Friday Finds: Valentine's Day Picks.

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With Valentine's Day on the brain, here are some of my most favorite latest etsy favorites. 


P.S.- I thought this was a beautiful video:



Handmade Portraits: Sophie Blackall from Etsy on Vimeo.

I chuckled a bit at the "Missed Connections: We Shared a Bear Suit" part.

Scheduling Time For Growth.

It's time to stop, slow down, reflect & learn in order to grow.





Back on September 3, 2008 I opened the "doors" of my etsy shop with about as much knowledge about how one actually runs a business as I did about what I would actually sell.  All I knew was that I love to make art.  More art than I had room to store and that if I didn't make it, my heart couldn't be all the way filled.

Now, 3 1/2 years later, I have a much clearer idea of both.  I've spent these years figuring out the business end: advertising, creating a blog and running it, marketing, networking, getting my trade name registered, etc.  But lately I've come to realize that I've been deceptively neglecting the "what to sell" portion of that partnership pretty regularly over the years.

In discussing and dissecting the contents of my shop with friends over the last few months, I've realized one key thing: I am largely making pieces that I enjoy looking at, but that few (including myself) would actually want to use or buy in some cases.    I do actually love what I make, but in style rather than color & functionality.


The Plan: Even though it will be hard for me since I'm so incredibly impatient, the future of my business depends on my taking some time out to learn new skills, think, plan, design, ask, and grow as an artist.

Action: While maintaining my usual blog & online routines, rather than focusing my creative energy on making more of my current products, I will be putting production on hold in order to:

1. Continue Project 1-2-3 Sew.   I need to strengthen my machine sewing skills in order to be able to skillfully evolve my purses & bags line.

2. Research. This is the most important step, and one I've ignorantly never really invested much time in.  I need to absorb current art, fashion, and trends.  I need to scout out competition.  I need to ask people what they like and why they buy.  Most of all, I need to listen & figure out how to offer something a bit different from the rest.

3. Evolve My Current Products.  I've already started doing color & style research, and will be shifting towards offering products that can be made to order offering customers specific color & personalization choices.

4. Blog Revamp/ Rebranding.  While I will keep working under the name N. Fallon Design Studio, my brand will need an overhaul just like my work will.  In addition, and as you can see, I've overhauled the blog, most of which was hand drawn.  What do you think?

Little by little things will come together.  I must remember to be patient with myself and that it's OK to jump out of the game for a bit in order to come back even better.  Stay tuned for big changes in the future friends and know that I appreciate every. single. bit. of love you share with me!

A Little Bit of Love.

A few weeks ago, I hosted a giveaway on A Little Etsy Love with Med Beach Stones.  The artist behind this shop lives in Israel, and collects heart shaped stones from the beaches of the Mediterranean Sea.  She creates and sells art pieces and sets of stones that she finds.   I truly adore this shop, and was so pleased when she wanted to send me some to show her appreciation for the giveaway.

I plan to incorporate these stones into a very special Valentine.  Thanks so much Med Beach Stones!

Tutorial: Sewing 101- Mitered Corner Linen Napkins.

While I'm certainly no machine sewing expert, I've decided to compose a little tutorial on how to make mitered corner napkins as this is one project in particular that I've loved making for it's ease and simple elegance in the final product.  

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Pre Step:  Before starting this tutorial, cut fabric of your choice (I'm using linen) into squares.  The size will depend on your preferences, but a good standard size including seam allowances is 18 x 18", which will give you 16 x16" finished napkins. 

*Optional 9. I decided to zazz up my napkins with a few rows of machine embroidery.  If you are using light solid color fabrics, this can be a great way to give some interest to the work!