celebrate!

Last week was nothing short of amazing.

I not only opened my online shop – I sold three items total! In addition to celebrating the success of my shop, I was able to celebrate the 4^th of July with new friends. My roommate and I found ourselves at the outlet mall, a barbeque, and a beautiful fireworks show with some of the most wonderful people you could meet.

My weekend ended with a bit of down time and time spent at the cutting table (aka. my bedroom floor) I created a brand new clutch pattern this weekend and I cannot WAIT to post new items. In addition, I also have a new tote pattern – so cute!

Oh! I almost forgot! In the midst of all the excitement last week, my lovely roommate decided to email some of her friends who publish a popular fashion blog about my work. When I woke Thursday morning, I found my sunshine yellow Ruby clutch on their July 3rd post!

Be sure to check out their site at www.loveitalot.com

A red letter day

What could possibly make my amazing week even MORE amazing?

A second sale!!!

Today I sold my second item on Etsy - the Ruby clutch made from beautiful Amy Butler fabric :)

While at work today, I opened my inbox to find the best email an Etsy seller could get – ‘Congratulations! You’ve made a sale!’ I nearly fell out of my chair when I read those words! Once I recovered, I had to stifle the high pitch girlie squeal that was creeping up from my lungs and convince myself that the office was not an appropriate place for cheesy, celebratory dance moves.

I immediately ran out of the office to call the one person who I wanted to share my news with the most – my mama! My mother has always been an incredible supporter of every crazy craft venture I have decided to follow. An insanely crafty woman herself, my mother’s style has always been an inspiration for my work – clean, simple, elegant, classy.

Speaking of classy looks – I just purchased yards and yards of beautiful new fabrics from some of my favorite designers today! If you love deep, rich hues of plum, olive, blue, and orange, you’ll love the new prints I have!

That's all for now - keep viewing my Etsy website for new items soon!

first sale!

Guess who’s having the best week ever?!

A little after 24hrs of opening my shop and posting my first items, I made my first sale!!!! I sold my cherry red Marie tote :) Yeah!

I also had my first business class last night – and not your ordinary business class, but one specifically for independent, crafty, indie business owners! Taught by my new found idol, Jennifer Perkins, I learned tons of stuff about starting a business, marketing my products, etc! It was so overwhelmingly wonderful – I left and my head was swimming with new ideas!

I’m having an amazing week – and its only Wednesday! :)

I hope to have new bags made by the beginning of next week – be on the lookout! www.austinnicole.etsy.com

its official

Today I officially opened my online shop at etsy.com & I couldn’t be happier! I’ve been working on this project now for a little over a year – experimenting with patterns, buying fabric, drawing up designs for my online shop and learning as much as I can about running an online business.

With TONS of help from my friends & family, everything has fallen into place. From marketing advice to photography to creative inspiration and countless words of encouragement, my friends and family have supported me in every way imaginable.

I started this project so that I could share with others what my grandmother shared with me. The art of making handmade items takes time – takes patience – takes love.

I love sewing. I love crafting. I love sharing with others my passion for creating.

My grandmother made over 100 quilts in her lifetime – and the same patient hands that patched together each quilt, guided my hands over so many wonderful projects.

I hope that I can share with you what my grandmother shared with me -

Love.