Poshmark - My New Addiction!

If you haven't checked out the app Poshmark yet, do it!
It only works on Apple products..Ipad, Iphone, and Ipod Touch, so that's a must. And it's optimized for Iphone 5.
What is Poshmark you ask?
Well, I'm glad you asked!  Think Ebay, Etsy & the greatest Thrift Shop all blended into one.
As a seller, I had given up on Ebay, because the fees were kicking my butt.  The auctions only last 7 days, and it took many auctions to sell my clothing items.  At 25-30 cents per week x 200 or more listings to list it all + the fee they charge after the sale & paypal fees for accepting payments, it was really adding up!
Enter Poshmark!
List for FREE in your "closet", and it stays there until it sells.  The only time you pay a fee is when your item sells.  At that time Poshmark takes 20% of the sales price, and then they provide you with the pre-paid postage label that the buyer paid for.
The only draw-backs I've found so far are (1) Be careful that your item doesn't weigh more than 2 lbs. Otherwise, you need to make sure to figure in the extra $1.99/lb to the asking price, and (2) For purchases less than $25, Poshmark has decided to charge a flat rate postal rate of $6.99, as opposed to the $4.99 they charge for purchases over $25.  So that discourages small purchases, and many buyers/sellers resort to off-site deals via Paypal.  But Beware!  I've been burned twice this week on Paypal deals. I'm trying to get a refund through buyer protection on 1 purchase, and the other was a "personal" payment, so I had no protection.  Live and Learn :(
Other than that, it's been amazing.  I've listed several hundred items in the past few weeks, and it's so super easy.
First, you download the app.  Then you create a user ID, which will be the name of your closet / website they assign you.  That will be your "closet" that gets shopped.  Then you tap "sell", take up to 4 photos of your item, a brief title, description, price & save it.  Voila! You're in business.
And searching for items to purchase is easy with the Poshmark parties & the "feed", which has a search feature for either items or people you're looking for.
For selling, I've been using the InstaFrame app to create some very nice photos that I then upload to Posh.
First I take a picture with my Iphone. Then, using the InstaFrame app, I can pull the photo off my camera roll, make it sharp and clear, add a pretty frame, and save it.  Then when I go to "sell" on Poshmark, it has you select where you want to get the photo, either take a photo or get it from your camera roll. From my camera roll, I select the InstaFrame version I just saved.  It couldn't be easier to upload professional looking, fun photos of my clothing, jewelry, shoes, handbags, etc. that I have listed in my closet.
Have a bunch of stuff lying around that you need to get rid of & you just can't bear to just give it away?  Don't take it to the resale, where you only get 40% of what it's worth.  List it on Poshmark.
People will make offers and perhaps ask you to bundle their purchase with several items in your closet, and it gets addicting, because it's all Live and instant, which is fun!  When I was just selling on Etsy, if I sold 1 or 2 things in a week, that was a good week for me.  Now I do more than that in 1 day on Poshmark.  I can really see this becoming a big deal, like Ebay.

Check it out & be sure to Follow me there (like Twitter) - go to the feed and search people: I'm @Pookeysmom
Here's the web address of my closet: www.poshmark.com/closet/pookeysmom

Here's a Great article that contains Tips and Suggestions for successful Etsy selling.  There are many useful links to articles that will help build your online business.
Taking better photographs
Social Media Savvy
Blogging for success
Understand SEO
and much more

http://www.handmadeology.com/10-real-tips-for-successfully-selling-on-etsy/

Handmade Shoes: The True Value of Comfort and Quality

Story by Karen Brown

Published on Nov 19, 2012 in Read

Photo by NorTin

I recently watched my cobbler, David, help a customer in his shop. She had brought in three pairs of shoes to be fixed and was quite surprised when David gently set two of them aside on the counter, explaining that their poor materials and workmanship made them not worth repairing. “They weren’t really made well to begin with,” David said softly, sliding his work-blackened thumb into the split between the sole and synthetic upper of one worn pair. “Well, I guess they weren’t comfortable anyway,” the customer sighed.

But aren’t comfort and quality the basic qualities one looks for in footwear? These days, maybe not so much. The average American woman owns 17 pairs of shoes, but only wears three pairs regularly. Why do the other 14 pairs gather dust in the closet? Usually because they don’t fit. In a recent study, 46% of women said they have suffered from foot pain, 59% have gotten blisters from their shoes, 35% have had an evening ruined by uncomfortable shoes, and 24% have actually fallen because of their shoes’ design.

daphneboard

Handmade custom shoes – with expert construction, precise measurements, and quality materials – could solve all these problems. But handmade shoes seem so expensive, the ultimate luxury. Who can afford them? Even for me, a handmade fanatic to the core, they seem out of reach.

Then I did some math. The average price for a pair of shoes in the study was $50, but David tells me those $50 shoes are probably not worth buying. Let’s imagine I paid a little more, say, even $90 for shoes that could be repaired and last a little longer. Well, $90 x 17 pairs is $1530, about enough for three pairs of handmade shoes – the three pairs that the study says are all we really wear anyway.

The Sandhills Boot Company

If over time, as the budget allows, I made the shift from quantity to quality footwear, what should I look for in a good shoe? Some of Etsy’s shoe and boot makers helped me understand what is important. (And I should note that they all made a distinction between “handmade” – which can be very high quality – and “custom made” – the highest form of the craft – which refers to bespoke shoes made on a custom last.)

Everyone agreed fit was crucial. “Like a good house, your body needs a good supporting foundation,” said custom boot maker Kyle Rosfeld. “If your footwear makes you stand crooked, the rest of your body will soon be crooked as well. I strive for the fit to be as though they have been worn for six months. When the wearer gets home at night and he or she forgets to take them off, then the fit is correct,” said Kyle.

Fairysteps

Ren, at Fairysteps, agrees. “It should be like wearing favorite slippers…all day!”

“If the client is someone who cannot fit into standard sizes, the value is immeasurable. No one should be in extreme pain from walking or standing, yet this is often what people accept,” said Daphne Board, who is working to become a pedorthist.

Daphne Board

The makers were also unanimous about the importance of shoes being repairable. “My first criterion for a well crafted shoe or boot is how easily it is repaired”, said Kyle, who also reconditions vintage boots and saddles. “A well-made shoe should be repairable,” echoed Daphne. “If the shoe is not made so that it can be reconditioned, it is essentially a disposable shoe.”

Fairysteps

Handmade shoes represent a time investment for the maker as well. “The making of a pair consists of two factors: The inspiration factor and the making factor,” said Tina Nortin. “Inspiration is unpredictable. It may take 10 minutes or 10 days. But after the designing and consultation process is finished, depending on the design, the making can take days.” Part of that process includes time for the shoes to “sit” on the last and take their shape.

NorTin

Everyone said well-made shoes, properly cared for, should last years, maybe even decades. Buying high quality is a cost saver in the long run. The makers suggest frequent polishing, with resoling and re-heeling when necessary. “Leather likes to be loved,” said Ren. They also suggest not wearing the same shoes every day so that shoes can dry out between wearings.

It is challenging to build a life with fewer, better made things. But now I can see there are makers here to help…every step of the way.

Karen Brown is an award-winning designer and creative director of the Center for Ecoliteracy. Her work has been included in the Smithsonian Institution and Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum, and featured in The New York Times, Architectural Digest, House Beautiful, and on Today on NBC. She believes that the handmade movement is a fundamental force for transforming society and the economy.

http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2012/handmade-shoes-the-true-value-of-comfort-and-quality/?ref=fp_blog_title

DIY Light box for product photography

     Credit goes to JYOseph.com for this article


Building a light box is pretty easy stuff. A light box is particularly useful for product photography where you need a nice white background. Many people find that their products will actually sell faster with a more professional looking photo. Here you’ll find a step by step on how to build your own DIY light box.
This thing isn’t really rocket science at all. I think it’s more the technique that people would be interested in. I’ve received a lot of e-mails asking about the light box so I hope this will be a help to anyone wanting to stay inside during the winter months and take shots of random stuff from the fridge.



Foam Board
 You’ll need 5 sheets of foam board, also called foam core or foam poster board. If you go to the local craft / art store you should be able to pick up large sheets for just a few dollars a piece. I have a huge box in my basement and the pieces were $4.99 a piece. The board used in this tutorial was $1.99 a piece (each piece is 30″x 20″). * My recommendation is to get a thicker piece for the bottom where the object will sit.

White Tape
 The tape I’m using is between 1″and 2″wide white masking tape. Stay away from duct tape, as the heat from the lamps makes the glue really messy. This masking tape is nice and lightweight and if you need to, you can take the tape off to re-adjust.
 Lamp / Light Bulbs
 I’m using clip-on shop lights from Home Depot / Lowe’s. You can pick these up for just a few dollars a piece.($3-$9)
 I’m using just a standard bulb from Home Depot. I’ve tried all sorts of bulbs. To your eye they may all look the same, the camera picks up different colors from different lights.
 Edit
 I tried full spectum bulbs and really have to say that they’re not worth it. Learn to set the white balance on your camera and shoot in RAW if possible.
 *Above all, I favor and would suggest using a flash directed straight up into the top of the box, this is THE BEST WAY TO GET A GOOD WHITE BACKGROUND – (see the diagram below).
 Other
 You’ll need a razor knife and a straight edge.

 Instructions

 1. Attach the Top and Bottom 

Here is a quick sample of how I apply the tape. I know it’s overkill to show this but I’d rather err on the side of being thorough. 




2. Attach the Left and Right

 It may be hard to see how it will come together, but I just applied the left side (which is at the top of the photo below). Do the same for the right side.

3. Cut Off Overhang on the Sides

 Left: Shows the box with the overhang on left and right side.
 Middle: Shows using a straight edge to cut the excess. 
Right: Shows the box with the sides trimmed down. 



4. Cut Notches in Sides

 This is something I just recently started doing. I found that I wasn’t able to set the lights deep enough so cutting a notch in the side helps. You may have to skip this step and see the final deal, then you’ll get the idea. 
The notches I cut were only a few inches deep, you could do more or less. Make it work for you. *If you’re using a flash this step is unnecessary. 



5. Lights

 You can see I added a few more lights. The more the better in my opinion. *Use a flash if possible. 


Showing the outside of the box. 



Use this light box with a Flash. Here would be a sample illustration of how to use the flash with this setup. This works like a charm. 



Optional Step
 You can apply a strip of tape to the back seam on the bottom. Apply it so the tape forms an even transition between the two pieces of foam core. This hides the back seam so you don’t have any shadows in the background. Here is a quick and dirty illustration to show what I mean: 



See What it Produces
 After literally 2 minutes with the light box and a few snaps later here is a shot I took of one of my lenses. Obvious improvements could be made here but this is just a quick image to show you how simple using this box can be. 


But Wait, There’s More
 Here is another trick I started doing. Sometimes I like to shoot the object from a top view. If you cut a hole in the top of the box, this is possible. Be careful not to cut too much, you’ll want to score the part you don’t cut, that makes it bend with ease. 



Here is a sample of shooting a necklace through the hole I just cut in the top of the box. 



Voila
 I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. I’m hoping that it was easy enough to follow. From start to finish this project should take no longer than 30 minutes

Learning Style From the Women in Our Family

A Legacy of Style

Story by hedykiesler

Published on May 13, 2012 in Shop

Photo by Gabriella Cetrulo

I wasn’t the first girl who was introduced to the world of fashion by her mother. Plenty of us can remember playing with our mom’s jewelry or tottering in her highest heels. One of my most vivid memories involves begging my mom to let me wear the shoes from her wedding day (mostly because they were covered in white glitter and reminded me of glass slippers).

My mom is what I would call a glamazon. People have been in awe of her daring wardrobe for as long as I can remember. When I visit home with friends, I’m asked to give tours of her closet. Little did I know that, 20 years later, I’d still be sneaking into her closet for style inspiration — only now I can actually fit into her clothes, but not her size 5 shoes, sadly (though I doubt I’d be able to strut around in her 7-inch wedges, anyway).

As I recently began sifting through old family photos, it became clear that my mother wasn’t the first woman of style in the family. She came from a long line of glamour queens, including her own grandmother, who was donning kitten heels and classic fur stoles back in the early 1940s. Looking at these family photos gave me insights I never would have found in a magazine.  Sometimes our own family histories can bring us the most inspiring ideas.

Mom: 1970s Glam

[Pictured: 1. Arrow triangle earrings by SilkPurseSowsEar; 2. Tribal skinny cuff by SOFTGOLDSTUDIO; 3. '70s Luxe jumpsuit from LittleBeeVintage; 4. Vintage boho suede bag from HulaGirl1922; 5. '70s Leather cape from TheParaders; 6. '40s Chorus girl platforms from Parlourthearchives.]

As a child of the 70’s, my mom scours the internet for the vintage jumpsuits and sky high platforms she grew up wearing. She’ll even go for the occasional 60’s mini dress. But she always manages to keep her look contemporary by mixing vintage and modern accessories.

 Grandma Willy: ’50s Bombshell

[Pictured: 1. '50s Bone white faux ostrich handbag from missfarfalla; 2. '30s Peep-toe with etched heel from VintagePointShop; 3. '50s Blush brocade cocktail dress from onefortynine; 4. Little drop earrings by LaurenHauptJewelry;  5. Vintage pom pom stole from secret lake.]

I grew up hearing stories about my grandmother going out to the Copacabana and being serenaded by Sinatra himself. Her stylish look could have rivaled any Hollywood bombshell’s. From her white fur stole to her pale, fitted cocktail dresses, she embodied the glamour of the 1950’s.

Grandma Carol: ’60s Work Chic

[Pictured: 1. '60s Scarf from StaceyCarlisleVntg; 2. Mint fused glass earringsby boldcolorglass; 3. Jackie O. '50s-'60s suit from Vintagephilosophy; 4. Tangerine suede handbag from LoveButlerVintage; 5. '60s Taranto court shoes fromWagonWheelVintageOz.]

As the breadwinner of her family, my Grandma Carol captured the style of 1960s fashionable professionals. And she always kept her conservative look fresh and upbeat by wearing a bright color palette and floral prints, reminiscent of Doris Day.

Great-Grandma Kay: Tailored Elegance

[Pictured: 1. '40s-'50s Black petal wool hat from NevermoreVintage; 2. '50s Faux fur coat from CultOfVintageStore; 3. '40s Day dressfrom NodtoModvintage; 4. Vintage gold tone heart locket from armychic4lyfe; 5.'40s Onyx suede cross-strap sandal from clevernettle; 6. '40s Black leather pursefrom HolliePoint.]

Classic and elegant, my great-grandmother was always seen wearing fashionable hats and dark tailored dresses. Her look has always reminded me of the noir vixens of her time.

Gabriella Cetrulo is a freelance illustrator with a BFA in illustration from Parsons the New School for Design. She is also the shop owner of vintage oasis Tomorrow Is Forever. She is in the process of opening a second online shop featuring her illustration work.

http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2012/a-legacy-of-style/?ref=fp_blog_title

The History Of Mothers' Day

The Untold History of Mother’s Day

Story by lbutterworth

Published on May 12, 2012 in Read

Photo by Cerrito Rose

Greeting card commercials and overpriced bouquets may be the hallmarks of Mother’s Day, but this American tradition was actually launched by the feminist and pacifist ideologies of two determined women.

The idea originated with activist Julia Ward Howe (you may know her as the poet who wrote the famous “Battle Hymn of the Republic”). After witnessing the destruction of the Civil War, Howe, a staunch suffragist and pacifist, wrote theMother’s Day Proclamation in 1870, calling women to come together to rally for peace. “Our sons shall not be taken from us to unlearn all that we have been able to teach them of charity, mercy, and patience,” she wrote. “As men have often forsaken the plow and the anvil at the summons of war, let women now leave all that may be left of home for a great and earnest day of counsel.”

Despite Howe’s persuasive prose, Mother’s Day didn’t take root until more than three decades later, after a long and tireless campaign led by Anna Jarvis. Jarvis grew up watching her mother, Ann Marie Jarvis, a pacifist activist, hold Mother’s Day Work Clubs on sanitation in the hopes of lowering the infant mortality rate, and Mother’s Friendship Day events to unite sparring Civil War loyalists after the war. When Ann Marie Jarvis died in May 1905, her daughter vowed to create a day of recognition. Anna’s efforts started in earnest in 1908, and in 1912, President Woodrow Wilson signed a resolution declaring Mother’s Day the second Sunday in May.

It didn’t take long for corporations to realize what a cash cow this new holiday was, and cardmakers, chocolatiers, and florists quickly capitalized on Mother’s Day sentiments. Anna was appalled by the corporatization of her beloved cause, and spent the rest of her life fighting it, to no avail. “A printed card means nothing except that you are too lazy to write to the woman who has done more for you than anyone in the world,” Jarvis said, according to the book Women Who Made A Difference. “And candy! You take a box to Mother — and then eat most of it yourself. A pretty sentiment.”

As you celebrate your mother this weekend, take to heart the origin of the holiday and pay tribute with a heartfelt gift that’s more than just lip service.

Lisa Butterworth is a writer and editor soaking up the eternal sunshine in Los Angeles. When she's not on the hunt for the latest and greatest in girl culture as the West Coast editor of BUST magazine, she's flea marketing, taco trucking, and generally raising a ruckus.

http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2012/the-secret-history-of-mothers-day/?ref=fp_blog_title

Stylish Pet Supplies - Who Knew?

Get the Look: Dapper Dogs and Classy Cats

Story by hedykiesler

Published on Apr 29, 2012 in Shop

Photo by ByFaithCreations11

This week for Get the Look, guest writer Gabriella Cetrulo curates selections for your favorite furry or finny companion.

Living in New York, I’m always amazed to see how many of my neighbors own pets — and I’m not talking about goldfish. I see Siberian huskies twice the size of their owners! My first thought is, “How do they train their dogs to adjust to living in their teeny New York apartments?” My second is, “I wonder if those dogs are living like their owners?”

I used to work for a designer with two little dogs, and they dressed and lived as stylishly she did. They had amazing leather collars and rope leashes, wore chic sweaters in the winter, and slept on pillows that matched the decor of her apartment. In fact, what always impressed me  most was how she managed to seamlessly blend her pet’s belongings into her home’s design.

This inspired me to seek out pet items that enhance their surroundings, rather than compete. From modern to shabby chic, it’s now possible to find pet accessories to match any home.

Cat Beds

[1. [Modern Dog Daybed Lounger by ModPet; 2. Dog Pod Lounge in Walnutby vurvdesign; 3. Modern Cat House by modern mews; 4. Pet Bed in Orange Cotton Ikat Roses by likekittysville; 5. The Canopy Lounge by CANOPYstudio.]

Pet Livin’

[1.Design Cat Scratcher by cocici; 2. Japanese Marimo Moss Ball Aquariumby eGardenStudio; 3. Upcycled Apple Computer Pet Bed by AtomicAttic; 4. Mini-Aquarium by niknakshack; 5. Mid Century Cat Furniture and Litter Box Coverby modernist cat; 6. Custom Order Cat Ball by JennasRedRhino.]

Modern Feeders

1. Elevated Modern Dog Feeder by CoburnsExclusive; 2. Wall Mounted Pet Feederby vurvdesign; 3. Walnut Veneer 1 Pint Feeder Set by vurvdesign; 4. Retro Elevated Dog Feeder by CoburnsExclusive.]

Shabby Chic

[1. Boston Terrier Plate by clayflower22; 2. Pet Food Storage Tin fromTheBeesKneesWorkshop; 3. Bone Shaped Dog Bed by  WaggingTailsGourmet; 4. Two Cup Pet Crock by theSquarePeg; 5. Antler Dog Chews from boldleaddesigns; 6.French Crate Dog Bed by cadeauxdecatherine.]

Antique & Feminine

[1. Betty Sofa from UpholsteredPuss; 2. Aquarium Fantasy Decoration fromartforaquariums; 3. Vintage Pet Portrait Painting from mighty finds; 4. Yorkie Print from godo; 5. Bamboo Bird Cage from vintageartsupplies; 6. Silver Plate Pampered Pet Bowl from marpet3425.]

More Get the Look: Home Decor Editions

Gabriella Cetrulo is a freelance illustrator with a BFA in illustration from Parsons the New School for Design. She is also the shop owner of vintage oasis Tomorrow Is Forever. She is in the process of opening a second online shop featuring her illustration work.

http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2012/get-the-look-pet-interiors/?ref=fp_blog_title