Time is getting away from me...

It seems like I can only do one thing at a time these days (well, in addition to raising my kids... they still take priority). I am either promoting, promoting, promoting... or sewing, sewing, sewing. I can't seem to find a middle ground.

So, I am just getting around to posting the link to a glowing article of our store. Yeah! And thanks Dawn. It's great!
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/367526/etsy_seller_profile_worldofwhimm_offers.html?image=140591

Dawn also has it posted on her own blog... her blog is worth the read. I read it as frequently as I can.
http://shopetsy.blogspot.com/2007/09/etsy-seller-profile-worldofwhimm.html

I just finished a scarecrow costume tonight. We'll see how long it takes me to get some decent pictures so I can post it in the store. I'm also working on more crowns. Thanks to my good friend Cindy that has crocheted more cool fur bands. Yeah! With so many fun embellishments available to me, I'm really excited to get more of them completed.

Just a reminder, I'll be out of town October 17th through October 27th. This means that I need any Halloween orders in by October 16th. I will be closing my store while I'm gone.

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I Win!

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Silky Blue Fabric

Dear Silky Blue Fabic...

I hate you. I know this is a strong word and I don't use it lightly, but you have failed me. We had an agreement. I brought you home yesterday promising to make you even more beautiful than you are. My son promised to help make you into a strong, beautiful Rhino. We all agreed that this was your path in life.

But you seem to have chosen a new path. We were working well (relatively) and you look so fantastic as the head of a Rhino. My son wears you proudly. But you don't seem to want to be the other half. What's wrong with you? We all need a body and tail. I pinned you, I carefully cut and shaped you. But I think you have a fear of my sewing machine. I promise, it won't hurt you... it will only help you turn into this beautiful creature that my son has envisioned.

You move, you slide, you pucker... I think I even heard you cry (or was that me?). I need to let you know, though, I don't give in that easily. I may hate you, but I made a commitment and I WILL make you into a beautiful Rhino. I am angry and I have walked away... but don't think I won't be back. I will win. I can not, in good conscience, leave you bodyless. You will be complete and you will be beautiful. A nice, loving family will adopt you and you will share the rest of your life with kids that will love you as much as we loved the initial idea of you.

In closing, I just want to say... don't make me interface you. It would be a shame if it comes down to that. This would mean you would have another stuck to you forever... you would never again be flexible and flowing. While you would still be beautiful on the outside, your insides would be attached and stiff. What kind of life is that?

So I will now return to my work and I ask nicely for your cooperation.

Best regards,
Kayce

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Three in one day!

This morning I mailed off three crowns in one day! And one was a multiple order. I really hope they like them! I am now down to just one crown in my shop. I have one more to post a bunch to sew together and embellish. I guess that's what I'll be doing the rest of this week. I also have a new costume (a pig) to post... but my models have declined working for me. I'm hoping to bribe them so I can get them up before the end of the week.

Oh... I also am in the showcase right now. I have found this is a great way to increase the number of hearts... but not really get sales. That's okay. I'm still hoping to get one more at the begining on of October to try to boost my costume sales before I go on vacation.

Anyhow, I just had to share my latest sales. The sale of two items to one buyer was nearly as exciting as my first two sales in the same day... and my first 100 hearts. Did I mention that I'm up to 125 now! Good times!

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Knitting for Neighbors (Part 2)

Okay, so it's been a while since my original post about participating in Knitting for Neighbors. But, I'm happy to report that it wasn't because I forgot or lost interest. I have finally finished a kids size scarf (I think doing one for homeless kids is only appropriate as I make things for kids). It reminds me of a boa... which is great... they can dress up, use their imagination and stay warm!

So, here's a picture of what I've done. Since I'm still fairly new to knitting, it isn't fancy. Although I did knit two differnt kinds of yarn together. It's a very warm and fuzzy scarf. I'll be sending it off once I go to the post office again (this means I get another sale ~ unless it takes over a week to get a sale, then I'll make a special trip).

I still hope to make more... but I don't think it will happen until after Halloween. I'm just so busy making costumes!

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Yippee! 100 Hearts

So on Etsy, if you have a favorite shop, or a shop you like and would like to return to... you can show them your love by hearting them. Today, I officially reached 100 hearts! Really, in the grand scheme of things, it doesn't mean a whole lot. It doesn't translate to sales or anything... but it does feel good to know that there are 100 people out there that like what we do. There are actually more. Because you have the ability to heart just an item rather than the whole store and I know there are several items in my store that have been hearted by someone who didn't heart the entire store.

Anyhow, I'm rambling now. I just thought I'd share this milestone. Yippee! 100 hearts!

Also, this morning I bought another showcase. I'm sad that the showcases for October haven't been released yet... and the showcases closer to October filled quicker than I could get one. So, I now have two showcases fairly close together. I have one this weekend on the 15th and my next one on the 19th. I'll have to stalk Etsy again for October.

Well, I'm off to put my vacation schedule on my costume listings. For those that don't know, I'll be on vacation from October 17th though October 27th. This means for any guaranteed shipping by October 31st, all orders need to be in by October 16th. Yes, poor planning, but it's worth it to be there for my brother-in-law's wedding... and to see my little man all decked out as a ring bearer.

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Procrastination, Avoidance, Denial

Today I'm in a bit of a funk. With me, it's just par for the course. But with a showcase coming up on Saturday, this lack of motivation and creativity is really depressing me. So, to make myself feel better... I spent some time shopping around Etsy. I found a really cool artist!

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=21665

I love Jellybeans' whimsical trees. They have cheered me up a little bit and I've snagged an Etsy treasury inspired by her tree.

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Punk Rock Flea Market

So I was hoping to participate in this new flea market in the Seattle area... but because I've over committed and because I have two demanding children, I had to pass. However, I do know other Etsy sellers that will be participating and hope to support them in any way I can. So here's a plug for the Punk Rock Flea Market! If you are in the Seattle area, check it out!

Good luck to all the sellers! It sounds like it will be a lot of fun and I'm sad to be missing it.

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A Sewing Frenzy

The past several weeks I have sewn more than I have the whole year. I have been making costumes, bags, and anything else that my chaotic mind creates. This week I was hoping to be preparing for a fair, but I've had to back out and just concentrate on my Etsy showcase on Saturday. Both events were scheduled for the same day and when I calculated the kids into the formula, I had stretched myself way to thin.


So this week, I'm hoping to get more great costumes posted (my focus will be on boy or unisex costumes). I have a handful to post today or tomorrow (this is contingent on my uncooperative model).


These kids have been very helpful and all this sewing has inspired both of them to dive into their own dress-up box. Literally. Here is a picture of my son after he said his sister pushed him in. I assure you, she's strong... but still little and I'm confident that our little Triple T (tall tale teller) is being dramatic once again.


Watch for some new costumes, crowns and my latest... messenger bags which I think will be great for trick-or-treating!

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