Archive for November, 2010
Today I love this Rectangular Succulent Garden Necklace from Mai of Woodland Belle. Its an usual statement piece, that I bet will cause quite the conversation with passers-by.
I personally own one of Mai’s necklaces myself (this bronze quail necklace), and I can tell you that her jewelry is top notch (quality wise and general awesomeness).
Save 10% on your order with code STITCHTEN at Woodland Belle.
I think this Post It pretty much says it all.
“Walk around the house like a fucking champion.“
When it comes to your business and even your personal life, you have to be confident in yourself: what you are doing, what you are making, and all of that.
Confidence promotes positivity and growth. Its good for your business and for you.
This is not an invitation for you to walk around like you are God’s gift. But you also shouldn’t walk around with your head down, mumbling about how much your life sucks and how you’ll never amount to anything. Trust me. No one wants to hear that.
So why I am talking about this? Because, when it comes to your business, it pays to be confident (not cocky).
Don’t believe me? Here’s an example. Your hand sewn pillows are featured on a popular home decor blog and you see a big boost in traffic and a handful of sales as well. You’re naturally excited about the feature, so after sending out a proper thank you to the person who wrote about your work, you send out a tweet to your followers. It says something like, “Thank you to @homedecor_awesomeness for featuring my hand sewn pillows today. They’re going fast if anyone interested in picking up one of the last few: [shop url]” **Of course, you only what to say something like this if its true! Don’t lie. People will find out, and you will look silly.
Okay now, that tweet not only goes out to all of your followers, but it can also be seen by any of @homedecor_awesomeness followers who visit their twitter page. So, its being seen by lots of eyes. And that is good. This will undoubtedly lead to a little more attention for you and your business. Why? Because as much as we may hate to admit it, people (just like you and me) like buying things that other people like too. Its human nature. That’s how trends start: a few people decide they like something and before you know it, more and more people start to like it too. I am not saying this works every time, but then again I can’t think of many cases that would prove this theory wrong.
If nothing else, you have peaked at least one person’s interest enough for them to click on your shop link. Maybe more than one. Maybe even 60, 70, 100 people click your link, and that turns into a sale. A sale that you got by tooting your own horn (in a non-douchey way) and having confidence in what you do.
It’s perfectly okay to do this. In fact, you absolutely should! If you don’t tell people your business rocks, who will? If you’ve been featured on a site you admire, mentioned in a magazine, just found out you’ve landed a speaking engagement, or anything else along those lines (no matter how large or small), you should feel free to announce it. Where? Well that depends on where your customers are. If you have a blog, that’s a great place to make a mention. Your shop profile or about page, facebook fan page, and your biz twitter account are great places too. Why? Because people like buying from shops and sites that are popular or that have some kind of street-cred. Its true.
Just a little something to remember: You don’t want to be yelling from the rooftops everyday. So give it a rest every once in a while because it can start to sound egotistical (and annoying) if it gets to be too much.
Bonus Reason for Keeping Track of your Accomplishments this Way: When you are having a bad day or you get a bad review, take a look at your past accomplishments that you’ve tweeted out (or facebooked, etc) and it’ll cheer you up.
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image via This Isn’t Happiness
Illustrator Stacie Bloomfield creates quirky characters for her prints and accessories shop, Gingiber, using bold colors and a pinch of charisma. Her work has so much personality, its hard not to smile when you come across it.
And speaking of smiles, here are my four picks to keep you grinning from ear to ear:
1. Winter Reindeer Christmas Card in Green $3
2. Handmade Reindeer Christmas Stocking in Pink $30
3. 2011 Illustrated Owl Calendar $21
4. Quilted Fox Print $15
View more from Gingiber on etsy. Have your own favorites from Gingiber? Let me know in the comments.
I just found this inventive use for an old spice rack on Natalie Jost’s blog: Easily convert your old spice rack into a twine rack, without any alterations. And if you need some twine to fill the rack, Natalie can help you out there too. Because she runs the Olive Manna shop and she has a great selection of twine just like in the picture.
AND speaking of the Olive Manna shop, Natalie has a BIG Cyber Monday sale going on right noethat ends tonight at 11:59pm CST: 50% off your entire purchase OR a free gift certificate. Click here for all the details (including the discount code).
And for even more Cyber Monday deals,
visit the Huge Black Friday/Cyber Monday List.
I am easing back into posts today’s after the long Thanksgiving weekend, which was lovely around here. Anyone do anything fun this weekend? We just laid around the house most of the time, when we weren’t stuffing our faces.
Anyway, I should probably get to the heart of this post, and talk about the the handmade paper garlands of Kristina Marie. I am picturing strings and strings of these puppies hanging from the Christmas tree or fireplace mantle this year. Love ‘em.
Visit Kristina Marie for more handmade paper garlands.
UPDATED 11/29 to reflect only current sales running through Cyber Monday: I have been putting together this mega list of Black Friday/ Cyber Monday sales all week, from handmade and indie shops only… 45 (a little less than that now with the recent update) shops with some incredible bargains (up to 50% off). And believe it or not, this is only half of the crazy deals list. For the full list of almost 90 handmade shop sales, click here to visit the pns promo and discount page.
And feel free to add your BF and CM sales below in the comments. Let’s use this as a resource for jump-starting our holiday shopping….
Olive Manna: Traditional and vintage styled gifts and packaging. Big sale all weekend at Olive Manna (Friday 12:00am – Monday 11:59pm CST) – 50% off OR a free gift certificate. See http://olivemannashop.com/black-friday-weekend for all the details (including the discount code). Visit Olive Manna now…
Shannonblue Photography: Offers fresh fine art photography for your home or office. Black Friday sale. Receive print of equal or lesser value absolutely free with any purchase. Limited time special: Friday through Monday. Indicate the free print by name and size in the message to seller field upon checkout. Visit Shannonblue Photography now…
Chinnylulu Designs: A handmade couture hair accessory boutique dedicated to bride’s, fashionista’s, and baby’s. Sale starts Friday Midnight Pacific Time ends Monday Noon Pacific Time. BOGO buy one get one free of equal or lesser value. Purchase only one and then at checkout, enter in “notes to seller” which one you would like for free. Visit Chinnylulu Designs now…
Clever Betty: A shop full of handmade hair accessories and purses made from recycled materials. Black Friday sale. 50% off everything in the shop, plus free shipping on all items to anywhere in the world. Sale ends Monday November 29th at 11:59pm Central Standard Time. Visit Clever Betty now..
Gingiber: A shop full of handmade gifts, prints, and quirky art for people of all ages! 20% Off Orders on Black Friday & Cyber Monday! Enter Discount Code CYBER2010. Visit Gingiber now..
A Quick Study: A source for paper goods and organizational tools that merge fun and good looks with practicality. Monday, November 22 through midnight Monday, November 29 receive 15% off on all items, plus a free gift with purchases over $15 and complimentary gift wrapping. Visit A Quick Study now…
Contagious: Handmade jewelry in silver and gold inspired by science, both micro and macro. Cyber Monday sale. Mention papernstitch in a message to seller on etsy, and receive 20% off with code 20CYBERMONDAY. This is a one day sale! Visit Contagious now…
KLTworks: Creates handmade designs for the modern home & family. 30% off to papernstitch readers from Friday – midnight on Monday. With code PNSBFCM2010. Visit KLTworks now…
Emma Lamb: Vintage and retro inspired crochet home wares. Friday 26th through Monday 29th November 2010 receive 15% off your entire order with the code “blackfriday15″. Discount not applicable to shipping fees, can be applied to any order for the duration of the offer, enter code when prompted at checkout point. Visit Emma Lamb now…
Blackbird Letterpress: Fine art printmaking stationery, blackbird flags, recycled notebooks, and more. Black Friday through Cyber Monday, select items will be marked 20% off on etsy (holiday, stationery, flags, etc). Visit Blackbird Letterpress now…
Milk and Honey Handbags: Well made bags for everyday. Cyber Monday Sale. 30% off until Friday Dec 3, discount code HOLIDAY30. Visit Milk and Honey Handbags now…
Tucker Reece: Original Handmade Designs of home decor and paper goods from everyday to holiday and weddings. Cyber Monday. Receive 15% off your purchase with code CYBER2010 (before shipping) and for papernstich customers, a coupon for 20% off your next purchase (type ‘papernstitch’ in notes to seller). Visit Tucker Reece now…
Creative Apples: Stunning fine art photography and photo greeting cards to adorn your walls and your life. Cyber Monday BOGO Print sale. Buy one print, any size, and get a second print (same size or smaller) FREE. Simply type ‘PnS BOGO’ and the name or url of the free print that you would like in the “Message to seller” box when you check out. Visit Creative Apples now…
REDSTAR ink: REDSTAR ink is simple, bold, and modern paper goods. Black Friday. REDSTAR ink is offering a 20% discount Nov 26th through Nov 29th. Enter coupon code PSTHANKS at checkout. Visit REDSTARink now…
Montclair Made: Repurposed Products for Greener Living. 20% OFF All Items – Thanksgiving Day Through Cyber Monday (11/25 through 11/29) Coupon Code: CYBERTGIVING. Visit Montclair Made now…
Two Over Zero: Designs modern paper goods. Cyber Monday Sunday and Monday after Thanksgiving, all Two Over Zero paper goods will be marked down 30%! Visit Two Over Zero now…
Kitty Grrlz Hand Spun Yarn & Knits: Unique and colorful hand spun yarns and hand knits. CYBER MONDAY SALE! 20% off everything with code CYBERMONDAY2010 (including hand spun yarns, hand knits, blended fiber batts, and even gift cards- though gift cards purchased during the sale must be redeemed AFTER December 1) excluding shipping. STARTS EARLY – begins on Sunday, November 28 at 12noon CST and will end on TUESDAY at 12noon CST. Visit Kitty Grrlz Hand Spun Yarn & Knits now…
Markhed: Dark, Edgy, Sexy Silver handmade Jewelry. Black Friday Sale. 15% off of your total purchase (no code necessary) the entire weekend from 8am EST Friday to Monday 11:59pm EST. Visit Markhed now…
Mint Parcel: A shop dedicated to sweet and simple art prints. Black Friday. Sale goes from 11/26 through 11/29. 20% off entire order.Discount code is 112610. Visit Mint Parcel now…
nerd JERK:A shop that features handmade geeky crochet plushes, embroidered accessories & more. Black Friday Sale. Take an EXTRA 15% OFF your entire purchase (including sale items)! Sale starts 12:01AM Friday, 26 November until 11:59 PM Monday, 29 November. Enter Coupon Code “PS15BF” at Checkout. Visit nerd JERK now…
EarringsNation: A shop dedicated to handmade sweet and beautiful Jewelry. Cyber Monday Sale. BUY ONE and GET 2nd Item at 50% Discount (Discount will be given to equal or lesser value item). Please drop a code “PNS50″ at check out and discount will be refunded thru Paypal within 24 hours of payment received. This offer is for Cyber Monday Only. Visit EarringsNation now…
Cartography of the Imagination: Artwork that focuses on maps – both real and imaginary. 30% off everything at Cartography Black Friday through Cyber Monday. Ends Monday at 11:59 PM. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Discount Code: mapsareawesome – enter in at checkout in coupon code box. Visit Cartography of the Imagination now…
Edor: Delicate and modern everyday jewelry. Cyber Monday Sale. 10% off any 2 or more items. coupon code = “edorholiday10″ (sale applies to 2 or more items, ends Dec. 5). Visit Edor now…
MAD Design: Modern and whimsical art prints, cards and more. Cyber Monday sale. All SINGLE cards are buy one get one free. Please put your free card selection in message to seller at checkout. (does not include boxed sets). Visit MAD Design now…
Freshie & Zero: Sweetly simple modern handcrafted jewelry made with love & a hammer in Nashville, TN. Cyber Monday Sale 30% off EVERYTHING – no code needed! 24 hours only! (excludes gift certificates) Visit Freshie & Zero now…
Leaves and Feathers: Leaves and Feathers sells original bohemian, nature inspired art, prints and cards by Faith Evans-Sills. From Thanksgiving day, November 25th, through Cyber Monday the 29th receive 20% off of everything in the shop, enter coupon code “livelovegrow” to receive your discount at check out. Visit Leaves and Feathers now…
Inklore: Inklore is Handmade Living in a Modern World. Cyber Monday. 20% off plus free shipping all day. Use the code ‘wow’. Visit Inklore now…
elSage Designs: Creates art and accessories that are always sustainable, original and rad. 30% off everything in the shop, plus a free gift with every order! Use code pnsblackfriday30 Sale lasts Friday through Monday (11/26-11/29). Visit elSage Designs now…
Jewelry by Artwark: Cutting edge jewelry with a personal touch. Cyber Monday Sale. Buy 2 pieces & get the third item free! (free item will be the least value of the three items and the purchase price of Free item will be refunded to the buyer via paypal asap. Highest value of FREE item $57) To redeem this offer, you MUST enter the code FREE3 in the Etsy checkout form (not the paypal form). One day only from midnight sunday- midnight on Cyber Monday. Visit Jewelry by Artwark now…
Sleepy King: A shop filled with magical little woodland animals for children of all ages. Free shipping on Friday. And Saturday through Cyber Monday receive 10% off all orders using code Sleepy10 (at checkout). AND buy 4 plushies get a free liam the fox is good now through xmas. Visit Sleepy King now…
Jessalin Beutler: Geometric hand-painted clothing by Jessalin Beutler. SALE 25% off entire purchase, free shipping on orders over $100 — enter “PAPERNSTITCH25″ at checkout. Free shipping will be refunded via paypal. Sale ends Dec. 3. Visit Jessalin Beutler now…
If you like this Black Friday / Cyber Monday List, please share it with your friends using the facebook and twitter buttons below. And remember, for the full list of almost 90 handmade shop sales, click here to visit the pns promo and discount page.
With Thanksgiving less than 24 hours away, I’ve been thinking a lot about comfort today: comfort food, comfortable sweatpants after eating said comfort food, and even comfortable clutter. Wait, what? You lost me there, Brittni.
Well, sometimes a cluttered workspace is just what the (design) doctor ordered. Its refreshing (and comforting in a way) to see spaces that are ‘less than perfect’ every now again. Because, after all, there is a lot of beauty in to be found in overloaded desk space and inspiration-filled walls. AND organized chaos works well for some people (myself included from time to time).
**I’ll be taking tomorrow off to spend time with family, but be sure to check in again on Friday because I have a mega, and I mean MEGA, Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales list to share with you. It is huge and comprised solely of handmade shops and indie boutiques, with discounts of up to 50% off. Do not miss it!
Image Credit: Chloe’s desk via Tea for Joy; inspired studio found via Decor8; artist’s studio via Tea for Joy
