Baby Shower Gifts

So I decided to try a baby gift "bundle". I am making a baby crinkle toy and a stuffed monster to match as kind of a set. Good for a baby shower gift, or even for someone with a baby that's a few months old. My mom suggested that the monsters may be a bit too out there for a baby, that they are not so cute but more weird. I am working on some other ideas to make them cuter in that respect.

My kid is off this week which has made it a challenge to keep making things. I am working to include him in the design and sewing process and have him make a monster. I am slo working on a monster for a friend that has been battling cancer for a long time. So it will be nice to send her something.

Forging Ahead with Creative Endeavors

After a long productive family weekend it's time to continue creating. I've had some up and downs about where this is all going. When I decided to start up this little business again, I really thought first and foremost it was just to be creative again, to make something tangible and get off of the computer. Now that I have some inventory in the shop, some days I am disappointed that I have not sold anything. It brings me to ponder about what I really want to be doing.

I was laid off from my full-time-working-from-home job in mid-July. It was a cush gig that allowed me to be with my son more and have more time for non-worky things. Now that I no longer have this job and I am having a baby boy in February, my partner and I came to an agreement that would allow me to not have to get a job. My job was computer/web related and I haven't been doing much in that arena since the lay off. So questions come up about what I want to do now. I've never really had a career in mind, I always got jobs from word of mouth or they just kind of showed up. I feel like work is a means to allow me to do other things.

I digress. I do get satisfaction from creating these stuffed monsters, it's fun. I do think about other things I could create outside of those as well. I don't need to be selling these, so I guess if I enjoy making them and I happen to sell, cool.

So, speaking of which I added two more in the shop on Saturday. Check them out!

You Never Know What People Will Like

Last week I made a smaller monster of which I posted a photo of. After I finished it, I wasn't that excited about it. I was just kind of ho-hum about it. I posted it on the Facebook page to see what people thought. Funny enough many loved it. This is one of the things I struggle with sometimes in making these guys. "will people like this one?" "I don't like it, I doubt others will either." You just never know and I end up wanting to create so many different kinds of stuffed monsters that it can take SO much time. Maybe that's ok? I seem to have the time to create things that customize, so I might as well, because I may be appealing to an audience that I am not aware of.

I do like when people find my creations fun and want to see more, even if they are not in the market to buy. Maybe they share it with a friend who knows. I just want to make fun things for people. Adults should have stuffed buddies as much as kids I mean why not right?

Sewing Up a Storm

I have sold one monster magnet so far, but I am continuing to plug away at making the guys. I have posted a few more for sale in the shop. New items conveniently appear to the right of this page for easy access!

I've still been brainstorming about other creative fun stuff that I can add to the shop. Especially for the holiday season. Maybe plush monster ornaments? Small stuff monsters for stocking stuffers? The magnets would be a fun gift for a stocking stuffer as well.

Here are a few guys not yet added to the shop, but will soon.

More Monster Friends!

It's getting fun creating new stuffed monster friends. I went to a local fabric/craft store looking for more belt buckles. This store is really great, everything there has been donated and all of the proceeds go to the senior center in town. Fabric is $1 a pound. I walked out of there spending about $20 for things I would have paid like $50 at Joann's. Feels nice to reclaim things people don't want and create something. In the process I get to contribute to a good cause.

Next up to be added to the shop.

He needs a good name and story. Any ideas?

The Shop is Open!

Finally the stuffed monster shop is open! There are currently 10 items for sale. Now that I have some products listed I can continue creating more fun stuff.

I have been pondering some new ideas for the monsters, designs and faces. I have also been thinking about creating a "set" of sorts for a new baby or a child's birthday.

In the meantime here's a new plush monster that is ready to be stuffed!

This Etsy Business is More Work Than You Think!

I just returned from a magical vacation with my man and now have a cold! Despite all of this I am hard at work taking photos, and posting listings in the shop.

I forgot how much work it is to get this off the ground. Making sure you take good photos and process them well. The descriptions, tags and deciding if I want character story for each monster (that's a lot of work in itself!) I am hoping that by tomorrow afternoon I will have some listings available. I don't want to reopen without a variety of products!

Here are some buddies that will be available for sale.