Friday, February 17, 2012

Seller who Blogs :: twirling betty


Seller who Blogs :: twirling betty
Blog :: twirlingbetty.wordpress.com
Shop :: madeit.com.au/twirlingbetty
 

Tell us a bit about yourself and what do you sell on madeit?
Former slave to long hours in a law firm, I am now much happier making things, being silly with my two little girls and seeing just how far I can push my beloved and long-suffering husband before he bans me from fabric stores forever. I thought that time might have come the night he had to climb over stacks of fabric to get into bed, but he is nothing if not supportive.  With all that fabric, I make my signature tie-back 1950s-style sun visors, fabric accessories, fabric cake decorations like mini bunting and calico banners, and even stationery.

How long have you been blogging and why did you start?
I’ve been blogging for 2 and a half years or so and as twirling betty for around two of those. Initially, my sister and I started a blog together as a way to share things we had found and loved on the internet and photos of the kids and so on. As time went on though, and I kept dreaming up project after project, I just felt that there might be a wider audience my crafty projects might appeal to. Plus, I was just starting my business and all the stuff I read said a blog was one way to help build a brand. So, I do advertise my shops in my sidebar and do posts devoted to the release of new ranges or items but  that’s not what my blog is about. It’s about being a record of the other stuff I make and cook, putting together DIY tutorials for my readers and just about anything that takes my fancy really. I absolutely love blogging!

Do you have any advice for other sellers who are thinking of starting a blog?
Starting a simple blog is really easy. There are so many great free platforms out there like Wordpress and blogger that have great templates all set to go. However, if I had known how much time it would take to get my blog looking just the way I wanted it (which included having to teach myself the basics of html and CSS) I might have balked. So if you have a strong idea of how you want your blog to look, and you want to set it apart from other blogs, be prepared to invest some serious time. Or money to pay someone else to do it for you!

I think the other cardinal rules are: blog regularly (not often necessarily, just regularly), use your own voice, don’t be disingenuous ie, don’t treat your readers like idiots – they will spot an advertisement for your shop or whatever disguised as a post for something else a mile off and it will irritate them in a big, fat way, blog about things that genuinely take your fancy and finally, if you are comfortable with it, readers really respond to getting a glimpse into your personal life so don’t think no one will be interested in your life – they most likely will. Finally, be honest.




What are some of your favourite blogs and why?
bloesem.blogs.com/bloesem
A Dutch expat living in Kuala Lumpur, Irene has the most extraordinary taste and eye for design. Pretty much everything she posts just makes me sigh. In a good way.

poppytalk.blogspot.com
  Another site chock full of beautiful finds, great DIYs and inspiration.
http://momfilter.com/  Refreshingly unfussy and un-tricky but totally compelling bits and pieces related to being a parent: advice, cool finds, quick and healthy recipes, fashion tips, photos capturing unguarded, natural  moments. I love this blog for its honesty, simplicity and relevance.

ashleyannphotography.com/blog
Ashley takes the kind of bright, light photos I aspire to. She lives in the US Midwest and blogs (beautifully) about everyday stuff in a really honest and endearing way and has lovely DIYs as well.  Hers is one of the few blogs on which I read EVERY SINGLE post.
http://www.craftypod.com/ I always think of Dianne Gilleland as like one of the Godmother’s  of this current craft revival thingy. She devotes countless hours to the craft community and her posts are unfailingly well thought-out, tightly written and tap incisively into some of the larger issues that shape and resonate within the making blogosphere. Always food for thought if you’re interested in the bigger picture.

www.myrtleandeunice.com
Love her blogging voice ie, the way she writes, her photos and the stuff she makes.

whipup.net Inspirational projects from everywhere.

When you aren't blogging or making what do you like to do?

I’m a total Italophile. We lived in Rome for three years and my eldest daughter was born there so I spend a lot of time making sure my Italian language skills stay up to scratch (not least because now that aforementioned eldest can spell, my husband and I have resorted to using Italian as our secret language – a good incentive for the child to learn!) and just generally mooning over all things Italian and waiting for the day we can live there for 6 months of every year. I also love food: cooking it, planning what to cook, poring over food magazines and feeding it to my friends and family. And science fiction novels. Total nerd.





Wednesday, February 15, 2012

craftumi seller quick five :: Urban TreeHouse



craftumi seller quick five :: Urban TreeHouse

Tell us a bit about yourself
My name is Vicki, I live in the beautiful Dandenong Ranges east of Melbourne with my Hubby Tim, our 3 gorgeous kids, one dog, one cat and too many chickens.  As well as working part time at a local Daffodil farm I make an eclectic mix of products to sell at local markets. Many of my products are made from recycled and reclaimed fabrics. I love rummaging through op-shops and love nothing better than finding a special treasure and giving it a new lease on life.

How did you find about craftumi?
I found out about Craftumi when I was on www.madeit.com a few years ago, I decided it would be the perfect place to sell my abundance of patterns and also the extra bits and pieces I use to make my bags.

What do you sell on craftumi?
 My Craftumi shop Urban TreeHouse sells vintage and not so vintage dressmaking  patterns, bag making supplies that include magnetic snaps, wire formed slides and rectangle rings. Soon I will be listing some of my vintage fabric stash. I have just too much fabric for one person and her trusty sewing machine. Lots of the fabric is unused Sheridan Sheet fabric that I have because my Dad worked at the factory in the 70's, lots of offcuts made it home and luckily it was never thrown out because 'it might come in handy one day'.

What is your favourite craft activity?
I love sewing and picked up 'Lucy' a very old Juki sewing machine a few years ago and sewing with her is just the best! My Nana, 2 great Aunts and my mother were all very talented dressmakers, so you could say sewing was in my genes.  I like felting and I have a huge collection of  woolen jumpers that have been felted and are just waiting to be sewn into something new. I love the way sewing gives me a quick fix, I am too impatient for many crafts.

What would be your perfect day?
My perfect day would have a few more hours in it!!!! 
It would be filled with family, friends, good food, good wine, and plenty of productive crafting.


Tuesday, February 14, 2012

madeit new seller :: bohemian girl



madeit new seller :: bohemian girl


How did you find about madeit? 
Once I was ready to sell my brooches online I did some research and madeit.com.au seems to be the place to be.  I often see it mentioned in various articles in Frankie.

Explain your style
Colette meets Edith Piaf circa. 1925

What makes you happy? 
Spending all day painting and all night making birdie brooches.

What makes you sad? 
Unkindness and cruelty

What can't you live without?
My library of Art Deco and Art Nouveau books (and green smoothies :-)




Thursday, February 9, 2012

craftumi seller quick five :: iyana and jane



 craftumi seller quick five :: iyana and jane
 

Tell us a bit about yourself
My name's Laura, I'm 29 and a single mum to a super cute 11 year old daughter. My shop name is a combination of both our middle names. I live in a small country town and have always been into crafty creations. I studied millinery and fashion design for 3 years and worked casually in my mum's scrapbooking shop for nearly 8 years. She recently closed the doors and wanting to continue my crafty fix Iyana and Jane on craftumi came about.

How did you find about craftumi?
I've recently started selling a few handmade pieces on madeit under the Iyana and Jane name and saw Craftumi advertised on the site. I liked the fact that I can list anytime of the day or night. It's really handy. Especially when sometimes with me a day turns into a week!

What do you sell on craftumi?

I sell loads of crafty goodies! Stamps, beads, findings, flowers...the list goes on, but mainly anything to do with scrapbooking, cardmaking or beading.  I'm always adding things whenever I have time, so the range is forever growing. I'm hoping to get some more delightful products listed very soon...

What is your favourite craft activity?
I love anything crafty. I've always been into craft even from an early age and I am always fiddling with something. I love to sew, make jewellery, scrapbook or make cards. I would love to try making a quilt or a mosaic and I always have a long list of things to do or start. The world is just so inspirational! I'm forever jotting things down on a notepad. I think I have lists for my lists! At the moment I'm restoring a cute vintage cupboard and I'm really into baking and decorating cupcakes. I will give anything crafty a crack!

What would be your perfect day?

A perfect day for me would be sleeping in, coffee and pancakes with my little girl and a dvd day at home. I'd also be happy with a relaxing family bbq or a day at a winery with loads of awesome foods, wines, coffee, cake and catching up with friends.
 


Tuesday, February 7, 2012

madeit new seller :: Two Goats


madeit new seller :: Two Goats


How did you find about madeit?
This year at an Australia day house warming party, we were catching up with old friends that we hadn't seen in ages. They are part of AlmondTreeDesigns and I mentioned my new venture, instantly they filled me in on how helpful a site like this could be for me. Gotta love friends!

Explain your style
My personalised children's art comes in a few colour ranges, I carry the same colour ranges through all of the designs so mums and dads can mix and match various canvases. It's kind of a fun preppy modern style.

What makes you happy?
I'm happiest when I really knuckle down and get involved in a design. I like to try and cover everything, all of my canvas backings are edged with the Two Goats logo and I really have a ball trying to find names that match the canvases I design.

What makes you sad?
Not enough hours in the day! Lovely young family, new business, endurance training and a passionate gardener...sometimes it's hard to find the balance.

What can't you live without?
Exercise. I'm currently training to do my first half ironman this May. So at the moment "Swim. Bike. Run." is my mantra.



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