We Have a Winner! (Actually 2 Winners!)

My  very first Rafflecopter is coming to a close It was a good run with 133 contest entries and 58 new Facebook Likes on the Catshy Crafts Facebook Page over 2 weeks time. The page was hopping with activity with new fans and old.

And now, I have not one, but two winners to announce! (As you may know I added a 2nd winner when I reached 100 contest entries.)

The first name picked (by random.org) is.......Lisa Page! Congrats Lisa! She won a 5-inch custom hoop art with felt flowers and leaves. The name or monogram to be embroidered will be up to her. Can't wait to see what she chooses.

And now for the Grand Prize Winner who takes home a set of felt flowers, a 5-inch custom hoop are with felt flowers and leaves and a 12-inch wreath wrapped in yarn and decorated with felt flowers (a $125 value)! The winner (chosen by random.org) is....... Taylor!

Because Taylor is local - and actually is a friend of mine -- I will invite her over so she can choose some felt colors in person! That will be a fun day!

Congratulations again to Lisa and Taylor!

But wait there's more!

I will be e-mailing each entrant to say thanks and give them a coupon for the shop. The exact discount will be a surprise! Thanks again for playing along. And don't worry, this won't be the last giveaway. It's just the beginning.

Catshy Crafts is Featured Shop at Etsy!

I am beyond excited to announce that Catshy Crafts is the Featured Shop at Etsy today!

When I got the convo asking me to be featured, it took several days for it to sink in.
I was shocked to say the least. And a little wary.

I was nervous about the interview. And the photographs to be taken. And my studio! What a mess. I went on a 3-day cleaning binge to get in order for my photographs.

And now that the day is here, I'm still in shock.
But I am trying to let all the positive feedback in and enjoy the moment.

Thank You!

I also wanted to thank all the people who have supported my shop -- both as customers and cheerleaders on my blog, Facebook page, Twitter page and at the etsyRAIN craft show.

I wish I could name them all but here's a start:

My family! Jamie, my husband has ALWAYS been supportive of me finding my outlet (from when I was a scrapbooker to photographer to Etsian). He's never complained when I bought the "toys"  and tools I've needed for my craft (from a dSLR camera to a photo printer to all my trips to Joanns and Michaels). He's the best!

My daughters, Sofia and Zara for being my models and #1 fans of my works. For all the oohing and ahhing over my little pieces and always wanting me NOT to sell a piece so that they could keep it for themselves!

My sisters (one of whom has an Etsy shop too - while being a full-time costume designer in Chicago) and the rest of my family back on the East Coast.

My in-laws, especially Dianne, who is shares a love for photography and creating.

My friend Hannah for giving me my "break" at  my first art show at Cupcake Royale.

For my friends Hailee and Helen for being my first customers (at the art show).

And my friend Kayo for being my first Etsy customer EVER! (and who now has her own business!)

My online buddies: Kristina, Holly, Joscie, Traci, Crystal, Corinne, Katrinna for always "liking" my little status updates and giving me encouragement along the way!

My fellow etsyRAIN team members who I have met in person and online: Marlo, Amy, Hazel, Kelly, Kayce, Steph, Christine, Amrita, Emily and many more.

My blog readers who leave sweet comments on my blog (I really do appreciate them!)

And of course my customers!!! Thanks for letting me create something for you and your homes or your friends' homes!

So thank you if you ever "hearted" one of my items, commented on a blog post or shared a link or bought one of my items.

It means a lot to me!

Free Shipping Thank You

And as an extra special thank you, here's a coupon code for you. I will give free shipping to my U.S. customers just in time for the holiday gift-giving season!

Use coupon code "FREESHIPUS" for free shipping to the U.S. until December 15, 2012 at Catshy Crafts!

Happy 100 Sales! Thank You So Much!

This little hoop is my 100th sale!

When I opened Catshy Crafts over a year ago, I never thought I'd reach 100 sales. Seriously, it seemed like such an impossible number at the time. My first sale came several months after I opened up shop. The customer was a friend of mine. I hand-delivered her wreath.

From there, it took about 11 months to make 99 more.

Here's A Breakdown

Most of my customers are in the U.S. but I've also shipped orders to Canada, Great Britain, Germany and Singapore.

By far, most of my orders have been embroidery hoop art. The most popular being my personalized oval one with the felt banner. An item I first made for my two daughters.

My most popular wreath is the one that still hangs on my front door. And the one that my very first customer ordered.

I've had slow times without any sales. And super-busy times with a long list of orders waiting to be filled.
I've had super-productive times with my creative mojo flowing and not-so-productive times.

But through it all, I've enjoyed running Catshy Crafts.

Every hoop I made was a labor of love.
Every wreath I wrapped.
Every felt flower I cut and sewed together.

I've discovered my passion for felt.
For embroidery. For the good ole needle and thread.
For wooden embroidery hoops.

It's been a wonderful ride so far and I am excited to see where it takes me next!

Thank You!

As a special thank you to my customers and followers, I'd love to share the love!

Use coupon code "happy100" at check-out and you will get 20% of your next purchase. This offer expires Friday, October 19, but you can use it as many times as you want until then.

Thanks for stopping by today!

July Sponsor: Kayla Aimee

The month is almost over, but I haven't even shared with you my July sponsorship over at Kayla Aimee's website: Only Slightly Neurotic.



Her blog is full of hilarious anecdotes about her life as a new mom and not-so-newlywed, crafty tutorials and DIY home decor. Seriously, this girl is witty and sweet and super-talented. And I'm not just saying this from reading her blog. I actually met Kayla Aimee (or KA) in Nashville 4 or 5 years ago. Back then I  was a scrapbooking fool and was on several Creative Teams - one of them was ScrapinStyleTV.com - now sadly closed for business but it was fun team to be on. And I fought back a lot of social anxiety to travel across the country to spend several days with a bunch of ladies I never met in real life for a scrapbooking convention. Good times.

Anyway, that's a bit of back story. 


So, I hope you'll check out her website and see the kind words she said about my shop. You might even a find coupon code for Catshy Crafts there :)

It's a Small World

Coincidentally, two more friends (also former scrapbookers with Etsy shops) are also sponsors this month.

Little Boo & Pie is Martha's shop of fresh and vintage-y children's clothing and accessories. (I also met her in Tennessee!)

Baby Bird & Bub Bub is a delightful print shop run by my sweet friend, Kristina.

Clearly, Kayla Aimee's site is the place to be!

Thanks for stopping by today!