End of Zippster?

For a while now I've been thinking of getting out of the 'making crafts for profit' business, because quite honestly, it was only ever meant to be a hobby with a very small chance of making a profit. Which I don't. After purchasing supplies, making prototypes, photography and creating listings, paying for the listings, and fees for sales I'm lucky if I break even. And that's not counting my time. I have a pretty busy and fulfilling life, and any sewing I do is to sell and I don't seem to have the time to enjoy sewing for myself, and that's what I'd rather be doing.

So, I'm selling most of my purse making supplies. 

I still have some items for sale at Artisans at Work but won't be restocking. And I'm not quite sure yet to do with my Etsy shop - most of what I sell there is buttons, anything larger and the high cost of shipping is a deterrent.

I have some new fabric and patterns picked out for new projects, which I'm looking forward to working on - it's been a while since I've made something for myself!

Crafty Supply Sale in the Junction this Saturday

Fellow crafters: I'll be selling at a craft supply sale at Wise Daughters Craft Market, this Saturday, January 12. I'll have lots of fabric and some other craft stuff. Come by if you're looking for some cheap supplies, and visit the store while you're there, which carries hand made goods by local artists (including me!).

Here's the sale info.
(Wise Daughters Craft Market and LadeeBee Supplies present:
New year craft supply trunk sale
Sat, Jan 12, 11:00 – 4:00
3079B Dundas St. W. in the Junction)

My Fabricland is closing!

Most of the time I purchase my fabric and sewing supplies from stores along Queen Street West, the "Fashion District" of Toronto. But sometimes I go to the Fabricland at Yonge and Bay, where I popped into last night. As soon as I entered, I realized something was wrong: the place looked empty of inventory, it was very busy, and there were Closing Sale signs everywhere. Closing ... no! A salesperson I spoke to said they're trying to find a new location. A lot of fabric was gone, but I stocked up on batting, and bought a lot of patterns (buy one, get two free!). Sorry to the staff who are losing their jobs.

Canada Post in full strike mode

Fortunately, the recent Canada Post strike hadn't affected me until yesterday, when it was Toronto's turn as part of the rotating work stoppage. But Canada Post has now locked out its workers and suspended operations.
Most of the supplies I recently ordered, and a birthday gift, arrived before the work stoppage in Toronto, but I'm waiting for some vintage fabric to arrive, and I just ordered some coloured metal purse frames (!) which I'm very excited about. In the meanwhile, I've put both of my Etsy shops in vacation mode, and I'm working on some messenger bags for Wise Daughters.

Canada Post strike

Well, it happened: Canada Post is on strike, effective Friday, June 3. Their website is currently down so I can't get details, but apparently strike action will be rolled out to different cities in 24-hour increments. Not only does this mean I can't mail out orders from my Etsy stores, but I recently ordered a bunch of fabric and metal purse frames, supplies which I need to make more items for my retail customers. Not good. Let's hope it's resolved quickly, please!

Here's to 2010!

Well, the hectic 2009 holiday season is behind us, and I could use a little breather! November and December were busy months: craft shows, wholesale orders and Etsy orders from both of my shops, not to mention moving and trying to get my own Christmas shopping done. Every Christmas, more and more so, I try to make handmade gifts for people; I really dislike shopping, but I like to think that the recipients appreciate a handmade gift more than one found in a mall.

My plan for the next couple of months is to focus on finding more wholesale partners, and to weed through my supplies stash - I'm still setting up my new workspace, and I feel the need to evaluate what I have, and to pass on what I don't need to a community service of some sort, such as a seniors centre.