Product Review: Planner Insert from Stacey of Star Struck Creations

Happy Holiday's Friends! I have the song running through my head pretty regularly lately as I hear it everywhere I go. What is your favorite carol? I love O Holy Night. How is your holiday shopping going? Mine is slowly coming together.

I was recently blessed by Stacey from Star Struck Creations with these fun planner inserts. So I am excited to share with you a review of her work and service.

Stacey sells a variety of items, cards, pet portraits, painted on glass pieces. She loves art. She hopes to be a stay at home mom in the woods working on her art one day. This is all part of her adventure to get to have that dream. Stacey approached me wondering if I could be her guinea pig in trying out a new product. So here we are with her planner inserts.

Stacey was great to work with. She asks great questions to find out what you like and tries to make her pieces suited to the individual. I shared with her about myself and what I do and how I love tea. She came up with these three great designs for me.

You Got This!!

I put this particular one at the beginning of my homeschool planning binder. It has been such a great reminder especially on the hard days when I am not up to teaching.

Create a Life you Love!

This is the second one in my planner. It daily is a great reminder of trying to look at the blessings and the positives and not focus on the negatives. I can sometimes get wrapped up in the hard parts of life and forget to build up and live in the parts that I love. Thank you, Stacey, for these two great reminders.

I like the simplicity of the designs of these first two. They are pretty but allow the words to stand out. I think she did a great job in designing them.

Life is like a cup of Tea, its all in how you make it.

This third one has to be my favorite by far. I love the color choices, how she designed the teacup and colored it and the highlighting and various colors she used in the lettering.

All three are very sturdy. They are laminated and hole punched for you when they arrive. I could have taken them from the package and put them right in my planner. But with the crazy life of a mom, it took me a little longer to get them in. I think this is a great product. So fun to turn the page and see these fun sayings, art, and great reminders. They bring sunshine to my day and make me smile.

Stacey, as I mentioned, is great to work with. Her products are lovely. I loved her little note that she sent in the package. I think my only critique would be to see a little more branding. Maybe having her shop name on the back of the inserts or such. Keep up the great work Stacey. I hope that you are able to see your dream become a reality in the near future.

You can find Stacey online at the following locations:

https://www.facebook.com/starstruck3030/

https://www.instagram.com/starstruck3030/

http://starstruck3030.storenvy.com/

https://www.pinterest.com/sscreations1208/

These items were given to me for my honest opinion.

Also, there are affiliate links within my blog. If you click on one of the links you could help support our blog!

Current and Upcoming Events

Handmade Holiday Charity Boxes! $25 support 10 shops and three charities with one purchase. These are valued at over $60. Only 3 left!

Winter Salon Shopping Event:

December 6, 5-8pm J. Rose and Co State College, PA.

Meet the Maker: Judy from The Cranberry Creek

Hi Friends. What exciting things do you have planned for this week? Our daughter is having a sleep over for her 11th birthday. Otherwise we have a pretty quiet week.

Would you like to be interviewed, have your products reviewed or even be featured on our feed? Comment below or email me. We love supporting fellow makers in any way that we can.

Today's Meet the Maker is with Judy from The Cranberry Creek. So without further ado lets get to know Judy. Today, I am allowing Judy to take over my blog. Enjoy!

Hi, I’m Judy from The Cranberry Creek and I’ve been crafting since I was about four years old – making clothes for my Barbie dolls with help from my mom and aunts. I’ve dabbled in counted cross stitch, embroidery and sewing clothes but crochet is the craft that I find the most relaxing.

A friend saw a blanket that I was working on and encouraged me to sell on Etsy. At first I sold scarves and baby blankets but then found my niche in selling character hats. My Little Pony hats, Star Wars, Shimmer and Shine, Octonauts, PJ Masks and Little Charmers have all been very successful lines.

The most fun part of selling my crochet items is designing new hats. I love talking to children and finding out which cartoon or movie characters capture their attention and then seeing how I can make the yarn take on the features of those characters. And it’s an excuse to watch cartoons.

During the day I’m a speech pathologist in a special education school. That means I talk all day! In the evenings, it’s just me and the yarn, creating something special.

My plans for The Cranberry Creek are to be able to increase production so I can keep up with demand. There’s still time to place an order before the holidays.

Take a look at TheCranberryCreek.etsy.com and
TheCranberryCreek on instagram.

Thank you for sharing Judy. It has been great to get to know you better and your character hats are adorable.

Upcoming Events:

-Currently going on! Cyber Monday Sale! Check it out while you can. Follow #makerscybermarket on Instagram.

-Handmade Holiday Charity Box:

Support 10 makers and Three charities with one purchase. Handmade goods valued over $60 for just $25 shipped. The proceeds go to three different charities. Head over to Instagram to order.

-Winter Salon Shopping event.

December 6, 5-8 pm J. Rose and Co Salon. State College, PA

Shop Small Directory

Our blog contains affiliate links. If you click on them you could help support our blog.

Meet the Maker: Karen from KR Celestial Creations

Hi friends. How are you? Life has been busy but good. We had a nice Thanksgiving with my Parents coming to visit. It was so relaxing to not have to travel for a change. We did a little bit of shopping this weekend too.

How was your Thanksgiving? Are you shopping small this holiday? Do you know when you buy from a small shop like the ones I interview, you make a big impact? These businesses tend to be a stay at home mom. So your purchase is helping her to help support her family. So when you go shopping think first about shopping small.

It is time for another Meet the Maker. Today, I have the special privilege of introducing you to Karen from KRCelestial Creations. So without further ado let's meet Karen.

Hi Karen. Tell me about yourself. How long have you been crafting?
I have been crafting since I was little, but professionally crafting I can say that I have been doing it for 10 years now.
That's cool.

What kinds of crafts do you like?
I enjoy quilling, jewelry making, ceramics, baking and decorating. I love everything that has to do with hands and crafts.
I really enjoy pretty much anything that has to do with using my hands or crafts too.

When did you open your ETSY shop?
I opened my Etsy shop in May 2016.

Why did you start selling online?
I started selling online because it not only helps me to pay my college expenses but also because I wanted to feel what is to be your own boss.
That's cool. What a fun way to pay off college expenses.

Where do you sell online?
I sell on Etsy; my shop is KRCelestialCreations.
Fun.

Besides Etsy you can also find me on Poshmark; I sell brand new clothes. Check them out.
That's fun.

Do you have any upcoming sales?
I am currently offering free shipping with a minimum of $10 through December 11, 2017, at my Etsy shop.
This sounds like a great sale.

Other than selling your handmade crafts what else do you do?
I am currently a college student; majoring in Marketing. I consider that my major not only relate but also fits into my crafting world because it helps me to provide good quality products, attractive and innovative products, and the most important provide good customer service.
This is great. Learning as you go.

Do you create with anyone?
All the products in my shop are designed and made only by me.
Cool.

What would you share with someone who wants to start a handmade business?
Something that I would tell someone that wants to join the handmade business is that no matter what, believe in yourself and believe in your creations, do not give up and always be persistent.
Thanks for sharing such great encouragement.

You can find Karen's shop online at the following locations:

Etsy Shop: www.etsy.com/shop/KRCelestialCreations

Poshmark: https://poshmark.com/closet/krodriguez157

Instagram: @krcelestialcreations7

Twitter: @KRcelestialcrea

To Help you Shop Small this Holiday Season, I created a list of shops so make sure you head over to my Handmade and Small Shop Directory Page.

Upcoming events:

• Handmade Holiday Charity Box on sale now! Only 6 left! leave me a comment, email or message me at Handcrafter Artisan PR on Instagram.

• Cyber Monday 8 pm EST #makerscybermarket. Come join Mt Nittany Creations and several other makers on Cyber Monday for this great sale. Just follow the hashtag!

• December 6, 5-8 PM Winter Salon Shopping event.

Please note that there are affiliate links on my blog. If you click on them you could help support our blog! Thanks in advance. 

The HYPE Over Handmade: The impact of how you shop | The Yuppiest Hippie

Hi Friends. How are you? Are you ready for the Thanksgiving Holiday? I am looking forward to my parents arriving tomorrow. Should be a good time. It will be nice to not travel this year as we normally do. Would love to hear what you are up to. Leave a comment below.

I recently came across this great blog post about shopping handmade and the impact it has. I am so excited to share this post with you from Rebecca at The Yuppiest Hippie. Without further ado here is the beginning of her post.

I get this question a lot, especially when working vendor shows. Sometimes the question is asked with tact, sometimes... not so much.

Regardless of how it's asked, it's a legitimate question. Why is handmade more expensive, and what's with all the hype surrounding artisans? Why are consumers willing to pay MORE for handmade?

Go grab a cup of coffee, for I'm about to explain exactly why- this is going to be a good one!

Handmade = fair trade, fair labor, Believe it or not, a person MAKES everything you own. Your shoes are made by someone. Your coffee is made by someone. Your jeans are made by someone (or at least someone running machinery that makes the item as part of a mass production assembly line).

So, who makes it? Cheaper items are typically made overseas, where inflation and cost of living allows companies to pay lower wages. Ethical companies pay a fair wage to their workers, which meets or exceeds a living wage. These items are typically marked with a fair trade symbol. According to the World Fair Trade Organization, fair trade has an impact beyond trade: It proves that greater justice in world trade is possible. It highlights the need for change in the rules and practice of conventional trade and shows how a successful business can also put people first. It is a tangible contribution to the fight against poverty, climate change, and economic crisis.

There are several organizations that independently evaluate and award a logo.

Some companies do not engage in fair trade. They pay a wage that is low, unlivable, or unfair to the worker, taking advantage of the scarcity of work and living conditions in developing countries. These savings are passed onto the consumer with a lower retail price; however, the workers pay for the difference.

When you purchase handmade, there is complete transparency on who the laborer is. You can have a conversation with the artisan, crafter, seamstress, or designer. You know exactly where your money is going. Because many artisans we purchase from live in industrialized counties, wages are higher. The cost of labor is built into the price of the item, resulting in a higher price.

....To read more of this great post head over to The Yuppiest Hippie....

Upcoming events:
Wacky Wednesday Sale: 10% off a purchase of $15 or more. Code THANKS10 Good every Wednesday starting Nov 22 through December 20. In addition, receive a free pair of Christmas ball earrings with each purchase, while supplies last!

Handmade Brown Paper Packages Charity Boxes:
Goes on Sale November 25. Small Shop Saturday, 8 am instagram.com/handcraftedartisanpr $25 each. All proceeds after shipping costs go to three different charities. Not only do you get to make a difference this holiday season but you will receive a box of handmade goodies from 10 different makers. Only 10 boxes available so act quickly! ( these boxes are not subject to any discounts)

Handmade Cyber Monday sale. November 27, 2017, 8 pm est.

#makerscybermarket

Our blog contains affiliate links. If you click on them you could support our blog. Thanks in advance.

7 Steps to Start Selling Wholesale and Bring in the Big Bucks!

Meet the Maker: Kyle Terry from Old Stone Hill

Hi Friends. How was your weekend? Ours was good. We had fun visiting with my Mother in law and Nephew. We also woke up this morning to our first snow that has stayed on the ground. It is now gone but fun to see this morning. Our four year old was especially excited. What are your plans for Thanksgiving? I can't believe that it is here already. Where did the year go? My parents are coming up for a few days and our dear friend will join us on Thursday for the feast. I hope that you have a blessed Thanksgiving.

If you would like to be interviewed, featured or to have your product reviewed than please email me.

Today's Meet the Maker is Kyle from Old Stone Hill. Kyle has a mixture of some really fun products in his shop. Kyle also has a blog very similar to mine where he features various makers. I had the privilege to be interviewed by Kyle and I am excited to be able to return the favor. So without further ado lets meet Kyle!

I’m from Upstate New York originally and moved down to North Carolina about 4 years ago now. I’ve been crafting as long as I can remember. When I was around 5 or 6 I used to pretend to be sick from school in order to go to my grandmother’s house – she’s the first person who taught me how to craft. When I would go to her house, she taught me to craft with clay, how to paint, and how to sew. I’m a knitter, painter, baker, and I make a lot of handmade body care goods.

Organic exfoliating body scrub

The thing that inspired me to begin making was to give my loved ones something special and unique that you can’t find in a mall. Our shop name came about in the hopes of one day opening a compound of shops and local artisan’s getting together to work together making a small little village of small businesses and shops!

Hand knit cowls.

I started selling about a year ago now – selling online is much easier than selling in only local fairs and such. I have my website. I’m currently working on making a special line to be featured in a small shop in my town of Huntersville NC. I am offering a sale of 25% off all products over $20 the code is Giftmas, just enter at checkout.

B-Box

Outside of my fulltime job and the shop I love to commune with nature and spend time with my husband and our two animals Klaus and Hades. At the beginning of Old Stone Hill, we had the B-box, which was a monthly sent product that we would donate a portion of our proceeds. I tried to get in touch with several beekeeping associations and environmental agencies but none responded so for every one I sold I donated to our local raptor center. I wanted to try and educate people on the importance of bees in our ecosystem and that they’re a dying species.

Organic bath teas

I urge anyone who wants to become a small business owner or maker to do it out of pure love for the craft of making - it's not always about the money, but if you enjoy doing something you'll never work a day in your life!

Hand Knit Cowl

You can find Kyle's shop Old Stone Hill online at the following locations:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/OldStoneHill
Instagram: instagram.com/OldStoneHill
Web Page: www.oldstonehill.com


Coming Up!
Wonderful Wacky Wednesday Sale! 10% off a purchase of $15 or more THANKS10 and a free pair of Chrismas ball earrings while supplies last. This sale is good through Cyber Monday or while supplies last.

Handmade Brown Paper Packages boxes
They go on sale on Small Shop Saturday, Nov 25. $25 each includes shipping for handmade goodies from 10 makers. All proceeds after shipping costs will go to three different charities!

• https://www.jemfriends.org/ programs that reach out to youth aging out of the foster care system
• instagram.com/nwdogproject https://northwestdogproject.org/ A small non-profit dedicated to rescuing homeless, unwanted, neglected and abused dogs.
• http://www.cci.org/ Canine Companions for Independence has provided assistance dogs free of charge to recipients.

Cyber Monday Sale with several other makers!

Head over to our Instagram and check out all of the goodies and follow the hashtag to see the other shops #makerscybermarket

Don's forget to Shop Small this holiday season!! You can find some great shops in our Handmade and Small Shop Directory.

Please note that our blog contains affiliate links. If you click on them you could help support our blog. Thank you in advance.

7 Steps to Start Selling Wholesale and Bring in the Big Bucks!

Meet the Maker: Emma from Stitched Up By Emma

Hi Friends! Happy Wednesday. How are you? Life has been kind of busy. Was sick last week and had this big craft show and now trying to get back into the swing of all of it. What have you all been up to?

I have started a Handmade Small Shop Directory on my blog. Make sure you head over and check out the page. Show some love to these shops and maybe do some shopping. If you would like to be added, comment below or email me. Also if you would like to be interviewed, featured or have your product reviewed contact me as well.

Today's Meet the Maker is Emma from Stitched by Emma. So without further ado lets meet our new friend.

Where are you from?
I'm from Coventry in the UK.

Where do you live now?
I now live in a little village called Holbrook in DerbyshireCool.

How long have you been crafting?
Been crafting since as early as I can remember.

Are there other types of crafting that you enjoy doing?
I enjoy knitting, I've done cross stitch, quilling, beading, 3D beading, Viking knitting, jewelry making, polymer clay sculpting. I've tried a lot of crafts but always get drawn back to knitting and crochet. You have tried a lot of different crafts. Glad you really love the crocheting and knitting.

What drew you to knitting or what inspired you?
My Nan taught me when I was younger. And dabbled in it making blankets and knitting toys for friends who had babies and then 2 years ago I had my little boy and I wanted to make him a blanket. And I was hooked. I've kind of became obsessed. That is so fun how you got involved in this.

Is there a story behind your shop name and if so what is it?
No story, my husband chose stitched up and when I created my Instagram account it was taken so I added by Emma on and it just stuck. That's a fun little story.

When did you start selling online?
Started in April 2017.

And What drew you to sell online?
I have thought about it for a few years toying with the idea and finally decided to take the plunge. That's great.

Where do you sell online?
I have an Etsy shop and I also sell on Ravelry.

Do you sell in other venues and if so what are they?
No, I do not sell in any other venues.

I have never heard of Ravelry I will have to check it out.

Do you have any giveaways or sales coming up or other exciting things that you would like to be shared in your post?
I am about 70/80 followers off 500 on Instagram once I hit that I will be doing a giveaway - not sure what yet! I just checked and it looks like you are about 20 away now so exciting. Can't wait to see what you do for your giveaway.

Do you do any other work? Outside job, blog... How does that fit into your production time?
I have a part-time job as a medical laboratory assistant supervisor. And then the rest of my time is taken up looking after my 2-year-old. I only craft once he is in bed so my time is very limited at the moment. I hear you. I have a four-year-old and a similar situation.

Do you do your creating alone or with a partner or family member?
I tend to create alone. Cool.

Do you have a faith practice and how does this fit into your work?
Nope

What hopes do you have for your business in the future?
I hope it grows and becomes successful. Successful enough for me to give up my part-time job. In what ways? I'm not sure yet. My business is still pretty new and trying to find time can be difficult. But I'm definitely determined to try! I wish you all the best and I hope you do find success.

What is your most favorite piece that you have made?
The blanket I made my son. It's a Pokemon blanket made by Tunisian crochet. I got carried away with it and it got bigger and bigger. Oh, fun.

What is one thing you would love to share with others who are considering going into the handmade business?
Do not be afraid to try. Do not be put off if things start slow or you have quiet periods with no sales. It's a difficult niche and people who appreciate the hard work will pay for your products and don't sell yourself short. This is great advice and so true.

Is there anything else you would like to share with the blogosphere?
Thank you for reading 😊

Thanks for sharing.

You can find Emma at the following locations online:

Www.facebook.com/stitchedupbyemma

Www.etsy.com/uk/shop/stitchedupbyemma

https://www.ravelry.com/designers/emma-moss

Www.intagram.com/stitchedupbyemma

Upcoming:

• Holiday Shopping: Come check out our Handmade Small Shop Directory.

• Help us raise money for three great charities! Handmade Holiday box full of goodies from 10 different artists. This box goes on Sale on Cyber Monday! Starts shipping December 10.

Here are the Charities

• https://www.jemfriends.org/ programs that reach out to youth aging out of the foster care system
• instagram.com/nwdogproject https://northwestdogproject.org/ A small non-profit dedicated to rescuing homeless, unwanted, neglected and abused dogs.
• http://www.cci.org/ Canine Companions for Independence has provided assistance dogs free of charge to recipients

• We are also involved in two group market sales.
• #makerscybermarket Come join us and shop small at over 20 other shops. 8PM EST

• December 8, Holiday Market Sale Group 8 pm EST

Thank you for reading and supporting our blog. Please note that our blog contains affiliate links. If you click on them you can help support our blog. Thanks in advance.

How to Take Perfect Product Photos on a White Background

Target Baby Registry