Christmas Promotion Announcement

Time to stuff those stockings!

From November 8th to December 5th watch for a great Christmas Sale at The Ribbon Wand Shop! I will be offering Christmas Duets - Ribbon Wand groupings that compliment one another, that's two handmade Ribbon Wands with FREE shipping to the US and Canada! I'm excited to offer this savings to my customers this holiday season...and hope it gives you something to sing about!

PayPal Virtual Lab

Really informative virtual lab I attended at Etsy today. I learned so much! If you like gaming, PayPal has a fun little promotional activity where you learn ways to protect your online identity.

Inspiration

This photo with the Ribbon blowing around this girl...LOVE! Fantastic inspiration for the Ribbon Wand shop this week...

RIBBON christmas tree

Another scrap ribbon project! You will need:

-Patterned Ribbon Scraps - the amount really depends on the size of your ribbon, it could be as many as 300, 4 inch long pieces if you are using 1/4 inch width ribbon or much less, if using larger widths.
-Pins
-Styrofoam Cone
-Star ornament for the top

Start from the bottom by pinning ribbon pieces all around the base, allowing the ribbon to overhang slightly past the base. Then apply the next layer like you were shingling a house, in an offset pattern. Repeat process until you get to the top of the cone and finish with a festive star topper.

RIBBON as art

Another simple project for your ribbon scraps. This is a great way to add a touch of art to a space for a very small price. Find coordinating ribbon colors to match your home decor and simply use double sided tape to attach ribbon to a board slightly larger than the framed opening. Tape board into place and put the frame together. Ribbon as art!

the RIBBON hem

Here's a fun project for your ribbon scraps!

Maybe it's my line of work...but the amount of scrap ribbon around my house is alarming and I'm always trying to come up with ways to include my bits and bobs into something new and unique.

Here is a great tutorial for making your own Ribbon Fringe. My best tip is to make sure that your "border ribbon" is a good thick grosgrain ribbon. For those of you who don't have scraps and want to go shopping...I highly recommend Strano Ribbon for this project simply because it is the best stuff out there!

Once the Fringe is made, it's time to attach it to something. I added mine to some jeans that my daughter loved, but had become just a tad short...this added the length and some fun. Be prepared to be bombarded with requests from strangers and friends to know where you bought them, though!
Add this ribbon fringe to the edge of pillow case, the bottom of a lamp shade, curtains, a skirt, a table runner...the possibilities are endless. So get some scraps and start ironing! ;)

Thoughts on Etsy

Here is an article about Etsy's Success and the possible growing pains the site is and will be facing. There has been a consistent movement on-site regarding vintage and supplies, mainly coming from the vintage and supply sellers that are trying to have Etsy broaden it's focus from Handmade to also include in it's scope a place to buy supplies and vintage items. Let me assure you the discussions have been fierce.

I weighted into one, more out of true curiosity rather than opinion. I asked these sellers who focus on Supplies and Vintage why they would join a site that clearly does not focus on this area, but then promptly demand they make it easier for them to sell their wares, when they clearly do not fit the Etsy vision. In fact here is Etsy's mission statement:

Etsy is an online marketplace for buying & selling all things handmade.
Our mission is to enable people to make a living making things, and to reconnect makers with buyers.Our vision is to build a new economy and present a better choice:Buy, Sell, and Live Handmade.

I personally joined the site being completely aware that this was its focus and it was why I wanted to be part of it. I would probably be up in arms if they changed or altered the context of Etsy to cater to a broader demographic. It suddenly becomes less unique, and in my opinion panders. I hear the argument of the sellers of both vintage and supplies, but I have to wonder... this was the focus of this site when they joined, if it doesn't fit, move on to something that does.

the Human Calendar widget

For fun...

New Standard Shipping Destinations

Today I've added the UK and Australia as standard shipping destinations for the Ribbon Wand shop. They will be sent as International Light Packet's via Airmail for a flat rate of $4.75 for one wand and $1.00 for each additional wand. Contact me for shipping rates on larger quantities of 5+ wands. Thanks!

Autumn

Prime Autumn weather is upon us in our little Northern Canadian perch. Just going to show you that anytime of year is perfect for Ribbon Wand play...

New Wands

Lots of new wand designs are ready to be uploaded into shop! Keep checking in over the next few weeks to see the new designs.

Pink is the Thing

It's official. Pink Ribbon Wands are the best sellers. Buyers want pink, pink and more pink. There are still a lot of requests for purple, but they don't hold a candle to the popularity of pink. It must be that people associate Ribbon Wands to the extreme feminine. It's all good, but let's not forget that many other non-pink lovers enjoy the wands also. It's almost impossible for boys, like brothers, Uncles and Dads to refrain from trying out a Ribbon Wand (even if it's pink), but just to keep the species happy...there is always Camo! ;)