Last one

Well, this is the last post for 2010. 2010 has a been a great year, but I am really looking forward to starting 2011. I have many exciting things planned for the next 12 months and I'll be back in a few days to share some of them with you. In the meantime here are some inspiration posters to kick start the New Year (I particularly like no. 5). 

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Sweet Lulu

I really enjoyed styling my niece's birthday party a few months ago. I loved collecting collecting vintage bits and piece sand paper party goods and combining them to create a festive and fun birthday atmosphere. I wish  I'd known then about Sweet Lulu. I found their shop today via the Fossil blog. 

New

One for dad

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I've been thinking about pricing for my new products and I'm finding it hard to settle on a number. Then today on Scoutie Girl I read a timely post by Wicked Whimsy on pricing handmade goods. It's not surprising that as small craft business owner pricing and underselling handmade goods is something that I feel very passionate about. When I first started Notions I had no idea what I was doing and was happy just to have a sale- even if it meant that I didn't actually make a profit.

When I first started selling at local markets other stall holders told me that I should ask more for my products (I realise now that they were not just saying that to be nice, but that underselling was hurting their sales and the craft community as a whole) My reaction was, 'Really? Do you think people will still buy from me?' You know what? As soon as I raised my prices I started making more sales.

I really do believe that is important to value your goods and your skills and that if you do your customers will also value them.

I'll have some photos my new products to share with you soon, in the meantime here is a completely unrelated image for your enjoyment.

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Vintage Orange

A few days before Christmas I scored these babies from the tip shop. I couldn't believe my luck. Some of the letters in 'flour' are missing, but otherwise they're in such good condition. My niece asked me what I was going to do with them and I replied, 'Nothing. Put them on display.' She said that that was a waste and that I should use them. Maybe I will, but for now they are sitting pretty on a shelf.

Book Love

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Fresh

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MERRY CHRISTMAS

Creature Comforts

Wrapped

Usually gift wrapping is a last minute chore that I don't really enjoy... probably because I leave it to the last minute. I really enjoyed wrapping this year (of course, the most important gifts we give can't be wrapped in paper). I was lucky enough to score this gorgeous paper from one of my Melbourne stockists- for free! The little paper and white ceramic birds are from Nest. The doilys are from Verna + Hilda. The red wooden birds are from Typo and the brown string from my stash.  How is your wrapping going?

Christmas Cards

Hello! Well, it's Christmas Eve and the presents are wrapped, the beer is bought and the house is clean (not that anyone will see it- we're having Christmas at my sister's this year). I think I'm on top of everything, but, as usual, I didn't get around to sending any cards this year. I like the idea of sending an receiving Christmas cards, but I am also aware of the environmental impact that the millions of cards that do get sent each year has. Last night I found these fabulous free e-cards on the Fossil website and immediately set about sending some. I love the vintage inspired designs and the colour palette, plus, they're environmentally friendly. 

Stockings

bluemossgirls

Christmas Treats

{All photo credits can be found here on my Pinterest board}

Today it was cup cakes.

Decorated with cranes.

To match the Christmas Tree.

This is my sisters tree...lights and paper cranes. 

It's that time of the year again when the Christmas cookie cutters come out and the benches get covered in icing. This year we went with stars, gingerbread men and moose. We had a few mishaps...a headless moose and a legless gingerbread man, but overall the cookie cutting, baking and icing went off without a hitch.