Friday's Food: Tortilla Soup

With the weather turning cold I turn to soup. I love this one, it's spicy and gives me something different to do with my chicken. Serves 6.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 pounds chicken breast halves without skin, cooked & shredded
1 cup onion, chopped
1/2 cup green bell pepper, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 cups low sodium chicken broth, fat-free (or full on salt & fat if you prefer)
1 cup salsa
2 14-oz cans diced tomato, opt. with green chiles, undrained : or equivalent fresh
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 cup light sour cream1/4 cup cheddar cheese, shredded (6 oz) - optional
1/4 cup fresh cilantro
2 tortilla, whole wheat


Directions
1. Cook chicken - either roast, bake or poach - your choice
2. Preheat oven to 350*.
3. Cut each tortilla in half & cut those halves into 1/4-inch strips. Arrange tortilla strips in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 6 minutes or until lightly browned, stirring after 3 minutes. Cool completely.
4. In large saucepan heat oil over med-hi heat.
5. Add onion, green pepper & garlic. Saute until soft, about 3 minutes.
6. Stir in tomatoes, chicken broth, salsa, chili powder, basil, oregano, cumin & pepper and bring to a boil.
7. Stir in chicken. Cover & simmer 30 minutes or longer. If soup seems too thick add more broth.
8. Stir tortilla strips into soup. Serve hot.
9. Top each serving with 1T cheese, cilantro & 1T sour cream (optional)

Per Serving: 214 Calories; 3g Fat (11.1% calories from fat); 1g Saturated fat; 30g Protein; 19g Carbohydrate; 4g Dietary Fiber; 53mg Cholesterol; 609mg Sodium.
Exchanges: 0 Grain(Starch); 3 1/2 Lean Meat; 2 Vegetable; 0 Fat.

Summer is Over SALE

I have decided to put some of the more summery items for sale. I have ideas for more purses - and other things- and would like to get more items to a good home. This one is getting crowded :)

Here are some samples....

Peachy Diamond ... was $40, now $30

Watercolor Ribbon Wrapped was $40, now $30

Part 2: Pricing; From needle and thread to "business as"

I had decided to go ahead and try to sell my handbags. I knew I wanted to do everything legally – from forming the biz to taxes (yech!). I will go over this next time because what I really had to know first was whether or not it would be worth it financially. So, how do I price things?
There are many opinions on this subject in the arts & crafts world. This probably has a lot to do with the fact that many people just want to sell enough to recoup cost and make just enough to buy more supplies while others want to make a living on their sales. I am somewhere in the middle. I am not expecting to become the next littleoddforest (whose bags I just saw at a local boutique here in Ferndale, Michigan - and she's from Singapore, plus has 190 items listed and sold over 1200 items since 7/05) or Daphnenen (who's bags I admire - who has 75 items listed and has sold over 550 items in the last 2 years). These numbers are something I cannot even begin to imagine, especially since even if I worked a regular 40 hour week I would only have about 8-10 bags...so that's months just to get that much listed, let alone keep up with 5-8 bags being sold every week). But yes, I would like to make some kind of profit. So I attacked this from a business standpoint.

Businesses have set policies for just about everything, and pricing is most definitely one of them. Crafts are a little tricky. Crafters Guide to Pricing by Dan Ramsey tackled the issue very well craft by craft. Simple pricing like materials multiplied by 2, works well for more of an easy going approach. But I want something with more formulaic that will take into account my time as well. I feel not enough artisans do this. Our time is just as important as anyone’s and should therefore be taken into consideration when pricing.

There were 3 main formulas that kept showing up in the books (all of which I found at my local library). I myself use these with an Excel spreadsheet to quickly and easily calculate pricing – without losing it. These all take into account both wholesale and retail pricing. I do not see myself venturing off into wholesale land, but just in case, I have set my prices somewhere between the two. I figure this way there won’t be any kind of sticker shock (to buyers or myself) if I do venture into the big world of wholesale.

So without further ado (aren’t you happy)…

1. (materials + labor) x 150% = wholesale price
wholesale price x 100% = retail price

2. materials / 25% = wholesale price
materials x 12% = retail price

3. (materials x2) + labor + overhead = wholesale price
wholesale price x 2 = retail price
note: if material is quite inexpensive then do as (materials x 3)
So what do I charge for labor you may ask? Well, every single book came up with the same $10 per hour for starters (at least with sewing). Different crafts have slightly different starting prices, mostly depending on if there are studios or renting specialized tools involved.

As to overhead, this is more complicated. Essentially they all suggest figuring your monthly costs such as rent, electricity, equipment, insurance, guild fees, regular supplies (like the needles, thread, bobbins, etc) and everything else into account. Then take that total and divide by how many items you can do every month. I was not up for the task so I used $2.00 (that seemed to be the most consistent amount in all their examples).
No matter how you reach your pricing, you should keep it consistent if you want to run it business like. Even after all the math, you still need to take into account the market and what it can bear. Look around etsy and other sites that sell items like yours and see where your numbers fall. Remember, no matter what price you choose, not everyone will like it or agree on whether or not it is reasonable. Do what feels right for you. It can always be adjusted with a sale or gradual increase.

Newly found old art

I was looking through some old photos for a picture of me dressed as a blimp. (See 6 secrets post #5 to enable your own visual...silver evening dress) I could not find it...I am assuming I must have burned it. What I did find were some more photos of my old paintings. I found a few a while back and put them on my website (which is still not fully complete), but somehow overlooked these. I think they were in a different album.

I have a big 'ol stack of paintings in the basement that I have not looked at in years. Maybe I need to go through them. Who knows, maybe they'll inspire me to set up ye old easel again.

These were from 1995ish. I always loved to paint. I wasn't very good, but it made me happy, therefore it was just right. So - now you get suff...I mean enjoy them also :)

Did you like the flash in the middle of that one?

This is one I had actually found previously, but the other picture was at too much of an angle to really see it.

Also - keep in mind these photos were not well done & pre-digital. Is it a good enough excuse to make you think they are better than they look?

Etsybloggers carnival post:

Relax…

Relaxation. I know how. I even took classes directed towards it. I have led an entire class in meditation, very relaxing. The problem is in the execution. I find it hard to relax when I look around and see so many things that need to be done. Laundry, dishes, vacuum, putting toys away, painting the trim – in every room, fixing the shower head, clearing out the garage, fixing the light above the stairs & over my bed … I think you get the idea. And all that with my boys: 13, 3 and 38 year old in the house…and the doggie.

I am lucky that sewing can be very relaxing for me. Almost Zen when I am in a groove.

Reading is always a good one. That’s pretty much where I turn when the sewing goes from Zen to Arrrgggghhh!

And finally – television. That can go beyond relax to veg. Not necessarily a bad thing, especially now that Chuck, Heroes, How I Met Your Mother, Ugly Betty, CSI (the original) and Bones are back. OK – so the TV wins lots of times. But rarely is it a solo activity.

MICETSY at the market...

Well, I am a day late posting this. I guess I was still worn out yesterday after such a full day at the micetsy show. 7am train ride in and 7:23pm ride out (was originally a 5:23pm ride out...they had a slight delay). And we ran into a shopping cart halfway home. While most people were whining & such about the delay...come on people - we hit a shopping cart! It messed with the brakes! You gotta stop for that, especially since it took out the power also...anyway, myself & the guy across the aisle merely shifted in our seats to get the emergency lights to hit our books better. I got a lot read on that trip. Lonely Werewolf Girl - good read.

We set up nice in the cold, but sunny morning.

The sun kept coming out. Those of us on the sunny side soon had to strip down to our lightest layer. While the shady side bundled up even further. 10 feet and what felt like a 20 degree difference. But it didn't stop the traffic. You'd have to check with our fearless leaders chicalookate and beadbug on how the sales went for people, but I can tell you the foot traffic looked good.

I was there to help, but everyone was such a pro that they didn't need much. Which was good for me, I got to socialize more and enjoy all the goodies.

The day ended cloudy but mild. Packing up was so much quicker than setting up. It soon looked like a ghost town.

I want to thank everyone for putting up with me stopping in and pestering you :) I felt like I learned quite a bit and am ready...gulp...to try it myself. Because if I learned nothing else, I learned that there is nothing to be worried about. Just do it! And as Tim Gunn would say, "just make it work!"
Until next year...

New marketing goodies!

My goodies from VistaPrint just arrived. I always go for the freebie offers. Until I start to make money from my handbags - that's all I can afford. Overall, I am quite pleased...but I forgot to delete their label watermark on the postcards - oh well. These scanned images aren't totally clear, but I think you can get the idea. The postcard front is a gallery of sorts - it is a crop of what I have on the pamphlet/rack card/brochure.

The weird looking double purse image is on a business card. Guess what I am using it for? Tags for my purses. I got the idea from CraftyChef. I just cut in half, punch a hole & tie on...viola - instant hang tag. And 250 free cards = 500 free tags...can't beat that.

This is actually a 3 fold brochure which I will cut into 3 separate promo cards/rack cards/pamphlets...whatever you want to call it. Each is a bit different. I just hope it wasn't a mistake to put a price range on it.

And the best piece...my labels for inside the bags. I got them from Mommiemadeit. They are great. The labels I tried myself, well, not so hot.

Now I just need to sew more so they have a home.

New Plan of Semi-Action

I was going to do the business series every Friday, but I think I will move it to Wednesdays.. Mostly because I do not feel well today and I think I can make things fit better this way.

The etsybloggers do twice monthly carnivals - I'll make mine Tuesdays.
They also do mini-Mondays - don't know if that is all of us - I'm still new and need to investigate further.

Thursdays I will do my personal featured etsy seller - for now it will be a gallery mini, but I hope to do interviews as well.

On Fridays I want to do recipes. I love to cook & if anyone is brave enough to try one there will be time to gather supplies for the following week. Like these Grilled Pesto Scallops on Pasta.

On the weekend I will update crafty funness. Whether it is for selling or new things I am trying to learn (which should be good for a laugh).

And random sprinklings of my kids and other life stuff.

Tag - I'm it!

I love etsy! I just joined etsybloggers - what a fun bunch! This team is so active, they've had me at the computer all morning! I've been checking out their blog and street team site - lots of stuff to do!! And during it all, I got tagged! I get to be ten again. Both purlyshells and morningsky tagged me. Now I get to share 6 secrets with everyone and go tag 5 more people!

1> I went to school(s) for science(s). Art and crafting may be what I enjoy the most, but I tried what I thought of as "practical" for school. Biology for my bachelors. Tried Immunology at the PhD level...I really wanted microbiology, but no openings in any labs - so I left. Way too much work to spend your time doing something that isn't exactly what you wanted. So, off to my Masters I went. Exercise science - completed all but a couple credits. Got married & got a job doing exercise science stuff (cardiac rehab & stress testing)...and just never went back to finish that last paper. Gee - now I sound like a quitter. Oh well.

2> I was on bedrest with my second son for 6 months. I mastered reading sideways and breathing through contractions for months on end. I am so talented :)

3> I can touch the tip of my nose with my tongue. And people wonder why my husband chose me ;) That was a joke folks - I chose him :) It's true. I asked him out first. It was the first time I had ever asked a guy out. And he only said yes because I had the guts to ask. Lucky him!

4> We took the Pepsi challenge on our wedding day - we both got it right!

5> I have been every size from a 2 to a 24. I am somewhere midway now - just a bit lower & I'll feel just right for me. The 2 was skinny-gross for my build. And the 24 - well, was pregnant with that (but hovered around 20 for a bit after).

....sub#5> the size 2 was just before the pregnancy nad the 24 was right after...I gained 85 pounds...I don't recommend it.

6> My mom is my best friend. Break out the awwws. When I was younger we didn't get along so well. I guess a decade or so of adulthood can change lots of things.

So, my turn to tag....

agoodwitchtoo - because you chatted back with me today

twozanyzebras and jaimesews - because I know you from other places

roseworks and stormydesigns - beacuse I saw you around this morning and really liked your stuff.

bfbeads: October's featured etsyblogger

Meet Mama Jen. She's a SAHM of two young kids (toddler & baby), she's a wife, she blogs, she makes jewelry, she's a poet, she's an aspiring children's book author, and I am guessing she actually finds time for herself somewhere in all that. Maybe we can PIF her a babysitter if she doesn't! She has not one, but two shops on etsy!

If you like to wear jewelry and are a breastfeeding mom (well, I hope you are the mom :) you need to hop on over to bfbeads. I was once a breastfeeder (sounds weird written that way). I stopped wearing my jewelry because my sons couldn't keep their hands off. Jen solved that problem for us. Necklaces that are adjustable & have no clasp to create a weak breaking point when pulled. She even used her own kids as testers. This is just one of her beautiful designs:

Chocolate Pink Baby Friendly Beads Nursing Necklace $28.00





I also love this bracelet.

Elemental Baby Friendly Beads Reminder Bracelet $20.00

Then once your done at her first shop...



hop over to her second one: mamasmagicstudio
Here you can find some earring "sets"
... you'll see what I mean :)
And flying around are some beaded dragonflies
that you can hang around your home or office ... brighten things up a bit.
This pair of earrings would make a great gift for crafter who works with needles:

Knit the Knot Known Fraternal Earrings -- Fuschia $15.00

Etsy at the Market: Ann Arbor, MI

Poster
Originally uploaded by chicalookate

This Sunday, October 4th in Ann Arbor Michigan. The micetsy team and local artists will be at Kerrytown Market. If you are in the area, come on by and shop with us!

Visit some micetsy team shops & glimpse what may be there:

AllThingsGrow Beadbug

ChainChainChained

chicalookate ElleMBee Enamored

eve vandalsen (evestarfire)

FiberToDyeFor GazedUponGlass

Hfoco KPGlassJewelry1 Lara&Me LilPeanutDesigns MarcyAnna

MartaEnglandDesigns Mimi&Boo MindsEyeCards M'Lou is Pink

QuenchEssentials Siouxsane StefanieWithLuv StoriesDivinations

SugarCreekStuff susanvancamp thejunebride

here's some more on etsy... wee ones little things

La Femme Monkita Facets by Kathryn dangargyle IslandGirlBags

Read the article in The Ann Arbor Chronicle

etsymom team promo

I joined in on my first promo thread at etsy, but I didn't even include me...I guess I just want to get all of mine out there and don't know which one to start with, oh well.

But I couldn't not promote these cute Halloween goodies:

I always get a new frame for each years costume...craftgirlalli has a nice one:

and when you can't wear the costume to school, try boygirboygirldesign's shoes:

and don't forget the trick-or-treat bag, oursideofthemountain has a few, here's a cute skull one:

While you are there - look around - there are tons of great Handmade Halloween finds

Explosion of purse parts

This is what my cutting table looked like today...you might not be able to tell, but there are 6 purses here. Somedays I just feel like I never get ahead. Granted, it could be because I often take them apart after I am done to tweak something. Like with these, well, 5 of them anyway.

I suppose if I hadn't spent the last two weeks taking new photos (which STILL aren't right) and on this computer (yeah, why am I still here?)...well, I'd have more done. I did finish the chili pepper one though :)

I really need to step things up. Not because they are flying off the shelves...well, one fell off to my aunt - does that count? But because I want to get all the purses on paper into fabric form. I have drafted about 25 designs and transformed only ...(let's see...rachelle, theresa, oval, eve twist, envelope, backpack, diaper bag...) that'd be 7. So, only 18 to go. Woo Hoo :}

I plan to have updates here to keep myself in check.

• Tonight's goal: finish the 3 totes.
• Tomorrow - off because I will be sewing for my son's
  marching band - same with Wednesday.
• Tuesday: finsh the muted mint green striped Rachelle
• Thursday: rework the blue paisley (upper right of pic)
  this was it originally >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
  Why change it you ask? The inside pocket was messed up & I didn't like the way the vinyl strap tabs ended up.
  Told you I keep tweaking :0

So, wish me luck. Let's see if my focus stays. Better yet, let's see if my toddler-in-training (potty training that is) lets me keep it focused.

In memory of...

Paul Newman 1925-2008

Intro to series: From needle and thread to "business as..."

Ok - so the title isn't incredibly inspired. But the process was. To those around me - my husband, my parents and friends - I made a swift transition from sewing to business. In my eyes, it was much slower. It was full of reading, sketching, drafting, cutting and sewing.

The books were invaluable. I spent most of my schooling in the sciences, so I am used to research. I found a few good books full of even better advice and guidance.

I don't know how many parts will be in this series, I am not even sure if it will have an ending. One thing I do know, is that it will be full of everything I have learned and used to make the transition to business owner. If there is an ending, it will hopefully be with my success.

To get you started, here is a list of the books I found most useful:

• Craft Inc.: Turn Your Creative Hobby Into a Business by Meg Mateo Ilasco
• The Crafter's Guide to Pricing by Dan Ramsey
• Start Up: Start Your Own Arts and Crafts Business by the Entrepreneur Press
• How to Show and Sell Your Crafts by Kathryn Caputo
• Crafter's Internet Handbook by Genevieve Crabe

There are 4 others I will be looking at soon. Once I have gone through them, I will let you know how they compare. In other words - if it's just more of the same or not.

The forums at both etsy and craftster are chock full of pricing concerns. I will start this series with that, by comparing the pricing techniques used by these books and show you how I reached my own method.

My best friend

Need I say more? I just redid quite a few totes. Why? Well, once you get a few under your belt, they tend to look better. And, well, I just can't let the earlier ones not be as well liked by me as the newer goodies. So...sew - ha! get it! ... Rip Rip Rip... Now the only question is - Do I discount them since they have been "upgraded"? Naw - upgrade is better right? Although for seasonal purposes they may be...tune in & we'll see...

Pics Pics Pics - what a pain

I understand that photos are extremely important when it comes to selling online. I also realize there are many different opinions on just how "professional" looking they should be. One camp thinks that since they are handmade, the pics shouldn't look like they were shot by a leading professional in a high end studio. The other side thinks they need to in order to compete and also because handmade is actually better than mass produced.
Many sellers strive for that magazine perfect look for their photos, other's want one-click snapshot style, and the rest are somewhat midway. I am midway, but my desire runs towards the higher end.
I recently retook my pictures, not once, not twice...but three times! Granted, not every bag was taken each time. I tried inside with a black backdrop...the feedback I got on that was not too positive.

The next set was still inside, but using a white backdrop and 'floor'. These turned out a bit too yellow. I know why now - I used my art canvases - not strictly white.

So, in the end, my best pictures were outside. Here in Michigan, that is not always an easy feat. Luckily it was sunny and warm (too warm!) last weekend and with the help of my mom (thanks mom!) - I got lots of pics - in the hundreds.

Of course, I have been at the computer non-stop for the past 3 days cropping, white balancing (is that a word?), and whatever else to make them look better without changing the way they actually look.

PHEW!

Now I need to list! list! list!

Here's a sneek peek: