Like strawberries and cream

I remember one of the fabric shops on ebay.uk where I bought some of the first designer fabrics, back to 2005. It still exists and have such a yummy name- Like strawberries and cream . That cute name influenced me a lot when it came to choose the name of my very own ebay shop-which doesn't exist anymore, of course, but it existed on ebay.it (italian ebay) for a few months in the early 2006.



Of course, I kept that name for my boutique label and for my blog and for my website (that is crying to be revamped and it is among my must do's for this year) and I really like it;)
Here can be found wider explanation of what it meant to me regarding my creations for kids.



So, last week, after trying to make some order in my closet full with some crafty goodies, I have found a bag full of plastic fruits, leaves etc and thought to use them for some hair clips . They are beautiful and can be such a cute detail for some party hair styles. Of course the name "like strawberries and cream" was the guideline and inspiration to do these hair lovelies and I can't wait to create some more of these yummy hair accents:)



And here are some more past items inspired by the strawberries(or cherries, yum) and cream









Wishing you sweet, like strawberries and cream weekend,
Katarina

♥♥♥♥♥ETSY♥♥♥♥♥

I ♥ ETSY .
Not only that it is the world's most vibrant handmade marketplace and the place to buy and sell all the things handmade, but it is such a nice and friendly community, offering you a chance to meet many wonderful people, artist, buyers, journalists.....



I have 2 shops over there, and you can see them on the side bar in my blog. I have joined etsy in 2008. after selling my handmade items: accessories and clothes on ebay for more than 2 years, as we had a major strike organized over there and many sellers, due to the increased ebay fees for selling items, passed from ebay to etsy.




I have started selling mainly hair clips for girls (just like I started on Ebay), but due to the high postage and export duties that my country has (so never could be competitive regarding the postages within US), I never thought that I could make my shop being profitable(I was mainly or loosing money or selling things for nothing, regarding the hair clips) or noticeable by others, being emerged in the sea of the most beautiful handmade items, and some very similar to those I create. But time was passing and I was slowly learning about some tips and features on etsy and how to bring some attention to my items. So, the first and most important thing is the photography of the item, or how it is presented. It is something that attracts attention and make an item being desirable by the potential buyer, or eventually by some blogs and magazines, wanting to feature that item and in that way to promote it better.



After finally opening Iwannabe etsy shop and started selling some plexi ornaments , I begun thinking about listing more on etsy, so I have tried to create some more plexiglass items, as I see this material very inspiring and versatile for many designing ideas. So at the moment, I am working on creating a mobile with my ornaments and some clocks. So hopefully, will have them in the shop next week already:)
Also, those doily ornaments, brought me my first international journal feature, when they were featured in the Country Living magazine in theirs Holiday Dec/Jan. issue. I was contacted for this feature through the etsy and they suggested me finding someone in the US to carry my ornaments as I will have more sales. So I did, and my doily ornaments were produced directly in the USA and are shipping to some US clients and I have some great plans with them, but will see what happens.
I have also opened the third etsy shop where I will soon be selling some of my prints, photos and similar surface items:)



What I wanted to say is that if you have some nice ideas - handmade products, you should try etsy. There are some tips and links beside having the nice photo of your product and I will share them here as I got some convos from some people living near me, so this can be useful(I almost all of it learned from my friend Zorica of 3FUN ...THANK you Zoe!!!)
1. when listing an item, there are 14 tags-use them all, it will help your product being more visible for different search options
2. make TREASURY list or TREASURY WEST list and here is a link on how to create them
3. poster sketch
this link is the poster sketch - you can create your list of favourite items within it, arranging the items easily and than use to at the moment of getting your treasury list
4. links to see treasury lists: both those featured on the FP (Front page)and current treasury lists made by other etsy members
vault
craftopolis
5. promoving your etsy shop on facebook


Have a great weekend
♫♪ ♫♪ ♥♥♥ ♫♪ ♫♪
Katarina

Alice in Wonderland...coming soon:)

Can't wait to see this film , but before that can't wait to create some couture stuff for our upcoming launch, celebrating this awesome story and characters.



At this very moment of writing this post, my item was featured on the etsy's Front page. Thank you Rafya !!!

xo, Katarina

New bags

I have finished today 2 new bags, made mainly with Anna maria Horner's Drawing Room fabric.



I bought those metal kiss lock frames on etsy about a year ago and finally find the way to use them. I didn't use any particular pattern, except following some steps and advices from U-handbag blog. And so, now I have a new bag:)And the other bag I gave to my granny and she loved it.




I must say that doing the frame bags is not hard, but the glue I used upon advices(Gutermann textile glue) has very intensive smell, so I wouldn't suggest doing this indoor. Also, I have made a mistake when inserting those pipping details, as it was a bit of trouble when gathering the lining with the main side of the bags. But, doing things without complications and challenges is just not my style...but I have learned so much from this, and looking forward on trying more styles, hopefully soon;)



xo, Katarina

Cup full of clippies

I had so much fun the other day, taking pics of my mulberry pins , available in my etsy shop





I found them very vintage, delicate and romantic, but sweet and fun at the same time. Perfect for bridal hair styles, but as well just for each day, if feeling like adding a bit of flowers in your hair.



I have them in a few colours and as they are coming on cute cards, they would make a great gift.





Enjoy the weekend, Katarina

The beginning

After a week of festivities, here I found myself...at the beginning.
2010 sounds a bit surreal to me and both, frightened and happy I'm looking forward to meet new challenges, goals and activities;)))



I have some great plans in the pocket regarding my ornaments , my clothing line and also some other designs, and I hope that at least one part of this will see the light in this New Year.



The pics above are some of those 2010 new designs. The dictionary bird is a sample of my upcoming designs regarding the 2010 ornaments. You can find some of them in my IwannaBE etsy store and I have even realized my idea of the US production of 5 of my DOILY ornaments shapes , so: deer, bambi, bird, rabbit and seahorse are ready to ship from MD, from my friend, Shawnta as she is helping me with this and I am so grateful to her for all the help. Thank you so much sweetie!!!
I have also managed to list some new scarfs over there and will list some more soon too;)







A new dress designs will be listed in my other Flowersnbutterflies etsy shop today and I am working on some new clippies too;)



The great new thing is that some of my creations can now be found locally(and so very near to my house which is just great:) at the Supermarket Concept store and I am so pleased that I can finally refer many convos I received in the past about the availability of my designs locally, to that fantastic place;) It is a melange of fashion and sneakers, books and flowers, food and drinks, cosmetics and gadgets, even spa-services, everything branded and exclusive. I am so happy and honoured to be included:)))It is one of those places that you must visit if coming to Belgrade and it is highly recommended by many international travel operators and magazines.



And for the end, some of the pics of the New Year's lights, fireworks and Christmas tree.




Best,
Katarina