Hippy Pockets

So I'll admit it... it's hard to manage my cellphone credit card/cash and keys. These are the things I constantly look for in my pockets, home and purse. I want it ready and available when I need it. So having this "HIPPY POCKET" is perfect for me. I carry it everywhere so that I can keep track of my important things.

This Hippy Pocket features:

- 2 hook clasps to attach to your belt loops
- velcro closure for easy and secure access
- large pocket to fit your cellphone/credit cards/cash and keys.

It's perfect. You'll love it.

Protect your handmade creations

Attorney:
Jeff Weaver
Dunlap, Grubb, Weaver
http://www.lawyers.com/Virginia/Leesburg/Jeffrey-W-Weaver-829406-a.html
http://www.dglegal.com/

The attorney I met with really made me think about how important it is to be prepared and protect our products and designs.  A few things that I considered my visit:

1. Copyright each of my patterns/instructional guides
2. Protect it or Loose it: don't deny yourself of the right to protect your design
3. Time Stamps:  You have 2 yrs to sue from the time that you realize someone infringed; you may begin to protect your copyright from the date of application; you may begin to sue after you receive your registration.
4. Get your docs: Cease and Desist; Demand Letter; Terms of Use
5. Licensing: this one is the big one.  I think this is something that needs much more research but many deals can be cut from licensing alone.  With both Terms of Use and Licensing that's how iTunes and Downloads can become multimillion dollar businesses.

That's my quick summary!  :) got alot of work to do today :)

A Look at 2011

I am so happy to look back at this past year and see that I've made leaps and bounds of growth with CraftyStitches.  Here's a quick overview of all we've been through...

April - 1st feature ad on The Knot Washington, DC

May  - Perfect Bridesmaids Jewelry 1st feature banner on Martha Stewart Wedding

June - 1st try at Heartsy; Jewelry rolls featured in wedding blogs in Australia

July -  hire a part time assistant sewer

August - launched DIY Kits

September  - 1st wedding blog feature ad

October - HelloEtsy with Smithsonian Event.  Shop Feature at Shop Happens

 November - Business Plan Win

December - Whew!

GREAT X-MAS GIFTS BY CRAFTYSTITCHES

With our favorite holiday around the corner let's now forget about the great custom gifts by CraftyStitches you can purchase for anyone in your family or friends circle. What is better then a gift that was put thought into, Craftystitches can help you personalize any gift to meet your holiday needs. Right now many of us have either been super organized and purchased most of your Christmas gifts or have waited to the last minute. Don't sweat it your not the only one! We are all busy bodies and it is hard for us moms to try to get as much shopping done as possible. Not to mention with or work schedules and the many things we have to do on our laundry list, Christmas shopping has been at the bottom of our list.

CraftyStitches understands that is why our deadline to order any of our custom handmade designs is December 15th! Order by December 15th and get our gift list by Christmas Eve. Squeeze your orders in so you can get your items delivered to you sooner!

Have questions? Let's chat! Email me and I will respond right away! Have a wonderful holiday season!

LIPGLOSSFIEND REVIEW & BLOG FEATURE

Crafty Stitches Custom Portfolio and Wristlet

LipGlossFiend is a great website to check out and read about different product reviews. You might find some items that you are interested in purchasing. The blogger is avid about using the products herself and keeping her followers informed.

The blogger purchased a customer portfolio and wrislet from me, which she absolutely loved! To read more and see photos of what she bought CLICK HERE!

Destination Inspirations Blog Feature

CraftyStitches was featured at Destination Inspirations by the founder and editor Jess. Destination Inspirations is a wedding blog dedicated to everything destination wedding.

It’s an Etsy day! and Etsy seller Crafty Stitches makes some of the most adorable fabric jewelry holders, wallets and totes. They are the perfect gifts for bridesmaids or moms. To read more click here...

HANDMADE DIY IS A VIABLE & SCALABLE BUSINESS

CraftyStitches did it! Handmade DIY is a viable and scalable business - not just your little hobby anymore!

Let me breathe for second. It's all happening so fast! I can't believe I won...

CraftyStitches just won 1st Place in the Scalable Business Plan Award! Yes, we are going places! Lookout -Handmade DIY is a viable and scalable business - not just your little hobby.

I have to say that the moment really took off when I did my first Heartsy Deal and sold over 600 pieces of product in 2 days! Yep. That was the day I quit my full time job and decided to push forward with my business. I stopped playing around. It's now a real livelihood. From then on CraftyStitches is now with 2 part-time assistants and 1 full time. J It's incredible! I couldn't have done it without Heartsy!

My advice is to take it seriously! Take every sale seriously and make it count! Customer Service and deliver everything you've got. Yes it's a discount, but you also just increased the awareness of your shop Exponentially.

I wrote my business plan based on all the ideas I've been storing away for years and really thought about the cost and analytics behind building a business and not a hobby. I wrote with passion, I wrote with conviction, I wrote with love for handmade, I wrote from the heart! That's at the heart of handmade LOVE, PASSION and ART. I also love business and understand that my love for quilted accessories would not continue if I didn't make any money to support these wonderful ideas. Love what you make, believei n what you make. Live up to the mistakes - boy did I make a lot of those too. When I did, I offered a refund and my customers came back. They supported the DIY Handmade movement because they believe in it.

Our customers today are different. Our customers are just like us - those who love our handmade work believe in a handmade human economy. They appreciate you. So go and promote your items and what you love to do.

I too hope you will continue your love for handmade goods and continue the DIY handmade movement through Heartsy and Etsy. It's how I believe will create a different kind of economy. We are the next generation of GLOBALIZED HANDMADE. Keep shopping handmade and supporting the handmade human economy.

Visit my website for our DIY CraftyKitsTM and handmade quilted accessories. SEW SEW SEW... keep stitching us together.

Check out how my 15 min pitch with my scribbles.