And the winner of Broken Hallelujah's fall give away is.....
It's time for a giveaway! In honor of the first day of fall, I'm having a fall giveaway.
With this giveaway you have your chance to win a custom pair of mary jane slippers made out of your favorite two-color combination and a matching coffee sleeve (like those pictured above). The slippers will be made specifically to your color request and shoe size if you are the lucky winner.
This contest will run until 12:00 am Eastern on September 30th. A winner will be drawn at random from the entrants on October 1st and will be notified by email of their win.
So if you are ready to keep your toes cozy and your fingers comfy this fall, here is how you enter:
Everyone can enter using any or all of the above methods for a total of three (3) entries per person. In your comment please be sure to also include your email address so I can contact you if you win.
Good luck! And happy fall.
A shop update!! I've got a whole new line of items being introduced in the shop as we blog. New this fall in the Broken Hallelujah shop are these coffee cup cozies.
They are perfect for any coffee or tea lover who just can't resist heading out to your local coffee shop and indulging. Believe me, you aren't the only one.
If you are like me and can't resist a good cup'o'joe every day, then this is the item for you! These take the place of those cardboard sleeves you pick up at the counter. With this sleeve you are not only drinking your coffee in style, but it's also an eco friendly solution to your burning finger tips.
I've made a bunch of these up in lots of different colors, patterns, yarns, etc. You can see the whole collection now in my shop. And of course, custom orders are always welcome.
And if you have any suggestions for color combinations, please share! I'm always open to new ideas.
Broken Hallelujah is being featured in some very cool places right now.
And, I'm very excited to share that Broken Hallelujah has also been featured on the Funky Finds blog (see the feature here). It is a very sweet little write up, so go show some love and leave a comment.
Lots of new items are being added to the shop, so check back soon for an update! Have a great weekend.
Another thing I love about fall is bringing out the cold weather wear. This gorgeous scarf is bursting with fall color and looks so snuggly and warm. It's perfect for women or men, and you can find it in loriloom's etsy shop on sale this weekend for $32.
And finally, you can't have fall without having a spicy candle that captures all the scents of the season. Pumpkin, apples, cinnamon, and more, I love this time of year when I can find an abundance of wonderfully spiced, warm scented candles that can just warm me up with one whiff of their delicious scent. Blisscandles has many assorted fall scented candles available in your shop for very affordable prices, like this 16 oz candle for $34.
September is here and fall is coming! Broken Hallelujah is getting ready.
Plus there are lovely new fall accessories in the shop with more coming soon. Scarflettes, hats, and of course my mary jane slippers are perfect for keeping you warm and fashionable this fall. With these quality, one of a kind items, you are sure to make a statement on campus, in the office, or out with your girl friends.
Artfire has stunned us again with another great feature available to it's sellers - coupon codes!
After the market I headed off to the beach. This weekend Hurricane Bill was blowing by off coast. Luckily we didn't have any real impact from the storm other than some major surf and currents. I wanted to comb the beach and see if Bill washed up any good shells, but sadly didn't really find much. Even though I went at low tide, the large waves kept the water above the shell line making a bit difficult to spot shells. It was a beautiful day at the beach though enjoy the waves and the sea breeze.
Brand new in the shop! A new line of coin purses that includes these adorable little mini purses.
These fun purses were an idea from my mother who found some fun crochet coin purses on the internet and thought I should give it a try. So I researched the little frames (which can be quite expensive!) and bought some bright, tropical yarns to make fun patterns and color combinations. And these little purses were born!
Although they are small and adorable, they have an unsurpassed durability. The tight knit and durable yarn means these little pouches will last through many shopping sprees while keeping your purse just an tiny bit more organized. They hold a good deal of change so you won't be digging around the bottom of your bag looking for direct change. Plus, they're small size makes them great stocking stuffers for the upcoming holidays!And already I've had great feedback about these little purses. The first couple I listed in my shop have sold right away, so I have more planned and already ordered a few more frames which should be arriving soon.
Today and tomorrow I'm riding the Artfire Crazy Train. It's a great promotional tool where members of the crazy train work together to promote one Artfire Artisan for two days. We all get together and promote for each other using blog posts, twitter updates, facebook sharing, and other great promotional techniques. And it's finally my turn! Horray!
August is one of the rainiest months here in North Carolina and my flowers are loving it. I picked up some new flowers when I moved to town because I couldn't stand to have a bare deck even if it already was August. Luckily, Wilmington's long growing season meant there was still a bit of variety to choose from before the winter pansies had arrived. And now they are soaking up the rain and when the sun comes out it makes them sparkle.
Some of my favorite crochet projects are ones that are easy and quick. There's an instant gratification in making something yourself in just a short amount of time. So I've decided to share an quick and easy crochet pattern with you all - my herringbone crochet headband with flower pin. Ch 21. (This will be the tie in the back, so make it longer or shorter if you like.) OR you can just leave a stretch of yarn un-used (as in the picture) to use for the tie. It's up to you.
7 sc. is the width I've decided on for my headband. If you would like yours to be skinnier or fatter adjust the above steps to reach your desired width.
Now, you simply hhdc across each stitch (skipping the very first stitch as your ch. 2 serves as the first stitch of each row). Then ch. 2 and turn. Make sure to crochet a hhdc in the top of the ch. 2. at the end of the row for a total of 7 hhdc in each row. Keep repeating the rows until the headband fits around your head from the bottom of one ear to the other.
Once you have reached your desired length you have to decrease the headband down to 2 single chain.
Now simply chain 20 (or however many you chose to chain at the beginning) to make the other end of the tie. Finish and tie off. Tuck in the loose ends.
Now for the flower.
Ch 2.
Then using a hot glue gun or thread attach the pin back to the back of the flower and the button to the center.
You're done!
Can you feel it in the air? Autumn is coming!
Autumn is on the horizon, though. Soon it'll be time for kids to go back to school, ripe crisp apples, and changing leaves. I've been working hard to get my shops ready for the upcoming season change. New hats, scarves, scarflettes, and more are coming to help keep everyone stylish and warm this fall. I am working on some new designs as I type in great colors and luxurious fibers like merino wool, angora, silk, and more!
I'm also beginning to take custom orders for the holiday season. It may seem early, but it's wise to order far ahead of time to ensure I can get the order finished in plenty of time for the holidays. If you are thinking of ordering anything custom, please think about doing it soon. Custom orders are first come, first serve.
In the mean time enjoy the rest of the hot summer days ahead of us. And keep your eyes here for an upcoming fall giveaway!
We made it! After three days of driving we've successfully arrived in Wilmington and have most of the apartment unpacked. I'm still waiting for internet access to get installed in our apartment, so I can't count on the consistency of when I'll be online. I just wanted to update and let everyone know that we've made it safely and we're settling into life.
Sorry I haven't updated all week. Been packing & cleaning & packing & cleaning. The move is coming faster than I could have anticipated - less than two weeks away and there's still a lot to pack and get organized and make sure everything fits where it's supposed to. So I may be sparse these next couple weeks. But I'll be back more regularly after the move (once we get internet access hooked up!).
Summer is always a great time to catch up on some reading. As a former student, I understand that finding time to enjoy a good book can be hard to find when more pressing matters are at hand. But there's just something about long summer days, porch swings, a glass of ice tea, and an exciting book that just screams summer.
In that same spirit, I've designed some new bookmarks that have been added to the shop over the past few weeks. These colorful place-keepers feature a bright, colorful flower attached to a green vine that wraps around the book's spine and attaches under the blossom. And sitting on the leaf beneath the flower is a little lady bug for that added sensation of summer.
The bookmarks are handmade using cotton yarn so they are light, soft, and washable. And at only $7.50 they are also affordable. They would make great gifts for anyone you know who loves to read. Custom colors & sizes are available, so if you have a specific type of flower you have in mind I can easily make a one-of-a-kind bookmark just for you. Along with the pink dahlia shown here I have a white daisy, a blue forget-me-not, and a purple violet. More colors coming soon, so visit the shop today to pick up your own.
Broken Hallelujah is having a sale! On behalf of me packing up and moving half way across the country from Texas to North Carolina I'm having a moving sale!
This is really just an attempt to sell a good amount of items so I won't have to pack them away in a box & move them with me. They need their own new homes to go to & I don't want them at mine!
So, until further notice, every single thing in my Artfire studio is on sale at 20% off. And I'll still be adding new items which will also automatically be on sale. So if there's been something you've been eyeing in my shop, now is the time to make your move (pun intended).
Visit my Artfire studio today to take advantage of this great sale!
In summer selling crochet items can be, well, darn hard. My slippers always do well for me once the cool weather starts to roll in, but during the hottest months of the year the demand for them is not very high. (Though I do hear, "Come winter, I'm getting myself a pair of these!" alot.)
To remedy my selling summer blues, I knew I had to come up with a crochet item that broke the traditional mold of crochet. It can't be bulky, hot, or heavy. And one fiber always seems to be the most associated with summer, cotton.
So I designed a couple lines of headbands, one of which is my braided crochet headbands. These are near and dear to my heart because they are 1) fun to make and 2) allow me to play with fun color combinations.
If I could have my way, I would have every color of yarn - ever! Then think of all the possibilities. But believe me, I have enough (for now) and I do have a blast working out new headband colors. These two new headbands have just been added to my Artfire shop and run $8 + shipping. One is summery with bright yellow & blue, and the other is more traditional with red & black. Both would look great with a tank top and jeans or as a fun accessory with a swim suit out by the pool.
Either way, these crochet goodies weigh you down in the summer heat. For more information, visit my Artfire studio.
These are a few of my favorites taken at the Dallas Arboretum. In full bloom & in full color. The colors and scents of summer. The Arboretum is a beautiful place to spend an afternoon with bright sun & blooms alongside shady, cool hideaways. It isn't hard to find a favorite spot (or two, or three) to spend a few moments to just enjoy yourself. The only thing that would make it more perfect is a glass filled to the brim with iced, fresh lemonade.
I'm so sorry for disappearing! Real life is once again taking hold and prohibiting me from blogging and visiting all my favorite reads, and it doesn't look like it'll be letting up anytime soon.
For now we are back in Texas and I trying mentally and physically to prepare us for the move coming up. Been cleaning the apartment and starting to get stuff packed away into boxes so when August 1st comes rolling around the actual moving part won't be such a headache.
In between packing, cleaning, & traveling, I've managed to fit a teensy bit of crocheting in. These slippers I added to the Artfire shop last night. I have named them Oceanview - I guess my trip kind of inspired me!
I don't know when I'll get more things added to the shop. Besides the move, there's been a serious development with my dad. He underwent bipass surgery a few months back, but right now things aren't looking as good as could be hoped. A few of the grafted arteries seem to be clogged & the surgeon thinks it's too soon after the first bipass to attempt to perform another one to graft a few more arteries. For now it looks like he'll be getting some stints placed in the bad arteries in an attempt to relieve some of the pain he's been feeling & buy him some time incase he'll need another bipass. Please keep my family in your thoughts as I think we're all still in a bit of shock on how this is turning out. And please think fondly of my dad & hope he gets better soon with no more pain, surgery, and hopefully no heart attacks.
Sorry to leave off on such a sad note, I just wanted to give you all a heads up on why I may not be around as much as I'd like to be. And I'll try to keep updated as things progress with both the move and my dad. Hope everyone enjoys the rest of the week (and may it lead quickly to the weekend!).
I'll be having another giveaway this fall, so be sure to drop by and enter for your chance to win one of my handmade items! And thanks to everyone who entered who made this give away a success.
Happy Memorial Day!
I hope every one is having a great Memorial Day & and a great three day weekend!
Andy and I used the three day break as an excuse to head down to Houston and catch a baseball game. Andy's a big baseball fan and thus I've become one. Our team is the Texas Rangers - whose home field we've seen plenty of games at. And since we are so close to Houston, we thought we'd check out a new ball park.
We watched our Rangers take on the Houston Astros at Minute Maid park in downtown Houston. It's always an adventure driving around the big city, but we found our way (thanks to GPS; I don't know how I survived without it).
There were lots of Rangers fans at the game since to two cities aren't two far apart. And luckily for us, the Rangers won! It's always a fun time to see your team win.
The rest of our weekend has been taken slow and easy. We took in a movie on Sunday and most of today has been spent doing some chores like laundry.
And of course I've snuck in some crafting. I've got some new slippers and headbands on the way for this week, so keep an eye out for those goodies coming soon.
And don't forget to enter the Broken Hallelujah summer giveaway for a chance to win your very own custom pair of mary jane slippers. Click here for more info.
That's right! Broken Hallelujah Accessories is having a Memorial Day sale!
This is the perfect opportunity to do some early Christmas shopping or pick up those pair of mary jane slippers you've been coveting for awhile.
Please feel free to tweet, retweet, plurk, etc. about my sale! I really appreciate it. And please stop on by and check out the goodies.
I hope everyone has a great Memorial Day weekend! Relax and enjoy yourself. (And do some shopping!)
Some of my beauties growing out on the porch right now. I really love spending the sunny afternoons in the shade of the porch with some cool Italian soda, a snack, and these lovlies to look at. They brighten up my day. I hope everyone is enjoying the colors & warmth of summer in bloom!
Don't forget about my giveaway - there's still plenty of time to enter!
Broken Hallelujah is having their first every give away! And it's a good one, too. This give away is for your very own custom pair of mary jane slippers! Summer is always a slow slipper season for me, so in an effort to try to stir up some excitement for the great slippers being added to the shop (and those already there!).
I know you didn't come to hear me blab on about how great my slippers are (and they are great!) so let's get on to what you need to do to win a pair of your very own!
What you win:
This give away is for a pair of my mary jane slippers in the winner's choice of color(s) & size. This give away is open to my variegated and two color slippers like those pictured in this post. It does not include my animal themed slippers or my fuzzy slippers. If you're looking around my shop of slipper ideas (& I hope you are) think of a $15 price-cap on the slippers.
How you enter:
Entering is simple.
You can earn a couple extra entries by doing any of the following:
That means you can earn up to 17 entries in this giveaway!
How you win:
A winner will be drawn randomly on June 1st. Please be sure to leave a way to contact you (email, Etsy/Artfire username) in your comment so I can let you know if you are the winner and we can work on your very own custom pair of slippers.
How long the contest runs:
You have until May 31st to enter. So what are you waiting for?!
I haven't done an update on all the goodies being added to the shop in awhile. I've been busy busy busy crocheting up a storm. Slippers, headbands, bookmarks, and more are all being added to the shop almost daily!
Recently added to the shop is this pair of mary jane slippers. They are crocheted in a variegated green color that inspired their name: Mint Mojito. It's the perfect color for a pair of comfy spring house shoes & that's what you'll find with these slippers. Those and several others (including some old favorites like Sunburst and Cotton Candy) are now available in the shop and I have some more on the way! You can see all of my handmade mary janes by clicking here.
I have also been working up a storm on my increasingly popular three strand headbands. I have added more with a detachable flower pin (like the one pictured here) & a new style that has alternating colors of the strands. They are both selling really quickly. This black one has been a very popular choice & I'm constantly having to make more to replace the inventory.
New colors along with classics like Midnight Black, Espresso Brown, and Cornflower Blue are stocked up in the shop now.
What I love about these headbands is they have a classic style - inspired by the always fashionable Greek goddess look. You can wear them in more than one way, however. You can customize the flower and create fun color combinations (alternative flowers are also available in many colors for only $2.50!). You can wear them further back on the head for a classic look or can wear it further forward on your forhead to produce the popular bohemian look. Wear it your way depending on your mood!
You can see all my headbands in my shop now!
I love the clean lines of these works & the combination of simple green and white. Click the images above for more information on each item.
I have never really shared any tips & tricks for online businesses here before, but selling online for four years has taught me something (I think). Everyday online is an adventure & I'm always trying to learn more about how to market myself and get the Broken Hallelujah Accessories name out there. When people ask me what the hardest part of selling online is, I say advertising. It's hard, time consuming, sometimes frustrating, and you rarely see the results right away. I use several methods to get my products seen including Flickr & Twitter. One platform of "advertising" that had alluded me for awhile now was Facebook. I simply didn't get how to use it as a business owner. I've done some reading & studying & followed tips I've received from friends and fellow artisans and I think I may have begun to crack it! Below are some tips I have for using Facebook to get yourself seen!
First, get a 'fan' page for your site. Whether it be Etsy, Artfire, or both, creating a fan page for your shop allows you to share new items, sales, announcements & more. People can then become fans of your shop & you can send annoucements to all of them at one time. It's a very easy way to send a message to multiple people all in an instant. And when new pictures, links, annoucements, or sales are posted on your fanpage they will usually show up on your personal facebook accounts actions - meaning they turn up on your friend's news feeds even if they aren't fans of you on Facebook. This allows you to reach even more people! Plus, encouraging your friends to fan your page then causes that action to show up on their friend's news feeds - so people you have never even heard of are learning about you & and your product. And they could be potential customers! This chain of events is one thing that makes Facebook so great - you reach new people on lots of levels. Facebook is all about exploiting this!
Once you get your fan page set up it can seem daunting to get people to become your fan. You have to get out there & let people know you exist. Share your fan page with friends on facebook, tweet your fan page, blog it (you can join my fan page here). Use your other social networks. You can also usually share your fan page on the Etsy & Artfire facebook group pages. Search for Etsy and/or Artfire on Facebook and see what you find.
These groups/fan pages for your selling avenue brings you a whole new place to introduce yourself & share your products. You can usually share links to your shop(s), post images of your item, and network with fellow artisans. We all know (hopefully) how imporant networking can be, so make the best of the opportunities these pages give you. I try to post images of my new items right after I list them along with sharing links to new items every once in a while. I don't want to seem like I'm spamming myself, so be sure to join in on disccussions in the disccussion boards and make new friends!
I haven't mastered Facebook, myself. But since I've begun commenting on people's fan pages, sharing images, etc. I have seen the number of visits to my shop's fan page jump more than 3x! Facebook provides you with stats, so you can monitor your own progress. I hope these tips are helpful. And if you have tips of your own, please share them. If you create or have a Facebook fanpage for your shop, please leave me the link in the comments so I can become a fan of yours. You can become a fan of Broken Hallelujah Accessories by clicking here.
Photo highlights of a morning spent away from the crochet needle, away from the computer, away from the stress, & just out in the open. Enjoyed the warm, humid day, the flowers by the trails, the extremely photogenic fungus, & a picnic in the trees. Did not enjoy forgetting the bug spray and occasionally be swarmed by hungry mosquitoes on certain trails.
Tomorrow it's back to the grind doing those weekly chores like groceries & laundry while also catching up on some online business. I hope everyone's weekend has been as lovely as mine, if less mosquito-y.
