Time for a Decision....

Sometimes we make things that we and our friends and family think are the best, the latest, the greatest. And they're wrong!
I love clocks and have a small collection & many years ago decided to make and sell some. I thought they were pretty and clever, made from plates and boxes, books and discarded CDs.  Some 'strangers' have agreed and I've sold over 100 in the past few years. Custom requests were numerous and one even appeared in a published book. Reactions to them have always been so positive or has everyone lied to me?!
But they have come to a screaming standstill. They are on the expensive side to make with the cost of the clock works tripling over the years. I love the creative process when I make a clock and that satisfaction is over.
I'm done! It doesn't make sense to keep making something that takes up a fair amount of space, are awful hassles to take to shows and don't sell. I believe they make great little art pieces and are a wonderful house gift or any kind of present but the world does not agree.
Below are some of my current favorites and check All About The Buttons this week....drastic reductions. Think future gifts, Christmas, etc. If you agree with my family and friends, buy one for a great price! I'm kind of sad but the hand writing on the wall says STOP!!!

Quotes and sayings and things to remember!

Let me be upfront...I rarely can tell a joke, long, short, it doesn't matter.I am usually forgetting the punchline. There are sayings I love and never recall them to insert at the right time. And so many quotes that also escape me. My brother and mother have that gene....I was passed by!
I received a catolgue the other day with some pretty sarcastic and funny sayings on them. Do I remember any? Well, they're sitting right here so I can tell you some. These were all printed on signs or mugs or t-shirts.
This was written for me.... "The house was clean last week (sorry you missed it)."
And this one... "The voices in my head told me to buy more shoes"....uh huh!

Anyway, they all got me to thinking about putting these on some clocks like this one:

I make these clocks with the brilliant graphic mind of Judy from PortableGraffitiGraphics . She creates the design while I assemble the clock. It got me thinking that YOU may have a saying, a joke, a line you'd like immortalized on a clock and most probably Judy and I could do it. So drop me a note at AllAboutTheButtons or leave a comment here and together we can make time!!! Or maybe you feel like this clock!

Oh, and they don't have to be fresh or sassy or sarcastic! They can be anything that speaks to you!

Collaboration

I've written about collaboration before and want to share a new venture that was just started. Judy, of PortableGraffitiGraphics , and I have become good friends since we 'met' almost 2 years ago on Zibbet. She knew that I made clocks using a discarded CD as the base like this one:

And by the way, Happy July 4th!!!

We are now offering custom made clocks using a shop logo or avatar as the face. This would make a great gift for the crafter you know. Place it on a table when you do your shows. Hang it in your work space for accurate time and inspiration! Hey, significant others, your crafty partner would love this!

The one pictured on the right is our sample using MimiandColette as our prototype. The one below, we created for the BaubleBin.

You can let either Judy or I know if you are interested.

The listing is in my shop.

Craft Gossip

VERY exciting to be reading the Craft Gossip newsletter and see my clock shown. Very cool! I usually read it on the same day I get it but this time with normal busy-ness and the show, I didn't get to it until the following day! It is a very stimulating creative site & obviously they have good taste!
It was here.

Hot Numbers

There is always tremendous talk on Etsy regarding item and shop views and how they relate to sales. What is the thinking behind hearting an item? For future purchase? Kindness? Bookmarking? There are even outside sites where you can clearly see those numbers.
My independent research shows little or no correlation. I have sold items within 5 minutes of posting and just 2-3 views which leads me to think right customer, right moment when it was posted. Period! On Zibbet there are no public views and the internal counts can be confusing. I've been going through my items and while renewing, I found some startling numbers of items that have been around for a bit and have high view counts and hearts. A sale is a sale whether it has 2 views, 22 or 222!
Here's some great 'old' stuff, high views, numerous hearts and without a rhyme or reason, they're still here!
Groovy Clock

Cigar Box Clock

Heart Clock

Chenille Scarf

Dumb.....!

I am always on the look out for new bases to convert into clocks. I often use plates like this one:

And I have made many with discarded CDs like these:


I've used trays and baskets as well. Two weeks ago DH & I were wandering in a "junk" store. Now it wasn't junk as in garbage, but just a bit of everything from art to lamps to dog food and spaghetti strainers. You never know what you'll find. I found wood plaques with great,whimsical pictures on them and said "Clocks". I bought 2 and almost immediately wished I got more since the price was more than great! Went home, made the clocks, listed and yes, sold immediately. So I thought to go back and get some more. Mind you when I was there the 1st time, there were dozens. This store is easily the size of a football field so I walked and walked and walked until I finally found 3, just 3 left and not the adorable ones I bought which are here:




The lesson in this story: When you see it, stock up!!!

Ya' Never Know....

Just when I decided that the magnets were not worth my time, I got an order for a dozen and a half!!! I really do enjoy making them but they take alot of steps and time and pricing becomes an issue. I also decided to try another etsy-like website against my better judgement and BINGO! a sale. I had three Christmas clocks that have been on etsy for two Christmases and never sold so I sent them to the store in Massachusetts....yup, they sold. So basically, ya' never know!

Promoting...

Since I entered the world of on-line sales I have learned about so many ways to promote your item, your craft, yourself. I have taken advantage of many areas such as this one, blogging, and many others. But being a bit old-fashioned, I always felt the newspaper would be a great area to pursue. Back in 2007 I launched a fairly regular letter writing campaign to get my shop on etsy and etsy in general in the news. No one even had the courtesy to answer until about 3 weeks ago. I e-mailed a journalist in the regional newspaper who focused on my town and she responded immediately. A photographer was dispatched to my house to take pictures...don't ask how long it took to clean up the studio!- and the result was in the paper this past Tuesday. It was a generally a good article except that ALL ABOUT THE BUTTONS wasn't even mentioned....ugh! Hopefully anyone coming to etsy through the article might search clocks and I'll be there...hopefully! Speaking of clocks, here's a new one to be listed soon...

I'm giving it up!

I've waffled and wavered and said yes as often as no BUT finally.....the clock I made for the book I was in, Button!Button!, is up for sale. I really don't have a great emotional attachment to it even though I am pleased with the final results. It truly doesn't fit anywhere in my house, and needless to say, I have plenty of clocks soooooooooooooooo here she is! But maybe I should ke............NO!!!! For some reason, the book photos washed out the beautiful grain of the wood. The bottom photo is more true. Hmmmm............NO! It was on the back cover....




The other items of mine in the book were bookmarks and I think that talented Angie from Calabash Creations has bought every one! I do have more in the shop. Now about that clock.................

We're Up and Running!

Yay! The new computer is working. I was concerned about VISTA and problems I've heard about but so far, so good. The techie is coming on Thursday to do a data transfer and install an external hard drive for automatic back ups. Until then I can't access any of my documents or stored pictures but that's okay. Don't I sound like I know what I'm talking about?! Anyway, it's great not getting those threatening and warning messages.

I did accomplish a major re-haul of the studio this weekend. Re-organized (again) and labeled and stored and stashed and worked myself to exhaustion. Now I don't want to go up there and mess it up!
I found this clock that is really too big to have ever been lost. I call it Basket of Silver Clock....not terribly original but that's what it is. I listed it today. I also found tons of yarn and thread. I thought I had de-stashed...hmmm, think again!

New Clock Direction

Thankfully, Taylor received her clock and loved it! (See post below) I am so glad and hope her mother-in-law loves it too.
I tried another and here it is:

Mom2Fur guessed correctly....it is fabric stretched over a canvas. This opens a whole new world for my clocks. They can be customized with so many themes or colors. Just think, a special shirt can be turned into a clock!

It is fun to do something different. The kitchen clock has gotten good reviews so far in the shop. Tomorrow I'm going to try another. It is stimulating when you come up with something new and it seems to work! Ahhh, the fun of creative activities.

Welcome Summer..Ha!

Today is the first day of summer? Well, as in previous posts you know from me that the temperatures have not read the calendar at all but now officially, summer is underway. Yay!
I had an interesting week which included a near disaster while gardening and another while drying some spices and although some harm was done, so is that miserable day! And my finger will heal....

A highlight of this week was the pleasure of having been chosen for an alchemy request on etsy. Taylor from curlyfrysc (a great eclectic little shop) wanted a horse themed clock as a gift. It gave me the opportunity to try out an idea that's been flipping inside my head for awhile AND it worked!!! I am quite pleased with it and I hope the receiver is as well. The format for this will open me up for another clock design direction. Here's the one for curlyfrysc and there are NO buttons on it! Can you tell what the base is????????

Think Pink...finally!

Finally, our family can buy pink. My nephew and his wife welcomed Samantha Rose into the world today. The first girl in forever!!!! It is wonderful to think pink. Boys are wonderful, don't get me wrong, but this family is over loaded with them! I will send the clock below from the shop but also have a knit blankie and some knit bibs and wash cloths and and and....the box will be full! As soon as I finish this darling sweater I'm working on, off it will go. Actually, the sweater isn't pink but purple, orange and yellow. Sounds awful but it really is great. The picture is on the right. Can't wait to meet you, Samantha Rose♥.

Male Days

Am I alone thinking men are difficult to buy gifts for? If your significant other/father/brother/uncle/friend does not have a hobby or a great passion, it can be hard to shop for males. They always say "I have everything I need".... In my family we have 4 male days within the upcoming 6 weeks so this time of year gets me crazy.

Anyway, Father's Day is around the corner and even though it is not a totally acceptable-politically correct past time, many men like a good cigar and a drink. So here's my contribution...a wood cigar box clock. Perfect if one of your men fits that bill.

If not, my husband wants it!

My newest

This is in honor of Christine at BellaColle.

It is available in my etsy shop.

The busier you are....

the busier you are!!! It just seems this week was busy and my mind is exploding with new 'products'. The upside is that the mental, creative stimulation is great. The downside is finding time to execute the ideas. One idea-and it shall remain known only to me-failed miserably. It's okay for me to keep but not something I am proud enough to sell. I have 2 other ideas and this clock is one. Believe it or not the base is an old CD! Creatively it will allow me to use great backgrounds with wonderful papers and not be limited to the plates and tiles I have been using. Naturally, they will include buttons. I think it's cool and this one would be great in a boy's room, a den or your guy's workshop. It's on etsy and later today I will put up the 2nd clock, quite different from the background of this one. My last idea is still under construction but I think there's potential. Time will tell...I just need more time!

Time Flies

I haven't posted for a week because................? I feel a bit like my days are very short and are whizzing by but I do get a great deal accomplished. I am now preparing for my first (in over 7 years) little show which is on Sunday. It's a harvest festival, a first annual and a donation is all that it costs to show. There will be loads of kids activities, pumpkin decorating, food and about a dozen crafters. I had forgotten how much there is to do to get ready with deciding what to bring, pricing, packaging, set-up, etc. Sunday morning I will de-activate some things that are on etsy so I can bring them. It's hard not to be excited but I don't want to be crushed if there's a poor outcome so I'm trying to be level headed. With kids expected (and parents, of course) I'm bringing mostly my less expensive items like bookmarks , barrettes, and magnets but the purses and hats as well. Maybe 1 or 2 clocks...we'll see.
Wish me luck!!!

I was very pleased with Tina's clock but it's nerve wracking to do a custom order. I actually did hers on the diagonal and was also worried she wouldn't like that either BUT today she left me a glorious feedback. Thank you, Tina.

I have no more of those perfect wooden trays so this series is complete. Here's Tina's and the last one made from the adorable picture called First Love, published in 1926. I have 2 clocks in the works made from reproduction gameboards. So far they are very cool, if I do say so myself!

Norman Rockwell

Tina, from CatherineStOriginals has requested a clock made from a Norman Rockwell picture. It has rekindled my admiration for his work. Wonderful, caring pictures. I have done three and have displayed here my version of his "Christmas Trio". I haven't made Tina's yet as she has to select a picture but I am looking forward to doing it. Check my etsy to see the other one I just posted. What an eye he had! And what a love of family.

A dilemma!

Okay, it's July 30th and to some the summer is over. Business wise is it time to begin listing fall things with holiday right behind or is it too early? To solve the dilemma, I made a summer clock titled "End of Summer"! Check it out in full on etsy. School starts here in 22 days and to me, as a former teacher, that certainly is the beginning of fall but we started days after Labor day...I'm so confused!!!! I am paying more attention to the start of school this year since Caleb will be starting kindergarten. Where did the years go?