Big Shop News

Friends, I've decided to take a maternity leave from my etsy shop with the upcoming arrival of Baby Boy. I've heard that it will be a small miracle if I can brush my teeth and get out of my pajamas each day, let alone package up any orders!

My shop will close at the end of the month -- June 30th -- unless Baby makes an early appearance! I hope to reopen again in October. But I don't want to leave you hanging: from now until I become a mama for reals...

take 20% off of your order with coupon code MATERNITY

Happy Shopping!

Spring Forward Mistake and a Shop Announcement

Guess what?! We accidentally sprung forward one day EARLY! We have one of those smart alarm clocks that adjusts the time change on its' own. Except the stupid thing was set on the wrong date (it thought today was 3/11).

So on my first day of Spring Break, I've been up since 4:15 AM!! Woo hoo!

But because of that, I've been super productive all morning - I've listed a bunch of new items in my shop (more on the way tomorrow so stay tuned!) and I got some laundry done.

Oh, and an important shop announcement: Since I'm leaving on Monday for California, any orders placed after Sunday, March 11th will be mailed out on March 20th. So if you've had your eye on something, don't delay!

PS: Did you know I'm giving away a $10 gift certificate to my shop as part of a fabulous group giveaway? Go check it out!!

Just Because I Heart You

It's FRIDAY!! (Do I hear an "amen"?) I find myself missing my vacation time... when the day of the week meant nothing to me.

I successfully survived my first week back at work after our lovely vacation in Michigan. There is something comforting about being back in our routines: waking up early, exercising, and eating right.

I'm also really excited about re-opening my shop! I'll be slowly adding new goodies from the fun stamps I got over Christmas (ahem...I have an addiction).

But for now, how about a sale? Just because I heart you. Take 20% off your order with coupon code HAPPY2012. Happy shopping!

Important Shop Announcement

My shop will be on vacation mode from December 15th to January 3rd! So if you've had your eye on some cute Christmas cards or mini notes, NOW IS THE TIME!! :)

Fabulous Black Friday HANDMADE Deals!

You can click on any picture to visit the shop.
Please be sure to read ALL of the sale information below each ad before making a purchase.
Happy shopping!

Use code BLACKFRIDAY25 for 25% off.
EXPIRES: 12/3
Plus, get a free gift with purchase for orders over $30.
SHOP Along for the Ride NOW!

Use code BLACKFRIDAY20 for 20% off.
EXPIRES: 11/27
SHOP Apearantly Sew NOW!

Use code HOLIDAY for free shipping and a free gift (yoyo pin) with purchase.
EXPIRES: 12/17
SHOP Folding Chair Designs NOW!

Use code BLACKFRIDAY for 30% off.
EXPIRES: 11/30
SHOP Han Made Things NOW!

Use code BLACKFRIDAY for 25% off.
EXPIRES: 11/27
SHOP Kristin's Kreations NOW!

Use code BLACKFRIDAY15 for 15% off.
Or get 30% off a purchase of $70 or more! (additional discount refunded via paypal after purchase)
EXPIRES: 11/28
SHOP Mandipidy NOW!

Use code HOLIDAYWISHES for 20% off Moonbeam Wishes (stationary shop)
Use code SEASONSGREETINGS for free shipping at Dear Moonbeams (embroidery shop)
EXPIRES: 12/3
SHOP Moonbeam Wishes NOW!
SHOP Dear Moonbeams NOW!

Use code BLACKFRIDAY for free shipping.
EXPIRES: 11/29
SHOP Moxie Mandie NOW!

Use code BLACKFRIDAY for 20% off.
EXPIRES: 11/27
SHOP Petunia Blooms NOW!

Use code HOLIDAY40 for 40% off.
EXPIRES: 11/28
SHOP Pink Lemonade NOW!

Use code BLACKFRIDAY for 20% off.
SHOP Pretties By Meg NOW!

Use code HOLIDAY15 for 15% off.
Every purchase $45 and over gets a free 5x7 print of choice! (a $14 value! please see rules and regulations below to see if you qualify)
EXPIRES: 11/28
RULES and REGULATIONS: To qualify for free 5x7 print of choice the items in your cart must total $45 before shipping fees. If you apply your 15% off coupon code to your purchase then your order must total $45 before shipping fees AND after you apply the 15% off. If purchase is less than $45 after you apply your 15% off then you are not eligible for 5x7 print. Please leave a note in the "notes to the seller" box at check out letting me know which print you would like made into a 5x7. Offer excludes all customizable work (including blog design, logo design and customizable prints)
SHOP Yellow Heart Art NOW!

Use code BLACKFRIDAY30 for 30% off.
EXPIRES: 11/26
SHOP Yes Teacher NOW!

Just for you!

In honor of Halloween, I'd like to offer you a special coupon code good for anything in my shop!

Enter SPOOKY20 for 20% off your order (expires 11/6)! The holidays are right around the corner... 

so happy shopping!

The First Sale is the Sweetest

In honor of Small Business month, I've been linking up to Three's 4 Me and having a great time meeting new crafty people!

This upcoming week, the prompt is "Your first sale." And boy do I remember it! Here was the very first card I ever sold:

My shop had only been open for three days - the first sale came on my BIRTHDAY! So I was truly beyond excited. There may have been squealing. My hubby came into the office (where I was pointing at the computer monitor) to give me a hug and congratulate me!

A couple things I notice here. First, I had no idea what to charge for shipping - a dollar wasn't nearly enough to cover that expense. Second, my completely non-descriptive title ... what's up with that? Third, my picture is not great quality. It took about six months for me to get the hang of great pictures with lots of natural light.

One more touching thing I remember about that day: my husband was relieved. He confessed to me a little later that day that he had this whole elaborate plan with a fake email address, and a fake paypal account -- he was planning on buying something from my shop anonymously if I didn't get any sales after a week or two and got really discouraged!

I seriously married a sweetie pie.

What do you remember about your first sale?

When you wish upon a goal....

When it comes to your life, do you make wishes or do you make goals? Because there's a difference!

via

They both start with the same thing: a vision! But making a goal involves taking actionable steps towards making your vision a reality. A wish is just Hopefulness without feet to take it anywhere!

One of the ways you can help your wish become a goal become a REALITY is just taking the time to write it down. Check out some of these cute ways to record your goals:

1, 2, 3

When I started my little shop over a year ago, I had one goal: Make enough profit to go to Starbucks once a week and not feel guilty about it :). I'm excited to say, I've hit 150 sales!

And thanks to my handy spreadsheet, I actually know how much I've made :)

For about a year before I actually opened up shop, I sat around wishing I owned an etsy shop. Wishing, and wondering if I could really do it. Does this sound like you? Write down what you want to happen, and then start taking baby steps!

What about you? Have you made (or reached!) any goals lately?

PS: Have you entered my giveaway here?

Yay! It's a Back to School SALE!!

In honor of my first day back tomorrow, I'm offering a special coupon code to my store: Enter BACK2SCHOOL20 for 20% off your entire purchase from now until 8/15 !!

A Labor of Love, a Summer Sale, and a Giveaway

My good friend is getting married in September and I have the privilege of creating 75 wedding thank you cards (matching her wedding colors, of course) as well as 50 bridal shower thank you cards for her.

It's definitely the biggest custom project I've taken on, and it has truly been a labor of love! I started by making two sample cards, then creating cardstock templates to trace and cut. Here's a sneak peek of my progress:

If you were wondering how much time it takes to cut 460 pieces of paper into 7 different sizes, the answer is 2 hours and 45 minutes. What a feeling of accomplishment!


And to celebrate summer, I'm throwing a sale!

From now until Wednesday, July 6th, get free shipping to anywhere in the U.S or Canada on any set of cards!


PS: What projects are you working on these days?


PPS: If you need some cute cards in your life, I'm giving away a $15 gift certificate! Enter here!

Never been kissed, and Not to be missed!

As I sit here this morning, sipping my tea with one of my cats licking my arm as I type, I'd like to share two things with you.

First, did you catch my guest post for Danielle? It's her wedding week, so I thought I'd share a list of things that I didn't know about on my wedding day (but should have!). I also included a picture of my very first kiss ever -- at the altar! Check it out and leave me some love over there!

Secondly, I'm throwing a Memorial Day sale! Enter MEMDAY15 at checkout for 15% off your entire purchase! Stock up for birthdays, thank yous, and graduates! (Coupon expires Tuesday, 5/31 at 11:59 PM)

Can I just say I am SO excited that my summer vacation is nearly here - I can't wait to spend more time creating for my store!!

Graduation

Last week, my husband graduated with his second Master's degree! I'm so proud of him-- only two or so more years until he graduates with his Ph.D!!

To celebrate, we went to dinner at a local Mediterranean restaurant. It was all very yummy... especially the saffron rice. I had to coerce Max to take this picture with me. He really hates drawing attention to himself in a public setting. I told him he only gets his second Master's once so he had better smile for the camera! Haha, so this is not the best picture of us...

If you have loved ones graduating this season, show them you care (send handmade!). Check out my selection:

Happy Wednesday everyone!

Handmade with Purpose

Great news! I'm teaming up with Handmade with a Purpose and The Purple Dress project for the month of April!

This means that 30% of every sale from my Etsy shop for the month of April will be donated to the CCFA to help cure Crohn's disease.

I encourage you to follow Ashley from A Hasty Life as she raises awareness for Crohn's Disease through the Purple Dress Project.

ALSO!! Isn't it fun to shop for a GREAT CAUSE?!? Check out the list of participating shops from Handmade with a Purpose and indulge in some guilt-free spending!

If you don't have anything nice to say

"...don't say it at all."

Or at least that's what my mom always told me.

Recently, I received some "neutral" feedback on some mini cards I sold. The buyer wasn't happy with the color of the cardstock. Technically I guess it was no big deal, but it felt devastating to me! I, like most shop owners I know, pour my heart and soul into my creations. So it's very difficult not to take feedback personally.

I was in a cranky mood for most of the evening; my poor husband was trying to be as supportive as he knows how to be. I was tempted to drown my sorrows in a bucket of ice cream... In the end, I tried to focus on all of glowing feedback I've received! I also decided to offer the buyer a full refund in exchange for better feedback (via the "kiss and makeup" feature on Etsy).

Have you ever received less-than-glowing reviews? What did you do about it?

Time is ticking

This is just a quick reminder that Wednesday, December 15th will be the last day that I'll be taking orders, as the shop will be closed from the 16th to January 3rd for the holidays!

Click here to shop!

Black Friday Sale!

Just wanted to let you know that you can use the code BLACKFRIDAYSPREE to get 20% off my entire store! Offer valid until Saturday, 11/27 at 11:59 PM, so hurry!