Last week, I left the state of Pennsylvania and ventured into Indiana.  Fun was had by all and I was able to escape the mounting pressure of school (it starts in two weeks) but I couldn’t escape the mounting pressure of being a fangirl that enjoys crocheting.

I made a Jane doll from the Simon Canderous series by Anton Strout (you should be reading these books).

I was nervous because this is how I operate.  The opinion I have on myself is not high nor is it good.  With shaking hands, I gave the present to Anton and well, you decide: did he or didn’t he like it:

His reaction to both (I’d previously given him a Simon doll) have been delight and child amusement on Christmas day. This gives me confidence to keep pushing forward. I have two Art Trades I am working on; one is another Cthulhu Baby and the other is Luxord from Kingdom Hearts. I know as long as I try my best and don’t let the voices in my head rule, I will be able to get through the two Art Trades and finish up some other ideas.

I’m wrestling with the idea of putting some patterns up for sale on Ravelry and Etsy. Any thoughts?

posted by Jennifer
Tags: Anton Strout, Characters into Amigurumis, Jane Doll, Simon Canderous Series, To Press or Not to Press the Red Button That is the Question, WIP
Filed under: Finished Projects With Happy End Results

This is a commission request I received over at LiveJournal:

Working on a larger version to be finished by Gencon! *cross fingers*

posted by Jennifer
Tags: Commission, Cthulhu Baby, Finished Commissions
Filed under: Finished Commissions

Commissions are trying to kill me.  I have Cthulhus.  EVERYWHERE!

I have nightmares about red eyes and pacifiers.

Someone mentions calamari and I’m wondering who fried up my amigurumis.

No.  Really.  I’m going a bit insane.

WEEEE!

posted by Jennifer
Tags: Commission, Cthulhu, Cthulhu Baby, Going? Hell I've been there and got the t-shirt!
Filed under: Zombies Ate My Brain Then Puked It At Cthulhu

Something I’m working and would LOVE some feedback. For instance, do you like the rounded (on the right) wing over the square one (on the left)? Are the eyes to big? Can you tell it’s Cthulhu?

Sorry about the picture. Not using a camera I’m familiar with.

I’m doing a lot of second guessing due to some thing in the water. Perhaps a lack of soda . . .

posted by Jennifer
Tags: Cthulhu, Phone Charm, To Press or Not to Press the Red Button That is the Question, WIP
Filed under: Not Sure What I'm Doing. HELP!

After much debate, internal and external, I realized I am short changing myself with my Etsy listings. Here’s the breakdown: (all prices have been rounded up to the nearest cents for my sanity)

Item: Chess the Teddy Bear
Materials*:
Yarn: $3.00
Eyes: $0.20
Polyfil: $0.70
Total Material Cost: $3.90

Shipping**:
Box: $1.30
Newpapers: $1.00
Protective sleeve: $1.00
Label: $0.10
Total Shipping: $3.40

Total: $7.30

Except for the plushies, I’m charging $5.00 for my items. I’m short changing myself by $2.30. And this is without adding in a profit margin. I’ll be changing my prices, on items currently in my shop, when I get back from Gencon. Anything new going in will be based on the new pricing model. I’m not greedy; stupid when it comes to math, but not greedy so the new prices won’t be outrageous.

Your lesson for today: Don’t short change your business. Charge what you need to and reinvest back into said business.

In good news, I should have two new items up by the end of the week! ^.^;

*Majority of the material I use is cotton based.
**This is the cost of all the needed items for shipping. Not what I would pay at the Post Office.

posted by Jennifer
Tags: Basic Math I Suck At, Etsy Shop
Filed under: What Not to Do