Monday, February 9, 2009

Gettin' down to Business???

Growl!!!!!!!!!!!! Been fighting this new camera long enough. All of the pictures of the two spring outfits I have shown here were taken with the same lighting and camera settings...so why the uneven quality??? This was supposed to be a LOW overhead start up so that the maximum amount of money could go to an account to provide aid to Mari's birthfamily and help with shipping all the shoes I'm collecting down to Guatemala! The labels came and were reasonably priced..... I have feelers out to get this boring Blogspot template BLINGED and hope to find a reasonably priced geek/graphic designer who can get an eBay template designed as well! The photography is just sooooo sub-par and I know it's the CHEAP, CHEAP camera I bought to replace the fatally dropped Olympus. I just do not know how I can justify getting the $800 Sony that has given me a huge case of 'camera envy'???? That kind of money would take a powerful lot of sewing to earn and then there is none left in the bank to use for aid!! Guess until that problem works itself out I'll have to keep getting bottom dollar on eBay :( Big favor of my blog friends....can those of you who have little girls offer up opinions on what type of unique clothes on which I should concentrate my time and attention? Please feel free to pass on my link to any friends you know who buy this kind of custom sewing for their children so I can get their input too!! Up until know I've gone for the super fast and easy holiday outfits with the thinking that since I know I can't command top dollar at this time at least I can go for quantity. So far, they've almost all sold but not for enough over costs to realize much change in the "Guatemala Account". These are the two latest creations. This first is typical of what I've been doing up until now...a pillowcase style top with little matching capris($25-$40 depnding on fabric selection and size). I use all cotton when I can find it but I do also use cotton/poly when the print is super cute. All of my seams are serger finished. This 'Cute as a Cupcake' dress also is fully lined and has a sewn in eyelet slip(This one is a size 3 and I'm hoping for $40). My appliques are done with a real satin stitch! I can do matching bows too but must admit I'd rather be sewing than fighting with ribbons :)! This is the 'kitchen' that Mari's birthmother cooks in.... ...and this is the 'house' that they call home!! I have a strong emotional need to try and ease the hardship of their daily life! How much can I take from the third world in my selfishness without giving anything in return?? Sewing may not be the avenue that brings me the financial resources I need to help them but for right now it is what I have to offer. Since I am looking for honest constructive advise I'd ask everyone to look at what I've been posting on eBay. My eBay id is Drsilk1. Bring it on!!! Because I'm itching to start a little Easter outfit with this fabric!!

7 comments:

  1. Keep your chin up, it's going to work out!! I'm sending on the link to everyone i know who has a little girl!! Hopefully it'll bring forth a lot of orders!!

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  2. What are the prices of these items? Daphne

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  3. Thanks for asking because it shows me another weak spot in my 'business plan'..hah! The Cute as a Cupcake is a size 3 and I was hoping to get $40 for this style. The pillowcase holiday outfits run $25-$40 depending on size and fabric.

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  4. I know a little about photography. What kind of camera do you have? I have a cheap Olympus point and shoot and it takes almost as good pictures as my Olympus Digital SLR. It could just be that your lighting is off slightly. Try to get as much natural light as you can - take the pictures next to a window if possible. Indoor lighting is never as good as natural light. If you can, even try to take the pictures outside. Sorry if I'm telling you something you already know. :) I know Vanessa (she sent me to your site) and I see the problem you're having with the pics. You're right, the quality of the pics could affect the selling price on e-bay. Hope you're able to correct that and get top dollar! I'm going to e-bay now... -Dawn

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  5. Dawn, Thank you for the advise! My Olympus is sorely missed! I was strapped right before Christmas when it died but did not want to miss any holiday pics so I bought a Polaroid i835 that was being clearanced at Target...stupid!! I remember having success with my Halloween costumes when I photo'd them outside but here in the northern midwest it is still quite chilly...okay darn cold!! Guess I'll be bundling up!

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  6. Hey girl I like the cupcake dress...Have you seen Kya on my BLOG in the one piece Mickey Head Pink and White Polka Dot outfit...You should make some of those...that is my FAV outfit on Kya...and Mickey Head stuff is hard to find...beleive me...My mom makes us all custom shirts for our Disney trips but can't make the little one piece out fit. Shoot me and Email and I will send you a few new ideas I got from my friend...cmurnan@itxnetwork.com

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  7. Well you know Suzanne that I LOVE your outfits since I've already bought quite a few!!!! I really liked the ones that I got for Valentines DAy but they're bigger than they are right now but I'm sure they'll fit by summer.

    I always look online and I like the pillowcase/capri outfits but I can't seem to find ones that don't remind me of pajama's!!! I hate to pay those kind of prices for outfits that make me think they should go to bed!!!!

    Not sure if that helps or not but that's what I look for. Something different than the typical. The ebay scene is overwhelmed with pillowcase dresses so it's something different that I look for.

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