Ask You Shall Receive!

Ever since I introduced my Royal Crowns, I've received a plethora of requests for an adult size. I've been pretty dedicated to making just costumes and such for children. Afterall, that's what inspires me.

But while on vacation, my mother-in-law asked for a larger crown for her UNO group. I loved the idea! And so, I took a day off from kids and visiting friends and family and worked on a pattern for an adult crown. I am happy with the results. I hope others will be too. I took a picture of the one I made for my mother-in-law... so I don't currently have any for sale. But stay tuned! The price point will be a little more than the child one since it does take more fabric and it will take more to embellish them (the fancier ones) since they are larger. They are almost 2" larger than the child crowns!

I'd love to hear feedback on these! I also can't decide if it fits in with my World of Whimm shop or if they will be a regular product in my On A Whimm store. Decisions, decisions, decision! Do I sell them in a mother/father ~ son/daughter set?

Anyhow, I'm excited about this new product. I hope others are as well.

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Heaven!

We had many things on our agenda for our visit to California... a wedding, a few family get-togethers, visits with our friends, etc. Then, I also had my own agenda of things I wanted to do. Afterall, I haven't been back to San Jose since last summer. At the top of my list was to visit this store/warehouse that my mom discovered. She's been bringing me and sending me things from this place for several months now... making my desire to see it for myself that much stronger.

When we first arrived, I'd decided that Tuesday was a good day (we arrived on Wednesday)... but Friday rolled around and I decided I couldn't make it that long. So, we took half a day and went (no kids allowed!). It was HEAVEN! I'm including pictures of just the yarn that I scored. They had everything... much like our own Creation Station, but not... and a hundred times better! Anyhow, these skeins of yarn were under $1 each!

To top off this wonderful day of material shopping... we also recieved an email from my aunt about free fabric. Who doesn't love free fabric??? Anyhow, there's a lady that claims samples of discontinued fabics from showroom (or something like that) and she distributed them to schools and various charities. Apparently she gets so many of these things that she has more than these places can take... so she opens it up to the public (or people in the know) and allows you to pick through and take what you want! Yeah me!

I'm hoping to make some really cool bags out of these for my On a Whimm shop. I have so many ideas... just not enough time. I've been wanting grocery bags so I can stop getting all those plastic bags... I think these materials will make some really cool ones! I love the idea of making grocery bags from discarded materials.

Anyhow... fun, fun, fun in California! Oh, and there is the nice weather also.

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200 and counting!

So, this past 100 hearts came much quicker than my first 100. I'm very excited to have hit 200 hearts (actually, 202)! When I first started Etsy a few months ago... I watched my hearts like crazy because I equated them to how many people are looking at my items and enjoying them. I know now, that it really doesn't mean that. It can mean that they love your work and couldn't pick just one thing to heart, it could mean that you have "met" them and they have hearted you to keep a link to your store for future communication, it could mean that they want you to look at their store... so they heart you in hopes that you'll be curious to see who they are (this works by the way)... anyhow, my point is that it really doesn't mean that every on of those 200 people likes what I do.

I do like to think that those people do at least think what I do is reasonable and they don't mind having me in their favorites section of the store.I have also noticed that some people that heart individual items, don't always heart your store (I am guilty of doing this too). So, there are probably even more people that like my stuff.

So, I'm rambling. I just wanted to share that even if I shouldn't put a whole lot of weight on the meaning of the hearts, I still like to get them (and give them). It's a nice reassurance during those slow times that doing what I do is still worthwhile.

I'm off to get my son his tuxedo for the wedding he's in (we are currently in Calfornia). I'll post pictures later. We also have the rehersal dinner tonight. I'm sure that's going to be a hoot with all the little cousins together ~ really meeting our little Angel of Trouble for the first time since she was an infant last time we were there.

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Featured Seller!

I love Etsy and I love the Etsy community. I've met lots of other crafters who have been helpful and supportive. One of my favorites is Baby Friendly Beads. Not only does she offer cool jewelry for a mom, but she also lives in my hometown, San Jose!

So, here's a little interview with her... check out her blog for a feature she did on World of Whimm!

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What is your shop name and URL? Baby Friendly Beads http://bfbeads.etsy.com/

To which Etsy Street Teams do you belong? EtsyKids, EtsyMom, and Etsybloggers

Tell me two (or more!) interesting things about you. (Hobbies, achievements, favorite something-or-other, family situation, jobs, etc…) I'm a published poet and an aspiring children's book author. I was the first woman in my family to earn a college degree. I've been a high school teacher, a professional artist's model, and a swing dance instructor. Right now, I'm a SAHM to two great kids. I've been happily married for over a decade.

What do you sell in your Etsy shop? Baby Friendly Beads -- Jewelry for Breastfeeding & Beyond! Nursing necklaces and reminder bracelets to help keep busy baby hands occupied while breastfeeding and to help mom with nursing sessions.

What inspires your creations?
My babies, my commitment to breastfeeding them -- and my desire to help other moms with nursing. When my son was about 6 months old, he started pinching and pulling at my hair while he nursed, and he was very easily distracted. I wore a normal necklace for a while, which helped focus his attention, but he soon broke it. So I started shopping for nursing necklaces, but I didn't like the designs that I found. The more traditional nursing necklace style looks to me like a bracelet loop on a necklace cord, and I worried about breakage with this sort of design. I also wanted something that was pretty, something I could wear as a normal part of my wardrobe, and something that would be adjustable in length. When I couldn't find something that suited, I decided to make my own, and Baby Friendly Beads were born! Since the arrival of my daughter, I've added a custom birthstone design, and she continues to inspire me as she plays with "our" nursing necklaces.

Tell me a bit about your creative process and/or how you learned to do what you do. I'm a self-taught jewelry designer. I started making and selling beaded jewelry when I was a teenager. I'd deconstruct the designs I saw for sale and figure out how they were made. My mom worked at a local boutique, and that's where I first sold my jewelry.

I'm a bead addict, and my creative process mostly involves playing around with color, size, and texture combinations. When I was faced with the multiple challenges of designing breastfeeding jewelry, it was a real challenge to my creativity. It took several attempts before I finalized the design, before I found something that was both strong enough to work and yet pretty enough for me to wear with pride.

I also get creative flashes when I'm playing with my kids, like the spark that inspired my "Stuffy Puffy" line of nursing necklaces.

What is your favorite item in your shop (currently for sale or previously sold)? Why is it your favorite? I really like the idea behind my custom birthstone nursing necklaces and reminder bracelets. I've made myself a necklace featuring my own birthstone and those of my children, and I love wearing it. I had to choose some "alternative" birthstones from the usual list, since I needed beads that could have large enough holes for the cotton cord that I use in my necklaces, so doing the research for this product took a fair amount of time. But I think the result is worth it! The design is simple but stylish, and I like the symbolic significance of using birthstones. It's also fun to do custom work for my customers.

What 3 words would you use to describe yourself? Creative, loyal, tired

What do you like about Etsy? I love the Etsy community, and I have great fun shopping here. I like how easy it was to set up my own shop online. I've met delightful people, and I am continually amazed at the nifty stuff I find in other shops. It's wonderful to be part of this thriving creative marketplace.

What makes your shop unique? Making breastfeeding jewelry in and of itself is pretty unique, I think. It's a product that addresses a practical need but also lets moms feel pretty. Though you'll find a few other folks making nursing necklaces and bracelets, no other breastfeeding jewelry is like Baby Friendly Beads! I created my own original designs for the necklaces and bracelets, and every piece I make is one of a kind. I don't know of any other breastfeeding jewelry that has a design option incorporating birthstones. I also guarantee my jewelry for a full year -- if it breaks, I'll restring it for free!

What advice do you have for other folks selling or buying on Etsy? For sellers: find a niche, follow your heart, and make something you'd be proud to use or wear yourself. If you love your product and make it your own, you'll also find success. Also, network!!! Etsy is a fabulous place, full of friendly folks. Read the forums, join a street team, and take advantage of the great resources available through the Etsy community!

For buyers: take advantage of all the great and fun ways to shop! Play around with the site. They've created so many neat ways to find things. Personally, I like threading through favorites -- clicking on who has hearted a shop, and then seeing what they sell -- and also using the Suggestions buying option. You never know what neat stuff you will find!

Where else can we find out more about you and/or your creations (please include a link)? My website is coming soon (http://www.babyfriendlybeads.com/ -- right now it just links to my etsy store). You can also check out my blog at http://mamasmagic.blogspot.com/

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We see Dinosaurs

In this house, we see a lot of dinosaurs. After all, we live with a paleontologist. He claims that he's working on making our house into a dinosaur world and he has a great start. There are dinosaur drawings and cut outs taped to our walls, a collection of dinosaur toys (some his and some ones he chose for his sister) and the clothes... so many dinosaur t-shirts, pajamas and pants.


And now, it's in my workspace. We now have a Stegosaurus residing in our front room. I had a moment of panic this weekend as I was trying to get things up for my showcase. I realize that I leave town in a week and a half and I have to have two costumes for my own children done.


So, I set to work on my son's. He has been undecided for the longest time. He was originally going to be an eel. Thankfully that changed and the last week or so, he came back to old faithful... a dinosaur! I'm posting pictures of the result. I'm a bit excited to have it come out so nicely since this is one of the costumes I've been working on for the shop (probably won't be available until next year).


My daughters's costume is still yet to come as I'm still not able to picture her as the angel her brother is convined she needs to be. I think he's hoping that a costume will maybe change a few of her habits. I know better though and I'm thinking maybe an angel front and a devil back... that's a bit more fitting.


Anyhow, stay tuned for costume #2, but for now, here is a picture or two of my son's.

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