Bittersweet sale...

I make and post things on etsy because I want to sell them. So I was thrilled when I saw that someone had ordered two bags the other day and happy to send them off for someone else to enjoy and use (rather then them just sitting in my stock box). Sometimes making a sale is still accompanied by this feeling of "Wow, someone really wants to buy something that I made!" But I have to admit that sometimes it's hard to send off items that I really love and put a lot of time, energy, and creativity into. It's a little bittersweet -- especially when shipping off two bags that have gotten as much love as these two.
Like pushing baby birds out of a nest or something. Hopefully it's a feeling I'll get used to. And it makes me want to get working on some new felted bags.

So, good-bye and good luck, green felted bags. Make us proud.

We're going to No-Coast!

So first off, sorry for the long hiatus. I've been distracted by pigs, pitbulls, lipstick,... oh, and the end of the world as we know it vis-a-vis the financial crisis.

But it's official: Lars and Addie are going to be a the No Coast Craft O Rama this year, December 5th (3 pm to 8 pm) and 6th (9 am to 5 pm) at the Midtown Global Market here in Minneapolis.

I'm currently working on figuring out which items that will be available there -- but my stock will definitely include many bags and a few items for the home (some of which will make great stocking stuffers) and a few new designs. I'll keep you posted here.

Even if you're not coming to No Coast to see the Lars and Addie stall, you should come to check out the one hundred vendors that are going to be there. All handmade, all the time. Hope to see you there!

I was on the front page!

.... OK, not me... but one of my bags... the little one with the raindrops.

For those of you not in the know, being on the front page of etsy is kind of a big deal. It drives traffic to your shop and increases views and sales... or at least, that's what the mythology is. In reality, based on my experience and from what other people say, it makes views of items shoot up (it also depends upon what day and what time of day your item is up there.) Many people add your shop and items to their favorites list, but it's hard to say whether it leads to any actual sales. I suppose all exposure is goood exposure. Besides, it's sort of a thrill to see your item on the front page.

This collection was chosen by one of the etsy admin people, HeyMichelle, for a storque article. For many of you, I might as well have just written, "gieoafne a;ruth 488477fna." Sorry.

And also another bag (upper right hand corner) was in a Treasury West called "Chouette" by fleurfatale:

Also, one more treasury

My small bag with cherries was featured in a treasury! Shout out to Two Left Hands for including it.

Two Treasuries

My little umbrella purse made it into two treasuries on etsy. A treasury is a list that etsy users compile based on a common theme. Maybe one of these treasuries will make it to the front page...

The first one is "Out walkin' in the rain" and the second is "Chance of rain.... 60 percent...."

Screenshots:

New etsy bag sneak preview!

I love, love, love (that's three loves, which means I'm serious) working with this green fabric. In fact, I'm contemplating keeping this bag for myself. If I decide not to, I'll be posting it on my etsy site tomorrow (or maybe later on today so that I don't change my mind back). In the meantime, here's a preview.