for those who sew soft toys- a craft swap question

[meridian]

was wondering if I could tempt any of you talented ladies with my wares for a small commisioned plushie? I'm utterly abysmal at sewing though i have stacks of paintings, and a rapidly expanding pile of semi-precious gemstone bracelets.

here is a quick sketch of what I would like. Its a pug dog.. for my mom, its her birthday next month and I thought she would like something a little diffrent.

anyway my pug plushie design

pug

you can e-mail me at
meridianariel @ hotmail . com

thank you

meridian

I'm sure TillyBoo could make you one

I could have a go if you'd like, if no one else has already offered?

ginger- no one else has offered yet ... It dosen't have to look exactly like my drawing its only an idea, but like I said I can't sew for beans.

then I'd love to do it for you. What kind of size? Actually, I'll email you - that'd be easier, wouldn't it?

lol yes it would..

Hi Meridian, sorry I have been out swimming this morning so I have only just seen your post.

I would have been happy to make you a pug but I'm too late. Katy's pug will be fab though.

If you want anything else just let me know.
Anything that is except a Shar Pei ...

Katy/Meridian - pls post some piccies when pug is finished x

tilly- if I have need of anything else I will let you know. thank you... my parents have 5 pugs... 8 dogs all together, its a bit like beign in a pack.. so far ds has managed not to go feral on out visits.

TB - I will, I've been doodling today and poking about in the cupboard for fabric ideas.....it's very excitng and nervewracking at the same time
Meridian - need to email you, but in the meantime - anything except pastels (you have free rein, enjoy it!)

GM - You'll be fine, I'm sure whatever you come up with will be fun & fab !

Can't wait to see some pics.

I received some gorgeous fabric in the post today so can't wait to get cracking on it.

I have added more items to my Etsy shop but because I'm a newbie, any tips for encouraging visitors and sales ?

I need to re-do my banner so hopefully I'll get time tomorrow

Thanks TB, that's realy kind!
It's been really slow for me on etsy lately, I suppose after christmas etc etc. I think your shop looks lovely.
One tip though (if you haven't done it already), in tags put UK, then when you put a UK search in for things yours will come up too.
I bought an I-Spy quilt which is cot bed size, completely custom made - I asked for particular colours and plenty of monkeys and dinosaurs, and it was only $25. It's beautiful too (haven't got it in the flesh yet, but the pics look great, have a look in her sold items here). When people charge so little for things that must take quite a while and quite a bit of work I do wonder how we can possibly compete - obviously the way exchange rates are means we can buy for pennies, but selling for pennies isn't quite as appealing!
I think it's a case of sitting and waiting, updating your shop every now and again, and just hoping for the best - that's what I'm doing anyway . Good luck though - I really do love your things, and they are perfect for baby shower/new baby presents so don't give up!!!!!

gm- I've just ordered some new gemstone beads to be delivered in the next few days so will most likly make you something from them.. depending on if my dh has killed me or not for spending when i shoulden't though i did return something to the credit card that was an x-mas present so i guess tecnically this order is just an extra bit of a x-mas present return.. I believe me anyway...

I believe you too!
I'm going to play around with the pug shape today and let you know how I get on later on.....wish me luck!

gm-- i went to post on here earlier but the server crapped out on me. hope it went well... my bead order has been processed and is in the mail so maybe tommrow i'll have some new toys to play with

GM ... Wishing you luck with the Pug, but you won't need it. Can't wait to see the finished article.

You're absolutely right about Etsy. I can't imagine selling to anyone in the US because of the exchange rate.

I got accepted onto Notonthehighstreet just before Xmas but decided not to go with them for the time being. You have to pay a members fee plus something like 20% of each sale so I thought I'd have a crack on my own first.

I've got a website planned and will advertise locally. I am not out to make mega bucks, it'll be nice to earn a bit of pocket money and keep me occupied when my dd is at school full time.

Plus, I love creating. I don't think I could go back to working for anyone else. Certainly not in an office environment anyway.

thanks RR , I made another llama for my friend's son in the US (he's almost 13, a little old for softies, I think, but he was over the moon with it, he wanted a llama because I'd made horses for his little sister and 2 cousins...so he felt left out)

Meridian - my email is playing up, must be the weather , so I haven't been able to email you all day. After playing around with fabrics Pug has now got a linen body (the cord was too thick and he didn't come out round enough without looking weird), black cord face/the dark bit on his face and ears...he's quite small, so will nice and light to post to the US. Even DS (at 2 yrs) saw him and said 'woof' so he must look like a dog . I am out all day tomorrow, but friday will be able to finish him off so he'll be ready at the weekend. I like him a lot, he isn't like anything I've ever made before because I tried to follow your sketch and a photo of a pug I found on google with a very cute face.
Dh has just made me a cup of tea and it tastes of washing up liquid - yuk. I need another drink, it's horrible!!!!

TB - I'm with you on not going to work in an office, I think as long as I pay for my hobby with what I sell I'm happy. After all, it's the enjoying it that counts, isn't it? I've got a couple of orders to do, and then I have 3 wholesale orders to consider. I think I'll do just one though, I don't want to be too busy that I don't enjoy myself.

gm- can't wait to see what the pug looks like.. if i had thought about I could have serched dh's comp for some pictures of my parents pack of pugs...

its the thought that counts with the tea.. i'm lucky we have an espresso machine and dh makes me lattes.. with lavazza coffee the best coffee in my opinion.