For the Love of Etsy: Southwestern Style

Theme for the Day: Southwestern Style for the Summer

Check out these wonderful Etsy Shops:

1. Silk Sarape Print Scarf by prettypennydesigns

2. Turquoise Earrings by NatureLook

3. Stripe Pillow Cover by ClassicByNature

4. Feather Collection Art Print by courtneyoquist

My New Favorite Etsy Shop: Track and Field Designs

I am always scoping out new and fabulous Etsy shops, and the second I happened upon this shop I fell in love. Track and Field Designs is run by Sasha Freeman and specializes in handmade linen pouches, laptop bags, and messenger bags, among many other things. She uses beautiful linen and cotton fabrics featuring lovely floral and shabby chic designs. What makes them even more special is the screen printed doilies and animals/objects she puts on every bag to make them unique and wonderful. She is also wonderful at taking custom orders (I have already ordered 2 pouches and a custom purse from her). Her prices are so reasonable for all the work that is involved in making each piece. She truly has a design and look all her own- and I am so in love with it!

check out her shop: TrackandFieldDesigns

Pug Coin Purse

Owl Messenger Bag

Bicycle iPad Case

Deer Pouch

 

 

 

 

Fox iPhone Case

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Packaging Orders: The Handmade Paper Box

What a busy week! I have been a busy bee creating my new designs for the shop- and I have already sold some! I thought today I would show you another very important aspect of selling on Etsy: packaging the product.  I make handmade paper boxes for my jewelry; it doesn't take too long to create and I find my customers really appreciate the additional handmade gesture. To learn how to make these boxes, check out this YouTube video from Etsy HERE

Pieces ready to ship.  The paper in the background is what I will be using to make my boxes. It is standard size (8.5" x 11")

After a while of measuring, I have made my own insert for the boxes. This will hold my jewelry in place.

After making my folds and cutting in all the right places, I use my signature nuthatch stamp for the lid. I bought this stamp from pictureshow, a great Etsy shop that specializes in rubber stamps.

Here you can see how the insert fits inside the box. To keep the chain from sliding around in the box I gently tape the chain on the underside of the insert. I also stick a piece of bubble wrap on top of the charm- this keeps the charm from moving within the box.

Voila! The finished product! I often use twine to tie around the box, but it also looks good without!

Sneak Peek- Chevron Animals: Part II

So yesterday I gave you all a sneak peek at my newest creations; chevron animal necklaces. I got them all listed today, and boy, what hard work it was!

Now I thought I would share with you my second set of chevron animals: hoop earrings. The hoop idea actually came from a customer of mine who wanted a custom order. I didn't even know hoop like this existed!

I have to say, I am REALLY proud and happy with how these turned out! I hope you like them too! (Oh, and by the way, these hoops are BIG- and they look so awesome on!)

Black Bear

Doe Deer

Barn Owl

Hare

Raccoon

Sneak Peek...Chevron Animals!

I have really felt in a slump recently over my jewelry designs. I guess it is the problem most dream of; I am so busy fulfilling orders of my old designs that I have no time to create new ones. So, I put my Etsy shop on vacation for the week to work on some new designs! I have had these ideas in my head for a while, and since it is a combination of what I sell best I am hoping these won't fail me. So here goes...:)

Dear Miles- he always thinks when I whip out my camera it is his time to shine. :)