1000 Etsy Sales!

I'm very excited to have reached my 'by Christmas' goal of 1000 sales in my Etsy shop at the weekend! I can't quite believe it. I remember waiting months for those first few sales when I first opened my shop, so to have reached four figures would have seemed impossible back then. Thanks to every Storeyshop customer for supporting Storeyshop and handmade. I am enjoying it more than ever. Now for the next 1000!

For those of you who didn't know, I now have a shop on UK-based Folksy too. That one's a little way off the 1000 sales mark though (!) but it's nice to offer UK customers the choice to pay in GBP and I like the small scale feel of Folksy.

Well, I have been meaning to do a little cut-out or illustration to celebrate the big 1000 sales but I have been really busy with DIY all weekend (the bathroom is done and the kitchen is started -photos soon!) and custom orders all day today so that will have to wait for now. I am booked to freelance on a magazine over in Newcastle for the rest of this week too so may be a bit quiet in blogland and on Twitter but I'll be back soon!

My 1000th Storeyshop card order was for a new baby (yay)...


To celebrate this milestone and inspired by my recent personalised monkey order, I am pleased to offer one free felt initial or number sewn on to any Storeyshop monkey purchased between now and Christmas (normally $10 extra). Just order the monkey of your choice from the selection available in my Etsy shop and add which initial or letter you would like added in the 'note to seller' box.

I Want Wednesday

I have a dilemma. To iPhone or not to iPhone? Everyone I ask (including all my new Twitter friends) say to iPhone. Everyone. Oh, except one person who thinks they are too much money and they are really, especially with Christmas and a wedding coming up but they are just so nice. I have been resisting quite well up until now but I am getting more and more tempted...

Anyway, I have been looking at gadget-related handmade goodies for my 'Wednesday Want' this week and have stumbled upon the lovely Vintage Coquette on Etsy where you can buy the cutest ever iPhone cases. I think this find may have solved it: To iPhone!







Better get some dinner on so we can nip off to Newcastle in time to see 'Fantastic Mr Fox' at the cinema! Might even be able to squeeze in a mini Christmas shopping session if we get there early enough and Dave is in a good mood...

New Storeyshop Personalised Cards

Been nice and busy with card orders over the last few days. Lots of lovely return customers which is always good and some nice messages and sales from Company readers too after seeing the feature. Thank you! I'm also up to 400 Twitter followers.. woo! After posting a few months ago about not really 'getting' Twitter I have definitely been converted. I love it now and tweet a lot. I love how quick it all moves and how you find you have things in common with people just from random tweets about favourite crisps and what you do day to day.











Pop over and follow Storeyshop on Twitter! I look forward to (sort of) meeting you and following back!

Storeyshop in Company!

My little secret from a few weeks ago and the reason for my trip to London recently... I'm in print! Not just a Storeyshop product either but little old me in swish clothes and a top hat. It is in the December 2009 issue of Company magazine and is a great feature also including a cake maker, a handmade wedding business and a knitter. There's even a mention on the cover, 'How your hobby could make you a million' (yes please). Very inspiring and I'm excited to be part of it!







The shoot was lots of fun but actually quite hard to pose without smiling or looking absolutely terrified. I'm more used to being the other side of the camera at Company shoots as I used to art direct them when I was senior designer on the magazine. I knew the kind of look (I think) that they wanted but it was easier said than done. Especially in the highest boots in the world!

I have already had some lovely messages from Company readers and some sales so all good! I better get back to my card orders. I'm on my last one for today and then better nip to the post office with the latest batch. I also have a personalised sock monkey to make, too, who needs to jet off to the U.S for a little girl's birthday!

'I Want Wednesday'

English tarts today. And other crocheted delectables including custard creams, pink wafer biscuits and Jammie Dodgers. How amazing are these handcrafted wonders by Treaclezoo? You can buy them on Etsy or Folksy and I am so going to. I have some Christmas present recipients in mind but I think they'll be one of those gifts that you buy and then can't give away!

I'm Back!

Ooh, it's been a while. My holiday was lovely and the busy week catching up with orders after being away was quite fun too.. the Christmas orders have started! Have now sorted out bridesmaid dresses (took my neices shopping while we were away) and photographer too so wedding planning is coming along.

I'm trying my hardest to be positive as I have had a rubbish day today! One of those Mondays I think. I have managed to completely muck my website up and I'm not even quite sure how! Going to be featured in a magazine in the next week or so too so bad timing as that's the web address that's going to be in the article! Grrrr. Designing husband-to-be's website now and it's going a little bit better but still not great. Think I might give up for today. Let's hope tomorrow is better!

Here are some of my latest cards...