The Happiest of Mail

One of my favourite parts of crafting is sourcing out and buying new supplies! Ok - so I actually really enjoy pretty much every aspect of the crafting process but buying things means I get to go shopping and (in most cases) get mail when I order online!  Sometimes I luck out and can find what I'm looking for locally but in most cases I end up on the wild world of the internet looking for unique and high quality parts I can use to create wonderful things! I've been especially busy loading up on supplies to prep for the summer and fall craft show season and since I order from all over the world (ok, mostly the states) I need to plan quite a bit ahead since shipping and customs can hold up my parcel by a good 4 to 6 weeks. Oh my! Time for me to plan ahead and invest a little money so I can make some money later on.

One parcel I am particularly pleased about getting is this baby! Any guesses on the contents? 

If you guessed pinback button machine making parts then you are right my friend! I finally (after years of searching) found a great button parts supplier and loaded up on three snazzy new products including:

1) 2.25" bottle opener/keychain backings! 
2) 1" zipper pull/keychain backings!!
and
3) retractable ID badge holders (that are just asking to be personalized with 1" buttons on the front!)!!!

How fun! I also got some more 1" regular button making parts since my stash was getting low too. Can you tell how excited I am? Looks like my homemade illustrated buttons are expanding from just pinbacks, magnets, and mirrors into all new and exciting territory! Now I just need to decide which of my drawings will be most sought after in which form and then find time to get making! Any thoughts? What anthropomorphic pal would you want on a bottle opener/zipper pull/ID holder? 

Studio Ghibli Pinback Buttons

The illustrated goodness continues with some of my most favourite Studio Ghibli characters in pinback button form! Take a peek at Calcifer, Totoro, and Soot Sprites:

I seem to have done quite a few Totoro and Soot Sprite themed crafts here on the blog including these pendants (link), some felt brooches (link), and pom pom sprites (link) - but this is my first time trying anything with Calicfer and he was so fun to draw! I've also come to the realization that Howl's Moving Castle is by far my favourite Ghibli film after I did a Miyazaki marathon and had some direct comparison of their wonderful creative cuteness! Yay!  During my week long marathon I came up with all the anthropomorphic goodies for my BFF button sets (link), so once I finished up with those it seemed natural to draw out my favourite characters from the movies I was watching.  Hooray! If you want to get your hands on this trio they're already up for sale in my etsy shop (link) and if you're not a button fan I can make them into magnets or mirrors too! Oh my!

So who is your favourite Studio Ghibli character? Do you have a favourite movie? Do you have no idea what I'm talking about and totally don't get this post? Oh dear! I hope not...

BFFs

I usually have quite a few product ideas floating around my head, and for years I've been thinking of making a whole bunch of best friend button sets. Well I took the plunge and after a few weeks of concentrated effort (yes - it is quite the long process) they are here! Check out these perfect pairings:

Hooray! I'm super excited for how they turned out and even made some slightly mathematical card packaging for them! As with most of the projects I went a smidge overboard once I got started and ended up with 16 different sets! Ok...if you look closely two of those sets are remarkably similar but once I made bacon and eggs I felt a bacon and bacon set was in order because what goes better with bacon then more bacon? Apparently food items are my favourite pairs making up 56% of the sets, followed by some semi scientific sets like the pollination pals, symbiotic anemone and clown fish, and (my faves) the base pairs! Here are everyones favourite DNA building blocks in their fully packaged glory:

And hey - if you're like Mindy Kaling and "best friend" is more of a tier than a person you can get both base pair sets and share them with three of your geeky pals! Yay!

All of these darling new sets are already up for sale in my etsy shop (link) and just begging to be bought and loved! What are your thoughts? Which set suits your and your BFF the best? Any favourites? 

DIY packaging

Figuring out packaging for my products is one of my favourite things about selling crafts! It lets me stretch my creativity muscles a bit and leaves me with some fancy semi-professional looking geeky products perfect for retail! I've had a few people ask me about how I make my packaging and even though it isn't the most complicated process I thought I'd share how I do it! So lets go - do it yourself packaging!:


Supplies required:

- small resealable storage bags
- cardstock
- stapler
- ruler
- scissors
- computer (with some sort of design program) and printer
- pen


Most crafty people have the majority of these supplies on hand, and if not you can pick them up at a craft supply store. Since I'm all about the deals, I get my recycled cardstock from Michael's (where it is usually on sale or with a 40% off coupon) and my ziplock baggies from the dollar store. Most dollar stores with craft sections tend to have bags in a few sizes (in fact Micheal's even sells them), but I'm particularly fond of the ones they sell at Dollarama:


Time to whip out the ruler and measure how large you'd like your card topper to be:


I like to cut a scrap piece of paper and place it on the bag to make sure the sizing looks right:


Now it's time to get creating! I like to make a file that is the same size as the cards I want to make (in this case 5.5cm x 8cm). I then use some scanned drawings I've done (ciliated bacillus and speech bubble) to put on the front and write out my etsy shop url on the back. Next I copy and paste the card designs so I can print a bunch out on a piece of paper:


Time to print that baby out!


Tada! I use photoshop for my file editing (which I've learned with the help of Fraser and a whole bunch of trial and error) but any photo program would work. In fact, from about 1995 - 2005, I solely used MS Paint for all my image editing needs and it works like a charm (and is on most computers and isn't overly complicated). Heck! You could even just make the boxes in a word processing program and use clip art! Still not your style? You could always cut out images and text to make a collage that you could photocopy to make seamless cards! If all else fails, grab a pen and get drawing. There are loads of options for card design depending on your skill level! Just be creative!

Once you've got your cards printed out, cut them to size so they're ready to staple! I like to add a little extra handmade touch to my packaging by hand writing labels depicting which designs are in the pin pack. Bring out the sharpie pens! Those things are awesome:


Almost done! Time to fill the baggies with the lovely handcrafted goodies you've made, line up your newly designed card, and get stapling:


Hooray! Take a step back and admire your work! You're done!


Yipee! I use the same process for all my packaging where I measure the size of the cards I'd like to make, cut up a test one to make sure the parameters work, and then create files to print out on the computer! For example, for my pocket mirrors I use wider cards to fit the larger ziplock bags I use:


I try to match each handsewn felt pinking sheared case with the colours in the mirror design I'm packaging and then use two staples to attach the card:


As easy as that! Hopefully this tutorial was helpful to any of you curious about creating your own packaging and if you have any questions for me I'd be happy to answer them for you! What do you think? What do you look for in craft packaging?

Update!

Hooray! At long last I finally got around to listing some of my previously unavailable illustrated goods in my Etsy shop! I've been sitting on these yarn themed gems since the end of the summer and am so pleased to get them photographed and posted. Buttons are truly one of the hardest things I've ever tried to take pictures of, and with the limited natural light of winters in rainy Victoria it only makes things extra challenging. Luckily Fraser was kind enough to make me my own light box and with a little lamp rearranging in our living room (and photoshop) I've got images for them:


What do you think? The pins actually look much nicer (and crisper) in real life but it is so hard to get the right balance with their super shiny surfaces. I am quite pleased with how they turned out in the long run - and I even listed my new knitting and crochet cat themed pocket mirrors too. I went with pictures of me holding the mirrors for their front image in the shop since they seemed to turn out the best and have that added "handmade" quality since you get a glimpse of the hands that made them:


Ahaha. That crochet MC Hammer mirror is totally my favourite (even though I haven't managed to sell any yet). I also took the opportunity to take some pics of my deluxe scientist magnet set I designed quite a while ago:


Yup, you can really show off your science geekiness now with the extended set of magnets (that now include new additions Rosalind Franklin and Sir Isaac Newton). Yay! But we're not finished there - I also snapped shots of my veggie pins too! Hooray for productivity and etsy listings!


Yipee! I feel so accomplished for listing so many new items in the shop and even though it ate up my entire Saturday (yes, it was that time consuming) I think it was worth it. Now to wait and see if any of them sell! What do you think? Which is your favourite of my newly listed designs?

Christmas!

Happy Christmas everyone! Hopefully jolly ol' St. Nick was good to you last night and while I am busy sharing in the holiday festivities with the family (well...most of the family since my sis couldn't make it...) I finally get to share something with all of you! While Fraser was hanging out with his brothers I sneakily made a present for him and am so thrilled with the results! Take a peek:


What's this? Felt, hand stitching, pinking shears, and a hint of yeti? My favs all combined to make Fraser a special stocking:


I originally wanted to embroider one of Fraser's favourite animals on there, but quickly realized that Fraser really only likes orange animals (which would look terrible on the red felt). With the xmas deadline ticking I decided to whip out the 2.25" button maker and make a "big yeti with little friends" button trio to help finish it off! Throw in some matching light blue letters and we've got ourselves one personalized surprise! Take a look at the stocking next to our little xmas tree to see it's full festive glory:


Oh man, I've been dying to share this with you for a good 10 days now and am pleased I didn't manage to spill the beans. Hopefully Fraser likes it as much as I do! How is your xmas going?

luxurious mushrooms

I'm always stoked to see people enjoy my buttons, and am extra thrilled that Kaylah of the Dainty Squid is enjoying her mushroom buttons I sent her! She even put them in a cute little blog post about things that make her smile, and boy do they ever look luxurious on red fabric:


Aren't they dear? I really love getting a glimpse of how other people photograph pinback buttons and hopefully in the new year I'll get a chance to play around with my camera and lighting to take some new shots for my etsy shop. Until then I will just keep enjoying all the lovely comments I get from lovely buyers that makes craft selling oh so wonderful! Thanks everyone!

My third yarn-y set of buttons revealed!

We've made it to day three of showing you my new button designs so today I'm revealing my third and final button set for Caroline's new yarn shop this fall. What do yarn lovers, crafters, and pretty much everyone on the internet have in common you may wonder? Why a love for kitties! No? You disagree - just check out these yarn playing cuties:


Ahaha. Fraser and Jim thought I was doing a comic story about a kitty playing (and then killing but still playing with) his yarn ball, but I think the variety of colour and kitty types makes for a much more pleasing button set. I do have a soft spot for that dead yarn ball though - cat's are crazy about playing with dead things don't you think? Well maybe one day they will cure cat allergies and Fraser and I will be able to get our own yarn lovin' kitten...but for now these buttons will have to do.

Oh! And just because this is my final button set, this is not the end of the yarn themed illustrations! Stay tuned for my two special "just for pocket mirror" designs I'll show you tomorrow! OoO! So exciting! What do you think of my yarn ball kitties?

Let the yarn-y desings continue!

The week continues to truck along and I am here to continue revealing my new yarn themed illustrations! What's next for the three pinback button cuteness? How about my most favourite wool producing mammals - a sheep, a cashmere goat, and an alpaca!


Aren't they sweet? The sheep is pretty much just an illustrated version of my sheep brooch I made for a Mad Scientists of Etsy challenge a few months back. The other two I have been experimenting with in my sketchbook and am pretty happy with what came out! I especially like the little fluff of fur on the goat's beard and alpaca's head. Aww! Have you ever gone to a fall fair? Aren't you happy these ungulate friends don't smell at all like the llama and alpaca barn does? If you haven't had the pleasure of smelling hot humid confined spaces with loads of animals - trust me, you're not missing out on much.

So what do you think? Who's your favourite wool producing animal? Have you seen that book on crafting with cat fur? (this post reminded me of that...it is so weird). Any guesses on what my third and final yarn themed button set is that I'll reveal tomorrow? No? Guess you'll have to wait and see...

A yarn ball friend hello!

Another week has gone by and boy have I been busy! Not only am I amidst preparing for my move in a few weeks (eep, that soon?) but I've also been a busy little bee working on my new illustrations for Caroline's yarn shop! Last week I showed you my first completed design (the red waving hello yarn ball) and I figured this week I could show you the rest of the gang! As you may know, I sell my button and magnets in sets of three so let's greet red yarn ball's other crafty friends, blue snip and needle ball and purple knitting ball:


Oh don't they make a great trio!? I really like the light and dark contrast for the yarn texture and (of course) the muted jewel tones! Let's not forget those wide set eye smiles too! So much fun! Not into knitting? Not to worry - you can get the yarn ball cuties as a crochet themed set instead:


Hooray! Pinback button fun for all yarn crafters! So what do you think? Which is your favourite? Would you rather get a knit set of a crochet one? Just wait until you see the other two button sets I've come up with! OooO I'm excited!

And since it's Monday, let's not forget this weeks winner of my "thanks for reading and commenting on my blog" giveaway! This week is Gillian from Craftzilla! Give me a shout and I'll send your celebratory badge in the mail! Yay! One more week to go with the freebies so keep on being awesome and reading and maybe you will be the lucky winner next week! Happy Monday! Anyone want to come over and help me pack?

A very yarn-y hello to you!

Why hello Monday! A new week has begun (well...unless you count Sunday as the first day of the week...but that seems odd to me...) and I finally have something new to share with you! After a wonderful early bday celebration of a yoga workshop, yummy lunch, and amazing pressies with Lindsay yesterday, I had a productive evening of drawing, photoshopping, and Beatles singing! As I mentioned a few days back, I've been working on new yarn themed illustrated goods for my crafty friend Caroline's new wool shop she's opening up this September and I am just loving how they are turning out. Take a peek at my first finished design:


Hello little red yarn ball! Nice to see you! I've got three new button sets in the works and two new "specifically for pocket mirrors" designs that I've painstakingly hand drawn, scanned, and am in the process of colouring and touching up on the computer. If I find some extra time one of these days, I'd love to share with you my creative process for making buttons from start to finish, but with a busy month of appointments, packing, turning 27 (ack), and moving (double ack) that may need to wait until the fall. In the meantime I'd love to know what you think about my yarn ball salutation drawing! The background colour may change once the other button designs are completed, but I am enjoying the pink and red yarn combo. What do you think?

Oh and let's not forget to announce this week's winner of my "thanks for being awesome and reading and commenting on my blog" mini giveaway! Congrats to long time reader Amanda of Ulixis Crafts who will receive one of my pins in the mail as soon as she sends me her address! Woo hoo! Only a few more weeks of celebratory pins left to give out so keep being amazing and reading and maybe you will be rewarded too! Hooray!

Slowly Updating...

I've been telling myself to do an overhaul on my etsy shop but am struggling to get around to it. Life just seems to get busier and busier and my to do lists grow exponentially! Ack! I really want to redo the pictures on my listings since they are a little stale and I really think a fresh look would do wonders for them! In fact, the other day I watched an hour long etsy success photography workshop video and it inspired me to get snappy (haha...terrible pun) on my image updates! Hooray! I thought I'd start small and redo one image I've never been pleased with. Behold - the before:


Ick! All I really wanted to convey in this picture is that I package all my pinback buttons and magnets in little folded cards with a ciliated bacillus saying your own custom message (or "enjoy" if you don't specify). It did the job, but I could never really manage to get the colour just right and since I've switched over to all recycled card stock now it is best to update it right? Well...behold - the after:


Ah! So much better! It is no longer an over-saturated mess and instead is a nice clean shot of the packaging! I also showed how I wrap the button cards in tissue paper and throw in one of my mini moo bookmark/gift tags too! I also thought I'd try to show a little bit of me in there since 1) the workshop video recommended it, 2) I do painstakingly hand package each purchase with love and care, and 3) it reinforces the whole "handmade" quality of my illustrated products! OoO! Much more appealing don't you think?

Oh! Before I forget I'd love to show you one more updated listing I've added - a bulk button buying bargain (yes, that is quite the alliteration):


Now you get the fun option to save a few dollars when you get multiple button sets! Hooray!

Why, Hello Newton and Franklin!

After many weeks of being sold out of way too many button/magnet sets I'm finally stocked back up! And boy oh boy, do I ever have buttons now - take a look:


This is officially the largest batch of buttons I've managed so far and I'm hoping they last me a little longer this time (or at least manage to keep me stocked up for my craft show in march)! This time I even managed to add some new friends to the button crew as well. I've had quite a few emails asking me to remake my set of five famous scientist finger puppets and although I highly doubt I will find enough time to take those on (they are ultra time consuming) I decided to turn my trio of scientists magnets into a quintet! Let me introduce you to sir isaac newton and rosalind franklin:


Hooray! These were some of my quickest buttons to design too - although I did have the puppets to base them off of so I guess that explains their speediness a bit. My original scientist set (including curie, einstein, and darwin) have been stirring up some attention with their appearance in treasuries, blog posts, and on etsy's facebook page/twitter feed so I figured I may as well feed into their popularity! Check out the full crew:


Hehe! I'm really pleased with how they turned out! I'm planning on offering the scientists as a set of five magnets (or button upon request) just as soon as I figure out the best way to package them. Then I just need to take a few pictures and get a listing up (easier said than done - believe me)! I did have some fun getting images of them for this post though - especially because they look so cute holding hands:


Aww - what good little scientists they are! What do you think? Who's your favourite scientist?

Friday Find: scientific culture at fabulous finds!

Yup - the big day is finally here! My first large scale two day craft show starts tonight and ready or not I'll be there! And I figured since all I've done is prepare for this show for the last month I will have this week's find as me! and my wares for my craft show! Let's take a peek at my line up:

1) pinback buttons and magnets - my etsy shop staple, lots to chose from, loads in stock


2) coffee sleeves - showing off my mad embroidery skills and your love for hot caffeinated drinks!


3) plush microbes - because everyone wants chlamydia for xmas this year...


4) fabric rings - bright, cheery, and a low price point for the thrifty shopper


5) button clutch - giving you even more reason to stock up on buttons!


6) felt flower brooches - one item I have never actually managed to sell at any craft show...we'll see how they do this time...


7) pocket mirrors - my best seller from my summer of bizarre bazaars is back in full force for the stocking stuffer crowd!


8) art/postcard sets - fun to frame or post!


9) mini moo bookmarks - a big hit with the kiddos and a nice freebie for large orders!


10) mustache on a stick - silly, amusing, and a perfect way for the facial hair impaired to celebrate movember


11) stickers - everyone loves stickers!


12) felt earrings - loads to chose from + positive fan feedback = good seller?


13) tea cozies - my higher price item! Tons of work but super fun! Way to keep those tea pots warm guys!


and....*drumroll please*...

14) little pouches and clutches!!! made from the highest quality suitings salmon arm has to offer these babies have been on the back burner of my mind for far too long. I love the cotton lace detail (almost doily-esque?) and great textures. Oh, and most definitely the reason for my sleep deprivation (hence the sad awful lighting 1am picture). I promise they are cute in real life!


Yay! I've loaded up my totes and am on my way for the show! We're open 4 -9 pm tonight if you're around. Heck mention this blog post and I'll even throw in something extra for you! Wish me luck!