Shop Indie on Cyber Monday 2013

If you asked me what "indie" means 1.5 years ago, I would not know.  So many thing changed for me during that time.  I used to think that if you have a hobby, than that's all that is, a hobby.  It wasn't until late in 2012 that I realized my hobby can be my business - my indie business, Twisted Thread and Hook.  I found awesome communities that support indie and handmade businesses.  We believe in the same values, we support each other, we believe in each other.  I can truthfully say, I discover a totally new world and I love it!

Will you be shopping indie and handmade this holiday season?  I know I will.  

Here's what's on my calendar on December 2nd: Storenvy Cyber Monday Flash Sale hosted by Lu & Ed.  All participating shops are offering 30% sale for one day only!

Here are my favorite picks from each shop, but there is sooo much more!

Handmade Gifts For Little Ones!

Sock Bunny from Kiser Krafts

Mollie Dollie from The Mollie Shop 

Stuffed Monster from Lu and Ed

Turtle bank from Just For Littles

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Eco-friendly Gifts

- Gift Basket from Playablu

- Reusable Paper Towel from Nature Junkie

- Crochet Washcloths from Unique Creations by Tracy

- Organic Mascara and Powder from Squishy Warm

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Manly Gifts

Crochet Hat from June's Pretty Things

"Let's Be Bad Guys" Pin from Little House of Crafting

Razor with Handmade Handle from Mystic Eye Creations

"Shop Indie" Shirt from Krmbal

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Unique Jewelry Gifts

Crystal Dreams Necklace from Enchanted

Animal Print Bracelet from East Evelyn Square

Hand knoted leather bracelet from Anzipanz Designs

Rose Earrings from Afua Handmade

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Handmade Toys for Kids

Plush Doll from Scrawny Girl

Unicorn from Ribbons and Robots

Peg People from Landon's Toybox

Sensory Soft Blocks from Baby Moon Boutique

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Nautical Inspired Gifts

Cupcake toppers from Adore by Nat

Boat Wheel Rug from Twisted Thread And Hook

Nautical Bracelet from Fairy Tale Accessories

Turquoise Water Art Print from Knotted Tree Photography

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Jewelry for Special Someone

Aqua Flowers Set from Mystigail Adornments

Snowflake Clip from Violet's Buds

Hoop Earrings from Michelle Bleu Jewelry Designs

Copper Earrings from A Single Dream

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Warm and Cozy Handmade Gifts

Baby Boots from Bellamy Tree

Crochet Dog Sweater from Anna Bela Artistry

Fingerless gloves from Jaime D. Designs

Lacy Scarf from Tiger Knitty

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Colorful Gifts for Home

Fall Leaf Framed from Lady Lack's Designs

Knitted Hoop Art from Crafty Podes

Tile Coasters from Kira Kira Kawaii

Rainbow Pillow from Poppy's Garden Gate

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Timeless Gifts

The Inner Workings Necklace from The Lie Producing Factory

Floral Key Necklace from Sweet Mayhem Boutique

Alice Silhouette Necklace from Cel's Deconails

Time Charms from Pelhuaz by Red

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Girly Girl Gifts

Tutu Dress from The Knotty Boutique

Bella Shirt from Anomic Apparel

Flower Clip from Knit Picky Mama

Wrapped Headband from D. Rix Creations

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Christmas Inspired Gifts

Polka Dot Stocking by Sassy by Sacha

Christams Cards from Sweet Pepper Parties

Christams Ornaments from Mohu

Holiday Earrings from Calluna Muse

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Bright and Happy Jewelry Gifts

Retro Fabric Ring from Kute As A Button

Chunky Bead Necklace from Sapphire Haven

Pendant Necklace from Artystik Ego

Rose Earrings from Sandy's Shop

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My new Storenvy shop, Lu & Ed's 3-year Anniversary and giveaway!

• Love handmade?  Check
• Support small business? Check
• Crazy about unique and custom made? Check and Check

That's me!  I would also add to my list - passionate (or obsessed - depends on who you ask) about crafting.

And there are so many others like me.  Just recently, I joined a great group of crafters that have an online shop on http://storenvy.com.  While I had an online shop already, I felt I was a tiny grain of sand and no matter how different I tried to look, I was getting lost in the full beach of sand, rocks and bigger rocks.  So, I decided to open a Storenvy store, Twisted Thread and Hook and I'm starting big with the help of Lu & Ed.  I still have my Etsy store and will keep both stores open as each of them have some good things about them.

Lu & Ed is celebrating a 3-year anniversary of her successful Storenvy shop.  I could not be more happy for her and I hope that I would be able to do the same in 3 years as well.

And what is the best way to celebrate this big accomplishments?  Share it with the fans and everybody who can put a check on any or all of the bullet points at the beginning of this post.

What does that means?  A HUGE giveaway!
The contest is open from 12AM EST 4/7 to 12AM CST 4/13 2013.

Go to Lu & Ed's blog to check out the details:

There are 18 prizes donated by different small business owners.  They are worth over $250 :)

One of the prizes, is my purple dream catcher:

Whether you just love to shop, or you are a passionate crafter ready to sell your creations, sing up on Storenvy.com to be part of this great community.  Then check out these great shops that graciously offered their creations for this giveaway in celebration of Lu & Ed's great success.

Lu & Ed

"Mon-stors are eco-friendly toy storage solutions for kids! You can hang them from a door, in the closet, or even in a car - and have your kids feed their Mon-stors toys, laundry, jackets and gloves or anything you need extra storage for!"

The Mollie Shop

Custom Mollie dolls - "Mollipops, Mollie Moe Bows, and Mollie Dollies!"

Little Green Guy

"Little Green Guy features handmade plush toys, sculptures and adorable monster themed art!"

anomic apparel

Melli's Yarn Works

"Melli's Yarn Works features my loom knitted items! From hats, to scarves and wrist warmers as well."

Just For Littles

"We make little something specials for your special Littles! Did you know-Monster Banks love nomming on coins and helping Littles learn counting! They're also proficient at scaring away boogeymen."

The Individuality

Need help creating the individual look for your shop?

"The Individuality is based on just that, Individuality. We believe that you should control the look and feel your design need presents. The best way to do this, custom designs by The Individuality geared towards your choices."

Sew Beastly

"Sew Beastly's products are handmade, ruffled accessories with sustainability in mind. Products feature my signature textured ruffle. Scraps are given a new life by repurposing them into the "Scrap Me Pretty Collection"."

A Single Dream

"I design handmade and custom jewelry with lots of sparkle and personality. I am influenced by a variety of styles from Boho to Victorian, and often look to vintage jewelry & clothing as an inspiration."

Impistry

"Impistry is the action of making goods & art using Imps as the focus. Each item that passes through the digital doors of this shop is unique, handmade, and given a 'spirit' during the creative process."

Gipson Wands

"When you're not just looking for A wand, but Your Wand. GipsonWands makes Harry Potter inspired "Magic" wands. All Wands are handmade from naturally dried locally sourced trees or salvaged lumber with a hand rubbed oil finish."

Steam Crow

"We make Good Monster Goods: Books, prints, art, comics. For you. Since 2005."

Violet's Buds

"Handmade accessories for you & your little flower! Violet's Buds strives to be green by upcycling, repurposing, and making the most out of all our supplies while creating a unique item for you."

Krmbal

"Krmbal is an indie brand dedicated to eco-conscious choices & partnering with small businesses. Take back your t-shirt! We donate a portion of all sales to Kiva borrowers to help others build their small businesses."

The Gnarly Whale

"We strive to provide low-impact, minimal ingredient beauty, bath, and body products to dudes and dudettes around the world."

Streeter & Co.

air fresheners - "We offer products that are quality products that only we would purchase ourselves.  If we wouldn't buy it, you won't find it in our store.  That's a promise"

Frankensticth Productions

"Frankensticth making one of a kind handmade storied monstas since 2003"

Twisted Thread And Hook

Handmade crochet jewelry and wall & window art. I mainly use fine thread to achieve unique, delicate results. I also make crochet rugs and mats using thick rope-great for nautical theme decor.

My Online Shop is open - Twisted Thread and Hook

 I did it!  I finally opened my own shop on Etsy - Twisted Thread And Hook!  For the first time, I’m going to try to sell my crocheting creations.  I wanted it to do it for a few years now, but for a couple of reasons, it did not happen until now.

Firstly and mainly, I just didn’t think there will be a market for it..  The truth is, it takes a lot of time to hand-make things, so when at the end you put a price on it, it often sounds crazy to some people.

The second problem was and still is time.  I’m a mom to two wonderful kids and a wife to a great husband (who’s amazingly supportive of my crazy idea that is already taking a lot of my time).  Spending time as a family cannot ever be beat (though it could be enhanced if it involves some crocheting as well!).  In addition, I work full time.  I’m a software engineer for a major company and spend a lot of time in front of a computer.  I think that kind of pushed me to do more of the things that don’t require the logical side of the brain.  So in the end, there is not much time left for my hobby, but it is what I love to do and decided I need to find the time to do it.

So I decided to start small, but at the same time do something unique, eye-drawing and detailed, detailed, detailed.  I always drive myself crazy with details.  It takes me a while to come up with a final design because I’m very critical of what I make and I always think how can I make it better.  In the end, what I decided to do is jewelry and accessories made with fine thread.  Here’s a little preview of what I did.  For more, visit my Etsy store Twisted Thread And Hook.

It took me some time, but I found 2 threads I fell in love with.  One is very thin and has a slight shine to it which makes it perfect for making jewelry.  Here’s my favorite piece so far, a necklace using hairpin lace crocheting technique which I call “Broken wheel necklace”:

Mother-child heart necklace (inspired by my children) with matching earrings.  


The pieces that follow are made from a little thicker thread though still quite thin.  It has even more shine than the other one.  I really like the color blends this thread offers.  Here’s a necklace I made inspired by a vintage doily pattern published in a Polish crocheting magazine:



And a few hair pins that are perfect for little girls yet sophisticated enough for grown up women to wear as well.  They are inspired by my daughter and her love for butterflies.

I’m looking forward to the feedback I get on all you see here in my 1st blog(!) and my Etsy store.  

Thank you for visiting!