It's Shameless Commerce Tuesday, and although I have listed a new Spring table runner and two new baby bibs in the last couple of days (you can see them on the scrolling widget in the upper left-hand corner of my blog), today I've decided to share what has become the biggest part of my Etsy business this month --- custom orders.
Pictured above is a stack of 120 batting layers (3 per side x 2 sides per mitt x 20 mitts) --- actually only 108 are in this photo, because I've already finished quilting two mitts. I have also cut out all 20 oven mitts (40 pieces) -- and all but 2 were chevron mitts that required some fussy cutting to match side seams and extra time to quilt. These mitts will be gifts for guests at a cooking-themed birthday party. I guess the birthday girl will pretend to be Rachel Ray for a day? Cute idea!! I'm sure they will have fun, and each guest will go home with new recipes and a new handmade oven mitt in a color chosen for her by the hostess,
Earlier this month I made custom Easter rompers for twin toddlers along with 3 bibs. This week I made a Spring table runner. I'm in "Convo mode" on two more possible custom orders, and I have a local custom request for a prairie dress, apron and sunbonnet for a 4th grader's Pioneer Day... And two wedding registry listings... And a custom baby gift set with bibs and burp cloths... And it's still tax season!!!!
While custom orders can be quite time-consuming (lots of back-and-forth communication, hunting for special fabrics, etc.), and sometimes stressful, it is a joy to help a buyer create exactly what he or she wants for a special occasion.
Often an item I've initially made as a custom order leads to a new product listing in my "regular" Etsy store -- orange, green, pink and black chevron oven mitts, for example, all started as custom orders. And I didn't start making bibs for the Etsy store until after I'd made a BIG batch for a custom order in 2011 --Now boutique baby bibs have become one of the largest Sections in my Etsy shop, Pasque Flower Creations.
T minus 20 days until the end of tax season and counting!
Gotta go sew!
TTFN
LeAnn aka pasqueflower
http://www.etsy.com/shop/pasqueflower
http://www.facebook.com/pasqueflower
http://pasqueflowerponderings.blogspot.com
You've certainly got your plate full, LeAnn! I agree sewing with directional fabric needs more attention!
ReplyDeleteHappy sewing :)
Custom orders are so fun :)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear things are going so well! Wishing you the best to get through tax season!
You sound like you are really doing a lot, good thing tax season is coming to an end!
ReplyDeleteYou really have been busy between taxes and your shop! When I saw the picture I thought it was cloth diapers!
ReplyDeleteI know you will breathe a sigh of relief in 20 days. Congrats on all your orders.
ReplyDeleteLaura
Custom orders are so fun. I get a lot of them through my wedding shop, and they're some of my favorite things to do. People come up with some cool stuff!
ReplyDeleteI do like customs because you are right, it feels good to give a customer exactly what they want!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your orders. With a new grandbaby due in October (my first) I think I'll be designing some bibs myself!
A new grandbaby!! That is such happy news!
DeleteSounds like you have a lot going on! Custom order are great, because it is a great way to get customer feedback. I hope everything works out and tax season comes and goes without any drama.
ReplyDeleteValerie
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