Happy Birthday to the shop with giveaway

Happy birthday to my little shop !!! and it has been a great one of growing and learning. from going just to headbands now much more accessories and Its been a learning and growing journey. I am learning to balance myself and sometimes saying no , to accept mistakes and just make a better from them.

I couldn't thank more my followers for being supportive , understanding and encouraging . To my family who put up with my crafty mess. And to all the other crafty people I have met that have giving pointers and tips on bettering my shop. 

So this year I wanted to do something special not just give a follower a bunch of accessories from my shop Since I started doing craft show the prior year I have met so many Southern California small business owners . This crafty community has been a blessing to my life they encourage me to just keep doing what I like even though people don't understand , to dream big , and to be myself. I been saying to by local and buy small business and by handmade  so yesterday at Penelope lane boutique holiday show I did some shopping and purchase these from my favorite shops . 

scarflette from love2bloom ( blog , facebook page )

Christmas & Mustache tags from A Sweet Little Note ( shop , facebook page)

bible verse mini print ( that will be framed) from Grace for Grace ( shop , facebook page)

polka dot wrap from Little Penelope Lane ( blog facebook page)

and well that just not it Im adding  your choice of a princess party dress

 from Little Wellies (bigcartel ,etsy , facebook

and to end a $50 credit to my shop possible to get some Christmas gifts / stocking stuffers or to treat your self .

so this is my thanks to you followers and a little to support other handmade shops. please make sure you check out all these shops they are amazing in what they do. I will be adding some more items along the week and be showing on instagram ( @austenlandgirl) and  Austenland facebook page.  Thank you for stopping by and good luck :) 

- Paulina 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Your invited !!!

So here we go year 3 !!! 

This year I learn so much. and even though its not perfect its been great one .  Thank you for the great support from you followers , so special when I get to meet you in person and this year has been my year of showing Austenland here in the Southern California area with all the shows I been to since spring . Not many understand the whole craft show/ boutique business but if you never gone to one you are missing out .its like shopping on etsy but live. also its not just a bunch of people getting together selling our hobbies , this is a business this pays many of people bills , school , and extra income for stay at home parents. 

Im ending this year with a big giveaway in were in giving back to my followers and giving back to some small business of SoCal . I will celebrate at Penelope lane Boutique this weekend of having everything in stock at 20-40% off reg price . I will be shopping my favorite shops their and bringing them back to giveaway to you ! this will allow me to support other small biz , expose their amazing talents , and hopefully build up business for them and I the following years  . I been eyeing out many shops this holiday season . children clothing , home decor , decorations , ect ect . 

So I hope you can make it in person to Penelope Lane Boutique this Saturday Dec 1st in the city of Seal beach.  or come check out the goodness ill be giving away on our facebook page.

you can check out what I purchase via instagram that day following me @austenlandgirl 

Help my mom Bee A Queen

Its been awhile since last post , honestly I keep saying I want to commit to weekly post but I find myself reading other blogs that by the time I finish I find my life to boring for anyone to read , spent 2 hours reading blogs that I have to get off to do real life duties . But I happen to see a post from The Queen Bee on instagram about Bee A Queen Giveaway . The Blowfish shoes was the reason why I personally wanted to enter myself ( I love Blowfish , if you follow me on Facebook , I constantly talk about their sale . I am such a huge fan I have drove to their sample sales in Malibu ...yeah I'm fan ) But then when I read " Think of someone who could use a day to be spoiled and be treated like a queen , Maybe someone who has been going through a tough time , or someone who has inspired you." And that right their made me think of the only person who would deserve to be treated like a queen , is going through a tough time and inspired me ..........

My mother.

As many of you know late last month I posted on Austenland facebook page / instagram ( austenlandgirl)  the lose of my grandmother , mother of my mother . Her loss was so sudden , I am still in shock and denial Even thought I know she is at a a better place and pain free . Its hard been hard grieve not having my mother here . She left to Mexico the day my grand mama past away and made it just in time for her service burial  . I have kept myself busy carrying for my sibling's but their is a gap in my heart , And a bit more without my mother by my side.  She is their till the 28th of this month!( The longest period of time we have ever been apart ) 

So being that said My mother could really use this " Bee A Queen" I know she could use a distraction from everything that has happen, especially since this will be a hard holiday season.  Not only the Holidays but her 52nd birthday is on December 26th  (And would have been my Grand mama 82nd a few days after ) It would be nice for her to be pamper to lift her spirits up a bit.  She is a inspiration to me not just because she is my mother , She is my best friend , my counselor , my guide , the person whom I am honor to be her daughter. She is a stay at home mother  but her job is no piece of cake I been trying to do it while she is gone right now ( I am going crazy !!!!! honestly I am pooped by noon )I found out that her home cooking is no piece of cake and when she comes back I will take for granted every meal she makes ! I guess you can tell what area I am not good at ( cooking YIKES!!) Never a day in my life have I gone hungry , cover , or gone without motherly love . If it wasn't for her sewing lessons at early age I probably wouldn't have a shop right now or interested in being crafty , So alot of my items have been inspired by my mother . Her faith has been passed on just like her mother passed her faith to her. I will never be half as great as she is but their are things of her that I am and I am blessed that God gave me a woman like that to be my mother. 

Well I could go on how amazing my mother is but this isn't a book , the memories I have had with her have been the best and I am just crying typing this thinking of all the things we have been through  .Well besides making a post to enter this giveaway it mention to get creative and do a poem , collage , fun video . And I say well ill try all I can ( minus the video I am to shy for the still and I wouldn't go 10 sec without crying talking how great she is )

So here is a poem using my mothers name .Since I haven't done poetry since my school days. I left this for my youngest brother Johan ( age 10) to do . He said it was a poem of what our mom is made of . 

MARINA

Made of love to give love

Added faith for the hard times

Rays of sunshine to brighten sad days

Inherited grandmother ways

Natural beauty

Add all these and Marina is made 

3 generations , mother & daughter , Mom and her 3 kids 

And so now after you read this all I ask Is for your help to make my mom the Queen for a day ! If I get selected for the top 5 I ask for everyone's votes !Thank you all in advance . and thank you The Queen Bee Market for the giveaway.

-Paulina

The girl of many talents !

How many social networks are you involve in ? as a shop/small business trying have you products be known you will try anything and everything. which is a challenge if your shy . Yes I said it I am shy !!! ( although if your family and friends know that one you know me I wont shut up  )  the best thing about these social network is the people you connect with . I join Instagram last year when I got my Iphone4 and honestly I had no clue what I was doing. Well after figuring out  the unofficial/official rules of Instagram ( yes their are rules , don't use # if your private please it just pointless  )  . Well after a few weeks I got the hang of it .  Showing my creations and using the right hash-tags I soon got connected with with other crafty and Etsy / small business shop people.  

Danielle a SoCal resident , wife , Dodgers fan ( yay!!) , has a cat with a personalty name Chloe and is very very talented. she not only has one shop but three ( 3) Etsy shops ! yes three !! how she does it I dunno. 

for your wedding paper goods Wishing Heart 

for any occasion paper goods Danielles Designs 

and knit accessories and Bow clutches The Grey Tabby

and besides this she is a  DIYer crafty person sewing tote bags , making coasters and  her homemade kombuch, ( If I lived closer I think we be great friends having  girls night in every other week doing crafts) 

So why am I talking about this girl well she just made her 400th sale in her paper goods . and she has reached 645 sales combine in the three shops and wants to give back  to all her customers that have help made that happen and I would't be talking about her if I wasn't a customer or one of her shops

Thank's Danielle for my pretty labels I purchase a few months ago . I was I need of some labels for my items I took to a local shop and she made me a custom design .Very happy with my purchase. 

So thank you inventor of IG  app for bringing more than just entertaining to my life , but the opportunity to connect with others who have a creative and talent like Danielle. 

  Read more about her giveaway on her blog she also has great DIY tutorials of her crafty activities 

The Grey Tabby

Back to school basics

2013 school year already ? This weekend I spent mostly felt bow making . While I don't usually make felt bows for my shop I do make them for local events and shops . So while I finish a order going to New Mexico boutique weekend I have been brainstorming on this holiday season. And how I will be prepare for each craft event and holiday season . If you own a shop you know how crazy it gets. And so Im checking my supply budget ( yes I have a budget) and the things I need for the next few months , supplies , booth fees , booth decor , extra holiday supplies . its looking very tight so tight I would have to limited myself which is not good to opportunity to attend such events is a blessing and I know will allow me to grow much more business here in SoCal . My personal income is kind of not a option for my right now, Which I wont get to personal but its just very very tight.  

mini felt bow

mini beaded bows

And so how could I get a bit more suppl income? well I looked are the bows and their just perfect.  I decided to offer these felt bows as way to raise a extra money to  boost my supply income for the oncoming months. I looked into Very Jane deal but honestly I don't need that many mass orders just a few . And I know every one who owns a little girl or a few ,these 12 piece packages would be great and match any wardrobe fun for any age. Their are two size options mini and reg . The mini are ideal for those that don't like big accessories , new born - toddlers . They are 1inch by 4 inches size. The regular ( honestly I dunno if their is such thing as regular size anything no a days but they aren't to big or small  ) felt bows are 2inch by 4inch . 

The second choice you have is hair clip or soft white elastic headband. you can mix and match your choice. 

and 3rd option is plain or beaded . Plain felt bows are $15 a package and the beaded are $20 a package which are hand beaded mini or reg bows. 

Reg size beaded bows

 Along with you purchasing a package ( or two wouldn't hurt to get two ;) you will receive a free shipping coupon code to use during the holiday months which will be October, November , and December .

Thank you all in advance that make a purchase it means alot. and if you can't or don't need felt bows please share . this offer will last till end of Sep ( or till I reach my goal of 50 packages)

you can email me leaving me your paypal invoice (austenland@yahoo.com)
or simply shop at our etsy shop .

Thanks so much , see you later this week as I post with a revamp of our signature sash belts.

-Paulina

  

 

Scarves and all its uses

Well as summer is in its final weeks as someone who has a shop or is a crafter you know its time to start showing off  your Fall and Winter before it catch us . And boy what a busy Fall and Winter I will be having ( more new on that later) but I am excited  .As you might have read in last post their was going to be changes to Austenland . And you will be seeing alot of it this month of August .
Lets start this first week of August  with scarves . now I made them in July and had them at Penelope Lane Boutique "crafts for a cause" event last month and they were a hot seller !!! 5 of 20 prints sold out and it is a bummer they never made it to your my friends :( so I have about 15 prints in infinity scarfs or multi use scarfs. What I like about them is one the quality of them its soft poly or soft silk chiffon all diff print.

Now you might say just more infinity scarves  but I have revamp the designs and made them Austenland signature look. each scarf is sew around it to give it a detail stitched look and a detail lace bow is added for a fun and unique look.

and not only are their in polyester and silk chiffon but also infinity jersey scarves ! these come with rosette bloom pins that are detachable and can accessories separately ( add to a top , pin to a headband , pin on a jean skirt ) 

  

now the multi use scarf are very much a 1000+1 uses that will change your whole way of accessorizing  

you can bow tie it around your next ( causal or dressy) 

wrap around a dress or skirt and cardigan 

or wrap it  up ! keeping your hair out of your face 

and not only will you accessories but add it to your bag and give your bag a new look honestly I probably can just blah blah about more ways. 

I plan to keep these to items as a Austenland all year around thing . just keep in mind the style ,colors , prints will be limited . ( I am only making a min of 3-5 of each print.

price range of these are about $12-17 . 

items already up on shop ! and don't forget each week will be new Austenland creations added. 

next week : the revamp of the sash belt 

week 3 : a new creations ( special creation)

week 4&5 hair pretties  and other accessorizing items .

hope to see you every week 

much love 

-Paulina 

Crafts for a Cause & Pre Fall sneak peek

Im very excited to be of Little Penelope Lane " Crafts for a Cause"  with Ms wheelchairs CA foundation, This Saturday July 21st in the city of Long Beach , Ca. If you are going to be in the area you must attend ! you can check out the other SoCal artists that will be their (  here )  

I already have my eyes on so many shops items ! I think it will be like Christmas in July. Which isn't a bad idea to stock up !!! 

 

If you do come you will see some of our pre-fall accessories . such as these 

Bold  , bright and lots of fun prints in scarfs , knot ties , sash belts and over size flower pin  and so much

Sash belt 

oversize bloom pin/clip 

silk scarf

And when will Fall items be available online ?  August 1st .  

Hope you can come support me and the rest of those the shops this Saturday make sure you stop and say HI !  would love to meet you . 

-Paulina 

Making some changes .

Hello followers !

Here I am again bringing new changes to Austenland , but their all very good changes and very important changes too. For those of you the have been followers on Austenland fb page know that this shop is not just another online etsy shop. I have been fortunate to have found a few local shops in Southern California that carry Austenland creations ( I am working on posting all shops on the right side) . 2 are by consignment and 1 by wholesale . For a few months I been testing out my creations on etsy and at the stores and well its come to me that my sales on etsy are more from custom orders and made to match pieces. My ooak were sold more and not only that I was earning more at the stores than by etsy each month. The items that took longer to sell were the simple pieces ( less than $10 items) . And even though things are better than when I started in 2010. I still need something better. 

Reading blogs of other shops and the more I read about how to manage a small business , their experience I notice that I am going in the wrong direction. Then this was posted on fb one day by a fellow crafter (left side) .Many don't know the cost and time it takes to make a piece . also I am the only one making and running Austenland . my items supplies are not bought wholesale or purchase premade outside USA .Every bloom and rosette is handmade . When some followers ask can the prices be less or if they buy more can you give it cheaper ,99% of the time I give in. But I been selling my self short, Maybe because I don't want upset customers , loss # followers  I would give in. But talking to fellow crafters friends one sent me this Andy Warhol quote : along with "Whatever you make let it represent you not your followers"  . And to be honest I have so much ideas for Austenland 

( This will not be just another handmade crafty shop their is so much I have plan  ) and pleasing everyone hasn't help me it actually has hold me back . So its time I make a change and decided that I will make changes and keep creating (my own unique designs) and while you decide if its good or bad I will continue . If I only have few followers well let it be at least I will be appreciated by those few. 

So being said here are the first few changes to Austenland : 

1: A small price increase will be notice on new items, but still at affordable price .I found suppliers that carry more supplies I want and higher quality . The price is a bit more but this will allow me to stock up and have items in hand ( reducing the custom order turn around) and  also create better items. 

2: I will no longer have choose your own hardware because it is  hard to post a finish product without hardware any future items will be sold as description listed  this will also allow me to ship items faster. Choose your hardware will only be done by custom order pieces. 

3: Etsy monthly charge is sometimes a pain in the butt and listing to many items adds up . What I liked about the pop sales we had during my birthday celebration was that they sold out in a hour. Many of you followers kept asking me more. A local shop I go to has a thing that only on Saturday she has sales. ( I know many of you have heard of "Small Business Saturday" to support small business ) So taking those two ideas I will be making " Saturday's at Austenland "  I will make a few listing on etsy of  packages similar to the  pop sale  ones I  had during birthday celebration starting at $10  . But they will only be available Saturday's . This items will be ooak , simple piece and every Saturday will be diff once their gone their will not be a custom order for these Saturday packages. The first "Saturday at Austenland" will be tomorrow  !!! July 14th !!! check etsy shop.  

And so far that is the first changes to the shop  . Much more exciting news to be posted but that is another post. till then your truly Paulina. 

Versatile accessories

In your wardrobe that one top or bottoms that you use for casual work day yet still be for a dressy for your night outing ? if the answer is yes which I think more than 75% will say yes its wonderful to fine items that you can wear for many occasion especially if your on a budget , need to pack light or your closet is not like Carrie Bradshaw . 

A few months ago Austenland change accessories just for hair to accessories to change your outfits and now  Austenland has brooch , pin , lapel, and sash belts to accessories your wardrobe . But I always look ways to make it better and recently we offer  the "pick your own hardware"  and some of you that have purchase items that can be a hair clip also a brooch ( which thank you for the feedback glad your like them) . I been working around and made a new designs a piece that can be a brooch versatile to a sash accent. 

As the pictures above me a simple dress can change when adding this cluster detail piece as a brooch or a detail on the waist like a sash accent. and check out the hardware a tiny pin back which their are 2-3 located on each piece. 

check out more designs at the shop (June 22,2012) . Join this site and follow ( bottom right side) and you will receive a discount code on your next purchase ! 

Another place for Austenland

Facebook page was our first home for Austenland back in December of 2010, along with etsy , now 2012 alot has change and even though I did have this blog last year it wasn't something I wanted to do because I am not the multitask person and fb page was perfect until a few months ago. And you might already have heard about the change by many other pages.  I still went back and forth about the idea till early last month of May. I have met many people through my instagram (Follow me austenlandgirl ) , craft show i gone that people don't have facebook , also family and friends , and weird as it may sound because some of us almost all our family have fb (great aunt Susan) some people don't need it and thats okay , so how do I reach those people and how can Austenland reach more? brought me back to blog / website. I checked some websites designs lovely ones where everything is their even to shop and that be perfect right , but the price just a few $100 I really don't have that to spend on a website spend . And so we are back to blogger. I kept browsing and saw I kind of like the idea , Their is even more tools one can use to make it much more than lets talk about my thoughts.Sometimes a status is not enough. Explaining  about a creations/ design takes much more than just a post or a wall post . So it is set another place for Austenland accessories Their are tabs that will link anyone who comes to this page to all other places about Austenland (top left ) . Will you join me ? I hope you do .  Paulina creator and owner of Austenland accessories , Living in sunny southern California . loving anything and everything Jane Austen and novels ( even name the shop about Jane Austen) . And lets see what I create. 


-Paulina

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