Miss Rockabilly - Brand New Business Venture!!

Hi fellow bloggers...
Just an update... I have finally launched my company name and websites. Will be uploading product over the weekend!  Very exciting times. So introducing Miss Rockabilly... 
I would love some Facebook 'Likers', Blog 'Followers' and Etsy 'Lovers'!!

www.facebook.com/missrockabilly

www.missrockabilly1.blogspot.com

www.missrockabilly.etsy.com

Getting Close to Launch

Inspired by Pin Up and Rockabilly fashion, my new business is nearly ready to launch! This year is all about reinventing myself and where I want to be. I am starting off small with hair accessories and by the end of the year should be well on my way with clothing.
Here are some of my inspirations... (for my kitchen anyway) everything 50s.

Friday Fun Finds!

Have a look at these quirky finds on Etsy! I just love them. Click on the images to go to the items!

Sneak Peek at some new additions...

Inspired by pin up fashion.. I used my ribbon and incorporated it with my peacock feathers to make these cute peacock feather earrings! I will be listing these on Etsy soon... What do you think? It's something I haven't seen done before... so can I say I'm the first???

Miss Pin Up Australia

Hi Readers! In the spirit of everything Pin Up... Please go vote for me for Miss Pin Up Australia!! AKA - Marilyn McSweetie

http://www.misspinupaustralia.com.au/index.php?page=qld

Red Rose Flower Fascinator

I am very much inspired by the Pin Up and Rockabilly scene and will be concentrating my efforts more in that area from now on. I will also be opening a new store in Etsy very soon!


Here are a couple of things I was able to create on the weekend and also use for a Pin Up photo shoot! What do you think? The nautical bow is actually a hair accessory but can also be clipped to sailor hats!

Red Rose Flower Fascinator

Nautical Bow

A Canary Came to Visit

Treasuries are a load of fun and this is my latest. Straight after I posted it... it appeared as the first in the list of Treasuries on Etsy! Very exciting!  Feel free to check it out and leave a comment

Giveaway - Sunlight Feather Earrings. Have you entered yet?

Pop over to Epheriell Designs' Blog to enter My First Giveaway! My favourite Yellow Sunlight Triangles are up for grabs! Thanks to Jess for the lovely feature!

http://epherielldesigns.com/noogal-creations-artisan-feature-and-giveaway

Tutorial Thursday - How to make a Flower Corsage Hairclip

Another crafty video tutorial to help you get inspired!
I found this wonderful tutorial for making a simple flower hair clip. This style is just using one colour, if you added multiple fabrics it would also turn out quite funky! Can't wait to try it out for myself.

Heavenly Lingerie and Accessories from Hopeless

If you are looking for a special treat for yourself or something your boy can buy for you... check out Hopeless and Hopelessly Devoted!  Gaby has a gorgeous collection of vintage inspired lingerie and hair accessories.  She has also been so kind as to share her experiences with us.

Tell us a bit about your brand and how it came about… Also, what inspired you to start your business?

I started Hopeless just under 2 years ago, a short time after I finished my TAFE course. I have been sewing my own clothes since a young age, and from pretty soon after I finished school I knew I wanted to have my own business.

The dream for the brand really just came to me in a flash late one night. I scribbled it down on a piece of paper beside my bed, and in the morning I looked at it again and just knew exactly what everything was going to like, and how I was going to get started. The vision and spirit of the brand  has pretty much stayed the same since that night.

I knew that handmade lingerie was a niche market, which suited me, as I never want to do enormous mass production, and I also love vintage styling, so it was really a marriage of my love for unique and special things with a vintage look.

I have been selling for just over 1 and a half years, and my expectations have been completely blown out of the water in that time! When I look back, it has all happened so fast, and I really am so thrilled about it all!

What is the best part about what you do and is there something you dislike doing?

I love working from home and being my own boss, and all the creative people I have come in touch with as a result has been wonderful. That is probably the best thing.

At the moment I work 7 days a week, and I must admit it is really hard to stay on top of everything. I definitely need to get better at organizing the business and accounts side of things. My strengths lie with the creative side so it is always a struggle with the less creative parts of running a business. 

Is Hopeless and Hopelessly Devoted hobbies or full time business?

I do still work on weekends to make sure I have enough money for rent and bills, but I do Hopeless and Hopelessly Devoted 5 days a week and most nights. 

Do you have any advice for other sellers that may be thinking of doing their craft full time?

Make sure you really love it. Because it will take up every second of your time and take over almost all parts of your life! Especially when you work from home, it is very hard to escape from it, and I pretty much never switch off.

It is a huge amount of work, but it is so much more fulfilling and the rewards mean so much more when you have worked so hard to get somewhere. 

If you have one tip that you could give fellow online sellers to improve their exposure or sales, what would it be? 

Just get involved! There are so many opportunities to get in touch with people online, and you need to take advantage of every avenue. You will learn as you go which work for you and which don’t. For some Facebook will generate the most traffic and sales, for others Twitter, for others blogging. There is no one recipe that will work for everyone. It depends on your business, your personality and strengths.

For me, having amazing photos has been a huge key in getting my work out there. That is obviously a lot to do with my product though too – I need that kind of package to sell what I am selling.

If you are selling supplies, or smaller items that might not need modeling, you can easily get amazing pictures with a small digital camera and a sunny afternoon. 

Where can we find you?

Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/HopelesslyDevoted and http://www.etsy.com/shop/hopeless

Blog: www.spokesndaggers.blogspot.com

Twitter: www.twitter.com/lovehopeless

AUD Dollars: www.hopelesslingerie.bigcartel.com

Purple and Turquoise Treasure Trove!

These are my favourite colours. I hope you enjoy my latest treasury and I would love you to click through and comment! Wonderful Etsy sellers on here.

How to wire wrap a briolette - Jewelry Making

How to wire wrap a briolette. I just tried this video tutorial and love it. Simple yet effective. Have a look at some of my favourite sellers I have found on Etsy that make these.

Wire Wrapped Sapphire Earrings by Angelene on Etsy

Teardrop Necklace in Purple Berry Chalcedony by Sleepy Moon Design on Etsy

Is Your Craft a Full Time Job or Hobby?

I just opened a forum on Etsy asking fellow sellers if their craft was a full time job or hobby. The responses have been mixed so far as well as the sales that go with it!  I will be writing a full article on this when I get more responses online. I would love my blog followers to also contribute to the post if you sell on Etsy... Here is the link.

http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6526644

Juniper Muscle Soother by amanimoon on Etsy

Marbled Feather Earrings

I have just created my first set of earrings using hand marbled feathers. What are your thoughts? 
I sourced these from Quilln Aros and she is just delightful to work with.  Not only does she create unique marbled feathers, she also makes exquisite marbled paper stationery. She is also a great supplier for exotic feathers so have a look at her store if you are after some feather supplies! I will be adding more marbled feather creations to my store but here is my latest and the last image will be added tomorrow to Etsy!

With Lime...

Check out my latest treasury inspired by Lime! I would love any click throughs and comments. It is currently on the first page of treasury east listings and I'm hoping it gets to the Front Page!