What I did in September 2021

Hey hey, dollings!

I thought I would do a monthly wrap-up blog post of sorts to please the hardworking ego in me. Let's see if we deserved some back-patting here for the month of September, shall we?

But first, a little bit more introduction for context.

My responsibilities as a small business owner can be so diverse, so I will chunk them into the types of output I make. Let's try tangible creations, digital creations, numbers/stats. For now. I may add more in the future, and regroup if necessary.

So, let's start with my tangible creations. This part of my business is kind of like the research lab part of the building. This is where I play with tangible materials like fabric, pen and paper, and dolls.

On the first week of the month, I was aiming to create new pieces for my male doll Hans, whom you have seen in my recent posts here and here. I then grabbed some fabrics to plan out an outfit. I decided on a new pair of trousers and a more casual shirt.

This photo reminds me to make Hans some underpants, too ;D

Drafting the first prototype of the "Chill Shirt"

With my cat assistant here, looking out the window, reflecting on her existence :D

Trying out my new pinking shears on the seam allowance...

My first ever welt back pocket!

And here's Hans in his new outfit ;)

I loved the color combination of the two pieces I made for Hans but the shirt fabric is just too stiff for the supposed "chill" design.

Took out another fabric and made a new version, also to correct the first pattern draft.

I liked how this one drapes on his body - the fabric is made from cotton and rayon blend

I made again a new version - something that is easier to make (sans the yoke). I also documented my process since I already am very happy with the pattern, and I'm ready to share them with you guys.

One of the step-by-step photos included in the sewing instructions of this Chill Shirt

Very happy with this third pattern!

I am so delighted to know too that I only made three prototypes haha!
Oftentimes, I'd beat myself to making as many as 10 prototypes just to arrive at the pattern version that would make me happy.
Yay!

Later in the month, after drawing out the winners for the coaching session giveaway, I already started working with the winners on the garments they want to make. This one below is a sketch of some designs that Nat of Instagram's @talary_mars had in mind.

Nat wants her Cool Kid Ayumi to wear something boho-inspired...

70s flared jeans is what's on the working table, baby ;D

I'm feeling kinda groovy, yes ;D

I also created a version for thicker denim fabrics...

And this is Nat's version ;)

Nat's loving it and I'm loving it, too!

Nat and I will be doing our second session soon to start sewing these groovy pants.

So, those were my tangible output, if you will. Next up, my digital ones.

First up, the content marketing part of my business. I've been doing it for years and years but only this September that I started using social media calendars and scheduling my posts. I gotta tell you, it is fun! 

I started with using my older photos to also reminisce those days when I was just still trying to figure out my little craft/hobby. A perfect way to reflect on my 10 years in the business.

I scheduled a whole month's social media content and it was so liberating to know that I don't need to create one new thing every day to share with the world. I know businesses had been doing this so they can focus more on creating new products, but I delayed trying it myself. I felt that the "insta" part of the platform has been violated by this system haha! But who cares, right? But let's talk about that in another post.

Up next, I started (but not yet finished) editing a video wherein I discuss how these three prototypes evolved. It's my way of sharing with you guys my thought process on these pieces. I should be able to finish editing next week so I hope you check that video out on my YouTube channel soon!

Hans' Chill Shirts - YouTube review coming soon!

I will also add in this section that I have written the most posts for a month last September. Although a lot of them are very short ones, I am glad that I was able to communicate what needs to be communicated over here. I like writing, but I get too fuzzy about my work that a lot of my drafts really never get to see the light of internet day. 

I was also able to create a marketing plan for October, although I won't be using it soon. But I was glad I went into the process and was able to reflect more on my little venture. I now have an idea on how to build a marketing plan from scratch and I will apply it in the future. It was a very rewarding and inspiring experience.

I think that is all for the intangible output part.

For Stats, I might not have much to note but I will start creating a list of things to track in the coming months.

For September, I was able to reach the 1000th 5-star review on my Etsy shop - yaaaaay!!! It was just an exhilarating experience! I know I should have included it in one of my anniversary posts but I was playing the cool kid. But to be honest, I am so warmed every time a 5-star review pops on my screen. It's reminding me that I am doing what makes ME happy. Sure, I've not achieved some things that I wanted to experience since I was young, but hey - you can't have everything, babe. So live life, one day at a time. And a day with 5 stars on my shop is just perfect!

I also found out that I had been bringing more people to my shop using this blog, than via my social media channels. This made me happy because I know people who drop here are more serious crafters than those in my social media community. That is based on my own experience, you guys. When I'm interested in a photo, I seek out the blog post or article about it to know more. I mean, aren't you like that, too?

So, yeah. I think that's about it for my September undertakings. I am super happy that you got through the bottom of this post, dolling! Thank you so much!

And oh! I think I do deserve some back-patting here, don't you think?

Thanks again, love. Chat soon!

xoxo,

shasha