DIY: Love Patch

I don’t know what it is – my perpetually dry skin, humidity-free heat, or just the dullness of winter – but my elbows have become sand paper tough and the results are showing on my sweaters. I am rubbing holes into sleeves every which way I turn!

Rather than scrap my favorite cardigans, I’ve begun to bust out the old fashioned elbow patch, but with a modern twist. Using vintage lace fabric scraps, some embroidery thread, and elbow grease (no put intended here!), I stitched my way to some swanky tear-proof sleeves that are now turning heads.

In just 15 minutes you too can add a bit of whimsy to otherwise unsightly holes. Follow the pictorial directions below for a fabulous way to mend your most beloved knitwear and sweaters to get them through the season. Continue reading

An Indie Biz: Keeping Things Fresh

One of the most important, albeit difficult, things for an indie biz is keeping your website alive with activity. Not only should we always be in a state of dreaming and crafting – we need to be using our creativity to make our virtual spaces fun and exciting. What’s the use of handcrafting that adorable new product if your new audience forgets to visit your .com? In the internet age, staying fresh and memorable is the key.

With all the talk of social media this, and Twitter that, it’s easy to get caught up in the new wave of marketing techniques, while forgetting the 21st century basic: your website. Many of your supporters will ‘like’ you on Facebook and follow you on Pinterest, but what about that new fan? If they’re new to virtual networking they may not be headed to the latest and greatest networking page. Instead, they’ll google you and land straight on your .com. That’s why it’s so important to regularly update your site.

Sure you can have fun new posts about your latest inspirations (that’s me to the ‘t!’) but are you changing your layout regularly? Are you enticing the reader to explore your pages? Are you uploading new buttons, photos, banners and other elements to captivate the viewer? Continue reading