It's a GIRL!!!!!

we just found out yesterday that the mini muffin is a girl!!!!! we are so tickled PINK!!!!!

(and here is the pink version of the onesie (by fun2wear @ etsy) that we bought her from Etsy before we knew what she was... her's is rock n roll black!)

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Great ETSY Artists - SmileMoon Woodworks!

i come across so many wonderful Etsy creators - and i have had the absolutely HONOUR to meet the wonderful SmileMoon in person! i also stole some of his precious woodworking time to do a quick and dirty interview... so here are the thoughts of the "Poor Woodsman"!

1. Tell us a little bit about who you are and your life up to this point in time.

This is going to be a light little interview - I can tell! Okay, in a nutshell, I'm a hobby woodworker who's been turning wood into sawdust on and off for the past 18 or more years. I've kinda lost track of exactly when I got into it. During daylight hours, I sell machinery for cutting, grinding and polishing gem and industrial grade diamond. With the economy in the state it's been in lately, though, you can probably guess how THAT'S been going lately.The woodworking satisfies a need for a creative outlet, and serves a useful function too, since it's been earning my family some badly needed income this year.

2. Outside of your creative life, what else are you up to?

Besides my day job (which entails a lot of travel, by the way), I'm a husband and father to a ridiculous number of children. That, of course, means there's the usual assorted activities, like scouts, soccer, college, plays, kiddie concerts, drama, etc. Once in a great while, I like to go out to the used book stores with my wife and peruse the stacks looking for old zeppelin memorabilia. I also hunt down obscure electronic music online and in used CD shops when I can. I'm also the family photographer. The digital revolution has made it so much easier to take a crapload of photos and sort through what you want to keep after the fact. It's so much easier to store them all on a hard drive, too. The only problem is actually getting around to printing them off to stick them in the family scrapbooks. I need to do a better job of keeping up with that.

3. What made you first want to create art?

Way back in college, I had a starter stereo setup and a growing collection of LPs without much to keep it all organized. I decided when I left school that I'd build a really nice cabinet to keep it all in, but my pragmatic side said I should take on a few smaller projects to ramp up to the skill level required for something of that scale. Good idea, right?After this many years of taking on the "smaller projects," including the crafty types of things seen in my Etsy.com shop, artist easels, a cradle, a kitchen's worth of cabinets, and bookcases galore, I STILL have yet to make that stereo cabinet. At least I got around to buying a lot of the wood for it last summer!

4. What do you offer in your shop?

As it says on my business cards, "creative woodcraft." Currently, that'd be balancing wine bottle holders, wooden 3-D puzzles, tea light candle holders, wooden snowflake ornaments, wood slab photo frames, and my most popular item by far: toy swords. I've been taking on custom requests for as long as I've been on Etsy, since my start in woodworking was in custom work.

5. Without giving away any of your trade secrets, what is your creative process?

Hee hee! No trade secrets here. I don't honestly believe there's much new under the sun where wood crafts are concerned - just different skillsets and experience levels at play. There's room for all of us to do what we're doing. As far as a creative process, I guess there's two avenues I go down: I'll either get a brainstorm or see something that inspires an idea to try out, like the tea light candle holders I listed a couple days ago; or I'll respond to a request for a custom woodworking project that allows me to collaborate with other creative individuals. They're both valid methods, but it sometimes takes a lot longer for me to feel that an original idea of mine's been validated, depending on how long it takes to sell!

6. Where do you create?

The ideas (the "creation" part of it) come to me just about anywhere! I just make sure to have some scrap paper nearby so I don't lose them! The woodworking itself takes place in my workshop. Currently, that's my garage, but it's also been the dirt-floored basements of apartments I used to live in, and in one apartment where there was no basement, I actually rented one of those public self-storage places to work.

7. If you listen to music while you make your creations, what is the soundtrack?

Because my workshop tends to be on the extremely dusty side when I'm working, I can't risk cassettes or CDs, so I usually just turn on the radio to the local alt rock station and crank it up! Given my druthers, though, I'd listen to 70s and 80s era electronic space music. Someday I'll get an MP3 player and hook it up to some speakers out in the shop.

8. What are your crafting goals for the next twelve months?

I plan to roll out some of the ideas I've had in the course of the past few months but have been simply too busy keeping up production for "the usual" items in my shop to deal with. That'll not only bulk up my somewhat limited listings, but will also help me work out a few things that'll improve processes down the road. I'd also like to plan for a few craft shows during the more successful Christmas season next year. This year saw me barely break even at a series of springtime shows, which left me feeling disgusted enough to consider staying away from them alltogether. I've since had some encouraging words from several crafters, though, so I think I'll plan ahead for next fall.

9. How do you promote your Etsy shop?

I'm still learning my way around the whole promotions thing, so my stabs at it are pretty basic. I carry business cards with me and take the opportunity to steer conversations toward woodcrafting when appropriate. I spend time in Etsy forums every day where I split my time between some of the games in the Etc. section and trying to be Mr Helpful, answering questions that seem to come up in all the other forums.I try to buy Showcase spaces when they look pretty promising for what I'm making, and I'll advertise on the Heart-O-Matic pages at craftcult.com from time to time, too.I've tried using craft shows to help build a following, but I think I picked the wrong time of year (spring) to try that. I'll probably try again next fall.I just this past week figured out how to upload my listings to google base, which allows you to track hits to individual listings and see where they come from, so we'll see how much that helps.

10. What is your most favorite handmade item that you have made?

Right now, I'd say it's a toss-up between a prayerbox I made as a custom commisson (photos of which can be seen on my blog at http://smilemoonwoodworks.blogspot.com/2008/09/missed-party-but-its-more-fun-at-home.html) and a pillbox I made on commission this past spring (http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=8424856 ). But, as in a family, I'm not supposed to play favorites, so the correct answer should be "my current project is my favorite one!" ;-)

(i bought this for my brother-in-law for his christmas present - oh i can't WAIT to give it to him!)

11. What is your most favorite handmade item that someone else has made?

That's a tough one, because I'd hate to make anybody feel left out! That said, I've had my eye on some granite cups made by TwoBeans on Etsy (http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=10121481 ) for almost as long as I've been selling on Etsy! I've been dropping Christmas hints on my lovely bride, so we'll see what shows up in my stocking!

12. What was your best handcrafted "moment"?

There've been a few, actually. I think every Etsian remembers where they were when they made their first sale! For me, it was only a day and a half after my first listing - which was way cool! Getting a shot at a commission job for a company in New York was even better than that, but the best so far would be meeting fellow Etsy seller Muffin Top on a recent trip to her hometown (see Question 2)!

13. Top 5 list – list your top 5 favorite movies, books, bands, and foods.

Interests
woodworking
photography
nature photography
portrait photography
electronic music

Favorite Movies
Mad Max
The Road Warrior
Terminator 2
It's a Wonderful Life
Secretary

Favorite Music
Tangerine Dream
Jean Michel Jarre
Space Art
Pink Floyd
Camel

Favorite Books
Ender's Game
The Time Traveler's Wife
Starship Troopers
A Mango Colored Space
Jane's Book of Airships

14. What advice would you like to give to others on trying to sell their handmade goods?

Keep at it, and listen to the advice of sellers with more experience. Good photography will help get you featured in the treasuries and gift guides. Being helpful in the forums will get you noticed by everybody else.

15. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

In ten years, we'll be down to just two kids at home if all goes according to plan. Hopefully there'll be a bit more time available to devote to crafting and marketing it properly. If it becomes successful between now and then, I'd love for it to be my only job, but there's a lot of college tuition payments to help make in the meantime!

16. If you could describe yourself in 5 words, what would they be?

amused, busy, creative, distracted, eccentric...

thanks, smilemoon!!!! and thanks for being so fabulous!!!!!!!!!

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All I Wanted to Know I Learned at the Craft Fair... or The Newbie's Newbie Guide to Doing your First Craft Sale!!!!!!

the MACFair is FINALLY over!!! and for a first craft fair, i have to admit that i was pleasantly surprised and did much better than i thought i would have! three days of selling my wares and talking up my craft... and i'm still alive! someone asked me to write about what i learned, so here it is!!!

1. juried shows ROCK! - the MACFair was a juried show, which meant that they chose the vendors who were at the show. you know how at some shows there are tons of resellers and the handmade goodness gets overlooked? well, that DIDN'T happen here. and it was amazing to see all the talent - not to mention the full time artisans - on display. even though there was an entry fee, it was worth it! (more on that in a bit)

2. prepare, prepare, prepare! - i have to admit that i was at a little bit of a disadvantage here, with all my "prep time" being swallowed up by my first trimester all day morning sickness. i was a little freaked that i didn't have enough energy to make all the things that i wanted to make, but i tried to get some work done in the precious moments that i didn't feel sick. thank goodness that the week before the show, my energy levels lifted... but i still didn't feel like i had adequate stock.

3. displays don't have to be expensive... but it does help to have a plan! - see the rant above about my morning sickness. however, i had talked my display ideas out with the husband and my cousin, and had a general idea about what i wanted to do, and the feeling i wanted to create with my display. i basically used twigs, river stones, floral foam and little metal pails to create "trees" for my necklaces; a fabric shower curtain in a neutral tone to cover the table, wooden and velvet trays for rings, pine cones and seashells for bracelets, and a small moses basket for my sock monkeys. the picture here probably gives you a better idea of what i did:

it was very simple, very inexpensive, and i got countless compliments! however, i do admit that some of the more experienced vendors DID have fantastic displays - self-contained with lights and shelving... i have to admit that i felt like i was out of my league at the beginning and it was a little disheartening. however, this display was perfect for the space i had (a 3" x 6" table) and it was easy for me to assemble and dismantle. because the show was in the Museum of Art, the lighting was already almost perfect.

4. you will need things that you didn't think that you would! - ETSY has some threads in its forums outlining lists of essential items that you will need at a show. i took the advice in those threads, and am adding some of my items here too.

- scotch & duct tape (we taped the shower curtain to the table to reduce the risk of slippage - something i didn't think of until we were set up)

- paper towels (we didn't use any until the very last day, as we were pulling things apart but it sure helped with an accidental spill!!)

- lots and lots of business cards! i actually will look into printing bookmarks or MOO cards because it would have been worth it. i gave out about 75 - 100 cards over the three days and would have liked something a little more "professional" looking

- a little bowl of candy. a nice touch, draws people in and keeps their kids occupied as they browse!

- good signs and tags - i used dollar store plastic frames to hold up my signs, and perfect little tags (thank you, Paula!!!!!!!) to put the prices on my items. (people STILL asked though, so be prepared!) i also kept some extra tags on hand for items that i made while i was at the show

- little snacks and plenty of liquids! 'nuff said!

- several pens (for people who write cheques as well as for your receipts and doodling) and a permanent marker (for signs etc.)

- for you jewelry makers - little clear bags to put the items in, along with some sort of bag or envelope to put that little bag in

- a mirror - you'd be amazed how many people want to try on your stuff and see what it looks like! i put in a small mirror as an afterthought... and i am so glad that i did!

- change! - i took $100 in loonies and toonies and miscellaneous coinage... and while i barely dipped into it, i was happy knowing it was there!

- a craft apron! - i got mine from Yoopers (http://yoopers.etsy.com/) and it was indispensible! she made mine with a little zippered pocket in the front for money, and other little pockets, in which i put my price tags, pens, receipt book and lip gloss. although i had ordered it earlier in the summer once i found out i was accepted into the show, it still fit perfectly around my pregnant belly!!!!!!! one of the other vendors laughed and asked if i was putting on my "money belt"... well, i was never without a pen or paper, i can tell ya! (and yes, there did end up being money in there - so THERE!)

- lip balm/gloss - it was dry in the venue i was in - plus i was getting a little chapped from all the talking! i was definitely thankful!

- plastic bag(s) - for garbage and in case someone buys a lot of stuff

- layers, as in a sweater - the locale we were in was kind of cool (for non-pregnant people!) and the sweater and scarf i brought was quite useful at times!

5. someone dependable to help you - i had brought the husband to help set up (and then he went to sit in the car - craft shows aren't too great for guys unless they themselves are the crafter). but he did come and sit with me so i could have a little bit of a break and some company during the slower times. we also had a wonderful organizer (thank you, Jude!) who would watch your booth while you dashed off to the bathroom or to grab something quick to eat/drink.

6. a strong backbone, your courage, and confidence in your craft! - 'Nuff said. People will have positive things to say about you and your work... and will also have snide comments to make as well. just be confident and have pride in what you do!!!

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The MAC Fair, and my New Year's Resolution... The 10th New Handmade Crafting Technique

so, i'm thinking that this baby (pardon the pun, LOL) counts as my 10th new crafting project for the year... our first baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! the ultimate in handmade!

i'm about 14 weeks or so, and this is our first ultrasound. i've been feeling quite under the weather and have been sleeping so much that i've been neglecting my shop, my jewelry, and the blog! i am hoping that some of my energy will be back soon, because we will be in our first craft fair early in November!

McMaster University, my alma mater, had a call for submissions to their juried craft show... and muffintopdesigns was one they picked! this is my first show, so i've been worrying about what it's going to be like... but like everything else, i'm jumping in with two feet and hoping for the best! let's hope that i sell at least ONE item!!!!!

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