Completion of Olympus Sashiko Class, a Custom Order, and Thoughts on Upcoming Sashiko Products

Happy dance! My certificate for completion of the Olympus basic course in sashiko arrived the other day. I think I'll frame it - it's just so pretty with the kanji, official seals and gold design around the edge. I'm really looking forward to taking the next classes in the series so I can eventually be recognized as a teacher by Olympus (one of the major sashiko supply companies in Japan).  Step one in my world domination err...sashiko teaching plan complete. It's also been fun to be in the first round of classes offered to those of us in the US.  Is it weird to like to be a guinea pig?

[caption id="attachment_920" align="aligncenter" width="410" caption="Olympus Sashiko Certificate"][/caption]

Yesterday I received a custom order for 2 sashiko embroidered tote bags from the delightful owner of KodasKoolScarfs.  Embroidery on the first panels is complete and I just sent the picture off to her in my progress report.  She's also blogging about the little tote bags (bless her heart) and her first post is "An excuse to go shopping :D".

[caption id="attachment_916" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="Sashiko embroidered panels from one of the bags in my current custom order"][/caption]

The last tidbit I have to share is really a teaser.  As I'm putting together the kits for the Beginning Sashiko Class at North Country Fiber Fair, I'm realizing that I can put together sashiko kits of my own to sell too!  (Pardon the duh moment. But why didn't I think of this sooner?)  So I've enlisted the help of my graphic artist friend, Mark. He has Illustrator  to help me convert my current designs to the type of file I need to have more plastic templates made.  With the templates, I can make my own wash out sashiko embroidery kits.  Power to the graphic artists and craft people!

New eBay Store and UPCs

After thoughts on the events of yesterday, I opened Ojamiya on Ebay.  Here's a peek at our first listing.  I'll be listing my unique bento sets here. Onwards and upwards!

[caption id="attachment_883" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="Bento Box Set - Yellow Plaid & Sushi Print Pockets Bag"][/caption]

On the UPC front, I HAVE A UPC code for a product! WOOT! I hope to be making and listing Kitty Kokeshi bag and bento sets very soon on Amazon.

Today was - Thumbs up!

Going further with the Amazon Store

It's been a rough day, but I have a plan and can breathe again.

Background: I had contacted Etsy to ask a question on policy. Today they answered and also informed me that I couldn't have bento boxes in my bento sets. I interpreted the policy differently when I listed them. I feel a little violated because there are people selling JUST bento boxes on Etsy, but am opting to comply. :p I think it's best in the long run and I don't do "victim hood". See what the options are and move on is what I try to do. Etsy shop is updated after working all afternoon like a mad woman.

I'm moving all my bento boxes over to Amazon and will finish investigating what it takes to get a UPC for my items so I can list my sets there. In the long run, this is the direction I was headed anyway. It just gives me a good kick in the rear to get going a little faster.

I'm anxious to see how this works out for the shops and if I end up keeping the Etsy shop in the long run. Wish me luck with the UPS investigation. My little shops have a big adventure ahead!

Shop Updates: August 2010

Our August is turning out to be the hottest month of the summer and school just started. So we're thinking cool thoughts and bringing water bottles as we walk back and forth to and from school. Thank goodness for working air conditioners at school and home and for ice makers!

In shop news, I've updated the shop page. I'm concentrating on the two shops that have the most sales - our Etsy Shop and our Amazon Shop.  So there are now linked clickable selections of items from both shops on the updated page.

This month has been the best month to date and it's only a little past the middle of the month.  I was a little skeptical about opening the shop on Amazon - but it's doing well in it's second month and it's been a lot of fun learning about selling on Amazon!

Around the Web: Maki's Top 10 Bento Rules

Maki over a Just Bento posted an awesome set of "Bento Rules" she goes by when making her lunches.  They match so closely with my thoughts on packing bento lunches, I thought I'd share the link here. ;)  What are your rules for bentos?

Kindergarten Bento and NCFF Project Sample

[caption id="attachment_805" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="Bento 08-18-2010 (tortilla with natural turkey neufachetel cheese and peas, orange, broccoli, blueberries, and cranberries)"][/caption]

As I packed this morning's lunch for my kindergartner, I opted for a smaller lunch for her.  She's the master of procrastinating eating - so I know I've got to put tempting food in the lunch box!  Oranges and berries are a fave.  Yesterday not much was touched and she finished lunch for snack after school.  I'm still working on her to eat the meat and easy to spoil things first.  But she'd much rather play than eat lunch at school.  Perhaps if I visit for lunch I can encourage her to eat more...

[caption id="attachment_804" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="Beginning Sashiko Class Sample for North Country Fiber Fair Class"][/caption]

For any of you attending my Beginning Sashiko Class up at North Country Fiber Fair (NCFF) in September.  Here's a peek at your project.  I used sashiko yarn that I tie dyed on the sample.  But the class will use solid colored thread, unless I get time to tinker with dyes and bleach before the class.  I wanted to incorporate several aspects, so you'll follow a pattern for the main design (Chidori Tsunagi - linked plovers) on a single layer of fabric.  Then you'll turn the edges of the fabric and stitch the hem free form for practice judging your stitches and practice working on multiple layers of fabric. There's so much more to tell you - but that will have to wait for the class!

That's the news I know, now back to sewing like mad so I have bags for the Etsy shop and to sell at NCFF.

Back to School: Think Lunches! - on Poppytalk Handmade Artists

A new post of mine "Back to School: Think Lunches!" was just posted over on the Poppytalk Handmade Artists blog.  Pop over there for a gander at my posts and many of the other fabulous Poppytalk artist posts.  ;)

In the post I talk about the reasons I have my shop, first day of school musings, and thoughts on packing lunches.

Slow Posting for the Next Week or So

Hey everyone!  I'll be posting at a much slower rate the next few weeks, since we have repair and cleanup work in our basement from the little bit of water we had.  (Gotta love running 2 dehumidifiers and walking into the house from 70% humidity outside.  And being off water restrictions feels luxurious!)

On the cool note:  I got my pattern template yesterday.  It turned out awesome!  (I designed it and a good friend, Mark, converted it from Photoshop to Illustrator EPS).  Having the plastic template made in the Dakotas instead of the fancy places online was a much better price and I got to support a "local" graphic arts store.  Off to try tracing it!

When It Rains It Pours!

The old saying "When it rains it pours" is turning out to be so true for us of late.  Both in the figurative and literal meanings!

On the personal side

[caption id="attachment_763" align="alignleft" width="150" caption="Water leakage after sump pump failure"][/caption]

Our hometown Sioux Falls, SD is getting more rain than we can handle.  It's the wettest year on record - and it's only August.  Usually it's just spring and fall that are rainy.  Most everyone we know is dealing with water in their basement.  We have had some, but I think we only have minimal damage - damaged carpet, cheap bookcases, and my craft cupboards at the very bottom.  I think we got to it before mold could start growing.  The insurance adjuster will visit soon.  I'm glad we live on a hill and have a brand new sump pump!   But so many people have had it far worse - water filling basements and sewers backing up in other parts of town, and true life threatening flooding in areas south of us.  No one here remembers a summer like this!

The city is asking us to conserve water as much as we can since the treatment plants are getting 2-4 times the load they normally have.  So my family and I are waiting to rinse out our weekend tie dye projects, eating off paper plates so we don't' run the dishwasher, combining showers, postponing laundry washing, and just waiting for some dry days. I keep praying that our rain will go to the East Coast where they're having drought!

Most things are moved upstairs and we're a little crowded - but doing pretty well.  It's nice to look out a window as I sew.  We just keep trying to find things to do out of the house so we don't get cabin fever!  My shops are helping me stay sane and busy...but that leads to the next topic.

The shop side

My shops are really growing right now and Back to School and Christmas are the best times for me.  I've heard it said that excellent customer service and advertising are the two strongest helps for a shop and I'm a believer!

This week Ojamiya on Etsy has been featured in 3 places and I'm just giddy about it! (Again...When it rains is pours!)

[caption id="attachment_757" align="aligncenter" width="150" caption="My Table at Poppytalk Handmade"][/caption]

First, Poppytalk contacted me about being in their curated Back to School themed market this month from 8/2 to 8/27.

[caption id="attachment_769" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="Custom order bag with "Obento" kanji outlined in sashiko stitch"][/caption]

Next up was a lovely review by a a happy custom order customer, Taryn, who runs the blog Vegan Matters.  The picture above is of the bag I had the privilege to make for her. She is a delight to work with and has an adorable Etsy shop called Oh Danger.  My very favorite item of hers is the kawaii and utterly silly "Squitten".  (My son informs me that the Squitten would make a great Pokemon!)

[caption id="attachment_770" align="aligncenter" width="344" caption="Squitten (Squid Kitten) available at Oh Danger on Etsy. Photo by Taryn of Oh Danger."][/caption]

And then Ohdeedoh featured several products from Poppytalk's Handmade Market this month.  Our "Green" Katakana bag and Papier Mio bento set is one of the products they picked.

[caption id="attachment_773" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="Ohdeedoh 08-03-2010: Back to School Market at Poppytalk Handmade"][/caption]

NCFF Beginning Sashiko Class

Also Beginning Sashiko class plans for North Country Fiber Fair are progressing well.  I have the project picked (which was a BIG dilemma for me), supplies purchased, and a pattern template in the works.  Cross your fingers for me on the template - I'd like a plastic template but the last place I checked wanted $75 to make it.  But there's a few more places to check.  Otherwise I'll make it by hand.  Just need to work on the slides and see if I can rent or borrow a digital projector (so up close stitching can be seen by the whole class).

--

That's the news on our home front.  I hope all is well for you and you're staying dry or getting rain - but only the weather you need!