It’s been a while… October 2, 2010

Hey all…it’s been a while for sure!!  🙂  I have been a busy, BUSY chica!!  Sooo, what’s kept me posting??  Well, business has been good, I’ve had tests and projects due at school, was sick for a spell, AND I was the Matron of Honor/wedding coordinator of my bestie’s wedding!!  Whew…I get tired again just thinking of all of it again.  LOL

PLUS, I have been super busy at work in my studio and as always, you get to see what’s been cookin’ FIRST!

All of the pictures except the last two photos are some on my newest Christmas goodies.  What do you think?  The last two photos are a new alphabet die cut series that will be listed in my shop soon AND my color options for die cuts.  🙂  Please let me know if you have any questions!!

• Flowers are 1″ each.
• Foam striped stockings are 2 1/2″ long by 1″ wide.
• Foam polka-dot stockings are1 1/2″ long by 3/4″ wide.
• Foam polka-dot Christmas trees are 2 3/4″ long by 1 1/2″ (at it’s widest point).
• Foam short, skinny gifts are 1 3/4″ wide by 1″ tall.  Taller, square-shaped gifts are 1″ wide by about 2″ tall (at it’s highest point).
• The foam Santas are 2″ wide by 2 1/2″ tall.
• The foam Christmas Variety Pack has 4 different shapes in it.  “Merry Christmas” is 3″ wide by 1 1/4″ tall.  “Joy” is 2 1/4″ wide (at it’s widest point) by 1 1/4″ tall (at it’s tallest point).  Each tree is 2″ tall and about 1″ wide.

Starting/Re-Starting A Business August 24, 2010

Wow…I don’t know about you, but the actual desire and decision to start up a business (or in my case, re-starting a business) isn’t hard.  It’s not the marketing, the creating, the listing, the photographing….It’s really not the work that I have to put into it that makes it HARD.  Man, it’s deciding HOW I’m going to spend my time.  I have a full-time “REAL” job in addition to my Etsy shop, plus I am starting back to school in the Fall (which is like next week – yikes).

I have limited time that I can spend on my Etsy business.  So how should I use this precious time?  What is at the top of my prioritized to-do list?  Do I have time to MAKE a prioritized to to-do list?  LOL  I struggle with deciding if I want to photograph and list, work on some marketing, or actually create.  And sometimes, what I decide doesn’t always fit the mood I am in.  For instance, there are times when I am in a really creative mood, so all I want to do is create, but I already have  TON of new items that I need to list.  Other times, I don’t mind the clerical part of the job, but really need to get a jump on creating…but woe is me, how do you create when you don’t feel inspired??  LOL

Oh well…Now, I am just rambling, but does anyone else out there have this same issue?  Granted, not all of you have an Etsy shop, but I am sure this same problem applies to other types of business venues.  Post your thoughts…  🙂

So many blog visits… August 15, 2010

…and NO ADVICE???  🙂  Come on, guys!  I seriously, SERIOUSLY need some advice about photographingmy product.  Surely, there are some great photographers out there that read my blog.  Please help! 🙂

Need some serious photo tips! August 12, 2010

When it comes to people, places, and a good selection of objects, I am a pretty darn photographer.  When it comes to photographing paper goods, I don’t do so hot – which is pretty darn unfortunate since I SELL them…LOL…I’ve asked around in the Etsy community and many seem to agree that paper products are one of the hardest things to photograph, but I SERIOUSLY need some help!!!  Any ideas would be really, really appreciated – I mean, REALLY appreciated.  🙂

Lots of photos below in my blog OR just click on “New Additions”.

My first official blog!!! May 20, 2008

Welcome, welcome, welcome!!! I’m so excited to start up this blog. My intention with this blog is to introduce you to some fun handmade STUFF I find online and to show you some of my new creations that you can look at and purchase on my Etsy site.   While it’s primarily for business purposes, I will tell you about some stuff going on in my life.  Read those posts, if interested!!!  LOL

http://meldewdesigns.etsy.com

If you find some handmade STUFF that you think should be featured on my site, please let me know! 🙂

I’ll constantly be updating this site and my Etsy store. I’m open to suggestions!!

Thanks!
Mel