{sw shoppe} etsy shop is now open!

You guys.

I finally did it - I opened an etsy shop! 

I never realized just how much work it really is. I always thought it sounded so easy and simple and convenient (which it is, in a lot of ways) but starting any kind of business is a lot of work. I've been fancying the idea of opening up a shop for about a year now. I always loved handmade things - and loved that etsy supported small businesses who also shared my love for all things handmade. However I kept giving myself excuses -- I'm not professionally trained, I have absolutely no formal training (My last art class was in 4th grade!), I don't know anything about photoshop or printing, all my supplies are from target or Michael's a.k.a ghetto, nobody will buy my stuff! 

I decided to just suck it up and do it. I've decided to use it to help me fund my mission trip to India (I'm going in just a few weeks!) and that gave me the fuel and direction I needed to get my act together and get er' done.  I've learned a lot and did a lot of things in these last few weeks to prepare for my shop:

•  I downloaded a trial version of Adobe Photoshop and learned a few tricks (thanks to my graphic artist sister Audrey! Thanks sista!)
• I learned about all the different paper/card stock types and the different weights/textures,
• I learned A LOT about my printer and researched about the type of printing it does and the type of paper it can work with.
• I learned how to do a 1/8'' bleed on PS! (I watched a video online, haha!)
• I learned that buying things in bulk is risky but cheaper!
• I found out that google is pretty legit and the kind of support they provide is phenmomenal. I actually got to chat with someone because I was trying to resolve an issue! She chatted with me for over an hour and provided me step-by-step instructions in real time. Technology is crazy, man.
  
• I've received more packages in the last week than I have in a few month's time.
• I've read so many different policies on shipping, selling on etsy, etc.
• And..if you haven't noticed, I've morphed this blog into a personal + shop blog (and bought a domain online!)

It's been wild. But I'm happy to report that we are finally open!
It's exciting (and sorta scary)! 

Obviously, I don't have a legit studio or anything. I actually barely have space in our little apartment to manage all of the supplies I have. There is washi tape, and short-ends of twine and little pieces of cardstock EVERYWHERE. Yikes. Our dining table is doing a decent job so far -except, we haven't been able to use it for eating! It's still a little crazy in here but I'm sure we'll find a system soon enough. (P.s. don't mind the fact that we're almost in February and I still have my Christmas stuff out. hehe)

I've grown quite an appreciation for small businesses. Some etsy folk are super crazy. I've been humbled so much while fumbling through the beginning process of this mess. I've also grown quite an appreciation for kraft things (aka brown paper bag material) 

The thing I love most about etsy is that it's just real people with real passions who are just trying to share what they love. The beauty in small business is the personalized touch that it gives. I hope that I'll be able to find new ways to keep it personalized. :) My stuff is pretty newb - I printed all of these cards before even knowing how to do anything on photoshop (!!) so there is a lot of imperfections that I wish I could go change. I was initially so conscious about it but I'm learning to just find beauty in that too. That's the beauty in handmade things anyway!  

We currently only have two things for sale right now. 

// The first is a set of Valentine's Day Cards that are sweet, cute and "pun-ny". I've always loved good puns and these were so cute and sweet - I had to compile my favorites and illustrate them! I had to rush-make these because I wanted to have them in time for Valetine's Day. But really, they would be good for any occasion! 

They all come with a kraft envelope. 

See how cute that brown looks! Who knew paperbags could be so artsy and lovely. 

This one always cracks me up. 

You can buy the cards individually for $3.95 or a set of all 9 cards for $30.

The prices will go up after Valentine's Day so get em while they're cheap(er)!

// The second item we currently have is this nursery print. It was inspired by a quote from Dr. Seuss + my current love/obsession for all things maps and globes. 

These are just a few of my globes from my collection. I know I'm weird. It drives Eugene crazy that I keep buying globes...but what can I say, I love them! 

Please visit the site here {www.etsy.com/shop/sweetwhimsicality} 

... or the link can also be found at the very top of the blog. I hope to be able to bring a lot of sweet goodies in the near future! I still have a lot of insecurities about all of this - but I'm trying not to worry and just have fun with it.  : )

Well, here goes nothing!

My first shipment of orders go out tomorrow! 

p.s. if you are local and I see you in person on a day-to-day basis, you can opt out of the shipping code by entering the coupon code: X0X0SHIPPING (those are zeroes and not "o")

xoxo