Introducing Joyfully Sewn Designs!

Today we introduce you to Sarah from Joyfully Sewn Designs

• what motivated you to start your shop?

I first started doing custom sewing right after I graduated from high school 12 years ago, but I didn't get started in the world of online selling until the Fall of 2009. Local business had slowed enough for the first time since I started for me to think about possibly trying to sell online. I had a couple friends with Etsy shops, so I thought I would give it a try too, and I'm so glad I did. :)

• what is the story behind your shop name?

Coming up with a shop name was a challenge! It seemed that every name I tried was already taken. I had thought about doing Sarah Elizabeth Designs, but someone else already had that name. I had to get creative then and come up with more unique names. After several attempts I settled with Joyfully Sewn Designs. I love what I do, and I wanted that reflected in my shop name.

• do you have a favorite Etsy Shop (non-child related)?

There are way to many wonderful Etsy shops to pick a favorite!! I'd love to be able to purchase from many, many shops! ONE of my favorites though is The Country Sign Shop. We've just been looking for a few more signs like this to put up in our home!

• what surprised you most about having your own online shop?

When I first started my shop, I had no idea what I was doing or how much work it would involve! It's a whole new world trying to sell your products online! I think one of the things that surprised me most was the concept of having to actually raise my prices so that people would be confident enough to buy! Instead of looking for the cheapest possible price, many online customers looking for handmade items view the price as a gauge of the quality of the work!

• what do you find most challenging about being an Etsy seller?

Learning SEO, how to promote myself and my work, and trying to learn to market my products have definitely been some of the biggest challenges!

• what's your personal philosophy behind your shop / products?

I first started my business after seeing what a need there was for modest feminine girls clothing. The Lord has given me talents, and I want to use those to the best of my ability to serve those around me in a way to honor Him. If I can be a blessing to others with my sewing and bring joy to them, I feel that I've been successful.

• how would someone (other then you) describe you?

That's a hard one! I don't know... Probably quiet and maybe even shy. Loves to be with children. Sorry, I'm no good at coming up with what people would say about me. :)

• what music do you have on while you are creating?

Classical music is what I have on the most often. I LOVE listening to WCPE a listener supported station out of North Carolina. You can find it online at www.theclassicalstation.org

• what do you do when you aren't working?

I love to spend time with my family and friends. I'm the main cook and baker in our family, and I enjoy doing both of those things. I love to read, and I have fun entering all kinds of blog giveaways. I love to be with children too.

• anything else you'd like to tell us or share?

I've been so blessed by all the help and support I've been given since I first started my shop! If you're just starting out, one of the best things you can do is connect with other sellers, ask questions, and learn from then. It's not easy to sell online, but hard work and patience do pay off!

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Special Holiday Shopping Guide

Today the special holiday shopping guide went live on etsykids.com!!
This special addition to our autumn shopping guide features 52 lovely handmade items from our team members, all prefect gift ideas for this holiday season!

We have Christmas stuff

And lots of toys!

And super cute kids clothing!!

Check out the whole Shopping guide for more handmade gifts this holiday period!

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10 Reasons You Should Buy Handmade this Holiday

Article submitted by StoryBuilderToys

With the holiday shopping season fast approaching (most retailers already have their Christmas items on the shelves) it’s time to start planning your holiday shopping lists. This year why not be adventurous and try buying some handmade products for the ones you love? Why should you buy handmade instead of the usual store bought products you’re used to, well I’m glad you asked. Here are ten reasons why you should shop handmade for the holidays.

Floppy Bunny by StoryBuilderToys

1. Be original. Handmade products are usually one of a kind or produced in small batches so you don’t have to worry about gifting something the person already has or giving the same gift as someone else. Instead you’ll be able to find something just as unique as the person you’re shopping for and nothing brings a smile to someone’s face better than knowing you really cared enough to find them the perfect gift.
2. Support people, not companies. By giving your business to local artists and crafters you’re helping build a better economy without lining the pockets of overpriced corporations who’s only interest is the bottom line. People care about each other, companies care about themselves and getting as much of your hard earned money as possible. A crafter will appreciate your business while a corporation demands it. The choice seems pretty clear.
   

   

   35" Play Silk by TheEnchantedCupboard
   

3. It’s more environmentally friendly. Handmade items are usually made from natural raw materials with much less waste and machine emissions than mass produced items. If your goal is to leave a smaller carbon footprint on the planet that you can’t go wrong with locally produced handmade items.
4. Build a personal connection with the person making your items. Craftspeople love what they do and not only does it show in their work, but also in their attention to customer service. Have a question about how something is made or what inspired it? Ask away and the crafter will be thrilled to tell you all about it. Handmade items have a story and a history that mass produced products will never have.

   

   Magnetic Story Board from sosimplesosweet
   

5. Avoid shopping at the mall. Holiday shopping can be pretty crazy and sometimes even dangerous as the days tick by. Why not save yourself the trouble of finding a parking space and braving the overcrowded big box stores by shopping local boutiques, craft fairs or even online handmade outlets like Etsy. Finding the perfect gift for a loved one should be fun, not frantic.
6. Get it customized. Since the items are made by real people you can often ask for little extras like customization or even fully commissioned work to your exact specifications rather than having to settle for whatever the store has in stock.
   

   

   Wooden Yo-Yo by AmandasAngels

7. Handmade products are made with passion. Crafters pour their time, talent and passion into everything they make. Store bought items might all be the same size and specifications, but they will never have the heart or soul that a good handmade product is made with.
8. Quality counts. Because even the raw materials are individually selected by hand more effort is put into the quality of each individual piece. Crafters want each and every product they make to be of the very best quality as a testament to their work They don’t take mass produced shortcuts or shortchange the customer by using lower quality materials, just the best material carefully crafted into the best possible product.
   

   

   Matching Game by applenamos

9. More unique choices. An individual making a handfull of something is able to be more adventurous than a corporation which must sell ‘x’ amount of a product to be able to turn a profit. This means that handmade products can afford to be more unique and creative than store bought products.
10. More value for your money. Handmade items are made to last. While mass produced items must be made quickly for as little money as possible handmade products are made from only the best materials and techniques. Corporations don’t mind if their products break down over time, then you’ll just have to buy another one. A well cared for handmade product on the other hand can last generations. Perhaps that is the reason people are still crafting by hand today even with all the advancements in technology trying to render them obsolete.

Toy Lamb/Sheep by woolies

Bonus Point! Know where your gifts come from. There is something empowering about taking control and making something yourself, or at least supporting someone who does. It’s making a conscious decision to spend your money on a quality item instead of a mass produced product built by machines and underpaid workers in a distant country. Show support to your local economy and buy from artists and crafters in your area this holiday season.

Are you going to buy any handmade products this year? Share your handmade gift ideas in the comments section.

Find StoryBuilderToys online: Blog, Facebook and Etsy Shop.

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