Thanks for all the interest and comments on my Booth tips last week.  I decided to follow up with some talk about pricing!  A much debated topic but I hope I can help you by sharing my thoughts and ideas. The first thing to understand about pricing handmade items to sell is that your time and effort are THE biggest factor in the process when you are sewing.  YES, material costs are something to think about but they really only add pennies...

I thought some of you might be interested in how I am running my sewing business behind the scenes.  Someone who write about this quite a bit is Abby from While She Naps  if you want to really learn some good info and detail- like in depth extensive detail, you can go check out her blog. I find myself easily overwhelmed by too much info on how to run my business.  I am keeping my head afloat by using simple strategies and trying to be...

Do you remember that cute Day Out Purse I made for Sew Mama Sew last year?  They were an extra project from Sewing to Sell that I was able to share.  I made some for the holiday craft shows I did back in November and Decmeber 2015. They were fun and quick to make.  Since they are 6” x 7”, you can use some of those bright and colorful FQs you have laying around.  Also- it’s a great chance to use up some of those trims you have...

I applied to 2 fabulous shows in Pittsburgh this holiday season and got into both of them!  My first reaction was YAY!!!  My next reaction was OH MY GOODNESS- I have a lot of work to do.  But it’s fun work- good creative work! I found out this news several weeks ago and have already been sewing up some things- crayon holders, modern folksy kitties, market bags, etc.  I haven’t done a big show in awhile (actually, since before my...

Something I have been thinking about lately is how to take better photographs of my sewn things.  Especially things that I made a pattern for since I want people to be able to envision making one for themselves.  The other day I sewed up a new Lucky Elephant pillow and experimented with “staging”.  Instead of just the plain background, I added some things to make him more stylish and also show his size.  I will show you the winner...

The Sewing to Sell Blog tour is still going strong!  Last week, Jenny from The Southern Institute wrote about getting your finances in order when starting (or fixing up!) a handmade business.  Be sure to go over and read her blog post– you might learn something new and valuable… Yesterday, Shannon from Little Luvins shared this beautiful tablet sleeve she made from a project in the book.  I love this arizona fabric combo,...

Two of my favorite bloggers reviewed Sewing to Sell this week so far- Tara Faul of Girl Like the Sea and Monica Swift of Adirondack Inspired. First, Tara tried out the boxy pin cushion.  Can you believe that she has never sewn a pin cushion before?  This one is gorgeous.  Head over to her blog, Girl Like the Sea and read about photo taking, sewing style, and pin cushions.  Leave a comment for your chance to win a copy of the book! This morning,...

I am so pleased to present the entire list of bloggers who are reviewing Sewing to Sell!   I am crazy excited to see what they all will say about the book and what wonderful extra information WE are going to learn from reading their blog posts on this topic.  I mean WE because even though I wrote this book, and I learned so much in the process, this is conversation that will continue and evolve as long as online selling and craft shows exist,...

Hello Sewers!  With my book coming out in only 6 weeks (whoopee!) I have been thinking a lot about marketing and trying things out.  One thing I have been looking at for a long time are those long Pinterest photos.  Supposedly, those long ones get pinned more often!  Did you know that?  Pinterest is a huge help to Gingercake Patterns and Design,  so I thought I would try one out a long pin with my Scrappy Pumpkin tutorial.  What to help me out?...

I have been doing this handmade business for 6 years almost.  Six years full of creating and learning and success and failure.  What brought me to sewing was all the wonderful creative and useful things I could make- dolls for my kids, pillows for my sofa, hotpads for my kitchen, handbags for my friends.  I LOVE making useful and beautiful things.  It is the essential hook of sewing for creative and PRACTICAL people like me.  It’s true!...