I've Opened An Etsy Shop

I have had a number of craft ideas/projects over the years as my ideal job would be to make and sell handmade products. So far I can't say I've had much success.


I started with handmade greeting cards as I worked at an Art Centre so they let me sell them in the shop and they seemed to do very well. After leaving there I carried on making them and changed my style along the way so tried selling at craft fairs and garden centres but not many sales as a result. I then created a website naming it Kelly Card Designs but after a year I had only sold one card so it didn't justify the cost of the website. 
While doing this I did sell to colleagues at various jobs who were my best customers and received big Christmas card orders. I even had a few commissioned jobs out of it. 

I still have a stock of cards that I made for craft fairs so I started selling them on eBay which was great for a short time until someone received a card slightly bent from posting it so gave me negative feedback. 

Next step was a facebook page, I've had likes, comments and 86 followers but no sales. I have now decided to clear my stock and sell at just 50p a card. Still no bites. I also started making beaded jewellery who again have only been purchased by friends, family and colleagues.

So my latest trial is an Etsy Shop after seeing various shops appearing on facebook I thought I would give it a go too. At the moment I have only added a few hanging felt animals which can also be found on my facebook page.

Check out my Etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/KellysCraftBox

I would love to know your thoughts on my products as I feel like maybe it's time to give up on the craft ventures. All products are on my facebook page Kelly's Craft Box. 

Take a look at my page Handmade By Me 



 

Hungry Little Man

After my long debate in my head wether to continue with breast feeding or introduce formula I have taken the plunge  this week and I have introduced liquid first milk formula as the previous week Joel had been waking up every two hours again and I just can't take the lack of sleep anymore.

My decision was based on Joel becoming incredibly fussy on the breast and crying so much more than he used to so my husband and I thought it could be because he is hungry. 

First week formula experiment:

Monday 13th I tried breast feeding around lunch time but he became so irritable and fussy I gave in and tried him on formula and he happily gulped 6oz and suddenly became very relaxed with arms out then fell asleep. So it was a successful first attempt.

Tuesday and Wednesday I breast fed mainly but gave two bottles of formula one at 10am and another at 5pm - he still kept waking up every two hours at night. 

I changed it a little on Thursday and breast fed during the day and gave just the one bottle of formula around 8.30pm.  Before that at dinner time I tried a little spoonful of pure apple and pear purée which looking at the pictures probably wasn't what he was expecting but now we have started I guess the weaning begins.  He did sleep a little longer during the night so maybe the later feed and food helped as he slept from 10ish to 3.30am then woke again at 6am. I can cope with the two wake ups.

Friday 17th, Joel was breast fed during the morning then given 7oz at 12.45pm but only drank 5oz. He had 7oz at 8pm and a spoonful of apple and pear again. He did sleep but we were travelling in the car to Bristol so he slept all the way. He was breast fed at about 1am and then slept through to 8am - AMAZING.

Saturday he had just one bottle of formula at around 6.30pm and again slept very well.

Hopefully we are on a road to better sleep. I will continue with formula in the evenings so just one or two bottles in the day until my breast milk reduces.

What We Wore

Ollie

As you know I love fashion and like to look my best but I also like my boys to look there best including daddy.  

On Saturday at our friends wedding we decided to dress Ollie in a little suit from Next well he actually wore this to a wedding last year and couldn't believe it still fitted him well it was a little tight but he looked good. He had some nice new shoes.

Joel

Joel wore this adorable baby grow tuxedo with little lace up shoes.
The shoes kept falling off because Joel wriggles too much.

I wore a black and white stripe wrap dress - great for larger chests and to hide a bit of baby weight. Teamed with a black pashmina which was great for using when breast feeding.
Ifinally got to wear my black Monroe Ruby shoes that I have been wanting to wear for ages. 

My friend Debbie from Planet Bizzy painted my nails for me.

I didn't get a full length picture of me for some reason.

Daddy wore a grey suit with a stripe green and grey tie.

I thought we all looked pretty nice especially the boys.

Making Cake Pops

I am experimenting with cake pops at the moment as we are going to a wedding and the bride and groom set up a competition to make cakes or sweets that will be fed to the guests. So I thought I would have a go at cake pops with a twist.

Saturday 11th May - First attempt:

I dyed the sponge pink and tried different fillings - jelly beans, marshmallows and strawberry flavoured chocolate. 
The marshmallows disappeared when cooked so I won't be using those again but the chocolate and beans worked well. Weirdly the pink dye didn't come out once cooked. Not bad for a first attempt and hubby seemed to like them after tasting well almost half of them.

Next step was to decorate, so I melted white chocolate and poured all over the cake pop then sprinkled with hearts and hundreds and thousands.
 
One mistake learnt was that I put the covered cake pops onto a flat surface so when it hardened one side of the cake pop was flat so I will put them in a glass next time to stand.

I'm pleased with my overall first attempt and they actually tasted pretty good.



Friday 17th May - The Recipe:
4oz Caster Sugar
2 eggs
1 tbsp Milk
6oz Self Raising Flour
1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract 

My extras :
Heart jelly beans - to add to each cake pop
Strawberry Chocolate to add to the mixture
White chocolate to cover the cake pop

The Final Entry


Decorated with white chocolate and covered in edible hearts, purple sparkle, hundreds and thousands and some had popping candy to give them a little extra twist.

Final Entry

All placed in a silver pot with white ribbon and filled with pink and white heart jelly beans.

Fingers crossed.














The Competition - Saturday 18th May
   
 
I knew I would have some competition but I thought I had a chance with the presentation alone.


GUTTED...........I didn't win and not even a runner up :(


I'm retiring from cake pop making.
 

Struggling with a two year old

I never imagined how hard having kids would be, I guess no one does until they have them but having a two year old Ollie I now know why they call them terrible twos. 

I used to be a calm, patient, quiet person but omg that is not me anymore. Every day Ollie tests my patience and he pushes it so far I end up shouting to the point my neighbours would hear me very clearly which I hate as they probably think I can't cope. 

He just doesn't listen even when I shout he laughs at me or carries on hitting or doing naughty things. In the end I just have to leave the room to get away from him before I burst.

Tantrum????

I just can't believe how much it has changed me I don't actually like who I have become. I moan so much more about things I just didn't care about like people parking across a pavement so I can't get my double buggy through. I shout - that I never did, I swear - I used to hate swearing or hearing it with a passion. I'm now angry, fed up, and get so frustrated with mess.
I'm longing for quiet and time to myself. Even just to tidy the house.

Anyone else out there who feels this way or am I just rubbish playing mummy?

Fashion Post: Style No.3

Outfit No. 3 under £50


The Outfit:

• Jumper (Select) £8

• Jeggings (Asda) £12

• Bag (Peacocks) £10

• Ballerina shoes (Next) £20

Total Cost £50


Loving this outfit as feel pretty slim, they say oversized bags slim your frame. 

What do you think?

Do I Keep Going?

I'm in two minds if I should keep on going with breast feeding or start introducing formula. I've successfully got through the last 4 months feeding Joel soley with breast milk but after I had him weighed on Tuesday - 14lb 15oz which according to the health visitor and the red book chart it's a bit of a dip. The last time I had him weighed he was a few days into 3 months and weighed 14lb 5oz so it is only 10oz he's put on. 

As he hit 4 months he has become more unsettled during the night and waking every 2-3 hours but not feeding for very long. I  found in the day he would feed for short periods and stop, sometimes just looking around or he looks at me and smiles which is sweet but I'm so unsure if he is getting enough milk. He seems quite happy to suck on a dummy. 
I have been thinking of stopping breast feeding for the last few weeks as at times I just feel I want me back especially the 2 hourly feeds becomes exhausting, so it would be great if someone else could do it. Something stops me from taking the plunge though, maybe because I'm thinking I will not have anymore babies so I should treasure the moments of bonding. I really don't know what to do for the best.

I can keep going and see if his weight creeps up or I just gradually introduce formula then naturally my milk should disappear - oh the dilemma.

Pros:
Best for baby
Always available
No cost
No preparation

Con's:
May fill baby up more
Mum will be free 
No more worries of feeding in public

Has anyone else had these thoughts?