Hair Accessories Finally Available!

Some time ago, I started experimenting with adding buttons to bobby pin blanks. I had a lot of fun finding interesting buttons, including covering some with my fabric scraps. I sold some wholesale to a local store, then the rest I had made just sat here waiting for me to pay attention to them.

The time has finally come! I listed all of my hair accessories, here in my store on Mainstreetmallonline! Check them out, they are really fun! I can't wait to get back to making some more.

I Opened a New Store!

I am not sure if I am insane or a super savvy businesswoman. I have been hearing the buzz about ArtFire, a new site for handmade items, and decided to try to get in early and establish a presence. They offer a free version, which includes 10 listings at a time- I opted instead for the $7 a month plan, where I can have unlimited listings, plus a number of other perks that will be great for branding.

I set up my store tonight and added my first item. I decided to make my ArtFire store The Earring Annex to Maggie's Handcraft Studio. I need to add the earring annex part to my normal store banner, but I did not want that to cause me to delay this move any further. I think in the new year, I might change around how I do my stores, and have certain things sold only on certain venues, but I have not figured all of that out for sure yet.

Here is a preview of my store on ArtFire:

I am not convinced that I love the look of the site, but I want to give it a chance. I plan to list at least one pair of earrings a day, hopefully more.

Holy Mackerel, It's December!

Wow, while I was living my life time just flew by and now here is is December! I had my own little mini cyber Monday, so now I am super busy. Today I have been working on earrings and Christmas ornament hooks.

I have a rather extensive Christmas CD collection, so I need to start listening if I am going to make a dent in it this year. Right now I am listening to Crescent City Christmas Card
by Wynton Marsalis. (Check it out, it is on sale right now!) It is full of the familiar songs, but done in unique ways., which is usually true of Marsalis' work. I love it! It is really helping me focus on my work.

I want to thank my top Entrecard droppers for November:

AlteredEvents

Multiply Themes/Marviepons

24patrol

Journal of Journey

More than Sew So

Curiously Awesome

Computer Aid

My Gypsygoods

Online Games

Random Ramblings

Getting Ready for the Fall Festival

This Sunday I will be at the Fall Festival in Old Town Bowie. If you are in the area, stop in and enjoy the fun. You can find me on the front porch of The Shops at Fabian House.

As usual, I am scurrying to try to get my stock together to take over there. I set up really a very small display, so I don't know why I stress so. I only use a card table, because there is a lot going on up there on that porch, plus I leave myself a little room on the table to work on some stuff while I am there.

I have been working on all different things, in an attempt to maybe have some variety finished. The other night I glued buttons onto bobby pin bases. Some of these are buttons I covered myself with fabric scraps, some are vintage buttons
.

I was also sewing some bags- I do not have a lot of room to display bags, but I need to take some to stock the shop inside. I have 6 jeans purses all cut and in various stages of completion. I sewed the lining into one bag while I watched Project Runway tonight- it felt like a sewalong! I have to be careful making those jeans purses, as I have been known to make my hands really sore sewing in the linings. I would love to also make a few colorful quilted totes to take up there, but we will have to see how much I get done.

I need to card and price my items for display. Since I mostly sell online, I can just drop earrings in a baggie and card them when they sell, but for a festival I need them all pretty and priced. I stamped my business name onto a new batch of cards tonight, I want to get a lot of this work done and not be up half the night on Saturday getting stuff ready.

Wish me luck! I don't count on selling much with the way this week has been economically for our country, but it will be nice to get out there and meet some people and hopefully we will have enjoyable weather.