Search results (tags) for: "moms"

Quit Your Day Job: HoboCampCrafts

2008-11-24T16:09:00Z

Melissa of Hobocampcrafts was able to successfully quit her NYC office job to follow her passion and sell full time on Etsy. She has been able to contribute a steady income to her household along with her husband Zach, and they are now expecting a new little bundle of joy (any day now)! Melissa will be able to work from home and care for her new baby, all the while wearing the jeans she loves (one of her favorite parts about not having her previous day job) instead of stuffy business casual.

When you first started selling on Etsy, did you have dreams or goals of eventually quitting your day job?
I’ve always dreamed of something different than a 9-5 job. I think that’s why my jobs have always varied, from a union organizer to a book slinger. Etsy and craft shows have given me an outlet to showcase my work and solidify the idea of working for me. We (my husband Zach and I) joined Etsy on May 31st, 2006, and by October I was ready to leave my NYC office job for craftier pastures. I definitely took a pay cut, but not traveling two hours a day and working in a less-than-positive atmosphere were the upsides.

How long had you been on Etsy before taking the plunge into selling full time? What made you decide to do so?
In the beginning, we started seeing people who were buying from our shop and our booth at shows, and they just got us. Realizing that by going to a show we could make a good amount of money, network and be a part of the crafty community just inspired us. All the people we’ve met, either at shows or online, thought the idea of Hobocamp was hysterical. They appreciated our handmade goodness and our hobo sensibility. So after getting married in June of '06 we discussed the possibilities, and by October, I had started working at Hobocamp full time.

Did you do anything to prepare ahead of time before taking the plunge?
It was extremely reassuring to know I was covered under my husband’s insurance. When Hobocamp was created, two years before we joined Etsy, our two main focuses were craft shows and consignment. Now, however, Etsy is definitely our third focus. We didn’t and don’t have a formal business plan, but we have an idea jotted down. Once we decided on a name (which originates from the show Strangers With Candy) I went and got a business license. Right around this time, my husband and I were involved in a pretty bad car accident, from which we received a small settlement. (Note: I don’t recommend you look for accidents in order to finance your Etsy shop!) But, this was what we used to set up our website, buy advertising, pay for shows, Etsy bills etc.

The other things we did to prepare were paring down to one car (now we just ride the rails, mostly) and trying to live more simply by buying less, questioning our purchases and reusing and recycling more. A lot of our business aesthetics come from hobos and the dustbowl era: recycling fabrics, saving yarn to use in my work and making lovely handmade items. I didn’t worry too much about having big inventory in our shop because we were coming off the craft circuit. We always have at least two huge bins full of crafty goodness. That said, I do like to come up with something new on a semi-weekly basis to keep the shop fresh.

What are the most effective ways you have promoted and marketed your Etsy business? What's your best marketing tip?
Knowing your demographic and who is buying your items can be very helpful. This can help when you’re choosing advertising, shows and other business-related decisions. As a smaller business, we need to think about our marketing budget, and it seems that taking out online ads on magazine websites, blogs and gift guides is the way for us to go. The prices are usually a fraction of what you would pay for a print ad, and for us they seem to drum up more store traffic. However, getting any kind of free press is an awesome way to get your business seen by a lot of people. We’ve been lucky to have been featured in several local publications.

Other options that we utilize, other than paying for ads, are blogging about our work and uploading pictures to Flickr. Both are free and have helped us get the word out about Hobocamp in an immense way. They’ve both been very instrumental in getting us going. We also have a website, where we have our basic info and, of course, an Etsy mini, to link people directly to our shop. This is our home base, where we offer upcoming shows, links etc. Again, the price through Yahoo is very affordable for a small business. Lastly, networking and bartering!!! If you make something people love, trade with another crafter. What better way to get free exposure than having someone wearing your cute apron to all of their shows or carrying your tote bag all around town. I think as handmade revolutionaries we need to think outside the box, and if that means making some items to be donated and raffled or trading with others, well we should welcome it!

What have you found to be unsuccessful promotion or something that's just not working for your shop?
For Hobocamp, we haven’t had the best luck with print ads in magazines. It could be the wrong publication or maybe the wrong time of year, but they don’t seem to bring the traffic we’d like.

Walk us through what a typical workday might entail.
A typical day at Camp Hobo:

- Drive hubby & part-time Hobocamper to train so he can commute to fun day job at Bravo Digital.
- Consult my to-do list, which I try to write the night before. This usually consists of:
- Packing up orders (to customers/wholesale or consignment)
- Uploading & cropping pictures
- Listing items in my Etsy shop
- Blogging about new items
- Finishing or starting custom orders
- Designing new pieces
- Photographing new items for the shop
- Gathering supplies
- I try to put on inspiring music or listen to NPR during the day.
- I take lunch/snack breaks and read blogs and check e-mail in between.

With my list, I work loosely. I try to conquer everything and set my priorities for what I “need to do," but since becoming pregnant (I'm due at the end of November) I’ve learned that not everything goes according to plan. Some days I don’t feel very good, so I do what I can, make sure my shop is updated to express my current situation and work extra-hard the next time I am feeling better. Luckily, there's always a lot of cutting and pin-work that needs to be done in my shop, and I can get this done from the couch!

I take lunch and snack breaks and will read blogs and check e-mail in between. I’ve made a lot of friends through the Etsy connection, and I’m constantly inspired by these artists. If I’m ever at a creative wall, I look through Flickr, read my blogs or grab a good art book for stimulation. There will be days when I'm just not that into sitting at my sewing machine for hours on end (especially being 9 months pregnant!), so I’ll organize fabric, design a new logo or banner or try drawing. They may be small things, but they're all working towards the common goal of building up Hobocamp.

What do you enjoy most about not having a day job? Is there anything you miss?
Working from home changes my level of stress and happiness. Although sometimes I admit it can be difficult to put the work away, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I’ve always struggled with trying to be myself vs. fitting in with a business/work environment. When you’re used to stuffy offices full of business casual, you take pleasure in the little things: a fresh-brewed cup of coffee in your favorite mug, a quick cuddle with your kitties, a walk outside collecting leaves. These are all things that I feel would rejuvenate our creativity and help our stress levels if we did them on a regular basis. Animal cuddling should be mandatory at work!

If you could go back in time before you took the plunge, what advice would you give yourself knowing what you know now? What would you tell someone else?
I would offer the idea of a realistic business plan and an open mind. Some of the designs and ideas that we started Hobocamp on have changed and morphed over the years. Stay true to yourself, but know that change is good and can bring about many new opportunities. You may want to just make stationery, but if given the opportunity to learn metalsmithing, take it! You never know where it will lead you.

What goals do you wish to accomplish in the coming year for your Etsy business?
Since starting our Etsy shop over two years ago, we’ve had a steady flow of new designs and new customers from all over the globe. It's given us the chance to sell our items in shops all over the country, be featured online and in print and to build our little business. Hobocamp does not yet pay for the rent. It does, however, pay the vet bills, grocery, gas, supplies and many other things. It also provides us with a creative outlet for which we are paid. Quitting my day job and setting up shop also ensures me that I will be able to work from home and raise our daughter, which is very important to my husband and I.

I have a million new ideas a day, and I wish I could bring just five of those to fruition and see them in the shop. So following through on new ideas, possibly collaborating with other Etsians, and continuing to build Hobocamp as a label are all goals. There are also some skills I’d like to hone and then bring back to my shop. We’d also like to start screenprinting more often. Apartments aren’t always conducive to this! I know which direction I want to take Hobocamp, I just need to work hard on getting it there.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?
I’m grateful for Etsy’s creation. Not only is it super-user-friendly, it really is just wonderful to be a part of. In the last 2 1/2 years I have made a space for Etsy and Etsy-related matters in my heart. The items I buy, the creativity I see... on a daily basis I am pretty amazed by it all. I think I’ve also enlightened friends and family about buying handmade, and that alone is a revolutionary act! Plus, wearing jeans to work rocks!

Thanks to Melissa for sharing her story and business with us! Check out the related items below to see some of her work.

You can find some of our previous Quit Your Day Job posts here.

Quit Your Day Job: chocolateandsteel

2008-10-13T12:12:00Z

After returning to work 4 months after maternity leave, Christine of chocolateandsteel knew it just wasn't for her anymore. She had a passion for working with her hands, and really missed her new son while back at her day job; so she made a plan. She took two weeks vacation from work and in that two weeks tested how her Etsy sales would be effected when she put all that extra time into her jewelry business. She ended up making more money in that two weeks than she did regularly at her day job; and that was when she knew she was ready to take the plunge. Keep reading to find out how Christine can live off of her Etsy sales while raising a child with her husband and to learn more about her, please take a look at the video she made for her handmade story.

When you first started selling on Etsy did you have dreams or goals of eventually quitting your day job?
I had far flung dreams of quitting my day job before even hearing about Etsy. Once I found Etsy and saw the success of many other sellers then I had goals of quitting my day job. It actually seemed plausible.

How long were you selling on Etsy before taking the plunge into selling full time?
I was on maternity leave when I discovered Etsy. I originally started selling on Etsy just to help make a few bucks while on leave. 4 months after having my son I went back to work full time. I was so miserable. I was sleep deprived and missed my son which seemed to magnify the real problem – I was completely unfulfilled in my job. My husband encouraged me to put more time and energy into my jewelry and less into my job. So after 6 months of being on Etsy selling a little here and a little there I took a huge risk – I took 2 weeks off from my job. It was an experiment to see what would happen if I put all of that time I was working at my regular job into making and selling jewelry. In those 2 weeks I made more on Etsy than I did at my regular job. Once those 2 weeks ended I notified my employer that I would not be coming back. Woohoo! It was so exciting and even more scary.

What was the deciding factor resulting in your pursuing Etsy as your full time job?
At the core of my decision was my lack of fulfillment. I really enjoy working with my hands and being creative. While my full time job started off like that, over time as the company grew and my position became more refined it lost all of the things I loved about it.

Did you do anything to prepare ahead of time before taking the plunge?
Not really. I kinda flew by the seat of my pants. I obviously had to research all of the necessary licenses that I needed. Turns out you need both a state and city tax permit. Who knew! Some things I have just learned the hard way. Google has been my best friend. I’m sure there are more effective ways to set up a business though.

What are the most effective ways you have promoted and marketed your Etsy business and what's you're best marketing tip?
The single most effective way has been craft shows. The best one was Renegade San Francisco. I got a lot of press and publicity from doing such a great show, not to mention all of the wonderful people I met there. I still have orders flowing in from the Bay area. I hope to do more big shows like that and I’d love to travel to Chicago and Brooklyn as well.

I am an avid blog reader. I read so many design blogs, just because I love to. Then I visit the bloggers they listed on their blog rolls. Then I visit those people’s blog rolls and so on and so forth. I could spend all day reading blogs if I had the time. Blogs have been effective for me because I participate. I comment on people’s blogs and I send in submissions. I just love making stuff so I have gotten blog mentions for anything from interior design (my apartment was featured on Design*Sponge) to crafty projects. Not everything has been jewelry related. But I have a feeling most people are nosy like me. I always check out people’s shops or sites regardless of what they are featured for.

My best marketing tip is that when people ask what you do – TELL THEM! I no longer say, “I’m a stay at home mom”. I say, “I’m a jewelry artist. Here’s my card. I work with fine silver… oh, this is one of the pieces that I made.” {show new acquaintance necklace that I am wearing}

What have you found to be unsuccessful promotion or something that's just not working for your shop?
I hate to say it but blog advertising has not really worked, which sucks because I spent money on it!

Would you walk us through what a typical workday might entail being your own boss?

I wake up when my son wakes up – usually at 7:30 with him yelling from his room “mommmmmmmmmy wake uuuuuuup!” (I’m not a morning person.)
We eat breakfast together and then he watches Mickey Mouse and I check my emails, quickly read some blogs, relist items that sold overnight (thanks Australia – you always make my mornings nice).
My son and I then walk the dogs and he rides his bike. We come back in and while he eats a snack I print out my orders for the day.
We are off to do fun and wonderful outdoorsy things. This is when inspiration usually strikes that’s why there are so many nature themes in my work.
When he naps in the afternoon. I get cracking. First I package any orders that need to be shipped and drop them in our postal box before 4pm. Then I get started on new pieces. The afternoon is also the perfect time to photograph new pieces. The light is perfect around 3pm.
This schedule has been increasingly difficult because my son is not napping every day now. But next week he starts preschool in the afternoons and I will get 3 1/2 hours 4 days a week to work. I can’t wait!
Back to family stuff until I put my son to bed at night around 8:30. Then I work again from 9 to midnight.

What do you enjoy most about not having a day job and is there anything you miss?
I love the feeling I get every single time a piece sells. I’m still in awe that someone is willing to pay money for something that I created. It’s the greatest feeling in the world. I really miss the steady income and benefits from my old job. Creating a budget was incredibly easier when I knew how much money was coming in every month.

If you could go back in time before you took the plunge, what advice would you give yourself knowing what you know now?
I don’t believe in regrets at all. So this isn’t a regret but I realize that it would have been a lot easier to take this plunge before having a baby. Our expenses increased a lot after having a child so that really adds to the stress. But I probably would not have been as motivated to take the plunge and the risk if I didn’t have the desire to be home for my son. As far as business advice, I would instruct myself to conserve earlier. Luckily my plunge to self-employment has coincided with the desire to live a simpler existence. It would have been nice had I done that a little earlier and not spent so much money on unnecessary things. Living a simple existence in Los Angeles is not an easy thing to do. I am surrounded by people with expensive homes, clothing, cars and strollers (you would not believe some of these strollers – I saw a stroller that was a vespa). But something about pursuing my art has brought me back to my roots. I enjoy gardening and cooking and shopping at the local farmer’s markets. I have to give a shout out to my favorite blog here. Wolfie and the Sneak!

What advice would you give someone else thinking about taking the plunge to sell full time on Etsy?
1. You have to believe in your work
2. Sell at craft shows. Even if they end up not being the most profitable the contacts that you make will be priceless. (Craft Show & Events How-Tos)
3. Work on your photography constantly. Even if it takes 3 hours to get one good picture. Online the only thing you’ve got is your picture. (Photography How-Tos)
4. Provide excellent customer service. Even if your feelings are hurt by someone’s comments always remain professional, friendly and generous. Really generous! (Service Tips for Sellers Series)
5. Do everything you can to create a strong online presence. Post on blogs, have a blog, participate in groups (Flickr, Etsy forums, Etsy teams, trade groups, local events).
6. And now for my soapbox speech:
I think it’s really important to acknowledge that even though we are selling primarily online and it’s seems anonymous, it’s not. We are all people with something great in common – a creative passion and a desire to follow our dreams. I’m shocked sometimes at the communication I see in the forums between people. When I meet people in real life that sell on Etsy there is an instant camaraderie because we know we share a goal. That attitude should be there in all of our communication. It will only serve your business well.

How's it going so far, are you supporting yourself?
It’s going really well. My husband is a freelance writer so sometimes having two freelance incomes can become terrifying. Sometimes it’s great though. We piggyback on each other when one has a good month and one has a challenging month. And then sometimes we freak out together because we are both completely broke (August has been tough!). I am certainly “supporting” myself but I am still working towards stability. We are more “hand to mouth” than we’ve ever been before but my wonderful friends always remind me how far I’ve come in one year. I am managing to hold on but looking forward to increasing my business at the same rate or greater within the next year. Putting it into perspective, by leaving my corporate job I have traded one stress for another – emptiness and unfulfillment for lack of stability. But I realize that if I continue to pursue my business with the passion that I have, that lack of stability will decrease. While had I stayed in my corporate job that unfulfillment would have only gotten worse.

What goals do you wish to accomplish in the coming year for your Etsy business?
I’ve got so many exciting things in the works right now. One of which I can’t reveal just yet and it’s killing me. I did a collaboration with Boygirlparty that turned out so great! I will be working on a couple more collaborations with some of my most favorite Etsy artists. I also hope to release a collection of rings in October (I’ve been saying this since May, so fingers crossed). While I do have specific sales goals for my Etsy business, I try not to focus on that too much. I think it will service my business better to focus on keeping my shop fresh and exciting with new pieces and great art.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?
I really appreciate all of the support I have received from Etsy, Etsy sellers, and Etsy buyers. I really am one of those cases that can say, “Etsy changed my life”. Thanks!

Thanks to Christine for sharing their story and business with us! Check out the related items below to see some of their items. You can find some of our previous Quit Your Day Job posts here.

The World is Our Classroom: One Family's Homeschooling Experience

2008-08-07T16:14:00Z

The Storque is almost a year old! In celebration of this, we'll be reposting some favorites. Last September 20, 2007, GreenMamba offered to give us a more in-depth picture of what it's like to live a homeschooling lifestyle. This is the third of our series on Etsy homeschoolers. Please see Etsy Youth Sellers: Not Back to School and Handmade Education: Creativity & Homeschooling.

My kids are, naturally, handmade. So is their education. We’ve been a homeschooling family for 24 years. Okay, maybe I’m fudging a little. But I tend to count all the time spent with my children as a learning experience. I first began ‘formally’ homeschooling my son, a first-grader, after a dismal year in kindergarten, where the open-concept school he attended didn’t allow the children to make any noise and advocated — in the late 80’s — that every child should write right-handed. My son was one of two lefties in his class. After spending the entire year trying to work within the system — volunteering, bringing issues to light and offering helpful suggestions, joining brainstorming sessions, and (unexpectedly) being nominated to chair the local PTO, I respectfully declined the nomination and happily brought my son home to learn.

That first full year was wonderful! A couple of neighbors, intrigued and inspired by my daring decision, joined forces to rotate ‘classes’ in an informal co-op to provide our kids with a variety of learning opportunities, such as music and arts-and-crafts, as well as a change of scenery. The tiny group included my son, his younger sister, and three other children.

The next several years brought many changes, several relocations, and two more children. Homeschooling was an on again-off again affair, depending on where we were living and what was going on in our hectic lives, but, the summer between my middle daughter’s kindergarten and first-grade years, I made the decision to commit for the long haul. I have been homeschooling my two youngest consecutively for more than ten years now. It’s the best decision I ever made.

Our days, early on, were pretty structured and organized. We even created a mini-classroom out of a little corner of the living room. But, as time passed and I became better acquainted with the girls’ academic needs, as well as individual learning styles and strengths, we became less conventional and more adventurous. By the time my girls hit their teens, we were doing mostly interest-led learning, often called unschooling — though we never strictly met that definition, as we continued to include mandatory subjects, such as math and science. Once, we had a guest-student, the daughter of a co-worker, who joined us for three months — just in time for a crash course in basic algebra.

Eschewing traditional schooling has given us the flexibility to enhance and personalize our learning experiences. One daughter studied pirates (Arrrgh!), Japanese samurai, and period fashion. Her sister voraciously devoured biographies of famous impressionist and post-impressionist painters. It was a special treat when we visited the Art Institute of Chicago, where she was able to view many great works up close and see for herself the texture and vibrant color only hinted at in photographs. We are all three inquisitive readers: we make regular trips to the library, at least twice weekly. We also share a love of foreign language films, giving us a peek into other cultures, customs and perspectives.

But our learning has never been confined to the home.

For instance, Kaelin, who is an avowed animal lover, did a stint at a local no-kill animal shelter (minors were required to have a parent present, so we worked together), walking the dogs, feeding and watering the animals, and mucking out the cages and veterinary rooms. Later, she volunteered at a local horse therapy facility, again feeding and watering the horses (and other miscellaneous animals), assisting with miniature-horse therapy for the young handicapped clients, and was even given the task of socializing and training a rambunctious corral of young Caspians. This experience was followed by a summer-plus-several-months of volunteering at the Houston zoo. While other children were waking and getting ready for school, she was already up and helping to feed and care for the zoo’s population of small mammals, which included — among many others — a fennec fox, three warthogs, a reclusive fruit bat, a colony of vampire bats, and an affectionate tamandua. Later still, she worked at a stable in exchange for horse-riding lessons, and spent a day with a local vet where she observed routine care procedures and a couple of surgeries.

My youngest, Erin, is more art-inclined. She and her sister brainstormed, proposed and helped coordinate a Talent and Interest Expo (TIE) — an annual event where children of all ages are invited to showcase a talent, acquired skill or hobby — for two area homeschool groups. She participated in a 6-month mixed-media art class at a small music and arts studio, and later took a 6-week drawing course. Other than that, she is pretty much self-taught. Her artistic interests include outdoor photography, animation, and manga-style sketching. Being a hands-on gal, she loves experimenting with a variety of media, and was inspired to create her own soft-sculpture-sock-monkey version of ‘See no evil, speak no evil, hear no evil’. Her aunt fell in love with the monkeys, so Erin made another as a surprise — which in turn netted her an order for a custom sock monkey from one of her aunt’s co-workers. Both monkeys grace the workstations of their respective owners.

A sampling of our many away-from-home activities over the years includes such experiences as performing in a homeschool play; speech and debate workshops; a literature (short story) discussion group; museum trips; camping excursions; beach outings; a blacksmithing demonstration; fencing; a single-engine flying lesson at a small local airport; plays, concerts and festivals at the Miller Outdoor Theater; trips to the Texas Renaissance Festival; and violin lessons. In fact, when the girls were younger, the music instructor at their father’s middle school (didn’t I mention he was a public school teacher?) learned that they played violin and invited them to practice in the mornings with the school orchestra. So, for two weeks, they traveled to school with their dad, practiced for a couple of hours, and I picked them up afterward. They not only performed in the school’s spring concert, but were given guest billing as well.

Current interests include various artistic pursuits, Latin dance, and a love of all things manga and anime. They’re also big costume fans. I’ve been custom making their outfits for Halloween every year since before they could walk. Now, Kaelin and Erin design and create their own cosplay costumes and props (with a little help from mom) to wear to anime conventions. And — for something completely different — they would like to look into adopting and sprucing up a tiny abandoned cemetery tucked away in the middle of a nearby city park.

[Animation is by GreenMamba's 12 year old!]

Despite challenges — one income doesn’t stretch very far in a family of six — and occasional struggles (ever hear of math fever?), we have embraced this lifestyle and all it entails. In turn, it has enriched us immeasurably.

Every day is a new learning opportunity. And the world — at least our little corner of it — is indeed our classroom.

[All rights reserved on the photos in this piece! Contact GreenMamba for more info.]

Post in the comments if you're NOT going back to school in the fall!

Open Studio Tour: BabyBelle

2008-08-05T16:20:00Z

In this Open Studio Tour series, we'll be snooping around artists' creative spaces, how they set them up, when, why…even how often they clean them! We really want to know all about our artists, and maybe get a bit of inspiration!

Today I knocked at the "studio" door of Nikki, aka BabyBelle. She is a WAHM (work-at-home-mom) who has transposed her love for knit, crochet and sewing into a special and stylish way to carry a baby!

What's your name and what kind of craft do you do?
My name is Nikki. My store is Baby Belle's Favorites and I am a seamstress and an avid knitter. I sew cloth diapers and baby carriers. I also knit baby legwarmers and wool soakers (diaper covers) when time allows.

When did you decide that you needed a studio?
I decided I needed a space of my own when my fabrics and sewing machine were taking up the entire kitchen. We'd eat dinner as a family while sitting on the living room floor. Then I knew I needed to reorganize and find my own space.

When and how have you set up your studio?
I have set up my sewing machine on a desk in our living room. It allows me to be with the family while sewing. I originally had it set up in the basement, but it got very lonely down there so I moved it to be where the action was.

Did the studio set up impact your crafter budget?
All of the furniture in my studio was found at garage sales. I am always finding ways to pinch pennies, and I find it painful to buy anything full price. So we scoured garage sales until we found suitable furniture and I'm very happy with it all.

How big is your studio?
It's just a small corner in my living room. My fabric and yarn take up the most space so they are stored on shelves in the basement.

Which is your favorite tool in your studio?
I LOVE my sewing machine. I purchased it a couple of months ago when my trusty old Brother machine couldn't handle the workload anymore. When I decided to purchase a new machine, I knew I had to have an embroidery attachment. So now I have a beautiful new sewing machine with embroidery capabilities and I'm thrilled!

Do you want to share with us one secret of your studio?
My daughter, Annabelle, loves to watch me sew and knit. Sometimes, while embroidering she will sit and watch in awe as the needle moves up and down so quickly. She will also sit on my lap and watch me knit. It's great fun for her. I'm teaching her to love fiber arts at an early age.

How many hours do you normally spend in your studio?
I think I spend 2-4 hours per day working. I am a WAHM, so I will sew while the little one naps, and then usually for a couple of hours once the kids have gone to bed.

Is there anything you would add to your working space?
I've thought at times I'd like to have my own room for my studio, but then I realize that would isolate me from my family so perhaps I'd wish for a bigger corner in the living room instead!

If you had to choose one synonym for your studio which one would you pick: atelier, family room, lair, lodge, nest, playroom, retreat, sanctuary, shelter, darkroom, or showroom and why?
It's definitely a family room. It literally is IN the family room!

And last but not least how often do you clean it?
We'll just say I don't clean it often enough! I will clean it when it becomes difficult to live and work in the space. Perhaps, once a week or so. Is that bad?? LOL

Anything else you'd like to add?
Baby Belle's Favorites was born from a love of crating, and also from an appreciation of natural and simple ways of living. My inspiration was my daughter Annabelle. After her birth, I decided to stay home and raise her. Since having children, I find myself more conscious of how I treat our planet and I strive to provide the best for my children and lessen my footprint on our environment, hence, cloth diapers!

I always find great joy in creating something from scratch, with my own two hands that my children and my customer's children will use. I guess the joy comes from knowing I have given them something made with love and great care.
I have always wondered if I could actually get people to buy the things I make. It is a great feeling to know that I can and I am! I hope there is enough interest in my work to allow me to do this for a very long time!

Thank you! Until the next studio snooping, ciao!

If you have an interesting studio or workspace and some tips to share, comment below and you may be next in our Open Studio Tour series!

If you're looking for more WAHM (work-at-home-mom) content, click here.

Handmade Kids: Pregzilla Strikes!

2008-08-05T12:45:00Z

I haven’t been called “Pregzilla” yet, but I’m sure various friends and family members are saying it silently in their heads. Unfortunately, the many surprising things that happen to your body during pregnancy are just unavoidable and can make one a little…well…cranky. (Who would have thought that an entire Pepto Bismol commercial would apply to me all at once?) At any rate, I’m glad Etsy and its sellers are here with their fabulous items to help me look at the humorous side of being pregnant and find some relief.

The Belly

Ok, where did my toes go and why all of a sudden am I buttoning my pants only by feel? Why are strangers in elevators coming up and rubbing my stomach like a cat? This fabulous t-shirt helps me find the humor in growing in size every day. By flauntitmaternity, $20.

The Mood Swings

I must admit that I burst into tears while watching the Transformers movie. Something about how Bumblebee continued to fight despite his missing leg was just inspirational for me. Other times I find everything that everyone does to be complete shenanigans and am pretty sure that it would be physically possible for me to explode. During these emotional ups and downs, I find that this hilarious pendent really gives people fair warning. By gorgeousredhead, $6.

Sore Feet, Over-Heated and Feeling Gross

I know I don’t look pretty all the time. Heck, I don’t even force my husband to tell me I do. When I do want to cool off and relax, I go for Amaretto Honey Oatmeal Creme Fraiche. By savor, $11.

And pamper those tootsies with the Loofah Foot Bar. By tropicalbomb, $5.

Insatiable Hunger and Food Aversions

Yes, it is entirely possible to be nauseated, starving and have all of the food in front of you look absolutely disgusting at the same time. If a problem like this should ever strike you, have no fear. You’ll find it absolutely impossible to turn down these wonderful Vanilla Homemade Caramels. By earcmra, $10.

Ginger is supposed to be great for nausea. Try these fabulous Gourmet Cookies. By busybaker, $7.99.

Me Time
Remember that quality “me-time” is slowly coming to a close. There’s nothing wrong with splurging a little to remind yourself what a good job you’re doing, you know, growing a human body inside of you and all. Here are my suggested feel-good buys:

Coffee Sleeve by karley, $5.50.

When It's Over Print by ChristinaPerdue, $35.

Truly Romantic Necklace by UnderGlass, $29.

Moby the Whale Rattle by babybomb, $15.

Enjoy!!

Further Resources:
What to Expect
Baby Center
Pregnancy Baby Gaga

Handmade Kids Series | Special Kids Showcase | Baby Gift Guide | Children Gift Guide

Handmade Kids: Surviving a Difficult Pregnancy

2008-08-03T07:51:00Z

Having a baby isn't always cuteness and light. swanmountainsoaps, an Etsy seller who makes natural soaps by hand in Alaska, chimes in to the Handmade Kids series with her story about the not so nice side of motherhood.

Ah, the joy of motherhood! Nothing can compare to the knowledge that a tiny life is growing inside you, as the wiggles and bumps — and sometimes pretty serious kicks — remind you there’s a person in there! For some, those nine months of pregnancy are the best of their lives.

Sometimes, though, not everything goes smoothly in a pregnancy. For a number of women, the road is downright rocky — and it all seems uphill! While the joy is still there, it is bittersweet — mingled with the less-than-pleasant physical aspects of nausea, mood swings and sometimes even pain.

I was one of those. I’ve had preeclampsia with three of my pregnancies, and the last time was the worst. Preeclampsia is a disorder that occurs only in pregnancy (and rarely, postpartum as well), typically occurring after the 20th week of gestation. It is characterized by sudden and dangerous spikes in blood pressure, protein in the urine, abnormal swelling of feet, face, and hands, upper abdominal pain, and sometimes nausea. The only known treatment is to deliver the baby. Preeclampsia is the most common known cause of premature birth and responsible for half a million neonatal deaths worldwide. In the US, it is almost as common as breast cancer, affecting approximately 1 in every 10 pregnant women.

For me, severe preeclampsia meant that any hope for a “natural” birth went out the window, and that my pregnancy became something to endure rather than enjoy. It also meant crazy emotional roller-coaster rides, compounded by the medications the doctors used to try to control my blood pressure. And it also meant almost three months of total bed rest.

A difficult pregnancy can put a strain on the entire family, especially when the mother is put on bed rest for any period of time. While days or weeks of lying in bed sounds like a fun mini vacation, it gets old fast. Boredom becomes one’s worst enemy, and it can be especially hard for others to understand why Mom can’t even get up to make herself a sandwich when she may not even look sick. For a woman to survive a difficult pregnancy, she needs to keep her sense of humor, and she needs to reach out to others. And above all, she needs serious pampering. Frequently.

Unfortunately for me (or fortunately, for the sake of my credit card), I had not yet discovered Etsy during my final, incredibly boring and lonely months on bed rest. I could have spent hours in the Forums and Chat Rooms, created masterpiece Treasuries and searched until I found the perfect diaper bag, like this one in jillyd’s shop.

I could have bought one of Spiderbite’s adorable Worry-Woolie Notebooks and written down all of my concerns, instead of forgetting to ask the doc at every visit.

Really, with the kind of quality time I could have spent on Etsy during those long hours, I could have outfitted myself with the all-time best maternity wardrobe ever – even though just my husband, kids and dog would care.

While it seems like a no-brainer, sometimes in the attempt to put a brave face on things or not make a fuss, a woman forgets that this may be the last chance she’ll have to pamper herself — or be pampered — for a very long time. And actually, it’s just what the doctor ordered. Or at least it should be. Jennifer Tan, MA, Certified Aromatherapist and owner of the Etsy shop tlwoldc, says, “Spa products for pregnant and breastfeeding women can support a peaceful, powerful and pleasurable birthing and parenting experience.”

However, pregnant women have to be careful, she says. “Use products with natural, organic ingredients. Stay clear from synthetic chemicals and fragrance. Essential oils of lavender, sweet orange, neroli, rose geranium and petitgrain are considered generally safe for pregnancy by aromatherapists. Rose and Jasmine are wonderful during labor.”

Eventually, as with all difficult things, the hard part was over and I went on to have a wonderful baby boy. Of course, he is worth every minute of the pain and frustration I went through for nearly nine months. Some days, amazingly, I even look back on those days on bed rest, with their relative peace and quiet, with just a touch of longing.

And then I get over it.

Further Resources:
www.sidelines.org – National high-risk pregnancy support network
www.Preeclampsia.org – The Preeclampsia Foundation

Handmade Kids Series | Special Kids Showcase | Baby Gift Guide | Children Gift Guide

Handmade Kids: An Insider's Review of CafeMom.com

2008-07-31T12:43:00Z

For the Handmade Kids series, we asked the Cafe Moms Etsy Team — a group of Etsians who self-organized around their passion for CafeMom.com and Etsy — to talk a bit about what they're up to. donnapool and rockerchic, the heads of that team, gave us the inside scoop on being moms who connect online to a virtual support network. The folks who work for CafeMom.com also share some info about their website and how Etsy moms have gotten involved.

According to Ya-Yung Cheng and her coworkers over at CafeMom, the site "is the largest online social community for moms, where moms connect with each other based on shared interests to make friends, share advice and find support. Since its launch in late 2006, CafeMom has grown to over one million members with more than 50,000 groups created by moms. Popular groups include arts & crafts, recipe swaps, setting up home businesses, marriage and relationships, parenting, etc."

"Being a mom can be a very gratifying role for many women, but it can feel a bit isolating at times," says Elizabeth S., Community Manager at CafeMom and mother of two. "At CafeMom, we try to help moms who are looking to maintain or revive their social network after beginning a family by connecting them with other moms who share similar interests and life experiences. The Etsy moms are a great example of that: there are over 1,500 members who also love Etsy, and are supporting and inspiring each other every day on CafeMom. If you do a keyword search for 'Etsy' on CafeMom, you will find over 25 Etsy-related groups. In addition, we have over 500 groups devoted to buying and selling members' own products."

Over at Etsy, the CafeMom Team was founded on May 3rd, 2007 by rockerchic aka Kristie. An active member of the new social networking site, CafeMom, she knew it would be a great place to get to know fellow Etsians AND introduce other members of CafeMom to Etsy. There are many who have started selling and buying on Etsy after learning of it through the CafeMom Etsy Moms group. Kristie says that many more moms have come to the team "for help, guidance, advice, and suggestions. Now, we enjoy the benefits and recognition of an official Etsy Team."

Online Social Networking sites are popular for moms because we find common ground among other women who know where we are in our particular stage of life or where we have been. It was surprising to find that there were 315 other members of CafeMom who are also Etsy sellers! It’s been great to meet other mothers who create and sell on Etsy, not only to promote our Etsy shops, but also to talk about our latest ideas, or even compare our children’s development! Sharing about life’s little interruptions is a recurring theme in our group. 'I didn't get anything done because the baby was sick.' Or 'Look at this picture of my son in my tulle.' The moms in our group are awesome! We help each other so much! Whether we’re learning a new craft, getting help with blogs, or even networking! When we’re looking to buy something on Etsy, we always search for the tag "cafemom team".

Being a mother is the ultimate creative endeavor because we’re constantly trying to figure out what it is that WORKS! We may be looking for the right cut for a dress that really fits a growing daughter, or an easy way to get kids to take a bath by trying soap that looks like cupcakes! We even know exactly what it takes when it’s finally Mom’s turn to relax: soy candles, hand crocheted wash cloths, and pink lemonade bath bombs!

What's the most exciting thing for the CafeMom Etsy Team? The lasting friendships we have made with each other. We will forever be grateful for that bonus!

Handmade Kids Series | Special Kids Showcase | Baby Gift Guide | Children Gift Guide

Etsy Finds: Time Bomb Bump by CarmelTurtle

2008-07-25T11:53:00Z

Don't you love it when a clever t-shirt makes you laugh out loud? CarmelTurtle's maternity tee with a ticking time bomb brings a visual pun to that bump. The joke is such a great combination of emotions: hilarious levity combined with the grave acknowledgement of undeniable phsyicality: "Yes, I have a huge, HUGE belly."

The custom month text also staves off that question pregnant moms must get weary of hearing: Whenneryoudo? Whenneryoudo? Whenneryoudo?

I'm going to get one of these for my friend who is having her first baby!

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Handmade Kids Series | Special Kids Showcase | Baby Gift Guide | Children Gift Guide

Handmade Kids: Balancing Motherhood and Etsy

2008-07-24T12:52:00Z

I have often pondered just how many beautifully curated Etsy shops have a tiny crew behind their pretty banner, and as it turns out, there are quite a few. Many of the great items you see here are being cultivated in a garden full of love and hard work, with plenty of little feet running about. Devoted Etsy moms balance it all impressively well, benefiting the world with not only wonderful creations, but also with the upbringing of the next generation of artists and entrepreneurs.

Having children changed their craft...for the better.

The Mayberry Sparrow aka Corabelle says, "These boys are my inspiration for so many things I create. And without them, I wouldn't have the drive to create without looking back. Before I had the boys, and didn't have to provide for them, I would illustrate, create, all of it, but I wouldn't always finish every project. I'd let it sit for months (or years) and it didn't really bother me. Now I absolutely have to finish each project, because our financial well-being depends entirely on it."

No matter what your situation, whether you are a full time stay at home momma with a supportive spouse or a single momma who is working hard to make ends meet, the ability to combine the two biggest loves of your life is a real gift. The extra income from selling on Etsy has allowed many of us to contribute to our families' needs, and in some cases, is the main source of income, which equates to serious business. However, while it is a pleasure to have the little ones always with us while we work, it's not without its challenges.

Ruralabandon says, "It is difficult to manage it all, but my daughter's activities always come first. It is amazing how busy
their little lives become when they turn 5."

[Ruralabandon's Studio]

Littlepinkposies shares, "Finding a balance is challenging...the balance between being a devoted, caring mother and fulfilling enough of my own personal needs to be a happy woman, independent from my role as a mother. That, and finding time to sleep. On some days you feel like you’re pulled in so many different directions that you’re not doing anything very well. But I find that this challenges me to find creative ways to keep the kids occupied — in a good way!"

While a majority of our work tends to be done while they are asleep at night, it is possible to work along with them successfully. Setting up a designated area for them to safely create away from your business helps.

[Anniepoo's Studio]

Anniepoo has a little team of helpers: "They each have jobs...Bella helps cut up the soap,
AnnieClaire is my mixer and Lilly...well...she thinks she's helping. We usually create everything in the kitchen
and they pull up chairs all around me. We package things in our school room and they have a little
table that we made where they put things in bags for me and I tie everything up and get it ready to ship."

Anniepoo's family, like mine and many others, also practice homeschooling, which allows for many daily learning
opportunities and great time flexibility.

[gSakura's Home-School/Sewing Area]

Keeping them busy.

Giving little ones small jobs related to your shop, like stamping tags, cutting lengths of string, keep them busy and make them feel useful. The bigger they get, the more detailed work they can handle; learning to use a sewing machine and html have been a successful part of our curriculum. For us, the key is inclusion. Because they are involved, they respect the time needed for me to get work done and they all pitch in to help out where it is needed. By involving them, they are getting a firsthand lesson at being entrepreneurs. This is paving a way for a strong work ethic and proof that you can follow your dreams and really do what you love for a living.

These everyday lessons are apparent in many of our children already being very creative themselves, appreciating the work that goes into a handmade object and actually living a handmade life.

For all of these reasons, it is more than worth any sacrifices that are made. I try and savor the precious moments that I am allowed to be in my children's presence, teaching them, laughing with them. It will not last forever...these years will fly by, I tell myself.

Corrabelle says, "Keep your children your priority, and remind yourself daily of how blessed you are to have them,
even when they're making your day difficult."

So the next time you find yourself being whisked away from your work, take a moment to pause and look into their little faces, remembering why you are working so hard, and enjoy the time they are here with you.

Further Resources:
Children & Art Resources for the Budding Child Artist
City Guide for Parents
20 Homemade Art supplies
The Switchboards Forum

Do you have wee ones helping in your Etsy work? Share in the comments below!

Handmade Kids Series | Special Kids Showcase | Baby Gift Guide | Children Gift Guide

Mommy's Time-Out: Top 10 Goods for Mom to Treat Herself

2008-07-17T10:42:00Z

Jen of IndieFixx.com and Vanessa and TeenAngster of the Storque do sister posts today. The theme? Important to many a reader of the Handmade Kids Series — Mommy's Time-Out! Here are Jen's Top 10 take-a-break-worthy items. And make sure to check out our Mom's Time-Out picks on Jen's blog.

We all know how hard moms work taking care of their families, but sometimes moms seem to forget that it’s important to also take care of themselves. Moms need to remember take some time for themselves and spend it doing things that are good for them and that they enjoy. Stuff like taking a yoga class, meeting a friend for lunch, going to the spa or visiting a local museum…all without the kids in tow. Whatever it may be, moms have just got to take ‘Mommy’s Time Out’ and realign, reinvigorate, rejuvenate and recalibrate in order that they may take the best possible care of themselves and their families.

Here are some Etsy goodies just for ‘Mommy’s Time Out,’ so whether you prefer jogging, going to the library, visiting with friends, shopping in the city, there is something here for moms that want to take a little time-out for themselves!

1.

Mom can wear this Shiny Strapless Top from larimeloom when she goes out for dinner & drinks with the girls.

2.

This Japanese Print Obi Belt from loobyloucrafts is just the thing for moms to wear when visiting their local art museum sans kids.

3.

Whether it’s running, walking or kick-boxing this iPod case from gerbera will protect Mom’s iPod.

4.

Mom can wear this cute Vintage Hair Pin to hold back her bangs while she is on her way to the salon/spa for a pampering afternoon of haircut, color and mani-pedi. From glamorousgirl.

5.

While on the way to the beach, Mom can protect her shades with this Eyeglass Case from oktak.

6.

Mom can lay back on this pillow from OIive and read a good book while the kids are napping.

7.

Because who said that being a mom means you can’t be sexy….and comfortable…at the same time?
Sexy Librarian Dress from gaiaconceptions.

8.

Sometimes, Mom needs something a lot sexier when she’s going out to dinner with Dad, like this Bataille Slip Dress from JunkhouseDollyard.

9.

Mom deserves her own coffee mug for those quiet early morning moments before the kids wake up. Porcelain Mug from shoshonasnow.

10.

Even though Mom needs some time off, she still likes to show off her little darlings and this Customizable Photo Ring from peronadesigns is just the thing she need to do that.

See past posts by IndieFixx or more of our Top 10 Lists.

Handmade Kids Series | Special Kids Showcase | Baby Gift Guide | Children Gift Guide

Etsy Finds: A Little Vacation for Mom

2008-05-10T14:00:00Z

In honor of Mother's Day (tomorrow!), I thought it'd be fun to ask my own Mom what she would pick if she could feature any item on Etsy. There's nothing my parents like more than travelling, so I wasn't really surprised when she chose this gorgeous photograph by Shutterstitch as her favorite thing on Etsy right now. It's completely her style, and she said right away how much it reminded her of a family vacation we took to France a few years ago.

Since sending my Mom on a much-deserved European mini-vacation this month is out of the question, this print would be a perfect way to let her know I'm thinking of her and I love her (even if she's terrible at reading French road maps). Now she can look at it, and think of our silly family adventures and dream of being somewhere more exciting and picturesque than central New Jersey. Happy Mother's Day, Mom!

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Gift Ideas: Nouveau Mamas

2008-05-09T13:51:00Z

Word to the wise: first time moms like to be acknowledged. Extra points if you coyly tell her "you couldn't help but jump the gun" and give your soon-to-be new mother a cute maternity gifty.

See other Storque Mother's Day posts.

When You Don't Like Your Mom...

2008-05-08T15:18:00Z

Mother's Day can be pretty annoying. Not to disparage all the amazing moms out there, but some of us have "challenging" relationships with Mama. Here is a collection of humorous pieces to lighten the overbearing load.

Most likely you have other cool people in your life and Mother's Day is a good time to share a laugh with them! You are not alone!

Mothers Galore

2008-05-07T14:40:00Z

Together, Marianne and her daughter Adrianne run Bellebeads (also known as Family Flame Artisan Beads). Carole Brender of brenderart is mother to Marianne and grandmother to Adrianne — three generations on Etsy! Carole says that she heard about Etsy through her daughter and granddaughter. "My daughter has been helping me learn to list items, and even participate in forums, etc. If I have a question, both my daughter and grandaughter are there to help." It's a true family affair!

Do you have a job or do you Etsy full-time or are you at home with the kids? Do you try to "do it all"?
Adrianne says: I do lampwork beads and jewelry design part time and am a full time mother / housekeeper. In September I will be returning to school part time to further my talents and knowledge in photography and glass as an art and career.

Marianne says: I am a full-time housewife and glass artist.

Carole says: I am a full time artist (screenprints, watercolor, drawing, sublimation) and piano teacher.

[Five generation portrait 2008. Left to right back row: Marianne, Carole, Carole's mom. Front: Adrianne, daughter Audry, niece Lexi]

How has your mother influenced you or passed down the creative gene? Or has it, as some say, skipped a generation? Did you learn from your grandmother?
Adrianne says: My mother, grandmother, and great grandmothers have influenced me my whole life. Growing up I was always taught the importance of individuality and putting my best into everything I do. I was and still am a daydreamer. I think that is the creative gene in me from them. My mother pretty much taught me everything I know in beadwork and jewelry design, and eventually got me into lampworking. I seem to always follow in my mom's footsteps. My grandparents took me to Europe when I was 14. In Venice, Italy, we watched the glass blowers, and learned about how the different colors were made. Little did I know that experience would have a huge impact on what I am doing today.

Marianne says: My mother, Carole Brender, has always been my inspiration. She has been a professional artist most of my life. I helped her at art shows, and we were members of a local cooperative gallery for many years.

Carole says: My mother, grandmother, and I took china painting classes together. Mother was always creating something, and still is at 95!

Please let us know if you're a Mother/Daughter-Son creative duo in the comments below or in this forum thread!

Mother-Daughter Shops: CaptureCapeMay

2008-05-06T15:24:00Z

Mothers and their daughters and/or sons can often be creative forces to reckon with: keeping it all in the family and playing off of each other's deep understanding of strengths and weaknesses. Sometimes frought, sometimes breezy, these duos bring something special to the handmade experience. CaptureCapeMay is one such team...

If you're a mom, tell us how many kids you have. Do you have a job, do you Etsy full-time, or are you at home with the kids? Do you try to "do it all"?
My mom and I run CaptureCapeMay together. I am her only child. Right at this very moment, I am 10 weeks pregnant with my first baby! My mom works full-time for the county and I am a full-time Social Worker serving the elderly community. I am not sure what I will do after I have the baby, I would like to continue working full-time but you never know. We both are "do-it-all" kind of people.

How has your mother influenced you or passed down the creative gene? Or has it, as some say, skipped a generation? Did you learn from your grandmother?
There are no genetics involved as I am adopted. I have no way of knowing genetically what was passed to me. I am able to specifically pinpoint the basic principles of both art and science that I learned as a child due to activities with my mom. Together we enjoyed making candles, creating "rainbow ice" with salt and food coloring, mixing our own play-dough, using glue to curl shoe laces, making underwater volcanoes in a cylinder bowl and forming sentences with flash cards we made ourselves. I was always very much nurtured in the most scientific arts and the most creative sciences and had a lot of fun.

Is there anything particularly difficult or great about working with your Mother?
Unfortunately, I am not in Cape May full-time like my mom is. I moved to Pennsylvania (about 1.5 hours from Cape May) when I got married almost two years ago.

I still go down on weekends and in the summer. The great thing about working with my mom is, she is a very good photographer and I can leave custom orders safely in her hands.

[The duo will write something about your mom in the sand and capture it for you. Perfect for mom's who are hard to shop for!]
She (and my dad, too) also funded getting the really nice cameras for the business. I run the Etsy store, the website and all forms of online communication and marketing. I'm more internet savvy than she is and enjoy computers, so it works out well. There isn't really anything difficult, we work well together.

Next year will be Amanda's first Mother's Day. She says she's looking forward to "anything in DesignsbyAutumn's or Savor's Etsy stores." Please let us know if you're a Mother/Daughter-Son duo in the comments below or in this forum thread!

Etsy Finds: Moms Love Plants!

2008-05-06T10:15:00Z

One of the traits I hope to inherit from my mother, since I missed out on the "cooking" gene, is her green thumb. I've tried my hand at growing vegetables, in which I mostly utilized a plant-and-pray technique; somehow I had some luck with the tomatoes. But my mom, Flo, sure does know how to keep the foliage happy. Some of the plants at my parent's house are older than I am!

Even with so many great things on Etsy, I still have a hard time shopping for Mommy. But practicality is always something I look for. Something like a beautiful hand thrown planter is a perfect Mother's Day; it's simple, useful and elegant. So here's to all you mommies who like to get your paws dirty!

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Plants Subcategory on Etsy | Outdoor Subcategory on Etsy | EtsyPHAT Team

Gifts for Mum

2008-05-02T12:59:00Z

We all love our dear moms. They gave us life, they're comforting and cuddly, they pick you up when you're stranded in the rain, make hot cocoa when you're cold and they always answer the phone to listen to life's latest trials and tribulations. (Or at least, that's my mom. Hi, Mom!)

Whether you're a mom yourself or merely call one whenever you have a minute, this collection of mom-friendly items is just in time for Mother's Day. Reach out and let your momma know you care! She deserves it.

If you have a Mother's Day story you'd like to share, pitch it to the Storque! We are looking for great mother/daughter (or son!) shops to feature, too!

Cracker Crumbs and Packing Peanuts: Insights from Work-At-Home Moms to Boost Your Productivity

2008-01-04T18:02:00Z

Do you ever wonder how the other gal does it? Don't we all. As if being a working mom and raising a family isn't enough, some woman are choosing to bring their work home with them — permanently. The pursuit of a more creative lifestyle and the flexibility that it offers has motivated more and more women to trade in their Blackberries for Berninas. With the help of Etsy many of these WAHMs (Work-At-Home-Moms) are supplementing a spouse's income, building college funds or replacing full time incomes. I asked six of them to share insights to help anyone who's wearing too many hats: tips on how to manage their day-to-day tasks, get organized and boost productivity in the New Year.

Insight #1: Plan realistic and attainable "mini goals."

This simple but tried and true advice comes from a crafter who gets through her day one stitch at a time. Diane Hoffman, an ex freelance web designer and owner of Bee Square Quilts, outlined the way she set goals for her week: "When assembling quilts, for example, I will set a goal of making five blankets in a week. So I'll spend one day designing, one day cutting all the pieces, one day sewing the quilt tops and then a day completing all the quilts." She emphasized that "this method gives me a sense of accomplishment because it creates mini-sized goals [for] each day that are attainable."

Insight #2: Embrace inexpensive, low-tech organization.

Almost every woman interviewed mentioned her utilization of small plastic shoeboxes. A bargain store staple that won't cut into profits, plastic shoeboxes can be used in a variety of ways to suit different needs. Talcott Broadhead — owner of Talcott, an Etsy shop specializing in appliquéd children's clothing — pointed out that one benefit of the shoeboxes are that "they are the perfect size for remnants, thread, buttons, etc., but are not large enough to become junk-receptacles." Christina Fast from Gorgeous Baby, a shop featuring hip baby necessities, uses her shoeboxes to store slings by size. Clutter control and organization — what more can you ask for at roughly a dollar a piece?

Insight #3: Strategize when and how you will best get things done.

The morning means work time for Lissa Juedemann of Lissa, an Etsy shop specializing in children's play items. She knows that her "…daughter tends to be really great at entertaining herself in the morning, so that's when I get the most sewing done." In contrast, she says, "My daughter is usually less interested in playing on her own in the afternoon, so I gather up my hand sewing and…fill a backpack with balls to be sewn shut, or animals who need faces embroidered on, and wander around the yard behind my daughter sewing" and muses, "I am sure this confuses the neighbors."

While planning around your family's needs and habits are important, knowing your limitations is also a must. Kiersten Hatchcock, an ex-TV executive and owner of Mod Mom Furniture, jokes that "I don't want to use the table saw or any tool that can kill me when I'm tired."

Insight #4: Allow yourself down time, but don't let it get away from you.

While technology can be a great tool for the WAHM and her business, sometimes it can be more of a distraction than anything. Aline Yamada, the digital illustrator behind Yumi Yumi, explains that, "The internet is so great in so many amazing ways, but it sometimes detracts me from being fully productive, and I get lost checking out other Etsy shops, blogs and social networking sites." Her rule is "…to limit my time surfing online to an hour a day."

This down time can help creative types return to their tasks with renewed energy: yet if gone unchecked, it can actually hurt productivity. Lissa puts limits on her down time: "I only allow myself 20 minutes of goofing off after she [her daughter] is in bed. If I didn't have that time limit it would easily turn into an hour before I get working." Set a limit for yourself in whatever you spend your down time on and stick to it to get the most benefit from it.

Two other essentials our six work-at-home moms mentioned? Coffee, coffee, coffee, and a supportive partner!

Even if you haven't made the decision to work at home, the insights from these women are sure to increase your organization and productivity in the New Year.

For more tips and articles specifically related to the work-at-home lifestyle, log onto the following sites:
Tips for Working at Home
Nine Tips for Work at Home Parents
Tips for Working at Home With Kids

Etsy Teams Digest: What a Wonderful Year

2008-01-02T12:20:00Z

It's been a magnificently busy and amazingly productive year for the Etsy Teams, so we thought one more Teams digest was in order. For more information on Etsy Teams and to learn how to join, please visit http://team.etsy.com. Here's the latest on what some Teams were up to for the Holiday season and into the new year.

There were several successful online events in the beginning of December, as the Designing Swanky Moms held their first Etsy shop scavenger hunt and the Christian Artists Street Team (CAST) held an "Oh Holy Night" contest with a variety of handmade prizes for the winners. Etsy Trashion and the Eco-Etsy team got a little shout-out when member EyePopArt was a guest on HGTV's "That's Clever" in December, showing off creative ways to make Christmas decorations using recycled and reclaimed materials. Etsy Paper also had a winter challenge, and you can view the entries in their Flickr Pool. Congratulations to JuJuCreations for stealing the show with her first place entry!

The EarthPathArtisans Street Team is in the midst of a winter challenge. For more details, please check their Etsy shop and search the tag "EAST" to see their work. In the Northeast corner of the US, the New England Etsy Street Team (NEST) is having a Post-Holiday sale to "warm up the winter," running from January 2 - January 15. We're also excited about the Etsy Bloggers' new event — a monthly treasure hunt throughout Etsy. You can read more about it on their blog, of course. Also, Etsy Mud Team is having a post-holiday sale now through January 4.

Etsy Teams workshop round tables begin again in the new year. They'll be held on Thursdays at noon EST. We look forward to seeing lots of new faces and regular Etsy Teams superstars in the new year for a whole lot of really fantastic projects and events. Useful and informative minutes from past workshops are located on the workshops tab at http://team.etsy.com as well, so you can catch up on all the great information we shared in the past few months.

You can also find out all the latest news from the Etsy Teams by signing up for the Etsy Email listserve newsletters, all the freshest information delivered straight to your inbox. To sign up, you can fill out the form at the Etsy Teams pages or click on the really adorable cartoon envelope on the Etsy homepage in the bottom left-hand corner, which brings you to the mailing list page.

Does your team have an event in the works? Tell us about it in the comments below!

Trends: Cookie Magazine on Fashion for Mom and Baby

2007-12-11T05:00:00Z

As a writer for Cookie Magazine's Nesting blog, I officially have baby fever. I spend my days scouting nursery posters, mini chairs, and family homes.

Over the past couple years, I've been amazed all the gorgeous goods cropping up on Etsy. Since the Little-House-on-the-Prairie days, crafting has grown so chic and modern.

Wouldn't it be wonderful to open your baby's closet and see all handmade, handstitched goodness? There's something so lovely about dressing your babes in socks and sweaters made by someone you know is a real live person! Although I'm hopeless at sewing, I'm good at searching through Etsy, and that's all that really matters!

Here are some Etsy clothes for mom and baby. We love them and hope you do, too.

Clothes for a Special Girl

Gray Skies Organic Cotton Knit Dress by HarmonyWear

Black and White Mod Top (or Mini-dress) by hanaandviolet

Clothes for a Wonderful Boy

Blue and Grey Striped Cashmere Sweater with Shell Buttons by oyoyo

Vintage Green Whale Sweater from NikitaJade

Accessories for a Gorgeous Baby

Marimekko Sling by bronwenhandcrafted

Little Monkey Neck Warmin Helmet 3T-5T by glitzconcepts

Treats for a Busy Mom

Slippers by netamir

Red Hat and Scarf Set by NataJane

Further Resources
Cookie Magazine

Cookie Magazine's Nesting Blog

Cookie Magazine's Home Tours