Flowers are in my future . . .

Well, I have returned to making boxes with flowers on them.  I sure change alot, don't I?  I tried making some more boxes covered with fabric, but I just didn't think they looked very good. . . especially when one of the ladies at a Wellness Center where I put the boxes out to sell  told me they didn't look up to my usual high quality. I threw the boxes away (saving the hardware of course).  So much for making fabric covered boxes.  What I did next was to analyze what types of boxes I have sold the most of over the past year, and boxes with flowers on them won hands down.  So . . .  I am making more "flower boxes".  I made the box pictured above yesterday and today to get me back in the swing of things.  I don't think it turned out too bad, do you? Earlier this year I made two larger boxes with this theme on them and sold both of them, so I figured it wouldn't hurt to make some more of them.  Time will tell, though.  I listed the box in my Etsy Shop and hope to sell it soon.  I am only asking $25 for it which I think is a reasonable price considering how much work went into making it.  I am working on a blue box about the same size that I am thinking about putting Morning Glories on.  But that may change, as I do alot of stuff on the spur of the moment without alot of planning.  I will post a photo of it when it is done in a day or two.

I'm Going in a New Direction

I am excited about the new direction I've decided to go with my boxes.  Namely, doing them with fabric and embellishements to make each one a very special, one of a kind creation. The jewelry box above is my first attempt. I hope you like it.  My wife knows alot about fabric and she has been a big help in its selection. The box above is now for sale in my Etsy Shop, so go there if you want to see more pictures of it, or read about the boxes special features.  I truly want to create boxes that are heirloom quality -- that can be passed on from generation to generation.  I put alot of thought and work into creating these boxes and I hope that my customers will see that in them.  If you have a second or two, I'd appreciate any comments you may make on this box.

Message about sending Emails

I still have not figured out how to respond or send emails to people who make comments on my posts.
I received an inquiry from someone names Momcat who asked if I sell my boxes but I could not figure out how to send her an email answering her question.  So, I will answer it here in this post.  Yes, I sell most of the boxes I show in my blog...they are in my Etsy shop (see link at right of this page).  I offered a coupon giving a discount to people who go from my Blog and buy from my Etsy shop. The coupon code is in one of the posts below . . . check it out if you are interested in buying a box you see.

A Bunch of Grapes Box . . .

My daughter made a couple suggestions on the lid to this box and I am posting a picture of it here for her to see how well it came out.  I still have to paint the sides to this box, but I think the lid is done . . . at least I am not going to mess with it anymore.  I'll be interested in your comments Val.

I've discovered Folk Art . . .

I just created this box using a new Folk Art style that I discovered recently.   I am really excited about the style.  It isn't limited just to fruit, but to a whole range of Country Folk Art themes, like roosters and birds and country houses, etc.  I plan to try my luck with as many different styles as I can.  The box pictured above isn't finished yet -- I still need to affix the hardware and line it, but I thought I would post it here on my blog for all to see.  It isn't really a jewelry box. ( I don't know how many women would want fruit on their jewelry box.)  So, I am just going to sell it as a Folk Art Box and let the buyer do with it want he or she wants.

A Floral Box . . .

My daughter wanted to know what I have been making lately, so I am posting a picture here of my latest box creation.  I made it last week, but didn't post a picture of it until today.  It was a fun box to paint and I just hope that someone buys it who really likes it.  It is listed in my Etsy Shop and is now for sale.

I'm trying something new . . .

Last night, I attended my first woodcarving class.  Yep, woodcarving.  I have never done any of that in my entire life, but thought I would give it a try.  This feather is my first attempt.  I know it isn't much, but I am proud of it.  I also started work on a buzzard, but I don't think I am going to finish it, because it is way too hard for my skill level.  I don't think I am going to sell my wood carvings, but just do it for fun.

I'm making stuff again besides boxes . . .

Yes, it has finally happened. I have set aside making boxes for awhile and have started to make some other stuff to sell. I made two of these lawn chairs yesterday and all they need is painting to finish them off. My mother said she wants to paint them, so I may just let her do it. (She does pretty good for an 81 year old!!)

These chairs are pretty easy to make, but as lazy as I have been lately, they are a real project for me to work on. They aren't a real fast seller -- at least they haven't been in the past, but at least they are something for me to set out by the side of the road and attract customers.

I was getting pretty sick of making boxes. Besides, they don't sell all that well, even though I did get an order last week for three boxes from a lady who visited my Etsy shop. She was very nice and I really appreciated her order. I don't get nice orders like that very often, so her business was greatly appreciated.

I haven't much else to write about today. I plan to make a small table to go with the chairs I made. It is easier to sell a set of furniture rather than just a chair or two. I have made the mistake of giving the tables away as a way to close sales. I cannot afford to do that anymore. I will keep close tabs on my costs for the table and mark it up a little so I don't lose money on it. Too often I tend to be Mr Niceguy and end up giving my stuff away. I need to be a little more hard nosed, I think, and make a little profit on what I make.

A Personal Word from Me . . .

I think I've been focusing this blog a little too much on my Etsy Shop lately. Sorry about that. I just wanted to build up sales in my shop and thought my blog readers might want to go there and buy something. I'll try to be a little less "Etsy Fanatical" in the future.

I'm kind of jealous of my daughter's blog though. She writes such interesting posts and puts in such imaginative photos. I think I focus too much on making money. That's me however. I like to make money with my crafts and creations. I have no use for tons of boxes or footstools sitting around the house -- so I have found it best for me to create things and then sell them. That way I can enjoy the creative process and make a little money to boot. Maybe you feel the same about crafting as I do. If you do, I'd love to read your comments.

Discount Etsy Coupon for Visitors to this Blog

If you go to my Etsy Shop and make a purchase, you can get a 10% DISCOUNT on your order by entering the following coupon code when you make the purchase: BOBSBLOG41

This coupon discounts the cost of the item only and does not discount shipping. Coupon may be applied to sale items for additional savings. Coupon is good for a limited time and will expire at midnight February 29, 2011, so if you want to buy something from my shop, take advantage of this discount now.

Thanks for coming to my blog and hope to do business with you at Etsy.

Just sold a custom box on Etsy

I have been spending alot of time refining and learning how to do my Etsy Shop lately. One thing that I've found is that there are alot of people who want custom orders. The box above is a custom order that a lady in Kansas ordered from me last week. She wanted this particular type of flower on the box, and I worked out a pleasing design for her, that she liked. She was giving the box to her mother-in-law as a gift. I had fun doing the box, and it was kind of a challenge to come up with a pleasing design. Fortunately, she gave me free reign to come up with a pleasing design and didn't put a whole lot of restrictions on me. She was very easy to work with and I hope we do business again someday. If you are interested in a special design, convo me at my Etsy shop and let's discuss what you want.