These sweater boot slippers are Fricken Fabulous! i love them and want a pair!!!
Find them here at Holly Doll Handmade
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Friday, December 11, 2009
Photo Gifts 35% Off- Free overnight shipping
I just got an emailer for this website i have ordered from in the past called seehere.com
I ordered 2 photomugs with artwork on them, i got 35% off and then FREE overnight shipping! that is huge, shipping is always the deal breaker for me.
Plus 35% off on photobooks! that is awesome!
Only for a week Go check it out
Friday, October 30, 2009
Gorgeous Necklaces by A Lucious Thing
Gorgeous Hand Crafted Necklaces, Each one is more beautiful than the next. Gorgeous Colors, Shapes, Unique jewelry pieces, and finished with an artists touch!
Love this Shop!
View/Shop : A Lucious Thing
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Pretty Sneaky : Knit Chucks!
I love these Hand knit Chucks!
Hand-crafted one-of-a-kind sneakers…with sweaters. Each pair is an individual work of art. Custom designs in any size, color, or pattern, enquire with special requests.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Win Ugg boots every month!
Win a pair of ugg boots in 2 simple steps. Open to everyone in every country!
BIG NEWS: 22 October 2009 We have decided that for the next 7 days we will draw an extra winner EACH DAY as well as the normal monthly winner! You have to be in it to win it!
Next Draw:
Thursday 22 October 2009 - winner has been contacted, waiting for response.
Friday 23 October 2009
Super Easy!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009
Monday, August 10, 2009
DIY Home-Made Beauty Products
Make your own Home-made Beauty Products using items from your own KITCHEN! Have fun! Comment if you try it, and tell us how it works!
Kitchen:
Make your own scrub by mixing equal parts brown sugar and sesame oil in a bowl or container. Then head into the shower and spread the homemade exfoliating sugar scrub over your entire body.
2-ANTI WRINKLE
Kitchen:
Banana Wrinkle Fighter Recipe: This recipe is for supple skin as well as maintaining the skin's natural glow. Banana is also wonderful as an anti-wrinkle treatment.
All you need: Ripe Banana
Banana is wonderful as an anti-wrinkle treatment. Mash 1/4 banana until very creamy. Spread all over face and leave for 15-20 minutes before rinsing off with warm water followed by a dash of cold. Gently pat dry.
EXFOLIATION and MASK For FACE and Body
Kitchen:
Facial Exfoliate Recipe
2 heaped tsp fine oatmeal
1 tsp. baking soda
Combine ingredients, and add enough water to make a paste. Apply to skin and rub gently. Rinse and gently pat dry.
FOR BODY
Kitchen:
All you need is to cups of plain yogurt, which contains lactic acid to exfoliate and boost collagen production.
DEEP HAIR CONDITIONER
Kitchen:
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 egg yolk
1 cup water
Beat the egg yolk until its frothy, add the oil then beat again. Add the water. Massage into the scalp and throughout your hair. Rinse well.
Mayonnaise is a great conditioner for dry hair. Depending on the length of your hair, apply approximately 1/2 cup of mayonnaise to your dry hair. Work into hair really well and then cover your hair with a plastic bag, allowing to set for about 15 minutes. Rinse thoroughly and then shampoo as usual.
FOOT PREP and PAMPER
Kitchen:
A scoop of poppy seeds turns any lotion into a scrub.
Rinse with water and pat dry. Apply some additional lotion for soft feet
Source:
Alison Deyette
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Wax that Works
Hair Remover
Wax Strip Kit
For Face, Brows & Bikini
1-2-3 Hair Free!
Pre-waxed, pre-cut strips are quick & the easiest way to wax:
1 - Warm Strip in Hands
2 - Separate Double-Sided Strips
3 - Press On, Pull Off.
Results last up to 8 weeks.
Works on short hair.
Ready to use...no gooey mess.
No microwave needed.
Helps reduce the appearance of hair regrowth.
Salon Tested - Dermatologist Tested.
Kit Includes:
34 Wax Strips Total (17 Double-Sided Strips), Azulene Finishing Oil and Complete Instructions in English and Spanish.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Megan Lee Designs
I met a great vendor at West Fest, and then saw her at Pitchfork Festival also. Her Items are so much fun! Great Screenprints, Colors, and Her hip bags are Fabulously Perfect! Just what us city girls need!
Heres her online Shop: Megan Lee Designs
Her Website: meganleedesigns.com
She also sells at local fairs, and shops in Chicago!
Monday, July 20, 2009
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Got to Love Finds from Wetseal
Summer Skinny Jean Sale!! $12.50
I bought these fun purple Bleach Splatter skinny jeans, they have a great stretch to them, remember junior sizes so get a size up...
I also got this fun Long Purple Tunic for $5.99
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Sneak Preview of Items for WEST FEST!
Hey Everyone, here is a sneak preview of what i will be selling at WEST FEST!
if theres something you have to have. please contact me, and we will see if i have it in your size before sat.
Enjoy! Visit me and see them in person!!!!
Chicago Avenue and Damen Avenue in Chicago IL 60622
Monday, July 6, 2009
Vacation...
Hello! sorry i have been out of town and running around.
but something new. i got a tattoo!
check it out!
Friday, June 19, 2009
Life...
Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio.
"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I've ever written.
My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone...
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement st arting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19.. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words "In five years, will this matter?"
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative--dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come.
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.
"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I've ever written.
My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone...
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement st arting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19.. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words "In five years, will this matter?"
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative--dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come.
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.
Tip of the day : Buy Recycled Paper
You:
By using less paper, or using paper with recycled content, and making other improvements, you can save wood, water and energy, and cut pollution and solid waste.
Work:
If your company switched their annual order of 100 tons of copy paper to a paper with 50% recycled content could save 173 tons of wood, 100,000 pounds of greenhouse gases, hundreds of pounds of toxic air and water pollutants and more than 50,000 pounds of solid waste.
Use the Environmental Defense Fund Paper Calculator. This tool will help you quantify the benefits of better paper choices. The Paper Calculator shows the environmental impacts of different papers across their full lifecycle. Papercalculator.org
sources: thedailygreen.com, www.edf.org
By using less paper, or using paper with recycled content, and making other improvements, you can save wood, water and energy, and cut pollution and solid waste.
Work:
If your company switched their annual order of 100 tons of copy paper to a paper with 50% recycled content could save 173 tons of wood, 100,000 pounds of greenhouse gases, hundreds of pounds of toxic air and water pollutants and more than 50,000 pounds of solid waste.
Use the Environmental Defense Fund Paper Calculator. This tool will help you quantify the benefits of better paper choices. The Paper Calculator shows the environmental impacts of different papers across their full lifecycle. Papercalculator.org
sources: thedailygreen.com, www.edf.org
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Waxing Your Armpits??? OUCH!
Hairy Ladies Raise your Hands!
So I have recently had an obsession with wanting to wax my armpits for the summer. I feel like sometimes it looks like by the end of the day I have a 5 o'clock shadow under there! Dark Haired ladies do you hear me?! Anyway, I am definetly going to go to a professional, but I had time today and tried to wax with my eyebrow wax.
Difficulties when trying to wax your OWN armpits:
• Its Hard to see! And looking in the mirror doesnt really help, because you can't get close enough.
• The hair goes in all directions
• It hurts...at first
• You Start Sweating!!
It did work, I didnt get all the hair off because some was shorter and was harder to wax. My wax came with a soothing cream that definetly helped after. DONT use aloe, I tried that in the past, and it burned. Before I waxed, right after my shower, I used rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball to remove excess deodorant, and sweat. I really wanted to try waxing myself, just incase it really burned for days after, or I had a bad reaction. As of now, it feels okay, after an hour later.
It was a good first attempt, I think I am going to leave it up to the professionals now. The Fun of being a woman! (who actually cares about hairy armpits :)
If you have any waxing tips, probs, or anything you'd like to share, please feel free to comment below!
So I have recently had an obsession with wanting to wax my armpits for the summer. I feel like sometimes it looks like by the end of the day I have a 5 o'clock shadow under there! Dark Haired ladies do you hear me?! Anyway, I am definetly going to go to a professional, but I had time today and tried to wax with my eyebrow wax.
Difficulties when trying to wax your OWN armpits:
• Its Hard to see! And looking in the mirror doesnt really help, because you can't get close enough.
• The hair goes in all directions
• It hurts...at first
• You Start Sweating!!
It did work, I didnt get all the hair off because some was shorter and was harder to wax. My wax came with a soothing cream that definetly helped after. DONT use aloe, I tried that in the past, and it burned. Before I waxed, right after my shower, I used rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball to remove excess deodorant, and sweat. I really wanted to try waxing myself, just incase it really burned for days after, or I had a bad reaction. As of now, it feels okay, after an hour later.
It was a good first attempt, I think I am going to leave it up to the professionals now. The Fun of being a woman! (who actually cares about hairy armpits :)
If you have any waxing tips, probs, or anything you'd like to share, please feel free to comment below!
UPDATE:
a few days later, and my armpits still look great! i can't believe it, i love not having to shave! this rocks.... for special occasions!
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Dyeing your Hair
I was planning to dye my hair, and since is super long (past my waist) i wanted to just bleech then ends, so i did, i ended up putting a non-permanant color (natural instincts) over to blend the color better and to help my hair, since it was a little fried :) Anyway during my search for tips, i actually found a fun website and article haircrazy.info
check out this fun dye job!
check out this fun dye job!
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Quote of the Day
picking the (same old) fight.
Sometimes happiness is about what
you don't do."
~quote from this issue of Glamour Magazine
Walmart for the Hipster - City Shoes
So I found another totally cute item at Walmart. These adorable city shoes, perfect for walking around a ton, slip on, casual, Comfy, goes with leggings, jeans, shorts, and more. A Few neutral colors! only $7 bucks! I had to buy them online, because they didnt have my size at the store, but super cheap shipping. Heres the link
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Eyeliner Tips
So We have all bought about 10 different eyeliners or liners, and you keep them in your old make-up bag or at the bottom of some old make-up basket. right? Well i have found a few that work!
For Top Liner This Felt tip Eyeliner by NYX cosmetics is perfect and gives you TOTAL control! great dark black color too. I found it at Ulta Salon or online at cherryculture.com
Also, for the inside of your bottom lid, use the Cover Girl Pencil - Perfect Blend- its usually at all drug or grocery stores. Make sure it has the rubber one end, even if it looks like a different one, with the pencil on each end, this is the only one that works on the inside of my lid personally.
For Top Liner This Felt tip Eyeliner by NYX cosmetics is perfect and gives you TOTAL control! great dark black color too. I found it at Ulta Salon or online at cherryculture.com
Also, for the inside of your bottom lid, use the Cover Girl Pencil - Perfect Blend- its usually at all drug or grocery stores. Make sure it has the rubber one end, even if it looks like a different one, with the pencil on each end, this is the only one that works on the inside of my lid personally.
Also, for very Smooth eye shadow looks, use a eye shading brush. I Found a great one at walgreens. After you have put on all your make up, Do your Bronzer/Blush last, and i usually just blend the top and sides of my eye shadow in a little better with my bronzer/brush, for a softer look.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Summer Lovin' Deals
Let me just start off by saying:
I DID give into gladiators, the reason i did not like most of them was because of all the obnoxious buckles, who is actually gonna take the time to buckle all those things! So i was at walmart the other day, and bam... a whole wall of different color gladiators. I first felt the fabric. Wow. they are soft, not gonna hurt my feet, they even have a little heal cushion... hmm. okay. next best thing. VELCRO STRAP! they were sold right there! thats my style, easy, comfy, convienient, and cute!
oh btw $10 Bucks!
I GAVE INTO GLADIATORS.... and i am really glad i found This ONE pair!
So cute Dresses from Urban Outfitters Sale section, and Wetseal Dress section, buy one get one 50% off. Love the colors and prints!
I DID give into gladiators, the reason i did not like most of them was because of all the obnoxious buckles, who is actually gonna take the time to buckle all those things! So i was at walmart the other day, and bam... a whole wall of different color gladiators. I first felt the fabric. Wow. they are soft, not gonna hurt my feet, they even have a little heal cushion... hmm. okay. next best thing. VELCRO STRAP! they were sold right there! thats my style, easy, comfy, convienient, and cute!
oh btw $10 Bucks!
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Steals and Deals
I love finding deals, i think i might be obsessed with it actually!
Anyway, I found these KILLER boots on ebay for $12! they are the best thing i own, super comfy, great support, perfect size and color. they also have black and tan, only a few left!
Shop: 9 dollar shoes
Another Great find was this Racer back LONG tunic with pockets, SO in love! $19.99 at urban outfitters, looks like they have other colors online!
Shop: urban outfitters
Last, cheapie leggings how can you go wrong. $5 bucks at wetseal
shop: wetseal
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Swimwear Guide: Budget/Body-Shape Friendly
Summer is creaping up fast, and its always so hard to find a bathing suit with a great color or pattern, but also one thats right for our body shapes. Heres Some Helpful Tips for Budget Friendly Suits, and Body-Shape Friendly Suits!
For the BUSTY gals:
• try a supportive halter, supportive under the bust and thick neck straps. also stay away from super flashy patterns, strapless tops with no neck ties (saggy), and tiny weeny bikinis :)
To Flatter Our HIPS (not cover them up):
•Try a higher cut bottom, not too wide, but not too thin with ties, stay away from boy shorts, flashy or striped patterns, and big bunchy ties that can accentuate the hips.
For SMALL busts or BOY shapes:
•Try Ruffle Tops and bottoms, an underwire support, or a curvy monobikini, Stay away from flat tiny bikini tops, add a little padding, brighten up your colors and patterns, and find some tie straps or side accentuating accessories!
To cover our BELLIES:
• Try a one piece or tankini with rouching on the sides, a toned down color or one color suit, stay away from short tankinis that DONT cover the belly all the way and super crazy patterns and brights, and DO accentuate your bust if you have one!
All budget friendly Adorable swimsuits are from:
Monday, May 18, 2009
Funny Website for the Day: Go Fug Yourself
I found this really funny website today called: Go Fug Yourself: Because Fugly Is the New Pretty.
"Jennifer Hudfug
FUG FILE: OH HONEY NO, PERFORMANCES, POLTERWANG
This is not okay. Not even if Jennifer Hudson IS secretly knocked up, as is the tasty rumor making the rounds.
In fact, unless she is holding up her arms in surrender -- as if to say, "Yes, Officer, I am currently possessed by the spirit of an aggressive Polterwang that haunted Jennifer Beals' closet when she was in Flashdance, so please arrest me and take me somewhere that can exorcise the demon and return me to my usual adorable and packageless self" -- then I simply cannot look at this outfit with anything but the urge to beat my brains out with an old VHS tape." -POSTED BY HEATHER
It really made me smile! Heres one post i thought hilarious:
"Jennifer Hudfug
FUG FILE: OH HONEY NO, PERFORMANCES, POLTERWANG
This is not okay. Not even if Jennifer Hudson IS secretly knocked up, as is the tasty rumor making the rounds.
In fact, unless she is holding up her arms in surrender -- as if to say, "Yes, Officer, I am currently possessed by the spirit of an aggressive Polterwang that haunted Jennifer Beals' closet when she was in Flashdance, so please arrest me and take me somewhere that can exorcise the demon and return me to my usual adorable and packageless self" -- then I simply cannot look at this outfit with anything but the urge to beat my brains out with an old VHS tape." -POSTED BY HEATHER
Friday, May 15, 2009
Tattoos
Last year or so, I illustrated a tattoo for a friend/client in new york, who I have never met, anyway she facebooked me, and I got to see so many pictures of her with the tattoo I designed and it looks awesome, I am so excited!
Here are some pic's its the koi fish with cherry blossoms
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Fashion PR Tips with prcouture.com
I had an amazing interview with prcouture.com
They Asked me 5 questions, and then in return i was able to ask them 5 PR related questions about my business. I asked about inexpensive advertising tips, my prices, my shop, and domain names, etc. Check it out for great tips! you can even just scroll to the bottom of the interview, to read the great pr tips. Read Here
and i am going to post the tips below:
5 PR Questions with prcouture.com
1. I don’t have a lot of cash to spend on advertising, What are some budget friendly tips to get my store out there?
PR Couture says…
Look for opportunities to collaborate with like-minded designers. Go in on a table together at a craft fair and split the cost. Look for opportunities to do trade advertising on fashion blogs, swap a banner of your merch for one that promotes their blog or clothing line. Of course, keeping PR central to your promotional strategy will keep costs low. I would be very careful of doing any advertising and instead focus on print and online PR coverage.
additional ideas…
First, it’s easy to get your store listed on numerous online shopping sites, city listings and events boards. Keep in mind, any store listing that appears online builds your store’s web profile and is a permanent, searchable link. This is way more valuable that print publication listings which are generally thrown away once the magazine is read.
Then, consider blogger reviews. By focusing in on influential blogs and readerships that match your store’s style and product assortment, it will be easy to get the right coverage ADLOVE.
Finally, develop a social network on facebook. Use your tagline everywhere and build ADLOVE fans. This expanded following could help you spread the word and in return you could offer exclusives, preview shopping experiences and discounts as a special thank you. These are all strategies we implement on social media campaigns for our fashion, beauty and home furnishings clients. It’s definitely time-consuming and requires a commitment. When you’re able to consider outside help, we’d would welcome you to our PR hive here at Buzzflikr! - Debra Stevenson, CEO Buzzflikr
Twitter the heck out of your store/ talent, but be smart about it. Follow some other brands like yours that use Twitter effectively and learn from them. -Kate Sullivan, President, Kick PR
Social media allows so many cost-effective alternatives to traditional advertising. A few options:
- Engage with bloggers – Twitter is a great place to start, but also try using your own blog. Add bloggers you admire to your links section, comment on their sites, show your support – the fashion blogosphere is generally responsive to this approach.
- Identify where conversations are already happening about your brand and industry (blogs, Twitter, forums, etc) – find a way to participate.
- Offer special promotions and use online shopping forums (among other outlets) to help get the word out.
- Subscribe to Independent Fashion Bloggers’ Little Birdie service. It’s a free weekly e-newsletter that includes loads of story opportunities submitted by bloggers. It’ll definitely help you narrow your focus when pitching and save you some time researching too.
- Jordana Bruner, PR Professional and Clutch-22 blogger
2. The website address ADLOVE.com is already taken, is up for bid in the $thousands, what is the next best web address you would suggest, that would be easiest for customers? Here are some, that i can get: adlove.us, adlove.info, adlove.us.com, should I put a number or the word “shop” behind?
PR Couture says…
I wouldn’t worry so much about what you call your domain, I think shopadlove or adloveonline are both fine. Instead focus on making that site reflective of your personal brand, and then keeping that consistent across your social media profiles. I do think that a .com is going to be stronger than a .us or a .info so see what you can get that you like with a .com. You could also just keep angeldamico.com and do angeldamico.com/shop for your online store.
additional ideas…
How about shopadlove.com or adlovechicago.com -Kate Sullivan, President, Kick PR
This happens a lot. I think you’re on the right track with adding “shop” to the domain. Perhaps shopADLOVE.com or ADLOVEonline.com? Consumers tend to expect “.com” URLs, so I would stay away from the other options (.us, .info, etc). - Jordana Bruner, PR Professional and Clutch-22 blogger
3. For pricing i try to keep a mid range, so that people like me can afford my one of a kind clothing, Everyone tells me to increase my prices, but then i don’t think they will sell as well, what do you think?
PR Couture says…
I love that you are designing for someone with your same income and I appreciate the idea of unique, hand-printed clothing at an affordable cost. I would recommend committing to an affordable pricing structure for your basic items, but don’t be afraid to increase costs on special items or those that took you longer to create. Those people who really value your skill and the one-of-a-kind nature of your pieces will pay more. Perhaps you look at ways to mass produce your more popular designs so you can keep costs low, and then bump up pricing on those you still do by hand.
additional ideas…
Knowing your customer is a fine art. Understanding their financial priorities, discretionary spending and the other places they shop will help you make this decision. Also strictly following the MSRP for your brands will keep your store competitive in the marketplace. Today, all your shoppers can compare pricing on the web so set your pricing unilaterally across the market without exception. - Debra Stevenson, CEO Buzzflikr
4. Does it help having facebook, myspace, flickr, etc. etc…. and what is twitter? any other free sign up sites you suggest?
PR Couture says…
You want to make sure that your strategy involves not only getting people to come to your store, but going to where your customers already are. Social shopping sites, Facebook fan pages, flickr are all extra tools in your PR toolkit. But know that in order for them to work, you have to commit the time per day to update and interact on them. Each social media tool is different and its easy to get overwhelmed. Start with one, get comfortable and then expand. For a few quick tips on Twitter, check out this recent PR Couture post: Fashion PR/Social Media: 5 TwitTips for a Successful TwitPitch as well as our recent interview with Marie Claire about their Twitter strategy.
additional ideas…
Absolutely! You don’t need to have a profile on every site, but I’d recommend Twitter to start. It’s a central place to consume information that matters for your brand, not to mention a place for you to have real-time conversations with media, peers and others in your industry. Follow bloggers and other Etsy/indie designers to get a feel for how people are using it. Some great Twitter designers/e-tailers to watch are @choosespun, @wendybrandes and @moxsie. They participate regularly and show a ton of support to fashion bloggers and have in turn, gained visibility for their brands in an effective, respectful way.
Additionally, a Facebook business page would be a great place for you to share content (press, photos, updates, etc.) and build a fan base. At this point, I’m not sure you need to invest time/resources there, but it’d be good to keep it in the back of your mind for when you’re ready. - Jordana Bruner, PR Professional and Clutch-22 blogger
5. I am also thinking about making a new shop adlove.etsy.com, and separating my clothes from my artwork, do you think this is a good idea, since people already know angeldamico.com and angeldamico.etsy.com?
PR Couture says…
My recommendation is to focus on your personal brand and house everything together. You want people to seek out everything that you do in all forms, and there is no need to make it more complex to be able to access all your work in one place.
additional ideas…
This is a great question and shows your understanding of complex brand development issues. Your longterm business goals really hold the key to making this decision. - Debra Stevenson, CEO Buzzflikr