whileshenaps.com

Sewing, blogging, and creative business.

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handmade mean

What Does “Handmade” Mean?

September 3, 2013

*A week after this post Etsy changed its definition of handmade. I wrote a second post about the new policies which you can find here. **After I wrote the post about Etsy’s new policies, Etsy got in touch with me and that led to a podcast interview with Etsy which you can find here. It… 

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Filed Under: Online Culture of Craft

A Response From Threadbias

August 6, 2013

Two weeks ago I wrote a post asking why there isn't a site like Ravelry for sewing. The post provoked quite a bit of interest in the broader online sewing community and the response was pretty tremendous. There was a lively discussion in the comments and I received quite a few emails from people who… 

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Filed Under: Online Culture of Craft

ravelry for sewing

Why Isn’t There a Site Like Raverly for Sewing?

July 16, 2013

  Edited: Threadbias responded to this post and I published their response here. The longer I’ve worked as an independent sewing pattern designer, the more it’s become apparent to me that those of us who sew are missing out on something amazing. We are missing out on Ravelry. Ravelry is a free site for knitters… 

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Filed Under: Online Culture of Craft

toy designers

The Position of Soft Toy Makers in Today’s Sewing Industry

July 3, 2013

  One of things I like best about sewing dolls and stuffed animals is that it gives you permission to jump into sewing without knowing the rules. The language of sewing is intimidating for a lot of people. Not sure what a dart is? Can’t sew a zipper yet? Don’t really get grain? That’s totally… 

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Filed Under: Ecommerce and Etsy, Online Culture of Craft

The Real Truth About Crafting For Charity

June 14, 2013

Wherever you are right now, you are fortunate. Why? Because  you’re reading this post from a screen of some kind, which means you probably have electricity. And most likely you’ve got a warm place to sleep tonight and enough to eat for dinner. We know that not everyone is so lucky. Every few months there’s… 

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Filed Under: Online Culture of Craft

I Have an Internet Nemesis. Now What?

June 12, 2013

Make anything and put it out for public display and you’ll attract criticism. You’ll attract praise as well, of course, but no matter what you do there will be people who don’t like what you’re doing. Some will keep it to themselves, and some will tell you what they think. Of those that tell you,… 

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Filed Under: Better Blogging, Online Culture of Craft

A Tribute to Kathreen Ricketson

May 28, 2013

I’ve been so saddened in recent days by the sudden death of Kathreen Ricketson, founder of WhipUp. If you haven’t heard what happened, here is the news story. Kathreen was a mother, a crafter, a leader in the online craft world. She was a forward thinker, a collaborator, and a unique voice. If you want… 

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Filed Under: Online Culture of Craft

9 reasons to have a blog

9 Reasons Why You Should Have a Blog

May 16, 2013

Want to see something embarrassing? Here’s the first post I ever wrote on my blog: Oh my goodness. Housewife? My head is now on my desk. But there’s something to celebrate here, too. The date. That was eight years and 1,065 posts ago. I’m still here regularly writing in this space.  Starting a blog was… 

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Filed Under: Better Blogging, Marketing, Online Culture of Craft

future of publishing

Forecasting the Future of Craft Publishing

May 13, 2013

In early 2005 I became a craft publisher by starting a craft blog. Between then and now I’ve watched the industry change in radical ways. Favorite magazines folded (remember Adorn? Domino? Now Stitch Craft Create is no more). Big companies bought out smaller, craft-exclusive publishing houses (most recently F+W bought my former publisher, Interweave). More… 

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Filed Under: Getting Published, Online Culture of Craft, Self-Publishing, Traditional Print Publishing

I should make that

Why It Shouldn’t Bother You When Someone Admires Your Work and Says They Can Make It Themselves

February 27, 2013

You spend countless hours developing a unique product, refining it, tweaking the pattern, sourcing the perfect materials, taking beautiful product shots, writing winning marketing copy for the listings, and cultivating a community around your work. And then, one afternoon you’re sifting through Pinterest and there’s your image of your beautiful handmade product, the basis of… 

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Filed Under: Customer Service, Online Culture of Craft

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Welcome! I'm Abby Glassenberg and I'm glad you're here. While She Naps is a blog about designing and sewing stuffed animals and running a creative business.
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