One Year on Folksy: Giveaway time!

I love giveaways as many of you will know!  This one is particularly special because I am celebrating my first complete year of selling on Folksy!  Today, I have chosen to illustrate my post with vintage inspired or vintage items from Folksy sellers and they are all under £20.00!  Don’t forget to click on the photos and they will take you directly to the shop.  Enjoy!

I don’t have any idea how I have arrived at where I am.  I have sold 121 items in my folksy shop! However, I know I aim to do three important things:

First, make high quality handmade items.  This is essential.  I have high standards and I don’t compromise.  I think about what I am making and ask myself “will this fall apart in five minutes time?”  Quality and unusual fabrics are also essential. This also applies even when I am upcycling!  I use strong threads and repeatable stitching in parts that will receive a lot of wear and tear. Interfacing, careful attention to detail and so forth...

Second, I believe my hard work and more hard work have helped!  I like to list daily and that is always a challenge because of the length of time it takes to make an item. Sometimes I give myself a break from the pressure!  I don’t involve myself full- time in the daily listing club on Folksy, but have month long breaks when needed.  I promote my items on Facebook, Flickr, Craftjuice, Stumble Upon, Pinterest and this blog – I am sure there is a lot more I could do, but time is precious so I only do what I can!

Finally, I feel having a variety of items in my Folksy shop is important, and I think this is a key to what I have sold.  I don’t sell just one type of item – I started with bags, but they are not big sellers (any bag maker will tell you) sure, from time to time I do sell them and that is always pleasing.  However, I love making my notebooks and journals and they have been surprisingly successful, also my purses have done quite well too.  Important to me is to make my items different from what else is being sold on Folksy – not always achievable because I don’t spend my time wading though the thousands of listings to see if someone else is making and selling the same item!!!

Is there a secret to my success?  I haven’t a clue.  In these times of austerity, recession and a negative economical climate, I think selling is really difficult.  I wonder what things would have been like for me if it had been a different time?  I am grateful for the friends and support and people I know on Folksy – my virtual family have made selling a pleasure for me – not a chore.  But, finally I am super grateful for my customers – they are fabulous – so wherever you are – a BIG thank you!

GIVEAWAY!

Now to the important bit that you have been waiting for! I am looking for a WINNER and a RUNNER UP for my giveaway.  I suspect you are wondering what I am giving away?  Well, the lucky WINNER can choose anything; I mean anything, from what is currently listed in my Folksy shop.  The RUNNER UP can choose anything up to the value of £15.00.  Unfortunately, each can only choose ONE ITEM.

What do you have to do?  I want you to have a browse in my Folksy shop and choose the item you would like to have if you were the WINNER.   (If the item you choose is £15.00 or under and you are the RUNNER UP you can have that item or choose another.)  However, if you choose the same item as the WINNER then you will need to choose another item.

I would like you to leave a comment on this blog saying which item you would like and why – please copy the item’s URL as it helps me to know exactly which item you are referring to.

PLEASE ENTER.  You never know if you are going to be the winner!

This giveaway will expire on Tuesday evening 23^rd October 2012 at 9pm.  Soon after that I will announce the WINNER and RUNNER UP.  The method will be random and completely fair.  I want everyone to have an equal chance of winning.

Good luck!

Edwina

 

TOP TO BOTTOM: Tinker Prince, Blue Forest Jewellery, sew amy, Natalie Farrell, Adien Crafts, picocrafts, Say it, Handmade by Edwina

THANK YOU all for entering my giveaway to celebrate my first year on Folksy.

The WINNER is Kimberly Rampersad - Congratulations!
The RUNNER UP is Susan from So Choosy - Well done!