It is finished.
Not really – it has only just begun.
Some of you may have noticed I haven’t been around the blogosphere much lately.
Because all I’ve done to get ready for Christmas is throw some lights up for decoration without starting to shop…
Because things are crazy at work, what with staff changes and my debilitating concerns about the downturn in the economy…
Because my creative mental well has run dry and I have been shamefully neglecting my own blog as well as my wonderful, fellow-bloggers…
Because I’m in the middle of an epic midlife crisis that has me waking up in the wee, small hours of the morning to question my very existence…
Because I’ve got all this other stuff going on…I thought this would be the perfect time to start a side business!
I recently confessed my deep, dark secret; that I have crafty tendencies. Now I’m taking crafty to the next level.
If you’re not familiar with Etsy, crawl out from that rock you’ve been living under and check out the world’s largest marketplace for handcrafted items. From high art to kitschy crafts, with some vintage stuff thrown in, Etsy has it all as far as one-of-a-kind items. All that fabulous just got kicked up a notch with the addition of one more shop – mine.
I am proud to announce the grand opening of my online Etsy shop, peep
I have been into reusing and re-purposing since my first foray into a thrift shop in Ann Arbor Michigan when I was a starving college student, 30 years ago. My boyfriend was going to take me to a swanky restaurant for a special occasion; I had nothing to wear and almost no money. I went to Second Hand Rose, snagged a vintage, little black dress and coat and I’ve never looked back.
I bought my kids’ clothes, much of our furniture and most of our house wares at resale shops and they are still my favorite places to shop. To me a thrift store is like a box of chocolates – you never know what you’re going to find! The greatest thing about them is that one person’s castoffs can become someone else’s useful treasures – out of the landfill and into a good home.
I’ve always loved real fabrics: silk, cotton, wool…especially wool. The warmth, the rich colors, the luxurious, honest feel to the hand – all appeal. Ironically, I could never wear wool, angora or mohair as a kid or young adult. I had ultra-sensitive skin and just being near them made me break out in hives. Now these are my working materials of choice.
Although I love fashion, I don’t want to look exactly like everybody else. For me, vintage and one-of-a-kind, artisan-made goods make you stand out from the crowd in a good way. I believe you don’t have to look like a model to have style.
Let’s add this up:
Love of real materials
+ well-developed shopping gene
+ thriftiness
+ hate waste
+ want to be unique
+ creative impulses
peep
peep is about accessories for people and their homes. I handcraft all with re-purposed materials, primarily wool, angora and cashmere. Most fabrics and many trims are vintage, although pillow forms and poly-fill are all new and unused.
I decided to list my things with Etsy to reach a wider audience, following in the footsteps of my blogging friends and talented artists Sandy Sue (mixed media greeting cards like Hallmark WISHED they could make) and Spectra (one-of-a-kind, tiny clay sculptures).
This business is time consuming, so I’ve only been able to put a fraction of my stuff online yet. It’s still a work in progress and more will be added daily. I haven’t figured out how to calculate international shipping, so I’m just shipping to the USA for now.
If the spirit moves you, check out the shop. If you like something, buy it. Tell your friends. Did I mention that Christmas is coming?
OK, this marks the end of the shameless self-promotion. I’ll post a link to peep on the sidebar for future reference, but on this blog I promise a return to crafting with (largely irreverent) words which you’ve come to love and expect (????).
Peg-o-Leg's Ramblings 
Cute shop! Best of luck 😀
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Thanks, Nicki!
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peep!
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You’re so cute when you go all chicken on me.
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Good for you, Peg! Go get ’em. Good luck!!
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Thanks Misty – I should have my head examined for starting this.
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Well, I think it’s a great idea.
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Thanks – let’s hope the buying public agrees.
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Oh, Peg, I’m so proud of you! I’m thrilled when anyone figures out a way to make a little money doing something they love. Best of luck!!
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Thanks, Lisa. I have high hopes! If nothing else, it keeps me off the streets at night.
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We’re all thankful for that!
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Ditto-peep, peep–very cute name! I have bookmarked it.
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Beautiful things and I love how green you are!
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Thanks so much!
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Thanks Georgette. I’m like Little Bo Peep with the wool, get it? get it?
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Great shop, peg! I’m debating that cashmere pillow… I’m on the cusp of starting a vintage etsy/ebay store myself. Got the merchandise, got the name, but something I can’t put my finger on is holding me back and it’s annoying me to pieces.
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Go for it! I’ve been in that same place for a while and finally just decided to do this damn thing.
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awesome!!! good for you 🙂
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Thanks, Jenny!
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Yea!!!!! Okay. I’m not saying much here because I AM DYING to go check out the shop!! This is fantastic, Peggles. Truly.
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Thanks Jules. If I put as much effort into my vocations as I did to my avocations I’d be rich by now. Ah well, life is for living, nest pa? (I can’t remember how to spell that Frenchie expression – sorry).
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Psst, Peg . . . n’est pas. 😉
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Thanks, Ms. Answer-person. I typed that at first, then became convinced there was a “ce” in there somewhere. Always I torpedo myself…
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I just figure if I stalk everyone’s comments today, I won’t have to actually get to this monstrous pile of work sitting in front of me on my desk. So far it’s been a raving success!! Yay me.
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That’s a great recipe for success in life – always set the targets within reach. My person target is to get as many glasses of cheap Muscato into myself 2 hours from now as possible, while avoiding any nasty consequences in the morning. I think I’m going to ace this goal.
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Thanks for the plug, PeggyPeeps.
Just peeped into your shop – really nice colors and items and your pics look good, too. I favorited a few things, so my followers will catch a peek now too, which hopefully results in their followers seeing them and favoriting and so on and so on. It works well for me anyway; someone will favorite an item, then more favorites from their people suddenly happen and then a magical sale!
As for calculating overseas shipping, I admit to just guessing at first, losing $$, but the more sales I have overseas the better I get at estimates. You have to take those down to the post office. ALSO!!! your regional post office gives classes to beginning online small buisness owners so we can learn all of that. Offering international shipping has worked out very well. I’m talking India, Japan, Germany, Austrailia, France, England and Spain have all come in thru my virtual shop door.
Have fun and good luck!!! And don’t expect to get much writing done – fair warning 😉
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Your stuff is so great. How’s your shop going for you? I used to sell on Ebay back in my antique/collectible days, and I just remembered how much I disliked all the mailing stuff. But overseas is going to be necessary, isn’t it?
I must admit I’m not that familiar with Etsy. I signed up 2 years ago and bought 2 things on the site, but I still don’t know about the circles and the followers and the squares and what-all that means. So thanks for the Etsy shout-out – I appreciate it!
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Peg – I favorited your shop, and I will “convo” you from this point on, much like a blogger comment, but ‘behind the wall’ messaging, like Facebook. Keep asking questions, I will tell you all I’ve learned and it will hopefully quicken much of your Etsy learning curve 😉
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As soon as I figure out what all that means, I’m sure I’ll be very grateful!
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“convo” is the Etsy messaging system – notifications appear at the top of your page atop the tiny envelope Icon 🙂
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Nah, you don’t have to offer overseas – it just helps to make an extra sale here and there. Many crafters only offer shipments within the USA.
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Peggolicious! You did it! I am so proud of you. Your site looks fabulous! And you must have sold a bunch of your treasures at the last craft fair ’cause I didn’t see some of the items we saw last month. Now you’ll have to make more items! At least you will make money on the Peep shop, as compared to the pennies rolling in from your blog ad. 🙂
Really gorgeous items and presentation. I am so jealous, in a nice way, of course 🙂
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Thanks Miss Tar-Buns. No, I didn’t sell all that stuff..I just haven’t had the time to write the descriptions, post the photos, calculate the shipping, etc. etc. This is all the stuff I am now remembering I HATED when I was selling on Ebay. Ah well.
Thanks for the kind words of jealousy, but I should have my head examined. Sometimes I feel like a frog trying to swim in a big, glass jar of milk, not getting anywhere, nowhere to rest, pumping its legs until it’s in danger of drowning. Just when it’s at the end of its strength and is about to go under the surface, it feels a solid little island under its weary legs. All that churning turned the milk to butter.
There’s a moral to that story. Somewhere – can’t remember where.
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Ha Ha!!! 🙂
Yes, you are always busy, you crafty lady.
The frog story was … interesting, and different. But I get the moral of the story. Keep moving/running/doing and eventually you will have something to ‘stand’ on.
Just how I’ve felt the past few weeks with my work. Whew…..
Guess I need to think about what I can do on the side for a new direction and potential monetary income. Hmmm……
Smooches,
T-Berry
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Ooh! this is so cool, Peg! Good for you. I can’t wait to check it out now. How you find the time is beyond me. Remember to breathe now and again, ok? (and maybe stick around and write more? hmm??)
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Yeah, I’m a real overachiever, unlike some people who sit around on their back-ends, merely being Mommy to two, young children and TAKING ON ANATOMY for goodness gracious’ sake!!!!
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Fantastic! Going to check out your stuff now! Don’t forget, you have a post to write for me next year! LOL! No stress. 😉
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I DID forget Ms. Nay – thanks for the reminder. I have been so MIA lately I don’t know what I’m doing.
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Wait. Whaaaaat? Didn’t you have some felted pins or something? Or a felted hat with some felted thing on it that looked like a flower? Cuz I need that. I know I could have requested an item on the etsy page, but I thought it would be nice to give you an extra stat here. Plus I’m serious. Plus, I think you should totally have a giveaway to introduce the world to your store. Hello? I’m happy to host! (The only problem is, we’d have to rig it so I can win. You know how I am about winning.) 😉
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I DO have that stuff. Just haven’t gotten around to listing it yet. Giveaway? You are one smart cookie – all that beauty and brains, too! OK, let me think about this.
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Giveaway or not, I really want one of those pin things.
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Pin things have just arrived at the Etsy shop. You’re welcome.
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I’m thrilled! Yay, you! I know it will be time-consuming but it will also be fun. And a creative outlet does so much good for one’s soul. I know that! I love your shop. I’ll be over there picking out something lovely and soft and cuddly.
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Thanks! Those of us who can’t paint like mad fiends like some OTHERS of us, must find our creative outlets where we may.
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Oh, my goodness. I avoided this post for a day or two because I was just sure it was about Peeps – you know, the marshmallow hideous candy thingies.
I love your shop. Good luck with the Etsy shop. I love your repurposed stuff. (I loved Second Hand Rose, as well).
I think I still have an Etsy store….I’m going to have to check. I know I don’t have anything for sale right now – just too busy since we moved to Florida.
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I didn’t know you had a store. What’s it all about, Katy? And ix-nay on the marshmallow peeps – that’s the only food in the sweets category that I can’t stand.
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I know…tack!!!
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Thrift stores are the best! I’ve been doing most of my shopping there lately. No sense in buying new and paying much more.
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I’m with you – just happy now it’s cool to be cheap!
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Oh, goody! I have to go look! Good for you, Peg!
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Thanks, Patti.
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Off to peruse. Good luck on your new endeavor.
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Thanks so much, Valentine.
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You had me at “peep”. Against my better judgment, I’m going to tell my wife about this.
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What, you mean you’re not personally in the market for hand-knit tea cozies? You’re not the man I thought you were, Al.
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I hope you get millions of ‘Peeps’, Peg!
Er… that… probably sounded… well… I mean… this was intended as encouragement and a compliment… er… wait… what?!
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That’s how I took it, SIG. Encouraging compliment!
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You crafty gal. I wish I had your Martha Stewart gene. Where do you find the time? May you have the best Christmas ever. And “Peep” for many more years.
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“Martha Stewart gene”- ha ha! I’ve been looking for that all my life. Now that I’ve got this crafty endeavor going, I have no time to do anything to my own, poor house or wardrobe. Fail.
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Cute stuff!
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I like the fingerless gloves!
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Thanks, Thoughtsy. I like my gloves WITH fingers, but my kids said they need their fingers free for computing. It’s a generational thing, no doubt.
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Huzzah! I can’t wait to browse and feel the cashmere!
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Hey Sandy, I hope you got some visits to your Etsy site from my link. And, hope visits turn into sales for you!
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Congratulations, Peg! As the unofficial webmaster for our online store, I know how much work goes into setting up the shop. Shipping costs estimated up front… wha’? Heading over to check it out now. I hope you make lots of sales and fuel your creative flames even more. 🙂
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Thanks Dana. I went with Etsy because I figured it was worth the cost to have a preset venue, but it was STILL way too complicated to figure out. Do you have good success with your online store? Do you have a link on your blog?
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We had an Etsy store but ended up switching to a place called Big Cartel instead. Our items weren’t “Etsy” enough I suppose (mostly prints vs. original items), and we were getting lost in the gigantic craft market.
The main downside we found with Etsy was that people had to have an Etsy account to make purchases. For some reason, our customers weren’t on Etsy already and found it a hassle to sign up to purchase a $20 print or something. With Big Cartel, they can just add an item to their cart and pay. No obstacles to us taking their money! 🙂
Big Cartel does have a free option (i.e. no monthly fees) for stores with 10 items or less, I think, but the option we have is a flat monthly rate. We started with a $10 monthly rate for I forget how many items, but now we’re with the Mother Plan (paying $30 every month to list up to 300 items.) We haven’t had a problem covering the cost of the monthly fees (and then some) through our online sales, but it took a while for us to generate a big enough online presence for people to know where to find us. (And it still takes a ton of work to set up. I wanted to die when I was putting everything together initially, but now it’s really easy to update and maintain.)
Sorry for the super long comment. If you wanted to check out our online store, it’s here: http://martycultural.bigcartel.com We also have links to specific products through our main website here: http://www.martycultural.com Oh, technology…
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