Some updates and changes to my Etsy

If you've ever visited my Etsy shop, you may have noticed it was called the Cupcake Dolls on Etsy; well that's because I thought I'd really sell those dolls specifically on Etsy.  But, it just wasn't working out that way as I have so many other things like patterns, doll hair, and many other types of handmades.  After a couple of years of not having great sales, a good friend helped me think it through a bit and I changed my shop!  It's now called Cindyshomespun (Homespun from the Heart is taken :( but that's another story!) - you can find me here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/CindysHomespun

I am learning just so much about Etsy now too! Thank goodness for my very good friend Ree who is helping me understand circles, tagging and so much more :) Since I am talking about her, please go visit her shop too! http://www.etsy.com/shop/raggedyree  She is selling some awesome vintage finds, most of her stuff is one-of--kind so if you see it and want it, GRAB it fast.  I love going with her to a flea market, she has a great eye for stuff.

Craft show Sat. Northampton Community College

I'm home from vacation! And going right back to the 'swing' of things :) I'll be at my only Spring craft show on Sat. March10th 9am-3pm at Northampton Community College in Bethlehem, PA. You can look for directions here: www.northampton.edu

Hope to see some of you there!!

I'll post pic's soon of my fun thrifty finds :)

Vacation Notice and Craft show reminder

Just a real quick post - I am leaving for vacation on Monday - oh I am so looking forward to it. My daughter & I are driving to Hilton Head, SC to see my parents for a little more than a week. I will be resting, sleeping well, exercising, and my favorite thing - THRIFTING! there are alot of thrift shops so I may post some of my finds over the week.

Anyway, if you are looking for me, that's where I am - away. Resting! I will probably check emails a few times, but i will not process any orders until I get home on March 8th. If you want an epattern, please go to patternmart to get instant downloads. All other epatterns will be sent when I get home.

I did add a few new dolls, most will be one of a kind's since Easter is sneaking up on us April 8th! If you want to order anything, please do - it will take it out of inventory & I'll mail it when I return from vacation.

Also on March 10th, I'll be at Northampton Community College's annual spring craft show - details are on my website under Craft Shows. I hope to see some of you there!

More faces added

Been super busy getting an order out for a store, but it's all finished so I've been listing alot of spring items on my website. Here are some things just listed this morning:

A little St. Patrick's Tree topper:
And Easter one too :)
Ready to display - a chocolate bunny set with prim grass:

Grungy bunnies - 3 of them on my site and one going on Etsy!

There's lots more too, peeps, chicks, egg sets, candy canes - who is getting ready for spring?? I am :)

Just a reminder I am leaving for vacation on Sunday - I'm going to try to leave all work here. We'll see how that goes!

New Pattern - Nativity and Advent Celebration

I am so excited to share my newest pattern with you! I have been wanting to do more spiritual patterns and this is the first of many more to come. A good friend was over one night and we were talking about Advent, she completely inspired me to get this one out of my head :) We both love it and I hope you do too!

You can create it with just Mary, Joseph & Baby Jesus or add the optional manger, straw and printout about doing good deeds throughout advent for a soft bed for baby Jesus. A great tradition to start with your children or to use by yourself as a gentle reminder of the true meaning of Christmas.

The pattern is on my website, here as a download (far left column) and over on Patternmart. Enjoy! and the finished set is on my website!

Oh and I will be adding more holiday items this week to my website. I've been working a bit since the last craft show and will have last minute gifts/dolls for sale shortly.

Adding free tutorials

I get alot of questions on how to do things that are in most of my patterns; I thought I'd add some tutorials I have to my blog for you. They will be listed on the left side of my blog and each one is detailed with pictures. Some are mine and some are done by a friend or two :)

Sometimes seeing something visually helps everything 'click' into place for me, so I hope it will help you on your doll-making journey too!

Themed tree fun!

I have been meaning to post these pictures since November, but thankfully I was too busy working :) I am always thankful for that!!

In case you didn't know, I sell my work at In Grandma's Attic in Lancaster, PA. Patti, the shop owner, is very talented in setting up beautiful displays. The shop has multiple buildings and she makes the best use out of every nook and cranny. This past season, she set up themed trees - lots of my ornies and tree toppers were used! Along with other crafters handmade items, these are my favorite prim trees around.

Gingerbread tree:
Snowmen tree: (I love the sitting snowman on the chair!)

And, of course my favorite - the Annie tree! Look at all those smiley faces :)

Patti is keeping some of these up all year round so if you are in the area, be sure to stop in and visit!

I sell alot of the ornies, dolls and tree toppers on my website: www.HomespunFromTheHeart.com and if you don't see it listed email me!

January Pattern Sale

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas, safe travels if you visited and are getting back into the swing of routines again. I know we are! The holidays always seem to fly by even tho I try to sit back and relax, do things I want to do. So here it is January and I'm working on my business goals for 2011.

I am having an Epattern sale for January while I work on paperwork and setting my goals. All ePatterns are buy one, get one FREE. To order, add ONE to the shopping cart and proceed to checkout; in the comments section write the one you want for free (or email me afterwards). It's that easy! No limit - buy 2 get 2 free; buy 10 get 10 free.

This is for ePatterns only (sorry, there is a set cost for printing and mailing); if you order from Pattern Mart instant downloads, please email me your freebees. Thanks and HAPPY new year!

www.homespunfromtheheart.com - click on "Patterns"

Laundry Day at Homespun from the Heart

It was 90* outside today in Northeast PA! We had the most beautiful fall weather for weeks so I am just glad we got a heat wave instead of a snow storm ;) I am prepping for my next show (Letchworth State Park, Mt. Morris, NY) in 2 weeks so I thought I'd take advantage of the hot weather to do some "laundry".

Not mine tho!


Teeeny weeny dolly clothes that is!!! And dunked in tea stain (no clorox here). The funny part is take a closer look at the prints I was staining:

Yup, all Christmas :) And it was SO HOT out, I kept dreaming of snow to try and cool me down. But it didn't work. The clothes dried qickly tho!

So that's what I've been up to for the last few weeks, getting ready for the next show :)

Lots of new items listed

Just a quick sneak peek at what's been listed over at Homespun from the Heart! I'm still working as fast as I can to add the rest.

Full descriptions, pricing, listing info can be found at http://www.homespunfromtheheart.com/

I've also been listing a few one of a kind items on Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/CupcakeDolls

Back from Lititz!

And exhausted ~ WHEW!

I wanted to show some pictures of course :) here is the van packed and ready to leave Friday afternoon. It was SO JAMMED haha, we didn't even fit our chairs in there!

What a GREAT show we had - the weather was perfect and we had so many repeat and new customers; I think the best part for me is hearing the wonderful comments on how many people loved my dolls. How they were given as a gift, how one sits on a bench and 'smiles' to greet everyone, how much joy they bring to my customers. I think I smiled for 3 days straight just from the talk!! I really am blessed to have such wonderful customers!

Here's a couple of shots of the booth - which I didn't get to take until after 2pm! we were swamped from 6am all the way to 2pm.

I do have some left over inventory and will be adding some every day until it's all listed! I have a sweet little helper :)

Please check back often, http://www.homespunfromtheheart.com/ AND some other items in my Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/CupcakeDolls I'm listing things in both places. Thank you!

Fall E-pattern special!

Are you getting ready for your fall craft shows and/or just building inventory for your website? Well I sure am :) My biggest craft show (Lititz, PA Aug 14) is fast approaching and all I can think is YIKES I cannot sew/stuff/work fast enough!

I thought it would be a good time to offer a discount special on fall and Halloween Epatterns. My special is buy any 3 for $10 (savings of $6.50) and any 4 for $12 (savings of $10). I've set up a special product for you where you can view the patterns included in the special:

http://www.homespunfromtheheart.com/store/WsDefault.asp?One=2062


NEW pattern release, "Witch in Training" - such a fun set to create!

I also wanted to let you know I have a really fun new Halloween pattern coming out soon - I hope to have it done next week! I have been looking for 'new' this year and decided to work on something that's been in the ole sketch book for a while now.

HAPPY creating!

New pattern and kit - Santa Raggedy Ann

*NEW pattern release - Santa Raggedy Ann! She is a little cutie, about 14" when finished. I've also made a few kits for her as I know finding fabrics, etc. are getting harder lately. I've got a few accessories for sale too.

I'm working on another one but finding the time to finish has been a challenge this week :) Soon!

I posted a quick note on my website too; I know I don't have much for sale or new on the website lately and I really don't like that. But, I am working on 2 new shows and in the meantime have added a shop to my selling venues.

If you happen to see something 'sold' or would like a special doll for a gift, just contact me.

Thanks!

Celebrate National Craft Month!

March is National Craft month and I want to celebrate, so how?

I am pushing myself to create NEW and different things this year and so why not start this month? (okay, good excuse to just 'do it' :) I decided to test the waters with a few new type of products at Homespun from the Heart. If you want to know more... I will be releasing some of those the week of March 15th.

I also want my readers to work on new creative endeavors this month too! It's a great excuse to try something else, spice up the creative juices. I am having a special sale on my website but you need to be on the mailing list to get the coupon code. just hop over to my site www.homespunfromtheheart.com and sign up for the list. I'll be emailing today with a code :)

And if you are celebrating National craft month, write and let me know how?

Snowman Soup - crafting for fun

I know it's just a few days before Christmas - you may be completely done with shopping, gift giving, etc. or maybe you are looking for a last minute idea. I made these up for the moms in my Mom's Club for our holiday party last week. Snowman Soup - it's a great idea that is quick and easy to make up that is just a little extra something for teachers, friends, etc.

I put them all in a basket with a little sign - as moms, we are so busy with doing everything ALL the time, but even more so this time of year. so I asked them to take one and find 5 minutes to sit and relax in front of the Christmas tree and drink their snowman soup.

Snowman soup is something that's been around for a while and there are many poems available on the internet (just google snowman soup poem and you will find lots!). I used graphics by Cheryl of Raggedy Scrappin. Just because I like hers the best! And you use a packet of hot cocoa, a candy cane and a pack of marshmellows. So easy and fun!

Some new faces listed on my site

OK this first face is not for sale :) Teehee, but we hung her swing on the deck so I can take pic's while she's swinging away ... it takes forever to get photo's, measurements, etc. of my inventory so this is a good distraction for my little one. Like the feet up and chilling out???

I called this one... who needs a broom when you have a wagon? haha!
Ohhh I have mice coming! This is one of a few more going up this week.

A little Lily and Licorice anyone?

How about some GREEN hair?

Those are just a few of my newest faces showing on www.homespunfromtheheart.com as of today! I'll be listing more for at least another 2 weeks.

4 new patterns and new dolls too!

Just a post to let you know that I have 4 new patterns out! 3 are for the fall and one is a dolly. This one, Black Hat Society Reject was an inspiration from some of my own 'rejects' ! I had been making different pumpkins for another project for my Lititz show and I kept messing them up. So one night I was in the 'zone' and thinking what can I do with my rejects? Heehee. I had the idea! My friend Ree made the tag for me, how fun!

Witch Dress with Mouse:
Glinda the Good witch: (i'm also selling those pink brooms too!)

Lulu And her Lollipop: I've also added LOTS of new and funky doll hair to my website and at the online craft show. I'm participating in the Christmas in July show, here's my booth:

http://www.ezcraftshow.com/shoppe/?sid=HomespunFromTheHeart

You'll see some new faces there :) And free shipping within the US on orders $25 or more.

I've got more patterns planned but they will have to wait until after Aug. 9th when I get back from Lititz and catch my breath a bit.

Vacation notice

In case you didn't see the note on my website, I will be away on vacation - we're leaving today and won't be back until next Sunday. For once, Gabrielle & I are going to tag along with Mike on one of his trips for work - lucky us, this one is to VA beach! whoo hoo!


Boy, packing for myself and a little one is always such a challenge. Talk about needing lots of extra 'stuff'. I'm an over-packer to begin with so that doesn't help either. I am hoping we have good weather because I can't imagine being cooped up in the hotel all week while Mike works (and has the car!). We shall see.

Before I go, I wanted to let you know I added a couple of new dolls to my website - I hope you can take a peek! Even if you place an order while I'm on vacation... the order is still valid, I just won't get to shipping it out until we get home.

And I'm still working towards the Lititz show - I sewed up 10 more dolls on Friday to be worked on when we get home.

Have a great week everyone!

A couple of new faces

I finally have some new faces to share :) I know it's been a while, but I have been diligently working towards building my Lititz inventory.

If you don't know about that craft show - WOW! it's an amazng show here in Lancaster county, PA. Just a one-day show and I've been doing it for a couple of years, and shopping it for more years than that. There are TONS of vendors and literally something for everyone!

Well one day I looked at a calendar and realized I had 10 weeks left and less than HALF of what I had for inventory in previous years. I will never get as much done as usual but it's OK with me as long as I have alot of selection. So I set some goals for myself and have been doing a pretty good job of keeping them. I've done as many as 20 dolls in one week to put away for the craft show... along with taking care of my now-crawling baby, the house, etc. YIKES!

So I decided that I would list a few of those dolls on my website - after all, if you don't live near by and would like a new dolly, well I wanted to have something for you :) I made a little "Happy Birthday Annie" here with a little cupcake in a vintage tin:

And I love this one, I always get inspired by neat 'finds' like this Raggedy Ann and Andy at the circus book.

I had a couple of others but they sold already. I have 4 new ones just for my website that I should have ready in the next day or so :) I'll post when I do!

Epattern sale!!

I just marked my line of e-patterns to just $4 each for a special sale! There is no limit to the number you can purchase :) The only one I didn't mark down is the Pink Ribbon Dolls because I'm still fundraising for my friends for their walk on that one.

http://www.homespunfromtheheart.com/

I am working on new ideas, patterns, dolls, and hope to share some new things very soon! Only a few more weeks til the Create & Decorate magazine comes out with my design in it. I'm burning the midnight oil here to get ready :)

Hope everyone has a great day!