To etsy or not to etsy...

Etsy has been calling me back for some time. I love to shop her, I love to sell on her, I love to promote her. Handmade, vintage, supplies what is not to love about these three words together? A few weeks ago I took the plunge with some product photos and reopened my empty little shop. The only problem I find is this...

I made this item, took some photos, edited them, listed the item with a desciption, shared the link, etc.  I did this with several pieces, although I only listed one on etsy for that day. The next day I sold 3 of the headbands to a customer in the shop. Haha! Good and bad.

Each item I list sells. Not via etsy but via brick and mortar or Facebook. And so as I list, I soon afterward delete or deactivate since many of my items are one of a kind from vintage or upcycled materials. And so, as fast as I try I cannot get a fully stocked etsy store. It is not a problem I am not genuinely concerned about. After all, a sale is a sale. Am I right?

In the meantime, I have had such a joy diving into the networking behind the etsy shop doors. Favorites, circles, teams, and ... treasuries.



Lovely and lovelier treasuries! I created one and then two and can't wait to keep making more! Starting with an idea in mind and shopping etsy choosing a wide array of items to suit your fancy until you've completed the look you were going for. Almost a "buyer" if you will for your own little boutique. And let me tell you, no greater a job in my opinion! Each item hand selected by you based on photo, description, seller, color, theme, or any other type of classification. And the best part... it promotes others. Their item gets special recognition for being included in a treasury. It has an opportunity to be featured, and it has a greater chance of being viewed and purchased. I am beyond thrilled with the concept. Supporting fellow artisans by simply featuring them in a treasury will be something that I commit to doing on a regular basis from here on out! And I hope if you have an etsy that you will too! Check out some of the recent treasuries I've featured:

April Showers

and

She sells sea shells...

Love is in the air...

Hi friends! Spring time is upon us and Bridal Faire's are EVERYWHERE's! I literally love everything about weddings. The decorations, the elegant dresses, the pampering, the photography, the makeup, the flowers, the cakes, and of course the accessories!

There is so much vibrance, life, and personality that can be expressed in each and every detail of a wedding. But who says weddings are only for brides??

I was recently asked to create the accessories and actually be in a photo shoot for a fabulous and super talented local photographer. This was such an amazing experience! It was everything your wedding day is without any of the stress. {minus the groom} lol! So, I squeezed back into my wedding dress for a day and drove all over the mountainside to some amazing locations. The "brides" hiked up our dresses and walked along the street at times to capture some of the best lighting and scenery. It was a blast to say the least!!

Check out some of the photos from that day!
Photographer none other than the amazing Alexia Wardell Photography
FLAWLESS Hair & Makeup Design

And can I tell you how much fun it was to get creative with these bridal pieces! I love doing feather, veil, bling and bridal is where you can combine them all! Classy, Custom, Couture. I've done bridal pieces for family friends over the years and this year have been encouraged, almost pushed into the bridal scene. Hope to find my bridal pieces available on my etsy page and locally at a bridal store near you!! Stay tuned for that news. : )

What is an upcycle?

This headband was so fun to create... its a little french, a little nautical, a little Madeline, a total upcycle and totally adorable. My daughter Macy has made photographing my new pieces so much fun! Can you tell she's been modeling for mommy her whole life? It warms my heart to whisper sweet comments to her and watch her face light up. We also love to play peek-a-boo behind the lens and get a down right fun smirk out of her! As her mother, not much makes me feel better than to know that she truly feels beautiful and special. I had a blast with her in our back yard. The wind has blown the blossoms off one of our large trees in the back yard and made it look like snow! This is one of our favorite spots. Pop made us this special chair when my husband and I bought our first home.

Oh... and those red shoes were her personal touch, my little 4 year old insisted on them with this outfit. little

 { f a s h i o n i s t a }

What is an "upcycle" you say?

According to wikipedia : Upcycling is the process of converting waste materials or useless products into new materials or products of better quality or a higher environmental value.

Don't get me wrong, I like any other crazy crafting lady love to peruse the aisles of any fabric/craft store looking for the next amazing thing to add to my stash of supplies but there is something so expressively valuable about taking a fabric that would otherwise add to our landfills and make something beautifully usable from the useable remnant fabric and trim. Not to mention, the item created will truly only ever be one of its kind.

 It started when my sister purged her closet and found that several of her high end but most cherished tops made from amazing materials and fabrics were ripped or had holes. She couldn't give them away and was going to toss them but then decided to give them to me to use. Hmmm.... clean, intricate, vibrant in color and texture, trim, lace, lovely ...

"Once Loved" was born

Why shouldn't we all do what we can to find new and beautiful uses for items that would otherwise be thrown away?

Green is the new black! 

And without further adue... I give you the upcycled nautical fabric flower headband

"Once Loved" creation listed for sale in my etsy shop here:

Upcycled Spring Nautical Headband