Sorry for being MIA, but I promise I’m getting back into the swing of things. So much has been going on at the studio, but I haven’t been able to blog about it or even post much about it. About the same time I ran an advertising blitz and realized that I didn’t even have my shipping showing up on the website. I think that I have at least fixed that issue, if not permanently at least temporarily. Me, physically? After having a breast biopsy surgery in May/June, I ended …
Handmade vs. Custom Made Items
While all of our products are handmade there are some slight differences between our handmade and our custom made products. Especially in fit and availability. Our handmade products are not always ready made. Some things, like clothing, are made to order which means we make them after the order has been placed. This time frame means that your order may take a few days to shim to you. Our handmade garments go through the same quality checks that our custom made items are, but these do not take nearly as …
Using our size charts
While many times we try to list sizes that are as close to what you’d normally see in stores for our custom designs, please note we do try to provide sizing charts where we feel like some guidance may be needed in selecting the correct sizing. For instance, my granddaughter would wear a size 6 in a store brand, but some dresses that I make, she needs to have a size 7 due to the way the clothes are made, and because she is much taller with longer legs. To …
What is a Rose design?
In some of our product descriptions, you may see from time-to-time the phrase, “A Rose design,” and you may wonder what that means. Well, let me enlighten you. Meet Rose. She is currently six, and she is my little helper in my studio. She has a job and everything. Her job is to put the “Toadily Handmade” stamp on the round cards that attach to all things that are sewn. She takes her job seriously, insisting that her brother cannot help because it is her job. Not his. She also …
Sewing Tutorials
I’ve been in a huge rut as to what to post to my YouTube channel. Trying to find a way to produce content at least weekly has been a challenge, and trying to find interesting content to post is even more of a challenge at times. I was wondering if anyone would be interested in sewing tutorials?
Finding my passion
Recently I had a conversation with a coworker about my sewing. I told her that I would sew us some shirts over the long weekend, and she replied, “Oh no! Don’t spend your rest time doing something for us! Enjoy your long weekend!” To her surprise, I said, “You don’t understand. Sewing is my therapy!” And it is, to some degree. Sewing is my happy place. I love to be able to let the sound of the machines just fade everything else into the background. It’s the one time that …
Keychains for functionality and expression
When I first started driving, I remember walking into some of my favorite shops and finding just the right keychain that represented how I was feeling or to represent me as a person. I became the extension of my personality. These days, I still want the fun expressiveness, but I also need functionality. I need a holder to hold my Chapstick® and my keys. I need a business card holder and a holder for my keys. I also want things that express my love of dogs, cats, grandchildren, or birds. …
New Products
We have added quite a few new products this week to our store. Our keychain section is growing. We have added new wristlet keychains as well as some scrunchy keychains to our store. Also, children’s clothing is starting to grow. We added a new stripwork dress that is red. It’s a sundress meant for summer, but add a turtleneck underneath or a long sleeve shirt, and it is a perfect fall dress paired with some lovely boots. Plus, Halloween is coming soon! Check out what is new in earrings for …
Trying out Whatnot
I kept seeing the advertisements for Whatnot and looked into it. It’s a combination of Ebay and TikTok with the ability to go live and have auctions that last a super short time. Think flash sales that are about a minute in length. The concept is that you introduce an item, show it off, and then have the bidding start. I think it would be a great way to reduce inventory (many of the ones I watched were quilters reducing fabric stashes). My goal is to use it to sell …
Caring for handmade garments
Most handmade garments can be cleaned like you would normal everyday clothing. The exceptions would be if the item was made from material that would need to be dry cleaned, such as: satin, silk, chiffon, or other high item evening wear/special occasion fabric. These items would be marked on the tag as such. Much of our handmade items are made from cotton or cotton knits and can be placed in a washing machine and tumbled dry with no damage being made to the item. In fact, some items, like our …