Handmade Spotlight - Cuddle Up!

When my alarm went off this morning, I did NOT want to get out of bed. I just wanted to curl up and go back to sleep. Unfortunately, duty called and I couldn't do that, but it did inspire me to make this treasury.

'Cuddle Up' by ewenmeprintables

I would love to cuddle up under one of these afghans. Don't they look cozy?

Traditional Granny Afgh... lulaveggie $55.00	Colorful Afghan Blanket AtelierAfra $150.00	Vintage Crochet Pattern... toknittowoo $3.00
CROCHET HANDMADE BABY /... JayDeeCreation... $59.99	New Crochcet Granny Squ... Gmaladybug6 $35.00	Crocheted Squares Baby ... murandabarker $90.00
Couch Blanket sakkennedy $35.00	Crochet Blanket Winchestergems $40.00	Crochet Ruby Red Hearts... BeadedBundles $1.95
Baby Blocks ForeverFavorit... $40.00	Granny Square Baby Blan... allthingsgrann... $40.00	Granny Square baby afgh... misslulubell $25.00
Newborn Afghan Blanket MicciDESIGNSkn... $8.75	Pink Granny Afghan/Blan... OohAahBaby $50.00	Pink Eyelet Afghan juliannadw $40.00

Generated using Treasury HTML code generator by Whale Shark Websites. 

Tuesday Tutorial - Winter Accessories

The way this year has flown by it probably won't be long before winter arrives.   I thought I would share some cold weather tutorials today.

You have plenty of time to get some of these items made before then.   And they would also make great Christmas gifts.

These are classic leg warmers that are back in style again.   Tutorial to knit these is on Fave Crafts.

I love these fingerless gloves.   I wear them a lot in the winter.

Crochet pattern instructions at Crochet Spot.

How about some cute animal hats for babies.  Instructions to make these is at Serendipity Crochet.

And we can't forget scarfs. Here is a beginner knitting pattern from Dana Must Knit.

Hope you enjoy making some of these fall/winter accessories.
Bette
www.byyourhands.com

Organizing Your Work Space

Whether you work in an office building, a home office or a small corner of your home, it's important to keep your work area organized. Today I am sharing some ideas on how to do that.

First, we have the Top 10 Ways to Organize and Streamline Your Workspace form lifehacker.com. They've shown us some great images and shared their tips, including this one that tells us how to use a camera to help find the clutter spots.

Next I found this article at thestir.cafemom.com about Organizing Your Office for Under $50 at the Dollar Store. We all know about the great little things you can find at a dollar store.

Thinking Through Your Needs is another great article I found on our topic and they have a lot of great points to consider. You can find a lot of other organizing ideas on their website too, organizing.yourway.net

Making too many organizing mistakes? This article at ultimateofficeblog.com will help you solve them.

 
Hopefully these ideas will help you get on your way to being more organized in the office. After all, there's work to be done... right?

Thanks for joining us today!
Deena Davis
www.byyourhands.blogspot.com

Selling Online --- Selling From Your Own Website

Our final installment of selling online is about selling from your own website.

A personal website is going to take a lot more work than having a shop on places like Etsy or Artfire.      For the most part you will be responsible for promoting and advertising your website as well as all the other things such as, photography, customer service and site maintenance.

I think the first thing you should decide is if you have the money, time and enough inventory to maintain a full website.

A basic full website with a reliable hosting service can start at $15 - 20 a month in hosting fees.   You most likely will have to purchase backgrounds and graphics for your website.

Also, you want to be sure you can keep the site well stocked and will be able to maintain it and promote it during the lean start-up months. A website that is fully stocked with products and continued new listings will be a place your customers will want to return to, time and time again.

There are several types of websites out there.   Your first consideration should be how much, if any, knowledge you have about setting up a website. Some websites are relatively easy to work with and require little or no html skills and others can require some knowledge of html or css.

Here is a list of various types of websites I have compiled..

www.ecrater.com    ----You can get a very basic free shop here. No graphics are required.  It is pretty easy to add your products.     The most important thing to know about this type of website is promotion is imperative if you expect to make any money.   Unlimited products allowed.

www.ezshoppes.com ----These are a step up from the free shop.   Hosting fee is $39.99 a year.   No graphics required but you can use your own.    Very easy to set your products up.    But here too, it is very important to promote your shop yourself.    You are limited to 20 products at a time in your shop.   There is also a 60 product plan.

www.diyestores.com ----- I consider these one of the best do it yourself websites.   You can have unlimited products and there are some of the best website features incorporated into the websites.    You will need your own graphics and your own business domain.   Hosting fees are $20 a month or pay by the year and get two months free.

www.inapicklewebdesign.com ----This is another do it yourself website with the added feature of being able to offer instant downloads of digital products.    This is especially useful for the pattern  or graphic designer.   You will need your own graphics and your own business domain.   Hosting fees start at $20 a month.

There are MANY other  website builders out there, so take your time and do your research to find what you think is best for you. If you find a website that works the way you'd like your future website to work, don't be afraid to email the owner and ask who their host is and how they like it. The worst answer you could get would be no answer at all.

Some things to think about:
Have a good product,  the more original the better.
If you sell handmade products,  make sure they are well made.
Keep your prices competitive yet profitable.
Be consistent with reliable customer service.
If you sell in several places,  be consistent with your branding so that you are instantly recognizable wherever you are selling.

Having your own website can give you lots of freedom on how you offer items. It does take time but is always very rewarding.

Handmade Sampler Giveaway -- Primitive Handcarved Crow Stamp DONE

Welcome to another Handmade Sampler Giveaway.    Today's giveaway is sponsored by Kristal Norton of Rags-n-Tags.

Rags-n-Tags offers original primitives and patterns by artist Kristal
Norton; as well as a few hard to find supplies such as mica flakes,
german glass glitter, and walnut ink. But, Kristal's latest adventure
in crafting is hand carved stamps. These stamps are a great way to add
a personal touch to all your crafts since they are hand carved, not
reproduced by machine. The thick linoleum that is used provides a
great surface for stamping and can be manipulated around many surfaces
since it doesn't need to be mounted. So they're cute, compact, one of
a kind, and versatile!

This giveaway is a Primitive Crow Stamp hand carved just for you! The
image measures about 2" wide, and 1" tall.

You can earn up to three entries by doing the following...

1. Visit Kristal's website,   http://www.rags-n-tags.com  and come back here and post a comment with your favorite item on her website. Be sure and leave your email address so we can contact you if you win.

2. Earn one extra entry by becoming a follower of this blog. Already a follower? Just let us know so we can give you credit.

3. Earn an extra entry by posting this giveaway on your blog along with a link to this blog. Be sure and let us know you have done this.

The giveaway will start today, Saturday, Sept. 18.   The last day to enter will be Oct. 7, 2010 and the winner will be announced on Oct. 8, 2010.    We will announce it here and contact you by the email address you have left.

Have fun and good luck!

Would you like to sponsor a giveaway?  Are you interested in promoting your store or blog.   If so, just email us. 

We would be happy to send you the details. byyourhandsblog@gmail.com