Special Events

5th Blog Anniversary Giveaway #4

tierneycreates: a fusion of textiles and smiles

We are at Day #4 of the 5 days of giveaways in celebration of the tierneycreates 5th blog anniversary. I am back home and have decent WiFi again! I am starting to catch up on reading all the wonderful comments on the posts over the past couple days.

I seriously appreciate DFLAMMIA3 @travelitch2 ‘s comment on yesterday’ post – “Chins up…we all understand and no need to respond to everyone’s comments.” Alas, being sort of compulsive I will continue to try to eventually reply to every comment (smile).

Starting to catch up on recent comments I discovered that a “Pat T.” has been following my blog for nearly 5 years, she (assuming she) left a wonderful comment on the post 5th Blog Anniversary Giveaway #1 that makes me never want to give up blogging. So I will be updating the post Guest Blogger: tierneycreates 5th Anniversary Celebration Giveaway, in which I list the bloggers and non bloggers that have followed my blog for nearly 4 or 5 years.

By the way, tierneycreates Beastie is back from attending her first quilt retreat and she or I (we have to discuss) will be posting about the retreat, but here is preview – we let her play with rotary cutter (danger, danger!):

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So What Is Today’s Giveaway?

Well before we get to today’s giveaway (see I am so wordy when I have access to decent WiFi) here is a listing of the posts related to the 5th anniversary giveaway to date:

Originally on these posts I mention that the drawing will close at October 30th at 11:59 pm Pacific Standard Time. I am moving that cut off date to October 31st at 11:59 pm.

Today’s giveaway takes us back to where the blog began: as a vehicle for my no longer open Etsy shop – tierneycreates: a fusion of textiles & smiles. The first thing I sold on my Etsy shop and my most successful offer was my handmade miniature kimonos.

Below is are example of the miniature kimonos I sold on my Etsy shop – the photos below are of one of my all time favorite miniature kimonos (which sold immediately when I listed it on my Etsy shop):

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The Miniature Kimono Story

I began making miniature kimonos to feature beautiful Asian fabrics many years ago. I came across a miniature kimono at a small quilt shop in British Columbia but there was no pattern.

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The original miniature kimono from a quilt shop in Victoria, BC

So I reverse engineered it as close as I could and started making them.

I use two coordinating fabrics are used: an intriguing Asian print and a solid cotton. I decorate them with buttons and occasionally tassels and hang them from a chopstick tied with a heavy embroidery thread.

These Miniature Kimono are approximately 6 x 7 inches and look great hung from a chopstick; or frame in a shadowbox individually or in a grouping.

Below are some examples:

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Here is what I have left in my stash of miniature kimonos I did not sell through my Etsy shop:
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In addition to a miniature kimono in a color of your choosing (if available), you will also receive a little wallet in a color of your choosing:

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So How Do I Win It?

To enter the drawing for Giveaway #4 simply write in the “Thoughts/Comments” section of THIS CURRENT POST whether you have ever sold your crafts online and/or if you have every purchased handmade crafts online.

Feel free to elaborate on your experience if you like.

Good Luck 🙂

This drawing is open until 11:59 pm Pacific Standard Time on 10/31/18 and a winner will be selected by random drawing from those who commented on this post.

Published by tierneycreates: a fusion of textiles and smiles

Quilter, crafter, obsessive tea drinker and lover of all furry creatures (especially dogs and cats) - join me on my tierneycreates blog as I share stories from "A Crafter's Life".

29 thoughts on “5th Blog Anniversary Giveaway #4”

  1. I have done both… buy and sell handmade goods online. I have an etsy shop and have made purchases at etsy.

    I am, however, right now, deciding if I want to continue selling online. It’s just not as satisfying for me as I thought it might be. I’m finding that I enjoy crocheting for myself much better than stressing about something I send out. I’ve had all great reviews and yet I constantly worry after sending out a product. I worry that they won’t like it, or it might have a flaw that I didn’t notice. I worry that the product doesn’t get to its intended buyer. I never know if I’m charging enough or maybe I’m charging too much.

    Thanks for giving me a reason to further explore my feelings about this. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks so much for sharing your experience and thoughts on this – I had the same experience where I found I liked making stuff that I wanted to make for myself and people in the life. You are right there is a lot of pressure when you are selling to someone you do not know!

      Liked by 1 person

  2. I have sold kitchen items on line. Tea towels, potato bags, and bowl cozies. I need to get more posted on Etsy, (to be honest I keep forgetting) but we do more craft fairs. I love the one on one interactions with people. I have bought a few items on line, but I am a touchy person. I HAVE to touch the medium. No matter how I like the look of it if the medium doesn’t “talk” to me I lose the like it. I love the Kimonos. My hubby was stationed in Okiwana while in the Air Force Days and sent me a beautiful gold Kimono. This would be a great idea to make some for the kids to have a piece of it. Thank you for your wonderful art.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Oh I remember one of your posts about doing a craft fair! Hats off to you – that is something I want to try/experience someday but just have not done it yet.
      That is the challenge with buying online (and selling online) – the buyer has to just go by the photo not how the item looks and feels in person!
      Wow a real kimono – and in gold – that sounds lovely!

      Like

  3. I have LOVED the tiny kimonos ever since I first saw them. No, I have not sold crafts online, no, I have not even bought any online. I tried selling some of my duplicate quilting books once on Ebay but was not successful. It’s fun to look, though.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. I’ve never sold anything, but I have purchased. I try to support designers directly from their sites, rather than buying from shops stocked by distributors, and I buy from crafters at shows and online. It costs more, so I buy less. That’s a good thing though, in this age of over consumption. I’m a new follower, and enjoying your blog, while taking a break from mine. Congratulations on reaching five years.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. I don’t think I’ve ever sold crafts online or bought handmade crafts online –not that I didn’t want to! Life had just taken me many different directions for quite awhile.

    The mini kimonos brought back memories for me. My Dad was military and would often have to fly to Japan, Taiwan, Okinawa and such places. He brought back real kimonos for me and my four sisters. They were quite colorful just like yours!

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Sold and bought! I like supporting creatives and getting something unique….what lovely kimonos, btw! Some items did sell in my Etsy shop, but I find the maintenance and upkeep of the site to be tedious and I would rather be making!

    Liked by 1 person

  8. I have not sold anything—I am not prolific or even very good. My son’s gf is brilliantly crafty and we’ve encouraged her to look into it but she is working and in school f/t so simply hasn’t had time.
    I’ve purchased from Etsy a few times—a baby quilt, candles (and non-handmade—fabric, a 50’s bra, 50’s dress patterns).
    You inspire me.

    Liked by 1 person

  10. Dear Tierney! I do SO hope you keep on writing!… sharing your creativity, wit, and (intelligent, compassionate) reflections!!
    (These are just some of your “super powers”!… and there’s a great need in the world right now for all of that!!)
    😀
    I love your *Beautiful* little kimonos! I remember admiring them years ago!
    I have never tried selling anything I’ve made… only given things away.
    When told I should make and sell (quilts/bags/totes/jewelry/crochet/
    whatever…), I would “joke” that no one would pay what it was really worth, and I do enjoy the *gifting*!
    I love to support artists when I can, and have bought at shows and exhibits. (I like to touch/see in person!). I do have one handmade that I bought online… a *wonderful* quilt, made by a blogger in Canada, Blue Elephant Stitches… but she had donated it for a compassionate fundraiser, I fell in love with it, and my donation bid won. (It’s the only finished quilt I have!… everything I’ve finished has been given away!… “shoemaker’s shoeless children”??!)
    😀
    *Thank you, Tierney!!*…. for all you do!
    Pat T.

    Like

  11. Dear Tierney! I do SO hope you keep on writing!… sharing your creativity, wit, and (intelligent, compassionate) reflections!!
    (These are just some of your “super powers”!… and there’s a great need in the world right now for all of that!!)
    😀
    I love your *Beautiful* little kimonos! I remember admiring them years ago!
    I have never tried selling anything I’ve made… only given things away.
    When told I should make and sell (quilts/bags/totes/jewelry/crochet/whatever…), I would “joke”, that no one would pay what it was really worth, and I do enjoy the *gifting*!
    I love to support artists when I can, and have bought at shows and exhibits. (I like to touch and see in person!). I do have one handmade that I bought online… a *wonderful* quilt, made by a blogger in Canada, Blue Elephant Stitches… but she had donated it for a compassionate fundraiser, I fell in love with it, and my donation bid won. (It’s the only finished quilt I have!… everything I’ve finished has been given away!… “shoemaker’s shoeless children”??!)
    😀
    *Thank you, Tierney!!*…. for all you do!
    Pat T.

    Like

  12. Dear Tierney! I do SO hope you keep on writing!… sharing your creativity, wit, and (intelligent, compassionate) reflections!!
    (These are just some of your “super powers”!… and there’s a great need in the world right now for all of that!!)
    😀
    I love your *Beautiful* little kimonos! I remember admiring them years ago!
    I have never tried selling anything I’ve made… only given things away.
    I love to support artists when I can, and have bought at shows. (I like to touch and see in person!).
    *Thank you, Tierney!!*…. for all you do!
    Pat T.

    Liked by 1 person

  13. Aren’t these kimonos adorable?! I can see why they would sell out as soon as you listed them!
    I’m currently in the process (read: seriously considering and trying to get my butt into gear!) setting up an online shop to sell patterns and kits and other stitching accessories. Fingers crossed for next year!
    I have however purchased hand made goods. I do admit I choose the recipient, to make sure they will appreciate it! I enjoy supporting the handmade industry. It’s so important!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you so much Catherine 🙂
      You are so talented – that is awesome you are going to set up a shop! I think people will appreciate purchasing a full kit to make something from your shop! Thanks for your comments!

      Liked by 1 person

  14. Pingback: Guest Blogger: October Quilt Retreat Part I – tierneycreates

  15. Ooooh, am I in time to join the giveaway? Your little kimonos are so beautiful, I can see why they were in demand! I’m also seeing a lot of comments here about the stress that comes with selling your own work – ain’t that the truth? So yes, I do sell online, but mostly made-to-order monsters for people who’ve found me on the internet, rather than stock out of my web store. I don’t really buy online though – I usually save my crafty purchases for when I do markets, then I buy from fellow traders in person. I’m actually a little worried about what my bank balance would look like if I allowed myself to browse craft stores online! 😆

    Like

  16. Pingback: Announcing the Winners of the tierneycreates Blog’s 5th Anniversary Giveaway – tierneycreates

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