5 THINGS WITH SCATHINGLY BRILLIANT

I'm Kate and I blog at Scathingly Brilliant and sell my illustrated goodies in my Etsy shop, Flapper Doodle. If I had to be honest, the thing that gets me out of bed in the morning is food. My food (I'm a huge fan of breakfast) and my cat's food (she starts meowing at me incessantly from the moment she sees me open my eyes.) Other than that, each morning I really look forward to getting dressed (oh, I would add this to my list of 5 important things -- if you work from home, get dressed! It makes work feel more like work, and makes the transition into pj's at night really fun), reading my favorite blogs, and watching movies! 

Scathingly Brilliant is my personal life & style blog. I do outfit photos, post about music, astronomy, fashion, and movies... and cats, of course! When I'm not blogging, I'm usually drawing or tending to my Etsy shop. I started Flapper Doodle in 2009 on a whim, after someone on Flickr liked one of the doodles I had uploaded to my account. I had spent the last 4 years trying to sell my art at outdoor street fairs, but nothing really took off until I opened my Etsy shop. Since then, I've been really lucky to work from home and hang out with my cats all day long! Anytime I regret working from home, I look over at one of them and I'm reminded of how much I love it! :)

1. Don't let low sales hurt your self esteem. ---> I struggle with this a lot... I tend to feel really bad about myself when my sales are slow, and it affects me way too much. So I try hard not to let my Etsy shop dictate my mood & my self confidence. Running a handmade shop is a lot more personal than running any online business -- you're putting your own creations 'out there' and it can be really rough on the ego. During these slow times, I try to come up with new products and re-energize my shop! Creating something new helps bounce the ego back a bit (assuming you created something you like, lol) and take your mind off the slow sales!

2. Know what your best-sellers are. ---> My dad owns a small mail-order business, and he told me that 20% of your items account for 80% of your sales, and he's right! You'll have a lot of great products that just never sell, and one or two that fly off the (virtual) shelves! For me, it's my best friend art prints. They're far and away my best seller, so I try to capitalize on that by offering a bunch of products with that design. Right now I have prints in 2 sizes, customizable prints, an embroidery pattern, and pendant sets! Even if your best seller isn't your personal favorite, remember that its success is what makes your handmade lifestyle possible.

3. Don't let yourself get overwhelmed. ---> Only list items in your shop that are either pre-made or can be made in a reasonable amount of time. Make sure that you have your supplies in stock before listing an item for sale. Even if you have a reliable supplier, it's easy to accidentally oversell, and then find out that your supplier is sold-out too. (Can you tell I'm speaking from experience? lol) If you sell 20 of something that has to be made to order, consider deactivating the item for a little bit while you play catch up. There's nothing worse than an angry, impatient customer, and making sure you're not overwhelmed is the best way to avoid meeting any!

4. Celebrate little victories. ---> When you're running a handmade business, chances are you're doing it alone. A lot of people have amazingly supportive spouses (or in my case, parents & a brother) who help them when they're crunched for time, but the bulk of the work is all on you. You're a manager, customer service representative, shipper, *and* you have to make the product from scratch. It can get overwhelming and sometimes seem very daunting. I find that one of the perks of being your own boss is treating your whole staff (aka: you) to a treat. It can be reaching a milestone sales number, or just packing up an especially challenging order. Buy yourself a little something, or order take-out! (P.S.-- Ordering take-out can also serve as a great bribe incentive for getting family and friends to help you out!)

5. Support other handmade artists. ---> You don't have to purchase (although that is always awesome!), but at least leave feedback on their blog posts, favorite items on Etsy, re-tweet their sales and new products on Twitter, or like their posts on Facebook. Good feedback and encouragement is SO important and if we all support each other, everybody is happy! :)

Find Kate Here:  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Blog  |  Shop  |  Pinterest  |  Bloglovin

Thanks so much, Kate, for sharing!! I loved all of your tips! I especially love your idea about capitalizing on your best selling products and supporting other handmade artists!

5 THINGS WITH REGINA MORRISON

Hi, lovely MaieDae readers!  I am so excited to be here today to share with you all 5 things I have learned about running a handmade shop.

About two years ago, I opened an Etsy shop, {Acute Designs}, on a whim.  I was working at a mind-numbing day job and wanted a little hobby to keep myself from going crazy.

After a few weeks of running my hobby//business, I was hooked and knew this was what I wanted to do full-time.  I didn’t want to get up every day and go to a job I hated and live for the weekends.  I wanted a life that I felt like living every single day…not just two days a week.

With the support of my husband and a lot of hard work, I left my day job  just over a year ago.  This past year, as I have been finding my way in the handmade selling world, I have learned SO much.  And I am still learning on a daily basis.

Every week, when I read a new 5 Things post here on MaieDae, I learn something new.  Today, I am thrilled to be sharing with you a few important things I have learned.

1. It is so important to support the handmade community. ---> Handmade is more expensive and not everyone can afford to buy everything handmade.  However, I have found that it is important {and a lot more fun} to spend what I can afford on handmade.

By supporting handmade artists, I am making a pledge with my hard earned money to grow a side of the economy that was forgotten about for far too long. Every day, I am faced with hundreds of cheap store options, and I do buy some of them, but I always make a point to support handmade and small businesses when I have the opportunity.

2. I need to value myself and price accordingly. ---> I wrote a piece about pricing//valuing yourself on my blog and on Design*Sponge and both received a huge response. When I first started selling, I didn’t have a “formula” for pricing; instead, I just pulled the prices out of thin air. Not a good idea.

Since I opened my business, I have learned that I need to factor in all the costs of creating a design + labor cost for all the time I put into that particular design + a profit.  On top of that, I need to work to make the price realistic.

Pricing can be a challenging thing to get just right and the biggest mistake I made at first, and I see so many new handmade sellers making, is in pricing.  It is tempting to offer super low prices just to get a sale.  But I have learned that the right customer will pay what my product is worth.  A customer who wants a super low price is not my customer.

Learning to walk away from those customers, and not sacrifice my value or the value of my work, has been one of the biggest things I have learned in the past two years.

3. Treat every order like it’s your first one. --->  I cannot stress this enough. One of the reasons people buy handmade is because they want to support an artist and they enjoy that connection with the artist. I treat every single order like it’s my first. I never skimp on anything and if something goes wrong, or the item is going to take a few extra days, I am honest and upfront with my customer.

If someone is willing to spend their hard earned money on one of my designs, then it is my obligation to give them the best buying experience I can manage.

4. Branding! ---> I struggled with this a lot in the beginning and I finally feel like I am getting it. Having a consistent brand and look is so important. We all know a McDonald’s when we see one. We all recognize their packaging, logos, jingle, etc. Imagine if it was different every time? That would be so confusing and it would prevent the brand from sticking in our minds.

Think of a logo, font, color scheme, etc., and stick to it. If need be, find a graphic designer to work with you and bring make your vision a reality. It is totally worth the extra money.

5. Networking is so important. ---> Don’t ever underestimate the power of blogging and social media.  That being said…be genuine. Do your best to make real connections and be yourself.

I think Twitter and Facebook are great places to promote your new products. However, when I first opened my Twitter account, all I used it for was promoting my products. I quickly learned that I was using it in the wrong way.

Once I started using Twitter, Facebook, and my blog as a mix of promoting my business, connecting with customers, and making real friends in the blogging//handmade community, I saw a huge increase in followers, connections, and sales.

Find Regina Here:  Blog  |  Shop  |  Etsy  |  Facebook  |  Twitter

Thank you, Regina, for taking the time to talk to my readers about running a handmade shop! I loved your insights. :) I especially love what you had to say about treating every sale like it's your first and creating a great experience for your customers. Such a powerful and fantastic business strategy! 

Savvy about business, blogging, balance, or staying inspired? Consider participating in 5 Things and offering your tips and best practices! Contact me at Savannah@maiedae.com if you're interested. :)

5 THINGS WITH ERIN WILSON

Hi! I'm Erin Wilson and I blog over at Sunshine and Carousels. I'm the designer and owner of the Sunshine and Carousel's shop. I'm really excited that Savannah has asked me to join in on her series, because I'm a firm believer that you can always learn more no matter how much you know. Today, I wanted to share a little bit about what I've learned on how to create a successful small handmade business.

1. Foundation. ---> First things first...I've learned that the foundation to a business is know *who* you want to be. By that I mean, who you want your business (i.e. products) to market towards. Knowing the age group, gender, lifestyle etc. Know this first and create your product *for* these types of people. Do your best to stick to this in all areas of your business; whether it be packaging, where you advertise, how you write your blog, and so on. It's all one full circle and the more you know about your market and the more you apply that to your product the more successful you will be. You can't sell to *everyone*, but you can sell to *everyone* who loves your style.

2. Debt - Finance. ---> Don't go into debt over a small business. This is something I'm very, very passionate about, because I started from a teeny-tiny small business on my kitchen table to a full-on in-home studio with assistants and all. I started making accessories from supplies I had collected over the years, maybe spending 20 dollars of my own money. Then, what I earned from those first 10-20 sales, I used 100% of that to buy more supplies. I used a huge portion of what I made to invest in tools, photo hosting, packaging, business cards...etc. Don't think that you *need* super fancy business cards or the most unique packaging and tools before you start. This is something you will grow into. If you base your business off debt, you won't be successful because you'll always think you need more. Just start small and always invest a portion of your profits towards the tools, supplies, and other fun small business needs.

3. Design. ---> This next part somewhat relates to #1, but I think there are two types of handmade business owners out there. 1. The kind of handmade business owner who simply reproduces an item that is already in existence. A maker. 2. The kind of handmade business owner who *designs* and *invents* an item. An artist.

A handmade business owner that is creating and designing something that has not been done before, has not been seen before, will be more successful simply because you can only find that product from that handmade business. If you are not creating something unique and only known to you and your brand, then you are doing yourself a disservice. When your handmade business is original, branded, and one-of-a-kind, you will be far more successful than you ever dreamed. Don't simply be a *maker of things*; rather be a *designer of things.*

4. Social Media. ---> Social media and online friends can take your business to the next level. I, personally, am a rather shy person in real life. I feel more comfortable chatting away on Twitter and blogging about what is going on in my creative mind on most days. I've learned to step out of my comfort zone and make friends and use social media as a tool within my business. I think all small handmade businesses should have at least one of these things: Twitter, Facebook fan page ,and//or a blog. It is completely human to be curious and see how the person or persons behind a business live their daily life, see the kinds of things they like, take peeks into their handmade business world, and so on. This is also a great way to keep costumers connected with your business. If they ordered your product online, got your business card with your blog, Twitter or Facebook link, and started following you...the next time you announce a new collection or product, they will know about it and there is more of a possible return sale from that customer. Along the same lines, I've made some great handmade business owner and blogger friends throughout my handmade business journey. These friends are a community and love to help each other out. They will freely promote you and love your work which gives you confidence and creates more connections.  

5. Hope. ---> If I've learned anything from running a small handmade business, it's that you should never *give up.* There have been times when I am over worked, under worked, fed up, hopeless, confused, and stressed...but I just won't give up.  There is never a mountain too large or a goal too small. It may sound cliche, but for some reason, every time I've been down about small businesses, I will somehow, somewhere hear someone say, 'Don't give up.' It can be someone on a TV show, a blogger blogs it, a song sings it...'Don't Give Up.'  Sometimes I can't see the next step in my business for a few days and I get a little cloudy or stressed, but I always tell myself...don't give up. It's all the small victories, it's all the small goals being met, it's all going to work out if you just keep trying. If something's not working, just step back and take a look at the whole picture and decide what needs to change. There is always hope in following your dreams and being true to yourself. Just don't forget that.

Thank you so much, Savannah, for having me! I really appreciate the opportunity to share what I've learned and I just hope to encourage others, too. Love, Erin!

Find Erin Here:  Blog  |  Shop  |  Facebook  |  Twitter 

Thank you, Erin!! You are so right. Hope is such an important part in running a small business. You have to realize your dream and patiently persevere toward it. If you are doing what you love and what you are truly passionate about, don't give up! 

5 THINGS WITH HELLO HUE

Aloha! My name is Lindsay and I blog at Hello Hue, formally known as Aisle to Aloha. I live in Hawaii with my husband, Chris, and I'm kind of a bacon freak. I am the artist behind Hello Hue Studio where I sell my bright, colorful acrylic paintings and try to convince people that they need more happy color in their homes! :) I've been selling my paintings since September 2010 and have learned a lot about myself and the business. I love all aspects of this beautiful handmade community and I'm so proud to be a part of it! Here's what I've learned:

1. Comparison only breeds negativity. ---> Countless times I have found myself comparing my shop, artwork, number of sales, even my branding to other handmade artists and wondering "Do I measure up?!" Ugh, I think you know what I'm talking about. This kind of comparison really only breeds negativity. I think as women, as well as creative souls, we have to be careful of falling into the trap of comparing our businesses to others. When I play the comparison game, I can count on being uninspired and in a funk for the rest of the day. I'm learning, bit by bit, to focus on my own goals and let them progress as their own entity instead of side-by-side with someone else's. If I challenge myself to break my own records, instead of yours, I'm far more successful at achieving those goals and I feel much better about that success.

2.  Get connected! ---> After opening my shop in September 2010, I resisted joining Twitter for several months. I just thought it was pointless. Well, I was so very wrong. Twitter, Facebook, even the Etsy forums and Pinterest, are great ways to connect with potential customers and wise business owners with a wealth of knowledge to share. They are also great places to gather inspiration. I've been encouraged, inspired, and challenged through all of these social media platforms and they all have so many different things to offer as well as unique audiences to access. If used correctly, they are the perfect platforms to grow your business as well as grow as an artist!

3. Success is hard work. ---> Ok, this is kind of a "duh" moment. Of course it takes hard work to be successful. But that's kind of something I had to learn. I know; silly. For a while, I would spend my days, a lot of time, lamenting the fact that I wasn't selling anything, or my products weren't fresh enough, or my stats were low, yada, yada. Then, I would go into my studio, work my butt off, and I would see improvement in all those areas! And the light-bulb went off. Hello! When I spend time actually creating new products and bettering my shop, I grow more successful (even if that was in small increments.) That in itself inspires me to create more and come up with new, fresh ideas. It's a cycle that really works well, if I can only get it started instead of sitting on the couch!

4. Looks matter. ---> We've all heard that you can't "judge a book by its cover" and that looks don't matter. Well, in the handmade world, people do judge a shop by its appearance and looks do matter! It took me almost a year to get to the point where I was 100% happy with my branding. It took time to develop the feel, look, and aesthetic that I wanted my customers to see! It was worth it, though. Now I feel like everyone who looks at my shop or sees my paintings "gets" me. I hope they see a bright, modern, and fresh shop. What do you want your space to feel like? Spend some time brainstorming what you want to come through that computer screen when a potential customer clicks into your shop. Work on bright, clear photos and a professional looking branding and create a shop that effervesces with "you".

5.  Do it your way. ---> So, confession time. I don't carry a sketch book with me everywhere and as much as I'd like to say I have lists and lists of great ideas-- that's not me. Usually when an idea comes to me, it's in the shower, or while I'm painting. And I don't write it down, I just let it percolate in my head. After a bit of internal brainstorming, I get really excited about it and start forming a plan to carry out my awesome idea. Obviously, not everyone deals with new ideas like this. And for a while, I felt bad about this. But you can only function properly when you do things the way they work for you. Sure, we can always work at being more organized or whatever, but make sure you feel free to create, think, dream, plan the best way that works for you!

Find Lindsay Here:  Blog  |  Shop  |  Facebook  |  Twitter

Thanks so much, Lindsay, for all your helpful tips on running a handmade shop! It's so true what you say about spending time on your branding and really developing a strong look for yourself. You want your customers to really notice your product and making it stand out with a good look, fresh pictures, and strong branding is key. :)

5 THINGS WITH OH, SWEET JOY!

Hi MaieDae readers! My name is Kim and I'm the gal behind the blog and shop, Oh, Sweet Joy! I am a Personal Shopper by day and a blogger//handmade veteran by night :) I live in colorful Colorado with my handsome husband, Chase. One day I will have an Airedale Terrier named Toby. You can read more about me here! 

I'm really excited to share some things I've learned since starting this whole handmade thing. Running a handmade business has been one of the most difficult, yet rewarding experiences of my life. There have been so many ups and downs -- and thankfully more ups than downs!  It's been quite an adventure and I'd love to take you along for a bit of the ride and share a little bit of insight into the world of Oh, Sweet Joy! and owning a handmade business.

1. Take a Day (or Two?) Off. ---> It is so important to take breaks....and guess what? It's okay to take a weekend off! It's vital for your sanity, for your marriage, for your inspiration level, and that's just the beginning of it! Take a book to your favorite coffee shop and snuggle up reading all day. Spend a day blessing others. Make something for yourself. Take a long walk. Whatever relaxes you, do it. And don't think about the orders that may or may not be piling up while you do so. They'll still be there Monday.

2. Quitting Your Day Job Isn't All It's Cracked Up to Be. ---> It's okay to love your 9-5 and want your handmade biz to be nothing more than a hobby. I learned this after a mere 5 months of doing the whole "handmade thing" full time. ((more about that here))  I was burned out and missed interacting with people IN REAL LIFE. Don't get me wrong, blog//handmade friends are great, but I don't think God created us to live behind computer screens. I think in the handmade world, somehow the standard became "you aren't successful unless you are full-time." It's simply not true. Only you can define what success is to you. Is it $100 a week? Is it $1,000? That's your call & only you can make it what YOU want it to be. Hobby, part time, full time, a vehicle to bless others, you name it.

3. *sing with me* Money money monnnneyyyy ((money!)) ---> Keep your finances straight. SET A BUDGET.  Know how much you're making. Keep receipts. Buy Quickbooks or use Mint.com to track your business expenses. Tithe. Be generous.  If your intentions are to turn a profit, you are a business and need to pay taxes. Set up an LLC and play it safe by doing things right from the get-go. No one wants the IRS knocking on their door!

4. Grow. ---> It's important to set goals so that you don't become bored or uninspired. This also helps you grow your business and push the limits! Don't be afraid to push yourself or try new things.  I did a series back in the day of how to increase your sales. Part 1 and Part 2 might be helpful if you're just starting this handmade journey or if you're in a slump.

5. Treat yo'self. ---> Go ahead and FIRST click here and watch this 20 second clip, giggle, and then come right back. Wasn't that silly pants? Okay, moving on.

This goes back to setting goals. I am a very goal oriented person. I tell myself often, "If I make ((this much)) money in the next month, I will treat myself by purchasing ((this really special thing I couldn't live without that usually comes in the form of shoes that I'll probably take to Buffalo Exchange in 3 months)). It's okay to buy something fun using the money you are earning. In fact, it may just motivate you to work harder and make more! This can work on a smaller scale, as well. I would often times tell myself that if I made & packaged all my orders by noon, that I could go get Starbucks and walk around the mall & window shop. Is it because I *deserve* it? No. It's because I wanted to and that's all that mattered. Hrumph. Being a business owner has perks and we've GOT to take advantage of them! (*WINK*) *note* it's even MORE fun when you buy something special for someone else. Last year, I was on a clothes buying hiatus and  I bought my husband a new camera with the money I'd earned from Oh, Sweet Joy! rather than something for myself.  It was so fun to treat him with something he will enjoy for years..

I could type forever & ever on things I've learned. I hope this was helpful and that you are inspired to GO FOR IT if you are on the fence about starting a Handmade Biz. It's so fun & rewarding and if you're just waiting for a "push," well, then friend, CONSIDER YOURSELF PUSHED! :)

Find Kim Here:  Shop  |  Blog  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Pinterest

Kim! Seriously, you are so inspiring. :) Thank you so much for offering such great advice! You are SO RIGHT about taking time off. It's so, so important to have days to rest, be with family and friends...and make sure your life is in check and on balance. Also, you are hilarious...thank you for making my readers and me giggle! 

5 Things with Manzanita

First, I want to thank the lovely and talented Savannah for inviting me to participate in this amazing project! Thank you so much, Savannah! MaieDae has been a huge inspiration to me and my own blog and business for a long time now.

Hi MaieDae readers! I am Rebecca Caridad, the lady behind manzanita. I live in Boulder, CO, with my brand new husband and our two little poodles. I am so excited to be here today to share a little bit of what I have learned as a handmade business owner. I am still relatively new to the field and I know I have much more to learn. I hope, however, the few things that I have found to be most important and beneficial to me will help you if you are interested in becoming a part of the handmade community or have just joined it. I feel so lucky to be a part of it myself!

Since I have started Manzanita, my life has completely changed with the new relationships and opportunities that have come my way. I am constantly inspired and constantly gaining more confidence in myself as an artist, business owner, and woman. Today, I am going to share some things that have become crucial to making Manzanita what I want it to be. I am going to focus on owning a handmade business and primarily an online one. I hope my little tips will inspire you and if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact me. :)

1. Network! ---> When you decide to open a handmade shop, you are deciding to become a member of an amazing community; get to know it! I have been trying at this for about two years and it wasn’t until I entered the blogosphere that I really felt like I was getting somewhere. There are so many talented, sweet, welcoming, generous people out there just waiting to hear from you. The coolest part is, they are all over the world!

Blogging and social media like Twitter and Facebook have totally redefined what it means to me to be the owner of a handmade brand. To see other artists and crafters out there doing their thing is probably what keeps me going at this point. I feel like I am a part of a team and it is such a supportive and inspiring team to be on.

Most of my dearest Blogger and Etsy friends were made by sending them a quick hello or receiving one from them. I have some ladies who I email with almost daily and they have become such a necessity in this venture!

2. Presentation. ---> I spent a long time trying to figure out how to get to a happy place in this area. I am still working some kinks out here. I think this part of selling handmade, especially online, is something that will always change and evolve with time and taste. I also think it should be on the top of your priority list! You work hard handmaking your goods. You want to present them so people can see that! Not everyone has the same ability to see the potential as you do, so you want to show them every angle, all ways to wear or use the item, and most of all, you want it to be well lit and in focus.

You can totally achieve some great photos with point and shoot cameras but my advice is to save up for a really affordable SLR. You can find some really great deals and when I got mine, it was like night and day on both my blog and shop.

When it comes to packaging, go the extra mile and also be practical. This was what my packaging looked like when I started really putting some energy into it. I have never gotten such positive feedback from customers until I started doing it this way. Once business started getting more regular, I realized that hand stitching every envelope was not very practical. Now, I use cardboard boxes that are really easy to put together and really easy to prettify with stickers, stamps, and personal thank you messages. I still take my time with thank you cards and I write in them with pencil so people can re-use them. Have fun with packaging because it will really pay off!

3. Be honest with your customers and let them get to know you. ---> If you are selling handmade, odds are, your customers are looking for specifically handmade goods. Most people who are familiar with handmade goods know that, unless it is a ready to ship item, it will take a minute to get their purchase.

This took me a long time to believe. When I first started my shop, I was trying to act like a big company, but the reality was, that I only have two hands and they can only move so fast. Up until a couple of months ago, I had a two week turnaround time. If I got more than 2 orders in a day, it became very stressful to get my stuff done in the allotted time. I can’t afford to support myself off only Manzanita just yet, so with my full time job and personal life, I found myself losing the enjoyment that typically came with crocheting my designs for people.

With a lot of hesitance, I decided that I would push the wait time to 4 weeks and I don’t think I have seen any drop in sales because of it. Now, when I make a sale, I don’t quickly go to stressing about how I am going to fit it into my schedule. Now I get to feel flattered and happy that someone decided my stuff was worth spending their hard earned money on, yay!

Let your customers get to know you! One way I have worked with this is modeling all my own goods. I had a very strong aversion to this at first, but I read somewhere that it was really good to put a face to a name, especially when selling online. I have never been very comfortable in front of the camera but since I have made this change, it has proven to be a really fun feature of Manzanita. I really enjoy photo shoots now and it has even inspired me to start doing outfit posts. I like that my customers are seeing the person who is actually going to make, package, and mail out their purchase; it gives the whole experience a very personal touch!

I also try to be as personable as possible in my item descriptions. Using friendly language like a simple hello message. Example: “Hello! I am Rebecca and I am so excited that you are interested in The Elsie!” Online shopping can be pretty technical, so I try to make it feel like we are in a little shop somewhere downtown whenever I can.

4. Don’t undercharge. ---> This was a very hard area for me at the beginning as well. When I first opened Manzanita, I wanted to give everything away for free! I have slowly gained more confidence in my skill and in the fact that my time is worth more than I was willing to admit.

Time is very important to consider. How valuable is your time? Do you have a lot to spare or a little? Like I said earlier, I have a full time job, so I consider my time very valuable at this point. I could spend time with my new husband and family, or I could work on Manzanita.

Since I have raised my prices to what they are now, I feel like I am being fairly compensated for my work. I spend a lot of time on each item because I want my customers to really love their purchase and I don’t ever want to feel rushed in doing this. Be honest with your customers and be honest with yourself!

5. Don’t be afraid to give things away. ---> I know this may sound like a contradiction to my previous statement, but it’s not. The more people that wear or use your goods the more people will come into contact with it. Blogging is a great resource for this. Contact your favorite bloggers and ask if they would be interested in sporting your goods in a post. I have made some great connections with lovely ladies such as Veronika of Tick Tock Vintage, Katie of Skunboy Creatures, Erin and Stefanie of Oh So lovely by sending them Manzanita gifts. Again, it’s all about networking!

Donate to giveaways! This is a great way to get your name out there. Be generous with coupons. Sometimes, I will send coupons to people who heart my things on Etsy. Occasionally, potential customers need an extra thoughtful gesture to actually follow through with a purchase. Also, this is a great way to send a personal hello to your community! I have made great friends by doing this.

Find Rebecca Here: Blog  |  Shop  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Bloglovin  |  Pinterest

Thank you, Rebecca!! This was fantastic advice. :) I especially like your thoughts about giving your product away to be marketed on other blogs. When people see others loving and wearing your product, it makes you want to buy! 

Oh Sweet Joy - Goodies in the Mail!

I love getting packages in the mail -- who doesn't?! Recently, I've been eying my friend Kim's beautiful little Robin's Egg Button Earrings in her Oh Sweet Joy shop, and received them in the mail a couple of days ago. I wanted to show off her work by giving you a couple shots of these adorable (and affordable!!) fabric covered earrings:

I love her darling packaging and logo stamp! -- Awesome tip for handmakers out there: always put your products in cute packaging. It makes your customers feel like they are opening a special gift. :) Look how cute these beauties are!

Thanks, Kim, for your beautiful//spring-y handmades! Psst - go take a stroll around her shop. She just launched an adorable spring line of totes, coffee cuffs, headbands, and more earrings like these. 

Also, be sure to check back tomorrow for a fun Fancy Shmancy post and my first "outfit" post! Cheers! -- Cuddle time with husband. 

March Comes with Big Plans

I. Feel. Recharged. Jonathon and I just got back from a short ski trip in the mountains with his parents and some friends of ours. We stayed in a beautiful log cabin, ate junk food, played games, and learned how to ski. It was one of the best vacations I've had in a long time. Now that I've had my crazy work week at seminar for nine days and followed it up by a relaxing trip with my family... I'm ready to make March an amazing month. BTW-- Here is a little peek at where we stayed this weekend, it was breathtaking and so peaceful:

I might have already mentioned that I'm really excited it's March, but just in case you didn't hear...I'm REALLY excited about March! I have some exciting plans, not only for the blog, but for Handmades, MaieDae Graphics, and home nesting. Can't wait to show you! For now, here is what I'll share, but the rest you will just have to wait and see!

What you can expect to see on the blog:
* Some more Project ReStyle's & a DIY
* A new blog series on Balance
* Some peeks into my nesting venture and home decorating
* A very special 365 Project post as I come to my completion on March 23rd!
* Some awesome inspiration & handmade shop features
* Crafty resources
* Awesome Giveaway!
* Some vlogs?! A first for MaieDae.

MaieDae Handmades:
* We will be having out first craft show March 10th-11th. I can't wait to share pictures and give you my two cents on prepping for your first craft show.
* In mid-March, you can expect to see a HUGE shop update with pieces that you know and love as well as some splashes of new color and products!

MaieDae Graphics:
* This month will be the first month that Graphics will officially offer blog design, one of many graphic services we plan to offer in the future. Keep an eye out for a special post and more details coming soon!
* On top of blog design, we will also begin to offer print design in the shop for your lovely home, as well as some cute customizable pieces!

My Home Nesting Projects:
* Paint the studio//guest room
* Repaint purple wall in our bedroom -- I'm thinkin' dark grey.
* Make little "dinnerware nook"
* Purchase new bedding and get it lookin' good in there!

!!! Here's to a grand month. I'm excited you're along for the ride!!!

MaieDae Handmades Presents GEOLOGY!

I am so excited to present to you my new line of jewelry called, Geology!! These cocktail rings and stud earrings are full of sparkle and come in four gorgeous colors: Fire Opal, Amethyst, Hematite, and Feldspar. Take a look!

Fire Opal Cocktail Ring

Feldspar Cocktail Ring

Hematite Cocktail Ring

Amethyst Cocktail Ring 

Fire Opal Studs

Feldspar Studs

Hematite Studs

Amethyst Studs

Love what you seeee?! You can find all of these pieces in my shop! Also, right now I am offering FREE shipping for the U.S. and a collection of SALE items that need a home. :) 

Thanks so much for taking a look! Happy weekend!!