Etsy Shop Reopened!

I decided to reopen my Etsy shop. It's been closed for four years!! I never thought it would be down that long; I disabled it after Reuben's birth. He's four now!!

I have a few patterns up and plan to add some hand knit and crochet items as I can. I can't load everything in one day, its just too much work with homeschooling and mothering. I am also trying to update pictures, there was a period when I was using a horrible cell phone to take project photos and those are just awful.

Please consider supporting me if you are looking for fun knitting and crochet patterns! Check out my shop here!

Knitting, Crochet and Copyright Law

I tend to jump in head first without researching. What can I say? I'm impulsive. While this can be an admirable trait, sometimes I need to take a step back and research things. Whatever your hobby is, make sure to research any laws for your state and country before proceeding into any internet-related endeavor! It's very important!

Here is part of my research of knitting, crochet and copyright law, as well as how I've "technically" broken the rules and what I do now to make sure I am working within the parameters of the law.

Why I charge for some patterns

Why do I charge for a few of my patterns? Most are free, but a select few of my crochet  and knitting patterns cost $1.99 - $4.99 to download. Why is this?

The short answer is because my time is worth something, sometimes. For a longer explanation, see the video below!

Why I Quit Etsy

I decided to close my Etsy shop two weeks ago. It's half because I'm having a baby and won't have time to ship things--and it's half because Etsy's new policies. Since their big switch in January, I have personally found them very small business unfriendly. But that's besides the point. Etsy can do what they want with their business, but their new rules have caused a lot of grief in the micro-business sphere.

I first thought of closing my shop because selling locally worked out really well for me. In 5 months of selling through last fall and winter--I sold almost everything! This, as you can imagine, felt great. I definitely will be selling locally next fall for sure.

Maybe one day I'll reopen my Etsy shop. Right now I am fine selling my patterns on Raverly and selling my handmade goods in my own town.

And I am sad to leave. I mean, running an Etsy shop was one of my dreams, and also the main reason I started my blog. It's funny when things run their course and new desires, like selling my stuff locally, appear and take up all my time!

Patreon

Hi guys! Today I'm going to talk about Patreon. I've never done anything like this before, so please bear with me.

As you know, I am trying to build a business--a knitting business (not a blogging one, blogging is a hobby and a fun, relaxing thing for me--not a business, although they do overlap since I use my blog at times to post about my knitting). For a whole year I've been making tutorials and attempting to sell my knitted and crochet designs.

It just hasn't been working. I mean, I sell a design here and there. But there are SO MANY designers it's hard to find a repeat customer base. However I noticed that whenever I offer a free design, it is received very well by the fiber art community. My fox scarf, for example, has been downloaded over 2,000 times--where my "paid" patterns, like my wilderness hat, are purchased only once or twice a month.  I get e-mails from people thanking me for making a free pattern and gushing about how simple to understand my instructions are. I never receive any correspondence about my pay-for patterns (at least, positive correspondence...)

So I thought perhaps I was going about this the wrong way. There are a very limited number of free patterns that are good. I mean really good, with steps easily explained and a clear picture tutorial. This is a niche I could fill!

So from now on, all patterns will be free. Past patterns that I charged for, however, do not fall under this new rule because that would not be fair to those who already purchased them. But all new patterns I make starting from today will be free.

Thus, instead of paying for a pattern, you can use Patreon to give me a "tip". It's totally optional and totally amazing. And tips come with perks.

Patreon is like Kickstarter in that you pledge an amount of money to a person's business plan. But instead of pleading a one-time amount, you pledge to give monthly. It's secure because it's done through a third party. It's safe because I receive none of your personal information--Patreon takes care of all that. You can also cancel at any time, and you can only pledge $1 a month. 

Right now I just have one option, and I think it will stay that way: to donate 1$ a month to Kitty Adventures. Don't worry--I know this isn't for everyone and I don't expect everyone to suddenly donate to me. I just have the option. All funds that are "donated" will go to buying supplies (like yarn and needles) and making videos and patterns that will all be free. It's a way for me to do what I love and be supported by those who love what I do.

My Patreon

Pledge $1 a month and I'll love you forever and link to your blog/twitter/funny cat picture on my sidebar with a text link under "Patreon Supporters".

Check it out if you are interested, and let me know what you think!

5th Street Art House

This concludes my first month of selling in the 5th street art house in downtown Lynchburg. I've enjoyed my time this month, and will be renewing for at least a second month. Last I checked I'd sold three things, but it may have gone up since then... at least, I hope so.

There are so many interesting handmade things in the shop--and I've met so many amazing local artists. It's been an honor to add my things to such a fun place. I can't wait to make more.

The Dark Side of Designing Knitwear

This has been bothering me for awhile. It's about knit and crochet pattern designers. 

First off, let me say that I love the online fiber community. I really do. I signed up for Ravelry with my heart full of ideas and eager to learn. I started this blog to showcase my art. I also make and sell art and designs on Etsy.

I love being a part of the internet crafty community.

But right now I’m upset, because no one told me about the dark side.

The side where I’ll be accused of copying a pattern, even through I didn’t. It’s stripes, people. You don’t own strips. Or buildings. Or strawberries. Or gnomes.

You can't see a item I made that has such-and-such on it and say OMG! My item also has such-and-such on it! YOU must have COPIED me! Because I didn't. My such-and-such, while still looking like an item, is not exactly like yours.

I am not kidding, I actually get hate mail over this. One time a very famous designer (who will remain unnamed) posted an entire blog post about how I "stole" her design. She listed my twitter and my website on her blog and for about a week I received messages and threats on my twitter telling me how terrible a person I am because clearly my pattern looks so much like hers they must be identical, even through these people never took time to compare the patterns because they aren't.

I talked about it a lot on facebook when it was happening, but I didn't have the heart to write a blog post about it at the time, mostly because I was really upset. 

There aren’t many ways to put "strawberries" on leg warmers. Or hats. No matter what you do you kinda want it to look like a "strawberry". No one can own a copyright on "strawberries". You can copyright the image you create, to a certain extent (like a pattern chart) but you can't say every single thing that suddenly appears with "strawberries" on it belongs to you.

Seriously.

This is knitting. This is crochet. This is not a competition. This is not a war. I am not here to win. I am here to love my fiber. I am here to make friends.

Don't bully me. If you think I've copied your pattern, ask. I would never download a pattern and re-upload it as my own. All my designs were designed by me. Please, try to treat me with respect. I would do the same for you.

Weekend Update

This weekend was wonderful. If you follow me on instagram, you can see that I went camping and that I also threw a tie dye party with some friends!

Ahh, the sound of peace. And bugs.

But, then Sunday hit. Sunday, for some reason, found me crabby. And irritated. At nothing. Well, not really at nothing. I was bothered by my sewing skills, or lack thereof. I can't seem to make a straight stitch, sometimes. And things don't fit together they way I want, more often then not. My clothing and purses and other oddments—they don't seem as “professional” as I want them to seem. This bothers me. I wonder sometimes if I'll ever get there. I wonder what is holding me back. I wonder if I'll ever be good enough. I wish I knew someone to help me fix my mistakes. As a self-taught seamstress, I feel like I have a lot of rudimentary gaps in my knowledge. I don't know how to fix them. Oh, and everyone is better then me. I should just give up now.

So, yeah, I was in a funk. And husband had to work this Sunday, after church, which put me into more of a funk, because Sundays are supposed to be “us” time. And I like “us” time just like I like my reading time. Uninterrupted. And clothing-optional.

So, I thought, maybe I'll work on my novel. The novel that I'm supposed to be writing. The novel that is coming along...terribly. Actually, I put it aside a few weeks ago and haven’t touched it since. We aren’t speaking. I wonder if we ever will, again? Is it possible to be mad at a Open Office document?

After that, I had to rip out a few rows of knitting. I'm using lace yarn. It was a pain.

Then one of my old friends, who I had dated a long time ago--sent me a nasty e-mail, where he basically blamed me for his awful life and inability to trust women. So I wrote back, trying to tell him that I am the least of his problems—and the root of none. Through probably some. Maybe? His choices are still his choices. His e-mail came out of nowhere, because I thought between us, things were square. We never got physical, he and I, and he had broken up with me several times because he “just didn't like me really that much, as more then a friend.” But now apparently I'm the cause of all his problems. Out of the few guys I dated, he should have the least to complain about. Seriously. I cringe at the thought of any of my other X's starting a blog. They'd probably be popular. For all the wrong reasons.

Oh, and my husband and I had a minor argument, that was really my fault, since I was just a little upset over my day and goings-on. And irrational. Oh, and did I mention menstruating?

....where was this post going? Well, I was going to end it with some kind of saying about how little problems can really throw a wrench in your day, and how God is bigger then all that and you should keep going and pushing forward, and that life is wonderful and about how my struggles really pale in comparison to many others out there who are hurting or sick, or, you know, starving to death—and that's all true--but I'm too ruffled to sort all those complicated feelings out right now, so I think I'll just end with this:

Yup, that pretty much sums up how I feel about life at the moment. Now, if you excuse me, I am going to eat a whole container of ice cream. Or go shopping. Shoe shopping sounds relatively safe, right?

Shop Update

Just a little update in my Etsy shop :) I love making things! Click here to check these out and more!

Let's Talk About Advertising

Why does advertising cost money?

I've read a lot of bloggers lately "bashing" others who choose to have paid advertising (via passion fruit, or other sources) on their blog. This got me thinking, naturally (as well as a bit peeved).

A lot of people don't understand advertising and why it should cost money.

First of all, when you purchase an ad on a fellow blogger's page, or a site--they are sending their clicks to you. Someone might click on their site, see your button, and click over to your page. This person might never return to the site where they saw your button. When you buy a sponsor spot, you are paying that person to send their visitors to you. Now, I spend a lot of time on my blog. I enjoy my readers and their feedback. If I'm going to have your button on my site, and potentially send visitors your way, then I deserve to be compensated for that.

Second, when I pay for advertising, there are perks that come with it. For example, a few months ago I bought one of Rachel's ads. Rachel tweeted many of my blog posts as well as linked some of them in her own writing. She spent some of her personal time promoting my blog. And well, time is money people. There is nothing wrong charging for it.

Great Bloggers to Advertise With:

• The Random Writings--Very small section of ads allowing yours to stand out. Also links your posts in her own blogging. 
• Delirious Rhapsody: Does weekly post featuring a link of her choice from your blog. Very friendly--always posts on your blog and leaves very personal and thought provoking comments! Ads on both sidebars and spaced out cleanly. 
• Discovering Simply Me--Offers large ad space for swaps. Always replies to e-mails and tweets a ton, very friendly!
• My Billie Designs: Offers very large ads (largest that I've ever seen on the web)
• Oh Whimsical Me: Offers only swaps right now, three different large sizes and extremely cute website, very professional.  
• Wifessionals: Super nice blogger! Lets you guest post, tweets your posts daily and gives great blogging advice!

My criteria:

• I love bloggers that have large swap ads. I usually swap with a blogger before purchasing a paid ad on their site. If you only offer a tiny 50x50 ad in a sea of 800 other ads, I don't return. My swap ads are huge and I expect yours to be of similar size to what I am giving you.
• Pick a site with a similar (but not exactly the same) demographic as you. For example, my site probably would not do so well on a blog about politics, or gardening. I tend to advertise with fashion, DIY, christian and/or lifestyle bloggers. I try not to advertise with other etsy shop owners who sell similar items as me--that's just not fair to them or for me. 
• I like bloggers that don't have a billion ads. Those that have 6-10 are my favorite. The more buttons on their site, the more my button has to compete for clicks. If I'm going to pay for a spot, you better bet I'm going to pick a site where my ad will stand out

Who do you advertise with? Do you pay for it? 

Want to learn to sew?

Hey guys! How many of you want to learn to sew? I know I did--and there was no one to teach me. So over the course of two years I taught myself! And then I wrote a book about it! (A free e-book!)

My book details 5 easy sewing projects that build on each other to teach you the basics of sewing. There are no printable patterns in the book. I really dislike that many tutorials have patterns you have to print out and tape together! Instead, I try to explain the basic shapes of sewing so that the reader will have a firm grasp on assembling a project. This means my projects are completely modifiable and very forgivable for a beginner. For example, my bow tutorial can be used to create any size bow, and you can use my tote tutorial to make a large shopping bag or a small shoulder carry-all. The possibilities are endless.

I also do not carry a copyright on the finished project. You know how many books/patterns will not allow you to sell the items you create? You can sell anything you create from this book. If my tutorial inspires you to later write your own tutorials, that's fine too! The only thing I don't want is you offering my book for free, or using any of my images for anything but promoting my book back to this site.

Kitty Adventures in Sewing is written for the beginner through the budding seamstress. Basic steps are thoroughly explained and detailed. Download it for free here! You don't be disappointed :)

In Kitty Adventures in Sewing, I go over sewing set up and cover the basic tools that every machine should have. Trust me, if I can learn to sew, then anyone can learn!

If you are already a savvy seamstress, I would love it if you promoted my book through Pinterest! Every click counts, and it would mean a lot to me!

My Booth

I was really nervous about organizing my items for sale at the craft fair--but I think, for my first time, I did a good job. It was fun to see all my handmade hats, scarfs, bows, and tie dye displayed all together. I realized that my products really resemble each other--I have a very woodland bohemian style and it comes out in my shop.

 

I tie-dyed a bed sheet to use as a tablecloth. You may recognize this as the dress I posted yesterday, hah! I then tried to display my items in a colorful, yet understandable manner. I also attempted to use tiers, and stagger some things higher then others to make them pop.

I used my dress mannequin to showcase some handmade clothing, and my earring tree to hold my bracelets and bows. My mom bought me this clothing stand from home to hold my tie dyed appeal and my purses!

I also wore this dress, that I reversed dyed, and of course my kitty hat! I think it is important to show that you love what you sale. By actually wearing items that you made, you can communicate to your customer your fierce loyalty and devotion to your creative line.

Have you ever sold at a craft fair? How did you design your wares for display?

Tips for Selling Items at a Crafts Fair

Last week I attended my first craft fair! Yes, and I was scared! I've visited a lot of fairs in the past, as a shopper, but this was my first time being a vender. The bazaar I was a part of turned out to be really small (lots of vendors, not many shoppers) but it was very fun. My goal was just to make back what I paid this first time. I actually made a little more then my goal, and I even won a prize at the fair!

Before you go:

1. Know the demographic that will be attending. (I didn't think about this, but my mom mentioned) She saw that many of the vendors had "older women" type things for sale. She said my demographic is teenagers or young adults--and I need to be aware of that when I go places. 
2. Know your numbers. For example, my booth was 11x11 feet. The table provided was one 8' table with two chairs. I need to know these numbers when planning my display. 
3. Have a sign. I water-colored my own sign.
4. Have an eye catching display. I plan on hanging my small items on a wire tree, and my clothing items from a rope, and everything else on a table. I plan on bringing a second table.
5. Have a range of prices to interest each customer. My prices range from $10-$60.
6. Have $100 in change. 40-$1's, 4-$5's, 2-$10's, 1-$20. All my prices are single digits, so I don't have to worry about nickels, dimes or pennies. 
7. Offer something for free. I plan on having a knitting lesson sign up sheet, and bubbles for kiddies to pick up! 

At the Event:

1. I didn't think about how many other crafters I would meet. I actually made a few acquaintances and perhaps started some new friendships. Many of those who had booths were from my area! This is a great opportunity to meet other crafters and make friends. I met Vicki and her daughter and another knitter, (I can't find her shop, sadly!) who I invited to the knit group I attend on Fridays.
2. I didn't buy anything, but my mom did! She bought me an amazing "fairytale" scarf from one vender, and some rooster towels for my grandmother. 
3. I won a book necklace from Vicki's booth. This made my day. I have always wanted a book necklace! I'm wearing it right now and will be doing a photo-shoot with it next week :) 

Anyway, this was my first experience with selling my items at a fair. Would I do it again? Maybe. I'm not sure. If you have any vendor tips, please let me know! 

Announcement

So...I did something. Something I'm panicking about now. No, I didn't get a tattoo. Or a nose piercing.
  
I signed up to sell at a boutique.

I'm really mulling over this decision--because it feels all rushed and I don't think I'm ready. But I paid the booth fee and I'm compiling my items. When is the fateful date? Next Saturday, of course, the day before mothers day.

hint: I wasn't

I signed up about three months ago, so I've had a lot of time to adjust. But the days have just flown away from me. And then my husband had a car wreck and caught the flu and my sewing machine broke...you know, typical life things.

And now its next week.

If you excuse me, I'll be hiding under that rock over there.  >_<

Letting Go

Lately I've been letting go of some dreams...and realizing my heart is changing. What I want out of life is changing. (Hopefully becoming more of what God wants...)

Right now this really only effects my shop. I've been getting this itchy feeling whenever I browse Silver Moon Creations--I am dissatisfied with it. At first I thought it was just because I had mixed my handmade and vintage items (a fact I've now mostly remedied by creating another shop for vintage wear), but that's not it. I'm upset over the quality of my items. They need to be better. 

So, I'm going to refurbish and revamp my entire handmade business over the next month. I'm going to be taking down almost everything and making entire new stock. Over the last few months I've realized the way I make things is really different then it was two years ago. My style has changed, and now my shop needs to change.

It feels good to say it, and I know this is the right direction to go. It's going to be really hard to start over from the beginning, but I know if I really want to start a shop, and have it be successful, I need to take what I've learned in the past two years and my new sewing skills and give it my all. My Vintage shop, Kitty Adventures, made $300 all by its lonesome last month! This is great, but Silver Moon Creations is lagging behind, with a total of...only one sale.

I can't have old items I made a year ago floating around, and I can't post things that aren't 100%. And that means letting go of the past. And moving on. And not giving up!

Everything in the shop is 50% off right now, excluding made to order items! Just use code "lettinggo". This coupon is good until 6/1/13.

Starting in June, expect to see a whole new shop. I'm excited. And, of course, I hope to release my beginners sewing book next month too!

What have you let go of recently?

Tax Questions for the Small Buisness Owner

Since I am quitting my job soon, I want make sure I successfully transition my sewing hobby into the small business world. This, unfortunately, means tackling the big, nasty, yucky, and confusing tax question.

Before you can even DO your taxes, there is a TON of red tape functions you must complete. (Yay, government). The steps I'm going to discuss are relevant for Virginia--they might differ for your state or country. Also, this is 2013. Since the government is extremely fickle--if you are reading this, in, say, 2015--I'm sure the rules and regulations have changed.

Steps to Receive a Small Business License 

• Check with the zone rules of where your business is located. Mine is a sewing business, and this is an acceptable type to run from your home.
• Apply for a EIN number at the IRS web site. An EIN number is kinda like a social security number, except for a business, not a person. You also need an EIN number to hire workers or have interns and stuff I won't be doing. 
• Register your business name. Sometimes called a Fictitious Business Name (FBN), a registered business name is required if you are doing business under any name other than your own. It allows you to accept checks and make other transactions in the name of the business. Once you have registered your business name, it cannot be used by anyone else. Contact the Virginia State Corporation Commission at (804) 371-9733 (outside Richmond 1-866-772-2551) for details and the county office where you need to apply for an FBN
• Get a Sales and Use Tax number from the Virginia Department of Taxation You can contact them at (804) 367-8037

After completing the above steps you can THEN apply for a business license. The license that I am applying for the sole proprietor small business license. You can read more about it here or here. 

I'll let you guys know what other steps I have to take, as well as walk you though my first year of paying taxes! If you have any questions about starting a small business, don't hesitate to e-mail me!