On the Etsy Blog: Packaging Inspiration

I love packaging.

A few weeks ago, there was a thread in the Etsy seller forum calling for packaging tips and photos for an upcoming blog post. I submitted a few photos to the Flickr pool and crossed my fingers.

Turns out one of my photos was included in the article!

To make these tags, I first designed them in Photoshop using one of my favorite fonts ever. Printed them on kraft cardstock (from the scrapbooking section of the crafts store) and then used a paper punch. The punch has three different sizes of label/ticket shapes. I mostly use the large size and the middle size. As you can see here, I use them as labels on my hoops and wreaths and goodie bags I include with every purchase.

There were so many lovely packaging ideas shared in the article.  You can check it out here. Or go to the Etsy Packaging Flickr Pool.

Happy packaging!

Work in Progress: Yarn-wrapped Wreath in Aquas + Green

 Just wanted to quickly check in and share a photo of a custom-ordered wreath I'm working on. I love working on custom orders because my customers come up with the most beautiful color combinations.
I love the varying shades of aqua and a touch of green. Would love to do a pink/mauve variation next.

What do you think? What colors would you like to see on my next wreath?

newsworthy: catshy crafts published

Newsworthy? Well, magazine-worthy, anyway.

I was lucky enough to be featured in two magazines this summer.

Yarn-wrapped Wreath in Simply Handmade: Decor

Simply Handmade: Decor 2012 featured the very first thing I sold through my Etsy shop. My yarn-wrapped wreath! Delaney Gates, the magazine's editor convo-ed me through Etsy and asked if I wanted to be published. Of course, I said yes, and immediately went to work on a fresh wreath to send to the magazine. That was back in February 2012. My husband, Jamie took this photo of the new wreath along with the original that still hangs on my front door.

The neat thing about Simply Handmade is that they love Etsy! And feature many Etsy shops, even including the Etsy shops' URL prominently in the article. I even got my little old blog mentioned.

"It's My Party" Scrapbook Layout in Scrapbook Trends

Scrapbook Trends (a sister publication to Simply Handmade) published one of my scrapbooking layouts in the August 2012 issue. From time to time, I submit my pages (both paper and digital) to various scrapbooking magazines and occasionally one will be chosen. This particular page was very special to me. The fact that I broke out the paper scrapbooking supplies in the first place was the first indicator. Why was it so special? Well, it was all about my artist's reception and unofficial launch party for Catshy Crafts!

Full Circle

And to bring the whole experience to full circle, in typical scrapbooker fashion, tonight I made a page about it. This time a digital page using digital kits by Sahlin Studio.

newsworthy | Key to My Heart Elements by Sahlin Studio

As always, thanks for stopping by my blog today!

she (digi) scraps: beachy keen + giveaway

beachy keen | digital kits by Sahlin Studio

My family and I went on a little beach getaway last week. To Long Beach. No, not the one in California. Nope, not even the one in NY. It's in Washington! So we didn't even have to board a plane. It was 3 1/2 hour drive. Apparently we are all rusty on our long road trip skills as daughter number 2 had a few MAJOR meltdowns en route to our destination. Our first night was no better with a hot room and paper thin walls.

But when we were on the beach, we all relaxed a bit. We collected feathers. We flew kites we made ourselves. We built sandcastles. We read books. We walked barefoot on the silky fine sand. We stared at the sea.

Now we're back at home. We have birthday parties in our future. In-laws in-town. A possible bathroom renovation just about to begin. And....new plans for my Etsy shop. So glad we took that relaxing vacation ;)

p.s. There is still time to enter my felt flower giveaway. Jump over to Rinne's blog for the details.