August Gift Swap

I participated in another Etsy Texas Crafters gift swap.  This month the theme was red.  I made my partner 5 crocheted roses and decorated a vase to put them in.  Here's how it turned out!

I got the idea for the vase from Heaven Baked Sweets from her post here.

The roses were super fun to make and I hope to make more soon for other items.

New Etsy Banner

I just made my new etsy banner, let me know what you think!

You can view the larger version here: ZandDArt

Some Etsy Rambling

I've been a member on Etsy for over a year now and think it is one of the coolest sites ever!  I listed a few items starting back in January/February and have been trying to learn more about the handmade market the online market.  So far I feel like I've learned a lot but still have a ways to go.  I've been working on a lot of new items lately and hope to revamp my shop throughout September and start listing all the things I've been working on.

I would love some advice though...

What's the best way to promote?
How did you turn your hobby into a working business?
Any tips or tricks?

Thanks and I hope to have lots to post in the coming weeks about my etsy shop!

Crochet Class

It's been awhile since I've blogged, lots of new stuff coming soon! 

I enrolled in a crocheting class at the community college here and the first class was last night.  I had a blast!  It's a very relaxed class so we get to work on whatever we want, there are only 3 other people so it makes it even easier.  Since I knew the basics I decided to get some help on a crochet rose I've been trying to make.  It was a success!

I was so proud of myself, I was able to make this without any mistakes or having to start over!  I'm making a bouquet of these for a gift swap I'm participating in so I made another one earlier today.  I don't know what I did different but it looks closer to a rose I think (and more like the pattern hahaha).  Either way, I'm super excited about my roses and can't wait to finish them all!

Here's the one I made this morning in a brighter shade of red.

Wordless Wednesday

What I've been working on Wednesday

This weeks project was an Autumn themed record bowl. I'm really proud of this since I handpainted all the leaves on and let's just say I'm not much of a painter.  I think this piece turned out really well and would be a great fall decoration.  I plan on listing this in my etsy shop later on.

My plan is to make a themed bowl for each season.  I would love some feedback! 

Could you see something like this in your home?

Would you like to see more items like this?

Please let me know!  Thanks!

-Danielle

Since this post is about Autumn I have joined a fall gift exchange, check it out!  It sounds like a ton of fun!

Fun-filled weekend, and new crocheted items!

I've been meaning to make a post for a few days and am finally getting around to it, unfortunately that means I have tons of stuff I want to say and post!

First off-great weekend with the fiance!  We went to Houston, TX for the Distant Worlds concert.  It was a concert put on by the Houston Symphony Orchestra and Choir and was orchestrated versions of music from the Final Fantasy video games.  My fiance has been obsessed with these games for forever and we both loooove music (especially orchestra music) so we were soooo excited that this was going to be in Houston!  We had so much fun and the music was amazing! 

Earlier this week I participated in a gift swap throught the Texas etsy team and had a blast!  I had so much fun making the toys for my partners cat and dog.

Archimedes gifts were amazing, he got a handmade pillow bed and a cute matching catnip toy.  He seems to like both a lot!  These were made by Tricia over at Handmade Whimzy.

After working on swap items and enjoying some wonderful music I've been working on my weekly project and some new items for my etsy shop.  I'm going to make a separate post for those later on.

Thanks for reading!

-Danielle