All quiet on the Western front!

I'm currently working with a designer on a 'brand' for Made by Cara, and all should be revealed in the fullness of time.  

In terms of stock, well a few more children's aprons should reach the store next week, as will some Summer inspired bunting - thats if the rain ceases long enough to take some good shots!  The passport covers I started a while back, will no doubt be finished by the end of summer - just as everyone is finishing holidays rather than starting them, and the lavender sachets will probably appear at the same time!

In other news I've had a big old tidy up of my crafting area - and it looks so much better, I think my husband was a little disturbed by the quantity of fabric I have - I'm guessing now is not the time to tell him more is on order?

My step brother is now out of hospital, and annoying the nurses at the cottage hospital where he has his physio, which is good for us, but not for them!  Just as Matthew was out of hospital, my best friend went in suffering with pre-eclampsia, and my mum had a fall at work.  I'm not sure about you, but I think I'll be pleased when next year is here!!

However, Monday is my 10th wedding anniversary - and we're off for a day out, we were planning a picnic, but the weather is atrocious, so we're going to a local pub for lunch, its one we haven't been to before, so we don't know what to expect, and it'll either be great and we'll love it or it'll become a moment to laugh and reminisce over in years to come.

So in honour of my wedding anniversary, any purchases made between now and 24th July qualify for 10% reduction - woo hoo !!!   You can either pay in full, and I'll refund the 10% off the item price, or purchase and wait for a revised invoice.

Cara x

Salvation...

How was I to know that salvation would come in the form of a lovely girl?  

In the greater scheme of things finding someone who could replicate a top that I fell in love with, and that is now sadly past its best is probably one that doesn't spring to mind.  However... this is me we are talking about here.  Being one of the larger sized ladies means that I really do not enjoy clothes shopping.  Now I've found a very enjoyable way.  Let me explain...

1.  Take an item you love

2.  Send it to Abi

3.  Choose colour/fabric

4.  Smile repeatedly as she uploads the Work In Progress pictures on Flickr 

5. A week later be overjoyed with the results.

Thats it - simple, one week, which includes me sending Abi the top, her drawing up a pattern to fit me/the top perfectly, her ordering the fabric and Abi finishing TWO new tops.

I'm super lucky too as Abi is coming to We Make tomorrow and bringing the two new tops and my old scruffy original.

Who says couture isn't for the masses!  What you waiting for!

We Make

After all the trauma at the start of June, I really wasn't sure if I'd be going to We Make this Sunday.  However, I am going to! 

So if you are in London this Sunday, do pop along to Covent Garden where you'll find the Made by Cara stall and plenty of others at the We Make London fair.  Full details are on the We Make blog.

In the mean time, I'll leave you with a shot of another of my new lines...

Children's Apron £9.50

and Children's Apron & Baking Set £12

Shop Update

Having put the shop update back and back I've decided today is it.  I've 'delisted' everything - just on a temporary basis and it should all be up with NEW items in it tomorrow!

I've been busy taking new photos, writing new 'blurbs' and making new stock with some fab new fabric too.  Still waiting on my lavender arriving - so no Lavender hearts and sachets yet, but they're coming!

www.madebycara.etsy.com

PS - My 100 post is due to be my next post.  However with Matthew not being well, my attention really hasn't been that focused.  That said - I will do a Giveaway in honour of reaching this milestone.  More details next post.

Busy...

Life has been really busy lately, and as much as I seem to do my 'To Do' list never appears to get any shorter!

However - progress HAS been made! I've listed some new iPod cases in the shop today, and I have a BIG STORE UPDATE next Monday with new products to reveal to you all!

I'm still making additional stock for the fair in London next month and my website is just ticking along. It could do with some love and attention - but I think making has to come first. I'll leave you with a shot of some new crayon rolls ...

Treasury and Website

What a day to launch my website! I've discovered that I am featured in a very fresh 'Aqua' themed treasury over on Etsy - you can find that treasury here.

The other big news is that my website is now LIVE(ish). I guess it'll be a few weeks before I stop playing with it - but its up, working and I think spelling error free - though if you spot a broken link, spelling error etc please let me know. You can find me at:

www.madebycara.co.uk

Cara x

Etsy Critique

Well,

I've just left an Etsy Critique and on the whole I think I survived! My items were well received and I was complimented on my photography, but there are a few things to change.

I've known for a while that my banner and avatar don't quite go with the flow of my shop - but what to do. This and a couple of my tags are the main things to come out of the critique. I need to inject more colour into my banner - I love the 'We Make' banner which I made (not the logo - ChickP gets the credit for that!), but I can't seem to 'define' my shop. I'm not going to do anything just now... but I'm definately open to suggestions... please!

Pirate Love

Well today has been a real mixed day. It started out as glorious sunshine -which descended this afternoon into hail, rain and got very very cold. I've been sewing most of the day (unless my husband is reading, and in which case, I've done loads of housework....).

I've added some more Hearts to my shop plus two Pirates - there is a third to go on, but he has a button eye (poor thing)!

What a sight for sore eyes!

This was the sight that greeted me as I opened up Etsy this morning - lots of loveliness created by fab sellers all from here in the UK. Now Etsy is a predominately US site - it was created there and probably 80% of the sellers are based there, so it is just wonderful to see the UK featured on the front page.

If you are unsure of the Etsy phenonomen, let me tell you a little more about it.

Etsy was started in June 2005 as an environment to buy and sell all things homemade. You'll need to register to buy from the site, however this does mean that all your details are saved for your next visit - and you will visit again! Each seller is an individual on the site, and you pay them direct, most sellers in the UK will give you an option to pay by other means, however the speediest way is via Paypal. Because the site is based in the US everything is currently displayed in US Dollars - as a rough guide (and with the exchange rate as it is) just divide it by half to get the Sterling equivilent. Alternatively you can always check out any of the Currency Convertor sites - I tend to use this one. Paypal will handle all the currency conversions for you - so no worries there then. Most sellers, if based, outside of the UK will happily ship here, just check before you buy. Naturally buying from UK people negates the wait and helps reduce carbon emissions - most UK sellers include the tag UK in their listings, so when looking for items just add UK to your search (and if you're a seller who doesn't yet do this, you probably ought to!).

Here are some links to just a few of my favourites over on Etsy ::
Abi Bansal - fabulous custom made clothes and beautiful bags
Gorjuss - wonderful prints and iron on images
Karen Jinks - lovely illustrations and journal books
Lupin - darling felt things
Red Ruby Rose - clutch bags.... clutch bags... clutch bags
Umbrella Heaven - fabulous umbrellas, perfect for our climate!

Now, I've far more favourites than just these, however I'm due for a day out with my husband, including lunch - and he's champing at the bit to go. Happy days to everyone, particularly those Etsy'ers from the UK. Cara x