Sunday, 1 July 2012

A Little More Smocking

I have been working a bit more on the smocking. I thought it would be nice to do a headband that was a complete hoop. I think it makes a much nicer band, but I have to admit it did make more work. Twice as much smocking. But I find it very therapeutic. I've posted the full instructions on how to make both types of bands on Craftsy.




I had thought about selling the actual headbands on Etsy, but I think I'm going to keep them for my daughter. I've never sold products online, and am not sure how perfect people expect them to be. Also the pricing worries me. When selling at craft fairs I feel people can have a good look and try on before they decide to buy. Someone suggested selling them as kits, which might be worth thinking about.
 


In the end it all got a bit much for my model. Actually I love this photo too.



25 comments:

  1. Smoking that takes me back not done any for years, used to do a range of baby clothes with s,picked tops, so pretty. Love the headband, well done

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  2. Aww, too much modelling can be a problem for anyone, I'm sure! Those headbands look pretty perfect to me. Maybe you can get feedback at fairs to give you confidence to sell online? x

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  3. I love the last photo! Much more natural, and has a particular charm as it reminds me of the stroppy photos taken of me as a bridesmaid of about three years old, trying to hurl my headdress down the garden because the kirby grips were bugging me!

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  4. Yes, that last photo is great! Pricing is always a nightmare, especially when it's something as time consuming as smocking.

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  5. I love that last photo-just shows your headbands look good in any situation and mood!

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  6. I think the idea of selling these as kits is really good - people love to have a go themselves as it is less daunting than trying to make something completely on your own.

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  7. That last photo is priceless - I can so relate to it! The headband is lovely, although I know what you mean about pricing, it's a dilemma isn't it. Still, why don't you try just putting one or two on Etsy - nothing to lose really have you? x

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  8. I recognise the face in the last photo - must be one all children have! I love your headbands and think they would sell well but I know what you mean when it comes to pricing. Don't be afraid to be proud of your work however - it is truely great.

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  9. Quite obviously you didn't pay her enough to be your model!! haha
    Good idea to try them out at craft fairs so you can get peoples feedback. I love smocking although never done it myself. It must take ages to do.

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  10. Cute last photo, bless her! I've not come across Smocking before ... I just googled and it's quite a skill you have! As someone who has never done it before, a kit sounds like an ideal thing to me!

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  11. beautiful headband, beautiful daughter :)

    seems a good idea to build up customer feedback from fairs before selling online, more for confidence than anything else i think as it looks very well made in these pictures! x

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  12. What a really pretty headband. I expect they take quite a while to produce. I've never tried smocking, I'm not that brave. Have a lovely week. Ali x

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  13. Beautiful headbands, have often looked at smocking but never been brave enough to try but think the idea of a kit to make something small might well catch on - and for complete beginners we can dip toes in the water without worrying about ruining something special

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  14. The kit is a great idea, and like one of the others said, put a couple on etsy, you may be surprised.

    Good luck

    Jan x

    PS.... love the photo's.

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  15. I have so many photos similar to the mood shown in your last photo!!The headbands look fab and very detailed. A kit would be a good seller i'm sure

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  16. Smocking looks like it's sooooo difficult to do! Your work is lovely.

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  17. Recently someone from New Zealand ordered from my Etsy shop saying she could not sew so she bought sewn items from others. Thats how I feel about smocking! I have never tried it but it looks so intricate and fussy! and beautiful!

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  18. Aaah bless her, but she did look lovely. And the smocking is fab. I love these type of hair bands, I wear them a lot in the summer (good excuse for covering hair that is a due a wash too!) The kit idea is great, I'd maybe sell the kits and the final items, that way you would appeal to both types of buyer.

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  19. The headband looks really pretty!

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  20. The headband is gorgeous!
    I know what you mean about the selling part - it is difficult to gauge what it is people look for and how to price it. But it is worth a try on Etsy

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  21. I'll echo what others have said- a kit is a great idea. Your headbands are very pretty, I think they would sell on Etsy.

    LH
    x

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  22. Your smocking is stunning. Sadly, that is a skill I never learned. It is still on my to learn list though...someday.

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  23. It's beautiful. And what a sweet little model. Thanks for linking up to STL Wednesday!
    Mary

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  24. That is so intricate and detailed! Never seen anything like it before. Lovely! Thanks for linking up at Hookin on Hump Day!

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