Etsy

I haven't blogged here in a very long time. For a while, I thought of just closing this blog down but I'm going to keep it and attempt to update it more often. I can't believe what I've done in the last few months. I was so terrified of opening up my Etsy shop but it's been one of the best decisions I've ever made. I haven't made a huge amount of sales, only about 7 so far, but opening up my shop and continuing with it has made me realize that this is something I should be doing. It feels so right, and I'm so happy about all of the positive feedback I've been getting. I'm happy that people want to buy my dolls to begin with! I've been branching out from monkeys and now have sock bears, dogs, elephants, and one lonely monster up in the shop now. It's been a wonderful journey so far. I shipped out a monkey to the U.K. a couple of weeks ago and I couldn't believe it. It felt great! I can't wait to see where else my little shop will take me, and most importantly, I'm still having fun!

Softie Doll (WIP)

Softie Doll (Work in Progress)
Originally uploaded by unraveled

So I started working on a softie doll. I've been itching to try something new and today was the perfect day. I am now 35 weeks along in my pregnancy and all I want to do is sit on the couch all day. What better way to use my time than working on softies? This softie is based on the awesome pattern of 60piggies. Instead of going out and buying new fabric for my first try, I used some of Anthony's old blankets. They are not the easiest thing to work with, but I am still having fun!

Discouraged

I always get so discouraged whenever browsing through the different shops on Etsy. Just when I think of maybe opening up a shop, my nerves get the best of me and I think that I'm just not good enough...yet. I think one of my New Year's resolutions will be to stop doubting myself and my creativity so much. It seems like I always do this to myself, first with my writing, then my paintings and drawings, and I find myself doing it again with my dolls. I just want to believe in myself for once and prove to myself that I do have what it takes to be successful at something that I enjoy doing!

On another note, I absolutely love the way these dolls look! I want to go and purchase some fabric over the weekend and see what I can come up with. I think it may be time for me to sit down with my mother and have her teach me to use a sewing machine. I've been sewing all of my dolls by hand which is very soothing, but I also want to learn to use a machine so I can work on other crafts, as well. I am excited to try to branch out and work on some other crafts. I think with more practice, the doubt in my creativity will eventually start to ease away.

A Sock Bear!

Barry the Sock Bear
Originally uploaded by unraveled

I've been working non-stop on sock monkeys. I finally finished the order of five monkeys for the woman at my best friend's job. She was thrilled with the way they came out and told me that she prefers buying handmade toys instead of all the name brand plastic ones out there. The way her face lit up at the sight of those monkeys really made my day, though I have to say with all this monkey-making I've been getting burned out. A few days ago I decided to try to make a sock teddy bear. I spent the past two days working on him and I am so happy with the way he turned out! Anthony seemed to like him too (though he likes most of my creations anyway!)

Anthony and Monkey

Anthony and Monkey
Originally uploaded by unraveled

Anthony has been sick with an allergic reaction to the Amoxicillin he was taking for his upper respiratory infection. It started Monday night and just kept getting worse and worse. I have never seen a rash get that bad so quickly and it freaked me out. I was working on an order of five monkeys for a woman at my best friend's job but all that was put aside so that I could tend to Anthony. I also finished up the monkey that I was making for him, and it did seem to perk him up a little bit. I have to admit that I had more fun working on his monkey than I did for the actual order of five. Don't get me wrong. I was so happy that someone wanted to order five of my monkeys, but it seems like I just put a little bit more magic into what I create for Anthony. That, and the fact that I know he will pretty much like whatever I make! He is doing much better now, the rash is clearing up, and he's been swinging his monkey's tail so much that I now have to repair a small hole in it. Whatever makes him feel better!

My first sell!

Neon went to a good home today. My friend said that the woman who I made him for fell in love with him and her whole face lit up when she saw him. I have to say that I'm a little sad to see him go but knowing that somebody appreciated him so much makes me feel so proud. I didn't start sewing with the intention of selling my creations. I started out wanting to feel closer to my mother and grandmother, and needing the creative release of doing something with my hands. Now that I'm learning more and people are interested in what I'm making, the thought of opening up an Etsy shop enters my mind more and more. It feels so nice and refreshing to make some money doing something that I love as opposed to working at my dead end job. I feel inspired to keep working on these monkeys, as well as the other projects I have going on right now. I'm so used to just giving something up when it doesn't work out the way I want it to, but this is something that is quickly becoming a passion of mine.

New Project

On Thanksgiving, Andres' aunt asked me if there was any way I could make a sock giraffe for her daughter who is graduating in May. She said giraffes were her favorite animals, and purple is her favorite color. I said I wasn't sure as I am still in the process of perfecting my sock monkeys but that I would try and find a pattern. After some searching yesterday, I found some pictures of some wonderful sock giraffes but no pattern. I think I'm going to take on this project and see what I can come up with.










The last one is definitely my favorite. It used to be sold through Babywit.com but I guess they no longer carry them in stock. I can't wait to start working on my own version!