Giveaway!

There's a (not so secret) giveaway happening at my Hyena Cart shop! Don't miss out! There are only 47 entries right now (out of 749 facebook followers!), so your chances are pretty good :) Drawing will be held tomorrow.

Going outside your comfort zone

One of my frequent customers requested a custom order that at first scared me off a bit; it seemed too complicated. But after a little more discussion and thought, I decided I could make something I'd be proud of - and decided to step out of my comfort zone a little. Here is the result - gnome and toadstool longies!

It took a little more work, but it felt good to let my creativity shine. Plus, I was able to work with one of my best customers and get her something she truly wanted - and that feels good! Now, I can't say I can ever create these again - they are truly one of a kind! Each piece was cut free-hand.

Sometimes it's good to think outside the box you create for yourself. This summer I also set a goal to be able to run a 5K - and started the Couch to 5K training program (Yes, I truly was a couch potato...and I'm going into week 5 already and can run for 5 minutes!) Is there something you've tried recently that you were hesitant at first, but once you did it, you were happy? Please share!

Mom's Balancing act

As a stay-at-home mom, working mom, or work-at-home mom, we all know that balancing daily life can get to be a challenge. Sometimes I feel a little bit like this two-headed turtle we recently saw at the Reptile Zoo! Kid's schedules, our schedules, deadlines, goals, house duties, hobbies, relationships...aahhhh! I think one of the biggest challenges is learning how to balance it all and be successful overall. What do you struggle with the most? What's the one thing that you let "slide" (mine is ALWAYS housework)? Does it change from time to time as your focus shifts?

A few months ago I made the decision to cut back on the time I was spending on my business. As it turns out, I really hadn't realized the time it had been monopolizing. Now that it's been awhile, I have had some time to reflect.

I am planning to walk the Susan G Komen 3 day walk for breast cancer next September, so I have been focusing on walking daily. I purchased the fitbit pedometer, and it has really urged me to increase my activity. But did you know, staying home with the kids I average about 3-4 miles of walking a day WITHOUT going for a purposeful walk for exercise?? I always knew I was busy :) Since I've changed focus, I've also lost 5 pounds. Focusing on my health, exercise and reducing stress has really paid off. I'm also more purposeful about the food that I put in my mouth. All of this has helped with the stomach problems I was experiencing as well.

I do miss the satisfaction of the business side of Winkydinks, but I know that it's still there when I'm ready to shift my focus again. Are there things you have been meaning to do but "life" has gotten in the way? Is it time to re-prioritize? Share with us your struggles and successes!

Also, if anyone would like to take on the walking challenge of hitting 10,000 steps a day (which is a fitness goal floating around out there), let's do it! If anyone has or purchases the fitbit, let me know and we can be "friends" to share stats and goals!!

Shop change announcement

You may have noticed all of my "custom" listings have gone missing from my shops. I finally had figured out a great way to have customers get the items they needed in the sizes they wanted by using style numbers and pre-selected color combinations. The popularity of this new listing style has been very strong, and at the same time, overwhelming.

Due to the volume of orders coupled with less available work time (for numerous reasons), it has been stressful to meet the demand for customs. Out of necessity for my work-life balance, I've decided to take the shop in a new direction.

The change: I'll be listing only IN STOCK items, and as always, they will ship next day. I will have several CUSTOM slots available periodically, depending on my availability. Those will be offered through my Hyena Cart shop only, and scheduled ahead of time (so you'll know when they're coming). Each slot will allow up to 4 items to be made for whoever reserves it. Items between my Etsy and Hyena Cart shops can be combined when ordered the same day, and shipping overages will be refunded.

This has been a hard personal choice for me. I truly enjoy making things that meet your specific needs, and I know I can't possibly stock the exact sizes and patterns that you might be looking for at any given time. Customs have been a huge part of my sales, so as a shop owner it is frustrating to need take a step backwards. With upcoming summer vacation now that my kids are school-age, I anticipate having much less available time to get things made. Custom orders require more communication, plus they are time-sensitive (everyone is anxious for fluffy mail!). With this new direction, I will be able to make things on my own schedule, without worry of getting behind on orders - plus be able to make up some new and different things. I will also be able to stock more wool items since I won't be focused on custom fleece.

Thank you all for your business and continued support. I'm very proud to be able to say that Winkydinks started as a "give it a shot" endeavor, and now has grown too big for its britches :)

Tax relief contest - just for fun! Win a credit to Winkydinks

Well, it's about that time...April 18th is just around the corner (thanks Gov't for the extra few days this year, by the way!). I have just finished up my business and personal taxes and sent them off...have you?

In doing my taxes, I also had to take inventory. I surprised myself (and my husband) by the number of items sold in 2010. I thought it would be fun to make a contest out of this. SO.....

The person who guesses the closest to the number of items sold by Winkydinks in 2010 (without going over) will win a $10 credit to my shop! 

• "Items" includes: soakers, longies, shorties, hats - it is not the ORDER total (which would combine multiple items for one customer into one transaction). 
• Items sold through Etsy, HyenaCart, and direct email are included in the total
• If two winners are exactly correct, they will both win the prize. If more than 2 winners are correct, I will take the first two who posted. The winner will be closest to the actual number without going OVER. (So, if you are one guess over, you would not win, but someone 5 guesses under would win).
• Credit expires May 31, 2011. Can be transferred/gifted but not sold to someone else.

Contest ends on Tax Day! April 18th, 10am PST. 

Enter your guess by commenting on this blog post. Only one entry per person please!
Be sure to leave a way for me to contact you if you win (either by having your profile filled out or leaving an email in your comment).

New available fabrics

I've been stocking a piece from my new fabrics every now and then, but here they are all together (click photo to enlarge). Look for them soon in my updated "pick your style" listings. I'll be replacing some of my discontinued/clearance items, and low remaining quantity fabrics with these. As always, since these are listed in my fabric album, they are available for custom orders too.  Many look great with other trim options as well!

As I make up custom orders and in-stock items with my fabrics, I make room in my small storage space to get new fabrics. I'm always on the lookout for cute things - but I only buy limited quantities, so when they're gone...they're gone....!


Happy diapering!

Stripe it Rich going Retail!

I wanted to announce that I've agreed to a "trial" wholesale order with ali AND swan for my Stripe it Rich soakers. I'm excited about having a new channel for my products! The first order is a small number (pictured above), just to see how things go. I have always been wary of a wholesale situation for a number of reasons:

1 - I don't charge enough to enable me to sell my soakers at a deep wholesale discount to anyone for resale. I sell them directly to my customers for the best price I can. That's always been my goal - keep it affordable!
2 - I don't want to take up the few hours I get to sew with a wholesale order when I would rather get customs done or get my shop stocked. When you get the kids' nap times, preschool hours, and sometimes evenings to work (in addition clean, exercise, or do any other hobby), your time is precious!
3 -  I was nervous to have someone else represent MY items, and didn't want them sold for more than I was selling them in my own shop.
4 - I was worried about too much pressure to "produce"

Well, after working with Alison from ali AND swan, I feel very comfortable with her representing my handiwork. In addition, she's a WAHM herself (if you've ordered from me recently, you may have received some of her product as a sample - Super Stars wipe solution!). I'm also very happy with the way she's set up her shop and the other products she's carrying. In addition - she offers a military discount and free shipping on orders over $40. She's willing to work with me on price and quantity so that we're both happy. So, all in all, I think it's a good match. 

So, check out ali AND swan, and be on the lookout for IN STOCK Stripe it Rich soakers stocked there from yours truly :)

Patchwork soakers

These are by far the most fun for me to make (although they take the longest) - patchwork soakers! They really use my creative energy. I've made and sold a few, and have gotten a great response. Saving all of my wool scraps has paid off! The hardest part is organizing them, and finding coordinating color schemes with the same weight of wool.

I've just listed these three, which I've been working on for quite some time and finally finished up. Enjoy!

Click here to visit my shop to see the listings

Green shipping

Is there really such a thing as "green shipping"? With Winkydinks, I'm trying to focus my efforts on staying as green as possible, but that's a little challenging considering 95% of my customers are out of state. So I chose to make my shipping as cost effective and environmentally responsible as possible.

• I switched to Eco-Enclose polymailers. These are biodegradable or recyclable, in addition to being very sturdy (a.k.a. REUSABLE!). Many people who cloth diaper wind up selling/trading diapers with others and these are perfect because they don't add weight to your package. 
• I don't include unnecessary wrapping
• With the exception of International packages, all of my shipping is done from home via PayPal (no extra trips to the post office, which saves gas)

But I felt like I should be doing more. I researched ways to do carbon neutral shipping, and have found something that will work for me. It's called Green Shipping. (click to go to a Demo screen).


I pay (a price per shipment they have calculated by distance and weight) to offset the carbon used in that delivery. I can also add in personal packages I have received or sent, as long as I have a tracking number! They also offer package tracking, which my customers can use. I haven't figured out the best way to send that information out, but am working on it.

So if you're curious, you could enter in your own tracking number and see what it says!

Handmade felt ornaments

This year I ventured out and made some ornaments. My husband's great-grandmother had crocheted ice skates with paper clips for the blade, which we hang on the tree every year. I thought, "there must be some sort of pattern out there for a sewn version of this project", and alas, I found it! (It also has a pattern for darling little mittens.).

They were really quite simple to make. I have a TON of felt scraps from my diaper soakers, and I added jingle bells and a year tag to them. I chose to hand sew them using a blanket stitch on the mittens. I had never done this before, and found a great tutorial. I love learning new things! I used a straight stitch on the skates. Now, if I weren't making THIRTEEN of them, it would have been a much less daunting task. :)

These are going out to family and friends this year, but perhaps...just perhaps...next year I can start this project early enough to make some to stock in the shop. I can't decide which I like better....the pair of skates or the furry mitten. Hmmm... I guess I'll keep one of each for us this year!

You can also make these with eco-felt (made from recycled pop bottles), or any fabric you have around the house (maybe old sweaters, sweatshirts, or even socks?). I'd love to hear if you try it!

12 days of Clothmas!

Keep your eyes peeled for a giveaway sponsored by Winkydinks on The Cloth Diaper Addiction blog. They are hosting 12 days of giveaways!! (And, just perhaps....Winkydinks might be on day 1...hint hint...)

Black Friday discount code!

Use the code BLACKFRI15 at either my Hyena Cart or Etsy shops and enjoy 15% off of your order (before shipping).

This code will only be valid on purchases on 11/26/10, and you will only get the discount if the code is used on the order (i.e. I will not refund the amount).
I'm hopping up and down now that Etsy has rolled out coupon codes!! Yay!

Enjoy your Thanksgiving with family and friends, and we'll "see" you on Friday!

Winner of longies announced!

 

Thank you to everyone for your participation in my Anniversary giveaway!

Congratulations to comment #8 - Isha! You win a pair of black longies with your choice of heart or star applique on the ankle. I'll work with you on the details when you respond (within 48 hours)!

Isha said... 8 Found out about this giveaway from the Etsy Cloth Diaper Team Facebook page. Congrats on 2 successful years on Etsy!

Anniversary Giveaway - Fleece Longies! (CLOSED)

 In celebration of my 2 year Etsy anniversary - I'm offering one winner a pair of my fleece longies (your choice of size and inseam). This pair will be solid black, with your choice of any color star or heart applique on one ankle (or plain). You may also choose to have the waist be the same color as the applique.

My longies are a single layer (daytime use), and function as a diaper cover and clothing in one! They also work great over pocket diapers or AIOs for a little extra protection - plus they are sized for cloth diapers so they are roomier through the hips, with a higher rise than regular pants. You can find sizing information here.You can find them to purchase at my Hyena Cart store, or my Etsy shop!
Always available for customs, and quick turnaround times!! Does your little one have chunky thighs? I can tailor them so they aren't too tight!

***********************************************************************
Giveaway is now closed!
I'm going to make this a simple contest!
To enter: leave a comment here letting me know how you came to find this giveaway (if you can remember!).
I'll choose a numbered comment using random.org on Friday November 19th, 9pm PST and post the winner here as well as direct email. The winner has 48 hours to respond or I'll choose a new winner. Please be sure your profile has contact info or you leave your email address in your comment. Open to all countries.

Winkydinks celebrates 2 years!

This month, I'm celebrating having my Etsy shop open for 2 years! I can't believe it's been that long, and am so thankful to my wonderful customers for helping me to keep up my momentum.

In celebration, I have a few things planned:

• Free shipping both on Etsy and Hyena Cart stores! Use code "freeship2yr" on HC in the discount code field. On Etsy, put the code in your checkout notes, and I will refund you the amount after you check out (sorry, no discount codes there yet!) Available now through 11/19/10. (Remember I can always combine your orders between shops if you contact me first.) 
• Blog giveaway planned here for this weekend 
•  3 clearance priced fabrics available - you choose the size! Available for a limited time, starting 11/10/10 on Hyena Cart. 

Thank you for your support over these years! While neither of my boys are in cloth anymore, I still am enjoying keeping in tune with the CD world through my shop. (And now my sister is expecting, so I'm able to continue my "addiction" via her baby!)

pumpkins!

I had a customer request a pumpkin applique, and while I hadn't done one before, I figured, why not? Sometimes the best ideas come from custom orders! :) I plan to make up some of these for the shop as well. Happy Fall!!!

What is Hyena Cart?

I realize many of my customers and fans are more familiar with Etsy than Hyena Cart.
I thought I'd take a minute to post about this other site, so you can familiarize yourself with it (#1, so you can be ready for the Deal-a-Day stuff coming soon...and #2, so you can find some great items from other sellers of fine handmade, child related items)

The easiest way is to point you to their shopper's FAQ.

As a seller, I like that they have a different fee structure than other places. The listings are easy to post, AND I am able to configure choices. For me, this is the easiest way to offer custom items -  This lets the customer pick size (with adjustments for price), color, trim, etc. as drop down choices. Many diapering families look to Hyena Cart for the latest and greatest in WAHM wares. I'm happy to be part of that group!

You can find me on Hyena Cart here: www.hyenacart.com/winkydinks

Happy shopping, "Hyenas" (that's what you're called over there)!
Jen

Winkydinks is doing a Deal a Day!

(note, I have changed some of this information after it was originally posted. Specifically with regard to how the items will be listed).

You may know I'm crazed with the "deal a day" sites (BabyHalfOff, ScrapbookSteals, HippoBargains, etc.)...and I thought it would be fun to host my own DEALS! I've been busy making up some special stock just for this event and will have previews up on Hyena Cart so you'll know what's coming. (Ok, this is a little different than the daily surprise steals, but I wanted to give everyone a chance!). Items are very limited at these prices (remember, I'm a small work-from-home shop!)

• There will only be 2-3 items each day, and each deal will last 24 hours only.
• All "deal a day" items will be on Hyena Cart
• They will be BUY IT NOW style items, which means if you click "buy", it's yours...you can't delete it from your cart. This makes it so nobody else can buy it while you're checking out. This is a little different than my standard items. (edited 9/13)
• Because of the type of listings for these, you are required to have an account to make a purchase (set one up before the item you want is stocked!). (edited 9/13)
• If you order other items THE SAME DAY, but not in the same transaction, I will still combine shipping. 
• All items are first quality, offered at an extreme discount 
• Items will be shown in "preview" mode, showing the day/time they will become available for purchase. You can add them to your "spots" or favorites though! 
• I will stock items at different times, giving people in different parts of the country and with different schedules a chance (i.e. they won't all be at 9am PDT)
• Please refrain from purchasing more than one deal - let's share the luck! 
• I'll post reminders on Facebook the day of the deal (and when previews are up)! 

I plan to get previews up this week! 
What do you think? Are you ready for some STALKING??? :)  

(If you're new to Hyena Cart, don't be afraid! It just takes a name and an email address to register!)

Diaper Drive for Cloth Diaper Foundation

Are you done with part of your stash and not sure what to do with it? Check out the current diaper drive going on at the Cloth Diaper Foundation - they are looking to collect enough donations to keep afloat and be able to offer diapers to people who need them. You can help!

The Cloth Diaper Foundation is a great organization that Winkydinks is proud to support!

Oh I wish I had a reason to keep these!!!

I was suddenly inspired to make some racing bums! I have read the Golden Book version of Lightning McQueen about a million times and tend to daydream when I read it now...but this time it inspired me!
I was so happy with the way they turned out...I only wish I had a legitimate reason to keep them here at my house. But alas, my children are no longer in need of them (even though they love Cars and racing!). I hope they can find a new home with one of my great customers! (And I'd love to see a photo of your little one sporting them!)

Two new wool soakers just listed today -

LIGHTNING MCQUEEN (size Large)

RACING STRIPES #1 (size Medium)