The Ups and Downs of Feedback

I put my heart and soul into my work. I'm constantly plagued by thoughts of doubt - "maybe I should have whipstitched that instead," "should I have used snaps instead of velcro?", "I measured the waist 5 times, it's gonna fit her". I know I should be confident about my work. I've been doing it for over 10 years and my daughter and I wear my creations constantly. I know they are well constructed and can stand the test of time. But I always wait with bated breath for that Feedback comment.

I suppose if I just mass produced things, it wouldn't matter so much to me. If I had a customer service department and maybe a hidden sweatshop in the back of the house, then lack of feedback wouldn't bother me. I'd just crack the whip and tell the slaves to keep on sewing!

A couple of days ago, I got feedback on a custom order for 4 work skirts that I did a few months ago. I was elated! She loved the work and was pleased :) Can you believe that at least once a week for the last 8-10 weeks I was openly wondering if she had found it acceptable or not? I was! I really really was. My kids were praying she would leave feedback so they wouldn't have to hear me mention it again - "Oh gosh! I haven't heard anything. Do you think she liked the skirts?" "Yes, Mom. If she didn't, she would have contacted you about a problem." I know, I know, but still! And not just that order, that was just an example. This happens with every order that goes out.

Maybe on Ebay it doesn't matter so much. You know everyone is a business - mass produced items. Things are defective, here's another. On Etsy though, everything is handmade. I have a modest business that I'm trying to grow and feedback is still very important to me. I leave feedback for all of my purchases so I don't cause someone else to pace their kitchen. Just a little reminder to show your favorite artisans that you love them with feedback. A little goes a long way and helps attract other customers.

Time to get shopping!

Check your newsletter for this month's specials; if you follow me on Twitter, be on the lookout Friday for a special.

Gift Certificates in a Spiraling Economy?

We all know it's tanking. But the holidays are upon us. I personally LOVE gift cards/certficates. Imagine my dismay when I saw the below note on a friend's Facebook page:

So I thought I would do a little research myself. After about an hour I came up with the below list:
Linens 'n Things, Stores Closing: All Stores
Disney Stores, Stores Closing: 98
Foot Locker, Stores Closing: 140
Wilson's Leather, Stores Closing: 160
Home Depot, Stores Closing: 15
Ann Taylor, Stores Closing: 117
PacSun 'Demo' Stores, Stores Closing: 154
Lonestar Steakhouse, Stores Closing: 27
Zales, Stores Closing: 105
Pier 1 Imports, Stores Closing: 25
Dell, Stores Closing: 140
Urban Interiors, Stores Closing: 2
84 Lumber, Stores Closing: 30
Sharper Image, Stores Closing: All Stores
Lillian Vernon, Stores Closing: filed for bankruptcy
Ethan Allan, Stores Closing: 12
Rite Aid, Stores Closing: 28
Sprint Nextel Corp., Stores Closing: 125
Movie Gallery, Stores Closing: 400
Saks, Saks Stores Closing: 1
Wickes Furniture, Wickes Furniture Stores Closing: 38
Circuit City, Stores Closing: filed Chapter 11
Eddie Bauer, Stores Closing: 27
Talbots, Stores Closing: 78
Charming Shoppes, Stores Closing: 150
Starbucks, Stores Closing: 100
Boston Market, Stores Closing: 50
Cost Plus World Market, Stores Closing: 18
Sigrid Olsen, Stores Closing: 54
Macy's, Stores Closing: 9
Kirkland's Home, Stores Closing: 130
CompUSA's, Stores Closing: 103
Rent-A-Center, Stores Closing: 280
Sofa Express, Stores Closing: 44
Levitz Furniture, Stores Closing: 76
Pep Boys, Stores Closing: 31
GAP, Stores Closing: 85
Bombay, Stores Closing: filed for bankruptcy
Disney, Stores Closing: 98
K B Toys Stores, Stores Closing: 356
Lowes, Stores Closing: 16

Just so you know, Callidora's has NO stores closing and will happily give a gift card/certificate. I'll also be happy to include gift wrap if you are sending to an alternate address.

My Interview!

Your SmallBiz Talk contacted me for an interview! Click here to read it.

There's a lot of great information on there for individual entrepreneurs and small businesses just starting up!

Your Favorite Thanksgiving Tradition

I'm curious about what others do for Thanksgiving. Leave me a comment with your favorite tradition - it doesn't have to be on Thanksgiving Day, maybe the day before or after. Maybe it's a certain side dish or an activity, whatever it is let me know. I think I have a little something to give away to a randomly chosen comment!

For those of you who receive this by email, please leave your comment on the blog itself rather than sending me a private email (unless of course, your story is long - then send me an email, but leave a small comment here on the blog).

Looking forward to hearing what you have to share :)

Giveaway Winner!

This month's Giveaway Winner is:

Shelley Krush

She is the winner of my Blue Flower/Polka Dot Full Size Apron!



If you didn't get your newsletter or want to sign up, please go to Callidora's to get registered for December's Newsletter!

City Crafts

The ladies over at City Crafts are very sweet! They are Indulge Me Sampler contributors.



I personally love the Autumn wreaths! But if you know me, that's not a surprise, is it? ;)

INDULGE ME Etsy Sampler Now Available

Here it is! The waiting is over :) The Indulge Me Sampler is now available - in it are things to warm your spirit and mind: Coffee, tea, chocolate, scented candle. Sit down in a quiet corner and sip on a cup of warm love and write your best friend a note of appreciation. Feel pretty with a hair pin and earrings; never lose your keys again. It's all here, little things to make life a little more pleasant.

Remember, there are only 10. Each item is handcrafted so what you see in the picture won't be the exact same item you get (unless you get that particular package!). Give yourself a gift, or lift the spirit of someone going through a rough time. Buy a package and split the items amoung several people as stocking stuffers.

Shipping is FREE within the US!

Dizz Demey Designs

Another talented person who creates with a variety of methods! Dizz Demey contributed to the Indulge Me Sampler:

Oh my!

Is this child deliciously GORGEOUS or what?!



Little Jillie is sporting her new earrings and a lovely hair bow by Celeste!

What's Her Name

Her name is Gayle and she is talented! She makes so many lovely little things in a variety of crafting. Her items are in the Indulge Me Sampler.

Halloween Pictures

Okay, I have to share some halloween pictures with you:
This is my sister's family. Aren't they cute - all themed up!


And Princess Jillie:


And here are my nutballs:

Made by Jackie!

These little items are so cute, I just couldn't pass them up! A Made by Jackie item is in the Pamper Me Sampler.

Thank You

America, for voting! For coming out in record numbers, for waiting in long lines, for being fed up enough to do something about it, and for believing that "Yes we can!" The road ahead is long, but now there is light at the end of it. Our new President-elect has called us to action. If you weren't involved in the campaigning, now is the time to get involved. If you were a McCain supporter, he has called you to action as well - to work together to make the change we all so desperately desire.

Our country was founded on revolution and the desire to create a flourishing environment for everyone, not just the nobles. We have become complacent and allowed "the nobles" to take over and force us into classes again. "We the people" means us - you and me, black/white, poor/middle class, single/married, whatever. We need to take it back, and now we have spoken and said that we do want to take it back. And now we have to follow through. Each of us in our own way can contribute to the cause of making this nation great again and bringing opportunity to everyone.

As for the Pro-Life vote, I just want to point out that a Republican vote for Pro-Life won't do anything to advance the cause. I am pro-life, and I mean that, not just anti-abortion which is what the Republican stance really is. Pro-life to me means respecting life from conception to natural death - that means not starting wars for oil. But I digress - I wanted to share with you a very enlightening interview with Judge Scalia on 60 Minutes that really made me see that voting Pro-Life as your only issue is simply a throw away vote.

"What is the connection between your Catholicism, your Jesuit education, and your judicial philosophy?" Stahl asks.

"It has nothing to do with how I decide cases," Scalia replies. "My job is to interpret the Constitution accurately. And indeed, there are anti-abortion people who think that the constitution requires a state to prohibit abortion. They say that the Equal Protection Clause requires that you treat a helpless human being that's still in the womb the way you treat other human beings. I think that's wrong. I think when the Constitution says that persons are entitled to equal protection of the laws, I think it clearly means walking-around persons,"

I find that interesting, that only walking-around persons are human. So death to the babies, the comatose, the mentally and physically challenged. To view the entire interview, click here. And I'd like to send you to one last article written about why Catholics can feel good about voting for Obama. Now granted, the vote is over, but for those of you who are "afraid" of what Obama years might mean to the socially conservative, this article may ease your pain a bit.

A new day has come and hope is on the way. For the first time in 7 years, I feel that 'yes we can' do it again. We can have the strength of the Reagan years and the prosperity of the Clinton years while building a clean environment and educating our children properly through the Obama years.

Thank you America for voting. Thank you Barack Obama for leading our people into a promising future. Thank you.

Stella Pearl

I am fascinated by fascinators! Okay, so I've been watching Clean House on the Style Network occassionally. Miss Niecy is sssoooooooo stylish with her flower for every outfit.

And then on this last season of Project Runway, Kenley Collins was wearing a flower or fascinator every time and she looked fabulous!

So, I decided to go on a flower/fascinator hunt and I found Stella Pearl! Not only did I buy enough of these flowers to fill my Pamper Me baskets, but I also bought 10 for myself. I wear them everyday now and I just love them!

Little Fox Rocks

Beautiful gemstone work. I love the chainmail necklace - oh hey, my birthday is next month!