A Few Updates

Hello friends!

It's been a while since I haven't posted anything other than Saturday Artisan and Giveaway posts. So here it is, just a glimpse of what I've been up to.

Talking about the year 2015, I can say that Adorebynat had a good start. I've been kept busy with steady sales and hope that it continues.

There are so many social media that we need to keep up with and sadly my blog seems to be the one I tend to neglect. I should not though. So far, I have managed to keep up with my Facebook Page and Instagram. Thanks to the auto-posting tools out there that updates made on my FB and IG are automatically tweeted.

A lot of my updates are about my recent projects. I take pictures of my finished orders and share them on FB or IG and I let my customers know to take a sneak peek while waiting for their orders to arrive.  That hopefully will lessen the uncertainty that they may have.

I also post my giveaways and sale...which remind me to share with you here that everything in my shop is 25% off now.

I like to share pictures of what's going on in my personal life. Nothing too personal, but something that would let people know that there is a real person behind Adorebynat.

Here is a snapshot of my desk. I took this picture as part of the #CreativeDaily challenge started by Lu & Ed.

I just started this and I don't do it every day. As of now, I don't force myself to commit to this challenge on a daily basis. I'll do it when I can and slowly once I get used to it, I hope I can post every day.

Wanelo Savers group at Artfire has changed its name to Partner in Promotion. The new name certainly is more appropriate since we promote each other in different social media. In fact, a few including me are no longer doing wanelo. Thanks to Anna of Craftsofthepast who is diligently curating a collection for us.

2000 FB Likers Milestone

Whoot Whoot! We've reached another milestone. Adore By Nat has over 2000 likers now. 

THANK YOU so much for all your support throughout these years. Without you, I wouldn't be where I am today. 

So, to celebrate this milestone, I am offering 30% off on any order placed now until the end of the month. Have you gotten your Christmas tags? Planning for a baby shower, a birthday, or a wedding? Plan early and save! 

30% off sale includes custom orders. Use coupon code 2KFBFAN on either of my shops: 

Adorebynat on Artfire or Adorebynat on Storenvy.

Thank you again for supporting small business! 

Xoxo, 

Nat :-)

Saturday Artisan: Melli's Yarn Works

Meet Melli of Melli's Yarn Works, our Saturday Artisan!

 
She is an avid knitter, makes bags, scarves, wrist warmers and many more and welcome custom orders. Take a peek at her shop and you will see colorful beautiful creations. 

Tell us a bit about yourself and what arts/ crafts that you make?

I'm Melli! We live in AZ, and I have an almost 4 year old who we lovingly call Hobbit Kitty. I love coffee, cute things, and video games. I enjoy reading, listening to music and also watching shows on Netflix.

I am an avid loom knitter, I loom knit a wide range of items, and have even made my own patterns and tutorials. I love bright colors and working with soft yarn, so most of my creations feature this. I am always adding new things to my shop and trying out different things. I used to also make jewelry, and had a jewelry store, however my love for yarn became greater! I have moved from having a bead addiction to a yarn addiction.  

What is the story behind your shop name? 

I wanted to have my name incorporated into my shop name, to bring more of a sense that it did belong to me. I love the Yarn Works part, because it allows me to explore a variety of items made from yarn and does not constrict me to just one type of item.  

Who is your target market?

Anyone who loves colors and yarn items! I try to target all age groups with my items, so I have things for little kids up to adults who want fun hats or wrist warmers.
 

Which part of creation process that you enjoy the most?

I love putting people's orders together! I aim to ship my items as if they are gifts, and I am sending them a present! I love my new packaging because I recently made the change to ecofriendly packaging! I also love picking out new yarns for a new piece.  

For us who love to travel, could you share a bit about your beautiful town/ city? 

I live in Buckeye, AZ which is a growing city outside of Phoenix. It is gorgeous here, and has a great vibe to it.
 

Could you share on how your organize your products, we all can use a little tips here and there in this department?

My yarn is organized on a large bookshelf. I have it sorted by what kinds of yarn they are (i.e. baby yarns are all together, bulky size are together, variegated yarns are on one shelf) and I have to admit, that bookshelf is getting pretty crowded. I have a few baskets full of yarn ends that I have rolled into balls waiting to be used. I go through the baskets every few months and try to use up those ends in hats or other small projects. My shipping materials are all organized on a rolling cart and on my craft table in my craft room.  

What is your best seller?

My best seller would be my wrist warmers and hats.
 

How does your day go in general?

My day can range from chaotic to fairly easy going. I try to do promoting and checking emails in the morning when I get up. I also check my store stats and see if anything needs my immediate attention before moving onto my personal email and other things. Once all these are done, I have the rest of the day to work on projects or do homework. I am a full time college student, so I am always doing homework, especially on weekends. This is my basic schedule, not counting all the times I do stop to play with my son, attend his needs, or do random chores or cooking.  

How do you balance your personal and work life?

My day can range from chaotic to fairly easy going. I try to do promoting and checking emails in the morning when I get up. I also check my store stats and see if anything needs my immediate attention before moving onto my personal email and other things. Once all these are done, I have the rest of the day to work on projects or do homework. I am a full time college student, so I am always doing homework, especially on weekends. This is my basic schedule, not counting all the times I do stop to play with my son, attend his needs, or do random chores or cooking.  

What inspires you?

Colors, yarns, or other people's projects have been inspirations to me. I love trying new ideas, so getting a new yarn special for a project is always really fun!
 

What is your goal for 2014?  And are you on the right track?

My goal is to get my name more out there. I would love to break 30 sales in my shop, as well as sell out some of the items I have had in my shop since I opened it. I am on the right track, I have 18 sales on Storenvy which is awesome!  

Any advice for others running their on-line shop?

Be happy in what you do. Allow yourself to take breaks. Remember we are our own worst critics, but also be happy with what you make and list for other people. People will know that you're not 100% behind your product.  

What does handmade mean to you?

Handmade means that item is special and one of a kind. Even if people reproduce one of their items, it is still unique and not mass produced. 

Melli of Melli's Yarn Works can be found here:

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