Westmama Designs

Bargains, Sales, Clearance… Oh My!

Westmama — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:26:04 +0000

Bargain Hunting PDX is on Feb 5th from noon to 5. It will be HUGE! For real if you are wanting the BEST selection of indie/handmade wares in Portland come to this event. I have “liked” their Facebook page and everyday they are featuring vendors. I am sooooo impressed with who will be there.

I will be selling my stuff there at low, low, low prices. Seeing how good the crop of artists attending I will be also bringing some first run items selling for low prices too. Most of my items will be 40-70% off.

Valentines Gifts For Him

Westmama — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:59:29 +0000

My husband is the hardest guy to shop for. He let me off the hook this year, we are only making presents… our gift to each other is our new hardwood floors, bedroom carpet and sectional sofa. But those cover our gifts for the entire year. Ah the joys of remodeling.

Here are some gifts for the man in your life. Since I’m a geek and am married to a geek, this gift guide has a definite slant.

1. Red-Tailed Hawk Canvas Tote Bag, $26.00 Westmama Designs

2. Western TV Tray, $30, House 8810

3. Retro Magazine Rack, $58, BellaLulu

4. Fine Wool Men’s Underwear, $50, Satoria

5. You’re Neat Valentine’s Card–Whiskey, $3.50, Westmama

Moving things around!

Westmama — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 19:58:43 +0000

Some changes will be happening to my Etsy store… mostly it will be scaled back and focus more on my personalized products. I am doing this because I need to work on growing my business out side of Etsy and keeping my most popular items on Etsy is preventing me from doing that.

First of all when you sell a lot on Etsy it can be expensive. Like $70-$100 a month. So yes I had an amazing December, I also paid them a lot of money. I already pay for and host a stand alone website… so I am moving my more popular items to my website.

I also have a retail stores I stock. I’d like to do more. I get inquiries frequently but I’ve been not able to offer the customer service to them that I’d like because I’m really busy on Etsy. So my goals this year are to able to service my retail stores better– add more (so if you are interested in consignment or wholesale let me know). And to do more craft show and art fairs. One a month would be ideal.

I will be doing giveaways and contests. So lots of fun changes.

Come Shop With Me!!

Westmama — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 16:40:09 +0000

Guides Galore!

Westmama — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 19:53:02 +0000

Two of my favorite items in my shop and my two newest items have been featured in two notable gift guides. (lot’s of twos in that sentence)

Recently I acquired some lovely toddler cardigan sweaters from American Apparel. Working with my favorite models I snapped some quick pics of them before listing them in my store.

The cardigans have been a HUGE hit, they will sell out quickly. Partly thanks to a big feature in an Etsy Gift Guide.

Another instant hit in my shop is my Chrysanthemum Cotton Canvas Tote Bag.

Lucky for me the editor of Shopping’s My Cardio (a popular shopping and fashion blog) featured this bag in her Cheap Thrills Gift Guide (gifts under $30).

I’m thrilled for the mentions!

Personalized Gift Bags

Westmama — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 16:44:07 +0000

Just in time for the holiday season. Personalize your holiday gift packaging. You can find them in my Etsy store www.westmama.etsy.com

Advent Calendar Using My Silhouette Cameo

Westmama — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 16:13:52 +0000

Advent calendar time again. Last year’s advent calendar was fine, it was just too focused on the little gifts and not on capturing the spirit of the season. On Pinterest I came across this blog post. Inspired I decided to do my own take on it.

I used my Silhouette Cameo to make some envelopes and used the vinyl cutter to make my numbers. I made the envelopes business card size so I could just use some of those Avery printable business cards you can get at the grocery store.

I tried hanging it on the wall, but it seemed too formal.

The window in our kitchen nook seemed like the more accessible place for it.

For the cards, I just hand wrote the activities and will place them in a few days at a time. In Oregon we get a lot of rain and some of the activities depend on weather.

Here’s my advent list:

Buy a Christmas tree
Decorate Tree
Read Elf On The Shelf
See Zoo Lights
Unwrap/Read Christmas Book
Make cookies
Make Dough Ornaments
Paint Ornaments
Make Yarn Tree/Balls
Unwrap/Read Book
Sledding at Mountains
Holiday Party
Draw Pictures of Santa
Unwrap/Read Christmas Books
Go see Christmas lights
Read about the birth of Jesus
Buy toys for charity
Take toys to charity
Make gift for teachers
Watch Christmas Movies
Make hot chocolate w/marshmallows for breakfast with special treat
Write a letter to Santa
Go see Santa
Go see Daddy at work
Sing Christmas songs
Unwrap/Read Christmas books
Unwrap/Read Christmas books
Unwrap/Read Christmas books

Crafy Underdog Dec 18th

Westmama — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 00:09:20 +0000

Just in time for Christmas, Westmama Designs will be at Craft Underdog!

Two years ago…

Westmama — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 21:28:34 +0000

I met one of the most splendid people… my daughter Mabel. She came into this world in the basement of our house in a quiet and peaceful birth. She waited until she was ready, but once she decided to come she did so without much fuss. Her big brother met her minutes after and they’ve been best friends ever since.

Today we celebrated her birthday at an indoor play gym. Lovely people, good cake and lots of play made for a wonderful birthday.

Because this was so much fun to do, I did one for West even though his birthday isn’t for another 2 months.

Free Printable Owl Invitations

Westmama — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 15:28:50 +0000

My daughter is turning 2 in a couple of weeks and I have birthday invites on the brain. I created these cute invites and thank you cards and wanted to share them with you all.

Click here to get your printables

(these are flat note cards, with 4 on a page, I recommend a nice card stock)