Back to the Real World

After 15 months out of the work force, I'm back in, albeit part time. I really didn't think I would like going back, but it really helps that I have a wicked job, and I am always in a new place, seeing new things, every work day.
My boss is great for scheduling me around the hubby's days off and on days where the grandparents can look after Jake, too.

Been doing lots of sewing of late. Working on a few custom fitted sheet sets, a whole "big-kid" bedroom set, and also designing and creating some really great 0-6mo baby gowns. Lots on the go!

I'm ready for the Olympics to be over, and for life to return to normal. I wish my hubby had a boring job! Instead, he's worked every day since almost a week before the O games started! Yuck.

New Items

I was at the fabric store the other day, and had a very specific "must-only-buy-these-items" list. Well, I couldn't help myself when I saw this awesome, punk rock, black and white skulls fabric. I didn't need it, but I HAAAAD to buy it.

Got home, and figured I should do something with it, so I made these:


I totally loved them, and showed the hubby, who suggested I try to sell them on Etsy. I posted them, and within half an hour, they sold! Go figure. They're awesome!

So, I made a bunch more, out of fabric scraps that were too small to donate, and not big enough to do anything too exciting with. Ended up with these :





So, we'll see what happens with those. They're super fun to make, although they are a little finicky.

Had a lot of recent interest in my custom bedding, which is always a bonus!

SWAP MEET SATURDAY

I'm going to be at the Cloverdale Swap Meet on Saturday, from 9-1pm! There are going to be tons of people there with everything you can imagine for kids at great prices!!

Come on down :)

NEW Website

I finally launched www.SusieCues.ca It took me forever to figure it out, and I understand fully why people decide to pay other to design sites for them! It's nothing fancy, I'd rather make my bedding sets fancy than spend any more time online!

Hoping to say Bye-Bye to Etsy, and go it alone :)

Wish me luck!

New Directions

I think I'm going to start going to swapmeets... I have heard some really good things about them, and there are some huge ones out in Cloverdale at the Fair Grounds, and they allow people to sell new goods there.

I always do really well with the leg warmers at craft fairs, and now that I have an assortment of items, and about a billion leg warmers, it would be good to market them elsewhere than on etsy. The one downfall is that it costs money to have a table, and you're not always guaranteed to make it back.

But, tables are only $25, that's about three pairs of leggings. Not bad. I bet I could do better than that, especially if it's as busy as people say they get.

Going to sign up for a few, just to see. Bonus is that it's located five minutes away from my sister-in-law's place.

Will have more details as they get closer!

Sew Sew Sew

So... I've been sewing a lot, and it makes me really happy. I love that I can be working AND looking after Jakob. It's pretty phenomenal. Of course, there's a lot to do before people start beating down the door trying to buy things from me ;) BUT, at least I can tell myself it's worth the effort to get the ball rolling.

I've been really good at only spending money on materials from money I've earned through sales, so that's not so bad, especially when I managed to hit a few really awesome sales.

Got permission to use Great-Grandma's (<3) serger, and it's the COOLEST thing I've ever used. Oh my goodness! It makes life so much easier, plus it's an excuse to get out of the house with Jakob and let him have time with his Great-Grandpa!

I have a custom order bedding set that I'm waiting to sew. I ordered the fabric before Christmas, so any day now. I really like what she chose! It's a pretty pink and white damask print. Should be fun to put together.

Other than that, I made almost 30 pairs of leg warmers today, taking my time uploading them to my etsy site, though. Have to space them out so I don't get lost in the crowd.

Ah, market saturation...?

Anyway. It's past my bed time!

Adventures in Etsy and Happy New Year!

So, a while back now, I set up my own little shop on Etsy (the mecca for buying and selling handcrafted goods online).

I've sold a few things, and learned quite a lot more than I ever intended. For instance, in order to sell things in the states, you have to meet all sorts of crazy labeling regulations, and have to submit your goods for lead testing and phlatate testing. UGH!

So, I've ordered myself some fancy labels, which I'll admit, will make my products appear more professional. I have NO intention of going big time with my endeavors, I just want to make a little extra money for buying things for me :)

I've got a bunch of baby leggings listed, and two bunches more to list. I have to remember to list things daily, and at random times during the day, so that they stay at the front of the search pages.





I have my bedding sets, and custom listings posted, but I also have my sets in a local business here in Ladner. Fun times. If you'd told me that I would be selling a product in a real STORE, I never would have believed you, but here we are, and I don't quite know how I got here.



Really though, all I want is to be able to make some money while being able to spend time with Jakob, who is growing so quickly it's mind blowing. He's amazing, he's fast, he's funny. He's my everything!

I also started making baby slings, mostly because I wasn't happy with the ones that I paid a lot for. They never fit me quite right, so I made my own, and they seem cute enough, and I know they're well made enough to sell online too. We'll see. When my sleeping baby awakes from his nap, I think I'll put him in one to photograph for the site.

I can't believe it's the last day of 2009. This has been the fastest year of my life. Incredibly amazing, but so quick.

I hope you all had a wonderful, marvelous Holiday Season, and wish you all the best for 2010.

See you in the new year :)