Have An Etsy Shop?: Get An Instagram Account!

This is one of those really obvious posts where 

I am probably talking to people who already know what to do, haha.

But just in case you don't...

If you sell on Etsy or have your own online shop,

I highly recommend starting an Instagram 

account to help advertise your products.

If you are selling well already,

maybe you don't need an Instagram - 

but I think they really do help out.

What should you post there???

Pics of things you have created.

Behind the scenes pics of your sewing and crafting spaces, 

as well as your photo shoots.

Updates on what items will be in releases.

Release dates and times.

Notices about sales, discounts, special items, giveaways.

Questions about what people like to buy.

Inquiries for opinions on things you have created.

Happenings in your life.

Things that make you happy.

Your doll collection.

Your dog.

Your cat.

Your plant collection.

Etc. Etc. Etc.

Pretty much anything you want!

Use the Instagram account to brand you, your product, your style!

Here are some examples of Etsy shops that have Instagram accounts:

Small Scale Styles

https://www.instagram.com/smallscalestyles/

QT Pie Doll Clothing

https://www.instagram.com/qtpie_doll_clothing/

(pssstttt this shop ^^^ has a release coming up on Feb. 20th at 6pm EST)

Closet 4 Chloe

https://www.instagram.com/closet4chloe/

Lori Liz Girls and Dolls

https://www.instagram.com/girls_and_dolls/

Mia Kate Apparel

https://www.instagram.com/mia.kate.andco/

123 Mulberry Street

https://www.instagram.com/123mulberrystreet/

Clarisse's Closet

https://www.instagram.com/clarissescloset/

Katherine's Creations

https://www.instagram.com/katherinescreations/

p.s. If you have an online shop and an Instagram -- 

comment below with the website address 

of your Instagram account so that people can find it and follow it!

For example this is the website address of Katherine's Creations Instagram account:

https://www.instagram.com/katherinescreations/

Thank you for visiting us 

and stay tuned for more posts!!!

Trends to Sew: Etsy Shop Shoutouts, Tees and Twists

One of the things that happens when you have been collecting 

for American Girl dolls for awhile is that you have a bizzillion tee shirts.

Now I love a good tee shirt.

As one could tell from my collection.

I have plain tees, graphic tees, tees with contrast stitching.

Short sleeve.

Tank tops.

3/4 length sleeves.

Full length sleeves.

Crop tops.

Tunic tops.

American Girl tees.

Etsy tees.

Homemade tees from my mother.

Etc. etc.

The list could go on forever.

But I'm kinda saturated on normal short-sleeve, regular-length tee shirts.

Sure - make them, and still sell them peeps! 

There are a lot of people out there who still need short-sleeve tee shirts!

And trendy ones to boot!

But also think outside the box!

Here are some trendy tees that are far from 

boring and are very worth creating and selling:

From Closet 4 Chloe...

https://www.etsy.com/shop/Closet4Chloe

Crop tops are in style.

They ain't going anywhere.

So keep those in mind.

Note the contrasting sleeves of the top example.

And the trendy graphic on the bottom tank top.

And she recently sold some stretch velvet shirts -- a good example of a 

"signature" piece that only she is offering.

Peruse Closet 4 Chloe's for sale and sold items for more inspiration!

Lori Liz Girls and Dolls does a great job on making trendy, modern tanks and shirts.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/LoriLizGirlsandDolls

I prefer her styles with the lower necklines, such as these.

Sparrow and Wren Mercantile is also a great place for tops.

(They used to be Etsy's Janie Jumps.)

https://www.etsy.com/shop/SparrowAndWrenMerc

They provide distinct fabric styles. 

As well as creative alternatives to just the normal tee pattern.

3/4 length sleeves.

Scoop necklines.

V-neck.

Deep V-necks.

Pocket Tees.

Tank tops.

Long sleeves.

Thinking beyond the short sleeve tee is awesome!!!

...

So in some upcoming posts we are going to analyze 

the "tee shirt" and give you some human examples 

as alternative stylings to the basic design.

We are calling them "Tee Shirt Twists."

That way, if you are sewing up some shirts you have ideas 

for how to make your shirts more "signature," more unique.

To let them stand out from the crowd.

First Tee Shirt Twist: Ringer Tees!

Yes, some people have been making these all along -- 

but here note the current colors, how they are being styled with the rest of the outfit, 

and how the neckline isn't choking the person to death.

It has a gentle scoop.

And the sleeves are just a little fuller than cap styling.

(But you could go wild and do whatever you want with the sleeves man!

3/4 length, full, tank, whatevs man!!!

Just make sure the sleeve cuff is a contrasting fabric.)

They are fitted tees, but not claustrophobic.

And you can go loose or skintight, 

depending on how you want to sew them.

Of course the key to these tees is the very thin, lightweight jersey-esque fabric,

-- (these are rayon and spandex) -- 

too thick and you look like you are wearing baby clothes.

Dun dun dunnn!

These ringer tees are from Urban Outfitter's...

Project Social T

Made with love in the USA, Project Social T creates elevated basics that we wear every day: deep-v tee shirts, strappy tanks and cozy pullovers.

We will be featuring more 

Urban Outfitters examples in upcoming "Tee Shirt Twists!"

Stay Tuned and 

Thank You for Visiting Everyone!!!

Sorry for the Too Long Hiatus: Updates

Hello again!

Sorry we were AWOL.

Totes AWOL.

Just overwhelmed and simultaneously underwhelmed by life.

I think I will be going to get Lea at the AGP Columbus this weekend -

so that has brightened my spirits.

I was surprisingly down about not being able to go to the store 

and pick her out in person.

I am such a spoiled brat.

But it really depressed me and made me uninterested in working on the blog -- sort of a -- what's the point anyway? kind of mood.

Clearly I have issues.

I was preparing to buy Lea online but then 

I was offered a trip to Columbus, so I took it!

Also, we are doing a trial adoption on a 4-5 yr old rescue dog.

A scent hound.

In the city.

Who's idea was that???

Yeah. Haha.

If you want to see pics of him go click on the right side menu of our Instagram feed.

Over there >>>>

We have been posting about 600 pics of him.

Derp.

That trial started Sunday.

And right about now you're probably saying -- 

well, she hasn't posted since the 14th of January though....

What happened in between all that???

Good question.

The winter doldrums.

And us hemming and hawing about getting a dog or not getting a dog.

Sigh.

Us hemming and hawing about the meaning of life.

Etc. Etc.

But today I'm actually excited.

I get to go to an AGP.

I get to bring a doll there.

I get to take store pics.

We're probably bringing the dog along too.

Though not into the store, haha.

It will be an interesting little experiment of a road trip. ;-)

The one thing about the dog is that he is making me go outside and explore.

Because this boy needs to be outside for like half of the day.

And that has given me a lot of opportunities 

to look for doll photo shoot locations, haha.

Yep, it all goes back to the dolls.

Doesn't it always go back to the dolls???

But anyway, maybe after we get used to each other 

I'll be able to bring him out, tie him up to a bike rack, and take some doll pics.

Apparently I need some sort of doll carrying bag thingy 

that I can easily wear while walking a dog...haha.

Yes, yes.

I am insane. ;-)

So does anyone have any good doll bag recommendations 

where the dolls are completely hidden and protected?

So stay tuned for more posts.

I want to get back into the swing of all this stuff!