Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Talk to Me Tuesday: Zeeuh Style

Welcome to Talk to Me Tuesday!! Today we are meeting the very talented Alicia of Zeeuh. She is an incredible seamstress, who has an eye for great fabrics and details. 



Welcome Alicia!!


Tell us about You! 

My name is Alicia Manzano. I was born & raised in the South West. After high school I joined the US Navy. Met my husband. And we moved to his home state. Was born a city girl but found to be a country gal at heart! We have two daughters. Iris who is 5, Anabelle our 7 month old {big} baby. I first learned to sew right after we got married. We bought our first machine with dreams of sewing our own curtains. Several years later we have yet to accomplish that! ;)



Tell us about your shop! 

Zeeuh's name was created by our oldest daughter. When she was first learning to talk before age 2, she'd talk a lot of jibberish and make up her own words. There was one phrase she'd use repeatedly, "Zeeuh-huh!" You'd find her saying this when she was excited or upset. Mostly when she was arguing with attitude. She'd stomp her foot on the floor and exclaim "Uh-Zeeuh-Huh!" She obviously grew out of it and stopped saying it. But of course her mommy and daddy still do! ;) Zeeuh was birthed on our apartment dining table. At the time we were a family of 3 living in a 600 sq ft space. I was staying at home with Iris and we were pinching our money to get out of debt. One day my husband said to me "You should open a store online." He researched it and even got it all set up for me! I have to tell you, with out his encouragement I probably would have never had the courage to embark on this new journey. It's one of those moments where I have to admit, "He was right!"  

What is your favorite thing to make?

I have always adored making aprons! This girl LOVES to bake! Growing up, my mom would always bake TONS of goodies during the Holidays. She would give them to neighbors, family members, teachers, co workers! So every year I'd help her! I loved it! And now that I have my own place, my own family, we keep that tradition. So I have a HUGE collection of aprons. Mostly vintage ones. Those are what inspires me when designing our Patricia Pleat Aprons. When I have a Holiday Market here in the Houston, TX area it's so much fun to see women get excited over an apron. I'm not the only one who adores baking for the Holidays! 





What is the hardest part of owning your own online shop?

Hardest part lately is balance between the family and the shop! Our newest daughter has required a lot more time and attention than we did when our first was at this age. So I was unprepared. But as time has been going on we've been adjusting and tweaking some things. Like our scheduled, how he do things, and what products we offer. It's life. you gotta roll with the punches!  

Do you have any advice to share?  

First, you're not alone! And don't feel you have to do it alone! I have to tell you I could have not started or keep going if it wasn't for my husband. He doesn't have the first clue about selling on line. But he believes in me! Then, I set out and found a community of online stores and surround myself with their words of wisdom. Its incredible! So that bring me to a second tip. It's your business, so be you! Be true to what you want to do, but don't turn down advice. Maybe someones advice may not work for you at one point but at another time it may be beneficial.  


Wow! I learned so much more about you! Thank you so much Alicia for visiting us today to share your passion for life in the crafty world! You can find and follow Alicia at her SHOP | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM She loves to chat, so make sure to stop by and tell her "Hello" and give her some crafting love! 


Kelly



Monday, April 28, 2014

Handmade Mania week 28

Happy Monday! It is so nice to back in my own home and close to back to normal schedule. Vacation was relaxing, fun-filled, and family centered. It was a wonderful Easter holiday. Did you do anything special for the holiday? What was one of your favorite memories that you made?

I got to spend time with my Grandpa. It was great to see him at the top of his high hill watching us grand-kids fly kites. It is a tradition to fly a kite on Easter and this year we had up four! My three year old daughter flew a kite on her own for almost twenty minutes. It is a memory I wrote down so that I could always remember the moment.

Thank you for sharing, joining in, and going along with my combined last two weeks of Handmade Mania. It was an added bonus to not have to worry about typing up a fresh week while away from solid internet. You all ROCK! Thank you for helping make my vacation...well...a vacation. Now onto many EPIC #handmadelove links!

 Most Viewed: 

Sushi Unsponges by Nature Junkie
Iris Bunny by Kiser Krafts
PokeBall Earrings by Mizziexoxo Boutique
Mini Home State Pillow by HomeSpun Happiness
Staff Picks:

San Martine Scarf by Melli's Yarn Works

Alexandrite the Dragon by Mandy's Joy

Classroom Runs On Chalkboard Art by Bugaboo Bear Designs

Mom Tattoo Pin by Rebel Skin

What wonderful handmade items!! It was super hard to pick for 'staff picks' as everyone makes such wonderful things!! Thank you everyone for joining in and sharing! Now onto a new week!

Remember if you make it with your own hands you can link it up no matter the platform! 

~RULES~

You can link up to TWO individual products from your shop below for some networking/sharing fun! Select TWO products from the collection to share via social media using #handmadelove so I can find and share what you have shared this week. And please share in a comment what two products you share and where. I will do my best to respond timely. Thank you!

(Do not share to Pinterest without the express permission from the shop owner.) 

By doing this, you'll be able to share EPIC handmade goodness and build your handmade network! Please share this link up with someone else this week. The more people we have join in, the more our items will be shared! I am super excited to share some EPIC Handmade Goodness this week!! MAKE sure to USE #handmadelove so I can find and share what you share easily. Thank you. 

How to link up:
Click "add your link"
Box 1: add the URL to your individual product
Box 2: add the product description
Box 3: put in your email address
Submit then select a thumbnail photo!

You never know, your item might be the feature of next week's link up!! Make sure to link up, share, and share the link up with someone else!! I am so excited to see what #handmadelove links you post!



An InLinkz Link-up

 
Kelly

Monday, April 14, 2014

Handmade Mania week 26 & 27

Can you believe yesterday was Palm Sunday!?! And Easter is this coming weekend! It is so exciting! I will traveling to see family and have a short vacation over the holiday. Do you have big plans for the holiday?

So on that note, Handmade Mania week 26 & 27 will be covering the time I am away. I am changing the rules up slightly, so make sure to read them. When I return that following week of Handmade Mania will have more chances for shops to be featured. So make sure to link up, share, and invite others to join in the fun.



Most Viewed:

Welcome Spring Sign by Rustic Romance Crafts

Wine Charms by Dena Liston Designs
Staff Picks:
Elsa Necklace by Mizziexoxo
Flower Mug Cozy by The Gift Garden

Are those not the most Spring-ish links!?! All super adorable and perfect gifts for Easter baskets. Thank you everyone who linked up and shared last week! You made it a wonderful week of #handmadelove!

Now onto the rules for the next two weeks, 26 & 27, 4/14/14 - 4/26/14. Remember if you make it with your own hands you can link it up no matter the platform! 

~RULES~

You can link up to FOUR individual products from your shop below for some networking/sharing fun! Please, put TWO on week 26 and TWO on week 27. Select two products, per week, from the collection to share via social media using #handmadelove so I can find and share what you have shared each week. And please share in a comment what two products you share and where each week. I will do my best to respond timely both times. Thank you!

(Do not share to Pinterest without the express permission from the shop owner.) 

By doing this, you'll be able to share EPIC handmade goodness and build shop your network! Also, Please share this link up with someone else each week. The more people we have join in, the more our items will be shared! I am super excited to share some EPIC Handmade Goodness while on vacation!! My time will be short when I am on the computer - MAKE sure to USE #handmadelove so I can find and share what your share easily. Thank you. 

How to link up:
Click "add your link"
Box 1: add the URL to your individual product
Box 2: add the product description
Box 3: put in your email address
Submit then select a thumbnail photo!

You never know, your item might be the feature of week 28's link up!! I will be sharing the top FOUR Most viewed as well as FOUR Staff picks when I return!! Make sure to link up, share, and share the link up with someone else!! I'll see you all after my holiday away!





Kelly

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Talk To Me Tuesday: Tiger Knitty

Welcome to Talk to Me Tuesday!! Today we are meeting a very talented knitter, Shelly of Tiger Knitty. She makes takes geek and puts it into her knitting and makes the most gorgeous paper beaded jewelry. 


Welcome Shelly! 

Tell us about you!

Hi my name is Shelly, besides the crafty things I like to dance (free style, belly, ballet), read, indulge in music both listening and playing - though the only instrument I currently have in guitar - my main is clarinet and I dabbled with violin so would love to get a hold of one again. no kids yet, maybe once I have a stable career and husband :P


Tell us about your shop!





Tiger Knitty - started in 2012 (I think) after making a few things for friends/family.
I knit, scarves and hats mostly but also stuff for the home like coasters, toys, dice bags..
I also make jewelry, mostly bracelets at the moment, with paper beads. 

 



What is your favorite thing to make?

Its hard to choose... sometimes I like the big things that I can watch grow and then spread out and gaze at what I did like the Mileena shawl. other times I like doing something thats quick for the instant gratification or so that I can make a bunch of it in one night.  


What is the hardest part of owning your own online shop?

The constant push to promote and interact and making sure everything is polished and updated....and not seeing it pay off as quick as you hoped.




Do you have any advice to share?  

Have a solid style, and brand (colors, logo...) and blog. Also pictures - loooots of pictures to share all over the place, in the shop, blog, tumblr, facebook...and try to have at least some interaction in the community daily - even if its just a brief comment on facebook.  

I completely agree with that advice. Thank you so much Shelly for Talking with Us today! You can follow/find Shelly at her SHOP | FACEBOOK | TUMBLR | TWITTER | WEEBLY


Kelly




 

Monday, April 7, 2014

Handmade Mania week 25

Happy April! Can you believe it is already April?! Wow! This year is zipping past! Happy Spring!





 I am so excited to share the feature shops!! They relatively new to me and filled with so much cute handmadelove goodness.

Most Viewed:

Owl Skirt by Dazzling and Dapper


Love You to the Moon hoop Art by Homespun Happiness

Staff Picks: 

What A Doll! Envelope Wallet! by Yo Sew

Wild Safari Animal Kids Party Banner by Adore By Nat

Aren't they all just wonderful handmade links and shops!?! I am so happy to meet new shops! Thank you everyone for all the sharing you guys do!! It really helps make a difference in my little crafty world! Now onto the NEW week of Handmade Mania! Remember if you make it with your own hands you can link it up no matter the platform! 

~RULES~

You can link up to two individual products from your shop below for some networking/sharing fun! Select two products from the collection to share via social media using #handmadelove so I can find and share what you have shared. And please share in a comment what two products you share and where. I will do my best to respond timely. Thank you!

(Do not share to Pinterest without the express permission from the shop owner.) 

By doing this, you'll be able to share EPIC handmade goodness and build shop your network! Also, Please share this link up with someone else. The more people we have join in, the more our items will be shared! I am super excited to share some EPIC Handmade Goodness!!

How to link up:
Click "add your link"
Box 1: add the URL to your individual product
Box 2: add the product description
Box 3: put in your email address
Submit then select a thumbnail photo!

You never know, your item might be the feature of next week’s link up!!



Wednesday, April 2, 2014

#Happyhandmade Shares week 57

I am feeling yarn-y. So these are some amazing #handmade items that have yarn part of them! I love #happyhandmade and a new week in LIVE at Daft Crafts. If you make your own items, you can join in HERE!

Rumpelstiltskin on Sport Superwash Sock by Fairy Tale knits

 

Have a great day!
Kelly