Pricing and Such

I didn't post prices on here because I usually don't make items in bulk. Prices can vary greatly based on materials and the time it takes to actually make the items, all of which are usually special requests. That being said I have had so many requests lately I decided to do a ballpark/starting prices album on Facebook so you can have a general idea. Seeing as this is a blog and not everyone has Facebook I'll post it on here too, eventually ( LOL, it just takes so much longer)! So for now basic ballpark prices using items I have made recently as examples:

 Baby set: Hat, booties and blanket $85  +

 This set was made with a specialty yarn, which might be the softest yarn ever, which makes the price higher. With a basic baby yarn the price would be closer to $65.

Super cute baby specialty hats: $25 +/-

 Specialty hats can depend on animal/ character, details, yarn type and size

Mixed Fabric Tutus: $30+/-

 The prices change based on size and content of the tutus (tulle, fabrics, ribbons, lace, bows, etc). Discounts for multiple orders ( 2+ in similar color schemes)

Dino/monster tails: $35 Spiked hoodie: $30 +/-

The dino tails are pretty basic prices depend on sizes and materials. I usually do felt with removable stuffing so they are washable, but other materials that wear better over time (nylon and such) are options.  The hoodie is very dependent on the price of the sweatshirt itself . If i was only adding spikes to a pre-existing sweatshirt the price can drop greatly ($10- $15)

basic people hats and scarves: $20+/- each

This is when styles, patterns and yarn types really effect the price.

basic baby booties: $10 +/-

These were actually baby deck shoes and were kind of adorable, but I would charge the same for a basic booty depending on yarn.

Specialty baby booties: $20+

This again depends greatly on pattern, general rule of thumb with all diy crafts, more detail = more $

blankets and throws: $85 +

Again style/pattern and yarn, but also time. Blankets are extremely time consuming and if you want to order as a gift for a specific date ample time needs to be alloted ( usually 1-2 months depending on pattern, there can be a rush put on it but I can only do so much in a day)

I hope this helps answer some basic questions, as always email or facebook me for more information or to discuss orders :)

Tutus with a Twist

I had a tutu when I was a little girl, it was a giant pink scratchy thing that I wore until the tulle was falling off of the waistband.  Now that tutus are all the rage again for little girls it is time they were updated. I went with a theme for each one based on fun fabrics I found.

   Tutu number one was a hello kitty rock star fabric in two different colors, along with two different fun prints. I filled in the tutu with lots of ribbons, lace and a little tulle to give it some more volume.









 The result was a super fun and a little funky, after all being girly is a lot more than just wearing pink!

 Tutu number two was rainbows and ladybugs. I chose just two fabrics for this one with a rainbow of tulle and ribbons for lots of fun and volume. This little lady just turned one and she had to show up in style for her first birthday party.

Shimmied just a little too hard!

Modeling with her very best hula shimmy

Happy birthday little Miss Daphne!!!

The ultimate Thomas cupcake cake

I loved this cake. The night I made it I kept checking the fridge going "damn, that's awesome".
Pull apart cupcake cakes, are like the best idea ever for a child's birthday party. I made the cupcake's with half chocolate fudge and the other half butter cake so there was something for everyone. My husband carefully broke 3 dozen pretzel sticks trying to get them to be the perfect length for Thomas and Rosie to ride on. I will say there is a ridiculous amount of frosting on this cake and probably too much food coloring but hey you only turn 2 once right? Several people asked me where I got it or how much I payed for it, which is the ultimate compliment to any DIYer.

Well almost the ultimate, this look on Sawyer's face as he devoured the cupcake was probably the best compliment ever :)

Button Bouquets and Ribbon Vases

 My husband likes to laugh at me quite often, I am some what of a conundrum for him. I am probably the most un-girly, yet definitely not a tom boy girl there is. He how ever is an over the top romantic sap (whom I love dearly, I swear). When it came to our wedding he was the one who wanted an over the top giant wedding and I wanted to go to Vegas and get married by Elvis, just the two of us. We settled for a ceremony at the JoP with a family style BBQ reception. 


 Project # 1 The Bouquet

I hate bees. With a fiery passion. Well anything with a stinger really. My in-laws have a beautiful back yard, but backyards in San Diego tend to come with bees and wasps. I refused to be running from bees on my wedding day so I didn't

My bouquet, Navy, ivory, gold, and wooden buttons

want to carry a bouquet. My husband said I had to carry a bouquet, because every bride has to have a bouquet.  This lead to the flower alternative bouquet searches. I found several absolutely beautiful paper flower, broach and button bouquets. Etsy even has several shops for them, all well out of price range. I'm talking several hundreds of dollars out of my price range. So I decided I could totally do it myself, which I did.
I did a couple of practice ones to get a feel for the best way to build the "stems" and then twist them together and not stab myself while holding it.

Flower girl's

Penguins, because I can :)

Bridesmaid's ( x 3)

 It ended up being a really fun project. Everyone got in the hunt of helping me find interesting and unique buttons. Several family button tins got passed down to me, so I ended up having generations of our families with us on our special day.

Project #2 the Centerpieces
 

Same problem with the bees. I knew I wanted to do some kind of glass votive centerpiece, but I
wanted it to be just a little special with out being froo froo. I got my inspiration from the flower
department of our grocery store. They had completely overpriced ribbon wrapped vases. This one was a super easy and quick project that came out beautifully and was easy to customize to our colors. I loved them because they didn't scream wedding and they are now living in the living rooms of several of our family and friends.

My fortune cookie told me to. . .

I've been debating some time on starting a blog, or a website, or an Etsy shop and I finally decided to just do it! Quite honestly my fortune cookie told me to " Take a risk on a chance you have been considering". So I did and I am! This is mainly just a place for me to share all of my DIY adventures and creative struggles. Over the past few years I have had some serious health issues, some mental and some physical, and as cheesy as it sounds crafts gave me purpose. While on bed rest twisting the hundreds of button stems for my bouquets made me feel like I was accomplishing something. That's what my projects do for me, a kind of DIY therapy if you will. 

 One of the 3 bridesmaid bouquets.

Now I'm attempting to put myself out there with my passion. It is terrifying to say the least, I wait with baited breathe every time I give a homemade gift and now I'm actually encouraging people to judge it, buy it, and brag about it. For now I'm selling locally, the thought of messing with credit cards and return policies is a whole new kind of scary. Hey, baby steps right? Next step is uploading and sharing all of my projects so you guys can see what has got me here.