August 2021
Hello Friends! I'm so excited to chat with you this month. I went a little longer...
Cation Designs and Sue Stoney are two ladies I have followed since I found out sewing blogs existed and I can’t think of two better ladies to show the variety and skill found within the global sewing community. We are so many and the community keeps growing. It was within the sewing community that I heard the first whisper that I was not alone.
I watched Mr. Rogers Neighborhood as a child and haven’t thought of it in years. Until my brother played this video clip at dinner this week. Fred Rogers was a truly incredible man. Oh to have his grace.
I joined Etsy as EmSewCrazy in 2009. It was still a relatively new platform full of artists of all mediums bringing their creations to the world. We read blog posts on marketing and attended seminars on “The Art of Pricing”. We learned to build light boxes and adjust the settings on our digital cameras. We were makers turned business people and we drew around each other, supporting and encouraging individual endeavors. We cheered each other on to succeed!
Fast forward 12 years. I’m back on Etsy after a five year break to get a bachelor of science. It’s an established global marketplace, with slick systems and so many helpful prompts, I get nauseated at times. You have to look closely to find the individual maker, because with success, came automation and expectations that artists must operate like a big box store. Initially all these changes overwhelmed me as I learned how to reuse the updated platform. I felt pressure to perform.
But I’ve spent three years dealing with hemiplegic migraines and I have learned some lessons:
Accomplished is better than perfection.
Good enough is enough.
Everyone is human.
So my photos aren’t perfect. I have so many blue light blockers turned on there’s no way I’m going to know if my photos display the correct colors. So I feel my fabric and try to describe what I see and hold in my hand, and hope the photos fill in the rest.
The advent of video clips is a most welcome addition to Etsy listings and I’m enjoying the personalized touch it brings. I’m photographing fabric on my parent’s kitchen table for the few months I’m staying with them. You can catch glimpses of a chess board, the napkins, pieces of our lives. You see my hands. In this imperfect moment, you see me.
I’m no longer just Em Sew Crazy. I’ve realized my perspective isn’t crazy, it's unique. And people value that. I am valued. So I’m rebranding my shop to more accurately reflect who I am and what my shop is becoming. It will still be filled with sewing notions, fabric and crafting supplies; and it will also be filled with other treasures I make and find. Rare and one of a kind things. So I’d like to present to you, my loyal readers;
Emily’s Wonder Emporium by EmSewCrazy
This is the actual Emporium side, where you can add wonder to your life with tangible items.
Thanks for listening to my thoughts on the evolution of online shopping and the importance of names.
Do you think names are important?
How much do you like to see the maker behind your products?
Or best of all, has there ever been a time when you were able to look back and see how much you had changed?
The favorite thing I’ve made this month is this lovely little skirt for my adopted niece and her little dolly. It turned out more elegant than I expected for a play skirt.
What are you making? Send me your lovelies!
I’m taking my national licensing exam on August 24th! I’m studying hard and would appreciate all the prayers for calm nerves and an excellent memory. The test has a 67% first time pass rate.
Therefore I will share two amazing instagram accounts! I love some of the tips they share specifically for the neurodivergent eater. (they can also be applied to our picky eaters too),
Two great tips for introducing foods!! I hope this amused or helps you out. If there is something specific you’d like to see here let me know!
Continuing the awesomeness of Fred Rogers!
Also if you really like words and instagram I started a new account where I’ll be posting quotes, questions and what I’m writing. You can find me @wondrouswittywords
Yay!! Thanks for the awesome photos that were sent in. I love seeing what you are doing! Please send to me through all the secret channels or comment below.
My Etsy shop is up and running. I’m still in the process of switching over the new branding. All that is currently available is vintage fabric: 411 listings of fabric. If that’s your jam, please feel free to come browse and support my attempt at living a non-hoarder life.
If you don’t like fabric, hang on! I’m sure I’ll find something magnificent for you later.