Making some changes in shoppe...

And I need your help!!!
I need to make some serious changes on my Etsy Shoppe. The name is Sweetwater Creations, which will work well with the handcrafted items. The banner needs to be updated. This was for my horses and the horses just weren't selling on Etsy..

So, any ideas? I can take a couple of my doll photos and make a collage type banner. Anyway, that is one of the projects for the day. Then I want to work a little bit on two other blogs and promotion, then get busy crafting!

OK, I went ahead and made a new banner for the Shoppe. It is so hard to focus on one particular type of item, I love to do it all! My love right now is all things dollies. Handmade dolls, doll clothes, collectible dolls. There we go. FOCUS, FOCUS, FOCUS!!!! Here's the shoppe:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/sweetwatercreations 
Let me know what you all think about the new banner. I think it fits in with the items listed so much better than a horse, but it doesn't blend well with my doll site. No biggie, they don't have to LOOK related.

Hugs,
Holly

Shop Hop Saturday Online Shop Interview with Esther's Mercantile

Good morning!

I am participating in a great blog devoted to promoting online business. “Shop Hop Saturday” is a wonderful venue for promoting your own blog and helping others with their promtotions.  I’ve chosen to write an interview with Danice Gentle, owner of Esther’s Mercantile. Danice’s final statement at the end of the interview expressed this perfectly. 

1. Danice, when did you start your business and did you have any planning for this endeavor or jump in? 

“I started my business in January of 2011. It was planned ahead of time”. 

2. Would you please tell us about your main product/service ? 

“Main products/service: sell handmade Americana and prim needfuls. This includes raggedy dolls, doll clothing,  wood birdhouses, curtain valances, among other items”.

3. How do you schedule your time for the various aspects of running your business? For promotion, for production?   

“I schedule my time all during the day. I am listed in several Topsites lists, and have paid for some advertising incl. at Hat Creek. I sew and craft mostly at night”.

4. What would you say is THE ONE THING that makes your business unique from many others?

“ONE THING that makes Esther's unique is that I try to use all-natural fabrics/supplies whenever possible. I also try to design with the styling of the Americana/frontier eras in mind”.

5. What kind of advice would you give to others who are starting out with a business similar to yours or working basically online? 

“My Advice to others: plan your business and website design. Don't skimp on the planning. Try to use keywords that accurately describe your site to the search engines, and try to get to know as many other crafters as possible. This will help you gain new precious friends, as well as possibly help your website sales. Treat other crafters as you would like to be treated. The friendships are worth far more than the money”.

Thank you so much, Danice, for participating in this interview! Your advice would be well used in all aspects of online and offline business.

Please visit

Esther’s Mercantile

Esther’s Mercantile Blog

Webpages Updated at Holly's Dollies

I've spent the morning updating 4 pages on Holly's Dollies Web Site. All about doll clothes. I've gotten a few new outfits finished and photographed.

Doll Clothes Added separate categories for the different types of dolls. 

American Girl Added 2 new dresses. 

Barbie and Friends Added a crocheted business dress and jacket for Barbie and 2 outfits for Skipper 

Baby Dolls Only 1 set finished. A jumper and shirt for 14-16" baby.

As always, custom color orders are welcome.

BIGHORN_SHEEP GREETING CARD from Zazzle.com

Started playing around in Zazzle and designed a note card and coffee mug using a photo of a Big Horn Sheep we saw during one of our forest day trips through Arizona's back country.

BIGHORN_SHEEP GREETING CARD from Zazzle.com

 I will definitely order the coffee mug for myself and am thinking about getting some cards to use for letter writing.

New Prim Cloth Doll Finished

This adorable little girl turned out so nice!
Her body is made from hand dyed muslin to a wonderful walnut cocoa brown. Of course, I saved the dye mixture for future dolls! I've tried so many times to get a nice brown color. Mostly always ended up with a maroon or purple-ey black.
Hand painted features with gorgeously shaded brown eyes done in acrylic paint and colored pencil.
Featured in my Etsy Shoppe.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/65779458/prim-african-american-doll-raggedy-10

Loom knitted slipper socks - Off the loom and GONE!

Sheesh! I didn't even have time to get pics of them!
Finished a pair of blue and orange slipper socks for DH as a Christmas/BD present.
Then finished a pair of red and white (as per ordered) for DS. Those a bit large on him, but he luffs em anywho.
Hoping I can swipe them for just a few minutes to get pictures! Mine took 3 days to make but these two pairs each only took one day.
The pattern is found at: YarnGear Loom knitted socks

A New Knit Scarf!

I taught myself to knit about 4 years ago. Always one for challenge, I started off with baby sweaters and hats and mittens. Never a scarf. I felt like a simple scarf would be too boring and not hold my interest or the pattern would be so involved that I wouldn't be able to concentrate on it.
I found a drop stitch pattern that was simple enough but not boring but not too complicated! PERFECT!
I am so happy with it! I used Lion Brand Homespun Acrylic/Polyester Bulky in the "Lagoon" colorway.
The scarf is currently available at my Etsy Shoppe. Can arrive by Christmas if purchased by Dec. 21.