Ringing in the New Year

 

Its the LAST day of 2013!! I can't believe this year is over! So much has happened and Tiny Hiney has grown so much! We've expanded, moved, packed up, moved again ... it's been one heck of a year!

Sticking with tradition, I have a few New Year Resolutions for Tiny Hiney ... 

1) Get more organized

I'd like the think that I'm pretty organized, but I know there's always room for improvement! I need to adjust my "scheduling" or "how orders are processed". Something so they stay in order by priority/finish date. 

2) Keep better books 

We don't always want to keep track of where the money goes, since we don't want to see all the little things were spending money on. But this year I REALLY want to keep better track of where my money is coming and going! 

3) Stock

We all know that I'm a fabric hoarder, I have more than I need and I'm always adding to my stash. But I want to bulk up some of my stock, like shirts, so I don't have to keep placing small orders and to help with turn around times. 

4) Catalog 

I've been slowly putting together my catalog, but I really need to sit down and finish. It would be so much easier to have all my patterns/prices in one spot and not always having to do math when someone asks! 

5) Social Media

Updating on instagram and facebook are pretty simple. But I tend to forget the blog! I need to set up a better schedule to keep the blog just as updated as my other social media outlets. I also want to start doing special posts ... how to's or special DIY or just on new equipment!  

And my biggest one ...

6) Do more NEW projects

Last year I purchased these pattern/idea books with TONS of patterns in them (from bags to clothes to toys etc.) and I have yet to do a SIGNAL one! Plus I know I have other patterns in my collect that I've never done! I think I'll put a calendar together and plan out my projects (which could also double as blog post ;)!!)

I closed up shop for the holidays so I could get cleaned up and organized after the busy holiday season. I'm sure that you'll see more posts as I get everything together and set up for 2014!! 

Thank you for making this such a great year, I can't wait to see what we can do in the new year!

Share your New Years Resolutions with me!

Sewing Studio Re-do

After having my studio finished and actually having Tiny Hiney open for a couple of months I've come to the conclusion that it needs a re-do! The flow is off, mountains of fabric are piled up instead of put away, and I'm tired of running up and down the stairs 100+ times a day to get to my computer and printer. 

So here's my thinking ... move my sleving and cut table, and build a desk. And this desk either needs to be a long (like take up a whole wall long) or an L Shape that takes up part of the closet. Need to do some thinking and get the hubs/muscles to help!

Here's my inspiration ... 

Closet L Shape

or 

 

Long desk along the wall. 

I guess it's going to come down to me taking apart my room and rearranging until I can find the right fit!!

Not only do I need the room and to be able to have my computer/printer/machine all near each other it would also be nice to have the crafting room so after this holiday rush I can start catching up with my scrapbook!!!

Price Comparison

Pricing has to be one of the HARDEST things when running a business. You want to offer the best supplies and work, while keeping your costs low and the end price affordable! I don't get how some of these boutiques and Etsy stores can charge $80 plus for something that cost less than $10 to make, but thats them not me. I started this business because I wanted cute stuff for my boys that weren't crazy expensive! As my neighbor says, "we need to be where adorable meets affordable!' and I totally agree!

Etsy has this formula posted on their blog ...

Materials + Labor + Expenses + Profit = Wholesale x 2 = Retail

Its the perfect simple formula! Crafty base also has this very simple calculator (for those that don't like doing all the math! haha!)

I pretty much use this formula with 2 changes ... I don't mark up my wholesale cost by 2 and I actually breakdown my fabric/supplies cost. So if your 3m sized outfit only uses 1/4 of a yard, I'm don't going to charge you for the extra 3/4!!

But still it costs to get something cute and handmade, so while that rack of simple holiday shirts that Walmart are only $5.98 remember that they are massed produced by lots of workers and that there are hundred of them on the shelf. While mine are made one at a time by just me! But each one is different and special!

While I was out shopping the other day I saw this cute turkey outfit, and my first thought is I can make that! 

And the price ... this was at our military exchange so it was only $27.99, but the MSRP with $47.99

(don't mind my very made chipping nail polish, haha!)

Now I can't make it IDENTICAL to this ... but can I make it on a ruffle shirt, YES! Can I make a cute turkey applique, YES! Can I make matching ruffle pants, YES! And what I can do that buying off the shelf can't ... I can customize it! Color, style, design, everything!!! So what would my price be??

Only $26-$31 (depending on the customizing!)

So see not all cute boutique style clothes are crazy expensive!! And if your little is only going to wear it once for a special occasion why not make it the cutest and most original as it can be!!

Ball Season ...

I'm not sure if I've ever mentioned it but we are a BIG Marine Corps family! My Grandfather, Father, Mother, Uncle, and Husband are all Marines. One day I hope one or both of our boys join! That being said November isn't just about Turkeys, Mustaches, or Veterans ... its almost the Marine Corps Birthday!! Which also means its Ball Season!!

I usually stick to little kid stuff, but depending on the gown I can also do alterations! And this year I got a BUNCH of ball gown orders! Zippers, tulle, satin oh my!

Here's all my ballgowns!! SOO pretty, I wish I could have altered some of them to fit my big butt haha!

Happy 238th Birthday Marine Corps, and I hope everyone enjoys their ball!!

I'm thankful, but I'm BUSY!

It's been a world-wind time the past couple of weeks! We had family visit, and while I planned on getting work done while I had a free babysitter, that didn't work so well! HAHA! I got JUST the orders I needed to and nothing more. Now my fabric & shirt order has arrived and I have a 3 page list of orders that need to be done. Thank goodness they're a mix of Christmas and Thanksgiving, but it's still going to be a busy couple of weeks! Not to mention I need to work on stuff for not ONE fair but TWO, and they're back-to-back!

So today after doing some much need paperwork, paypal invoicing, and ticket writing I'm organized and ready!!!

Now God please let my boys play happy by themselves until Lunch time so I can get a bunch done!

Technology is my friend!

I know that most of the time this is normally NOT the case, but right now technology is on my side! I just picked up a lipstick charger and 1 TB external hard drive!

It all started this past summer and at the last even I did in October! 

While we were in the middle of moving I didn't do my true "business". But that didn't stop me from purchasing new designs and fonts for my machine! And of course with it being the big holiday season I've continued to get new stuff! Needless to say I have A LOT of appliques, embroidery designs, and fonts. So much so that my thumb drive is nearly full and there's still over a 100 on my computer to transfer over! So I made the decision to get an external hard drive. Since there's really no room on my sewing desk to have both my computer and machine there, otherwise I would just leave it all on my computer!

Than at my first event my phone died! May not seem like that big of deal but I use my phone for the Paypal app and card swipe. Not cool! I purchased one of those solar powered chargers, but that's only good if there's sun, and we're entering the rainy season.

So now I'm set for everything!! I'll probably NEVER run out of room on my hard drive and I'll hopefully never loose power to my phone/register again!! Woohoo! 

Now that I've posted this I'm sure something else will go wrong, haha! Murphy's Law!

It's beginning to look alot like Chritmas!

Someone posted a picture the other day of the Fairy Godmother talking to Cinderella saying, "Now remember, at the stroke of midnight Halloween will be over and Christmas carols will be everywhere!" HAHA!! It's so true! 

I know the turkey gets his day but Christmas orders are already in! PJ's, shirts, tree skirts, you name it! Christmas is definitely one of my favorite holidays so I love it!

Here's a sneak peek at the PJ's I'm offering this year! PJ's have been on my list since last year!

(Pictures are stock pictures from the pattern designers ... Peek-a-boo Pattern shop and Create Kids Couture)

Find everything at The Tiny Hiney Business

A little about ME!

I've noticed that there's really not an "about me" post! So here's a post that All About Me and a mini Q & A with some of the top questions I get!

Me ...

Hi, My name is Candace and I'm the owner and creator behind Tiny Hiney Business!

I've been sewing for 4 years now, and officially opened a sewing business a little more 3 years ago. My sole reason for starting a business was my little guy. I always got a little sad feeling every time I walked into a baby store or looked online and literally 95% of the store was nothing but shades of pink and ruffles. I wanted the same cute, custom stuff for my little guy!!

I got my first machine through a selling incentive with my other home business, it seemed like fate! It was your basic simple Singer machine, but it got the job done and was a great learning machine. I think one of my biggest regrets about my business is selling that machine! Now when I'm working on multiple projects and my machine is busy embroidering I wish I had that Singer to sew on! I'd get twice as much done in theory!

A year after opening we moved from California to Florida. My husband is in the Marine Corps so moving every now and than is just a fact of life. And shortly after getting to Florida we found out we were pregnant! I'm not going to lie, not much got done during this time! Second pregnancy wasn't the kindest to me and towards the end I couldn't do much with a big'ol belly in the way! Fast ward and we brought our second boy home! Now I really needed to dig deep and find good boy patterns. But it was around this time that I also upgraded to a sewing/embroidery machine! And that opened a whole new world ... or a can of worms ... however you want to view it! 

And I guess the rest is history! My business got bigger, I acquired more patterns and applique designs, learned new skills, and simply just GREW! Throw in another 2 moves and some normal life stresses and here we are! Re-launched in Hawaii and still growing!

So now for the Q & A's  ... here's some of the top questions I get asked ...

Are you formally trained?

NOPE!!! I learned everything from youtube, my sister in law who sews, and other bloggers! I did take a basic 2 hour sit down to go over my new sewing/embroidery machine. Didn't want to do something to mess up such an expensive machine!

What machine do you use?

I started on a VERY simple and FREE singer. An within the past 1+ upgraded to a Bernina Artista 635 with embroidery attachment. In the future somewhere I would LOVE to upgrade again to a multi-needle stand alone embroidery machine! 

Do you teach?

I've never really thought about it, but recently there's been some ladies that have come into my life that really have me thinking hard about it!

Do you like running a home business?

Yes and No. Like everything else it has it's pros and cons. If I were to work outside the home it would be a 9-5, day care, and lots of missed fun. But working at home means that those 9-5 hours sort of blur. But I also get to spend time at home with my boys and if I need to take a day(s) off I can! 

Do you do more than "little kids" stuff?

YES! I've made/appliqued a few things for myself and family. And pillows, dish towels and such for around the house.

What is your favorite thing to make?

I will always love boy stuff, it simple and fun! But I also REALLY love to make girly things! Ruffle and pink and total cuteness!!! If I had to pick a specific pattern though, I think it would have to be ruffle pants! They're jut SO CUTE!!!

All treats and no tricks!

It's been one busy Halloween season around here! This is one of my favorite holidays so I'm LOVING it!

Here's a peek at everything that I've done this season ...

Zombies were definitely the theme this year, and thanks to the awesome applique designs at Planet Appliques we had some great ones!

Now my favorite creation this season was the Jake and the Neverland Pirates costumes for a family! They turned out SUPER cute, and I can't wait to see the Halloween photo shoot they're having done!

And of course, what would cool outfits and costumes be with out awesome Trick-or-Treat bags to go with them?

Now to finish the last couple of orders and the 2013 Halloween Season will be in the books! Next its time for Turkeys and Christmas! I love the holiday season, there's so much going on!!

This is Halloween, This is Halloween, Halloween, Halloween, Halloween!!

Yesterday was the LAST day for any Halloween orders. Just to make sure that I can have everything finished in time for the big night! So to get myself in the mood I've got my favorite Halloween things ... fall scent in my Scentsy warmers, watched Nightmare Before Christmas this morning with my lovelies,

 and now have my Halloween iHeart radio station blasting!!

On to Halloween to-do list ...

* 6 Halloween shirts

* 5 Trick or Treat bags

* Jack and the Neverland Pirates costumes

* Black suspenders

* Shark costume alterations

and that's on top of my normal orders ... like these dress alterations!!

If you can't find me, something please come look under all the fabric! HAHA! At least Halloween is one of my favorite holidays! Make sure to head over to The Tiny Hiney Business facebook page to see all the end results!!

I have the best fans and I'm not just saying that!

I love logging in every day and seeing something new! A comment, a post like, or the best a new Facebook fan!

I wouldn't be here if it weren't for my Facebook fans, and I can honestly say that I have the best! I ran a give away about a month ago when I was about 15ish fans away from the 250 Facebook fan milestone. We did it, and even surpassed it by 10! 

But now I'm blown away that in a mere 3 weeks we've now passed out 300 Facebook fan milestone! 

I am SOOOO very thankful for each and everyone of you! For every like, comment, recommendation and review. I wouldn't be where I am today and my business wouldn't be as great as it is without you! Thank you Thank you Thank you!

Now for the next big milestone marker, 500!!!

Not a fan? You should be! Head over to The Tiny Hiney Business to see what all the fuss is about!!

Hawaiian Debut!!

I haven't done a craft fair or show in 3 years, and technically I've had my business semi closed since January due to all the moving around we did. So it was really great to find a local craft fair to be my big Hawaiian Debut!

It was small, and thanks to the weather and the government it wasn't as busy as I hoped. But it wasn't just our physical debut, it was also the first I would be posting on the dozen or so local social media sites! All in all it was a great event and a great way to get my name out!!

So here it is the big Hawaiian Debut at the Mokapu Craft Sale!

Showing off all of the ready made and for sale items (Love my coat rack for PB that looks like it came for a cute upscale store! It works SO well for something like this!)

 

Table is a bit bare ... I forget a box at home and had to call the hubs to bring it by! HAHA I never get everything in one shoot!

There's only one thing that I forgot about fairs and long work nights ... awesome crafting makes a BIG mess! It took me a week to dig out of all the fabric and organize everything!

Getting ready for our Hawaiian Debut

We've been on island for almost 4 months, and one of the BEST things about being on an island is word of mouth! Before I even posted on any of the local social media sites I had people asking about things! Orders started coming in and it was great, but I knew eventually I would need to get out there and make a name for myself here. One bad thing about being on an island is what is limited, there aren't a lot of true or big craft fairs here. I found one at the local elementary school, it was small but the perfect debut!

Little did I know that would mean stress and late nights haha! You see 98% of my business is customized items. See I hoard fabric like  crazy but not pre-made creations! And what would clients on island want? I didn't want to make a bunch and no one like it and order something else! (Yes, I'm big at over analyzing things!)

I picked 2 dresses, some short sets for the boys, and some other random items. Here's the stack of fabrics that slowly became awesome creations over a couple weeks! 

There were plenty of "burning the midnight oil" nights to keep up with both orders and new market creations. 

Coffee makes the world go round!! 

It wasn't all sew sew sew though! I did get to go out and buy some new display items! Like some chalkboard signs. I only have the big one pictured here, but I also got a smaller table top one!

This will definitely bring in people at any fair! Definitely need to work on some cool chalkboard fonts!

 

My oldest drew me a picture to break in the chalkboard!

It was a long couple of days, but when I staged everything for the next day I loved seeing how much I was actually taking! It was going to be a good debut!

Trying New Things!

Since I started sewing 4 years ago I've learned alot of things. I started with blankets, moved to baby gear and gear accessories, and than learned all about clothes. Well recently I added a new skill ... Stuffed Animal Sewing! Can't say that I mastered this one. I know that my skills need some tweaks but it also helps to have a great pattern. And my first project DID NOT come with a great pattern. Either way it was fun and a great experience!

Here's the pattern that I was following ... (It say to have everything hand stitched, but to give it to a toddler to use you can't hand stitch everything!)

 

Cute right? Looking at it yes, but once I had it printed out NO! Even after checking all the setting it was just coming out too big!

First Hobbes didn't make it past the cut table. Second one was completed but looked too off - big head small body syndrome! Hobbes, way too many mistakes to give to a client! 

The third Hobbes was promising, until one of the fabrics I used decide to fray and rip! I started to feel like a Dr. Frankenstein and Doc McStuffins! HAHA!

The forth was the best final product and while I was 100% in LOVE with him, the customer was. And for me that's all the matters! But as you can see this pattern was NOT the best and NONE of my 4 Hobbes came out looking like what the pattern pictured. 

 

I'm not going to give up, I've got a couple other patterns for stuffed animals and I'm going to keep working on it! Next ... Hedggie Hogs!!!

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Organized ... Not Organized!

For the most part I would like to think that I'm an organized person! I mean I manage the house, do everything and than some for my boys, run everything for Tiny Hiney, and of course take care of myself. But when I get into a zone and a pile of fabric I seem to forget almost everything I just mentioned!

Needless to say, I'm sorry dear bloggers that I have not been good about keeping the blog as updated as I should! I need to get a calendar and pick a day that I WILL write a post! Any after that will be a cherry on top. To bad there's no day that starts with a "B"!

Now that the apologies are out of the way LOOK OUT! Here comes a couple of post!

And the winner is ...

I know everyone says this, but I have THE BEST fans ever!! Our 250 Fan Giveaway started last week and we were SO close to 250 fans I wanted to do something to get us there and give away something new!

Thanks to some new technology we had an awesome set up and a great giveaway. But what's standard with new technology, PROBLEMS! Mobile wasn't working, links weren't working, and some people couldn't see things. Thankfully everything was a simple click fix!

Today the contest ended. When I logged on this morning not only has we reached the 250 fan goal we passed it by 14!!! SAY WHAT?? So I know I have the best fans ever to have gotten us so far!

But the time has come to pick a winner. And since my fans did such and awesome job I decided to pick not one but TWO winners!

And without further ado ...

Here's the officially drawing powered my random.org ...

 

 

Thank you to EVERYONE who entered and who is a fan of Tiny Hiney Business! I wouldn't be here without each and every one of you!

250 Facebook Fan Giveaway!!

We're SOOO close to 250 fans on facebook, so I think it's time for a contest to get there (and maybe beyond!) 

I'm in LOVE with kids pajamas. I mean my boys have to have at least 10+ pairs each! And now that I've found a place that sells solid blank pajamas (from Bright Blanks) ready for cute appliques and embroidery I'm even more in LOVE!

Stock picture from Bright Blanks

So to reach my 250 fan goal, I'm doing a giveaway (and testing out the Rafflecopter! haha!)!! Here's the details ...

Fill out the form below and do everything to get more chances to win! 

Its just that simple!!!

I'll close the contest on Sunday and announce the winner on Facebook!

What are you waiting for ... go win some cute PJ's for your little!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

We've grown!

When I started Tiny Hiney Business it was really just to make things for me and my boys (blankets, pillow, stuff for cloth diapers, cute clothes, etc.). I had gotten a machine for free through a special at my my other job. Then someone liked something and asked me to make one for them, or someone was having a baby and I'd make them something, and word began to spread. So I started making more and growing more. I upgrade to a facebook page, an etsy account, a new machine, taking classes to get better, and finding new things to make. I've enjoyed the growth over the past 3 year. I love seeing all the little ones with their creations and mom's excited about their new gear.

I started to realize the "legal" side of things was lacking this past year. Yes yes, not doing anything meant I never had to worry about taxes or paying for stuff. But it also meant someone could take me name, steal my pictures/ideas, and in the end hurt me and my business! That's where the planing started for getting my LLC. 

Actually it was really simple, Legal Zoom did everything for me! HAHA! I just had to patiently sit and wait for the state to say YES! 

  And yesterday, no thanks to a bad UPS delivery (a story for another day), it all came! All my documents and a Georgia sealed paper saying I'm now a certified Limited Liability Company.

 

I wont lie, I'm still kinda bummed. While it comes in a nice, well put together folder I was seriously hoping for a nice certificate or something that I could frame! I mean really, I can't hang my folder or this boring piece of paper!! 

But whether I have something hang or not, I'm proud of where I've come. And I'm excited that on my next batch of business cards I get to add three little letters!!

It's time to logo.

Since the beginning I've made sure that my name was on the product or picture. I've water marked everything so it can't be cropped out. I've ordered and made my own cloth labels. But this summer I realized that I needed something more than a font for Tiny Hiney Business. I needed something to make those watermarks and labels looks cute and unique. 

So it was time for a logo. But what logo do you make for a business name involving little butts! I wish the answer was as clear as the question. But after searching Etsy I found Style Graphic Designs (https://www.etsy.com/shop/StyleGraphicDesign) to help me with that. 

Here were the first two designs after a few simple questions ...

Both are super cute. But I don't have anything owl, and while pennants are big right now I just wasn't "in love". After a couple back and forth emails we picked more of a sewing theme, much easier than hineys and better than just adding a random character!

And here we have the final logo ...

 I absolutely LOVE it! And I didn't just get this logo, I got this logo in multiple sizes, color, black & white, and watermark!! Style Graphic Designs did an awesome job and were a pleasure to work with! Now to order some new products to show off the new logo!

Picture Perfect!

While we were waiting on getting to Hawaii I was staying with my mom. It was great to have extra hands with the boys and she was getting tons of grand-baby time before the move. And in her house there's hard wood floors throughout, while was GREAT when taking pictures! Fast forward to Hawaii and base housing, and there's nothing but carpet and linoleum flooring.

It came time to make something I've had on my list for awhile ... a floor drop! It hind sight I'm not sure why I didn't do it sooner! Supper easy and cheap!

I picked up some linoleum wood parquet floor tiles for 99 cents each. I wish I could have gotten the wood floor planks but they only sold those by the box! And then used some left over MDF we had from another project. 

The best part about the tiles is they were basically stickers! And cutting them down to size was a breeze!

And drum roll please ... TA-DA!!! All done! I even have 3 left over tiles to either take back or use for another project! I LOVE how it turned out, and it definitely looks better than the basic carpet or linoleum!!

And TA-DA ...

 

(of course when I take a the really picture I'll make sure you don't see the edges of the floor drop.)

Doesn't it look great? Now I need to get to work so there's some equally as cute on the mannequin!

Storage Issues Solved

In this new room, even with the new bigger shelves I bought, there wasn't enough storage! I needed something to hold all my patterns, nicknacks, office stuff, and preferably my embroidery attachment and serger.

Once again I wasn't finding anything that I like, weither it was price or style there just didn't seem to be anything out there to fit the space. So the hubs and I decided to try something we've always wanted to ... making our own furniture! And our first project would be a leaning wall shelf for the Ana White design (http://ana-white.com/2010/07/plans/leaning-wall-shelf).

The beginning ... we've got the wood, the tools, and the design!

 Safety first (haha) don't want sawdust in your eye!

 

 Yes we were safety with our eye wear but the hubs wasn't with his footwear!! Thank goodness nothing happened. 

All the pieces, now it's puzzle time ... and of course things aren't "perfect" so I'm sure well run into some interesting issues. 

Put together, sanded, and painted! Looks great, but don't look super close! We made more than a few little mistakes and for sure a couple big ones! We ended up having to rip the whole thing apart once we got it in the room since the angle was way off! The important thing is we made it, and fixed it!

Here's the final look, nicely decorated and doing its job in my sewing studio!

All in all this was a great starter project and we learned ALOT! Now we're hooked and have plans for things in every room! Our garage is about to get a little more crowed too since we definitely need to expand our tool collection. Not having the right tools makes things super hard and create alot more work!

Now to get to work!!