Etsy shop love

   It's funny how things work sometimes, coincidence or providence, whatever it is I'm thankful.  I freshened up the shop a bit earlier this week because I had some time and I raised my prices just a tad on the custom stamps I sell.  I think I was super worried in the beginning that nothing would sell, so I put everything on the lower end.  Oddly enough, I got 3 orders in the following couple of days after raising my prices.  I also surpassed the 50 sales mark this week, which is a fun milestone.  I actually haven't worked on much besides the custom stamps, but thought I'd show you what I'm super proud of.

  Was cutting up a pineapple one day and realized I could make it into a stamp.  Did the top and bottom separate so I could do different colors for each.  I LOVE this stamp combo!  I want to do more with it.  Someone please invent more time in the day and more energy per kid you have.  :)

    A little bit about my process for this.  I took a picture of a pineapple.  Then I made one design for one of the hexagon shapes in the middle of the pineapple and carved it into a stamp.  After that, I drew the bottom shape of the pineapple and stamped the stamp all over it in a pattern.  I then traced all of the stamped hexagons, scanned in my tracing, and touched it up a little on the computer with my primal graphic design skills.

  I then traced the graphic with a lead pencil and transferred the image onto carving block to carve my stamp.

This is one way I used that stamp.

  I also was super proud of this one that my friend, Paige, sent because the graphic behind the face is SUPER intricate and I honestly didn't know if I could do it.

  I was so happy with how it turned out!  Behind this stamp is a big story, basically a friend of my friend, was recently diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer.  The community around him started a fundraising drive with shirts with this logo as a way of raising money for cancer research, but also to take on the mantra of Brian who has the cancer.  Long story short, Paige ordered a stamp of the logo so they could use it however they saw fit.  I also used the stamp to gift them a onesie for the baby they are expecting in November.

  Paige let me know last night that my onesie made the news.  :)  Watch the clip here.

  Kind of a fun morale boost for me.  Not that I need recognition, but sometimes I feel like my shop is a selfish use of my time or a time drain, and to see it as a positive influence for others is nice.

Happy friday!