Ivey Handcrafted's Goals for 2008

So I decided to make resolutions..I won't go into my personal resolutions - just business!

So here goes:

Ivey Handcrafted's 2008 Resolutions

1. Learn to felt - take felt classes
2. Make wall pieces, canvases
3. Try to find more successful shows
4. Check out more online stores/brick and mortar shops
5. Get Website Up and Running

Lets go with those 5 and see where it takes me!

To all of my crafty friends - here's wishing you a wonderful 2008! May all your dreams come true!

XOXO,
Ivey Handcrafted

Bring on 2008

After a busy month at a new job - and a wonderful Christmas with family - I am ready to bring on 2008. I think it will be great to start a new year with fresh ideas and plans to make Ivey Handcrafted grow stronger. I hope over the winter to teach myself some new tricks - take some classes to learn new techniques - and be able to cut back on the "real" world and do what I love - Ivey Handcrafted. So come with me....on this new adventure and see what 2008 brings for me. Thanks to all of you for reading along...sorry I haven't been as active as I would like.....yet another resolution for me! XOXO

Buy Handmade

I made the pledge - won't you?

I grew up in an artists home and have always bought handmade...

it is the most wonderful feeling!

So won't you make the pledge to buy handmade this holiday season!

Support Art!

XOXO

What is happening in Ivey Handcrafted's World?

Well first - I have planned a home show with my friend Jennifer Jack http://www.goodfortunesoap.com/ - lets hope for a successful show on Sunday, November 11th - if you are in the Chattanooga area - let me know and I can hook you up with the details: Next - I GOT INTO ICE ATLANTA! Okay so excited...my first juried show....and I am in! I am not listed yet as a vendor....but hopefully that will come soon! Now I just have to work work work!! http://www.ice-atlanta.com/

I made the front page!!!

Ivey Handcrafted made the front page!!!

Etsy seller anda added my candy corn brooch to her treasury, and it was picked for front page. :)

3 Treasuries :)

Wow....3 treasuries :)

Okay....so I admit it 2 are from my group girls will be girls....but still!!! xoxo

Thanks:

Sweetspice

Customdesignsbymimi

Anda

Ivey Handcrafted in the news!

Ivey Handcrafted was in our local paper today - here is the article :)


Business: Ivey Handcrafted creates whimsical accessories
By Holly Cowart Community News Assistant Editor

Around age 10 Tobi filled her family's home with pillows by utilizing her first skills with a needle and thread. As an adult she's taken her passion for craft and created Ivey Handcrafted, hand sewn felt and fabric accessories in not-to-be missed colors.

"I don't think things clash," Tobi said. "I like to find ways to make them work."

Her bold designs for brooches, hair clips and cuffs might pair yellow, red, orange and pink in one piece. Some use familiar designs such as a flower and others are abstract designs built around fabric or buttons.

"I feel like it fits people who are a little more artsy, that don't mind wearing color," she said. Each one is designed differently and hand-sewn. Their uniqueness suits the type of people who wear them. It also gives each one value. "I feel like it makes it more of an important art,"

The distinction is important for Ivey Handcrafted because even though it's a business, mass-production isn't her goal. "I really just want to keep it where it makes you feel special because you have a one-of-a-kind piece," she said.

The accessories are available online at http://www.iveyhandcrafted.com/.%20TobiTobi launched Ivey Handcrafted last fall after she and her husband moved back to Tennessee from North Carolina. "I'm getting really good feedback," she said. "The hairclips are doing really well."

Tobi credited growing up with parents who are artists as giving her the confidence to begin her business. Their experience in metal work also taught her practical lessons. "From my parents I've learned the thing about wholesale is you only get half," she said. "I think it's important to build a customer base." Putting her business on the Internet is one way to do that. "It's like an online catalog," she said. "It's a good way to show your work."

In addition to barrettes, brooches and cuffs, Tobi said she is starting to make wall artwork. "People keep saying to me that my little pins look like pieces of art," she said. "My stepfather always said 'Money is on the walls,' " meaning people are more prone to buy things they can display.

Tobi is learning how to make her own felt, but hasn't started creating pieces to sell with it. Using it in her accessories would increase their legitimacy as art, but it would also increase the price. "There are things I could probably price higher," she acknowledged. "I like that people can afford it."

Like most small businesses, Ivey Handcrafted began out of passion, not just hard work. "It makes me feel like a kid again," Tobi said. "It's just very rewarding to create something with my hands and see people love it."

More information, Ivey Handcrafted's Web site is http://www.iveyhandcrafted.com/.

Girls Will Be Girls Passionately Pink for the Cure

Visit http://gwbgboutique.blogspot.com/ for more information.

To find out more &/or donate visit http://www.komendonations.org/site/TR/Events/KomenTR?team_id=65550&pg=team&fr_id=1040&s_tafId=4830. Team ID: 65550 Girls Will Be Girls

I got my first treasury!

This is a little collection of pieces from my favorite shops ---- hopefully I will get a treasury again so I can feature some more! I chose things for fall - that are fall related, but still have color - because Fall is my favorite time of year and I feel like the colors are so rich this time of year - I wanted to include more than just browns, oranges and reds....What do you think?

and then I found myself in another one!
Thanks cutesis for adding me to your treasury!

another treasury????

Thanks Tonya from ebboutique.etsy.com for including us in this fun treasury!

Look at all this cuteness....

1 day left of the GWBG Boo Contest....

don't you want to be in on it?

HALLOWEEN LAUNCH

Girls Will Be Girls is a design group that started on eBay but has moved over to listing primarily on ETSY!!! We "launch" about every 6 weeks and all list items designed around a theme.
To see all our new & awesome Halloween items, just search GWBG BOO!

Here's the details of our drawing:
* Make a purchase from any Girls Will Be Girls shop before Sept. 19th, 2007 and get 5 entries for our amazing giveaway. Sign up for our newsletter at www.GWBGBoutique.Blogspot.com by 9/19 and get 1 entry.

The winner will be drawn on Sept. 20th and will receive a tote bag by Emi Beth Boutique, hair clips by Princess Designs, a bib by Colby Lane Designs, a burp cloth by Custom Designs by Mimi, a hair clip by Ivey Handcrafted, a headband by Sew Foxy Boutique and a sample scrub & bath salt set by Sweet Spice Essentials!

The 1st runner-up will receive a necklace by Sparkle Me and the 2nd runner-up will receive earrings by MJD Boutique. Search Etsy for GWBG for all our listings!*

Oh my goodness - 2 treasuries???

I feel so honored - another treasury...yeah it is someone I "know" but still special, right?

XOXO

GWBG Etsy Treasury

Wendy of CustomDesignsbyMimi got a treasury spot and featured designs by the Girls! Thanks so much Wendy!

As always search GWBG in tags on etsy - or check our blog at: GWBGBoutique.com

it's coming.....

Aren't you excited??

use GWBG BOO in the tags on etsy!

It happened to me.....

I got tagged.....

now what?

7 awesome things about me....hmmmmm.....

where to start?

#1 I guess my favorite thing about me right now is Ivey Handcrafted....obviously ;)

http://www.iveyhandcrafted.com/



#2 I have an incredible husband of 6 years....who surprises me everyday!

#3 I have the greatest fur baby EVER!!!

#4 I have the BEST FRIENDS AND FAMILY AROUND.....here are a few pics of the special people in my life: (in no particular order :)

NOT PICTURED - HAIR A GO GO GIRLS!!!

#5 I think it is pretty awesome that I have had the courage to live every day like it is my last - 9 years ago I was in a pretty horrible accident that almost killed me....it taught me to not take anything for granted - and LIVE EVERY DAY LIKE IT IS YOUR LAST - because you never know...it could be.

#6 I think I am a pretty awesome wife, daughter, sister, friend and aunt - I feel proud of those accomplishments :)

and #7 MY PINK HAIR - it brightens every day for me:

Now I tag....

http://www.ebboutique.blogspot.com/

http://www.mjdboutique.blogspot.com/

http://www.sparklemedesigns.blogspot.com/

http://www.colbylanedesigns.blogspot.com/

sorry ladies :)

OH my goodness!

I got my business cards....they are fabulous...

they are diecut like my logo on
www.iveyhandcrafted.com

I am SOOOO excited!

And I can't thank Steve Hamaker enough - his designs ROCK!
www.stevaker.com

XOXO

Free Shipping on Ivey Handcrafted

Greetings everyone - free shipping on Ivey Handcrafted from today Labor Day until my birthday September 13th!

Find something you love and snatch it up - free shipping! YEAH!!!!

XOXO

100th Heart on Etsy

So....today I reached my 100th heart on etsy....I was feeling really loved...

so I offered my 100th heart a super deal on a hairclip she wanted....

she turned it down...

poor little hairclip

NO LOVE :(
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=6702805

Shop Ivey Handcrafted

New items everyday! Check out my newest items!!!

http://www.iveyhandcrafted.etsy.com/

My first Trade

I got my first traded piece of art in the mail today....

It is this sweet little felt doggie that sarah of Puppins made - you can check her out on her myspace page: www.myspace.com/luvpuppins

So here is a little pic of my new friend....that my fur baby Nellie DESPERATELY wants for her own:

Girls Will Be Girls

So I had the honor of joining a wonderful group this week. I stumbled upon it on Indiepublic - and begged to be a part - and luckily they liked me :) This group girls will be girls is a talented group of women who love to craft and create art. All of our goods are sold on etsy - so when you check out etsy - search GWBG in the tags to find all of our goodies! Also we have a blog - http://www.gwbgboutique.blogspot.com/

Check out the talent!

XOXO

Perfect for Fall.....

Cause I am READY!!!

Made some cuffs....what do you think? These are from my show and not added yet to Etsy....I have mixed emotions on prices.....the first two are already sold -but all the rest will be on Etsy soon....

Wow....been too long

So I had my first art show - Art Til Dark (August 4th) in Chattanooga, TN.......wasn't bad.....hot as could be, but got incredible feed back and sold lots of hair barrettes. It just taught me the lesson of not doing outside shows in the summer - I am just not made for it! However I got to practice setting up my "booth", feel out what people liked, talk to other artist, etc. All in all it was a wonderful day of learning. Can't wait till my next one.....in cooler weather :)

Birthday Party

My friend and boss Elizabeth's sweet little boy Fletcher turned 1 today - so for him I was trying think what I could make him and I thought well why not try my hand at a pillow! So I did...here is the finished product -they loved it and it matched his room perfectly (and I have never seen his room) I might have to make some more fun pillows!!!

Inspiration in ATL

So yesterday I went to Atlanta with my friend Summer to shop at Ikea.....1 of my fave places - and even more fun we were shopping for her new place - so I got to help shop and spend someone else's money! TOO MUCH FUN! So she found lots of wonderful things - and I actually got out of there spending only $20 - um wow? Before we went to Ikea we went to some shops Summer wanted to go to at the mall - Delia's and Forever 21 - 2 places I am too large and feel too old to shop in....however my thought process while I was there was look at all those pretty fabrics, designs, etc. So I am including some pics from a few clothing items that inspired me! Something about the mix of patterns, mix of colors - they just spoke to me.
www.delias.com
www.forever21.com