Small Tote Big Impact

Hello It is me you are looking for....

https://www.etsy.com/shop/terryann

Hello, I am keeping my hand in... and keeping my creative juices flowing while I look for a job.... Check out the fun stuff... follow me... favorite me... pin me... tweet it... got to get the network working.  :)

My Feet ~ a story that I didn't plan to tell.

Well I didn't start out to tell a story about my feet, or even decide to take pictures of my feet and put them on my blog... however, one day I was sorting through my many photos and noticed how many, many, many photos I had of just that very thing! My feet... so here are a few photos... I seem to have taken some by accident and others by design... explanations follow each photo.






This one I was trying to photograph the tote for my online Etsy shop and well.... I didn't have a model that day so I just snapped it with my right hand....





Again my model wasn't around and my toe nail polish just happened to match the Ultrasuede! This one will be listed soon.

This was my daughters graduation day and I was beginning to get bored, I had put a top layer of sparkle~ly paint on my dark purple toes. It was so pretty and so I distractedly snapped a photo while someones name I didn't know was being called... really 3 hours to get through all the names and speeches... yawn~! pretty toes however!

Here I am trying again to take a photo of product without a model.... not a bad shot... of my feet! ☺

And at last... my favorite shot of my feet.... so far ~~~~~ ! ♥ ♥ ♥

This one I took while I waited for my daughters to get ready... we were in Disneyland, the ankle bracelet says "PRINCESS" and yes I am! Silver toes, shoes and bracelet! WOW What cute feet....
Not a single stinker! Now wasn't that fun?!

Just Sharing my Faves...

Etsy Day

• Happy Etsy Day !

Etsy Day ~ Etsy Day ~ Etsy Day ~ Etsy Day ~ TODAY!

• Hurrah!
• This one has been listed since almost the begining of Etsy, I have sold several like this but this one is going to be mine if it isn't purchased soon!
  

The Purse Tote - Oops I didn't do that on purpose !!! - Black and White Chrysantemum fabric with touch of Silver

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Or maybe it is ok........... missed it by that much. > <

Sometimes after making, creating, sewing, ironing, and otherwise being creative, you make an Oops! I have had my share of OOooops ~ es in the past and mostly I carry them myself or I take them apart and begin again. This time I decided it wasn’t that bad, and I have noticed that other Etsians have listed Oops also. In fact there was a treasury devoted to Oops a few weeks ago and they were lovely.
This is an "Ooops" because the snaps were put on off center and attached slightly to one side... This is priced slightly lower than the others because of the Ooops. If it is not sold in one cycle on etsy it will not be renewed and I will carry it. It is really a beautiful fabric. Oh! I might get another for my own collection! It is really a beautiful fabric. If this Oops is calling your name you can buy it at my shop..
Then put Oops in the search box and see what else comes up you will be surprised!

Today I am featured on TalentDataBase!

Hey all, I woke this morning to a little email from talentdatabase, telling me I am featured in their Craft section, OK ! yippee!

Brat 4th of July Sale and promotion

My Shop !

http://terryann.etsy.com/

Here is the info…. Between now and the 4th…..
¤´¨)¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)(¸.•´ (¸.•`¤~♥♥♥♥♥♥ Type the word "BRAT" in your message to the seller ♥♥♥♥And all domestic shipping will be $7. If the shipping charges are already under $7 it will be FREE. Yes FREE! I will send a paypal refund right away, after purchase.☺

The Brat Street Team of Etsy is also having a promotion and each member is deciding how to participate… here is the forum thread that explains their promotions

http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5667993

Etsy OOoops! I didn’t mean to do that!

Or maybe it is ok, missed it by that much. > <

Sometimes after making, creating, sewing, ironing, and otherwise being creative, you make an Oops! I have had my share of OOooops ~ es in the past and mostly I carry them myself or I take them apart and begin again. This time I decided it wasn’t that bad, and I have noticed that other Etsians have listed Oops also. In fact there was a treasury devoted to Oops a few weeks ago and they were lovely.

This is an "Ooops" because the interior-lining got ironed on and attached slightly wrinkled on one side... see it in the third photo. This is priced lower than the others because of the Ooops. If it is not sold in one cycle on etsy it will not be renewed and I will carry it. It is really a beautiful fabric. If this Oops is calling your name you can buy it at my shop..

Then put Oops in the search box and see what else comes up you will be surprised!

SOLD! ~ Etienne Aigner classic clutch - Aigner Burgundy Leather and Preppy - Republic of Vintage

This Sold today, to an international customer! Yippee! hurrah! I have other great items .... So Go See....
Didn't we all want one of these ultra preppy Burgundy handbags back in the early 80s? This one was mine and yes I am selling it!.....

One owner, ME! I was given this as a gift, (after heavy hinting) brand new in the early 80's. This was the Hot color of the day and Etienne Aigner, was the fashion leader of this trend. I have carried it for "occasions" over the years. There are some scratches on the brass plate and also some small ones on the leather. There are no defects that will distract from the overall beauty of this purse.





You can find it at my etsy shop where I have some other of my own vintage clothing for sale. See the Republic of Vintage section of my shop.

What should I be charging? - A study in ideas and pricing.

Merchandising and Pricing on Etsy…. My thoughts and practices…

Here goes……

Pricing is a complicated set of variables. The cost to produce, value added, perception of value, the unknown of customer need, I could go on and on... etc..The only basis for us as sellers, that we have to go on, is our cost (materials and labor) and our idea of what we could expect to get for a particular thing.

Lets just look at the range of prices for say... a car....from a few hundred dollars for an old clunker to many hundreds of thousands for a custom special. At each price point there is a car, that will serve the customer.

There is a lot of leeway for us after our cost is figured, and we decide what we want on top of that, the goal is to make extra $, not break even. For some reason, a higher price is expected to reflect a better quality item... yes...SO if we are really making better quality, with value added to the customer, shouldn't we be charging more? I have done a few "experiments" and the price that is on the higher end sells well and those at the lower end. I try to have a large range of prices to attract all the spectrum of customer needs. Those who feel they can't afford my most expensive items will still find something within their range with a little looking around in my shop...I think this is the dynamic at work... can't be sure 100%... needs more research.

☺I love Etsy!

Happy Buying and Selling on Etsy!

Military Brats of Etsy Featured Artist ~ ~ Designsviadumas !

Military Brats of Etsy
Brats Featured Artist ~ ~ Designsviadumas !

http://designsviadumas.etsy.com/

Every few weeks we are featuring one of our members. This time we have selected Designsviadumas!
(One of me at the Rossini Festival. I use shutters to display my purses.)

1-Tell us a bit about yourself (name, location, affiliations, and personal stuff).

My name is Dore Via Dumas. I am the daughter of an Air Force Lt Col and a Southern Belle mother. I have three sisters, two of whom married men who were in the military. I was born in Richmond, VA and have lived in Sacramento, Miami, Wichita Falls, TX, Aviano, Italy, and Mobile, Al, in my military life. I have also lived in Hattiesburg, MS, Gulfport, MS, Oceanside, CA, Kansas City, KS, Memphis, TN, Chattanooga, TN, Orlando, St Cloud, Fl, Ocala, Fl, Sevierville, TN and am presently in Knoxville, TN. As you can see, there’s no place like home and home is where I happen to be at the time.

My first husband was a Marine. I met my 2nd when I moved to Mobile in the 8th grade. We have been married almost 18 years. I have a son and daughter and stepson. My son (40) was in the Air Force and my daughter's (35) ex-husband was in the Army and now is in the Navy. My son, daughter-in-law and two (soon to be 3) grandchildren live in the Boston area. My daughter lives with my husband and me. My stepson (31) lives in Mobile.

I have a Master’s degree in Library and Information Science and am a Middle School Librarian. I have been teaching for 22 years. I started out as a Special Ed teacher. I love to be creative. I was a potter and raised my two children on mud money. I have been a mosaic artist for 5 years and have dabbled in almost every kind of art or craft. My husband groans when I come home with something new to try. He is very supportive and my biggest cheerleader.

2-What is the first thing you can remember making by hand? How and why did you make it?

The first thing I remember making by hand was a small ceramic vase. I made it in Bible School. My mother STILL has it! I also remember making doll clothes out of scraps leftover from clothes my mother made for the four of us.

This picture is of the outside of my display (we had the sides up because of early morning rain)

3-What inspires you? Where do your ideas come from?

I am totally inspired by color and texture. Many of my ideas come to me while I sleep. With my sewing, I am inspired by the fabrics. I never buy a piece that I can’t visualize how it should be made.

4-What are your favorite materials?

I was a potter for 30 years. I love the feel of clay. I also love the fact that I could get dirty and didn’t get in trouble. As a seamstress, my favorite fabrics are velvet and silk.

5-What have been the most valuable lessons learned from other artists on Etsy?

The most valuable lesson learned from etsy artisans is to be patient and to network. Friendships are also valuable.


6-Why should people buy handmade?

I have always been an advocate of handmade and locally made. It always irritated me that galleries would only buy from people from New York or California and not support local artists. Besides handmade is generally better quality and original, not mass produced.


7-What features/services would you most like to see on Etsy?

Basically, I am happy with etsy. It is getting so big and the competition is stiff. I don’t know what I would change.

(my sewingroom. My sewing machine, computer and work table are all within scooting distance. I just roll around the room.)

8-Apart from creating things, what do you do?

Apart from creating things I love to garden, dance, read, travel and every now and then take time out to sleep.

9-Read any good books lately?

Have I read any good books lately???? I’m a librarian :) I read books the kids read just to keep up with what they like. Sometimes I get the opportunity to read grown up books. I love mysteries. I guess my favorite authors are Amy Tan, David Baldacci, James Patterson, and Sharyn McCrumb.

10-In ten years I'd like to be…

In ten years I’d like to be retired and traveling, and, of course, creating.
(I have a wonderful cabinet that was for buttons that I use for all of my notions. I try to be organized but it is not easy.)

11-How did you pick your business name and your etsy avatar?

My business name is from my maiden and married names. Via means “by way of”, so Designs Via Dumas is a good play on words. My avatar is my dandelion challenge purse. My shop name is “PURSEnickity”. I use pink and black because research shows those colors are feminine. I designed the lady logo. I wanted her to be elegant so that customers would feel elegant with one of my purses.

12- What has being a brat at Etsy meant to you?

Being an etsy Brat has meant making new friends from all around the world…kind of like being a military brat. Only brats know and understand what it is like to be a newcomer and to try to fit in. We are more open and accepting.

Go see … Go visit her shop and come back here and share what things you like…

There is a lot to like!

Brats Rule!

Who is terryann anyway? and A few things I did last summer.

Here is a short preamble to help explain “who is terryann?”

Living here in the great northwest we have our share of rain and snow. I make my own sunshine by being creative and positive. I have been sewing for about 40 +/- years. I find it is my passion, therapy, greatest creative outlet, and a skill I have been working at for a long time. God has been good to me and blessed me as a mother and wife. I have been able to pursue my passion for sewing both professionally and for my own needs. A short list of my favorite things:
Praising God
Family
Learning new things
Japan
Sewing anything!
Art
Travel
Purses
Organization
Fashion
Doing the right thing.
ETSY!
I was born in the northeast in a military hospital mid century ~ last. We moved all over the world because my dad was in the US Navy. I finished my last 3 years of High School in Misawa Japan, that would be northern Japan, and it had a great influence upon me. There is Kawaii (cute) all over and I see it because of the way of “seeing” I learned from my Asian experiences. My dad retired in Annapolis Md. I met and married an Academy Grad and we began a new adventure around the world which included a couple of years in Japan again. I was reminded that Japan is one of many places I call the home of my heart. Scotland is another one but that is another story. Now we have retired from the military but not from travel. I go as often as I am able and my hubby has a second career that takes him on trips all around the world, sometimes I get to go too! Yippee!


I have a shop where I sell my own purse/tote/tea towel/hat/apron/patches and etc….designs. http://www.terryann.etsy.com/
Please check it out; I will do custom orders if you see something you want in some other fabric, let me know I will see what I can do for you. I had been trying to find an outlet for my crafts for years. I have sold just about everyway there is, craft fairs, consignment and ebay. Ebay was a dismal failure, every sale was for far less than the cost of my supplies and the ‘garage sale’ mentality there kept it that way. I still list things there (as Skippytada)…. Stuff from around the house, which I would sell in a garage sale, those items do well! Etsy is the first time I have been successful with my purse designs. Not that I am breaking the bank but I have been fairly consistent in sales, about two times a week. It has energized me to continue sewing and designing. That was what I needed!
My newest is a …
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=6516034
Red Tote Bag with Black Calligraphy, bright and versatile!
I am hoping to build a customer base and I must promote more to do so….. this is my stab at it today.









Summer 07

The photo at left is one I took actually while driving (I do not recomend it), however the view was fantastic. My “road trip” to CA was great and I am ready for the next big adventure that comes my way. A friend of mine was moving “home” to California, and I drove her car while she drove the moving van. We had a great trip and her family was so pleased to see her and have her near again. I am needed some of that pretty strong turkish coffee for the trip.
I cannot seem to stay still! I practically jumped at the chance to go with her; in fact it was my idea. She needed some way to get her car home and a female driving alone towing a car didn’t sound too safe or easy. I am in the northwest and it took a couple of days… but to me it is like….”ROAD TRIP” yippee! I will miss my friend an awful lot, but I know this is the right thing for her at the right time in her life. She was divorced a few years ago and stayed in the area to finish raising her kids in their ‘comfort zone’. Now it is time for her! It is time for her to do what is best for her and being around her family is the best. I really miss her!
God be with her!