The Pumpkin Song

I've known my friend Debbie for many years and when our children were young 

we got together very often. This time of year we would celebrate Halloween together

either with a birthday party for my son or just a gathering for everyone.

She would always sing the pumpkin song:

(I have no idea who to credit this song to!)

Five little pumpkins sitting on a gate

The first one said,

Oh my it's getting late!

The second one said,

We don't care!

The third one said,

There are leaves in the air!

The fourth one said,

I'm ready for some fun!

The fifth one said,

Let's run and run and run!

Then whoosh went the wind and out went the light

and the five little pumpkins rolled out of sight.

It would usually be her singing alone and the kids would laugh.

This year I was there for her granddaughters birthday party, they had gone 

pumpkin picking and then carved their pumpkins. Of course the song

had to be sung. But what a chorus she had to sing with her, her daughters and

their children and a few friends. It reinforced in my mind how important 

traditions are, even one so simple as a silly song. It binds us and gives us memories.

So this time of year with the holidays fast approaching, we are all scrambling

to get as much done as we possibly can in this last quarter of the year, remember

that it really is the little simple things that leave the most lasting impressions.

Enjoy!

Sue DiGilio - digiliodesigns.etsy.com

In My Studio: Periscope

In the last couple of months I have been obsessively watching Periscope. In case you don't know Periscope I am writing this blog post to show how it works and how it can be used by your own small craft business.

What is it?

Periscope is a free video streaming app which you can download onto your device from the app store. It allows users to watch or broadcast videos in real time. What this means is that a bit like Skype or Facetime you can watch something that is happening right now. Whilst you are watching you are able to add comments which the broadcaster can see their end and also tap your screen to add hearts if you are enjoying what you are seeing. These broadcasts are then available for anyone to watch within 24 hours after which they are deleted.

How could this apply to my small craft business?

As a viewer:

Follow like minded crafters and small business owners for great advice and info. A couple I would recommend are:

Caitlin Bacher  @caitlinbacher    Small business advice, especially about social media strategies

Merriweather Council @merriweatherc  Wonderful and practical advice about Etsy

Recent Periscope from the Merriweather Council about optimizing your shop for the holidays

Danielle of the Merriweather Council

As a broadcaster:

There are many ways you could use periscope to video stream live to potential customers, collaborators and followers, here are some ideas:

1. Show off or demo a new product
2. Launch a new collection
3. Small business discussion
4. Tour of your studio
5. Work in progress
6. Behind the scenes look at a photoshoot or a craft show
7. Question and Answer session
8. Focus group (feedback on a new product)
9. Teach a technique, do a demonstration
10. Talk about a blog post
11. Celebrate milestones

How this could be used by the HV Etsy Team?

1. Host meetings: As everyone lives so spread out across our region meeting up has proved difficult. Persicope is a way that we could bring everyone together. One of the group leaders could host a periscope that them all team members could watch. They would be able to join in the discussion through their comments..
2. Go behind the scenes at craft fairs, interview vendors and team members

I am yet to pluck up the courage to do a scope myself but would love to do one in the future so follow me on Periscope at @saraho32. I would love to see fellow members start to do scopes so please add your address in the comments and also add any recommendations of people to follow.

Good Luck and Good Scoping!

Sarah

So Handmade

In my Studio: Back to School

Gorgeous Pencil Case from H and J Star Creations

If, like me you are counting down the days till your little ones go back to school, here are a few curated items from Hudson Valley Etsy to ease the transition:

Welcome your teacher back with one of these seasonal cup sleeves from Quarter Life Luck:

Apple cup sleeve from Quarter Life Luck

Store your kids crayons with one of my very own crayon rolls:



Crayon Roll from So Handmade


Organize all those books, stationary and supplies in these wonderful baskets by Twisted Thread and Hook:

Set of 3 Rope Baskets by Twisted Thread and Hook

And finally once the kids are out the door treat yourself to a well earned pampering courtesy of Beyond the Picket Fence!

Dead Sea Salt Spa in a Bottle from Beyond the Picket Fence

Labor Day is a glorious holiday because your child will be going back to school the next day.  It would have been called Independence Day, but that name was already taken.  Bill Dodds


Good Luck and Good making
Sarah
So Handmade

In My Studio: Listening to Podcasts

My varied podcast subscriptions

While I work in my studio I love listening to all manner of podcasts. I listen to business and entrepreneurship podcasts to get useful tips for running a small craft business. I listen to crafty podcasts to get inspiration and motivation for my products and I listen to drama podcasts for pure pleasure while I get busy in the studio.

In the blog today I want to share with you some of the popular ones that fellow Hudson Valley Etsy team members listen too:

First, Marilyn from Pulp Sushi recommended a podcast to her Instagram followers a while ago called Being Boss. I started listening to this one on her recommendation and love it! On it, two creative boss ladies - Emily Thompson and Kathleen Shannon, talk about their experiences starting and running their own businesses. As they themselves say:

 "Being Boss is hard. Blending work and life is messy. Making a dream job of your own isn't easy. But getting paid for it, becoming known for it and finding purpose in it, is so doable- if you do the work."

I highly recommend this one for some great advice, motivation and real life inspirational tips to grow your business.

Download: Available from iTunes (search Being Boss) or from www.lovebeingboss.com

Another podcast of a similar genre is called Elise Gets Crafty.

This is one that I have been following for a while and I also love it for its down to earth, no nonsense advice from blogging, to running an Etsy shop, to juggling motherhood and working. Elise Blaha Cripe is a creative entrepreneur with a successful blog www.elisejoy.com  she sells online courses as well as owning her own shop selling handmade items. Her podcasts mainly take the format of discussions with guests who are invited on the show to talk about specific topics.

Download: Available from iTunes (search Elise Gets Crafty) and from www.elisejoy.com

Elena Rosenberg loves listening to A Way with Words podcasts while she works. Although not directly related to crafts and making, it is all about words and language and their creative usage. Hundreds of thousands of language lovers from around the world tune in each week to hear author Martha Barnette and dictionary editor Grant Barrett take calls about slang, grammar, English usage, old sayings, word origins, regional dialects and family expressions.

Download: Available from ITunes (search A Way with Words) or from www.waywordradio.org

Beyond the Picket Fence enjoys listening to Fresh Rag. This creative and business minded podcast also gives lots of great tips and advice about running a small craft business. Dave Conrey, the shows creator says:

"If you’re an artist, designer, crafter or other independent, creative entrepreneur looking to build your business and make more sales, you’ve come to the right place.

If you’re tired of busting your butt, with an ever-increasing work load, for a business that was supposed to be your dream, and you’re looking for a way to ease the pain, you’re also in the right place."

Download: Available from ITunes (search Fresh Rag) or from  www.freshrag.com


Good Luck and Good Listening!

Sarah
SO Handmade

Out of My Studio: A Walk in Woodstock

'A Walk in Woodstock' baby fabric book by SO Handmade

I have been busy in my studio developing, printing and making my new fabric baby book  'A Walk in Woodstock'. To mark its launch I thought an actual walk in Woodstock would be in order on this beautiful spring day.

Woodstock has many facets to which I pay homage in my book including its musical heritage, the famous Sunday drum circles, the Woodstock Windchimes and the peace movement. But in recent times many wonderful new stores and cafes have opened to appeal to visitors and locals alike.

A Walk in Woodstock

New eatery Shindig is situated right in the heart of the village and offers 'an open door, a warm seat, and a much needed sip and nibble'. Organic, local and seasonal ingredients are lovingly prepared by Chef Page Moll into heartwarming comfort food just like your Mom used to make.

Shindig

Amongst the exciting new stores is a little gem called 'Shop little House'. Owner JoJo Ans has a wonderful eye for combining fine vintage with modern Americana with artisan made gifts and homewares including those of our own HVEtsy team member Hudson Naturals.

Shop Little House

Woodstock Music Shop

 Two wonderful stores in Woodstock will be carrying my book The Golden Notebook and Illuminated Baby so call in and have a look!



"Woodstock had a tremendous impact on artistic American life"  P.J. O'Rourke

Hope to see you in Woodstock soon!

Good Luck and Good Making!

Sarah

SO Handmade

In My Studio: Hudson Valley Etsy's NEW Instagram Account

The Hudson Valley Etsy now on Instagram

Hudson Valley Etsy has recently started our own Instagram account. If you are a newbie to the whole Instagram revolution as I am, I hope this blog post will introduce the basics, inspire you to start your own account and encourage you to follow all the team currently on Instagram.

To start with Instagram is an online photo and video sharing network. It is a wonderful and fun way for small craft businesses to post pictures of their products, life, studios and inspiration in a quick and easy way. Photos can be manipulated within the app to give them some extra ummph so don't worry if your photo taking skills are questionable- in Instagram you can turn them into works of art within seconds.

Getting Started

1. To get started you will need an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch or an Android handset. Go to the app store and download the free app to your device.
2. Choose a recognizable username, if you are starting the account for your small craft business in the interest of continuity choose a name consistent with your business name and Etsy shop name so that people can find you easily.
   

In My Studio: Packaging



Lovely packaged set of cards from Cynla Cards and Design

During the holiday season I was lucky enough to get out to a few craft fairs. Looking around at the merchandise on offer I noticed some really interesting ways that vendors had packaged their wares. One company used wooden thread spools on which to wind bracelets and wooden rulers to hang necklaces. These beautifully and uniquely packaged items were by far more appealing to me as a customer and got me thinking about the ways I too could package my products more successfully. By spending a little more time and money on the end product could have a big difference in profits at the end of the day.

Great packaging can:

1. Get your products 'noticed' in a sea of vendors at a craft fair or in the Etsy search pages.
2. Increase the perceived value of your products, enabling you to increase your profits
3. Be informative- giving the customer info about the product and your company for potential future orders.
4. Make your line of products more cohesive
5. Elevate your brand and make it memorable

Great packaging boxes from The Pudgy Rabbit

In order to achieve this the packaging should:

1. Be thought of as an integral part of the product and not just an afterthought.
2. It should reflect or complement your brand, your ethos and your style
3. Be easily replicated for future items
4. Affordable
5. Not too time consuming
6. As green as possible

Some different ideas for creating your own unique, eye catching and memorable packaging could include making your own stamps or block prints, printed materials, stickers, fabric bags and ribbons or even including a small 'freebie' with your product.

I posted on this blog a little while ago a tutorial to make your own fabric labels. This technique could be applied to making your own packaging ribbon and labels. Click this link to access the tutorial.

My own SO Handmade fabric labels

Taking all of the above into account I set about packaging some play mats I had just made.  I used leftover scraps of fabrics I had to make them and then added some printed labels. I also used vintage buttons to finish the effect.

I was very happy with the result and think they look really effective. I hope to add the same pizzazz to the rest of my collection in the future.



Lego/ small toy play mat from SO Handmade

Good luck and Good Making!

Good things come in small packages!

Sarah Omura - SO Handmade

Meet our new members! winter edition

It's a new year, and have I got some new members for you!!  This winter, the Hudson Valley Etsy Team is pleased to announce six new members for your viewing pleasure. Maybe even for your shopping pleasure!  I'm sure you haven't spent all the money and gift cards you got for the holidays yet. I certainly haven't, at least.

Wild Flower Door Mat - Rope Mat - Front Door Decor by Twisted Thread And Hook

Magdalena Marsh runs Twisted Thread And Hook and does her crocheting in New York, NY.   Her shop is full of rugs and other home decor created by crocheting rope! I love the look and feel of her pieces, and can just imagine what it would feel like to step on one everyday before coming inside.  Welcome to the team!

Kitten Dish by Joy and Noelle

Joy and Noelle are twins and run Joy and Noelle together.  They've made their lovely illustrations even more beautiful and useful by decoupaging them to the back of a plate and then covering the back with gold leaf!  They're food safe, but would you really want to eat off them? They might be better off adorning your wall.  They even do custom work for weddings and other portraits.  Is anyone out there looking for an anniversary present for me?  Glad to have you!

Mod Colorful Clutch Purse, Kiss lock Frame, Vintage Fabric on Navy Canvas by John Met Betty

Jillian Darnell of John Met Betty does her creating in Croton-on-Hudson in New York.   Her shop is filled with purses and handbags, often made with vintage fabrics and other pieces, all in awesome and unique color and patterns.  They look super fashionable.  Nice to meet you!

NEW! NEBULA - Origami MINI Mobile - 4 Metallic Cranes - Astronomical Silver by Pick Up Sticks Studio

 Shannon Anastasia of Highland Falls, NY has renamed her shop  Pick Up Sticks Studio.  It's still full of awesome paper crane mobiles I'm sure my baby niece would love (I'm sure the older ones would love some of them, too!).  There are a couple other paper goods as well, and it looks like she's having a sale, so exciting!  Good to see you again!

Breathtaking Black Walnut Container with Lid by Rooster Studios

Jennifer Younge of Beacon, NY is the owner of Rooster Studios.  She creates some gorgeous wooden items for your home, with everything from bowl and vases to hand mills and candles!  Any of her pieces would add a bit of a rustic feel to your country kitchen, but wouldn't be out of place in a more modern one as well.  Plus, if you look at her about page, you'll see she cares for a herd of cats, so what's not to love?  Thanks for joining us!

Geode Pendant 8 - Healing Stones Collection- Quartz Crystal by Melissa Anne Designs

Melissa of Melissa Anne Designs lives in Accord, NY.  There, she creates a lovely collection of naturally inspired artwork and jewelry.  Not only are her photos of stones and flowers stunning, but the jewelry she makes using stones is, too.  And, if you're a Game of Thrones fan, you might just want to check out her digital art section.  Welcome to our group!

Well, those are all the new members I have for you today!  Please stop by their shops and make them feel welcome, not to mention to give yourself a boost of inspiration.  Remember, all these artisans are local and support our area's economy, plus you might even run into them at the grocery store some day.  Hope you all are having a great new year so far!

Enjoy,
Amber

In my Studio: Valentines Envelope Tutorial

Last year I made these really cute valentines envelopes, they were a huge hit with everyone. My sons teacher told me the other day how she has been using hers to store jewelry when she's travelling. I thought it would be fun to repost the tutorial in time for this years February the 14th.

Materials

• Felt pieces
• Embroidery thread and needle
• Button
• Iron-on printer sheet
• Ribbon
• Template (as photo below)

1) Write a list of all the names you would like on your envelopes and print them out onto iron-on printer paper. I used the font 'courier' to make it look like old-fashioned typewriter print. Remember to flip your page first before printing it so that the names come out the right way around. I did this my saving my word document as a PDF then opening it up in photoshop and flipping it before printing it out.

2) Cut out the names and iron them onto a grosgrain ribbon, cut the ribbon either side of the name leaving a small amount to turn under on both the open fraying sides.

3) Use your template to cut out your felt pieces, also cut out small felt hearts in coordinating colors.

4) Sew the hearts and the names on to the envelopes in the corresponding places (see photo below.) Tuck the raw edge of the ribbon under so that it won't fray.

5) Turn over the envelopes and sew the sides and the end down.

6) Sew a button on the back and cut a small eyelet in the flap.

7) Fill the envelop with a valentines card, gift, candy or a perfect Valentines day surprise.


All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt. Charles M Schultz



Good Luck and Good Making!

Sarah Omura
So Handmade

Gift Tags - Free Printable

Seasons Greetings from 
the Hudson Valley Etsy Team!

Our Holiday Craft Fair in Beacon is only weeks away.  Get ready to give with these fennec fox gift tags you can print at home.  Have your special persons been naughty or nice this year?

Click on link below for Naughty and Nice pdf

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B4emWuO6AltReEc0eEZfWldyNXM&authuser=0

Instructions:

1. Print out the downloaded file on a sheet of card stock
2. Cut out each tag along the pale blue lines - use scissors, x-acto knife & ruler or paper cutter.
3. Punch out holes with a hole punch or just attach to your gift with tape or glue. I also drew in gold marker along the edges for more decoration.

All images © Jody A Lee 2014

www.astudiobythesea.etsy.com

This gift tag sheet is for your personal use only
All commercial use of them or these images is prohibited

Happy Holidays!

Jody 

Winter Whites

White Winter Dreams

from the Hudson Valley Etsy Team

December Narcissus by DigilioDesigns

Hand Knit Cowl by Elena Rosenberg

Brocade Bag by Huzzah Handmade

Penguin Notecards by Karmabee

Bridal White Earrings by PulpSushi

Linen Drawstring Bag by Frau Lammli

Jody

a Studio by the Sea