Lasso The Moon

Setting Up Your Etsy Shop

I am teaching a how-to tonight at my church about setting up an shop on etsy.  I've just passed the fifth anniversary of the shop this year, and over the years I've picked up a few tips and tricks that might be of value.  I'm really looking forward to sharing what I know, and while most of my blog readers don't live in the Dallas area, I thought some of you might be interested in my lecture notes.

So tonight, after the meeting, I'll post a pdf of my notes below for all to share. **update! you can download here: Download Notes for teaching** It won't have everything, and it might not be super-organized, but still it might be helpful to you as you are opening your first etsy shop. So check back here tonight!  Or if you go to my church, maybe I'll see you there!

And meanwhile, check out this fun feature on the etsy Upcylers blog.  And pick up a discount code for ROPE while you're there!

 

Another post about the project bags? The last one, I promise!

I know I've said a few things about these project bags in recent months.  To be honest, they have all but taken over my home!

And after this one little thing, I think I'll be able to keep my mouth shut about it for a while.  But I just cannot help but share this. 

It turns out, the Spud & Chloe project bags were a little more popular than I had expected.

This little yellow plaid bag is my one thousandth Spud & Chloe project bag.  What!?  I'm amazed, and honored, and proud, and excited. (And tired!)

Just thought I'd share that little tidbit before they get shipped off to their new homes. 

In which I show you the finished hamsters and dream about having an apprentice

It has been a busy week!

Filling orders and sewing hamsters and, you know, all the stuff you're actually supposed to do as a stay-at-homer. (Donnie came home to a clean house more than twice this week.  Amen.)

Now that this busy week is over, it's on to the next one. 

I need an assistant.  Or an apprentice!  Do any of you know how to go about getting an apprentice?  Some one who would be willing to do some behind-the-scenes tasks in exchange for some behind-the-scenes training...I like this idea. 

How cute is this box stuffed with little woolly faces! 

This is the stack that I took to the post office yesterday. 

While carrying Esther. 

With Ethan in tow. 

That seems like something an apprentice would be able to help with, too.  Ah, daydreams.

Wait, who is this? Looks like somebody got left behind. I couldn't talk about hamsters all week, and then ship them all off without giving you a chance to get one for yourself!  Now we have a whole selection of fuzzy friends in the shop, waiting for you to take one home.

Find them here.

 

A Note from "Aunt" Anna

Hello, friends! 

Thanks so much for the sweet words about Ethan's video tutorial!  He loves to hear how much everyone likes it.  I think there will be lots more videos coming your way in the near future.

Remember last month when I introduced you to Spud and Chloe?  I mentioned that we were working on a little project together, but I couldn't tell the details until the spring catalog went public.  Well, it's out, and now I get to share the story!  Here's what happened:

Sometime early in the fall, the nice folks over at Blue Sky Alpacas (that's S&C's parent company) happened upon my humble little shop on etsy.  They noticed the green bags I had in the shop and liked the funky, nostalgic quality of the vintage fabrics I'd used in them.

So, they contacted me to ask if I'd be interested in doing a line of project bags for Spud and Chloe.  Interested?  YES!  The timing was a little tricky, since the deadline would be right in the middle of holiday festivities, but I could not pass up such an exciting opportunity.  It's all just such a perfect fit.  Everything the company does matches my own sensibilities perfectly--a match made in Heaven, I think.

Well, onto the bags!  The project bags are made from my vintage fabric, and the drawstring is yarn from Spud and Chloe.  They are 10x12 inches, the perfect size for toting around a small knitting project.  And as if that were not more than enough fun, we had special tags printed that say that each of the bags was handmade by Spud and Chloe's "Aunt" Anna.  That's me!

The Spring catalog came out a couple weeks ago, and the back cover looks something like this:

(click to see it bigger)

I just can't believe how it all came together.  I feel honored and blessed...and a little weird, to be quite honest!  I feel like the opportunity is a gift from Above, even though I don't feel like I did anything to deserve such a gift.  But then, a true gift isn't something you deserve at all...is it.

 

Spud and Chloe

I just have to cut in here and share this company that I just found.

Spud and Chloe makes gorgeous luxury yarns in fun, fresh colors that are perfect for that next special knitting project.  They also have a line of adorable knitting patterns.  I'm making the Flap Happy Hat for a special someone for Christmas.

So, why am I so excited about discovering this darling company?  Well, I've just joined up with them to work on a collaborative project for their spring line.  The opportunity came as quite a surprise, and I am so excited to get the chance to work with them.  Every phone call, email, and note I've had from their team has been pleasant and friendly. 

So, what are we working on?  Well, you'll just have to wait and find out.  But it will be in their spring catalog that prints at the beginning of 2012.  Stay tuned!

 

VrooooMMmmm

 

No time to chat!  I'm too busy making stuff to stock the shop for the holidays.  These felted sweater cars for girls and boys are now in the shop.  Hurry.  They go fast.

lassothemoon.etsy.com

Greenbag Giveaway!

**edit!** Extending the giveaway to Wednesday 8/31.  Get those comments in!  And don't forget to leave another one if you follow twitter, facbook, or subscribe to my feed.**

Green bags are a product I started making about a year ago--right before I went to the Dallas Flea handmade market.  They were so popular at the show,  I knew they would do well in the shops, too. 

Now I want to spread a little green bag joy to my loyal readers, who may not have had a chance to try them out yet.

 
These little bags are made from reclaimed sheets and other vintage fabrics.  They are lightweight, versatile, and pretty cute, too.

The finished size is about 5x7 inches, and the drawstring is 100% cotton. 

 

Would you like a chance to win a set of twelve?  It's pretty easy.  All you have to do is leave a comment telling me how you would use them if you won.

You can have one entry per person just for giving me your idea.  Want another chance?  I'll give my facebook fans, twitter followers, and blog subscribers a bonus try--just leave an extra comment for each. (Even if you just joined today!)

I'll close comments and pick the winner (random drawing) on MONDAY, so hurry up and get thinking.  And come back Tuesday to see who the lucky winner is.  Have fun!

Anna

Paper Work

I love graphic design.  I am a sucker for good packaging and a clever ad campaign.  I've played around with it a little here and there, but I'm leaving the design careers to the real artists.

I did have a little time last week to whip up some design-y paper products for ROPE, though.

I have been hand writing my packing slips for a long time, so these will come in handy.

And earlier this year I started sending special discount codes in all of my packages--good for an entire season.  So if you buy some fabric, look for one of these if your package:

Thank You

I am humbled.  When I decided to donate some money to Davis' adoption fund last week, I hoped that maybe maybe I'd be able to squeeze out 50 bucks from the week's sales.  But with the help of customers who chose to shop during our fundraiser, we were able to raise the 50 PLUS another $20.35!

I don't always share the details of our family's giving, but when I ask for the help of readers and customers, I like to show that the money went where I said it was going.  So here it is!

It says, "Thanks Anna" but it should say thank you to all of you.  Thanks for coming by the shop, and thanks for helping make a difference in this family's life.  It is truly an honor when He lets us see some of His work, isn't it!

And we were just a tiny bit of the efforts.  The Jupin family has raised over $6000 from donations, and I can't wait to see that number climb higher and higher.  Remember, until little Davis is home with his new family, 5% of sales will go to this project.  So, thank you in advance for that!

Oh, and that melty-bead heart with the initials in it up there?  That was the souvenir my husband brought me from camp last week. LOVE him!

 

Keeping Busy

The weather in our part of Texas is absolutely stifling.  With temperatures continually hovering over 100 degrees, the babies and I are trying to do as much inside the house as possible.  This weekend we went on a short thrift-store tour (that's what I call it when you go from store to store without a break...) and we could hardly get from the car to the store without breaking a sweat!

But while we were there, I picked up a "few" things to keep me busy indoors this week.  Behold:

There are over 35 modern and vintage prints here.  They have been washed and folded, and in the next few days they'll be measured, cut, folded, stacked, bundled, photographed, uploaded, and listed in the shop.   See something you like? 

Here's another shot, just for scale.

Better get to work!  See you back here next time.

Anna