Take 3: Handmade Scarves

(Scout and Catalogue, Didbug, Bluebirds Fly Boutique)  

Scarves are my favorite way to accessorize this fall.

I must confess I have bought 5 scarves in the last few weeks....(!!!) but don't worry, some are for gifts! ;)

I realized that each of them were either printed, bold colors, or striped. Its what I gravitate to I guess. What colors and prints make a regular appearance in your closet??

Also, little heads up! If you have a small business, I have some fun holiday gift guide news coming up so stay tuned! 

Take 3: Handmade Goods For You to Love

 Allisa Jacobs

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Blog | Shop

Katheyl Jewelry

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Shop | Facebook

Spool No. 72

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Shop | Blog | Facebook

I am sure you can agree that these lovelies leave you itching for spring! These are a few favorite shops loaded with goodness for you to check out! ....We got snow today, but I am hopeful its the last spell. This girl needs some sunshine ASAP!

In case you missed the facebook announcement, I have put all the Little Miss items on Spring Clearance! Also, I am giving away one of the Spring Line items on Pretty Life Anonymous:) Check out these fabulous fashionistas.

For those who observe the 40 days of Lent, Happy Ash Wednedsay! My little boy looks might cute in his ashes cross;)

A Be Mine Box for Husband

So if you may remember, husband and I like to hand make each other cards and such:) Its something I really look forward to. There is nothing more personal than a handmade or handwritten Valentine. Last night, he came out of our room where he had been secretly working on something for quite a while, and said with the saddest face I ever did see "I broke your Valentine"...it was so cute I had a hard time not giggling at him. My heart melted right then and there. He is trying hard!

Tips 2 Take With You: Product Pricing with Ashley Pahl

Ashley has a fantastic blog- Indie Pretty Projects dedicated to Indie Businesses and has a very helpful series with many more topics you may find helpful! I am so grateful for her being here today to share her tips with us!

When I first started selling my work online, I was drastically under-pricing my work. I was trying to be competitive with my pricing, thinking that people would be more likely to spring for a good deal; however, it didn't take long for me to realize that handmade shoppers will pay more for a nice, unique handmade product. A crafter's time is valuable, and they should pay themselves what they are worth.

 For handmade business owners, there seems to be a little bit of a struggle with pricing. They want to make their craft affordable to shoppers, but they want to pay themselves for their time. First, let's look at the top reasons for buying handmade: Handmade is quality, Handmade is unique, Buying handmade is important for supporting independent businesses. People shopping handmade usually aren't doing so because they think they can score a deal. Some handmade businesses will offer bargains, but that is the exception, not the rule.

(via yorktownroad)

Handmade business owners are trying to turn a profit, and they must price their products accordingly. Indie businesses must consider the following factors when pricing a product:

• cost of materials
• website fees
• time it takes to make that item and an hourly wage
• packaging
• any other unique costs

Sometimes handmade business owners do not pay themselves for their time because they want to keep prices affordable for shoppers. Crafters fear that if they charge too much, no one will buy their creations. The truth is, handmade items will sell if:

• there is a market for it
• no one else is making it
• it is the best product among the competition
• if the products are effectively marketed to the target audience
• if people trust the artist or business
• if the indie business has a great reputation

Many of those examples go hand-in-hand and cannot exist without another.

(via flapperdoodle)

Indie businesses who have a product that people want, and who have found their niche market, should never need to sell their products at a discounted rate. A simple way to make sure all of your bases are covered is to create a pricing formula unique to your own business.

1. determine the hourly rate you want to pay yourself
2. determine the cost of materials to make one item

A basic formula for pricing items is as follows:

• (hourly rate x time to make the item + cost of materials ) x 2 = wholesale price
• Retail price = wholesale price x 2

Multiplying by two to get the wholesale price is necessary to make sure all overhead, packaging, and website fees are covered. Wholesale is almost always half of retail price.
For example, let's say you want to pay yourself $18 an hour, you can make one necklace in 15 minutes and it costs $4 to make one necklace. Your pricing formula would look like:

($18 x .25 + $4) x 2 = $17 wholesale price

$17 x 2 = $34 retail price

*Remember: different crafters might require different formulas. This is a basic guideline, and it may need to be tweaked to your own specifications.


When a shopper is comparing two products, they look at the pictures, the description, the price, and the cost of shipping. They might look at feedback, too. An item that is priced much lower than the other might be perceived as being made with lower quality materials, or put together hastily. When someone is looking for a quality, unique gift, there's a good chance they could go with the higher priced item, based on the perceived value. If you take a look at some of the top sellers on Etsy, you will see that their items are not low-priced; they are charging what those items are really worth to make.


Here's the snag: if you know you are already paying yourself for your time and your items are priced fairly, this idea might not be for you. Shoppers can also recognize when an item is overpriced. If you are a crafter or artisan, do you use a formula to price your items? How do you balance paying yourself and making your items affordable to shoppers? What are your thoughts on raising prices when sales are stagnant?

Handmade Holiday Gift Guide: A Little Glamour and Glitz

1. Turquoise Big Bow Headband - The Artisan   2. Camelia Necklace - Anapinatelier

3. Serendipity Necklace - Days Gone Design   4. Mini Bow Shoe Clips - No.144

5. Georgia Satin Clutch - EmmaGordon  6. ipod sleeve - ellivenstudio

7. It's A Wrap Bracelet -LeeLaLa  8. Swap Flowers Brooch - Vadjutka Jewelry

Here is the last of the Handmade Holiday Gift Guides! 

THANKYOU to everyone who submitted their shops! Had so much fun!

* You could win #3 by entering the Make Your Day Designs giveaway! Check it out:)

P.S. This is the last weekend my shop will open before closing for the Holidays! I will be offering a weekend long sale! 20% off your entire purchase by entering HOLIDAY20 in the coupon code section. Have a wonderful December weekend!

Handmade Holiday Gift Guide: Papery Goodness

1. Special Delivery Tags - Snicklefritzandpj   2. Letter to Santa - Chickabug

3. Holiday Address Labels - BlushPrintables   4. Merry Christmas Stir Sticks - LemonandLavender

5. Note Card Series - And Everything Nice   6. A Gift for You Tags - thePrettyPaperie

7. Mae - Christmas Card - SimplyStated   8. Chic Personal Stationary - PixieChicago

9. Spool Trimmings - Hooray   10. 2011 Desktop Calendar - Grace Hester Designs

11. Smoking Hot Gent - LittleRetreats   12. Converse Save the Dates - Curtsy Invitations

Handmade, Affordable, and fun Papery Goodness for you to dive into!!! 

Visit these shops! You will <3 each and every one! 

Handmade Holiday Giveaway: Make Your Day Designs

I've had the pleasure of getting to know Colbey, the talent behind Make Your Day Designs. She creates beautiful step by step patterns that you can purchase online, and she also has finished products! Best of both worlds! She has generously offered the beautiful Serendipity Necklace and Bracelet Set! Handmade by Colbey with Vintage Italian Buttons!! Isn't is STUNNING?!

To Enter (must be a follower or subscriber of IHOD):

1) Visit her Finished Products Section and let us know which you are impressed by:)

Extra Entries (separate entry for each):

-Blog, Tweet, or Facebook about the Giveaway

*example tweet: Just entered the Handmade Holiday #Giveaway to win the Serendipity Set @inhonorofdesign.

- Subscribe to Colbey's blog

And the winner of the Gilded Bee Kit Giveaway......#70 Silenti Congratulations lucky girl! Please email me your mailing address:)

Gift Guide: Modern Mama Must Haves

Had to share you with you my personal top picks for the Modern Mama:)

1)  Mama's.Diaper.Bag - peacelovenpolkadots (every mama should have a fun diaper bag!)

2) Flannel Whale Sling - Mr & Mrs D'arcy (Going to be ordering one for my new baby)

3) Cassette Laptop Decal - Beepart (on my wishlist for jazzing up my work station)

4) Blanqi Bodystyler - Blanqi (I don't know what I would do without mine!)

Do you have any mama must haves? 

P.S. Its the last day to enter the Holiday Supreme Kit Giveaway from the Gilded Bee!

Handmade Holiday Gift Guide: Happy Home

1. Holiday Yarn Wreath - Lovely Nest   2. Dauville Gold Brushed Bowls - One Sydney Road 

3. Burlap Wine Bags - South House Boutique   4. Royal Purple Wallflowers - Lilac Saloon

5. Wall Key Hanger and Vase - Old NewAgain   6. Holly Berry Soy Candle - Candles By Nature

7. Modern Bird Dessert Pedestal - Burlap + Blue 8. Charcoal Grey Ruffle Pillow Cover - Hettle Creative

Hard to choose from so many beautiful home decor pieces. These are all affordable, unique, and handmade! So visit these lovely artists and check out their other goodies!

*I have the Holly Berry Soy Candle...it is DIVINE! It smells amazing!

*CLosed* Handmade Holiday Giveaway - The Gilded Bee

My crafty little heart went crazy when I found the Gilded Bee Shop. This one is for all you ladies who love to gift wrap, scrapbook, or make pretty presents:) Eat your heart out! This shop is loaded with goodies, and Sasha has offered a huge bundle to giveaway to an IHOD reader!

Here is a list of the kit goodies:

* 6 asst. trifle boxes

* Roll of scarlet ruffled crepe trim

* 15 ft. thick white cotton twine

* 15 ft. thick strawberry striped cotton twine

* 1 bouquet Cream petite millinery daisy flowers

* 1 bouquet Shell Pink petite millinery daisy flowers

* 6 ft. Silver sequin trim

* 6 ft. Gold sequin trim

* 3 ft. Silver tinsel trim

* 12 Golden yellow wallpaper medallions

* 12 red mod seals

* 12 chocolate bows

* 12 Scarlet tags

* 12 Aqua/ cream label tags

How to Enter (must be a subscriber or follower of IHOD):

1) Visit the Gilded Bee and leave a comment with your favorite items from her shop.

ADDITIONAL ENTRIES:

2) Blog, Tweet, or Facebook about the giveaway (separate comment for each).

example tweet: Just entered the @inhonorofdesign handmade holiday #giveaway from the Gilded Bee!

3) Add The Gilded Bee to Favorites on Etsy

4) Become a fan of IHOD on facebook 


Don't want to wait? She's having a Holiday Sale! You can stock up on supplies now:)

We have a lucky winner of the Lemon and Lavender Holiday Card Giveaway! #26 - Laure!!

Will be contacting you shortly! Thanks to all who entered!

Handmade Holiday Gift Guide: Little Finds

1. Eco Friendly Snack Sacs - Mels Sells  2. Handmade Elephant - Reverie Boutique

3. Posh Legs - Posh Pibsqueak   4. Moccasins - Freshly Picked

5. Crocheted Hat in Bright Pink - Handmade Creations   6. Baby Ballet Flats - Three Fish Shop

Crayon Wallet Travel Toy - Our Little Messes 8. Rockin Roller Tee - One Artsy Mama

This one was difficult to choose!! So many amazing little finds for kiddos and I want to buy them all!

Hope you enjoy the beautiful works of these handmade artists! 
Consider joining me in supporting the nations small businesses and shopping handmade for Christmas!

Handmade Holiday Gift Guide: Keeping Warm

1.  Bootcuffs - Laine Design   2. Spiral Flower Earwarmer - Yarn Twisted

3. Bow Hat - Laine Design   4. Cozy Mug Cuff - Knit Storm

5. Frilly Fingerless Gloves    6. Hand Crocheted Wristlets - Harvester Products

7. Classic Cowl - Taylor House  8. The Alice Cowl - Taylor House

A HUGE THANK YOU for all the handmade artists that contributed to the Handmade Holiday Gift Guide! I can't wait to share with you all the handmade goodies. Aren't these knitted items beautiful? Some fabulously fun ways to keep your loved one warm this winter.

Join me in supporting the handmade community this Christmas season:) 

And don't you think it makes the gift so personal??!

P.S. Last Day to enter the giveaway for the RikRak Studio Stockings! 

A new handmade giveaway will be announced after!

*CLOSED* Handmade Holiday Giveaway: RikRak Studio Stockings!

Doesn't just looking at these stocking get you merry and bright?!! RikRak Studio shop makes me want to gift everyone with a holiday stocking! K also has a fabulous blog with tons of fun things going on. GUESS WHAT?! This first Handmade Holiday Giveaway winner will get to choose ANY TWO Original or Specialty Stockings! (Value- 44$)

TO ENTER (must be a follower or subscriber of IHOD):

1.) Visit RikRak Studio and leave a comment with which stocking(s) you would choose!

2. Blog, Tweet, or Facebook about the giveaway (1 entry each-leave a separate comment)

*example tweet: Just entered the @inhonorofdesign #giveaway to win TWO stockings from @therikrakshop!

OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL READERS! GIVEAWAY ENDS MONDAY NIGHT at 10 PM!

Lastly, don't want to wait? K is making CUSTOM stockings for only one more week if you want to buy the perfect gift for the new niece or nephew, for Mom and Pop, etc. etc. etc. Contact her directly!

Submit your work to the Handmade Holiday Gift Guide!

As you know, I love to promote handmade artists and small businesses. So to help promote a Handmade Holiday, I will be featuring some of my favorite finds here:

If you have an item or two you would like to submit  for consideration please email high-res

photos and shop links to: anna@inhonorofdesign.com with "Handmade Gift Guide" as the subject.

*Please include in the email the categories you would like your items to be considered for. 
(All sponsors automatically will receive features.)

Artistry Feature - Repurposed and Handcrafted Wood

(via - HalfPintSalvage)

(via - Uncommon)

(via - MemoryBeanDesigns)

I have a big appreciation for hand crafted and re-purposed wood. It is something I wish I had more time to do! Here are a few flawless and fabulous examples I found through etsy!

Also, thank you to the lovely Beth of Hello Splendor for including me in the The Splendid List: 4th of July! Head on over and check out the other fabulous ladies in this post!

Friday Style: Fun and Unique Finds!

Fun and Unique Finds for Your Friday!

Clockwise from top left:

Purple Dress with Dusty Pink Swan Applique 

Be My Valentine Big Brother Tie Applique T 

Valentine Organic Wrist Warmers 

Ride Together T-Shirts 

Metallic Linen Zip Pouch 

Umbrella Skirt *1 Flower 

What are your plans for the weekend? My sister and her fiance are coming to visit! He just got back from Afghanistan and they are getting married in April so there is much to celebrate!

Weekend Recap

I didn't want my weekend to end! It went by so fast. Just a small recap: went to a football game, met some new friends, made some incredible stamp calendars at a class with my sister, celebrated a birthday, tried to get things ready for the upcoming craft fair, and did some Christmas shopping....HANDMADE of course;) For instance,

I bought this adorable burlap wine bag from Frenchie and Flea

I also got these lovely bags and tags from Hooray Design Shop to use for packaging some of my items for this weekend's craft fair:)

Will be sure to share some more Christmas Shopping finds soon! Looking for a great advent calendar...any suggestions???