misanthropy creation: Etsy

Showing posts with label Etsy. Show all posts

September 25, 2014

Featured Artist Interview: Moffit Plush Co.

What is the name of your shop? My name is Sara Auman and I run my shop which is named MoffitPlushCo. My first shop started when Etsy first opened (I don't remember what year) and I made a few pieces of jewelry which did not sell. Discouraged, I waited a long time while finishing art school, to start another shop in 2009. I started at first selling purses then moved to stuffed plush.

Is this your only job? As of right now this is my only job other than taking care of my two wonderful boys at home.

When did you realize you had this talent? I have always been interested in art but just recently became interested in sewing and the construction of patterns. I love figuring out patterns and seeing what works best and how they fit together. It's like a really fun puzzle!

Where do you find your inspiration? I find most of my inspiration from my children but also just from my own imagination.

Who has been the most supportive of your work? My husband has been most supportive of my work and it also makes me happy when my kids like something I make because then I know children elsewhere will enjoy my creations as well.

What is one thing you would like to accomplish that you haven't yet? One thing I would like to accomplish is garment sewing. Designing patterns for clothes seems very challenging yet satisfying. In my mind, fitting clothes for individuals is the ultimate puzzle.

What are your other hobbies? Some of my other hobbies include running, ceramics (although it has been a while), and just hanging out with my family.

What is your favorite quote? "Love many trust few and always paddle your own canoe"

Where is the farthest you've traveled? Traveling is something I would like to do in the future when my children are older. I am truly afraid of airplanes so it really limits me. Funny story- I rode a train all the way from Indiana to San Francisco, California!!! It took a REALLY long time and it was not much fun but very interesting at times. So..... I guess the answer to your question is San Francisco, California.

September 9, 2014

Confessions of an insomniac

I am a self diagnosed insomniac who just took melatonin and it didn't work so...

Between running an 2 Etsy shops and going to school full time I pretty much have no time to myself. I literally did homework for 12 hours today and I am still not done with my work for that class for the week. I am pretty content with it though considering that I don't have to leave my house, and being the introvert that I am, I like taking classes online.

Mandala I drew on a friends chalk board wall.

I have managed to spend some time out with friends though. Our little gang is pretty closely knit and we try to get in the habit of meeting with each other at least one night a week. I also managed to finish all of Carnivale this week as well. Don't ask me when or how, because I am not even sure when I found time for it.

Me (keft), Katie (right),

There are a bunch of new items in the shop for Halloween. Although I am excited for my shop this holiday season, surprisingly I am not as excited for my favorite holiday this year as I am every year. I have been a little down in the dumps lately. Mostly because I don't get enough time for myself and because my brain is always so fried from hours of Economics which I find particularly difficult despite my efforts. I guess I am just not in the mood to go to the annual Halloween party that I attend. Maybe I should consider starting a new tradition instead.

BlckWht09621 (Photo credit: highwaycatcher)

The good news is that I have a 4.0 GPA which means I have all A's. I am pretty damn proud of myself. Also this little baby is growing up so fast! He is five months now.

Chris and I came to the mutual decision recently to get married. So I am engaged. Calling him fiance instead of boyfriend is going to be a hard habit to break after being together for almost 7 years. Congratulations to us! We decided to get married March 1, 2015.

Well I suppose I should try to go to sleep again. Anyone else have trouble sleeping? What do you do to try to help you sleep?

July 28, 2014

Featured Artist Interview: Green Rock Creations

Shop Name: green rock creations

What you like to go by: Katie

When did you start your shop? March 2012

Is this your only job? No - I work full time as a Process Safety Engineer in Anchorage, AK. My shop is a great outlet for my creative side, which tends to be hidden in my day job.

When did you realize you had this talent? In February 2012, I took a sewing class and bought a machine. I had a newborn daughter at the time and wanted to be able to make things for her. I haven't been sewing long, but my mom is an avid quilter and I guess it's just in my genes.

Where do you find your inspiration? I think about the things that I need or would like to have, usually because I can't find exactly what I want in a store, and then I figure out how to make them myself. I started making burp cloths because the ones I found were so ugly and cheap. My dog collars were created because I couldn't find a cute collar that was big enough for my giant malamute. Recently I started making toddler belts because my daughters pants kept falling down!

Who has been the most supportive of your work? I am so lucky in that everyone I know has been supportive of me! My family is very happy that I've found a great hobby and my friends are always asking me to make them gifts. I have become the go-to for baby gifts within my circle of friends - even the ones that live in other states.

What is one thing you would like to accomplish that you haven't yet? I would like to have my items sold in local stores here in Anchorage. I just moved here from Colorado, and while a few places in Denver are carrying my items, I haven't had the time to find a great spot in Alaska yet.

What are your other hobbies? gardening (flowers and veggies) renovating old houses, being outdoors with my dogs and family

What are your words to live by or favorite quote? Anything worth having is worth working for.

Where is the farthest you have traveled? We went to Barbados for our honeymoon in 2010 - it was amazing!

Facebook

Twitter: ktrockco

Etsy Shop

May 22, 2014

Small Business: The Four Stages of Growth

Headshift business card discussion (Photo credit: Lars Plougmann)

The Four Stages of Growth

by Michelle Nascimento

From opening a small business to becoming a major corporation there are certain steps involved. There are four stages of growth a successful small business will ultimately go through as it matures. The four stages are discussed in the following text.

Stage 1 is the proprietorship. This is a business that is completely run by one person or a family. The owner themselves complete all operations of keeping the business running. A good example of this would be my handmade jewelry shop with Etsy as my venue. I have been an Etsy seller for about 3 years now. I run every aspect of my jewelry shop from the creation of my items, to photography and listing, to marketing to shipping. I have complete control over changes that need to be made and am responsible for all tasks that need to be completed. I receive all profit that is made but am also responsible for any debts incurred. “An owner-manager, a group of partners or the members of a family dynasty dominate most small businesses.” (Roper, S. 1999. p. 235)

The Etsy office's community workspace area. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Once the proprietorship has been established to a certain extent it may be time to hire. Expansion is a big step for all small businesses. Stage 2 consists of hiring an employee or employees to assist with day to day tasks. The employee(s) and owner now work together in order to complete tasks. This also gives the owner time to focus on other responsibilities such as hiring more workers and other managerial duties. “[S]mall businesses are more challenged than large companies by resource constraints such as access to financial capital, and technical or managerial skills, which often significantly reduce the number and type of options available to management (Hodgetts and Kuratko 2001). This is a very challenging goal for a small business owner because of the limited resources. However with confidence, innovation and the right product or specialty growth can be obtained.

The 3rd Stage of growth comes when “firms reach a major milestone in organizational development when they add an additional level of supervision.” (McCubbrey, D.J.) Business has expanded and the need for even more employees has risen. The owner still has a part in day to day tasks but focuses primarily on organizing management tiers and overall business operations. A chain of command is created and all duties trickle down from owner to manager to employee. The next stage in development is a littler more complex in that it adds more management where necessary as well as documentation. Aspects of everyday business tasks, budgets, job descriptions and policies are documented. The documentation assists in training new employees and duplication (starting new like businesses).

References

Hodgetts, R. M., and Kuratko, D. F. Effective Small Business Management, Harcourt College, Fort Worth, TX, 2001.

McCubbrey, D.J., (2009). Business fundamentals. Retrieved from: http://www.textbookequity.org/oct/Textbooks/McCubbrey_BusinessFundamentals.pdf

Roper, S. (1999). Modelling small business growth and profitability. Small Business Economics, 13.3. 235-252.

December 11, 2013

SOLD!

Here are just some of the items that have been sold for the month of December! Don't forget to grab some last minute gifts on Etsy!

Druzy Pendant Necklace Turquoise Agate Slice Antique Bronze Power Stone Necklace

Sideways Cross Necklace on Antique Bronze Chain

Halloween Michael Myers Serial Killer Ring on Brushed Silver Adjustable

Edgar Allan Poe Collection Guillotine Ring on Brass Adjustable

Custom Leather Wrap Bracelet Design Your Own You Pick Color and Charm Necklace or Anklet

Zombie Bunny Ear Baby Doll in a Jar Necklace

September 7, 2013

Monthly Inspiration

So, my Etsy shop is approaching it's 2nd year anniversary and I couldn't be more proud of it. I love making my items and sending them out. I have been so dedicated to it since I've started and all my hard work has paid off. I have to say that I am very proud of myself as well! I hope you find these quotes as inspiring as I did! Sometimes we just need a break and a little pick me up time and again to keep on going, but what is important is that you never give up!

August 28, 2013

Etsy Pick of the Month: August!

As you can tell I have been really getting organized here lately! This is the first time that Misanthropy Creations has done an Etsy Picks post! This will now be a monthly theme here!

What are Etsy Picks? Well that's easy! I just pick things from Etsy that catch my eye and I post them here to share with you wonderful fine folks! Then I link back to Etsy so you can show these shops some love, if you feel so inclined! I hope you like my Etsy Picks! Links are below!