Etsy Success Holiday Boot Camp

I, Jaime of Those Greathouse Women, pledge to participate in the Etsy Success Holiday Boot Camp to the best of my abilities. I vow to check in every week, do my homework and support my fellow Holiday Boot Campers. I will read the weekly newsletters and blog posts, check in on the weekly forum thread, read the weekly blog post, check off the checklists and salute the mascot. I promise to share what I've learned with those who need it, support my fellow Etsy indiepreneurs and, most of all, have a positive and persistent attitude. I understand that together we can spread the word about our handmade and vintage goods, making this holiday season a more unique and meaningful one to gift givers and give-ees everywhere!

Waiting... and the blackbirds have arrived!

Agh!  I'm still waiting to receive a new cord for my camera so that I can download pictures to my computer.  I can't list anything new!  Since Halloween is upon us, I decided to use my iPhone to take photographs of my blackbird I Spy Bags so they could go ahead and make an appearance.  The photographs have been edited to an inch within their lives in Photoshop, but I think it gets the idea across.  As soon as my new cord arrives, I'll take new beautiful pictures, I promise!


In the meantime, check 'em out!  Any thoughts?

Now we're cookin'!

Those Greathouse Women's studio is in full swing!  Dedicated shipping area, check. Dedicated photographing area, check. Dedicated sewing table, check. Dedicated cutting table, check!  There is even a dedicated counter for sorting trinkets and a computer desk.  Wow!  It sounds bigger and better than it actually is, but my mom and I have made creative use of the space and left no area unused. We probably won't be featured in Where Women Create, but at least we will be able to get A LOT of work done and have some elbow room to dance around if we wish.  You never know when the fancy might strike.

Unfortunately, I am unable at the moment to find the cable that connects my camera to my computer, so we are out of luck on pictures.   Hmph.

Coming along slowly but still moving

I'm up to FIVE items posted now. The best news is they are actually out of the box and ready to ship to you. I had a sale yesterday. It blows my mind that I already had a sale literally hours after my shop re-opened, and I didn't even "relist" to get to the top of the pile! Today, I reactivated a few that were about to expire, so I went ahead and relisted them. POW! I've already had views and more hearts on those items. Etsy has better traffic than I remember... has something changed? Whatever it is, I am thrilled and it motivates me to keep moving and unpacking.

Three boxes made it to the unpacking floor today. It was mostly fabric that went straight into my refinished shelves, but I did find some more trinkets (I have more?) and some vintage flowers. I suspect the flowers will make their way to eBay shortly... Maybe a few on Etsy, but they seem to sell better on eBay. I also found my lightbox (yippee!), but my dedicated photographing space is filled up with boxes right now... Another day, another day...

Not exactly a grand entrance, but present none-the-less!

So. I have moved. Ah, life on the farm. The kids are enjoying it (as am I), but my studio is a crazy assortment of half-packed boxes, homeless design books and freshly painted shelving to house my yet-unpacked fabric. I am here... finding my way!

I officially re-opened the shop today. I have a whole TWO items listed right now. I know I have about 20 or so designs made, but not knowing what box they are in makes me nervous! Tonight my sewing machine will come out of its hiding place and land front and center on a cleared off sewing table. It is calling to me! Yesterday I found my thread, and my mom came over to help unpack trinkets. Finally, the new space is coming together and I can finally start production of my new fall line.

Stay tuned!

NEWS BREAK!

My husband is being transferred to Indiana in June! Although we have been waiting for this transfer for many years, the news is still a bit bittersweet as we say goodbye to the friends we've made here in Metro Detroit.

This is especially exciting news for Those Greathouse Women since I will finally be able to share a studio space with my mother – be prepared for the creative juices to really start flowing!

I won't be listing anything new until we have settled after the move, but check out the shop for my last remaining stock!

Look for a fresh new line of fall products to appear near the end of summer!

Thanks to everyone for their well wishes and support through this especially hectic time…