lovely packaging

Pretty packaging? umm, yes please.
Receiving these in the mail would make anyone's day, don't you think?


image source: creature comforts


image source: danielle thompson


image source: oh hello friend

Also, I had so much fun browsing through Etsy looking for some fun printable digital collages and rubber stamps to use for my shop's packaging. I have my eyes set on few items that I plan on purchasing this weekend. Fun stuff.

few things ...

I am so swamped with orders right now. Both from my Etsy shops and custom orders. Did I ever tell you having a baby is like having another full-time job? Sometimes I wonder when do I ever find the time to sew. Maybe I actually sew when I sleep. I don't know. It's like I magically produce all these things for my shops. I wish I had Doraemon. If you don't know him, just forget what I just said. But if you do know him, you know what I am talking about and I know you wish you had him too!! admit it.

So. After much thinking, I have decided to momentarily stop taking custom orders. I need to catch up on restocking my Etsy shops. They are looking pretty old right now. I keep on relisting things I sold. What I want is to list new things. Like a veggie shop, you want something fresh. I run three one-woman Etsy shops, though one of them doesn't require much work really (talking about my vintage shop). Yes it gets hectic for me sometimes.

I have few new things in the making right now for my Etsy shops---both baby and pouches shop. I want to introduce new items. Then have a giveaway here. I am also thinking of hosting giveaways at my bloggie friends's blogs. Should be fun, right?

And on top of all this madness, I am also thinking of creating a craft group. This is just a maybe. If I have the time. I envision of a craft group that meets once a month for 1 - 2 hour. Do fun and easy craft projects. Nothing serious. Swapping ideas. Connecting with other crafters in town. Oh and it has to be free. I mean, sure you have to bring your own supplies and all to the meeting but other than that, no fees to join. I'll give update on this later.

happy to say....

Wheww. A week has passed by since last I posted here.
The fundraising event for baby Ayden Driggers was a HUGE success!! I am happy to report that. The salon (I believe) was able to raised about $3000. And my little shop that I set up inside the salon was able to raise $245!! WOOOHOOOOO!!
I gave the money directly to Nicky Driggers, Ayden's mom. Oh I got to meet her btw. I was so happy to finally be able to meet her. She is a very, very sweet lady and I truly admire her strength in dealing with this difficult situation. I told her I'd like to meet baby Ayden in person someday. She proposed a playdate and a reunion! How wonderful. I can't wait already :)

Another update I'd like to report: my Etsy shops has been able to raise a little more than $350!!!! Woooohoooo. So in total as of today: close to $600!! Wow. I am amazed by everyone's generosity. People keep on buying items from my shop to help Ayden. For those of you who has made purchase(s) through my Etsy shop for Ayden, huge THANK YOU for you!!! I am not related to the Driggers at all but I know how much this means for them. And I cannot wait to send the check to Ayden's family :)

I have 3 more days left to raise more money for Ayden. Please let everyone know about this :)

Happy Saturday!!

Fundraising Event this Saturday....

Ok, this is huge news.
For those of you who live in the Jacksonville (Florida) area.... Teaming up with A&D Salon, I will be doing a big fundraising event for baby Ayden Driggers. Here are the details:

when: Saturday, June 5, 2010 from 10AM - 2PM
where: A and D Salon located on 5240 Timuquana Road, Jacksonville, FL
100% proceeds from the sales will go toward the Driggers!!!
A&D Salon will also be offering $10 haircut that day.

Ayden Driggers is a baby boy who was born with a hole in his heart. He had his first open heart surgery at age 4 weeks old.

Please read more here:
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/money/onyourside/amarosarmy/news-article.aspx?storyid=156438&catid=3

If you don't live in the area, you can still participate by purchasing items from my shops:
www.downtowngirldesigns.etsy.com
www.maxandolivia.etsy.com
www.downtowngirlvintage.etsy.com
100% proceeds will go to help Ayden Driggers.
I take custom orders---let me know what you have in mind. Custom orders usually take between 1 - 3 weeks depending on the project.

on my reading list....

The magazine is mine --- bought at JoAnn with my 40% off coupon (score!). The other 2 books are borrowed from the library. Stitch magazine is awesome. I love that magazine. Yes, it costs a fortune (for a magazine! $14.99 a pop with no coupon) but it's worth the price. In this edition, you'll find TONS of fun and easy projects that you can make your own. There is also a free pattern from Oliver + S. That alone I think is a steal!

You know, most of the times I like to read a design book just to give me ideas and inspiration and I don't actually make anything from the book. "Carry Me" book is that kind of book for me right now. The book is filled with lots of sewing patterns and bag designs--pretty to look at but don't think I am going to make any of them. I could if I want to but reading it is enough to give me lots of inspiration. I like to read the how-to section because I can always apply that knowledge to my next sewing project. I'd say this book is more suitable for advanced sewist. The bags are lovely and they look very upscale-ish!

For those of you who sell crafts online (or even offline!), I highly recommend the the last book I am reading, "The Handmade Marketplace". It is filled with basic yet important online selling tidbits. Lots of details. And tons of suggestions from real-life successful crafters from around the globe. I am not finished reading this book yet but already I learned a great deal of online-selling abc's.

Ok. I am off to reading some more....

been awhile.....

It has been a long while since last I blogged here. So much going on. Baby had her 100th day celebration in New York; then she turned four months; new daycare...

I have been doing a lot of thinking lately. About work, life and everything else. I don't know. I think I've got to the point in life where I am seriously asking myself: where do you want to go from here? what do you want to do? how are you going to do it? Ok wow this is deep.

Well. Memorial Day weekend is coming up. We don't have much planned. There is a Jazz Festival in town we plan to attend but that's because it's free. The zoo is also running buy-one-get-one special, so we might go. Other than that, I've got lots of crafting to do to stock up my shops.

Also another thing I'd like to mention is my plan to host an online fundraising to help Ayden Driggers. Who is he? Ayden is a 5-week old little boy who was born with a birth defect: a hole in his heart. My goal is to raise between $500 - $1000 to help his family pay for the medical bill. The plan is that I am going to donate every single penny my 3 Etsy shops make until the $500 - $1000 donation is met or until June 15th. So 100% of the proceeds from everything people buy at my Etsy shops from now through June 15th will go to the Driggers. You can read more the story of little Ayden here. I don't know the Driggers personally and I am doing this just because I would like to help. As a mom, I just cannot imagine myself being in Ayden's mom's shoes. So, please spread the word about my fundraising plan. Post on your blog, facebook, or tweet, I'd appreciate that so much.

Will post again tomorrow!

sweet offer.....

FREE DOMESTIC Shipping offer is going on now at Downtown Girl Designs and Max and Olivia in honor of Earth Day.
Offer valid from April 22 - 25 only.

International shipping gets 50% off.

*shipping fee will be refunded the same day payment is received*

This sweet deal only happens few times a year so take advantage of it while you can ;)