A new week and new beginnings

This weekend was one for new things. I tried out a few new patterns and I've decided to add bags to my shop listings. This week I'll have new photographs and new items up in my Etsy shop, hopefully. I took some time to pack up some of my clutter (bottles, clothes, toys, etc) and donated it to various people in need. Unfortunately this leaves a gaping amount of space (what to do...what to do???)...What better way to fill it then by crafting up a storm!!! LOL

With back to school, fall and Halloween around the corner, this opens up an huge window of opportunity for Halloween themed hats, mary janes, bags and even a few crocheted costumes. I'm hoping to finally finish my sample tutus and get those up there. Halloween is a mere 10.5 weeks away and I don't know about everyone else, but I like to plan early. I'm hoping to roll out my very first giveaway before the end of August, but we'll see how it goes.

Live, laugh, love and craft!! It's Wednesday...only a mere two days before the start of another weekend!

The last few weeks...

It's been an exciting couple of weeks since I launched my Etsy shop and began displaying my items for all to see. My Etsy shop blew up within the first few days and I received one order after another after another. I even had a couple of wholesale orders that monopolized a lot of my time. However, here we are into the second full week of August and the momentum has died down a bit. I'm kind of glad in a way, but I know that I need to introduce new items and build up the momentum again. I want to have a good following, but I can't do that with only two of three items to sell.

I've decided to introduce a couple of new hats but I'm having difficulties getting the right one and in the right colors. I've changed up my original Spring Fling Beanie and I'm trying to create my own "Summer Love" beanie. I've got my "Bella Beanie Cap" down pat...I've been making that hat since FOREVER!! Hopefully I'm out of my funk and I can already feel a new surge of inspiration. I'm thinking that this week will be a week of new beginnings and new offerings. It's already looking that way!

My first official sale!

I'm so jazzed that it happened so quickly. I've gotten so many compliments and requests from people I know, but to actually have someone see my items online and purchase them, it's a bit surreal! I'm so excited and I'm halfway through making the requested item. The sale literally came about ten minutes after it was posted. I had to check and recheck to make sure I wasn't seeing things. Hopefully this is a sign of good things to come!

~P

Weekend plans

It's Friday!! I'm so looking forward to this weekend. I have so many things I'd like to do and of course it includes a weekly pilgramage to the craft store. I really wish they would bring Hobby Lobby up to Massachusetts. I feel like I go to AC Moore and JoAnn's so often that it seems that there is never any new selections! I guess I could always visit Michael's as well. I haven't been there in forever.

On my shopping list? Sugar n' Cream 100% cotton yarn. I LOVE this yarn! It's great to work with, comes in lovely colors and it's 100% cotton. Can't go wrong there. What else is on my list? Buttons. I definitely need to go to JoAnn's for that. I'm adding buttons to some of my crochet flower hairclips and to my crochet Mary Jane shoes. I definitely need to head to AC Moore though...they are having a manager's special on the JetMaxx cube system again (I'm not sure it ever ended, lol!) and I need to get the bookcases. I'm in the process of setting up my own craft space in my basement and the book shelves would look great. They are only $25.00 so I might get one for me and one for the kid's room. They are basic white, so I'm thinking of picking up some Krylon spray paint and giving them a pop of color. That would mean a trip to Home Depot as well!

I'll post pics of my latest creations soon!

I've done it!

I've FINALLY completed my first three listings for my new Etsy Shop!! I feel somewhat accomplished, but considered I've done so much crocheting, photographing and writing to prepare for these listings, three listings seems so...so little! I have several more items in the works and I'm hoping to photograph these items in the next day or so. I've posted only one hat style and a headband. I've gotten a few other hat styles in the works and also some infant Mary Jane shoes in a variety of colors and also lots of crochet flower hair accessories. Hopefully I can get a move on and increase my listings. Check back soon!

visit www.bellabooandajtoo.com or www.ajandbelladesigns.etsy.com