tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8177750444901929922024-03-19T10:09:30.708-07:00Eva B DesignsEva B Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17146511163227864939noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-817775044490192992.post-37233689387901915122011-07-23T07:38:00.000-07:002011-07-23T08:03:02.260-07:00Being featured in the Making magazine (and so proud :)I have been reading through one <a href="http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2010/uk-edition-mary-portas-and-the-handmade-movement/">article</a> on Etsy back in February or March. It was about being featured in the magazines and how to approach this. It was very interesting reading as I would never actually though about myself approaching the magazines. <br /><br />Well, I have browsed a few titles, and got the email addresses and sent the emails to them. The worst that could happen would be that they will not reply. So I waited a week, 2 weeks, a month - and none of them replied. LOL<br /><br />After a few weeks I just forgot about this at all and carried on with my shops as usual. Then my blackberry made that email noise. I got an email from the editor of Making magazine and OMG she was asking me to make a make up bag to be featured in the issue 11 - WOW. I immediately rang my husband jumping while on the phone, so had to repeat myself 3 times :) A couple of weeks later I sent my bag and step by step instructions to the magazine and waited.................<br /><br />Today my local whsmith was opening at 9am. I got there 8.55am impatiently waiting while my 2years girlie named all the things she wants from that shop. I just kept saying, yes darling :)))<br />Then the door opened and within seconds I found the magazine with 2 big pages of my make up bag :) I called my husband again, my mum (still jumping) and told the lady on the till that I have been featured in there, so I am buying two, but might come for more :)<br />And the bonus was waiting for me at home as the postman left one issue there for me too!<br /><br />Well, this is very very exciting and makes me proud and even more confident with my designs. <br /><br />PS: the bag has been featured in Making magazine, issue 11 (September), pages 73-74 - happy reading!Eva B Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17146511163227864939noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-817775044490192992.post-82134682718482643532011-05-15T13:15:00.001-07:002011-05-15T13:28:14.530-07:00Amy Butler fabric and my new bagsI wanted to buy some of Amy Butler's fabric for a loooooong time. Luckily I got some additional funds thanks to my customers :) this month and so I started to browse on the internet for some supplies. I decide to go with bundles of fat quarters as a start to see what is the quality of the fabric.<br /><br />So I bought some from home decor collection and a bundle of lovely yellow - green floral spotty bundle. <br /><br />And then a few days later my Christmas in middle of the May could start - I opened the package carefully with high expectations and can tell you that I had a huge smile on my face - loved it. Quality of the fabric was absolutely amazing and the colours and the prints were even better than the pictures.<br /><br />So as soon as I got them all out I started to match them and shape them - basically I started to be imagining in my head all the different bags I could make out of this georgeous fabric. Once decided what shape they going to be the magic could begin. And here are the first two results:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbvfs60TZdcvTaxAuHoMFtzBylHx-K4MDYJn3Dl4mfxblO2lHj2MaN8KAJNCXtpWyCXatH-WFfhlgebBUSEvW5x8bzxhYpfr6MCRp3O3Ge1UwWb4FxQ1iUMA0vEjTYddyJp6zRzxZtIVtz/s1600/Amy+Butler+fabric+summer+Tote+Bag.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbvfs60TZdcvTaxAuHoMFtzBylHx-K4MDYJn3Dl4mfxblO2lHj2MaN8KAJNCXtpWyCXatH-WFfhlgebBUSEvW5x8bzxhYpfr6MCRp3O3Ge1UwWb4FxQ1iUMA0vEjTYddyJp6zRzxZtIVtz/s320/Amy+Butler+fabric+summer+Tote+Bag.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607041428173529634" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRtbRoQEe1TIS332UoxbPYfm4pPMF09RzU154-CPyDlQrhmmkVfV-RwYKSAbiP2UQnRm8UH2RCfGH6vMyFOQKxOTEapkGG3gE8V9ufD1C2-3ExyA-OSTggOM80MfnZLw95FTWp6fgoMOpa/s1600/Bag+with+rings.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 310px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRtbRoQEe1TIS332UoxbPYfm4pPMF09RzU154-CPyDlQrhmmkVfV-RwYKSAbiP2UQnRm8UH2RCfGH6vMyFOQKxOTEapkGG3gE8V9ufD1C2-3ExyA-OSTggOM80MfnZLw95FTWp6fgoMOpa/s320/Bag+with+rings.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607041784572019890" /></a>Eva B Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17146511163227864939noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-817775044490192992.post-19700291753191776222011-05-01T05:28:00.000-07:002011-05-01T05:42:47.370-07:00My first Victoria spongeI know that this is not what I usually write about but baking is my second passion after crafts. I love making cakes and learning to make new is always exciting. So I woke up this morning at 7am and though the sunshine was glorious. Then I caught a glimpe of a recipe book. So me and my 2 years old helper were mixing and stirring and weighing and pouring. And there it was - two parts of the cake in the oven. I am actually impressed with myself how well it turned out to be. See yourself here:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4IIHBy9_HAxB7d0JB2JxBCd7xyoSFpGiVbbPBJS6d9a1WYb6h-kO_QktZp59DKDjMfHRL8bt5T3kgXSUDWtbnNit1QlYmqM9c0gRoMP_GYLJwCgP8XfYhEerb5FCRQojhz5IJQG1MMYW9/s1600/1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 281px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4IIHBy9_HAxB7d0JB2JxBCd7xyoSFpGiVbbPBJS6d9a1WYb6h-kO_QktZp59DKDjMfHRL8bt5T3kgXSUDWtbnNit1QlYmqM9c0gRoMP_GYLJwCgP8XfYhEerb5FCRQojhz5IJQG1MMYW9/s320/1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601726880063330178" /></a><br /><br />I think that I might have a piece now! :)Eva B Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17146511163227864939noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-817775044490192992.post-27071433553417153502011-04-14T04:05:00.000-07:002011-04-14T04:33:43.261-07:00Haberdashery - my favourite shopWell not so favourite with my husband though as I tend to spend there more time than in some department store and sometimes even spend more money than in the department store :)))<br /><br />Don't you love entering the world of all those bits you need and want. The trouble is that there are always some temptations around and I have to keep telling myself - not today but usually get it anyway:)<br />I am trying to be good and bring a list of things I need to buy. Well that list is forgotten within few seconds and I find myself filling the shopping basket with all sorts of fat quarters, buttons,trimmings...........<br />The best section is the bargain corner - and the zipper basket - I always come home with at least 10 of them :) Then slowly move to cotton fabrics and picking the ones I want - that takes ages. On the way to the cashier I spot the interfacing and has to buy it :) So when I am finally in the queue and waiting to be served I look around and realise that I didn't buy what I wanted at all. Back to the shop taking stuff out of the basket and buying the stuff I have on the list.<br /><br />The best part is to get home and taking your goodies out - then the game starts - mix and match and thinking about all of those pretties to be made out of them - loving it!<br /><br />Does it sound familiar? Or are you very good and just buy what you need?Eva B Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17146511163227864939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-817775044490192992.post-42443536944606112182011-04-10T22:52:00.000-07:002011-04-10T23:08:46.181-07:00Custom order - Summer handbag<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEo7lOooxbJdOtHLjqtveAeqPaSlxAL8IUcUJrxdHyzGnPUGlsePjhyphenhyphenem9uXZ4x7KyU68_LhbrNHQhe8FpYuTlKC0XMKF6Fcq_YwqAbE1WGJyJhKhqhiXd-hcGYinCRQrbvglwsUNG8UoL/s1600/DSCF8346.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 206px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEo7lOooxbJdOtHLjqtveAeqPaSlxAL8IUcUJrxdHyzGnPUGlsePjhyphenhyphenem9uXZ4x7KyU68_LhbrNHQhe8FpYuTlKC0XMKF6Fcq_YwqAbE1WGJyJhKhqhiXd-hcGYinCRQrbvglwsUNG8UoL/s320/DSCF8346.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594202389202754754" /></a><br />I was asked a few weeks ago to make this lovely summer bag. It needed to be spacious and secure enough as the customer would use it while out with her kids. As a mother I completely understand - there is a need for a lot of space in your bag with children.<br /><br />So she picked the fabric and agreed on the design. I used denim fabric for the bottom - when you have children your handbag ends up on the floor or ground a lot so the denim will not get dirty too quickly.<br /><br />I love the main flower fabric - it's just so cheerful and the zip on the top is great and easy to open and close. I use the heavy sewn on interfacing on most of my projects so same here - it gives the bag more shape.<br />I have made the handles from the same fabric and sewn them on the top of the fabric in the place where is the seam. It is actually pretty easy to make so I might make some more out of different fabric. Let me know your thoughts :) <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7cQ-QypYVU5Cej_g8bwaS8lNDRW_NzhC0jfDHihefFG7Tbumi3M2lnWAcyNjl7KxzJ_2Nt3g88j1TxsYD56i1BRCdBA_e9QK4FG3Uo0A1Lizr9EoUcpQbF6x8mU4uJS5Ju-Q5lOlToGqe/s1600/DSCF8347.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 319px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7cQ-QypYVU5Cej_g8bwaS8lNDRW_NzhC0jfDHihefFG7Tbumi3M2lnWAcyNjl7KxzJ_2Nt3g88j1TxsYD56i1BRCdBA_e9QK4FG3Uo0A1Lizr9EoUcpQbF6x8mU4uJS5Ju-Q5lOlToGqe/s320/DSCF8347.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594203238473084898" /></a>Eva B Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17146511163227864939noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-817775044490192992.post-63118560356996705232011-04-09T23:06:00.000-07:002011-04-09T23:26:52.559-07:00So what have I been up to in the past few days?Well as it was the end of a financial year, I have sorted my last year accounts and got ready for this year, with new folder and new sections for 2011/2012. I have also started to list again in my <a href="http://www.folksy.com/shops/EvaBDesigns">Folksy shop</a> - which brought me already 2 sales this week - Yay! <br /><br />I also have been finnishing a custom order and will blog about that one very soon as it is a very nice summer handbag.<br /><br />I have also had one more project this week - I have got a small cupboard from my friend back in September. She was leaving to start a new life in Australia and was giving a lot of things to friends as she couldn't take everything :( So she gave me this beautiful cupboard she kept her spicies in. I loved it as it has a great shape, just the colour (it was green) wouldn't fit in this place. So I was sanding and painting this week and it is nearly finnished here is a preview:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMz4fdhh2oSwtXmngOXa0amWbMACAS0tA7InElBC8YvsUYRp9qrcD1JqOh7p-4qXfSY6bLdLv71PVlMgsynnEEbed0WkvuvsFrqQjhvuitCekjU-EpQKsgSWBp923tpwKM7Tp9IyD-Q_xd/s1600/cupboard.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 86px; height: 99px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMz4fdhh2oSwtXmngOXa0amWbMACAS0tA7InElBC8YvsUYRp9qrcD1JqOh7p-4qXfSY6bLdLv71PVlMgsynnEEbed0WkvuvsFrqQjhvuitCekjU-EpQKsgSWBp923tpwKM7Tp9IyD-Q_xd/s320/cupboard.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593836260061777250" /></a><br /><br />Once it's all done hanging on the wall and filled with all the pretty jars full of buttons I will blog again - I am very proud of myself :)<br /><br />Have a good Sunday!Eva B Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17146511163227864939noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-817775044490192992.post-9211868325440807662011-03-30T11:24:00.000-07:002011-03-31T00:51:31.392-07:00Coin purse tutorialSo how do you make those small coin purses?<br />Many people who just start to sew ask this question. Believe me it is a very easy project. This is all you need:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIFADvgne8cnqR6EQjbsu-tuMgJd2V5l7aIDd_jZVxhCxdgzkjzjf6463kCoolcnOaUEJg35AUxO43qJOv5pPgmQNVv46nougHPaZ7kyyuem6DOGITd-bwoyXVZ5NLUFTHEqxzVaHWn9Fy/s1600/1.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 152px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIFADvgne8cnqR6EQjbsu-tuMgJd2V5l7aIDd_jZVxhCxdgzkjzjf6463kCoolcnOaUEJg35AUxO43qJOv5pPgmQNVv46nougHPaZ7kyyuem6DOGITd-bwoyXVZ5NLUFTHEqxzVaHWn9Fy/s320/1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590145697075791122" /></a><br /><br />2 pieces of outside(main) fabric - rectangle shape - 12cm X 10cm <br /><br />2 pieces of heavy sew on interfacing - same size<br /><br />2 pieces of lining fabric - same size<br /><br />1 zip - 12cm/6inches or longer<br /><br /><br /><br />Step 1) put the interfacing on the wrong side of you main fabrics and turn the top 1cm in and press.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSs37WfkJoODd5hIH0JDl3MxqbcPHAo8sr9gmmvEu6Yx7oBka9W7-ao8dPOG3vCXYRsJoL4cUWK6TEltbarMq9_Tlw1UQaU2E_WCsi2Lgp_FyX7vFdwiYBFm8aulG92ldIH162nx87Tjqm/s1600/DSCF8259.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 119px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSs37WfkJoODd5hIH0JDl3MxqbcPHAo8sr9gmmvEu6Yx7oBka9W7-ao8dPOG3vCXYRsJoL4cUWK6TEltbarMq9_Tlw1UQaU2E_WCsi2Lgp_FyX7vFdwiYBFm8aulG92ldIH162nx87Tjqm/s320/DSCF8259.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590145893470472786" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Step 2)Lie the opened zip under the turnover on the main fabric and put the lining under the zip facing opposite direction to the fabric. Pin it. Sew around 0.5cm from the zip openning along the edge. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhK7nKCdQQ4HLDCgBv7lDu4cORBjtInzvKHcEisnv3Ka3Ajn8okaeRDL7ElUVZP_9gywcno4JQQk5OgujnGqAY1vbtBcskM3Lz76Zq5-CgXQV1oWeSyszCdq0Er8W06FCLxcVh2BW9RDaB/s1600/DSCF8261.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:left;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 160px; height: 120px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhK7nKCdQQ4HLDCgBv7lDu4cORBjtInzvKHcEisnv3Ka3Ajn8okaeRDL7ElUVZP_9gywcno4JQQk5OgujnGqAY1vbtBcskM3Lz76Zq5-CgXQV1oWeSyszCdq0Er8W06FCLxcVh2BW9RDaB/s320/DSCF8261.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590146340955119906" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggYFqlEoSVAHmfkZvuqF-JPGcAvkccrV3T99sQBBqzwTIf5u1GKnsJ5KHUdy1DHP_v6ja-XX4cXfhSi5e4Xt_TjZfXz-IGHECjsZiX9Xqtc9Q4jcWmOwz_lX4FkV-U-picnUZyI56_sl7N/s1600/DSCF8263.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:right;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 160px; height: 117px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggYFqlEoSVAHmfkZvuqF-JPGcAvkccrV3T99sQBBqzwTIf5u1GKnsJ5KHUdy1DHP_v6ja-XX4cXfhSi5e4Xt_TjZfXz-IGHECjsZiX9Xqtc9Q4jcWmOwz_lX4FkV-U-picnUZyI56_sl7N/s320/DSCF8263.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590146557169767026" /></a><br /><br /><br />Step3) Close the zip and turn the lining back on the top of the wrong side of the main fabric and press.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEdA1LzsOPwttatQXZWborS5tUULsg9KXp6g3qKfJHwpUKv4rHMDYSSLntNHjogUzJ_2tWImiv1IROG2qiodppk55v3DsWNDB3VQvsq9QOOaR3h_b_8nMG81jZqPq6jXoxA1XV9S0x8UAi/s1600/DSCF8264.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 160px; height: 120px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEdA1LzsOPwttatQXZWborS5tUULsg9KXp6g3qKfJHwpUKv4rHMDYSSLntNHjogUzJ_2tWImiv1IROG2qiodppk55v3DsWNDB3VQvsq9QOOaR3h_b_8nMG81jZqPq6jXoxA1XV9S0x8UAi/s320/DSCF8264.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590147239434622418" /></a><br /><br />Step 4) Repeat the step 2 with the second rectangle of the main fabric and lining. This start from the other side of the zip. Once it's sewn press the same way as step 3.<br /><br />Step 5) open the zip to the half of the width. Lie the main fabric on the top of each other and the linings on the top of each other. Secure them with pins and sew all around, but leave the gap at the bottom of the linings.I double stich where zip ends - to secure it better.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglu0_g0ysniFVmuNG3zUk10OQvMw6131Xwlh8W0E_IiD501RPLRDQI3EuJ2CbjpOnyFZEruMwqaWek2yj_tEYnGjFdFoGOD5YWYhV3ZLSNPLx6NFYg1_mncgNEGfmA9ZVCq1XzPMllLExP/s1600/DSCF8268.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 139px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglu0_g0ysniFVmuNG3zUk10OQvMw6131Xwlh8W0E_IiD501RPLRDQI3EuJ2CbjpOnyFZEruMwqaWek2yj_tEYnGjFdFoGOD5YWYhV3ZLSNPLx6NFYg1_mncgNEGfmA9ZVCq1XzPMllLExP/s320/DSCF8268.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590147599581437538" /></a><br /><br />Step 6) Turn the purse to the right side.Sew the gap in the lining and put the lining back to the purse.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLz6Yy43cYHqqX-0enZMbqCuiSjGktToWV5FhHWQCnP0UrNBtM-nX33WWJer1yAN2bmlVm7-pmxd0jIzzArM0hplY9BN9tAT2Rtzh1D4gtqYTTzJ3JZ7q4ZRmiQP-NU2VRGuhebiu2TAo/s1600/DSCF8270.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 143px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLz6Yy43cYHqqX-0enZMbqCuiSjGktToWV5FhHWQCnP0UrNBtM-nX33WWJer1yAN2bmlVm7-pmxd0jIzzArM0hplY9BN9tAT2Rtzh1D4gtqYTTzJ3JZ7q4ZRmiQP-NU2VRGuhebiu2TAo/s320/DSCF8270.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590147773583981586" /></a><br /><br />That's it! your purse is now finnished! I hope that it is not very confusing and actually helpful :)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0_KVw19DpBCF7qrtaHtNa2ibQS-QXyJPoCcNhmyeaE9TUEUjpITmJNl93suUEyFgW7cad-w6cK0CjohJSWsr-nx9chiREdQNeUNTuS5wRtb6-E182tmYuZX-49LSgrir7aXGFZyQiIsYn/s1600/DSCF8271.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 160px; height: 131px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0_KVw19DpBCF7qrtaHtNa2ibQS-QXyJPoCcNhmyeaE9TUEUjpITmJNl93suUEyFgW7cad-w6cK0CjohJSWsr-nx9chiREdQNeUNTuS5wRtb6-E182tmYuZX-49LSgrir7aXGFZyQiIsYn/s320/DSCF8271.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590147946048876034" /></a>Eva B Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17146511163227864939noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-817775044490192992.post-51903269511217778632011-03-30T05:11:00.000-07:002011-03-30T05:32:28.260-07:00Cupcake CastlesI have recently discovered this lovely shop on Folksy - <a href="http://www.folksy.com/shops/cupcakecastles">Cupcake Castles</a>. Liz Mortimer is the lady behind this shop full of very cute clocks and mirrors. She has been designing and making them for over 10 years and has been supplying several galleries and shops.<br /><br />I just love all of them as they are very pretty and cute. Here are some pics:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvVPCmt4jhZvyFkI5HaLgMD8DmXFmlei7TK6NrDlh93ziV9jEwahBtgy7UKB4vB3o7FoXNJkqlDE1wGAVVWFLExXDjbjyi-VUfV4vCnpWIOe3QrA0bhqxr7xnDTZXHe-hpYHFE3EbAxkLQ/s1600/Cupcake+Castles.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 308px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvVPCmt4jhZvyFkI5HaLgMD8DmXFmlei7TK6NrDlh93ziV9jEwahBtgy7UKB4vB3o7FoXNJkqlDE1wGAVVWFLExXDjbjyi-VUfV4vCnpWIOe3QrA0bhqxr7xnDTZXHe-hpYHFE3EbAxkLQ/s320/Cupcake+Castles.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589847902470110418" /></a><br /><br /><br />They are just a few of the pretty examples and there are lots more. Liz also offers a free postage on all items in her Folksy shop. You can have a look as well at her website here <a href="http://www.cupcakecastles.com/">www.cupcakecastles.com.</a>Eva B Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17146511163227864939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-817775044490192992.post-27638816237109579062011-03-27T08:16:00.000-07:002011-03-27T08:21:03.288-07:00New websiteI have been busy making a lots of new handbags, make up bags and glasses cases. I also took a few custom orders but most importantly finnished my new website. You can now find our products also on <a href="http://www.evabdesigns.com">www.evabdesigns.com</a>. The advantage is that you do not have to register to buy. All you need is a Paypal account. All of the prices are including the postage so the figure you see next to the products is final.<br /><br />Come and see us and feel free to leave me the feedback here on the blog. Happy shopping!Eva B Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17146511163227864939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-817775044490192992.post-62286890152365310532011-03-20T00:10:00.000-07:002011-03-20T00:59:05.828-07:00How do we mothers do it?Yes, how do we find the time to do crafting apart of all the cleaning, cooking, child entertaining, parenting and working? I have read a few forum posts from other mums and most of us are doing exactly the same thing - organise the day as it goes. With me it all depends on the weather and my child's sleep. In England the good weather doesn't come often especially in winter, so when the sun is out - we are out too. In days like that you could find me sewing only in the evenings. But they are my evenings and I love them.<br /><br /> I once read a post from a lady saying that she has 4 children and how she finds the time to do all of her pretties:) I had a look in her shop and could see that she had a lots of sales. After that I don't complain anymore about not having time. I just find it. There are days you can't - they are days when I am tired or too busy with household and family. However there are also many days when I do a lots of sewing and crafting.<br /><br />It's all about finding your own way, your own time.Eva B Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17146511163227864939noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-817775044490192992.post-71019072121327516822011-03-13T06:21:00.000-07:002011-03-13T06:34:04.378-07:00Busyyyyyyyyyyyy..................and loving it! I have to admit that it is great to be busy. I am not that kind of person who would sit around and not do anything. My husband calls it figgeting and I think that I just have it in my genes :)<br /><br />So I am making and creating - my mind is sooooooo busy that could explode. When I close my eyes in the evening I see all of those bags I want to make and when I open them in the morning I still have that picture there.<br /><br />Some would say that being a mum, having a part time job and part time business is not easy, however I love it. All of these things together make me incredibly happy and at the moment they seem to be well balanced.<br /><br />I have been busy making these lately - have a sneak preview:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN8GgfAqYxRvvy1_-MeGc40uLLKme9FRTUjtvHoL7vbhpj9_PmXZuuSRPjdvxpP5tWqE97Kz51BzRc4gl4m7rnXWfcdS0rJIiJBhFDDJe_kA4gllpvWfCyocHdgwcDsf9G9GbVBUal1i-B/s1600/Make+up+bags.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 318px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN8GgfAqYxRvvy1_-MeGc40uLLKme9FRTUjtvHoL7vbhpj9_PmXZuuSRPjdvxpP5tWqE97Kz51BzRc4gl4m7rnXWfcdS0rJIiJBhFDDJe_kA4gllpvWfCyocHdgwcDsf9G9GbVBUal1i-B/s320/Make+up+bags.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583556899165225442" /></a>Eva B Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17146511163227864939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-817775044490192992.post-79439482178633730472011-03-10T05:37:00.000-08:002011-03-10T12:58:48.670-08:00Folksy Friday - The wonderful stuff you can make out of Amy Butler's fabricAll of us who sew know Amy Butler and her beautiful fabric. Most of us own at least one FQ of it and secretly dream about all of the projects we could make out of it. Well here are some examples of our fellow crafters from Folksy who used Amy Butler's fabric for these wonderful items:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNa9l9uZz8FvfIdGaeY7HKIcOrvppz1Wf-jgHriIBB7eMaPsoUdsXzf_8Eeopbs9WDYKZVCjpxPG6LJrnVKrEuqSEjw32xn4Zxd3sSEiMcBOdlRvY9hs9CvED57CkB20Iov708e73BRGXW/s1600/amy+butler.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNa9l9uZz8FvfIdGaeY7HKIcOrvppz1Wf-jgHriIBB7eMaPsoUdsXzf_8Eeopbs9WDYKZVCjpxPG6LJrnVKrEuqSEjw32xn4Zxd3sSEiMcBOdlRvY9hs9CvED57CkB20Iov708e73BRGXW/s320/amy+butler.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582451966578172034" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.folksy.com/items/1180681-Arnie-the-Owl">Arnie the owl from Pink Sherbert</a><br /><a href="http://www.folksy.com/items/1294401-Patchwork-cushion">Patchwork cushion from Violet and Klaus</a><br /><a href="http://www.folksy.com/items/1041429-Amy-Butler-Tumble-Roses-Tea-Cosy">Amy Butler Tumble Roses Tea Cozy from Seren Designs</a><br /><a href="http://www.folksy.com/items/1071089-Amy-Butler-Tree-PeonyWristlet-purse-Sunglasses-case">Amy Butler Tree PeonyWristlet purse/Sunglasses case from girls of the sixties</a><br /><a href="http://www.folksy.com/items/1154229-AMY-BUTLER-BUTTONS">Amy Butler buttons from Blondesbackyard</a>Eva B Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17146511163227864939noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-817775044490192992.post-65837009490855119952011-03-09T23:10:00.000-08:002011-03-10T00:36:03.242-08:00Fabric designer of the week - Dena FishbeinI would like to introduce one fabric designer/manufacturer a week. It will be someone, whose work I like or just came across in my daily fabric hunt on the web:) I am sure that anybody who sews is the same with fabric - you never have enough. So today it will be <a href="http://www.denadesigns.com/">Dena Fishbein</a>. <br /><br />I actually found Dena Designs while browsing for fabric in czech online shop and fell in love with the colours. So I have done a bit of a research :)<br /><br />Dena Fishbein is an artist, illustrator, author, designer and a textile designer. She has founded the company Dena Designs more than 20 years ago and became an international success over the years with many awards.<br /><br />Dena is designing not only fabrics but also cards <a href="http://www.denadesigns.com/index.php/galleries/expressions">and stationary from expression collection </a>. <br /><br />Well my favourite is the Kumari Gardens collection:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCrT_4pD4xwdLy_AzH8wklwGvtkt1v9gV82Xj7NNz_kkS-fwMjZw_hkKiTK2X0K-ab0V7ifJ9cOD41_rIVPGKXpbv8UjCMjs1wOeeMWat5nD9zFo6EZA7G0p3h8EMgynehuXq-UVuK0RV1/s1600/KumariGardens-bundle-450.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCrT_4pD4xwdLy_AzH8wklwGvtkt1v9gV82Xj7NNz_kkS-fwMjZw_hkKiTK2X0K-ab0V7ifJ9cOD41_rIVPGKXpbv8UjCMjs1wOeeMWat5nD9zFo6EZA7G0p3h8EMgynehuXq-UVuK0RV1/s320/KumariGardens-bundle-450.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582361672603381874" /></a><br /><br />I love the bright and refreshing colours in this collection - great for spring/summer projects.<br /><br />Here are a few links to the uk online shops where you can buy Dena Designs fabric - <a href="http://www.fabricsplus.co.uk/dena_designs_patchwork_fabric">http://www.fabricsplus.co.uk/dena_designs_patchwork_fabric</a><br /><a href="http://www.gonetoearth.co.uk/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=259_216">http://www.gonetoearth.co.uk/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=259_216</a>Eva B Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17146511163227864939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-817775044490192992.post-32060393066763674192011-03-06T08:35:00.000-08:002011-03-06T08:40:51.589-08:00Glasses caseI have been thinking to use the metal purse frame for a while. It looks really professional and elegant on purses. Then I had an idea - Glasses case! So I was googling and googling until I got some internet guidance how to apply the frame onto the cotton and have to say that it is pretty easy - the pouch took me 25 minutes including cutting!<br /><br />So here it is (and as always you opinions are very much welcome:)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwsUisdsQeUxh3iiXTX2Ah0oKaRMAzlHjjEcJ0e8e4xKK_FiGM7w_5YLG2XSi6deS-Abwx0NNcHqpNplgzaT8hooq4jygXs25erOS6IUkSOK4pIBE99iIB02x1vNPTgmIbApkh6QPdzA6u/s1600/2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 317px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwsUisdsQeUxh3iiXTX2Ah0oKaRMAzlHjjEcJ0e8e4xKK_FiGM7w_5YLG2XSi6deS-Abwx0NNcHqpNplgzaT8hooq4jygXs25erOS6IUkSOK4pIBE99iIB02x1vNPTgmIbApkh6QPdzA6u/s320/2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581007264829841090" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3wsJJVgQtE0xPr9u2bw1Q-vi_ZQaMIq3gREriWdbYWmAFEhOJrC7xiUwrKBC5-_HXw_T7fD2iXHNuXegq8x2Bjfzc6Ajomo5eC2CVPR2oa91LBVVUyRaSLJcvkEZo1OsCScX72yxLBbIx/s1600/1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 316px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3wsJJVgQtE0xPr9u2bw1Q-vi_ZQaMIq3gREriWdbYWmAFEhOJrC7xiUwrKBC5-_HXw_T7fD2iXHNuXegq8x2Bjfzc6Ajomo5eC2CVPR2oa91LBVVUyRaSLJcvkEZo1OsCScX72yxLBbIx/s320/1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581007462740084626" /></a>Eva B Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17146511163227864939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-817775044490192992.post-83414189734304756222011-03-05T03:56:00.000-08:002011-03-05T04:17:09.891-08:00A year in the businessWhat a year! I had no idea about how much I will learn, but believe me I learned a lots. I started with a very ideal vision of my future business and within few weeks realised that this is no fairytale. So I put my pink glasses aside and worked hard. I was making a lots products, listing nearly everyday - that proved to be working very well. I stayed in buyer's minds as I was appearing in the listings regularly. <strong>More listings = more sales</strong> - that was the first lesson I have learned.<br />Second lesson was <strong>advertisment </strong>- FOR FREE. That meant opening a twitter account, facebook fanpage, setting up a blog. Those were the three main things to get the word about my shop out there. It worked - there were a few sales I got from these sites. But to get more potential customers, meant more followers. Twitter is easy with finding new followers, however facebook and blog could be more complicated. I learned that the answer for this is a giveaway - follow me and and you might win xy item from my shop. It worked especially with facebook.<br /><br /><strong>Lesson number 3 would be accounting </strong>- keep it up to date and reasearch on how to do it. Keep all (and I mean all) receipts. It also made me realised how much I am spending on the supplies which led to better finance planning.<br /><br /><strong>Number 4 - networking </strong>- know your fellow crafters and join the craft forums - I actually learned majority of everything above from the forums. And you might find potential customers.<br /><br /><strong>Number 5 - photos </strong>- I learned that the picture is the seller in online business. Lighten the photos up, take them in the daylight and don't make the the backround busy. Pictures are the only point of viewing before the buyer press the button purchase, so get best out of them. I always take at least 7 - 8 (sometimes20) and pick the main 5.<br /><br />So as I said - last year was a ONE BIG LESSON for me. The last thing which applies to me and would like to keep up in the future is to be consistent in your business - one that was thing which I found hard. So that will be my main challenge fo this year!Eva B Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17146511163227864939noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-817775044490192992.post-91362638521287054842011-03-04T11:05:00.000-08:002011-03-04T11:09:20.480-08:00My Winter Sale on ETSYSo the news of the day is that my ETSY shop has a huge winter sale. 15 items with starting price $5.00. You can choose from hats, scarves, teacup cozies, headbands and fingerless gloves. So come and grab the bargain before it's all gone!<br /><br />http://www.etsy.com/shop/evabdesigns?section_id=7503285Eva B Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17146511163227864939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-817775044490192992.post-58668992348482764622011-03-03T13:58:00.000-08:002011-03-03T14:09:22.507-08:00Make up bagI promised make up bags and here is the first one! It took a few hours to figure out how to line this beauty, however I got there in the end :) a little achievement :) I am planning to do some more and even the surface washable ones. However before I do that here is the first one - let me know what you think :)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt9fbTguzKSMFxshstihkefJ1cdx2u5oNnwpRDY8I3tkfu2Fxf-m_4O4SYiMiYlYSJhTD2_Pp1EQwkTDSGoJ-TkRUMu9tJwg1Cz0HPOtEMe3dAgYcofF5P5el5gbGY3DHDgOe_s0ClXAyi/s1600/1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 318px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt9fbTguzKSMFxshstihkefJ1cdx2u5oNnwpRDY8I3tkfu2Fxf-m_4O4SYiMiYlYSJhTD2_Pp1EQwkTDSGoJ-TkRUMu9tJwg1Cz0HPOtEMe3dAgYcofF5P5el5gbGY3DHDgOe_s0ClXAyi/s320/1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579977416231498050" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG4lm7xm8eTVVTLinMdT-zwtymoAimI7gaiEvA1kbq19NPq4D4oKmy1uEpnzp6RNU-hWq9U1Wrfgr-k_0x0DLw1yZ3_X2yfxanYXq1ba6N3GujhZ5p7ImiQiIf8BuIGG7bQ_clc-hxxQft/s1600/2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 314px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG4lm7xm8eTVVTLinMdT-zwtymoAimI7gaiEvA1kbq19NPq4D4oKmy1uEpnzp6RNU-hWq9U1Wrfgr-k_0x0DLw1yZ3_X2yfxanYXq1ba6N3GujhZ5p7ImiQiIf8BuIGG7bQ_clc-hxxQft/s320/2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579977648227816146" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeCPFanBrA7N6-6-QZJjeH-KJ7h1hfRuLXNJq0HnuSZURcOckGgyFDTXNIznR-NfvppsPNpbDhYIdsjFdI0TUlqUiz9NC4XDXwnNtsc-suFetc0E78tmljJRuPLolEGaZpZ0wtvaxNfYFd/s1600/5.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 315px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeCPFanBrA7N6-6-QZJjeH-KJ7h1hfRuLXNJq0HnuSZURcOckGgyFDTXNIznR-NfvppsPNpbDhYIdsjFdI0TUlqUiz9NC4XDXwnNtsc-suFetc0E78tmljJRuPLolEGaZpZ0wtvaxNfYFd/s320/5.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579977797205874050" /></a>Eva B Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17146511163227864939noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-817775044490192992.post-2979776027969556082011-03-03T04:46:00.000-08:002011-03-03T05:05:20.849-08:00New bags in the shop!I am sorry to all of the followers for nor blogging for a while. However I have some exciting news - There is a new collection of handbags, purses and make up bags coming into my shops and some of them are already there (even one had been privately purchased - yay!)<br /><br />So have a look:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH2njaA_d4Bh3ZJAOwT1qgXUXqtTZoWQynEQnAW3QT2tzU6evpaIoeQFm-GQmRvo0CGn8DNAsDQI3tvt-6WHL8_K8GZ2qnrOW8-xtk7q5OG4XSdFkC415nenRtcjfXXuazrmVjvi8Jadjm/s1600/Picture1.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 170px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH2njaA_d4Bh3ZJAOwT1qgXUXqtTZoWQynEQnAW3QT2tzU6evpaIoeQFm-GQmRvo0CGn8DNAsDQI3tvt-6WHL8_K8GZ2qnrOW8-xtk7q5OG4XSdFkC415nenRtcjfXXuazrmVjvi8Jadjm/s320/Picture1.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579837281499736802" /></a><br /><br />Reversible Tote bag made out of Ikea printed cotton<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf4KBGDzNxuzMwhS8yybCHBrMivJN89V0QC43G5Up15qc2uB-lSK2vQHBU3L-KbPi1OYSia9jKXkUxuFmlobJxbSWIrGMzTkdujTLJ0PTqqZNp4qLGzLe5K94YQUu_iLIq5nTJYbz4hHfJ/s1600/DSCF8036.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 308px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf4KBGDzNxuzMwhS8yybCHBrMivJN89V0QC43G5Up15qc2uB-lSK2vQHBU3L-KbPi1OYSia9jKXkUxuFmlobJxbSWIrGMzTkdujTLJ0PTqqZNp4qLGzLe5K94YQUu_iLIq5nTJYbz4hHfJ/s320/DSCF8036.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579837751719562578" /></a><br /> <br />Lovely Black & White Ikea printed cotton tote, all lined and closed by clasp (sold already!)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr72bUEeyOz-46_n8SP4UBshwgNhOPdzKJDunk0LLo30afuKxBo7XcxMC2UtxfIaFIW78a-wwnlS1sgL-UyVjh0RaWjsuCbjgIbz8II3e7ziQesuupOZDFMP9waHsjSGVmi-bB55oWAy7F/s1600/1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 294px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr72bUEeyOz-46_n8SP4UBshwgNhOPdzKJDunk0LLo30afuKxBo7XcxMC2UtxfIaFIW78a-wwnlS1sgL-UyVjh0RaWjsuCbjgIbz8II3e7ziQesuupOZDFMP9waHsjSGVmi-bB55oWAy7F/s320/1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579838436360020514" /></a><br /> <br />Flower printed Ikea cotton Tote/shopper bag<br /><br />I am making matching coin purses and make up bags too, so check my shops back soon for them!Eva B Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17146511163227864939noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-817775044490192992.post-15088224902301449112010-11-04T05:29:00.000-07:002010-11-04T05:34:54.669-07:00Teacup coziesI have decided to add another product into my shop - teacup cozies. So far there are two but will add more. They are very easy to make and I think that they have come out very nicely. They are great as a christmas stocking filler or secret santa office gift and also will look great on the display in your kitchen, dining or living room:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFhH4hnD8T2Sj0kJncxweviPlVcBcwa-YJW7M8Rr1x2Oa53o4uMld3sFkqTW0EGvt9xRjuCynZIrbAZlOMjMxKBNdNxTC6UeASFzFmQEVzpsFlV409JZVuYCus8R29CiIBOCgffl3p7Arx/s1600/Red+crochet+tea+cup+cozy.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 311px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFhH4hnD8T2Sj0kJncxweviPlVcBcwa-YJW7M8Rr1x2Oa53o4uMld3sFkqTW0EGvt9xRjuCynZIrbAZlOMjMxKBNdNxTC6UeASFzFmQEVzpsFlV409JZVuYCus8R29CiIBOCgffl3p7Arx/s320/Red+crochet+tea+cup+cozy.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535671167521658978" /></a><br />A bit of christmas touch<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Umj8xCuZe3TsLAMuI4GfJ0woFaOoixDU8J8IEkdIzlJJ5Z_fCf19Nt01_MWspJRFG9XauNmCFl7oGaeeVy8-cHQxWBBqcr6SKnwyjHQLFF7j0xumG32CX-3kSKq8ehuWbCwp-kM57Ig-/s1600/Grey+crocher+tea+cup+cozy.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Umj8xCuZe3TsLAMuI4GfJ0woFaOoixDU8J8IEkdIzlJJ5Z_fCf19Nt01_MWspJRFG9XauNmCFl7oGaeeVy8-cHQxWBBqcr6SKnwyjHQLFF7j0xumG32CX-3kSKq8ehuWbCwp-kM57Ig-/s320/Grey+crocher+tea+cup+cozy.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535671657962048738" /></a><br />Very cool and stylish :)<br /><br />You can find my teacup cozies in my ETSY shop on - http://www.etsy.com/shop/evabdesigns?section_id=7503285Eva B Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17146511163227864939noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-817775044490192992.post-77083659470154308522010-11-03T13:23:00.000-07:002010-11-03T13:35:43.410-07:00ETSY renewing experimentMission accomplished! I have been renewing or listing for nearly everyday in my ETSY shop and some days I even done both or I listed 2 new items. The result of this concluded into most viewings and visits in my online selling history. My hearts sellection would not stop growing and my sales grown from nothing to 8 which for a start of this is not bad.<br /><br /><strong>So what does it mean for me?</strong><br /><br />I realised that renewing works - you keep your shop in customer eyes everyday and not only by promoting. I also found that the views do not depend on listing a new item or renewing an item. Simply the good looking item - well photographed and different, the item which stands out in listings get more views directly from ETSY visitors.<br /><br />It probably helped that I joined the UK silly sale for a week as well which brought me 3 sales. I also have been featured in more treasuries last month than any other month before.<br /><br />So the conclusion of this experiment for me is to continue to add or renew an item a day and my new challenge and goal for this month is to reach 100 items in the shop. So fingers cross :)Eva B Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17146511163227864939noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-817775044490192992.post-53291291819696972522010-10-21T01:28:00.000-07:002010-10-21T01:34:13.069-07:00ETSY renewing experimentAfter so much talks on ETSY forums about renewing I though I give it a go. So from beginning of October I started to either renew an item a day or list a new item a day. It has been 20 days and I can see clearly that my views are much higher and so are the sales. Ok - I joined UK Silly sale this month, which has probably helped. I am going to carry on until the end of the month and see if I do November as well. My bill is a little bit higher than usual but it seems that it works and they always say that you should invest a bit into your business to see some return.<br />I will do an update for you at the beginning of November.Eva B Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17146511163227864939noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-817775044490192992.post-17642086122446260342010-10-07T14:10:00.001-07:002010-10-07T14:26:04.525-07:00Folksy Friday - SilverI was browsing through Folksy looking for some ideas for this blog. Then out of nowhere I got this idea doing the silver theme. What gave me the idea? Well this beautiful <a href="http://www.folksy.com/items/644986-Silver-Strawberry">strawberry from Silverfruit</a>:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiImaHJp3c51ZqiBrq2VqwRyQf1y2c_JmpDCpsbAbNFkpWmce1Sicf8ObB3oGexJPLDKuvbAEunUkp-r4W3Ga-J-Ho2wnuevbxRdcp-7NuIAxsJAWpRss4zKm1Q-bJZp2KZImgVmaF59XLb/s1600/silver+strawberry.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiImaHJp3c51ZqiBrq2VqwRyQf1y2c_JmpDCpsbAbNFkpWmce1Sicf8ObB3oGexJPLDKuvbAEunUkp-r4W3Ga-J-Ho2wnuevbxRdcp-7NuIAxsJAWpRss4zKm1Q-bJZp2KZImgVmaF59XLb/s320/silver+strawberry.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525414958271327650" /></a><br /><br />Then I browsed some more and found this absolutely beautiful necklace from <a href="http://www.folksy.com/items/454393-wonderland-silver-and-pearl-heart-necklace-">Sian Bostwick Jewellery</a>:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAJC2rhhF6QuMTtEXgNtKm60LIw79tUCoLXRU7f_ber2fjRxZpIMVUOQr7r_U8KR6x3AQ4AE8G5SBdRNNCChyphenhyphen9vmpHft86JyevcsIWDStH1ZbhpijmhW_H5GwzuXy3fuDQ8DZzUN8-wxB4/s1600/spiral-heart.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAJC2rhhF6QuMTtEXgNtKm60LIw79tUCoLXRU7f_ber2fjRxZpIMVUOQr7r_U8KR6x3AQ4AE8G5SBdRNNCChyphenhyphen9vmpHft86JyevcsIWDStH1ZbhpijmhW_H5GwzuXy3fuDQ8DZzUN8-wxB4/s320/spiral-heart.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525415639928715122" /></a><br /><br />And it didn't take long before I found this funky <a href="http://www.folksy.com/items/875713-Sterling-silver-Snail-necklace">necklace from Belovedly </a>reminding me of my daughter as she absolutely adores snails at the moment:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUhQIoRVVeDqDDMF6Eo7uQwnJ9WVoa4mU6K0VoTAIM-8aiYOt8kwxPDX8m5wL1QmpM6BOZ0MDlsUj3r9TdEZttrAlgZIssm2AIcWx9a2rIuEPnx_j9CoZfD6hBRmwYKRKJI9DfyePbqMmz/s1600/snail.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUhQIoRVVeDqDDMF6Eo7uQwnJ9WVoa4mU6K0VoTAIM-8aiYOt8kwxPDX8m5wL1QmpM6BOZ0MDlsUj3r9TdEZttrAlgZIssm2AIcWx9a2rIuEPnx_j9CoZfD6hBRmwYKRKJI9DfyePbqMmz/s320/snail.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525416331725327394" /></a><br /><br />I missed some earrings in my selection and I LOVE earrings. I found this beautiful creation from <a href="http://www.folksy.com/items/816757-Silver-Net-Drop-Earrings">ZM Designs</a>:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMF5DlIY4SxnYHkoXg_6K6vey11jeEw7CwuN0yVltekgCxejVnjg0elIkcss7ipD66cMfG1azFolQv94B5BJGrjC5HXSyUp5YtxPmTMHtZ_erMlpwybs7b6AkOJm_pc7YUGbRiCDyKmLJp/s1600/silver+net+drop+earrings.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMF5DlIY4SxnYHkoXg_6K6vey11jeEw7CwuN0yVltekgCxejVnjg0elIkcss7ipD66cMfG1azFolQv94B5BJGrjC5HXSyUp5YtxPmTMHtZ_erMlpwybs7b6AkOJm_pc7YUGbRiCDyKmLJp/s320/silver+net+drop+earrings.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525417079399963794" /></a><br /><br />Finally I remembered <a href="http://www.folksy.com/items/574261-Fingerprint-guitar-plectrum-Your-print-hand-engraved-onto-a-sterling-silver-pick">Chris Parry </a>and his lovely shop and found this:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkXL295MYuQEVCcJJNRcYlYvzQnAr6mW2t1YpajZQQHsRbEqEblia-LB-VaQF0P3oQAanMLCqig6KQepqRMvfwd5726Bfs-dFd0WNl0u5wP3yAfrWXHoznHQWP-Ie46qty0t4YKDJ4k-Z5/s1600/chris+parry.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkXL295MYuQEVCcJJNRcYlYvzQnAr6mW2t1YpajZQQHsRbEqEblia-LB-VaQF0P3oQAanMLCqig6KQepqRMvfwd5726Bfs-dFd0WNl0u5wP3yAfrWXHoznHQWP-Ie46qty0t4YKDJ4k-Z5/s320/chris+parry.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525417771893694674" /></a><br /><br />I better start to put together my christmas wish list :)Eva B Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17146511163227864939noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-817775044490192992.post-47367625009238259472010-10-06T05:14:00.001-07:002010-10-06T05:37:55.585-07:00Newbies guide to promotingOK, for a start I am not an expert and everything I learned so far is from the forums on Folksy and ETSY. Recently there have been a lots of threads called I am closing my shop, thinking of closing my shop etc. Most of them were posted by new sellers. Every thread had one answer - PROMOTE. That's the word in online business (and really in any business). So how to do this?<br /><br />1) Twitter - it is a great way of getting your name out there. Try to build as many followers as you can. When I started I followed one person - then followed some of that person's followers. Many of them return the favour and follow you too. At the moment there is a tool on twitter called suggested friends. I go there regularly and follow nearly all of them - again they usually follow back. The thing is when you tweet the link to a certain item in your shop and you have let's say 500 followers - it gets to audience of 500 within a second. And then - they might retweet it. And if a person with 2000 followers retweets your link - that audience gets much bigger.<br /><br />2) Facebook - build a fan page. Invite all of your friends, most of them usually join. To get more fans go to the forums and post your link in one of the facebook threads. You can also do a giveaway on fb - I run one now and within 2 days I got 150 fans more. It is good for advertising as again if you post a link to your shop it gets to another audience.<br /><br />3) Forums - very good way of promoting. Join the conversation even if you just say congrats to your new baby arrival in the baby arrival threads. There might be someone who likes you avatar, visits your shop and even might buy something. There is also an awful lots of advice on the forums. I think that I spent my first month of this business just hanging around them. <br />Also do not be afraid to ask questions and if you are being put off by some of the arogant forum posts, just ignore them. There are people like that everywhere.<br /><br />4)Listing - Don't try make fortune with 7 items in your shop. You need stock, a lots of stock. Some people say 50, on ETSY even 200. I have only 40 and I am working hard everyday on getting more. List regulary, best is everyday - to stay in people's minds.<br /><br />5) Get your Google Analytics account, and ETSY has a great tool - www.craftopolis.com. You can see a lot about your shop's traffic and visitors which might help you to understand it better.<br /><br />6) Blog - as you can see this is another way how to promote but also get connected with you followers=potential customers. You can again do a giveaway to get more followers. Folksy sellers do blogs every friday - Folksy Friday where they introduce other items from different Folksy shops - helping each other to promote - http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/group.php?gid=117111094972895.<br /><br />7) ETSY Treasuries - this is a great ETSY feature and you get to know other sellers and they get to know you. I always retweet them and facebook them and also post in the forums.<br /><br />All I can say is promoting is the way you get the customers to your shop. The above is just basics. There are many other ways of doing this, just read, listen and look for it. I hope that helps a little bit.Eva B Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17146511163227864939noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-817775044490192992.post-6715494040051604792010-10-02T09:03:00.000-07:002010-10-02T09:10:29.284-07:00Purple timeI have had a bit of fright this week. My daughter got a high fever fit one afternoon - very scary. Apparently it is common among young kids, but that still not prepare you to such sudden change. One minute everything is fine, next you just don't know what is happenning. Luckily she is fine now but we had to spend a few days indoors. So as my daughter was sleeping most of the past few days I made this scarf. Isn't she just a beauty?:)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMD8HdcdinqwLV9sW6-DnKnGJ9jbyelyJ93NPXtoMf70vMIWclge-_UDK996w0U9xAupnikIidso-aQI721ohKVTz3xGU7UWlRemtsRN4HaY6XResalGnPf4XMzpZoH8Lz5RIZqcdY8VJh/s1600/DSCF7608.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 315px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMD8HdcdinqwLV9sW6-DnKnGJ9jbyelyJ93NPXtoMf70vMIWclge-_UDK996w0U9xAupnikIidso-aQI721ohKVTz3xGU7UWlRemtsRN4HaY6XResalGnPf4XMzpZoH8Lz5RIZqcdY8VJh/s320/DSCF7608.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523481280965228674" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtqQ-w-tTq_hyo9QtqWvu5sAaCyTiL8sld_IT9oymH-2_-WiwtwwU_k91_KwofeXCvGp6hkbxBbpfHULnXkbH3d_hCjYZllFYkFercZnFplAcSBcSAlKzmL28eUr3AvuAHcPru1Mi40Doz/s1600/DSCF7606.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 318px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtqQ-w-tTq_hyo9QtqWvu5sAaCyTiL8sld_IT9oymH-2_-WiwtwwU_k91_KwofeXCvGp6hkbxBbpfHULnXkbH3d_hCjYZllFYkFercZnFplAcSBcSAlKzmL28eUr3AvuAHcPru1Mi40Doz/s320/DSCF7606.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523481533887054562" /></a>Eva B Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17146511163227864939noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-817775044490192992.post-63153101111100483732010-09-30T21:55:00.000-07:002010-09-30T23:26:52.064-07:00Folksy Friday - wall clockWall clock is something which is very important in every house. We have our clock in the kitchen. This is the place where we need to know the time for all sorts of reasons - how long is the chocolate cake on, if is the coffee time, lunch time.............And here are some beautiful ideas for some of the wall clocks: <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAKr4D0FMd0qviG-soutOHcGhDjQ_dGI9iYdrZe65CPAQPi0T3ZHAoawv6_gGLIPNfJZwf48QQfIzP7YP7fC5iJTBstW8P56cBV0CrvJHAj-4u02HNHqZpGExJUjR5c_TpL4uYrLENVgG3/s1600/bronze_clock.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAKr4D0FMd0qviG-soutOHcGhDjQ_dGI9iYdrZe65CPAQPi0T3ZHAoawv6_gGLIPNfJZwf48QQfIzP7YP7fC5iJTBstW8P56cBV0CrvJHAj-4u02HNHqZpGExJUjR5c_TpL4uYrLENVgG3/s320/bronze_clock.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522952752200142594" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.folksy.com/items/837785-Celtic-Wall-Clock">Celtic wall clock from Gelert Design</a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqVUAl8WoYlrK37LOSwchLtpzcqJzGL9RLRkMW_jQmC7-ODu6dj4u8UXYFEyarL3PFF1vqbD9bOwGdQGmldHgpb9Qy1jksBn5Uw9Bb-DV_7Qb2urThswOxdDyooF6G1XT9lijWm6j1P2kZ/s1600/driftwoodandslate_012.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqVUAl8WoYlrK37LOSwchLtpzcqJzGL9RLRkMW_jQmC7-ODu6dj4u8UXYFEyarL3PFF1vqbD9bOwGdQGmldHgpb9Qy1jksBn5Uw9Bb-DV_7Qb2urThswOxdDyooF6G1XT9lijWm6j1P2kZ/s320/driftwoodandslate_012.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522953447363886082" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.folksy.com/items/464929-Slate-Heart-Clock-Large">Slate Heart Clock from Driftmoods</a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg72NZUHLPFR8UAljh80RDaam9gvmXIJax2PBe9LW7l5AHv7-2zQCwWDlGQahj0dHi6DPuvbjmNtS1HFqSNV7eIx_-UAm6bUquolrcEZGPUyvDA3WMj4LcCNaoMyIWIqzfU0hpJnNSPRbdA/s1600/stripy+CD+clock.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg72NZUHLPFR8UAljh80RDaam9gvmXIJax2PBe9LW7l5AHv7-2zQCwWDlGQahj0dHi6DPuvbjmNtS1HFqSNV7eIx_-UAm6bUquolrcEZGPUyvDA3WMj4LcCNaoMyIWIqzfU0hpJnNSPRbdA/s320/stripy+CD+clock.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522953881857633250" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.folksy.com/items/844593-Stripy-CD-Clocks">Stripy CD Clocks from Elibee Gifts </a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPMR6tKxNzqe4fMLo1dbti0c-INL67cDHVBFASYyYVyD3V07MYl-riejS8DKEt3E7MPdJJXEMsaGvHFhdPepD16QyOwmBoNoREr_5VOjXvNvQzvNL7MOSRnzJVaXcsgXK0LF683Go8b_RI/s1600/glass+clock.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPMR6tKxNzqe4fMLo1dbti0c-INL67cDHVBFASYyYVyD3V07MYl-riejS8DKEt3E7MPdJJXEMsaGvHFhdPepD16QyOwmBoNoREr_5VOjXvNvQzvNL7MOSRnzJVaXcsgXK0LF683Go8b_RI/s320/glass+clock.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522954554436825794" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.folksy.com/items/656605-Clock">Clock from LW Fused Glass</a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ipornt0Z_khLDDT7-xhUCLOhNQ-P7UMRsvpi3WP8wA5QSn9VY_TVE7zsSVUUEG485z4sgJnfdZt1BxHnCa9O-qAc8PAThCmYFxDmdXAcTXTfmcLqbVNoY7LywsrY2kE_en8xU8wXWt6d/s1600/transotape_clock.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ipornt0Z_khLDDT7-xhUCLOhNQ-P7UMRsvpi3WP8wA5QSn9VY_TVE7zsSVUUEG485z4sgJnfdZt1BxHnCa9O-qAc8PAThCmYFxDmdXAcTXTfmcLqbVNoY7LywsrY2kE_en8xU8wXWt6d/s320/transotape_clock.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522955225547930274" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.folksy.com/items/456517-Nostalgic-Vintage-Tin-Clock">Nostalgic Vintage Tin Clock from Fizzy Popov</a>Eva B Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17146511163227864939noreply@blogger.com4