Designs in the Works

After the next week or so, things should finally be settling down... I'll be done with all big orders and personal gift sets, the meetings at work will stop for a while, and I will be done with my next batch of exams at school. I can't wait! Once things settle down, I can catch up on my backlog of personal and family projects, get some reading in, and start designing new products.

I really enjoyed making the special order cocoon, and they go by rather quickly, so I am planning on designing a few and putting them in my shop as ready-to-order items. The list of ideas is a mile long, but the ones I really want to see come alive are The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Batman, Chicago Cubs uniform, pea pod, and flower. The last two I need to hash out a bit more, but if they work out the way I imagine them I think you will be quite pleased. Of course there are plenty of cocoons out there, and I would be more than happy to make any kind by request, but I am aiming for something a little more unique to start with and get my name out there.

I also want to expand my footwear selections. It's starting to get warmer in my neck of the woods, but I have a few different boot ideas that I think would be adorable once worked up.I also want to play around with loafers and full sandals.If you have any other footwear selections, please send them my way (either via comments, email, or etsy convo). I want to provide the items you are looking for n_n

On top of that, there is the list of items in my New & Upcoming section that I want to finish as well. I really am excited to get those going, create some new items, and provide all of you with new ready-to-order options.

My Spoilee's Studio Ghibli Swap

Well, now that my box has been received I can share all the fun details online. My assigned person (winddreamer88) listed Howl's Moving Castle as one of her favorite movies, and Calcifer and Turnip Head were listed as some of her favorite characters (from all the movies), so I decided to go with that for my theme.

Howl provided me with some yarn in the colors of his crow form, so that he would be remembered. He also used his magic to make it extra special and pretty.

Ever practical Sophie sent some socks. She did follow Howl's lead and made them in colors that would be reminiscent of her (her blue dress with white buttons, and her hair that is the color of starlight).

Sophie also sent along a notions box adorned with one of her favorite memories of Howl & Calcifer (when they met). Inside she tucked in some needles to work up Howl's yarn with and some stitch markers in the image of her companions (Sophie's Hat, Turnip Head, ad Calcifer).
...hey how did he get in there?! Looks like a Soot Sprite tagged along for the ride (he doubles as a tape measure n_n)

Of course Calcifer had to send something. Even though he and Howl aren't tied to each other anymore, he didn't want to leave, so he sent along a cuddly version of himself. (Don't worry--this Calcifer won't steal your heart...I think!)

Turnip Head...er, the Prince...did not want to be forgotten either. He sent along a pint glass with his enchanted form etched into it.

And of course Markl could not allow himself to be forgotten. He sent along some Koala Yummies (appealing to winddreamer88's love of chocolate without being too scary adventurous in the arena of Japanese snacks), and a variety of teas.

Another of winddreamer88's favorite movies is Kiki's Delivery Service. This is also one of my favorite movies, and since she did not own a copy yet, I had to include it.

We then made sure to wrap it up all nice and fun n_n

Update & Some Tutorials

I am working away on two orders. The fairy gift set unfortunately is not ready to ship out for Saturday delivery--I try to accommodate all requests but sometimes my real job gets in the way. This order also had the deadline upped 2 months, it will go out this weekend however. Luckily the client understands. My cocoon also got pushed up--originally deadline was March 29 (for an early-mid April due date), but last Friday she went on bed rest and said they were predicting an early delivery so I guaranteed it would get shipped by this weekend. Yesterday I found out she had her baby Tuesday, so I am knitting away like mad today to get her cocoon out this evening or tomorrow morning.

I've also been trying to organize my files and paperwork--making it easier to run my shop from anywhere. In doing so I ran across a few tutorials I made up for some knit & crochet classes I ran at my work as part of our Wellness Committee's health week (our coordinator thought they would be a great option for stress relief). I borrowed the steps and images from a few sites, but I made sure to include their information on the handouts. Please check them out! They have many more helpful videos and illustrated steps that you will find beneficial. I still visit these sites when I have questions or am trying to explain something.

Knitting 101: Scarf/Washcloth
Learn the basics of knitting: cast-on, knit stitch, purl stitch, cast off
Learn two stitch patterns: garter stitch, ribbing
Illustrated steps from Knit Simple Mag
Video links from Knitting Help

Knitting 101: Simple Hat
Learn the basics of knitting: cast-on, knit stitch, purl stitch
Learn some advanced steps: decreases, seaming, pom-poms
Learn three stitch patterns: garter stitch, stockinette stitch, ribbing
Illustrated steps from Knit Simple Mag
Video links from Knitting Help

Crochet 101: Granny Squares
Learn the basics of crochet: chain, slip stitch, double-crochet stitch
Learn how to work in the round and join pieces together
Illustrated steps from Knit Simple Mag
Video links from Crochet Hooks You

These tutorials will also be posted in my Freebies section, which you can find a tab for up top.
The Patterns & Tutorials section I am reserving for purchaseable items.

International Shipping for Handmade by Caitlin

Well I have finally made progress and have done the basic footwork of getting international shipping prices. Currently it is all in the form of a giant list/spreadsheet with prices by region and packaging type.

Etsy gives me 3 ways to choose non-US shipping profiles: by individual country, by EU/non-EU region, or everywhere else. Unfortunately there are 4 regions I would need to set up for international shipping profiles which etsy doesn't allow, or I do each country which would be ridiculous. So to make things easier, I just ask that if you are not from the US please send me a convo (on the item you want preferably, but if you want multiple items or send a general convo that is fine too). I will reply to you within 24 hours with a quote and if you approve I will update the listing(s) with an "Everywhere Else" shipping price.

If you want a general idea of what your shipping could cost, I have no problem sharing my pdf with you. It is broken down by location, packaging type, and weight. There are some examples of what would fit into each packaging type, although I don't have weights for individual items so that part is not as helpful to you at the moment. I am going to start keeping a list of weights and eventually post an update to help with this. For reference though, 2 pairs of booties (which I usually ship stuffed) packed in a box with some additional tissue paper weighed in at 8oz.

My basic price list can be found here, which may help you decide if it is worth it to you, but upon contacting me you will get an exact shipping price.

I like to check up on my customer base so I know some of you are not from the US, but are favoriting my items. Granted I know this could just be for inspiration or ideas (I certainly do that), but in the event it is an item you want but thought you could not purchase due to lack of international shipping I want you to know that these items are definitely available to you :)

Networking and other things..

Well I am trying to get my shop out there in the massive world that is the internet. While I make enough to merit continuing with the shop, it's not enough to pay for advertising through etsy and other sources. I've decided to try and expand my social media footprint instead, and I hope between that and word of mouth my business will grow!

Twitter
I have a twitter account. My username is @caitinc.

I am not very good at Twitter. This account is both my personal and shop account. Now I've done some research (yes...I get nerdy about weird things) and it says not to blast my feed with self-promotion, so I think the mix is ok. I just have a tendency to go in spurts of one or the other, so I should probably work on that.

Follow me though for shop updates, sneak peaks at current projects (for my shop as well as not), links to web comics, and whatever other random things I feel like sharing.

Facebook
I actually have two Facebook pages...my personal page (which I do link to on my sidebar, but I only accept friends of people I actually know...I've been the victim of too many hacking attempts to just accept random strangers), and my shop page which I am sharing with you here.

Like my page for shop updates, blog updates, and sneak peeks at current orders! I've been a little quite on the Facebook front professionally, but that's because I've been crafting away like crazy. If you like my shop and my work, please share my page with your friends! I do ship internationally (but I need to quote you on a price, so its not listed) so everyone is welcome.

Google+
I have both personal and shop pages on Google+ as well. I will be honest with you--I don't use these too often (I am trying to change that though). I started my personal page because I had friends who wanted to use it, but they've all sort of stopped. However, I know there are some people who are die-hard Google+ fans and I want to reach you. Please leave a comment to let me know you are there and I will be more diligent about my updates :)

Other Sites...
There are a few other places you can find me, should you feel up to it. These sites aren't really shop related, but most are full of craftiness.

Ravelry You do need an account to access this site--it's free, but if you don't do fiber arts it might not be your thing. I keep a log of all my non-shop fiber projects here, so if you are a fellow yarnie feel free to visit my page or friend me!

DeviantArt This is where I am supposed to post my non-fiber crafts, but I have been a bit slack in doing so. I need to update with more of my sewn projects and jewelry, as well as some of my photography. There are some shirts and claywork (mostly stitch markers) as well. I know you can do poetry and such on DeviantArt, but I reserve that for my blog (tab up top).

Flickr I used to use PhotoBucket, but that was more for personal things. Eventually I may migrate everything over to Flickr though. In the meantime you can find all of my recent crafts and products catalogued here (in-process, multiple angles, etc). I am in the process of migrating all of my Ravelry projects over as well.

GoodReads The only non-crafty social site thus far (unless you count my personal Facebook and Google+ pages). I am really bad at updating this. I make big updates in random spurts. I am trying to use it though as a way to track what I like and find similar things. Feel free to friend me, comment on a book I have read/am reading (no spoilers though! then I have to set it down for a looooong time), or suggest something new to me.

Thank-you for visiting my pages, liking them, and sharing them with friends. To my already loyal followers, thank-you for your support and for plugging me to friends and family.I appreciate everyone's support and love connecting with customers. I also really love doing this, so more incentive to keep myself knitting is always a plus :)

Here's to a successful year!

My Studio Ghibli Swap Came!

I came home late from class last night to find a big box sitting on the table waiting for me. It was my amazing Ghibli swap from fuzziekit! Let me tell you, this was a way better ending to my day than the stressful lab test I had taken just before :D

I am now a proud member of the Ghibli Critters Club. They all got together to send me some lovely goodies. There’s a little something from everyone: Totoro, the Kodamas, Calcifer, the Soot Sprites, Jiji, the Baron…even Ashitaka and San chipped in.

I got some gorgeous alpaca yarn in heathered blue and brown. I also received some supplies to feed my hexipuffing: sparkly minis (courtesy of Calcifer) and some dpns (thanks Jiji!).

Everything came packed in this wonderful Kodama bag (it’s got pockets!). There were also more knitting supplies: folding scissors, locking stitch markers, some beautiful blue beaded stitch markers, and hand lotion (so necessary! and in one of my favorite scents ever). The soot sprites may have toppled out of the bag too ;)

There were also a couple wearables for me to enjoy. Like this super cute Totoro hat! (please excuse the half-asleep caitinc modeling and poorly attempting a self portrait)

There was also a very pretty pair of fingerless mitts for me. I love the color and the pattern, plus I get to sport my tree spirit love.

I also found the directionally challenged Jiji! He is so cute, and currently curling up with my puppeh.

And of course, the noms…which the soot sprites managed to save for me. And a beautiful pair of chopsticks.

And a group shot, just for good measure:

I can’t wait to curl up in my hat and mitts and start knitting with all my new yarn and stitch markers :)

ETA: I also received the pattern for Hansi Singh’s Jackalope (rav link), so now I can make my own companion for my grand adventures!

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I suppose this means I should get my butt moving on my box. I did get an extension but my mail date is looming before me. Work just keeps getting in the way--I was moving along at a nice pace and them BOOM! I'm office hopping, sitting on conference calls, doing a bunch of extra accounting (I'm a receptionist btw)...and all just as soon as I start my big item. ::sigh:: I wish today was a snow day from work just so I could knit uninterrupted. I've got 3 orders to get done too!