Watercolor Christmas Cards---My Etsy Shop

If you follow my Instagram account @unifyhandmade you may have already seen a sneak peek of these cards that I’ve released in my Etsyshop. I’m super excited about these cards because they include some of my hand painted watercolor designs—and since I’m totally obsessed with watercoloring right now it seems appropriate for me to incorporate my love for painting into my newest Christmas card collection. What also makes these extra special, to me, is the fact that I created some of the accents—like the laurel—on these cards using my tablet. I’ve been playing around with it for 2 years now and trying to get the hang of digital drawing (it’s so much fun).

These cards are being offered in sets of 8, and you can purchase a set of one particular design; or, you can purchase a variety pack. I also created some adorable tags with the same watercolor theme, too.

 I wanted to create some place cards using this wood mounted stamp I purchased from Paper Source a few months ago, and I thought it would be a great time to create some for Christmas. Perfect for use at dinner time for Christmas Eve; or, Christmas day!

I’ve always wanted to mass produce my very own watercolor designs and I was able to do that by simply creating my designs on this Tim Holtz watercolor paper and then transferring them to my computer by scanning them into Photoshop.

I’ve always wanted to create a red and white themed Christmas line—and this year I finally did it. In this collection I’m using traditional Christmas colors but with a modern day twist. If you can see in the last image (shown above) I also created a heart shape. I have big plans for new cards coming this Valentine’s Day. I can’t wait to share them!

To view my new Christmas cards you can find them in my Etsy shop, here, here, here, here, and here. I hope you've enjoyed this close look into my new Christmas cards and feel free to leave me a comment letting me know what you think!

Have a great Friday!

Nicole 

Lots of Changes

Finally! I feel like I can breath again (when it comes to my blog). I've been wanting to give it a little make-over for some time now, and I've finally got around to doing it. I was beginning to notice that so many changes were happening in my life, including my look. I didn't even look like the same girl (in my old blog image) and I also felt like my over aesthetic as a designer was changing as well--so I felt that I needed to reflect that in all other areas of my social media sites. Well back to my new look! My short hair grew out and I was starting to fall in love with the ombre hair look--especially since it's summer, and I decided to get my hair done. It's been so long since I've my hair this light. I think the last time I had hair this bright was in high school (in high school I had hair color in almost every single color--the worst one being green, hehe). I also starting working out everyday and eating clean. I was getting so tired of being overweight and unhealthy--so that's also another aspect that has changed, in my life. I definitely feel so much happier, clear headed, and healthier since I made the decision to really take care of myself.

I was beginning to wonder if that may have been one (of the many) reasons why my blog took a back seat--there were so many changes going on in my life and I wasn't sure were my blog was headed. I think when I originally started this blog I wanted it to be a mix of food posts', posting about fun DIYs, my handmade items for sale, etc. but somewhere down the road I feel like it mostly became a blog about me making cards--at least that's how it felt to me. I think now I'd like to make it more about posting anything that I want, haha. The way it was in the beginning.

One other change in my life was the growth of my small business. When I first started my business I never thought I could actually turn it into a full time job. I guess I thought it would be nice if it did turn into something "real" but to me it seemed like a dream. Now it's real I'm so thrilled to be doing this full time and perhaps also getting a little freaked out, at the same time, because now I need make sure I really take care of it (not like I wasn't already taking care of it) but maybe what I'm trying to say is that I need to finally come up with actual branding for my company. Branding was something I always had on hold, I think because I never thought I would get this far. Below is an image of what I like to call the beginning stages of branding...I found a font I like that I feel represents my work--clean, fun, and professional.

 If you follow me on Instagram you may already know that I'm going to be selling made in the USA rubber wooden mounting stamps that I designed, and below is a sample of the first set that will be coming out soon--in my shop. Also, if you follow me on Instragram (@unifyhandmade) you'll notice I've been making lots of new items but you haven't seen them in my shop yet. That's mainly because I'm gathering a collection of items to release all on the same day. I feel that's more of the legit way to go, hehe, rather than my old approach of just uploading new things one by one when ever I felt like it. I would like to make these stamps for shop owners, and the occasional stamper; for stance, someone helping out with the party decorations for a wedding, or a baby shower. That's actually how I developed my love for stamps and papercrafting. I was in charge of a baby shower and I went to Michaels one day looking for bumble bee stamps for the 'Bumble Bee' baby shower theme I'd planned. After that party--I was so sad because I wanted to make more bumble bee tags, and favors but there wasn't a need for me to do them anymore; and, I decided to create an Etsy shop selling handmade tags, toppers, etc. because I loved making and designing them so much. Now Unify has taken off and I couldn't be happier. I'm literally busy from morning to night, working on orders, answering emails, posting on all my social media sites, packaging, taking pictures, listing products, driving to the post office, coming up with new ideas--it's endless. But I'm so happy doing it!

I've also got a new line of bridal cards coming out along with all the other new products--and I love them so much. I'm really obsessed with watercoloring right now and it's definitely coming out in my work, hehe.

I'd like to take the time now to ask if you there is anything you'd like to see me posting about? Whether it's about being a shop owner, what camera I use; or, any other questions you might have for me. I'd be happy to create a post and answer any questions you all might have. I would definitely like to post more about how I've changed my eating habits, and everyday things that are going on--what do you think? Let me know in the comments!

Work and New ideas

I thought it would be fun to take a few snap shots around the office, of things I’m working on as well as things that are “in the works”. I’ve been coming up with new ideas in between making and sending out orders on a daily basis—and it’s so much fun. I’m such a lucky gal to be able to do what I love, full time. I enjoy working on orders so much because I know that each little card or decoration will make someone really happy; and, that makes me happy! I’ve been thinking of lots of new things to add to my shop that will take my small business to the next level. I was beginning to get a little bit bored of making the same things over and over, and my remedy for that situation was to begin making new things that would get me exciting again. So far I’ve thought about making more wedding items—but I’m starting off small. By that I mean I’m not going to jump right into making invitations. Instead I’m going to create ‘Save the dates’ first and go from there. I’m also thinking about offering envelope printing in my shop as well. I’ve got such beautiful fonts and I know that, for a bride, handwriting invitations can be a bit of a pain. So I tested out the thick A2 envelopes that I purchased from Paper Source and they came out great. I was so happy with the results but I still need to work out a few kinks because sometimes when I’m printing on envelopes my printer tends to smear ink on them—I should probably contact the manufacturer about that.

I’ve also wanted to incorporate my new found love for watercoloring into my shop. So I also tested out printing on watercolor paper. What I did was apply the watercolor onto the paper first, then once it completely dried I printed the sentiment on it using my Canon printer—and again I loved the end result.

Here I have two little banners I made using a printer and the new Lawn Fawn banner dies. I think these are so cute and I’m going to try making these banners is more colors (cardstock). I can’t wait to add these to my shop—and of course I’ll be taking better pictures of them for my shop, hehe.

I’ve also been trying to get into drawing, here and there. I used to love drawing when I was younger and I was actually really great at it but I kind of lost it and now that I’m getting more into printed designs I’d like to get back into doodling. I love doing this when I’m a bit stressed out too because I don’t really expect much to come of it I just have fun creating little designs and then just set them aside.

The last images are just a few snap shots I took while I was working. I figure if I don’t have time to do tutorials or make cards I should at least share what’s going on in my office. While owning a small business can be stressful at times it’s also rewarding so many ways that the stress is nothing compared to how doing what I love makes me so happy. Well, I hope you enjoyed this little post and feel free to leave me a comment. Till next time, friends! 

A Great Tip for Cricut Users that Love Using Their Cricut Markers

Hi everyone! I hope you all had a great weekend. The Cricut markers have been in stores for some time now and lately I’ve been thinking about how I can incorporate them into my every-day crafting. Then one day while I was sitting at my craft table it hit me! I could use them with the Hello Kitty Cartridge—since they have the silhouette feature, and let me tell you it works great!

The markers are very easy to use, all you’d need to do is read the simple instructions and you’re ready to go. Here is a quick video I made showing how it works.

Then once the image has been drawn onto your card stock, you can either use the ‘blackout’ feature to cute the Hello Kitty silhouette or you can cut it out yourself like I did.

I’m going to be trying this with a few other characters on this cartridge and I’ll be sure to share my new ideas! I can’t wait!

Giveaway—the First of Many

I’m happy to announce my first blog giveaway! In honor of hitting the 100 sales mark in my Etsy shop I’ll be giving one lucky winner this NEW unused Martha Stewart clear stamp set and an acrylic block. I know they seem like a prize that should be given away during Valentine’s season—but really, these can be used for more than just Valentine’s Day. I also love to use these stamps year round for events; such as, Weddings, and Anniversaries. For ideas on how you can use this stamps take a look at some of the things I’ve made using them:

·         This giveaway is for unifyhandmade.blogspot.com readers only.

·         Unifyhandmade readers can leave a comment to enter—with contact information in case you win.

For additional entrees (You may leave a separate comment for each additional action)

·         Like my facebook page.

·         Follow me on Twitter @unifyhandmade

·         Share this giveaway on your Facebook page.

Good Luck! I can’t wait to find out who the lucky winner is! The winner of this contest will be announced April 23, 2012.

Los Angeles Public Library—My Search for Vintage Craft Books

     I’m always searching the streets of Downtown Los Angeles to find the most unique craft and fabric stores; and one day I had a thought—I wonder what kind of craft books and crafting ideas can I find at my local library? Being that The Central Library, located in the heart of Downtown L.A., is one of the largest publicly funded libraries in the world—there must be books older than I am about crafts or paper crafting; and it turns out I was right. After asking the clerk at the information desk for directions to the craft section I finally made it to the isles upon isles of books on the topic; and I anxiously began to pull book after book until I had a pile so high I could barely even see ahead of me. The first book I opened was one titled, ‘New Dimensions in Paper Craft’, by Sadami Yamada, published in 1966. As I was flipping through the black and white pages I began to realize that many of the paper crafting decorations I found in this vintage craft book were much like the party decorations that are in style right now. For instance, I found what looked to me like the beginnings of the pom-pom—made of tissue; and a template for an Easter tissue paper party decoration. There were so many wonderful ideas, and I thought to myself, “Why didn’t I come here sooner?”

I took pictures of some illustrations and templates from the book to share with you, but now I’m wondering if there might be some kind of copy write issue so I’ll just demonstrate some of the cute ideas I found in that book.

Here is the Easter tissue paper decoration template provided by, ‘New Dimensions in Paper Craft’, and shared by me.

Here is the result:

And here is another cute idea I found that was so simple yet so fun!

Thank you for stopping by to share in this adventure with me. I urge you to stop at your local library to search for craft books that our ancestors left for us. To reinvent their ideas or to simply bring them back to life.

Tips for Perfect Photo-ready Cupcakes!

As you may know being an Etsy seller isn’t that easy. Sure we have cute items for sale in our shops, but the only way we can show the world how cute our items really are is by creating a pretty mini-environment for those items.  What I mean by pretty mini-environment is: an eye catching picture with cute props, and great styling. Many books, forums, and blogs stress that great pictures are essential in order to gain sales—and they’re right. That’s why I create beautiful cupcakes and/or props to show off my cupcake toppers.

One thing I like to do when making my cupcakes is, make sure they are always the same height and are perfectly iced (but of course they don’t have to be). The tips I’m about to provide are basic, and I’m sure most people may already know them, but these are tips I never knew—these are tips I had to figure out on my own. So, maybe I can save you some time by showing you what I do! ;-D

First, I use boxed cake mix, and store bought icing. I feel it’s cheap and it doesn’t matter what they taste like really, because Etsians and potential buyers will only look at them and never eat them. But they do taste really good, LOL.

So go head and follow the instructions on the back of the cake mix box. Then once that and your oven are prepared go ahead and get your liners in your tray, and get ready to scoop!

Tip 1: I use this wonderful mini ice-cream scooper.

Tip 2: Only pour 1 ½ scoops of batter into each cup. Some advise filling the cups 3/4^th of the way up, but that leads to muffin-tops. By only using 1 ½ scoops of batter it will not only make a perfect cupcake; it will ensure you have enough for exactly 24 cupcakes.

Then once the baking is all done, your cupcakes should look like this:

Tip 3: I use jumbo size piping tools and a high quality piping bag.  In your local stores you’ll only find regular sized piping tools, but the jumbo sizes look much better and more professional.

Lastly, go ahead and add your signature pipe. Mine is just one circle with a dollop in the middle. But you can pipe the cupcakes whichever way you want. Make it your own so your buyers will always be able to identify your shop by your pictures.

Final result: