BuggyD Creations

EtsyKids January Design Challenge

2010-01-24T06:44:00.000-08:00

BuggyD creations had made an adorable little hat that has been entered into the EtsyKids January design challenge.

This month our theme was "A Whole Lottta Lotta Lovin'".

We created a cute little red and white striped hat with big big pom poms and adorned it with a little red crocheted heart.

Visit the blog and vote for BuggyD Creations!

http://etsykids.blogspot.com

New Design!!! Funky Monkey Beanie

2010-01-23T12:30:00.000-08:00

Introducing BuggyD's Funky Monkey Beanie!!!

I am in love with this little hat. I wanted to design something that was different than the other beanies out there - and provide my customers with a fun alternative for all seasons!

This sweet sweet hat was inspired by my popular sock monkey hat design. Great for all seasons - spring, summer, winter and fall!

I can completly picture my little neice running around in one of these this summer - can't wait to make a special one for her!

Happy Saturday everyone!

BuggyD's experience on Etsy!

2010-01-22T09:57:00.000-08:00

First and foremost I would like to commend and congratulate all of you artists and creators who have been able to make a full time job out of selling on line. It is now clear to me the incredible amount of time it consumes to market your shop and items and consequently generate sales.

In May of 2009 I created my shop and then spent the next few months with my handy dandy sellers guide getting everything organized to open my shop. Pictures, banners, avatars, familiarizing myself with the new lingo etc. Researching street teams and figuring out what a heart was and why it was important. Deciding on shipping methods and packaging that was cost effective, etc. etc. The list seemed endless, and somewhat overwhelming, but I finally managed to wade through it all and open my shop in the summer.

I thought I would get my shop all set up and the sales would start rolling in! ......not the case...... thank goodness for my family members as they accounted for five of my first six sales. Sales picked up once the colder weather started arriving, and are currently slow, but I remain positive. Finding your niche is as important as everyone talks about. I tried many items - sweaters, beanies, booties, quilts, snack bags, and finally found my niche - hats! Competition is stiff in this category, but I believe I am doing fairly well for a new seller. I absolutely love sitting down - staring at my yarn cupboard - and coming up with a design and color combination that draws me in.

My husband and I used to have a competitive BBQ team, and we would travel all over Ontario and the Untied States and enter into competitions. The one thing that keep me drawn in to the BBQ community is how we were treated by the other teams. Being new - they offered us advice and tips and tricks, and anything they could to help us get started. I was proud to be part of that community. In relation - I am proud to be a member of Etsy. Every seller that I have come across has been so willing to help and offer advice, and critiques, and their tips and trick etc. It is wonderful, and I thank all of you who have taken the time to answer my questions.

Until I received an "Etsy Success" email in the past couple of weeks - I had not participated in the forums or chat rooms. I have since found them, and find them wonderful. I spent the evenings one week in the FS (Featured Seller) chat room and although my PayPal account is now empty - I ended up with a wonderful group of items that I purchased from other sellers!!! Sellers supporting sellers. I love this concept. I have made some great contacts, and enjoy meeting up with people in the rooms. And right now - every day is like Christmas when I hit the mailbox on the way home - as I still have several orders to be delivered!

The forums are a wealth of information and knowledge. They provide an incredible insight to many topics, both positive and negative - as with anything. If a thread seems to become too negative for what I am looking for - the good thing about it is that I can close the browser and move on to the next. I have heard comments from some new sellers that they feel discouraged by reading negative posts - my way of dealing with these is that I "take what I want, and leave the rest". Every post has some positive in it, it us just up to me to find it. I find the forum posts are also a great way to find fantastic sellers! and to find fellow Canadians!

Nothing puts a smile on my face more than when I receive comments/feedback from my customers. I take pride in what I make, and seeing their comments and their pictures adds something special to my day.

I am still trying to find ways to promote my shop and get noticed without spending another small fortune on re-newing fees - but as with anything - these things take time. I am hoping "If I promote it - they will come"!!! :)

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog and I hope some of my comments will be beneficial to other new sellers.
Good luck!
BuggyD
www.twitter.com/BuggyDCreations

Sock Monkey Revival!

2009-10-09T17:29:00.000-07:00

I have created a new design which replicates the sock monkey theme/pattern. This hat is adorable!!! While in the yarn store one day picking up some supplies there was a free pattern displayed for a knitted pattern of the beloved sock moneky. I started thinking about how those colors and concept would look fantastic in a hat - and voila!

So.....after I sold a couple of the hats, I had the idea that we definately needed some funky sock monkey boots to match. So I put my crochet hook to the test (as well as my mind) and came up with High Top Sock Monkey Booties - now this makes a great combo!

Get your little ones ready for the fall with these great accessories. Found at http://www.buggyd.etsy.com/

The journey of a good photo

2009-09-03T19:07:00.000-07:00

I have been told and have read many many times that it is mandatory to have a fantastic photo for the items listed on my site. I do my best to use my niece as a model when I can. This is one of my current favorite photos. I know I am biased, but she is a beautiful happy little girl, and I am blessed to have her in my life.

Now.....with all of that said.....she is not always a super fan of having her picture taken. Being only a year old, she is still getting used to the idea of wearing a hat as well.

This past weekend we all got together at my mom's house to celebrate my sister's birthday. It was a perfect opportunity for me to bring along my new hats, and take some phots. Below I am sharing exactly what my mom, my older niece, and myself had to go through to entince my baby niece into wearing my creations. Little did I know - my sister was capturing the whole process!

So....as you can see from the above at times it can be quite an ordeal to get "the good shot". My baby niece was convinced that we should all be wearing hats. So....like the good family that we are - we complied lol

You can see a few of my winter and fall hats (more to follow within the next few weeks) on my site at http://www.buggyd.etsy.com/ - Enjoy!

Where did the summer go???

2009-08-04T17:16:00.000-07:00

It has been quite some time since I have created a post. Busy with work and summer time activities!

Last week while on my vacation with my family, I managed to find a little bit of time for some new creations!!!!

I am posting a couple of pictures of the Elf Ear Flap hat that I created, as well as an Earflap Teddy Bear hat. I finished the pink baby hat first and my 12 year old niece loved it so much - she requested her own. How could I resist!

I did finish the pattern for the Teddy Bear Washcloth. I will try and post a picture of them soon.

Hope you are all having a great summer!!

BuggyD's Ballerina Flats

2009-07-06T18:08:00.000-07:00

Well - I finally did it! I finished the pattern that I was working on for my ballerina flats.

I tried them on my niece, but unfortunatley she was on her way down for a nap and was not able to get a picture of the flats on a baby's foot. I will try again on the weekend.

I made two versions. One with a bow, and another with just a flat tie. I find they stay on much better with these two methods, and prevent little hands from removing them.

Now I am working on a new teddy bear shaped washcloth to match the Funky Fish.

Lazy Rainy Day

2009-06-29T15:37:00.000-07:00

I decided to take a few days off from work to recuperate after my very busy weekend.

My weekend entailed many errands and events. I attended my cousin’s dance recital, and my niece’s first birthday party. We used to have a competition BBQ team and we decided that the birthday party was the perfect opportunity to break out the smoker and prepare some award winning pulled pork, and ribs. Smoking is a very long process (my brother and sister started the prep around 1pm on Saturday and then we finally prepared and served everything on Sunday for a 2:30pm luncheon - it was a long day/night!) All turned out very well!

I had full intentions today of setting up my sewing machine outside this afternoon and taking the day to work on some rag quilts that I have been trying to get to for a couple of months. But! The weather had other plans. I still have a couple of days vacation – so I am hoping that either tomorrow or the next day I might still be able to accomplish that task!

I have made some progress on the ballerina flats that I was working on. Hopefully I will have some pictures in the next day or two that I can share.

Life begins at 40!

2009-06-26T16:18:00.000-07:00

Or so THEY say..... Yesterday I turned 40. Yes, a milestone in my life, and I am happy to say that I survived.

My life is quite different today than I expected it to be, but it is full of love and laughter and great friends and family.

I spent the evening of my 40th birthday with my parents and my niece. We had a great dinner and then my niece had a sleep over at my place. Can't think of a better way to spend the day.

While checking out Aunty's basket of crochet items, my niece found my newly designed baby mock crocs and was convinced that she required a pair of her own. Without a pattern in her size, it took a few tries but she left this morning with her very own pair.

Tonight I am working on designing a pair of baby ballerina flats - wish me luck!

A little about me....and my shop!

2009-06-14T12:48:00.000-07:00

I opened my shop on Etsy May 8th of 2009. As a new seller I am very excited to be part of Etsy.
My passion for creating was revived last summer when my precious niece London was born. I started by knitting a few things for her, and then the bug took over me!

I learned to knit, crochet and sew mainly from my mother and my grandmothers. The majority of the items that I create today are made with using my grandmothers crochet hooks and knitting needles. Every time I pick one up I am blessed with happy memories.

You can visit my on-line store at http://BuggyD.etsy.com

Finally!

2009-06-14T12:40:00.000-07:00

This weekend I finally perfected a baby sandal pattern I have been working on for a while. My niece was very patient in testing all of my attempts. Now I must perfect different sizes, but at least I am well on my way!