when you are really passionate about your product, it can be easy to get caught up in the idea that "everyone is going to buy this!". It takes time and ongoing energy to put yourself out there. I've had other bloggers tell me "no" to featuring my products (rejection stings a little no matter where you are in your business journey) but I keep going based on the positive feedback from my customers and keep growing the business one day at a time!


My biggest achievement to date has been really investing in my business (branding, photography) for a professional look. It was a scary risk to make up front, but I really believe that it set me up on the right path for my business, and I was able to identify and work with some other amazing creatives to bring my professional look together. I've been featured by several other bloggers this year as well, including Let's Lasso The Moon, Linkouture and Oh My Handmade and I am beyond grateful for the exposure that these interviews bring to my business!


Currently I'm planning to take my business to the next level with some wholesale orders (Oh My Handmade Maker Mail, and at least 1 local bricks & mortar shop). I would love to see Petit Mail really take off - I believe so strongly in this product, I know I can take it far as long as I keep putting myself out there and believe that the right opportunities will come along at the right time!

Words of advice to fellow makers just starting out: Be patient. Make connections with other creatives. Find a community of support that makes you feel good about the work that you are doing. Ask questions & don't be afraid to BE YOURSELF!

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Meet the Maker - Magda from Twisted Thread & Hook


I was born in Poland and came to US when I was 16 years old. I lived in in New York since then - Brooklyn, Queens, Geneseo and Binghamton. Finally settled in Poughkeepsie, NY when I found a job in my field – computer science. I felt in love with Hudson Valley. I found my husband here and now we have 2 amazing kids. At first, my indie business was a side job – did it when I had some time in the evenings. Then I got a little break from corporate world. Presently, I'm a stay at home mom and working on my indie business part-time and working on growing it bigger and bigger!


I always wished I could do something on my own, be my own boss & take control of my career but could not find the thing I excelled at, loved to do and that had potential to be a sustainable business. And then of course, there was the fear of actually taking that leap into entrepreneurship. One day I came across the wonderful world of online handmade marketplaces. I was inspired to open my own shop since that required very little monetary investment. I always liked crafting. I've been crocheting since I was very young, but I wanted to do something more unique than hats and scarfs. When I found a picture of a handmade rope rug, I felt in love with it. That's how my rope decor business and my rope obsession started - from cotton rugs, to jute mats eventually expending into fleece rugs, curtain tiebacks, baskets and coasters. I love playing with rope and designing new things!


My business originally started as a jewelry shop. I was making crocheted fine thread jewelry. However, I knew that this wasn't it, and once I got to know the handmade marketplace world and get involved in indie community, I found my true calling was in home decor rather than jewelry. My business being rooted by my love of crochet is how I came up with the Twisted Thread and Hook.


One of my obstacles that I'm still trying to overcome is believing in myself. I'm not talking about believing in my product and that there are people who would love it and buy it. I'm pretty sure if I did not have that believe, I would not be running this business. It's more about believing that I've got what it takes to make this business grow bigger. It's about having the courage to approach boutiques and wholesalers and show it to them that my product IS what they need. But with every step, I'm reaching a little further and further. I will prove it to myself that I CAN do it and my little business will not be so little in the future.


I'm very happy to say that my products are being sold in two boutiques. I've had sales coming from different parts of the country, but also from UK and Australia. It puts a huge smile on my face knowing my creations are being enjoyed by many.



In the next few years, I would love to see Twisted Thread and Hook's products in bigger shops, in addition to more mom & pop boutiques. I would love to turn this job into a full time business where I need to hire somebody to do things I enjoy less (like bookkeeping, ugh!) so I can focus on creating!



Sometimes loving your product and making it best you can might not be enough to make it a successful business. I still love my fine thread jewelry and I love making it. However, this was not something that I could see growing big. Make sure there is something unique about what you do & that you can stand out from the masses!

connect with Magda

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Meet the Maker - Melissa & Nick of Print Therapy

Some makers know they are meant to be makers from a very young age - they have always been crafting, creating, and dreaming. For others, like Melissa of Print Therapy, the dream of being an entrepreneurial maker became clear after working hard for what she thought she wanted, only to find out she didn’t want that at all! After three business related degrees and nine years climbing the corporate ladder, it took nine months of handcrafting numerous wedding details, several very long business trips, and her supportive husband to make Melissa trust her gut, listen to her heart, and start Print Therapy, a stationery company devoted to sending happiness, one card at a time. 

Print Therapy is run by Melissa and her husband Nick, and is focused on greeting cards, invitations, and love notes. Their name took a few tries to get right - Yellow Dog Creations, Two Hearts Stationery, and Blue & Grey were all on the idea list (which they still keep in their home studio today!) before they settled on Print Therapy. To them, it spoke to what stationery is all about - that feeling of love, happiness, and excitement that comes with opening a card, finding a love letter in your mailbox, and putting your emotions down on paper. Melissa and Nick run Print Therapy from their home studio in Longmeadow, Massachusetts, with their rescue pup Sawyer by their side, who often sneaks his nose into photo shoots and has been caught eating a card sample or two! 

Melissa and Nick started Print Therapy in April 2013, just a year after Melissa graduated with her Master’s Degree in Communication and Information Management, while she was a Project Manager for a large company. She admits that at first, it felt counterintuitive - she had finally finished years of schooling only to realize that Corporate America wasn’t for her, like she once thought it was.  Now, however, she knows that her educational and professional background gives her an edge as a small business owner. Not only does she love the creative side, but she loves the non-creative side of running the business as well. It’s been a good lesson for her, and for some of her close friends and families, that just beacaue you’re doing something, have been doing something, and think you should be doing something, doesn’t mean that you can’t be brave enough to 

While Melissa handles the design work and client communication aspects of Print Therapy, you can find Nick behind the scenes building (and rebuilding!) their website, fulfilling orders, and monitoring their inventory. While they feel blessed to be able to add “business partners” to their relationship titles, they’re open about the fact that finding their flow of how they work best together wasn’t always easy at first, as they both wanted to be involved in every single decision, action, and plan. Over time, and after very open communication, they learned how to play to each other’s strengths and settled into roles that compliment each other, and the business. Today, they work in separate offices out of their home, and have delegated most duties to one of them or the other, but make all of their big decisions together and are always running ideas by each other.  


While there are a lot of stationery companies out there, Melissa thinks Print Therapy is set apart by their overwhelming drive to connect people. It’s not just about pretty paper and thick envelopes - they revel in the fact that every day they get to help people connect, say I’m sorry, tell someone they love them, or just say hello, in a way that is meaningful and permanent, and in a way that cannot be achieved through an email or a text message. This year they also started their Send Love . Share Love campaign, which links a specially released card with a specific charity each month, and 50% of the profits from each card sale are donated to that charity. It’s their way of connecting and giving back to organizations that matter most to them and to the ones they love - which to them, is what stationery is all about.




Connect with Melissa 
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Meet the Makers - Sandi & Belinda from Sparrow & B

Meet the makers if Sparrow & B, two friends, Sandi & Belinda, who connected over a love of craft and handmade. Who then decided to join forces to form a creative business built around their love of dress up & imagination. 
Sandi
We both love dressing up, making our own (and our kids) costumes & we saw a need in the market for good quality, fun and unique dress up accessories that would capture the hearts and imaginations of children everywhere & encourage imaginative play. And so, Sparrow & B was born. The name was born from a combination of Sandi's prior business name (Sparrow) and my nickname (B).

Belinda
Our product line is mostly based around nature and animals with a little bit of magic and whimsy mixed in.  We started with tutus and costume accessories, but our vision evolved & we began to create costumes that resonate with the whimsical, sweet wonder of childhood - foxes & mermaids, pirates & vikings, kings &  - and dragons too, oh my! 

  
We just love creating new costumes! The creative process seems to happen naturally and abundantly in our studio. We are able to honor our inner creative visions, and as they take form before our eyes, we feel a little of that 'childlike wonder' which we feel is really special.


There have been a few hurdles and hoops to move through as our business has grown, mostly around creating a sound business structure. I think all creatives are great at creating their art, but creating a strong business does not always come so easily. Our biggest (& current) issue is working out how we can grow the business to keep up with demand, as each part of the process is very person and everything is done ourselves, and we are keen to keep that 'handmade' feel about our products.


We are committed to creating a successful future for the business, but we are also committed to 'keeping it real' with any success we achieve. We support a couple of organisations through our profits - particularly children's charity OrphFund who build orphanages and schools in some of the poorest communities in the world (we donate 10% of all our market stall profits) and also The Australian Marine Conservation Society (every Shark Costume we sell we donate $5 to their 'save the shark' program) . We also like to participate where we can in local fundraising giveaways.



We are pretty happy to be in the handmade business; getting to create to our hearts desires, nurturing little imaginations and putting smiles on faces is a pretty special thing, we think.... Don't you?

Connect with Sandi & Belinda 
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