Sale: Spring Cleaning Bonanza!

March 24, 2013March 25, 2013Leave a comment

It doesn’t feel like spring in Chicago quite yet – but despite what my weather app may say – the season is officially here! So to celebrate the beginning of longer days and soon-to-be warmer temps, I’m having a one-day-only Spring Cleaning Bonanza sale!

From now until midnight you can take 40% off any ready-made or vintage items in my Etsy shop by using the following coupon code during checkout: springbonanza03

Sound crazy? It is!

Whether you’ve had your heart set on a new design or a vintage find – now’s the perfect time to scoop things up! There won’t be another sale like this one for months and months to come – so go ahead – and take advantage of this great deal.

An Indie Biz: Photo Magic

March 19, 2013March 18, 20132 Comments

As I sit at my computer late on a Monday night I realize that I am way way way overdue. Not for returning my library books – but for writing a post on running an indie biz! So here’s my much belated installment – and it’s all about photo editing.

Let’s say you’ve developed a beautiful new line of products and are ready to introduce your creations to the world. You’ve painstakingly planned the shoot, took the time to set up quality lighting and have captured a great set of photos to show the masses.

Now what?

Don’t even think for a second that once your photos are logged and stored on your SD drive that you’re free to frolic about. Your next task as a handmade business owner is to make those pics magical. And I’m not talking pseudo-well-done they get a passing grade magical. I mean stop-em-in-their-tracks, make-heads-turn, kind of attention. Sure – paying a pro to do the dirty digital work can seem promising – but there’s nothing more fulfilling than empowering yourself to take that DIY step to enhance pictures on your own.

So before I sit back to tackle the 300+ photos I snapped of new Pierogi Picnic gear recently, I’d like to share with you some of my favorite tricks and short cuts for photo editing on the fly. Continue reading →

Item of the Week: Cosby Skirt

January 9, 2013January 6, 2013Leave a comment

What’s cozier than a soft knitted skirt made to fit your curves? One that also makes you reminisce of a time long gone by!

My fun-loving Cosby Skirts bring you the best of both worlds! Made from pre-loved 80s men’s sweaters, these fun pieces will take you back decades to a time when geometric shapes, bold colors and funky textures ruled!

Each Cosby skirt is handmade from meticulously chosen fabric – making sure each is absolutely itch-free and slightly stretchy – giving the final product a comfy and fitted feel. One of my most popular pieces at in-person events, these skirts are easy to wear and can be dressed up or down for any event.

Truly one-of-a-kind, you won’t want to miss out on these uniquely wonderful minis!

An Indie Biz: 2013 Planning Worksheet

January 7, 2013January 6, 2013Leave a comment

I am a sentimental type, so I love reflecting back on all of the events of the previous year. Weddings, successes, trials and failures – you name it! There’s nothing like getting all sappy about the twists and turns of life.

But what I honestly enjoy more is the fresh start that the New Year brings. It’s a chance to look forward, to hope, to dream. It allows me to shove aside distraction and really contemplate next steps, both personal and those for my business. Continue reading →

Sale: BOGO

January 3, 2013January 3, 2013Leave a comment

It’s the beginning of the year which means it’s time for me to do some purging and organizing within the Pierogi Picnic studio! And boy is that a good thing for you! I’m looking to move older merchandise to make way for new designs, which means it’s sale time!

All ready-made clothing in my Etsy shop will be BUY ONE GET ONE 50% OFF from January 4th-18th! This includes your favorite frocks, vintage finds and accessories. As long as it’s not a made-to-order item, it’s included! Shoppers will need to check-out with their goodies and following my receipt of the order I will reimburse 50% of the total price of the least expensive item in true BOGO style.

So head on over to the Pierogi Picnic Etsy shop and start rummaging through my listings now while the gettin’s good!

An Indie Biz: 2012 Year in Review

January 2, 2013January 2, 2013Leave a comment

Pierogi Picnic: Year in Review

2012 was quite the year for Pierogi Picnic!

Not only was it a hugely successful twelve months, it was also a time of discovery and change for both my business and me! Continue reading →

Item of the Week: Season’s Greetings

December 19, 2012December 19, 2012Leave a comment

A month or so ago I was thinking to myself, “Hmmmm – the holidays are at hand and I want to make a fun festive dress that’s practical and affordable.” Like all of you, I knew my budget would be stretched with holiday shopping, tree dressing and other expenses. So my goal was to create a simple design that would result in a lower price tag and the “Season’s Greetings” dress is just that!

Making it’s debut at the Renegade Holiday Craft Fair – this fun and flattering frock is made using vintage linens and pre-loved women’s shirts and carries a reasonable price tag of only $36. The long-sleeved tops keep the wearer nice and toasty without compromising on style. Plus – the elastic high waist gives each dress a fancy shmancy finish that creates a beautiful bell-like shape when worn. I only have a handful of these cute pieces left, ranging from green and black to gold and grey. Great for wearing to your upcoming holiday parties, check out the remaining pieces here.