Funny thing about burgundy

It seems like burgundy and olive green are the two most unpredictable colors. I've been making my rounds to the local shops and none of them want to take anything in olive green. Ironically, I think olive green is one of my best selling colors. It has also happened (more than not) that when I drop off a batch of olive green pieces (against the boutique owners' advisement) they sell out.

Even stranger is the response to anything I make in burgundy. People ask for burgundy non-stop: they want everything in burgundy, but when I give them what they want in burgundy no one buys it - go figure. Case in point are my burgundy wine dresses with lace trim. A couple weeks ago I made a run of these dresses for Etsy and they disappeared. I even had to list one as a custom listing and do a special order for another. I also brought a batch in to my local shops and they sold just as well. This week when I put a new run up on Etsy they're just not moving.

Similarly, my inbox has been flooded with emails asking for my butterfly top in burgundy. Someone even went so far as to sketch it out and ask for it. So I made a size run for the locals. They did pretty good here in town. Keep in mind, no one locally asked for these. I just made them and put them out and they sold. Conversely, they have not been selling online, despite all the requests. This could be due to the photo, but I can't be sure. I might re-shoot on a live girl to see what happens. As of right now I'm calling it the burgundy mystery. I hate to put it that way since it's such a nice color and so many people look so good in it. It really should be a sure thing.


I kinda did some poking around and found that burgundy was one of the top selling colors for cars in the 1990's - yuck! I feel like burgundy interior gets hotter and dirtier than any other color. The pigments in dark red paints fade much quicker than other colors when exposed to excessive sunlight. Maybe I should have tried selling these pieces back in the 90's.

Regardless of popularity, mystery, or anything else, I really like burgundy. I'll probably continue to work with it for a long time. If you have any thoughts or observations on the color as it relates to clothing or anything else feel free to contact me.

1960's Swatch Book Turned Into Recyced Purses

I just got my hands on a big book of swatches from the 1960's. The swatches are split between coarse burlap and light cotton shirting. Each piece is now about 10 x 10 inches - I'll get to that in a moment. As you can see from the pics they are too cool to let them go to waste - no matter how small. There are about 50 squares in the batch, and of those about 40 will work for small clutches and purses. I'm dying to get these made, but at the same time I wanted to show you that inspiration can come from the most unexpected places.

The woman who gave these to me thought they were trash. When I took them I didn't have any ideas. It wasn't until my boyfriend did me the "favor" of washing them - which frayed the edges, and shrunk them to 10 x 10 that I got the idea for small clutches.

I can't wait to get started on these. If you plan on going to the Atomic Holiday Bazaar in Sarasota this weekend Dec 12-13 look for them at my table. Otherwise you'll just have to wait 'til I get back for me to put them up on Etsy.

Holiday Shopping Ideas For Those Of Us Who Are Broke

If you're like me you probably have more people on your shopping list than dollars in your pocket. The last thing you want is to look like a cheapskate when someone gives you a great present and all you have for them is a calendar - or worse, you have nothing for them in return. Below are some ideas that will help you get through the holidays and keep you looking sharp and thoughtful.

OLD BOOKS
The key to giving a good gift is not in the price, it's in the thoughtfulness. Old books are great for thoughtfulness points. Many libraries have small bookstores in them and the prices usually range from 25 cents to $1.00. The key to pulling this off is that the book has to be vintage and not just an old paperback from the 90's. Just last week I found a huge stack of comic books from the 50's - 60's. They were in great shape, and the whole stack (about 100 comics) was only $5.00. For all I know they're worth $1,000. I'm not into comics and don't know anyone who is so I left them.

THRIFT STORE FINDS
Generally speaking I think thrift store's are kind of crusty. Most of what you'll find is pretty gross, but every once in a while there is a treasure to be found - especially if you're crafty. The key to giving a thrift store gift is to say you got it at an antique shop. The idea of perusing the cluttered shelves of a quaint little shop on a cute street is the total antithesis of the pail neon lights and filth of a thrift store. My best friend found an old lamp from the 20's for $3.00. She cleaned it and instantly had an antique lamp for her dad's office. When she gives it to him all she has to do is come up with a quick story about her search through the antique district and how lucky she was to find it and she's set. This principle works for yard sale finds too.

COMBINED GIFTS
Do you know couples? I have lots of friends and young relatives that are couples. Why not kill two birds with one stone and get them a combined gift. Anything from quirky his & hers towels to a bottle of wine. The idea is to find something that will apply to both of them and run with it. Last year I got my brother and his new wife a Blue-Ray player. I know it sounds expensive, but instead of me AND my boyfriend each getting them individual present we combined our funds for one big one and saved a few bucks in the process.

THE OTHER COMBINED GIFT
Go in with someone else on a present. Siblings can go in together on mom & dad's present. Co-workers or friends can go in together. The idea here is that you double your shopping power. This year everyone in my house is thinking about pitching in to get my parents tickets to Argentina. Since I have a big family we only have to contribute a few bucks each instead of $50 a piece for mom and $50 for dad.

GRAB BAG GIFT
This is a good one!! Last year my brother got my boyfriend a huge bag full of all kinds of candy and my boyfriend loved it. They stuck in a little of everything.in the bag and it was great. You can apply the same concept to anything. Do you know someone who is obsessed with a band or movie? Fill a small stylish bag with stickers, buttons, patches, and a CD. Stick in a Burt's Bees chapstick and you're set.

DO YOU BAKE?
If you're good, and I mean really good, you can give cookies, cakes, or just about anything homemade and be the star of the gift exchange. The key to success here is presentation. You'll have to spring for a cute plate or container and maybe some festive sprinkles, but it will be worth it. Remember to make lots of it so there's enough to go around. Everyone loves baked stuff so everyone will love what you give them.

HANDMADE, LIMITED, AND ONE OF A KIND
Just because it's handmade or one of a kind doesn't mean it's expensive. There's a local semi-famous artist here in Orlando who will paint a light switch cover with his trademark art for $10.00. We also have a do it yourself pottery workshop in town. For $20.00 you can make and fire your own pottery piece. There are pros on hand so you're sure to get good results.

As for limited, check out the indie record label websites for colored vinyl releases for the music buff on your list. Colored vinyl is always a rarity and it's not usually much more than standard black.

Local flea markets and farmer's markets are also great places for finding rare gifts. I found locally made art, homemade pasta, home brewed iced tea, and other locally produced things that come in clever packaging. All of these things make great gifts not only because they are inexpensive, but also because these are things people rarely buy for themselves.

Getting ready for Atomic Holiday Bazaar

This year I'll be setting up a table at the Atomic Holiday Bazaar in Sarasota, FL. Generally, I wouldn't do a large show or convention this close to the holidays, but I've been planning for this one. Planning is the make or break factor in running a (really) small business.

Too many people play it by ear and cross each bridge when they come to it, but they don't plan for the next bridge. I usually try to look waaaay into the future when it comes to events.

Here's what I've done this year to get ready for the show: several months ago, when I was invited I immediately came up with a plan, even before I submitted my application - think about it, there's no use applying if you're just going to throw something together at the last minute. My plan was to start saving remnant fabrics and begin using them to make limited and one of a kind pieces for the show. Normally I use solids that I buy in large rolls and combine with style lines. But for the show I thought I'd go the recycled route. I've been collecting pieces of fabric for months now. I began making samples about two months ago.

Since I'd be selling pieces made from recycled fabric I then started putting some remnant and recycled items on Etsy to help get myself out there with the kind of people I might find at the show. In a sense I have building brand recognition.

The show is now less than two weeks away and I have a huge batch of stuff to bring. Lots of it is made from the same fabrics as items currently posted in my etsy shop. This way, when people walk by my table there's a chance they'll recognize something they see - at least part of it.

Here are a few pics of the items I've recently made. These are pretty much all made from 100% remnant fabrics.

20% anything in my Etsy shop TODAY ONLY Nov 30th

It's cyber-Monday, the biggest online shopping day of the year. It looks like everyone is in discount giving mood so here's 20% off at http:evilneedles.etsy.com

There are two ways to get 20% off:
It doesn't get any easier than this. make a purchase, checkout, and add a note to seller that says "CYBER MONDAY" and I'll refund 20% of the item purchase price.

OR you can do it another way

• First add an item(s) from my shop to your cart and start the check out process.
• Enter the code "CYBER MONDAY" in the 'notes to seller' and the email address where the revised invoice should be sent.
• Complete the order but do NOT go to Paypal to pay.
• You will receive a revised invoice, and a link to complete payment, via email reflecting the discount.'

One day road trip with friends

Sunday was my birthday and we decided to go on a one day vacation. It ended up being the best birthday I've had in a long time and the whole day only cost about $50.00. You can't buy much with $50.00 any more. Maybe the next time you're on a tight budget and your boyfriend's birthday comes around you can do something like this. Trust me, the memories of a really fun day are worth so much more than a video game, a shirt, or cologne.

We (my boyfriend and I) and our friends John and Amy, and their German Shepherd pup Elaine went down to Ona, FL to check out Solomon's Castle. On the way down we passed through lots of small rural towns.













Much of the landscape on the drive was sprinkled with old FL cracker homes. Here's one such home with horses grazing in the front yard.

We stopped by a small Spanish flea market, but I didn't get any pics because I forgot the camera in the car.

Solomon's Castle is a very unique place. I took millions of pics but the castle is made of recycled aluminum printing plates so I couldn't get a shot without tons of glare. Click on the pics so you can read about the castle and some of the art within.














Here's a pic of John and Elaine with Solomon. Solomon was at work in his workshop and we were the only ones who took the time to stop by and say hello. He was really sweet. All of the tools had my boyfriend and John drooling. Notice Solomon's shirt, it say's "Do I look like a freakin' people person?" I'll bet that would fetch a pretty penny at a Brooklyn vintage shop.


















This hand built miniature replica of the Alamo is just a facade placed over the side wall of a corrugated aluminum garage. Even the door and cannon are scratch built by Solomon.













I'm not much of a nature photographer but this place has 90 acres of nature trails to roam. Out of all the pics I took these berries are the only ones that came out nice enough to post - I love the color, maybe I'll get inspired to make something.












When it came time to leave we decided to take old HWY 27 home. It follows the Orange Blossom Special railway from Chicago down to FL. Check out those ominous clouds and palm trees. This scene is very FL.












It was at this crossroads that we spotted a local guy selling used bikes. If you're a regular reader you know that I really like old bikes, so we had to stop in and meet this artisan.












Here's a pic showing my boyfriend with the bike builder. His name is B.V. and he's the big fella in the white shirt. You might recognize my boyfriend from my Facebook profile pic. For the record the pic on Facebook was taken several years ago and he's wearing the EXACT same clothes in both pics. Why are guys such slobs?

Here's a good shot of all the bikes and part he had for sale in his front yard.












We actually hung out with B.V. for quite a while. The guys all got along and talked about wheel bearings and tools. By the time they got done talking it was dark.

Our next stop was Spook Hill. Spook Hill is a haunted hill in Lake Wales, FL where ghosts push your car up hill - no joke. There's even a wiki-page, and a Roadside America article. Check out the sign below. We tried it and I can tell you that we started at the bottom of a hill and we ended up at the top.












Spook Hill is right next to Spook Hill Elementary School. They've got a funny sign out front. Most schools have a lion or a bear as a mascot, not these folks.












After our spooky, gravity defying ride we were pretty tired so we stopped into a local shop and bought some fresh squeezed O.J.. We then got a bite to eat and headed back home.

I know it's never as exciting to look at pics and read about a trip as it is to actually do it for yourself. I'm hoping that this post will help motivate you to get up and do something. For about the same price as pizza, beer, and reruns you could be out doing something that you'll remember forever.

Vintage Hot Rod Fabric Handbags

What's up with those handbags?

Click here to get it.

I've been trying to use and re-use as much remnant fabric as I possibly can. I always save large cuts of fabric for later use, but it was starting to pile up. I had no choice: it was time to clear out my studio.

The fabric used to make this rockabilly rat rod tote bag is not your average scrap. Years ago, while antique shopping in South FL I found this bolt of mustard hot rod fabric that was left over from the early 60s. It was the coolest fabric I had ever seen, however, the color and hard texture made it very difficult to use as apparel fabric. I thought about making curtains, but never got around to it.

I did some poking around to see what I could find out about this golden fabric.

About four years ago I put a few yards up for auction and it went for about $50.00 PER YARD, WOW!!! People were writing, begging for more.

After selling some of it I tried to sit down and make those drapes, but couldn't think of how to make them work in my place. So I posted a couple more yards and I actually got hate mail from one of the people who bought the first cuts. She wrote, "WTF! why didn't you post this together? You didn't tell me you had more!!" - just one of the reasons I hate eBay.

I held on to a couple yards and that's what I found hidden in my stacks, and used to make these three bags.

I think I finally found what this fabric was made for. The size of the print, bright color, and tough texture are perfect for tote bags. I'm really proud of these and I think they could be the perfect accessory for the right person.

Etsy Product Descriptions: Do You Read Them?

This is not seller advice. This is just another one of my Etsy observations meant for entertainment only.

How important are your item descriptions when listing on Etsy? A little bit of personal research shows that how much and what you say about your items isn't really that important.

I try to give my Etsy item descriptions a little bit of flair. Sometimes I say a little about the item, sometimes I just sort of ramble on. I like the stuff I post on Etsy, and I like to write about it. So for me 50 - 100 words is no big deal. Besides, Etsy says it's a good idea to write full descriptions.

The following quote is taken directly from a link on http://www.etsy.com/storque:

"Many people don't realize that, in addition to the facts, a brief story about your handmade object can create a dramatic impression on your viewer. Let the shopper know how you picture the item being used, or tell them a story of what inspired you to create the piece. Many people who appreciate handmade items also enjoy the story behind how it was made, who created it and where the idea came from.

Of course, it's also important to inform the buyer of all the facts. Color, size, dimensions, textures, materials used, washing and care instructions, fabrication process, and allergy alerts are essential. You may also want to consider if your item is for a certain age group or suggest it as the perfect gift for a special occasion."

I read this a while ago and it's pretty good advice. However, I know that lots of people are not good writers, or if you are a good writer, maybe you don't like to write or you don't have time to write tons of detailed descriptions.

I began looking at some of the more successful clothing sellers and found that many of them keep their descriptions under 20 words. They pretty much tell you the size and materials and that's it.

But I think this says a lot more about buyers than sellers. I think serious buyers are generally interested in pictures first, then want only to know the size and price. The rest is fluff to them that they just have to skim through - if they even bother.

To test this, about 18 months ago I listed one of my best selling tops (black & gray butterfly) in four different formats. First I listed it as a "Made To Order Custom Size." In this listing buyers had to read all of my flair PLUS they had to read the vital info PLUS they had to read how to request their size.












As a result I didn't sell a single one in four weeks.

I then posted three more black & gray butterfly tops. This time I listed a small, a medium, and a large. I used the same pictures and same tags. But I slimmed the description down to the bare essentials.

Guess what!!! I started selling them right away!!

Of course this wasn't very scientific so a year ago I tried another little test. I listed two black and gray butterfly tops in the same size with the same 65 word descriptions, EXCEPT I put the line "convo me with the word 'discount' and get fifty percent off of this item." I continued to renew the two identical tops each time they sold for one entire month. I sold the top with the discount line in it twice and neither buyer convo-ed me. So it was obvious that - at least those two - buyers didn't read my description.

To summarize: if people can't be bothered enough to read a 65 word description close enough to catch a 50% discount there's a good chance they don't care what color stockings you think that shirt will go with. I've decided to cut my descriptions short and put a little more time into making clothing, taking pics, and conducting silly experiments. If you're a good reader prove it by posting a comment on this blog.

I Got Ripped Off, Read This So It Doesn't Happen To You

If you've been on my mailing list for some time you know that I'm always on the lookout for scams. I found one that was so obvious and out in the open that they even scammed me. I'm not the type to fall for the old "Nigerian prince has left you a million bucks" scheme. I'm actually pretty savvy when it comes to that sort of thing. But, I have to admit, I didn't see this one coming.

I have a checking account, a savings account, and an account for my business; all with the same bank. I've been with this same bank since 2004 and have had no problems. Aside from an overdraft or two during the holidays I run a tight ship. On the 20th of each month I go through all of my bank statements to make sure everything is in order for all my finances.

This month when I went through everything I found nearly $50.00 in NEW maintenance fees on my accounts.

They slipped in $15.00 charges at the end of August and September on my business account and then hit me with $8.95 in fees for each month on my personal accounts. I somehow missed the charges last month, despite going over my statements.

That's $47.90 out the window. Well, actually it's $47.90 towards some big-wig corporate's multi-million dollar executive bonus. I just couldn't let this go.

I'm not saying you should do things like me, but here's how I handled it.

The first thing I did was call in my boyfriend to examine my statements to make sure I wasn't reading things wrong or that I didn't miss anything - two brains are better than one.

Once we both agreed that there were $47.90 in new maintenance fees on what I had always understood to be FREE accounts I pulled out the paperwork from when I opened the accounts. I don't expect everyone to have this sort of documentation on file (my two best friends are lawyers so I've learned to hold on to ALL contracts). I read through all of the paperwork to make sure I wasn't signed up for some kind of promotion that had expired, that I had to keep a minimum balance, or that I was required to wear green on every Thursday to avoid fees. Nope, I was clear.

I then printed out copies of my statements from the past year to show that A) I had never been charged before: and B) show that my account balance was still current.

IMPORTANT: I took the time to write notes on my statements. I highlighted the charges in question. I noted when I opened my account. I made note of questions to ask the bank rep. I did all of this because these things are hard to think of when you're face to face. And this sort of thing pays off when a cocky bank employee tells you, "oh, well, you got charged because you were signed up for a special promotion that expired." You can then reply with, "Really? I have documentation that says the account was free for life."

The next day I went to the bank. I had to keep telling myself that the person at the bank is not the one who took the money out of my account. It's hard to keep your cool in situations like this, but the minute you get loud or aggressive you've lost the argument.

I pulled out my statements and showed the bank rep the charges. I explained the situation in as few words as possible, keeping in mind that the guy was probably not even listening.

He argued by saying that I was signed up for a promotion that expired (see I told you to be ready). So I pulled out the papers from when I opened the account. He was stunned. He then said I got charged for not using my debit card. So I pulled out my statements with HUNDREDS of debit card purchases. He said nothing, just began clicking his mouse. A moment later he said, "Hm, I don't know why you were charged."

I was calm and polite, and said, "You mean 'charged REPEATEDLY' on FREE accounts. This bank just took $50.00 from me for no reason, I can't just let that go without some kind of explanation."

I know it wasn't very nice of me to put him on the spot, but it wasn't very nice of him to hit me with those two lame excuses for being charged.

"I really don't know why you were charged" he says.

"Can you refund those charges?" I ask

"Oh, sure, we'll definitely refund you for those." He says, with an edgy politeness.

THIS IS IMPORTANT!! "Can you go ahead and do that while I'm here so we don't run into this same problem next month." You always want to watch them refund your money, because if you don't make sure it gets done there's a good chance it won't get done ever.

So I kept my cool through the whole thing and got my money back. I wish I could have done more, but at least I got this story out of it. Keep an eye on your bank accounts. These people are ruthless criminals. They WILL rip you off - it's not a question of IF they'll do it, it's WHEN.

The Little Prince Tattoo - it's about time

It says, "That which is essential is invisible to the eye." Turn off your iPod and dwell on that for a minute.

When I'm not making new clothing I have a side gig writing for Prick magazine (a regional tattoo 'zine). So I'm sure you can imagine I see lots of ink. I'm always surprised by how many people tattoo bands' names, boyfriends' names, scenes from trendy TV shows (like the numbers from Lost), and all kinds of other transient things on their bodies. However, I rarely see literary tattoos.

So when I see a really cool tattoo that pays homage to a book, I like to step back and admire it. A young lady recently sent me pictures of her ink depicting scenes from my favorite book, The Little Prince. It's the book you often see lurking in the background of my Etsy pics.

I wish more people were into books. Perhaps, if we weren't all suffering from self-induced A.D.D. and could pull our collective heads out of our asses long enough to read something cover to cover and understand it enough to make it meaningful enough to tattoo on our bodies, our country might not be this downward spiral.

The tattoo pictures came with an email, and within that email was something I just had to re-quote. The writer told me: "I'm amazed at how many people look at my arm and tell me it's terrible line work, they're crooked, they're not closed...etc...if they had read the book they would know that the line work is amazing!"

Why haven't more people read this book? It's about 100 pages with TONS of cute pictures and short words - after all, it is written for children. I've become a better person after reading this little book (about 200 times).

If you're interested in learning more about this wonderful book here's a link to the Wikipedia page.

Red dress work flow - start to finish

Today I'm working on red dresses. They are made from warm 7oz cotton for fall. This corner of my sewing room is a good example of the work process. If you look to the left you'll see a roll of red fabric with a pattern piece laying on top of it. That's where it all begins. Notice the pattern piece is made of newsprint. I make all my own patterns and I found newsprint is the best paper for the job.

If you scan a little to the right you'll see a cut piece on the back of my chair. I usually make my pieces in batches of about 24 - sizes S-XL, six of each size.

Next I take the pieces to the sewing machines and assemble them. You can see the machines are all set up with red thread. On the floor you can see my recycle tub. Those piece of fabric are too big to throw away so I save them for later projects.

Lastly you can see a completed dress on the ironing board. I actually press the pieces as I go, but you get the idea.

I hope this glimpse into today's project inspires you to make something or to maybe organize your room in a way you like.

Lizard in my photoshoot

Yesterday this lizard kept getting in the way of my photo shoot. For most people (not from Florida) these little guys are very exotic. Down here they are everywhere. I'm not really a reptile person, but I do think they're cute with their little toes, mouths, and smiles.

I kept shooing him away, and he kept coming back. It turns out this guy just wanted some time on the runway. I turned on the flash and let him strike a pose. After he did his thing on the catwalk he took off to the after party and we didn't see him again. I guess all that attention went to his head.

Turning old stuff into new stuff.

The dresses pictured above are part of a new project I'm working on. I have been holding onto these bolts of fabric for years just waiting for inspiration to kick in. Realistically I probably wasn't going to do much with them. But that all changed the other night. Talking to friends who were very disappointed with their financial aid checks this semester, I found that everyone is kind of - if not totally - broke. I knew things were tight, but I've been broke forever. Seeing that everyone I know (even my 9 to 5 friends) are all in the poorhouse got me thinking about ways to bring my prices down. So I put those old bolts of fabric into action. I've turned the idle fabric into a new batch of lower priced dresses. Most of the black accents are made from scraps that were headed for the dumpster. By using these old fabrics I'm clearing out space, and using materials that weren't going to get used. It's almost like getting free fabric. So I carried the discount over.

The fabrics kind of have that 80's appeal so I shot the pics on my dress form and used Photoshop to white out the background. I then traced in the outline of the dress form to make it look like an 80's Contempo Casual storefront. This also keeps the cost down. Live photoshoots with real models get expensive and are time consuming. I was able to shoot everything in under an hour and keep working.

These pieces are up on my Etsy account right now, and even though I don't think they'll be the most popular things I've ever made, I do think they're worth the time it took to make them. By dropping the prices to lower than normal I'm hoping to bring in some new buyers, broke buyers. Don't get me wrong, a millionaire could rock any of these with ease, but they were designed with thriftiness in mind.

Etsy Photo Tips For Clothing Designers

THE ETSY PHOTO FACTOR. The following article only applies to my observations about my personal Etsy sales. I've written this to encourage you to think about the photos you take and the models you use. However, you should not change your style simply because of this article. Do your own research and see how you think buyers respond to your photos.

TWO QUICK DEFINITIONS:
I think it's important to define two words as they are used in this article to avoid confusion. Natural, refers to characteristics of your photos that appear to NOT have been achieved by the use of professional equipment or professional help. It doesn't mean the complete absence of these things, it just means it's not immediately apparent to the casual observer. Natural characteristics, at first glance, look candid.
Artificial, refers to photo characteristics that appear to be unnatural. For instance, perfect lighting, exaggerated model posing, and obscure or unusual angles. These are things that a casual observer would immediately question as to if they could be achieved candidly. Artificial is in no way a derogatory term as used in this article.

MY NORMAL PICTURES
I've been selling on Etsy for a couple years. I've been selling regularly for about six months. I, like most sellers, understand the importance of photos when selling items online. And, like most sellers, I've always tried to take the best pictures possible. I've always been happy with my pictures, and my pics have always sold my clothing. I've been featured in Etsy treasuries and gift guides repeatedly - as many as five times in one week. Take a look at the images above to see my handiwork. These examples were shot using a Kodak Z650 Easy Share. I usually use the manual setting. For the inside shots I used a Lowel three - point light set. For the outside shots I used nothing more than a piece of white reflective paper.

I don't really tell the models how to pose. I just tell them to "act natural". I like it when the girls appear to just be hanging out. I also try to shoot the pics from a natural angle. By that I mean I try to hold the camera at a level that is consistent with candid snapshots. I don't get really low down on the floor or climb on things. If the sun is in an awkward position I simply move to a new spot. As you can see with the guitar and red chair, I like to use props, but I don't like to go crazy with it.

THE PROFESSIONAL PICTURES
Take a minute and look at the pictures below, and compare them to the pics above. These were shot by Meg Schutz a local photographer with special lighting and a professional model. Under normal circumstances most people would generally agree that the professional pics are much better than mine. I would agree too. I'm not totally sure, but I think the photographer used a Canon camera. It was very large with several interchangeable lenses and other accessories. She also used a portable light that produced a clear even halo on the subject.

Notice the bright, clear, and consistent lighting; and how attractive all of the colors are. My pictures lack this cohesion. This high-budget, magazine quality look comes from the use of expensive equipment. Also note the over-sexualized poses the model is using. The photographer and model worked together to find these poses, and while they make for attractive pics, they are not comfortable or natural. All-in-all, I would say these pictures are perfect. But their perfection is artificial. Hardly ever do you walk into a room and have picture perfect light. As a woman I know that we don't normally stand with our arms over our heads and our chests poked out.













OTHER PHOTOS I'VE SEEN
I don't want to use other photographers' works without permission so I don't have examples, but there are a few things worth mentioning. I have seen many catalogs with very natural pictures (Anthropologie is the best one) that were achieved using very artificial tactics. Conversely, I've seen some pretty amazing shots, stuff you'd never believe, taken with a disposable camera and nothing else.

WHAT I NOTICED
The high quality pictures have been very successful on my site. This collection has sold better than anything else I've ever created. When I uploaded the images to my website http://evilneedles.com, my site rank jumped from 13 million to 1.8 million. I also picked up over a dozen boutiques. So the artificial photos are working great - people love them. However, on Etsy, the exact opposite has happened. Etsy sales for this new collection have been slow at best. None of these pictures have been featured in any treasuries that have made the Etsy homepage. And, in fact, it's happened repeatedly that when my clothing is picked for a treasury, it's the older items that I photographed. So, one has to ask, could it be that buyers just don't like the clothing, and maybe it has nothing to do with the photos? This is not likely as sales have been outstanding on my website and in boutiques.

AN OBSERVATION ON OTHER CLOTHING SELLERS
When I noticed that the professional pictures were not attracting buyers on Etsy I began to look closely at other clothing sellers and their photos. I watched new and veteran sellers. I watched high end and low end designers. I watched a wide array of sellers and saw, as a general rule, that sellers who had natural photos had more sales than those with artificial photos. I also observed that sellers who, like me, had a variety of natural and artificial photos had sold more items using natural photos. One seller I followed had a very good track record of one or more sales per day for four weeks. The seller then updated with some very nice artificial pictures taken at night. The clothing looked amazing. The model was beautiful. The colors were outstanding, and the photos were some of the best I'd seen. The seller used good tags and adequate descriptions, and all items were fairly priced. But when she began using these new photos she stopped selling.

A THEORY ON ETSY PHOTOS FOR CLOTHING
This is just a theory based on a limited number of observations. This is by no means a hard and fast rule, and I expect there are more exceptions to the rule than adherents. It is my theory that people looking to buy clothing on Etsy are searching for three things in a seller. The first is the complete do it yourself package. The second is a natural portrayal of the item they are buying. And the third is approachability.

The do it yourself package is perhaps the main thing Etsy buyers are searching for from clothing sellers. Why else would they be on a site that focuses on handmade goods? Buyers want to work with people who are proud of what they make and who are not afraid to get their hands dirty. They (buyers) feel good about supporting the local vendor who can't afford to mass produce or farm out work to ad agencies. For many Etsians the glitz and glam of the mall comes at the cost of conformity. This conformity is abolished when each piece is obviously handmade. High production photos, that mimic magazine ads diminish the essence of the handmade experience.

A natural portrayal of the product is so crucial to the buying experience that it almost goes without saying. We've all seen the hundreds of ads that populate the first half of the magazines we buy, and we know that the clothing in those million-dollar ads will not fit us like it does that million-dollar model. Photos that appear natural give buyers an idea of what to expect when they open that envelope.

Lastly, buyers are looking for approachability. Very few of us will ever be friends with a famous or glamorous model. We may know aspiring photographers, but very few of us hang out with professional shutterbugs. When buyers see girls in strange poses with one leg held high, hips thrust out, and head framed by hands, they think, "cold, posed, and paid". Etsy shoppers in the clothing category are on the lookout for the girl next door who looks like she might have had a walk on part in a background shot of an indie movie no one saw.

IN SUMMARY
Professional photos have worked out great for me. My site rankings and website sales have skyrocketed since working with a pro photographer and model. However, my Etsy sales and placement in galleries and treasuries have declined. I've seen the same level of decline with other sellers who suddenly showcase bold new professional pictures. In the end I think it's important to portray your clothing accurately. If what you're doing now is working there's probably no need to change it. But, if your Etsy sales aren't where you'd like them to be, despite all of your wonderful pictures, maybe it's time to pull out that old camera phone, call your best friend over, and just have a fun afternoon of playing dress-up.

Way better than a doggie bag.

Way better than a doggie bag.

These classic peanut butter doggie bones are hand dipped in carob and yogurt and then finely sprinkled with peanuts. These are the perfect treat for any occasion! They’re free of food dye, artificial preservatives, and artificial coloring which can be toxic to pets. These treats have been lab tested for guaranteed analysis & nutrition, and can be ordered in wheat or gluten free recipes.

The six bones here can be ordered for $6.50 from Diva Dog Bakery. http://divadogbakery.etsy.com

Kill a dog - Get a free hat!

Early this morning I caught an HLN report that Michael Vick had just signed an endorsement deal with Nike.

Before discussing the complete details of this claim let's talk about Michael Vick. He is the guy who really made a name for himself by making dogs like the one pictured here fight to the death for sport. He also played professional football. I mention the dog fighting before his football career (as prolific as it might have been) because I, like many other people, had never heard of him before he was arrested for his involvement with the dog fighting ring. It is the brutal, cruel dog fighting that made him a household name. According to CNN.com Vick also failed a random drug test while on probation.

Now let's talk about Nike and Michael Vick. In 2007 when Vick was convicted for taking part in dog fighting matches, Nike was the last of the sponsors to drop Vick. Understandably so, seeing how they have released several $100+ shoes with Vick's name printed on them. Several reputable print publications (USA Today and the Philly Enquirer are just two) and television news channels (Headline News and CNN) have mentioned "an undisclosed deal" between Michael Vick and Nike.

A not so in-depth Google search turned up a handful of fresh articles claiming that the "undisclosed deal" is nothing more that Nike supplying Vick with shoes and equipment for practice - something they do for many players whom they do not officially endorse. Guess what, supplying someone with your gear is an endorsement. As a clothing designer who has been in the biz for five years I know what an endorsement is. I endorse models and photographers all the time. Would you like to guess how I do it? Yup, I send them free clothing, just like Nike. Nike is by no means known for taking the high road. Do a quick Google or Youtube search for "nike exploits sweatshop" and see what you get.

So what's the point? The point is that the very concept of Nike providing a dog fighting millionaire who failed a drug test while on probation with even a hat to keep the sun off his head is a sign that the door is open to bigger things. For those of you opposed to dog fighting the only way to keep Nike from extending a NEW multi-million dollar deal to Michael Vick is to speak up now against the idea. Send the message to Nike that you do not support dog fighting by passing the message along that Nike HAS endorsed Michael Vick. Please let Nike know that you will not support them if they continue to endorse a man who is famous for dog fighting.

Nike Contact info:
Phone:
1-800-806-6453
or Chat online:
http://niketown.nike.com/niketown/info/help.jsp?item=contact

Other companies owned by Nike:
Cole Haan
Hurley International
Umbro
Converse

Before you give your creations to blogs consider donating them to charity

The following article is my opinion on how small, freelance, and indie designers should hand out free merch. Note: I am not saying bloggers are bad. On the contrary, most bloggers are cool. I'm just saying that donating your promotional items to charity can be just as effective as sending them out to a top notch blogger, and it can be more rewarding.

How many times have you seen a spoof on the fashion designer personae that shows a shallow, callous, self-absorbed dilettante in fur or leather behaving badly? Truth be told, the stereotype has roots footed in fact, however, it's been a while and things have changed. I can't remember the last time I pulled a human along on a chain and used him as a footstool in public.

Today many designers love doing nice things for animals, the environment, and even fellow man. As an indie designer I've found a great way to help out a worthy organization while clearing out old inventory, AND getting a little publicity to boot.

Blogs are a great way to get the word out about your handiwork. I am all about working with bloggers and getting on good blogs. A good review on a blog with lots of traffic can be very helpful. But by "good review" I don't mean a positive review of your work, I actually mean a well written review with effective keywords, good photos and relevant content that will be featured at the top of the blog for more than a day.

But blogging isn't the only way to get the word out about your products. Why not give your merch to charity?

Designers, here's your chance to take the high road. Do something meaningful with your freebies. Sending them to a blogger is a good idea, but association with a good charity with a good cause that you believe in will go a lot further.

Others who support that charity will get to know you as one of them.
You show that you're not just in it for the money or pure material gain.
Charities work hard to promote their cause, and if you donate they'll promote you in the process. These promotions are worth so much more and will reach a lot more people in a more effective way than a basic review that will quickly be pushed down the ladder to make room for the next.

Here's the bottom line: If you're going to give your work away for promotion you should consider donating to charity IN ADDITION to blogs. Both are good outlets, however, charities do more than just get the word out about you.

response to rude email

I got a very rude email first thing this morning from someone who was unhappy that their shirt was taking so long. I checked, she's been waiting 72 hours, not days - hours. Rather than post the entire email I'll post the most astute observation contained within:

"You only have like 10 things on your site why am I waiting so long for my order, thank you"

What a keen inference: I only have "like 10 things" on my site so I must not have anything to do. I wonder if Scotland Yard is missing a detective. Here's a picture of what I have currently on the chopping block. All the way to the left, on the bottom is a big pile of black butterfly dresses. There are 16 to be exact. Each one takes over an hour to make. This doesn't include the time spent cutting the fabric. On top of that are nine teal gather tops. And on top of that is a size run of black gathers. Those are heading out to a boutique.

The middle stack is for another boutique, and it shows a size run of striped butterfly dresses, twelve butterfly tops in black, and a run of all black racer backs.

The stack all the way to the right is for a third boutique and it is made up of twelve partially completed striped butterflies (I posted about them a few days ago) and twelve butterfly dresses in all black.

That's a complete 100yd roll of black cotton fabric in three days.

These stacks don't include partial orders stacked throughout my room, and things waiting to be pressed, tagged, or packed.

This economy has me working harder than ever. I used to think I worked hard (back when I had the luxury of taking a half-hour for lunch and could sit and watch Dexter. I now work through lunch and will probably be turning the volume up while I watch Dexter so I can hear it over the buzz of my machine.

This rant is for anyone who is getting frustrated with any indie seller or mom and pop shop. Things take time. Many people are doubling up the chores, pulling all-nighters, and working overtime to stay afloat. Be cool. Before you send that rude email stop and think, the world doesn't revolve around you. Everyone has to wait in line and no one - especially not me - wants to make the wait any longer.

I love pitbulls. Check out pinupsforpitbulls.com

I love doing nice things for animals. So when I found out about pinupsforpitbulls.com I had to find a way to get involved.

The name pretty much says it all. pinupsforpitbulls.com is cool gals helping out cool dogs. I just love those cute little square pitbull faces.

If you're in PA they have a huge all-day event in the works for October 25th, Pit Bull Awareness Day at Cheerleader's Bikini Bar in S. Philadelphia. Visit our special event page here for more info. Speakers, Raffles, Vendors, Burlesque and more! Interested in advertising or being a vendor? Email Little Darling for more info!

Since I can't make it to the party I plan on being there in spirit. Last year I made a couple hundred horror movie tees. I sold most of them, and was thinking about putting the rest up for sale this year, right about now since Halloween is just around the corner. But instead, I'm packing up the 20 or so horror tees I have left and shipping them out to pinupsforpitbulls.com.

If you missed out on these last year please check out pinupsforpitbulls.com this Halloween.

Guest-post on 'no spec" art: Beware of those contests!!

Below is a guest-post by my friend Tess Grabler. She is a savvy, young artist who has been very helpful over the years with input on my personal site. What she has written here is great advice for all creative people. Companies like Threadless and Spencers are all about taking advantage of indie artists, and here's how they do it.

No Spec! If you're working in the design industry as a graphic artist, illustrator, photographer, writer, fashion designer etc, then you really need to be aware of what “No Spec” is all about.
What is “spec?” Spec is any type of work done on a speculative basis, this means any requested work that does not have a fair or reasonable fee agreed upon, no contract between the requestor and designer, and no guarantee of payment.

There are many websites out there that are all about spec work where businesses will put in a request for certain type of design work; and artists then have to submit their work with no guarantee of payment hoping to “win the bid”.

Why is this bad? It takes time to create the best suitable design for a business, the artist needs to understand the client, their background, their products/services, who their competitors are.

Below is taken from the no-spec.com website:
"Right now, there exists a trend in the business world whereby companies get it in their heads that it would be a good idea to run a contest for their design work. What they will do is announce that they need, say, a new logo. The intent is for designers to individually spend the time to develop designs and then submit them. The company then goes over the entries and selects a “winner.” Only the winner receives any compensation for the work. On the surface, and without applying any deeper thought to it, this might seem like a great idea. Rather than trust one designer to come up with a solution, a company can solicit the creative talent of dozens, or even hundreds of talented creatives."

Spec work cheapens our industry and allows businesses and large companies to think that it’s ok to have numerous designers work on ideas, logos, illustration, photogaphy and so forth and then not pay them. Meanwhile, there is a strong chance they take your ideas and then end up paying someone else even cheaper to replicate it, is this fair? No.
Value your industry, don’t cheapen it.

For more information check out no-spec.com

Indie Designer Decisions: To Make Or To Sketch

Looks like a pile of scraps doesn't it? What you're actually looking at is a stack of 40 butterfly back tops - a run of 10 of each size S-XL. This stack of fabric will be worth a lot of money once it's all assembled.

This is a wholesale order that came in last night. Normally this wouldn't be blog worthy, however, this is just the kind of situation that you might not think about if you're not in this biz.

While I was sketching ideas for my upcoming winter collection I got this order for 40 butterfly tops. I had to stop and think about it: do I put aside the winter collection and make 40 tops that are sure to sell, or do I put off the butterfly tops in order to make the new collection - which, by the way, could be a lot easier and worth a lot more money.

Most people would probably consider this a no-brainer. Make the 40 tops and take the cash, what's so hard about that. But you have to consider that I have a bunch of walk-in stores that depend on me providing them with up to date collections for their stores. If I don't keep their stock current I could lose those accounts.

After going back and forth in my head for a minute or two, as you can see, I went ahead and made (at least cut) the order for the butterfly tops. I did this because I have a 200yd roll of black fabric on order. Since I have to wait for it to get here I can do the butterfly tops in steps instead of spending two whole days on them. I cut the striped pieces last night. I'll cut the black pieces when the roll comes in, and then I'll assemble one size run per day until they're done; all the while working on the new collection in between.

When you don't have anyone to boss you around it can be hard to get things done. Watching other people make decisions is easy, but when it's all on you it can be very hard. Let's hope the 5 hours spent cutting these and the many hours I'll spend assembling them doesn't put me too far behind on the winter collection.

Curb Your Enthusiasm - Awesome Show, Great Job

I've just discovered Larry David's Curb Your Enthusiasm. I've always been a huge Seinfeld fan, though I've only caught it as reruns, but this new show stayed under my radar until I saw a review for the new season which shows a Seinfeld reunion. How can I miss that? I know I'm a little late to the party on this one, but I've been catching up with On-Demand so give me a break.

A couple years ago I caught a scene with Larry staring some guy down for about 30-seconds and thought, "wow, this looks like an even lamer Tim & Eric - not my cup of tea." For the record, Tim & Eric crack me up, but that's fodder for a completely different post.

As I was saying, I'm a newbie to Curb Your Enthusiasm and I'm totally obsessed with the show. I've only been able to watch seasons four and five. Now I'm faced with the dilemma of Curb vs Dexter. I have to drop HBO and get Show Time to pick up on Dexter. This means I'll be mooching off my parents, stopping by on Sundays to watch Curb with the family - yuck!

I just read Erich Von Daniken's Chariots of the Gods YIKES!

I try to read every night before I go to sleep. Sometimes I post pics of my house and you can see my enormous bookshelves. These are usually double stacked, so the rows of books you see are hiding more rows of books. I read and re-read books: I write in them and fold pages and put the dates I read them on the inside covers.

A couple months ago the Discovery Channel (maybe it was National Geographic Channel) was running a two hour special on Erich Von Daniken's Chariots of the Gods. It was fascinating. A book about aliens inhabiting the Earth before humans or co-existing with them, written by a guy who was locked up when it hit the stands, what's not fascinating about that.

My boyfriend is utterly intrigued by people and their crazy obesssion with religions: Scientology, snake handling, purple Kool-Aid, you name it. So when I saw the documentary I immediately recognized the book as one that was on one of our shelves - somewhere.

It's only about 150 pages long and is a pretty easy read. I've already mentioned the premise: that aliens visited Earth sometime in the past and left their marks in the ruins of civilizations. Most of the stuff is way too far-fetched for me. For instance, Von Daniken proposes that giants from Mars could be responsible for the pyramids or Stonehenge - GIANTS FROM MARS - funny.

Even more out there than theories of giants using 10-ton blocks as Legos are this guy's interpretations of the Bible. Only a few ticks shy of having the J-man partying with little green men, and Moses smoking spacegrass from a titanium bong with cruise control, the author does more than read between the lines: he reads above, below and all around them.

The book was written in 1968, and according to Von Daniken the readers' childrens' children will probably live on Mars. By that logic the girls who model for my site should be missing photo shoots because they got into a wreck with a meteor that ran a red light and not because they were hung over.

To sum it up, Erich Von Daniken's Chariots of the Gods is hilarious. It's well worth the $7.00 and few hours it will take you to read it.

Fall/Winter Shoot with Meg Schutz and Mandy Murphy

I finally got to shoot with Meg Schutz today! I've been wanting to take pics with her for a long time and after a lot of emails and date setting it finally happened!
I was also super excited to shoot with Mandy Murphy again. I've worked with Mandy before but it was when I was reconstructing band shirts. I'd been dying to get her in some of my original designs.
I designed a mini Fall/Winter collection since it's going to start getting cold soon.

We were originally going to shoot outside around downtown Sanford, but while we were getting stuff out of my car Meg met the owner of a super cool bar who let us shoot there. Very lucky for us because it was about 100F today.
By the way, if you live in the Central Florida area you need to check this place out. It's super kitschy. There are all kinds of crazy things hanging for the ceilings, walls and chairs. And the women's bathroom is insane.
They have cult movie nights and punk shows too

www.littlefish-hugepond.com

I should have most of these items up for sale by the end of the month. Some will be up tomorrow. Here's a sneak peak:

End Of Summer: Why Not Save Some Cash?

Time to clear out the last of the summer items in my shop. You can get a heck of a deal right now.