The DDH Mother's Day Gift Guide 2013 - VeryPrettyThing!

We are thrilled to be shining our spotlight on Tracy from VeryPrettyThing!  Her handcrafted glass jewelry designs are stunning and would bring a smile to any mom on your list!  Take a look at her shop and read her interview then enjoy the DDH discount!

Are you a mom? If so, what is your favorite “mom” memory?
When my son was very little and it was time to get ready for bed, after story time every night it was a tradition that we always asked each other. What was the worst part of the day and what was the favorite part of the day. It was such a beautiful way to end the day. It gave both of us a chance to talk about something that upset us and also a chance to celebrate the little fun things that we often take for granted. I learned so much about my son and his good nature by asking these 2 simple questions and he in return got to ask me too.

What is your best selling item?
 www.etsy.com/listing/86982717/saphire-cobalt-blue-silver-birthstone?ref=...

What is your favorite design from your shop?
https://www.etsy.com/listing/125875406/sky-blue-pendant-and-earring-set-fused?

 If you were to receive a bouquet...what type of flowers must be included?
Lilies!

What would be your perfect Mother’s Day gift?
A free vacation with my best friend and son.

Any words of wisdom for the other moms out there?
Always be available to listen. You don`t need to have all the answers but always have hugs ready. No matter what your children do with their lives always love them because they are who they are.

Thank you for your sweet words, Tracy!  now you can enjoy Tracy's designs yourself with the exclusive DDH code - DAILYDOSE20 - for 20% off her entire shop!!!

SHOP FEATURE - Monday, April 1st, 2013 - Helen Kilsby Studios

 

we are delighted to feature the beautiful nature-inspired works of Helen Kilsby to kick off April!  so sit back and read our interview with Helen then enjoy her exclusive Daily Dose of Handmade discount code to use in her etsy shop!

 

 

What made you decide to start your shop?
I had a back injury a few years ago and found art and craft shows too hard to continue. Then

 

a friend told me about Etsy and it seemed like a great way to keep making and selling my artwork.

What type of products do you sell?

I sell nature inspired, abstract floral paintings, prints and art cards.

What is your favorite shop accomplishment so far?

My first sale was by far the most exciting accomplishment for me. Every subsequent sale I feel honoured that my art is in someone’s home and is being enjoyed on a daily basis.

What is your biggest challenge as an Etsy/online seller?

The technical side is a whole new world for me. I am learning a lot finding out what’s helpful in regards to getting my work seen by the world. Before this, I had never even heard of SEO's and Adwords!

What is the top selling item in your shop?

https://www.etsy.com/listing/119832487/original-abstract-artwork-abstract? This image is my most popular and in demand. It is available in print or card form, which I think appeals to a lot of people.

Do you have a tip for others selling in the handmade community?

Join an Etsy street team! I find them very helpful in showing a newbie the way things work, and the support is wonderful.

What are you currently working on/newest design or project?

I am in what I call the "brewing stage". I have just finished some original floral paintings - now I feel landscape coming next! I’m not sure what kind of landscape or in what media it will take form in, which is kind of exciting. I find that in my creative world, things take their time to bubble up to the surface and take shape.

thank you so much, Helen, for sharing your thoughts and your amazing artwork with us and the DDH world!  now you can enjoy Helen's work in your own home by using the exclusive DDH code "20DDH" for a whopping 20% off her entire shop - but only until April 30th, 2013! 

DDH Holiday Gift Guide #2 - Esse Jewels and Candie Ink

In effort to help readers get to know our Gift Guide Shops better, we asked them a few Holiday related questions. Please tell us some of your favorite traditions!

Esse Jewels

What is your favorite holiday food?
All the was back to my childhood it's been marshmallow fudge. Cannot get enough of it! Thank goodness I can't make it! My cooking skills are at boiling an egg level.

What is your favorite gift to give at the holidays?
Something I know a person really wants or loves, but would never buy for themselves.

SHOP DISCOUNT: DAILYHANDMADE20 for 20% off anything in Esse Jewels now through 12/24/2012

Candie Ink

What is your favorite holiday food?
I love to make gingerbread cookies using my grandmother's recipe and my mom's chocolate caramel if I can get ahold of the special ingredients :)

What is your favorite gift to give at the holidays?
I love to give something that they didn't ask for but is thrilled to get just because it is perfect for them and what they need. I really like to give something that they can use and appreciate. Sometimes it is clothes and sometimes it is a decorative piece it all depends on where they are in their life. And as icing on the cake - if it is handmade it is beyond perfect.
What is the current best seller in your shop?
My currently most sold items are my Save the date cards. Something I never thought when I started. But that is why it is so great to be an artist and so connected with your customers.

SHOP DISCOUNT: BIG35 for 35% off (Expires 12/5/2010)

Remember, our shop features will continue all week...do not forget these other wonderful discounts:

Holiday Gift Guide #2 DISCOUNT CODES:

Esse Jewels - DailyHandmade20 for 20% off (Expires 12/24/2012)

Candie Ink - BIG35 for 35% off (Expires 12/5/2010)

Whimsy Frills - DailyDose for 20% off

Lu Designs Creations - BlackFriday2013 for free shipping (Expires 12/2/2012)

Sew Knot Expected - SKEDAILY10 for 10% off (Expires 12/8/2012)

Wake Up The Angel - 10LILACS for 10% off (Expires 12/15/2012)

Eclectic Nesting - 30% off, no coupon needed thru 12/15/2012

CJoyOriginals - DailyDose20 for 20% off (Expires 12/30/2012)

WFBNH - Holiday20 for 20% off (Expires 12/30/2012)

DDH Holiday Gift Guide #1

The holidays are fast approaching!!!  To help our devoted DDH readers get a head start on holiday shopping we will be bringing you Holiday Gift Guides featuring some of our favorite shops!!!  Get to know the lovely artisans better through daily interviews AND enjoy shop discounts!  Please read on!

DDH Holiday Gift Guide #1

Twiggy and Opal

Grandma Said Sew

Bonita Bellita

The Lovely Smith

Frozen Water Designs

Very Pretty Things

Chocolate Dog Studios

Uniquely Mary L

Schalrausch

Whimsy Bags

Peppermint Twist Rosett... BonitaBellita $10.00	Black Friday Sale Blood... veryprettythin... $17.99	Wire Art Seahorse Sculp... UniquelyMaryL $30.00	Black and Red Linen Sca... Schalrausch $29.50
Simply Monolithic Squar... TheLovelySmith $40.00	Coffee Cup Sleeve, Coff... ChocolateDogSt... $8.00	Baby Blanket, Modern Ba... TwiggyandOpal $42.00	Batik Handmade Quilt GrandmaSaidSew $299.00
Carol Girl -- (ARTIST D... Whimsybags $14.00	of the essence - a cloc... frozenwaterdes... $25.00	Black Friday Sale On Sa... veryprettythin... $17.09	Red Hydrangea Flower ha... BonitaBellita $11.00
Upcycled Navy and Red ... GrandmaSaidSew $21.50	Fabric Flags, Fabric Ba... TwiggyandOpal $3.25	Christmas ornaments, fe... ChocolateDogSt... $5.50	Old World Vintage Santa... Whimsybags $12.00

Treasury tool supported by the dog house

Now for the deals for DDH readers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Twiggy and Opal * dailydose10 for 10% off

Grandma Said Sew *HOLIDAY for 15% off (Expires 1/30/13

Bonita Bellita * HOLIDAY2012 for 20% off

The Lovely Smith *DDholidays25 for 25% off (Expires 12/15/2012)

Frozen Water Designs * allyourbase for 10% (no expiration)

Very Pretty Things * DAILYDOSE20 20% (Expires 11/25/2015)

Chocolate Dog Studios * Mug20 for 20% off any cup cozy (Expires 11/17/2012)

Uniquely Mary L * Seahorse12 for 25% off (Expires 12/10/2012)

Schalrausch * DAILY10 for 10% off (Expires 12/31/2012)

Whimsy Bags * HOLIDAY25 for 25% off

SHOP FEATURE - september 28th, 2012 - Schalrausch

greetings from Germany!  we are thrilled to present gorgeous scarves from Heike's stunning shop, Schalrausch!  beautifully hand dyed and hand sewn, Heike obviously loves what she does and we are excited to be one of the first places to showcase her work!  so sit back and enjoy her Q & A then shop away with her exclusive DDH discount code!

What made you decide to start your shop? I have been addicted to scarves for a very long time - all sorts of scarves! I used to collect Hermès scarves.

My friends always asked me to buy scarves for them because they loved mine. When I discovered Etsy, I thought that this would be a fantastic chance for me to create my own scarves and share them with the whole world. All my scarves are either hand dyed or completely hand sewn by me.

What type of products do you sell?
I sell scarves. These scarves are either sewn from fabric which I purchase in local stores in and around Munich or are hand-dyed and sewn from unbleached raw silk/linen/cotton. I try my best to offer a wide variety: There are plain colored scarves in soft and bright colors, with fringes, without fringes, pure silk scarves, pure linen scarves, my very popular infinity scarves, and soft cotton scarves. I love them all.

What is your favorite shop accomplishment so far?
I have met so many wonderful people from all over the world here on Etsy and I love to exchange thoughts and views within this community. I would call it a success to be part of such a lovely community. I am also thrilled with the fact that I have managed to do things that I never thought that I would be able to do.

What is your biggest challenge as an Etsy/online seller?
I love to connect and get in touch with people from all over the world. But as most of you are in different time zones and I want to catch up with you all, I spend almost the whole night in front of my laptop, which often means little sleep, but sleep is overrated in any case. J (There are fantastic eye creams on the market)

What is the top selling item in your shop?
So far, my fringed linen scarves have been selling best. I offer them in many different colors, from pastel colors to bright and bold colors and also some nice two-tone ones.

Do you have a tip for others selling in the handmade community?
Running a homemade business is a 24/7 job. But this is the fantastic thing about it, when you do something that you love, you can only give your best when you love doing what you do and when you stand behind it 100%. Same time you need to be patient, it will not start from 0 to 100 and you always need to develop and improve yourself. I am still in the beginning stages and I am learning every day.

What are you currently working on/newest project?

Before I even think of selling/listing a new scarf, I always make samples first, which I gift to my mum, friends and they "test" it in real life and tell me their honest opinion. At the moment I am working with a very special cotton fabric. My supplier, who is THE specialist supplier for silk/linen and cotton raw fabrics in Germany, recommended this gauze cotton fabric to me. I ordered a couple of yards to test the fabric. So far the fabric has been washed, tumble dried and it is a beautiful voluminous gauze fabric, which will make fantastic looking scarves. The dyes are ready and next week I will create some wonderful Fall scarves in rich jewel colors.

Favorite blog or crafty resource that you refer to often!

There is not really a crafting website that I visit. I read a lot of fashion magazines, the Instyle mag i.e. is my "bible" and what also really inspires me are the great artists on etsy. When I see wonderful paintings in great colors, fantastic jewelry in beautiful colors, this is something that inspires me. thank you so much, Heike for working with us here at the Daily Dose!  you can now use her exclusive DDH code
DAILY10 for a 10% discount!  she is also offering free international shipping at the moment - you can't get better than this!!!!!

SHOP FEATURE - september 21st, 2012 - TheWickedShop

happy feature friday, everyone!  we are so happy to feature Jacqueline from The Wicked Shop on the Daily Dose today!  enjoy the Q & A - then shop with the exclusive discount code! 

What made you decide to start your shop?
Through the last twenty years I have been creating art and jewlery. After selling in local markets, consignment shops, owning a small craft shop myself, I have finally discovered the wonderful world of Etsy and online opportunities! Opening my online shop has been a natural progression and an excellent way to market my work and broaden my customer base. After opening my shop I am continuously learning new online tools to market my products. Social networking has been an excellent addition to helping my online shop continue to grow!

What type of products do you sell?
Scrabble Tile Art ~ Glass Tile Art~ Domino Tile Art
New and Vintage Game Tiles can be created into small pieces of art. Whether these are worn as a necklace, sit neatly between the pages of a book as a bookmark, hang on your ears, or sit on your fridge, they are super unique.
I have recently branched out into greeting cards which also hold a scrabble tile magnet on the front. These cards are cute enough to frame or use in scrapbooking. The magnet simply adds another level of Art to the card and can be taken off and used!
Now and then, I will offer One of a kind items, if I find some great vintage game tiles, they will most definitley be featured. I have found some awesome Tri Omino's, Rummy Tiles and Word Search Tiles which will be pretty cool to work with.
Of Course, I also am excited to offer custom work for people who would like their own picture on a tile. I do a lot of wedding's this way as well as pets! What an excellent way to remember a loved one.

What is your favorite shop accomplishment so far?
In a business view, I think my most favorite shop accomplishment has been the increase in the amount of exposure my shop has developed over the past year. When looking through my statistics in my shop that Etsy so nicely helps us with, I can track the amount of views, favorites, and purchases over the months. My shop is continuing in a forward manner and I am excited for this!
I am very pleased that my feedback from my clients have been so encouraging and positive. It is always so nice to see and hear of the reaction my clients have opening up their package and discovering their little work of art.
In a more creative view, my favorite shop accomplishment has been to offer more than just necklaces. I have introduced bookmarks, magnets, and greeting cards as well. It is always fun to work on a variety of things and I now offer a great mix of creations!

What is your biggest challenge as an online/etsy seller?
My biggest challenge has been both challenging and fun at the same time! Learning different ways to increase traffic to your shop is both intriguing and fun, however, very time consuming. Social media is an excellent tool for social networking and marketing, however, there is so much time spent in development and it doesn't just end there we have to maintain what we create! Time management is probably my biggest challenge at the moment.  ---Focus---

What is the top selling item in your shop?
Scrabble Tile Pendant - OM Symbol

Scrabble Tile Pendant Necklaces are the top selling item in my shop. They are unique little gifts, inexpensive and can be a very personable gift. Excellent for birthdays, office gifts, stockings, you name it, they are great!

Do you have a tip for others selling in the online community?
My most important tips would be qualtiy and accountability. It is very important for me that everything I make is a quality piece of art. Something I would be happy to recieve and I am, yes, picky when it comes to detail :).
Another very important tip is to be dependable. You want your clients to know that you are a solid, responsible person who only wants the best handmade items sold in their shop.

Can I have one more? Creativity! Be creative, find something you can make and make it better! Think outside the box and you will surprise yourself with what you can do!

What are you currently working on/new designs?
I am currently working on some glass tile art which will be slowly introduced into my shop. I will soon have a new glass tile section in my shop. All scrabble tile pendants will soon be available in glass tiles. I will also have a large selectionof scrabble size glass tile magnet sets. Great for Christmas shopping, teacher gifts, and always birthday gifts! 

Do you have a favorite crafty/handmade blog/shop/resource that you go to often, if so what is it?
I often check out Dailydoseofhandmade.blogspot.ca, not just for the excellent deals but it is always inspiring for me to read about other shops too. 

thank you so much Jacqueline!  we are so thrilled to work with you!  and now, DDH subscribers, enjoy her exclusive coupon code - DAILYDOSEDEAL (20%OFF) which is valid until OCT. 15!!!

win it wednesday - september 12th, 2012 - cJoyOriginals

we are thrilled to pieces to have Carol from cJoyOriginals to host this week's win it wednesday giveaway!  she is offering the beautiful necklace above to one lucky winner - perfect with that little black dress or jeans and a tshirt!  all you need to do to enter is:

1. Subscribe to our newsletter (you MUST be a subscriber to win).
2. Heart cJoyOriginals on Etsy.

3. Tell us what your favorite item is in cJoyOriginals shop in comment.
3. Follow the Daily Dose on Twitter @ddofhandmade.

4. Follow cJoyOriginals on Twitter @cJoyOriginals

4. Like cJoyOriginals on Facebook
5. TWEET  on Twitter or POST on Facebook and leave a link in the comment section. This is a daily entry option.

 

NOTE: This giveaway is open to US and Canada only!  You must leave a separate note/comment below for each entry, so do not group into one comment.  The last day to enter is Tuesday, September 18th. Winner will be selected by random.org!

As a special bonus, Carol is also offering a discount code to all DDH subscribers for the week her giveaway runs - you can use the coupon code DAILYDOSE20 for 20% off your entire order storewide!  you can't get any better than this!

SHOP FEATURE - august 10th, 2012 - HappyWalrus

we can think of nothing better than a big ol' floppy sunhat in the dog days of summer... and no one makes 'em better than Emma over at HappyWalrus!  enjoy the Q & A with Emma and then head on over to her shop to take advantage of her exclusive DDH discount code! 

What made you decide to start your shop?
I started Happy Walrus as a way to sell the excess of hats I started making and as a response to all the people who kept asking me where I got my girls’ hats from. My hope is to not only give myself a new creative outlet, but also to help other parents enable and encourage their kids to show off their individuality. Society often puts pressure on us to fit a standard mold and go with the flow, but it is important for us to identify who we are as individuals - what drives us, what excites us, what are we passionate about. Wearing a hat with a pattern that we can look at and smile about is such a small, simple way to bring joy and a sense of individuality to the life of a child. That is why I love doing custom orders. When parents tell me what their children love and ask for a hat matching their son’s or daughter’s interest, I feel honored to get to make that hat for them.

What kind of products do you sell?
I sell children's hats in three styles - beret, sashed bucket hat, and appliqued bucket hat - plus a few purses to coordinate with the hats. I like to keep it simple and experiment within those styles to show how similar things can really be different and individual. I'll use the same pattern 20 times and get 20 totally different hats.

What is your favorite shop accomplishment so far?
My favorite shop accomplishments are the positive feedbacks I have gotten. I don't just crank out hats and then forget about them. I make them imagining them being worn and loved. It is really rewarding to hear back from customers telling me their children love the hats and are really using them. That is the best part of selling on Etsy, I think.

What is your biggest challenge as an online/etsy seller?
The biggest challenge is getting my stuff out there. I am constantly tweaking things from how I photograph to how I tag my items to try to get more views. People can't fall in love with my hats if they never see them. Over the last year I have been able to increase my views and sales, but it has been very gradual. A smaller challenge is just finding time to really build this business as much as I would like. My machine isn't really portable, so I have to be in my sewing room to work. That doesn't go over so well in the summer when my daughters want me to be taking them to the park.

What is the top selling item in your shop?
Custom order bucket hats are definitely one of the top selling items with medium (20ʺ) bucket hats a close second.

Do you have a tip for others selling in the online community?
Find something you enjoy making and stick with it. It takes time to build a name, but if you are consistent and people know what you sell, down the road they will come back to you for that product. I am a repeat shopper for Etsy shops that specialize in one or two things because I know, ʺI need more soap...soapilyeverafter sells that,ʺ or ʺYasya needs more snack bags....littlebughouse sells that.ʺ

Do you have a crafting resource/handmade blog/shop that you go to?  If so, what is it?
I spend way too much time browsing pinterest for ideas. I love looking at what colors and patterns people are repinning. I get inspired to then go to the fabric shop and try to match it.

What are you currently working on?
I am wrapping up a couple more bucket hats, and then I will start working on some new berets for the fall - corduroy lined with satin, flannel lined with fleece, and faux fur gallore!


thank you so much, emma! and now for the discount - use the code DDH15 at the HappyWalrus and save 15% storewide! (expires Sept 10th, 2012)

SHOP FEATURE - july 13th, 2012 - Nakkashe

we are so happy to feature the lovely Nakkashe today - all the way from Turkey!  we are so happy that you are starting your online career with us at the Daily Dose!!!!  enjoy the interview and don't forget about the exclusive discount code!

What made you decide to start your shop?
Making handmade items is so much fun, but I wanted to earn some money to help our family budget.

What type of products do you sell?
Embroidered bed spreads, table cloths, crochet hats,kilim bags, necklaces etc. I will focus on home decor and will add slipcovers, curtains etc soon.

What is your favorite shop accomplishment so far?
Getting so many views in 5 months only and making a sale just one month after opening.

What is your biggest challenge as an Etsy/online seller?
I am having difficulty taking clear photos of my products.

What is the top selling item in your shop?
I have only had one sale so far.  :)

Do you have a tip for others selling in the handmade community?
I think , we should regularly add new products and spend some money for advertising.

What are you currently working on/newest project?
Chair slipcovers, curtains, valances and chair pads.

Favorite blog!
Etsy is my number one !

thank you so much for being part of the Daily Dose of Handmade blog, Nakkashe!  the exclusive discount code is NAKKASHE (20% off) and is valid until end of September 2012.

SHOP FEATURE - july 10th, 2012 - CatchingWaves

it's a great day - and we're so happy to have Karen from CatchingWaves as our featured shop today!  sit back and enjoy Karen's interview - then use her exclusive DDH discount code storewide for savings!

Origin of Shop: I've always liked making things. When my kids were little, I made dolls
and superhero costumes, and I loved exploring new crafts through the Waldorf school
they attended--woodcarving, felting, and candle-making. I often made handcrafted items
for Christmas gifts but then I wouldn’t do any more crafting the rest of the year. One
thing I discovered about myself is that I'm really motivated to create for others. When
I found Etsy, it opened a door for me to start pursuing crafts more seriously. Having an
audience makes a HUGE difference. (I would never make 76 necklaces for myself!)

Products: I make some needle-felted items--seascapes in driftwood frames-or sea
creatures (octopi!)--felted cuffs and necklaces. And I make jewelry. I've had tremendous
fun exploring all kinds of beads and materials—vintage glass, rustic gemstones, trade
beads, and more. Many of my items are inspired by my love of the ocean--so lots of
blues and greens in my shop.

Accomplishment: I was excited when I reached 100 listings. I'm close to 150 now and I'd
like to get to 200 but I think that's big enough for me.

Challenge: Just being seen! I have been working on my photos lately and my item titles,
to try to make them more effective for google searches. Learning how to market your
items effectively in such a vast marketplace takes time and effort, and I'm definitely still
learning.

Tip: Connect with other crafters--on Etsy, join teams and participate. Don't be afraid to
ask others for advice. I’ve had some wonderful support and practical advice from other
Etsy artisans, including “Get a better camera!” (Definitely helped!)

Latest Project: Lately I’ve been learning to antique metals and trying out metal paints and
gilder’s paste. I have some pretty dramatic, vintage brass snake pendants I antiqued that
I’m about to list. I really like how they turned out.

Favorite Crafty place/source: I like Happy Mango Beads for their ethnic and trade beads
(www.happymangobeads.com) and their frequent sales. But I also shop on etsy a lot,
especially for vintage items.

thanks so much, Karen!  we're so thrilled to have you in our spotlight!  DDH subscribers - you can use the code DDH20 for 20% off shop-wide, valid until July 21st, 2012!!!!

SHOP FEATURE - july 9th, 2012 - JulieEllynDesigns

i am so honored to be posting this lovely feature on Julie from JulieEllynDesigns!  not only is she the driving force behind the Daily Dose, but her creations are also out of this world! enjoy the interview and the fantastic discount code - only for DDH enthusiasts!
What made you decide to start your shop?
I started making jewelry after I had so much trouble finding the perfect necklace and earrings for my wedding and gifts for my bridesmaids. After attending a gem and jewelry show I had custom necklaces and earrings made for my friends and they were a big hit! I realized that jewelry making was something I really wanted to try! Here I am today!

What type of products do you sell?
Yummy gemstone jewelry and fun beaded wrap bracelets.

What is your favorite shop accomplishment so far?
Hitting 1000 sales!! It was a long road, but I made it! The best part is that I keep on setting bigger goals for my shop and my designs.

What is your biggest challenge as an Etsy/online seller?
There are a lot of jewelry designers on Etsy. I try to stand out by staying up to speed with styles and keeping my price range reasonable. With the major down turn of the economy over the last two years, I retired a lot of my gemstone designs for more affordable simple sterling pieces. Now that things are looking up, I have brought back my gemstones with full force!

What is the top selling item in your shop?
It used to be the Cameron Earrings, but my new gemstone wrap bracelets are the most recent hit. Thank goodness b/c I love to make them!

Do you have a tip for others selling in the handmade community?
Join Etsy Teams and be an ACTIVE member. My shop had a very slow start, until I joined a team (Etsy Tradeaholics). My “sales” grew from there as I traded wares with other fabulous shops. Each trade event brought more attention to my shop and other sales began to trickle in.

What are you currently working on/newest project?
I am excited to announce that I have the opportunity to showcase my designs at the upcoming Prime Time Emmy Awards Gift Lounge this September. Of course the pieces are due much earlier so I have all of my gems grouped around me trying to figure out what to make! I am so nervous!!!!

Favorite blog!
Of course the Daily Dose of Handmade...but I am biased ;) I also love the Hot Glue Hangover. Not only for it's name but the great posts and tips.

thank you so much, Julie!  and now, without further ado... Julie's fantastic discount for the DDH!
Buy 1 item - Save 25% (coupon code JULY1)
Buy 2 items - Save 35% (coupon code JULY2)
Buy 3 items - Save 45% (coupon code JULY3)
www.JulieEllynDesigns.etsy.com
**for listed items only, no custom orders**
***Discount ends July 14th***

SHOP FEATURE - PillowDesignStudio

today we are featuring the lovely Liz from PillowDesignStudio!  enjoy the Q & A with Liz and shop away with the storewide discount, exclusively for DDH subscribers!

What made you decide to start your shop?
I've been making yo yos since I was in high school. My ultimate goal was to make a crazy quilt for the guest bedroom I hoped to have when I grew up. Now that I'm older, I'm still working on that quilt and realized that yo yos can be more versatile than what I had originally thought. Now my passion is making yo yo flower headbands for kids and adults. It's great creative outlet from my 9-5 job.

What type of products do you sell?
I sell stylish yo yo headbands for girls, babies and women. I've also been making headbands for flower girls, which has unexpectedly accounted for quite a bit of my business lately.

What is your favorite shop accomplishment so far?
It has been very exciting to know my designs are going to be a part of someone's special wedding day. I know when I got married about a year ago I worked with Etsy crafters to make my day unique, from an unconventional cake topper made from flattened spoons to the flower clip I wore in my hair that got rave reviews from my family and friends.

What is your biggest challenge as an online seller?
The biggest challenges for me are finding enough time to create new items for my shop and trying to get more exposure.

What is the top selling item in your shop?
https://www.etsy.com/listing/97274139/flower-girl-headband-sparkly-white-head

Do you have a tip for others selling in the online community?
Build relationships with other Etsy sellers. That has helped me gain a fair amount of exposure for my shop, as well as much needed moral support.

What are you currently working on/newest design or project?
I recently got a whole mess of skinny elastic, so I'm trying out new designs for baby headbands.

Do you have a favorite crafty/handmade blog/shop/resource that you go to often, if so what is it?
I really like this blog, which helps me get a sense of what other crafters are coming up with.

thank you so much, Liz!!!!  (and we love your headbands!!!)  DDH enthusiasts can use the coupon code DDH20 -- for 20% off purchases store wide!   (Expires August 1, 2012)