Etsy Turns 13

Through highs and lows, good times and bad Etsy has managed to become a teenager. I remember reading about the site on blogs in 2005 and was so thrilled someone had made something for crafty people.

To celebrate rather than have cake I am having a sale. Although I offer free shipping for orders over $25 the idea of a percent off sale is new to me. I thought about what I should offer and came up with 40% off. I wanted to make an offer that makes it worthwhile for folks to come by my shop and look.

This all ends on Friday and I wouldn't want you to miss out. I will not be offering such a steep markdown again this year. You can shop for dishcloths, headbands, market bags, hats and potholders at CozyAtoZ.etsy.com.

Back with more again soon. Take care and stay cozy!

CozyAtoZ on Etsy

When I first opened an account on Etsy in the olden days of 2006 I used the name Cozy and it served me well. It was short and easy to type and remember. It was a generic word that fit my vision and goals and that still works for me today. I really do want to make the world a cozier place.

Over time as new websites and new accounts came along the name Cozy was sometimes not available so I started using CozyAtoZ. That is the user name I use for Twitter and Pinterest. During those days I was on Artfire, Etsy and Zibbet so being Cozy at all places from A to Z fit. So in getting all things matching I changed my Etsy shop name to CozyAtoZ recently and having the same username in more places make me happy.

The shop closed last year for awhile and is reopening this spring. The first items are in the shop with more to come. In the meantime I am seeing how long I can offer free domestic shipping and if it might make a difference in how often my creations get to go to other people to use and get cozy.


Eight of the the headbands in the shop so far have a fabric middle that was hemstitched. This is a process that puts holes on fabric so that an edge can be crocheted. The crocheted trim and ties gives these headbands a soft look that you aren't likely to find anywhere else but in my shop.

There is also a red knit headband in the shop. The design is my own. I just love the red color. This headband will be very comfortable to wear because it is very stretchy. With ties you can personalize your fit.


Back with more again soon. Take care and stay cozy!

Perils of Online Selling

I sold a headband yesterday and promised my buyer that I would send it first thing this morning and I kept that promise. Keeping it was a bit of an adventure however.

You see we live in a very small town that has no home mail delivery and Jim has to drive a mountain pass to get to work. He has to use his 4 wheel drive truck to get there and home safely. He also said that he needed an ATV with a blade on the front of it to clear the snow we get here. That leaves me in the winter with our old rear wheel drive sedan and that is where my adventure begins today.

I went out to the garage and pressed the button on the wall to open the door after packing the order to get in the car to go to the Post Office and found the ATV parked snugly right next to the driver side door of the car. I decided to get in on the passenger side. Going over to that side I found bicycles and a lawn mower right by the passenger doors. I had to move the bikes and lawn mower so I could get in the car and scoot across to the driver's side. I started the car, backed out of the garage over piles of snow left behind from plowing the driveway with the coveted ATV by someone who is mostly right in thinking I never go anywhere anyway and looked up at the visor to find the garage door gadget was not there.

Leaving the car running in the driveway I went back into the garage, hit the button on the wall to close the door and left the garage by the small door on the side to step out onto unshoveled sidewalk. Not shoveled because no one comes here, we use the garage usually and the snow plow blade is too big to do the sidewalk so why would Jim bother clearing it anyway? My broken toe (a story for another day) and I limped around the garage in the snow to get back to the car. Driving slowly and carefully on barely plowed and icy streets I made it to the Post Office. Hallelujah I found no line at the Post Office thanks to living in a very small town.

Coming back home on those same streets I had to reverse the process. I pulled into the driveway, went around the garage in the snow, pressed the button on the wall to open the door and pulled in. The bright spot was that with the bikes and lawn mower already moved getting out of the car was not as big a pain as getting in.

I got there and back safely, the order is on the was so now as Phil of Duck Dynasty says, "Everyone should be happy, happy, happy."

Blogger is being a stinker about pictures for some reason right now. Add another event to today's adventure!I will show you all the headband when I edit later. Who knows I may show you the old car and coveted ATV too.

Two New Headbands

I finally spent an afternoon with the camera taking some pictures of headbands. It always takes awhile to get pictures done. I mean, I like my headbands, I am proud of them, but really how many ways can you take a picture of them?

Next comes writing descriptions, thinking of tags, listing the size information and materials. Some times it is hard to make your items fresh and inviting. It can be tough to sell online since your potential buyer can't touch the item or try it on but I try.

Here they are and there are more to come. I have about six more styles made and ready to go. I have split the number I made between my Artfire and Zibbet shops.

Update - I have left my Artfire shop go. As of this writing o 3/5/2013 all my things are being moved to Etsy.

I don't mind...

I don't mind going to the Post Office where I live now especially when I get to send one of the things I have made to a new place. This brown headband is on the way to Vermont.

On the way home I was reminded that I do live in a place where the deer and the antelope play. Well it was elk and buffalo but you get the idea.

It is raining now and there are some worries about the local rivers flooding but our home should be safe from any problems. For that I am thankful.

I had a wonderful time

It was a nice weekend and even a nice Monday around here. Over the weekend I got to see a granddaughter graduate from preschool. The cutest thing was that the ceremony was at a local community college. She told everyone she was graduating from college. We all had pizza and chocolate cake to celebrate.

I came home on Sunday to an order in my Artfire shop for this headband.

I took the envelope to the Post Office this morning to send the headband on its way to Vermont. On the way home I saw buffalo grazing along the road not far from where I live.

As I was getting some lunch I looked out the window and saw some elk. You can see in this picture that new antlers are growing and covered in velvet. Sorry about getting the south end of the animals but they are a bit fussy about posing for the camera.

I hope your weekends were just as nice and this is the start of a great week for you all as well.

Headbands

My goal this week...
get these headbands pressed and pretty for pictures
and
write up their information
and
get them listed on Artfire. (Not on Artfire anymore, but you can check out my shop on Etsy.)


So, do you have any goals set for the upcoming week?

Stuck on Blue

Yes blue is my favorite color. I enjoy all the colors but blue is peaceful and comforting to me. I see it in water and sky as a big part of my world. It can be deep as indigo or light and silvery.

Some of my favorite pictures have the blue of water in them and I find my eye drawn to it as I look over supplies when I start new projects and I am always starting new projects.

I think this shot shows what I mean about water and sky. So many shades and variation of blue in one shot. This was taken by Jim on the shores of the Great Salt Lake a few years ago and I have always liked looking at it.

I have a lot of blue in my shops on Artfire and Zibbet too. The most recent listing on Zibbet is this crocheted shawl in light blue. (update on the shop thing, I am on Etsy now and the link is at the top of the blog.)

In my blues on Artfire are a couple more of my favorites. I guess it is good when you make something you like. Then you can feel good about showing them off.

The scarf is nice and wide and the yarn is so soft. It is not too heavy. It has just enough weight to lend some warmth and be dare I say it again, cozy? That is what I am all about after all.

I made this headband on a day I was going through some of my fabric scraps. I don't really remember where or when I got this print but I loved the colors and the flowers on it and had just enough for a headband so as near as I know this is truly a one of a kind piece. I don't know anyone else that makes headbands like I do.

If  want to know more about colorful Blogfire crafting you can find the blog carnival this post will be part of on Friday Aug. 6th by clicking here.

New App

Yes I know it has been awhile since I posted. It seems as if the more that is happening the less I blog and when I get around to talking all about it here it just seem like old news.

While waiting for a new refrigerator to be delivered to our rental house I did find a new handy app to tuck away on the SD card of my phone. You see to occupy myself while I waited I took along some headbands to crochet. By the way look for them in my shops starting next week. I wanted some noise but all the commercials on regular radio drive me nuts. I found an audio book app for my phone. For free you can download public domain books and listen. A variety of short stories kept me company while I crocheted and waited.

I will let you know when I start listing those headbands and I should get started on some other things too.

Just wondering, do you shop Christmas in July? If so do you look specifically for Christmas themed items or do you looks for gifts too?

What's New?

I had a great day yesterday. A couple headbands are going to new homes and I got more things listed on Artfire and Zibbet.

In case anyone is wondering I only list the quantity I have. So for example if I make 4 of something I split them between shops and list 2 on one site and 2 on the other. If it is one of a kind it goes in one place.

My plan is to have the number of items stay about equal on each site. I have designed a spreadsheet to help me keep track of what is listed where and how many items are in each shop.

The other good thing yesterday was taking pictures in my new space. I think it is really going to work out well. The natural light in this room is awesome and works to my advantage. Take a look and see if you agree.

Zibbet Came Back

Quite a bit of worrying and tension online the last few days. Zibbet went offline last week to upgrade server capacity to handle more traffic and growth. These things happen and I guess not too much ruffles this old lady's feathers any more.

Think long term folks. It will be okay.


I have had a few sales on Zibbet as well as Artfire but I know that I need to put much more in my shops and I have the things made. I just have to get all the pictures taken. Now that moving chaos is under control that is my plan.

For now I thought I would show you my favorite listing in my Zibbet shop because you know every blog post or at least as often as possible should have a picture.


Do you like purple?
Well here ya go.

Still Here

It has been a busy week that has just flown by. I sold 2 more headbands, this time on Artfire. I have been packing and cleaning and doing small jobs between the two houses. We had a potential renter look at our current home. Whether they will take it or not is still up in the air.

I got really lost in memories and ideas for a couple hours sorting through my fabrics getting them ready to move. I have so many ideas! I want to start quilting again. Getting my antique quilting frame out of the attic here and moving to a place where I have room to set it up has got me dreaming and distracted.

Don't expect many posts as I go through the moving process.

Moving Things Around

I have been working my way through my finished products the last couple days. I am doing it slowly I admit but doing it rather than the frozen state I found myself in last week. I was working my way through the headbands I have made and have some more to add but I thought I would show them to you in a slide show.

I have sold a few of these and alway gotten positive feedback on them that I am very proud of.

"hayyyyy my headband just arrived i love it wearing it now its so pretty"

"Even prettier in person! Super fast shipping, too! Thanks a lot - I love it!"

"This headband is absolutely fantastic! I plan on wearing it on my wedding day. Thank you so much for the prompt shipment. You are wicked awesome!"

"you should make more of these for sure!"

Want to see what all the excitement was about?

What's New Today?

I have made it a policy of not putting the same item on multiple sites. I know it is not as if the world of online shoppers is causing servers to crash with traffic to my shops. I just never wanted to be in the embarrassing situation of having to tell someone that the item they wanted was bought out from under them at another site.

Rather than waiting for things to expire I have started moving off of Silkfair. With all my days interruptions I got two things moved. Now available in A Cozy Life on ArtFire are a scarf in shaded blues and a headband that has colors that I really love.


For the scarf I used a shaded yarn that goes from deep indigo to a cool icy blue. For visual interest I created a pattern that angles the colors at the ends.

I can't help myself. I love calico prints. I think the turquoise crocheted edging makes a pretty frame for this fabric.

As I keep going with this process I will keep you posted right here.

My Work

A Slide Show of Some of my Work.
I was just playing around with my Windows Live Space and made a slide show. Do you think that there will ever come a day when you like all things in one place. With blogs some features I like here on blogger and I like some of the features of Live Spaces.
It is the same with my shops. Each site has something I like and something I don't. I will say right now that the places with the administration the listens to its customers the most are Art Fire and Silkfair.
But of course that is one silly old woman's opinion.

Happy Day!

 

That's right folks. I am pleased to announce that 2 of my headbands are on their way to a new home and owner. I just love packing up my little creations and sending them off.

 

Sign courtesy of Vintage Suburbia

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You may be wondering which ones sold, if so, your curiosity will be satisfied by looking at the pictures.

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you are interested I have some other headbands for sale in my shop as well has some hand knit scarves for the coming fall and winter.

Technorati Tags: etsy,headbands,sold,scarves,hemstitched,knit,crochet

The Sale Continues!

Clicking the link above will take you away to a shopping adventure you don't want to miss. You will see a list of about 40 Etsy shops all offering discounts or free shipping or a combination of both. Each shop has decided on their sale offers so your deal could be as individual and wonderful as the items offered.

For my own shop I am offering a 20% discount on anything in the shop. To make your purchasing easier you can choose what you want, pay for it and I will send you a refund by PayPal. Doing it this way is easier. It means you don't have to wait for answers to emails or revised invoices to have what you want.

I ask $6.00 for my headbands that are created in a way you can't find anywhere else and now through Sunday you can get them for $4.80!

I ask $12.00 for a set of 4 hand knit 100% cotton dish clothes in an extra scrubby pattern stitch and you can now have them for $9.60!

New listings include two new scarves. One of them is a Mobius twist scarf in a grown up pink and the other is a not so basic beige that is long, thick and oh so very soft!

The pink scarf is listed at $25.00 so until Sunday it could be yours for $20.00.

The beige scarf has lots of yarn and knitting time in it. Each fringe has been knotted at the ends to prevent ugly fraying. It is priced at $44.00 but during the sale your price is $35.20!

To bring any of these things to your door I use USPS Priority Mail service with Delivery Confirmation when available. I will send your tracking number by email as soon as your order is shipped. To get this quality serve you only pay me a flat rate no matter what size your order.


Remember my 20% discount ends on Sunday! Shop Now!

Celebrating August 13th to August 17th!

The EtsyBlogger Street Team is finishing up their first year. This has been a year for me of meeting new people and lots of blogging fun. I have been able to be an author on our team blog which has allowed me to show off members in our Mini Monday features and send greetings on birthdays. Another regular event for the team is our blog carnival. These carnivals are postings by 20 to 30 or so members on a specific theme. You can find a link to our archived carnivals in the carnival widget in my sidebar on the left.

In common we all have shops on Etsy and blogs. Beyond those two things we come from all over the world and have an amazing array of skills and talent that shows in what we offer for sale. You can find jewelry designers, polymer clay artists, photographers, quilters, knitters, crocheters and those whose sew bags or clothing for all ages.

To celebrate our anniversary about 40 of our team members are having sales. Each of us has decided what special deals will be offered during the 5 sale days of August 13th to August 17th.

For a list of participating shops click the EtsyBloggers sale graphic in this post and be ready to shop!

In my shop "A Cozy Life" I am offering 20% off all purchases excluding shipping costs. I will refund the 20% to you through PayPal after your funds are confirmed in my account. I always ship by Priority Mail within 2 days of receiving your money.

For this sale I have put 4 new headbands in my shop. I have sold several of these and the feedback has been positive on all sales. I am usually told that they are even better in person than in my pictures. I guess that means I make a very nice headband or take lousy pictures or a combination of both. (I am always working on getting better pictures.)

For those of you that plan ahead and are thinking of fall and winter keep an eye on my shop starting tomorrow. I will be adding some knit scarves and possible some shawls. The 20% off for the sale will make these a good deal for yourself or early holiday shopping.