Treasury Tuesday ~ So Fresh & So Clean (soap)

The new year is right around the corner and everyone is thinking of what their resolution for the coming year will be. I thought I'd put together a list of things that can help you literally start this brand new year fresh & clean. Here's an array of hand made, awesome soaps.

Treasury ~ So Fresh & So Clean (click me) 

Be sure to click the link and check these out individually. They are very reasonably priced.

I know that I sell on Etsy myself so I'm partial, but this is SERIOUSLY something you could never buy in any store. I think these are so fun and/or beautiful. Given as a gift, a special treat in your home, or as party favors any of these are sure to turn heads, create a ton of ooh's and aah's! Nothing is better than something completely unique and hand made!

Weekend Wrap Up ~ Merry Christmas

First of all, Merry Christmas & happy New Year to everyone!

I'm sure one of the first thing's you've noticed is that the look is new. I've worked with a designer to make my website and blog professional and uniform. It's been a challenge to make the company as a whole have a collective look and I think it's turned out well. In addition to the blog and Etsy header, I have matching reserved listing & thank you placards for the store. I hope you like it!

This week I am excited to introduce the flower clip line to Innov8ive Knits. Currently I am only selling them as individuals in the store but discounted sets are coming in the near future. These are hand crocheted flowers with sewn on rhinestone centers. On the back is a ribbon covered clip to attach to hair or headbands. They are not up in my store yet because I am waiting to get some pictures with a model in them first, but will hit the store very soon! Message me if you want one in advance.

This is something that I've really wanted to do and it was on my monthly goal list. With only a few days left of this month, I was really cutting it close but am very happy to be able to present it to everyone. I currently have a limited amount of colors available because I'm trying to find out what YOU (the customer) likes best. Please feel free to leave comments on what colors you like, don't like, or would like to see!

ALSO I am running a sale on the 2 newborn hats I have in my store. These are hand knit with cables, usually $30.00 now on sale for $20.00. That's a whole $10.oo OFF!!!



http://www.etsy.com/listing/83942837/sale-newborn-knit-hat-in-sky-blue-with




http://www.etsy.com/listing/83943026/sale-newborn-hand-knit-hat-in-pea-green?ref=v1_other_1

If you have a shower coming up, this would be a great gift! Don't pass up this sale and grab it before someone else does. This will run for a limited time only.

Treasury Tuesday ~ Success!

This week I decided to make the treasury focused around fun little things that can help make a business successful. There are some things in here that would even be useful for someone not running a business.

Check it out here!



I think the printable boxes are genious! The idea of just being able to print out gift boxes at any time is so smart and easy. Another great couple of things that are good for everyone are the photography back drops. As long as you have good lighting, this will help make excelent photos.Be sure to check out all these great listings. Many of them are very well priced and can show as very helpful for your small business or anyone!

Weekend Wrap Up ~ Stocking up on Stock

In trying to keep up with my goals for the month I have recently added 3 more items to my stock. One of which has sold before I was able to take good photography of it. I'm very excited to be making strides towards my goal. I did a photo shoot for the 3 items yesterday. Here's the results.

All but one of these items are currently available for sale in my Etsy store. Check them out here:
Tan Ear Warmer: Click Here
Green Ear Warmer: Click Here

I'm very excited to be tackling my monthly goals and I'm so excited to be adding all of these great items to my store.

Weekend Wrap Up - Pinwheel Photography (ear warmer)

This week I finished a product intended to be the next best thing to hit my Etsy store. It's been a lot of fun putting it together. Now that the time has changed, it has become impossible to take pictures during the week after I get off work (boo!) so now I have to take them all on the weekends. I've been waiting all week to take photos of the new product.

My fiance and I took a trip over to the park to take some pictures in the great Christmas weather. Here's the results:

I am so super pleased with how this turned out (the photographs and the work.) Not only is it cute, but incredibly functional! My head stayd warm throughout the entire shoot... the same can't be said for my fingers.

I will be putting this up for sale in my store this week. Soon to follow are more in different colors. Keep in touch via Facebook to find out excatly when it hits my store and where to find it :)

Future Friday ~ Flower Pin

One of my closest friends has a sweet little baby girl. We spent this past Thanksgiving with her and her family. While we were thanking and feasting, I noticed on her little headband was this great little flower clipped on it. BOOM! Innov8ive Knit's new line is born (in thought at least)


People do this all the time, clip bows and flowers to those little scrunchy headbands for baby girls. It's quite genius, and so simple I can't believe I didn't think about this earlier.


Remember this hat?

This is that precious ball of inspirational sunshine I was talking about by the way. Innov8ive Knit's next new flower clip is going to look a whole lot like this flower. Except smaller and attached to a great ribbon covered clip and all kinds of fun centers!


I currently have in the mail on it's way to me several new colors with this project's name all over it. Keep on the lookout for these to hit my Etsy store soon. Pre-orders are available (contact me) for details. I am thinking of selling individuals and doing deals on sets of 3's and sets of 5's. 


This isn't the only flower style making it's way to the new baby clip line, it will make it's Future Friday debut soon.


I am dying to hear your opinions on this, and what colors you want to see these in first! Comment away.

Goals for December

Source: http://smallbiztrends.com/2011/01/better-business-goals-2011.html

I think it's a great thing to set short term goals for yourself, especially a business. Sometimes it can get discouraging when you have a long term goal and it doesn't happen overnight. Well duh- by definition it's a LONG term goal. None the less, it can still get you down when it doesn't happen sooner than later. This month I have decided to make a goal for EVERY month. I think this is a great way to set myself up for success, and in sharing this with you I can have a cheerleading team as well :). You are the people that make it happen!

Here's some key things that I want to get done this month:

• Add at least 5 items to my Etsy store stock
• Sell at least 5 items in from my Etsy store
• Introduce the flower clip line to the store
• Blog more consistantly (this way everyone will know when to expect new things)
• Create & blog at least 1 treasury a week
• Make a goal for every month

It's a small list of things, but in the beginning stages of my new business I think that these are plenty and will certainly keep me busy and hopefully more successful than before. I am looking forward to tackling these goals for the month and sharing my process in taking them all down!


Everyone needs a list of short term goals to tackle things in a manageable way and keep the spirits up. What are your goals this month?

Treasury Tuesday ~ Doggie Time

My fiance and I have 2 small dogs we have rescued from a local shelter. Although we got them over a year apart it is strange how similar in size they are. We aren't sure what kind of dogs they are but we don't care. It would be a lie if I said they didn't run our house! I put together this week's treasury in tribute to the rulers of my home!

With that being said here is my latest treasury!

Treasury: Doggie Time



http://www.etsy.com/listing/86891408/dogtail-leash-holder-triple-chalkboard?ref=tre-1398378776-2



http://www.etsy.com/listing/68230590/dog-house-vinyl-wall-decal-sticker-size?ref=tre-1398378776-8




http://www.etsy.com/listing/85510263/lidded-treat-jar-for-pet-dog-kids-candy?ref=tre-1398378776-1



http://www.etsy.com/listing/80190885/made-to-order-wheel-thrown-dog-bowl?ref=tre-1398378776-4

 Don't forget to check out the whole treasury! There's a lot more items where that came from! 12 more items to be exact and they are all a whole lot of fun.

Weekend Wrap Up ~ Sneak peek & Life

I am getting to a point where I am wrapping up all of my current Christmas orders and getting back on the road to working up some stock. This week I have been working nonstop to get Christmas goodies done in plenty of time to be mailed to their home in time. All that's left are some finishing touches until I'm back to providing more things for my Etsy Store.

Included in one of my Christmas orders is something that is going to be a new line for Innov8ive Knits. I've already done a post on this item, but I thought I would give you guys a sneak peek of what it will look like :)

I will be doing a photo session with this item next weekend to provide a much better viewing experience, but here is a little peek to water your mouth :) I really LOVE this pattern it's simple, clean, and stylish (not to mention a fun item to crochet up)

Once my work is done on all these Custom orders, I will finish up the Mardi Gras scarf I have sitting on the back burner. This is going to be a stock item. A light, flowing scarf with beading. The mardi gras scarf will be perfect for southern Mardi Gras weather.

On a more serious note I wanted to share a life experience with you that I have had this week. Earlier this past week a great woman I know and love was taken by breast cancer. It left me with a huge reminder that all of our time on this Earth is incredibly valuable and limited. There simply is not enough time in a person's life to live angry moments or live a life doing something your heart doesn't desire. Life is too short to put off chasing your dreams for even a moment. After this great loss, I will remember to tell my friends and family I love them more often, and hug & kiss my fiance just a little longer because you just never know when God will see it fit to take them or you to be with him forever. 

Future Friday ~ Pinwheel Ear Warmer

http://www.etsy.com/transaction/63714253

I have mentioned this project before but I wanted to introduce it on it's own. I have had SEVERAL requests to make this and I am so glad to announce I have the pattern in my library now.


I currently am working hard to tackle all kinds of custom orders to get done by Christmas, but this is high on the list of things to come. I already have a couple of orders for this for Christmas, and have a pile of yarn coming in for stock with this project's name all over it!


On top of adding this to my list of things that Innov8ive Knits will offer, I have been considering making some modifications to the pattern to allow for a more versatile look. 


In the future I plan on adding a button to this headband that can be popped through the center hole of the pinwheel flower to make it interchangeable. After the first few I make in the original style, I will be making SETS to go for sale that will include one neutral colored headband with the button as well as a couple of different colored flowers to change it with.  This item will easily go with everything in your wardrobe! This is a very exciting addition and modification. I can't wait to get my hands on that yarn and have it hit the store! Keep on the look out for posts announcing it's arrival.


Because of my schedule, this will most likely not hit the store before Christmas. If you are interested in purchasing one as a Christmas gift, this can be done! Message me, and I will get with you on colors and other options. Time is running out for Christmas orders, contact me as soon as possible.

Weekend Wrap Up ~ Cyber Monday

All the holiday excitement is starting to die down. I hope everyone had a fun and safe Thanksgiving.  This year Blair and I crashed a friend's family gathering to celebrate. We had a wonderful time and are so blessed to have such great friends that we might as well call family to share with.


Even though a lot of things are indeed dying down, there is one more big hoorah before all is said and done. I am having a cyber monday sale starting TODAY and extending through all day Cyber monday in my Etsy store! This sale is for a whopping 20%! That can add up to some super sweet savings. To get this great discount use coupon code: "CYBERMONDAY11"  at checkout and your 20% discount will be granted! 


Here are a couple of great items that are available:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/82702476/mohawk-dinosaur-hat-for-boy-in-blue-and

http://www.etsy.com/listing/82701030/newsboy-golf-toddler-hat-hand-knitted-in?ref=v1_other_2

Stock in the store is limited at the time thanks to all you your custom order requests lately, so take advantage of it now before I sell out! I have hardly had time to make anything to add to the store. Speaking of which, I am still taking custom Christmas orders. There is VERY limited space for additional orders and they are filling up fast.  If you want something that you don't see in the store just in time for Christmas, let me know quick before time runs out!


As a heads up, keep on the lookout at the end of the week for the Future Friday segment! I have a couple of great new things that are on the list to add to Innov8ive Knits goodies to buy. They are going to be so much fun and I can't wait to introduce them to you.


Once again I hope you all had a great holiday, and don't forget to take advantage of my Cyber Monday sale. It's only for 2 days and the clock is ticking!

Inspiration Spreads Like Wildfire ~ Storytellers Tell THEIR Story

Katie and Jeff Barker are a special pair of people who are near and dear to my heart. I met them while looking for a photographer for my wedding in March. I've developed a bond with them that you would have never expected to get from a photographer. I don't know if I ever told them this before now, but learning about how they started their own small business doing what they love was one of the biggest inspirational factors for me to put myself out there with Innov8ive Knits.


So not only is their work beyond amazing, they have influenced my life in a way I can't repay them. They have been kind enough to let me feature them as someone who I find incredibly inspirational and answer questions about their business and give advice from their experience. You can visit their website at: Katie and Jeff Barker Storytellers


Why photography?
Both of us enjoyed photography as a hobby for years before we decided to start our business. Katie took photography classes in high school, Jeff was always getting into crazy positions and situations to photograph our family. We have experienced love and joy and can't imagine not having photos documenting those times. We've also experienced pain and loss, and appreciate having photographs that pre-date those times. All of us have a story, and being able to tell that story with photography is awesome. We've had clients lose grandparents, friends, and spouses after their wedding, and knowing that we captured beautiful images of these individuals touches us very deeply.

How did you decide that your business should be the bread winner and leave the regular day job?
Honestly, we got a kick in the pants that made it happen. Jeff was working in a Monday to Friday 8-5 sales position, so photographing weddings on the weekend wasn't an issue with his work. His boss knew he was up to something on the weekends, but because it didn't interfere, Jeff didn't talk about it much. His boss asked him to take a client out on a Saturday that we had a wedding, and when he had to say no, his boss told him to choose which job to keep. We had the guts to go ahead to choose Storytellers. At the time, it was a little scary, but now we'd like to go shake his hand and thank him for making us leap.


What is your favorite picture?
This is the hardest question in this interview! [long pause, lots of hemming and hawing] This is a picture Jeff took of my [Katie's] grandfather. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer's a few months after our wedding, and he slipped away little by little. He ceased to tell jokes or to work to make other people smile, so when Jeff got this picture of him about a year after his diagnosis, it meant to world to me. This is the look I remember in his eyes all the time when he'd joke and laugh. He died just this spring, and I'm so grateful to have this picture. I have this picture framed and it's a constant reminder to me that what we do as Storytellers matters. It really does. When the cake has been eaten and the music has stopped, all people will have from the wedding day is their pictures, and it's important that we capture images that capture the essence of the people in them.

How do you find the right balance in pricing (pays the bills but doesn't keep you overpriced)?
We've definitely not gotten it right all the time. There have been times that we've had our pricing too low, and when it was all said and done, we were working for less than $5 an hour. The formula that we've used that makes sense is to figure out how much we need to make to keep our business afloat and pay ourselves a living wage, and the worked backwards. How many weddings do we want to shoot each year? How much time do we want to work? And then it's just simple math. Money needed divided by number of jobs equals the amount of money we need to earn per job. Obviously it takes a while to come up with the answers to the first questions, but they're worth asking. We work six days a week, we work long hours, and we're always on call, but we love our clients and they make the hard work worth it.


When did you realize that Storytellers was the success it is now?
I think when people started asking us for advice, we felt successful. We enjoy speaking with other photographers, especially ones who are just starting out. It's a great feeling to help other people!


You have customers all over the country How did you get word of your business out?
We depend on referrals from our clients. Word of mouth is hugely important for several reasons. First, advertising is very expensive. Paying for clicks on Google or Facebook could easily eat up hundreds of dollars a month. Referrals don't cost you anything (although we do give our couples incentives for referring us). Second, having people who have worked with us recommend us is infinitely more valuable to potential clients than just randomly picking up the phone book and choosing someone they know nothing about.


What gives Storytellers an edge over other photographers?
I think it's the amount of care and attention we give our clients. I mentioned earlier that we work six days a week, and I really meant it. We care a lot about the people who have invested their trust in our work, so we work really hard to meet their expectations.


What is your number one piece of advice you would give to anyone starting their business?
Keep reading, learning, and asking questions. There's always someone out there who does what you do better or differently than you, and there's no shame in trying to learn as much as you can.

Katie & Jeff have been a tremendous inspiration personally to me. They have been so encouraging! I'm not just saying this to butter them up but sometimes I look at their portfolio or our engagement photos and can't believe we even know them.

I hope that you have found the Storytellers just as inspiring as I have. I truly do believe that inspiration spreads like wildfire and hope that my sharing this with you will give you that push to do something that your heart really wants, no matter what it is. To my fellow Etsians I hope that you find their expertise and experience well received and are able to take their advice and apply it to your small business. I know I will.

Weekend Wrap up ~ New Strides & Organizing

This week has gone by so fast! The holidays are right around the corner and the days have gotten so short that I can hardly get anything done these days.

If you haven't already heard, this week I made my first sale!! I also got my brand new business cards in! Things are really coming together and Innov8ive Knits is making great strides every day lately. These new business cards are a BILLION times over better than the last ones I had. I got smart this time and had a graphic designer work with me on creating the new logo. With my new photoshop skills I put the logo on a clean, simple background with only the most important information on the bottom and had them made. My last cards were super busy and you couldn't hardly even read the letters. Most of the time less is more, learned that the hard way.

This morning I finally sat down and organized my giant stash of yarn and updated my knitting queue. Before I started to organize I had a plastic tub of all of my yarns crammed in with no rhyme or reason and receipts for them all over the place. I took all of the yarn and attached a tag on them showing what project they are for and how much it cost, then put all the yarn for the same type project in a bag together. It's not quite where I want to be, but until we get a new house & a new office this will have to suffice. When we do get our new place after the wedding here a few things I'd like to do (thanks to pinterest, feel free to follow me here)



http://pinterest.com/pin/108930884706611487/



I really love the way this works. I would most likely do mine by yarn size or project, and the chalk labels are ideal! My stash is always changing being able to easily change the way I categorize it is so wonderful!



http://pinterest.com/pin/108930884706611493/



This is another genius idea! Although my business is based around knitting, there is always paperwork to be done. Any way that I can minimize desk space taken up is a thing I want to be involved in. On top of having paperclips and such available & out of the way. I can also stash tapestry needles, my clothing labels, and other frequently used notions there.

I've had to put aside a couple of projects I had planned for my Etsy store stock to work on some new custom orders I've picked up. I am so grateful for all the new orders I've gotten lately. It certainly has kept my busy and my Etsy store very naked but that's ok.

AND I purchased a new pattern! I have had several requests for this, or something similar so I thought it would be a great idea to include it in my goodie pattern catalog.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/62734110/crochet-pattern-pdf-spiral-flower?ref=af_you_favitem

I would love to have your thoughts on what colors you would like most for this. I've also considered attaching a button on the headband and making a couple of flowers in complimenting colors so you can change it up if you like by attaching it via the hole in the center of the flower.

It seems like just yesterday it was Monday and here it is again right around the corner. Next thing you know the holidays will be here (and my wedding right behind). I have a VERY LIMITED space for custom orders guaranteed by Christmas now. I you are interested please let me know soon. Have a great week!

And the winner of the bearded beanie is....

First of all I want to take a second to thank everyone for their support and participation in this giveaway. I am thrilled to have so many new people in my knitting "family" and I can't wait to share with you all of my new projects and experiences. This truly wouldn't have been the same without all of your support. 


After all of the entries were totaled I put each entry on a same sized sliver of paper and folded them all the same way (no special treatment) and put them all in a bag to pull out at random. Here's the results: 





Contact Me- with your address for me to mail you your bearded beanie!


 If you didn't aren't the winner, you can still get a chance to put your hands on one. I have one for sale in my etsy shop right now! Not only do I have one for sale I am taking custom orderes for them as well. You can get just about any color your heart desires for $40.00. I will warn you though if you want it by Christmas I will need to know within the next few weeks to make sure I can get it done in time.


This giveaway is the first of many to come. Keep in touch for future events and don't forget to follow my blog for exclusive sale codes and giveaways!


Thanks again everyone!

Weekend Wrap-Up ~ end of giveaway & speial trip

Weekend time with some of my favorite people. As you can see, we have a slight internet addiction :)

This weekend my fiance and I drove up to Auburn to vist one of my best friends to celebrate my birthday weekend! I took Friday off of work and just have been enjoying every second of it. I could get used to spending all of my days knitting and blogging.

As usual I have a project on my needles for the 3 hour trip up and back. I have gotten to the point where I can't even go to bed without knitting or I get all anxious. It has turned into some type of wind down thing that I have to do to sleep lately. It is so nice to get out of town for a few days and just sleep in, veg out with a pair of knitting needles, and just basically do whatever the heck I want while surrounded by my favorite people.

What do I have on my needles this weekend you ask? I have officially started the mardi gras scarf! I am so excited with how this is turning out. This scarf is very light and lacy which is great for southern winters (it rarely gets too cold for a bulky scarf) and this one has some really fun beading. What says mardi gras more than beads? Now it's not those cheesy plastic mardi gras beads, I've got more class than that now. I can't wait to get it finished and blocked. This pattern is turning out just how it's supposed to which is a welcomed chance in contrast from that stupid tie I have been fighting the last couple of days! 

 Also this weekend is the end of the bearded beanie contest. I can't wait to get all the entries together in a little sack to do the drawing and see who wins! This is the first giveaway that I have done for Innov8ive Knits and I have been so pleased with the results and how supportive everyone has been. I am thrilled to share the wealth with a lucky someone winner :) The bearded beanie has been one of my most popular viewed items. I thought that the newsboy cap would be most popular but my Etsy stats beg to differ. I am still patiently awaiting my first sale through the store, but I think that will be more likely when I get most items into it. (like the mardi gras scarf)

by the way... if you haven't noticed already I have made some changes to the website. I hope you like it. Feel free to leave your comments about it.

I could push this tie off a cliff

Sometimes being creative can really put a cramp in your style. Knitted ties is something that I have planned to have it's own section in my Etsy shop. I have a million ideas for them floating around in my head, I hardly have enough time to write them all down so I don't forget for later!

I started the first tie I had in mind for the store and so far it has been one of those creative disasters. The things my brain envisions are not translating into my knitting fingers. This tie turned out short... like a good 5" short. lol! Can you imagine wearing a tie that ends higher than your bellybutton? Epic fail. Once I started to block that bad boy and realized that it just wasn't going to stretch out to the size I had envisioned, steam blew out of my ears. Like seriously, I was on FIRE! 

It can be so disappointing to work hard on something just to see it flop. That's the life of creating something new though. Ideas don't always just fall into your lap. Fantastic work doesn't always happen the first time around. Just like anything worth having, it takes practice and time. I figure if I'm going to dedicate an entire section of my store to knitted ties, that won't be the last time that I have a jacked up tie sitting in a box labeled "creative experiments".

I've decided to go ahead and finish the tie by hand sewing the lining to the back and everything else that it requires so even though this will be unacceptable to sell, I have that lesson learned under my belt and I know what to expect the next time around! I do get this evil glare on my face when I start working on it because I know as soon as I finish, it's hitting the no good box to never be seen again but thought of frequently.

I thought I'd share this little "hiccup" in my knitting to attest to the fact that I refuse to sell anything sub-par. Really and truly I could put it on a model and manipulate it where it looked long enough but it you were to look at it from the back there would be like a smidgen of a tiny little piece in the back just waiting to pull loose and untie the tie. From the photography you'd be none the wiser. Buying off the internet can be so scary for just that reason and I want people to know that I am a PERFECTIONIST. I am not interested in selling deceptively. I put labels on all of the things I make with my name on it for goodness sake. I would hate to have a garbage product floating around with my name plastered all over it. How embarrassing.

Really and truly I could use the vent. I've been very tempted to take a pair of scissors to the thing after I finish it for a little sanity therapy. lol Maybe I'll post pictures :) Everything is a learning experience. Even patterns that I have made a million times over unravel a new lesson, experience, or bout of anger each time I make it. This is just a step towards a very fun, successful, and  HIGH QUALITY line of knitted ties. As frustrated as I have gotten with this project, I'm thankful for the lessons I have learned from it and know that it will help make an even better product than I originally imagined.

Treasury Tuesday ~ turquoise



Business card holder


My wedding is coming up in March and one of my accent colors (and my favorite color) is turquoise. This week's treasury is all about that super great blue/green color! Check it out!

Treasury:Turquoise Treats

Here are a few of my favorites from the treasury. Be sure to check it out and see the whole thing!

 

thank you card 





little makeup bag





button pendant



Thanks for taking a look. All of these products are REALLY great! Be sure to look at these shops, they have plenty more great things to offer!

The Life of a Knitted Object ~ Part 1

I have had this conversation with a lot of people. Friends, family, customers, and other Etsians. There is an interesting, fine line in the pricing of an original, handmade object. 

I recently had a conversation with someone who I will call "A". This person asked how much I would charge for a plain one color toddler hat. I quoted "A" $35.00.  "A" then proceeded to tell me that she could get a hat like that from someone else's Etsy store for $15.00. That's half price! I can certainly relate to shopping around for the best bang for your buck so I thought I would share how I determine my prices, and why it's the smarter choice.



hand knit newborn cable hat in sky blue

 I will use this hat that is currently for sale in my Etsy store as an example. It is listed at $30.00. (note this is a newborn hat and not a toddler hat which = less yarn & less time to make which is why it is cheaper).

1. First thing I think about in the cost of my work is the materials put into it. I NEVER buy yarn from Michaels or Hobby Lobby. Yarn is not like GreatValue aspirin ~ same thing for less money. Commercial yarn that you buy from these places are mainly made from acrylic. While acrylic is a man made fiber and will probably last a long time, it's itchy, uncomfortable, and well... cheap. In most cases it is also manufactured in a mill with poor quality control. All the yarn I buy is quality, luxury, name brand fibers that will both last a long time and will be something you can take pride in having. Cost for this yarn is approx: $4.00. So that's $11.o0 profit, not too bad for a small hat right? WRONG!
2. Next thing to take into consideration is the TIME put into making it. A small hat with cables can take anywhere from 4-5 hours depending on the size yarn and the intricacy of the cable. Lets say that it only took 4 hours. $11.00 divided by 4 hours = $2.75/hour. Last time I checked, no one in the United States or in their right mind at least works for $2.75 even if they LOVE what they are doing. It just doesn't make sense, there is no successful business that runs on that kind of profit!  At this point you can see that either your less expensive purchase has low quality yarn, OR the person who makes it doesn't value their work or time, which can probably in itself tell you what quality of work you can expect
3. Also I have to take into consideration the the fees assicoated with listing an item on Etsy. As well as the price for advertising (search ads, renewals, etc.) On top of that I also have to think about the time it takes to photograph, edit, and load these listings on Etsy too. 
4. Last thing I incoporate into pricing is the intricacy of the pattern. Simple patterns get no upcharge but complicated ones like the one below that contains a series of short rows, inserting elastic linings and re-inforced plastic bill, unique increases and decreases get an extra fee. These things are skills that are intricate and not necessarially owned by casual knitters.                                                                  

newsboy hat hand knit in red tweed

After those things are taken into account, selling that hat would basically put me in the red. I didn't go to business school, but everyone knows that a business simply can't be run in that manner and I take enough pride in my work to not be OK with basically paying someone else to buy it from me. Although there's always exceptions, this is the reality of pricing a hand made product. Just goes to show you that you truly do get what you pay for when it comes to hand made.

To better elaborate how time consuming and involved a knitting project can be (depending on the project), part 2 of this segment will walk you through the details and pieces involved in making my current project: a knitted tie. A lot more goes into a project than I think some people realize, and I hope this will really open up some eyes on  time and love is invloved in my work!

Featured Etsy Seller ~ J. Rachel Besnard Designs

http://www.etsy.com/listing/82644911/artisan-swarovski-pearl-filigree-and

Seller: J. Rachel Besnard Designs ~BumbleBeeBead
Etsy Site: J. Rachel Besnard Designs Store

This is a jewlery seller based out of Paris, France with a unique, vintage/antique style. My personal favorite thing about her style is that she manages to put in a perfect POP of color without it being too wild or overbearing. Don't get me wrong, I love to see some wild colors here and there but every time I buy something vibrant like that I never have anything to match it. BumbleBeeBead has just the right balance so that you can truly make your purchase into a staple in your wardrobe.


Here are a few of my favorite items she has for sale right now:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/82618014/artisan-antique-bronze-statement

http://www.etsy.com/listing/83597386/artsian-swarovski-pearl-and-resin-cherry

http://www.etsy.com/listing/83601836/artisan-filigree-teardrop-earrings-with

http://www.etsy.com/listing/82644789/resin-flower-bouquet-ring-in-antique

How many of you can say that you have a fine work of art from Paris, France?!? I know I can't! Her items are extremely affordable too!

Treasury Tuesday ~ Mustache Mania

http://www.etsy.com/listing/84633037/bathroom-art-mustache-sign-funny-sign-i?ref=tre-963502652-6

I am officially obsessed! I love the facial hair! So this week I decided to dedicate my Etsy treasury to all things mustache.


Link to treasury: Mustache Frenzy

http://www.etsy.com/listing/67208370/leather-mustache-wallet?ref=tre-963502652-2

http://www.etsy.com/listing/65462017/mustache-coffee-mug-tower?ref=tre-963502652-1

http://www.etsy.com/listing/83777211/6-pack-beermo-clip-on-bottle-mustaches?ref=tre-963502652-3

Here are just a few listings included in the treasury. This is just SO fun. Don't forget to hit up the link and visit the whole thing. These sellers have some really great stuff that are reasonably priced as well! 

GIVEAWAY ~ The Bearded Beanie

This has been such a fun project to work on. Watching this take shape has been so entertaining! Don't you love it? Well it can be yours for FREE! This is the first giveaway that Innov8ive Knits has done and I can't wait to give someone the opportunity to take a new product home! This hat is great for a gift for yourself, or for a Christmas gift.  It's that season where you start stashing gifts in preparation for Christmas.

Want one? Here's how it works:
Refer a friend to like Innov8ive Knit's Facebook page. Once they like the page, they post on my wall who referred them (you) and that gets you one entry! There is no limit to how many entries you get so refer all of your friends because each "like" gets you another chance to win. The more entries, the better the chance you could be the next proud owner of a bearded beanie! It's that simple!

 The GIVEAWAY starts today and extends for 14 days. That means it ends on November 12th. Shortly after that date I will post a new blog with a video of me drawing the name out of a bag to announce the winner!!



Hat Details:
This hat is made out of a super wash merino wool. This means it's washable and not itchy like regular wool but just as warm. The beard has button holes and there are buttons on the inside of the hat so you have the option to wear with or without the beard whenever you want! As great as having a beard it, it's not appropriate everywhere. LOL. The size is made for an adult male head. Sorry ladies, this hat will probably be a little too big for you.

If you don't win(sad face), there are other ways to get your hands on one! I am currently working on another just like it that I will be putting up for sale on my Etsy Store in the very near future. I will post it on FB when the listing is made available for purchase. Also, if you are a local customer I will be making a special coupon for FREE SHIPPING and will meet up with you to hand deliver.

In addition, I am taking custom orders for these to be made in time for Christmas. This means you can pick out your own colors (to match football teams, certain outfits, or favorite colors). Christmas is coming fast and so are the order requests, so I won't be able to offer these guaranteed by the holidays for long. Message me ASAP if you would like to have one for a stocking stuffer or special gift this year.

Special thanks to my fiance, Blair for being such a cooperative model!

Good luck!!!