How to start your own business

If you want to start your own business selling hand-made items, the most important thing is to talk to people with experience. That's why I collected a few advices from our group.

Listing

Antoniya Koleva has a passion for crochet and comic books. Her shop combines delicate doilies, fun decoupage bracelets and signs for home decoration. Here's what she says:
Failing to plan is planning to fail. Create short and long terms measurable goals and stick to them (it's harder than it sounds, I tell you from my own experience :) )


Listing

Nevena Avramova is owner of two etsy shops: one for great hand painted glass and one for accessories. (they definitely are a conversational starter!). These are her thoughts on the subject:
If you find you're talented, do not think it will make you rich right away. First you work for your talent - and then it does the same for you! Handmade doesn't mean made in primary school arts classеs. You plan on starting your own business? Think if you can afford it. It's very expensive.


Listing

In her spare time, Elena Kozareva is a designer. She makes amazing dresses and accessories for tango and/or other dances. Start with some tests on your work, she says. For example, I am a very passionate tango dancer myself and so it took me quite some time to see which designs and materials are best for tango. Only after that I was confident enough to start my own business. Test your items in various situations.


Listing

Diana Radeva is oh so very talanted. She makes clutches and bags, mandalas, necklaces, scarves and brooches. Here are her advices for Etsy:
First, take a good look on the cite. Do a research of the items sold on Etsy. Consider the opportunities - what do you do, what can you do, what you love doing. What is the thing you're great at. Than, for starters, decide on one or two options for manufacture. Decide how many finances you can invest. Considering all this, organize your Etsy shop. It's good if you develop it in one direction or in a few similar ones. To start on Etsy, you'll need: 1. a Visa Electron card; 2. a PayPal account. To start your business, you'll need: 1. to make a detailed and well thought-of plan; 2. to prepare a few items to start with; 3. to make photos of your items; 4. to write a good description of your items. And something for the photos. I'll say it again: research the cite and learn from the best. The photo of your item should be beautiful, with a nice composition and it should be easy to see what exactly you're selling. Make it realistic. You can accomlish this after a few hours of shooting. Don't make it look like a Hollywood production. It's really important to keep them real and beautiful... Good luck.

What are your advices?

Etsy Crafts Party, 10 June 2011 - Sofia / Етси среща за творене, 10 юни 2011 - София

We expected a fine sunny weather, but actually it was freezing! It was the first big team meeting in Sofia.
We had so much fun - maybe not all night, but almost. :-)

Въпреки очакванията ни за хубаво, слънчево време, всъщност замръзнахме! Беше първата голяма среща на отбора в София.
Забавлявахме се много, може би не цяла нощ, но почти. :-)

Цветови Тенденции Пролет-Лято'11 / Color Trends SS'11

[English version below]
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Здравейте,

ето и какви са тенденциите в цветовете за пролет/лято'11:


Свежи, наситени, ярки цветове. Кобалтово синьо, зелено, цикламено, оранжево, червено . Смели комбинации (червено с циклама, оранжево с розово, синьо със зелено). Неоновите цветове са особено актуални за тези, които имат смелост да си ги позволят.

За бижутата: големи, ярки, обемни. Златното взема превес над сребърното.

Пожелаваме на всички едно цветно лято с аромат на диня!!!
-Роси
Източник: росСан http://www.facebook.com/rossun
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Hi,

Here in a few pics are the color trends for spring / summer '11:

Fresh, saturated, bright colors. Cobalt blue, green, fuchsia, orange, red. Brave combination (fuchsia and red, orange and pink, blue with green). Neon colors are particularly relevant for those who have the courage to afford it.

For jewelry: big, bright, bold. Gold takes precedence over silver.

We wish you all a colorful summer with watermelon flavor!
-Rossi
Source: http://www.facebook.com/rossun

DIY flower garland tutorial - begginer level

This a very simple project how to make crochet flower garland. It includes 1 flower pattern and one leaf pattern. You can make a pretty decoration for your home or garden. You may use it for making many other project as hair pin, hair band, necklace, brooch etc. Please note this pattern uses standard crochet abbreviations.You can find a list of all standard abbreviations http://www.craftyarncouncil.com/standards.html

Materials:You may choose some nice colors from your "leftovers".In my case yellow(color A),pink, lavender, fuchsia(color B) and green(color C).
The thickness of the yarn determines diameter of flower. Gauge doesn't really matter.
Hook - use the recommended crochet hook size found on the label of the yarn.
Scissors
Tapestry needle

Flower center - color A
Round 1: Make a magic circle

Chain 9 . Join the last chain to the first with a sl st. Pull magic circle tightFlower petals - color B
Round 2: Attach the yarn color B.1 sl st,1 sl st, 3 dc in the first sc, sl st in the next sc. Here you have your first petal. Repeat it 4 times. Create 5 petals total.Sl st to join with first sc of first petal.
Fasten off leaving a tail and secure ends using the tapestry needle. Leaf - color C
Ch 6. Sc in the fifth ch.Dc in next ch(3). Sc in last ch.Fasten off leaving a tail and secure ends using the tapestry needle.Assembling the lariat
Ch 10, sl st in top of one leaf, ch 10,Ch 10, sl st in top of one flower, ch 10,
Follow this pattern until you reach the garland length you need and all flowers and leaves are joined, ch 10. Fasten off.

Voila!

By http://www.etsy.com/shop/Accessorise

Tomorrow is 1St of June!!! We Luv Kidzzzz & Summer

Welcome to Our Sunny Garden!!!

Treasury time...Today is a Perfect Day for picking cherries:)