Dedication

On a day like today, I'm not quite sure how to feel.

I thought I'd take some time to sit down and blog.  I seem to be having a rather overwhelming amount of success come my way in the past few months. I landed a great job, I moved out, I bought a car and I started doing exactly what I love to do. I have numerous people to thank for that.  There is one specific person I would like to dedicate my success too.  Considering what today is, I thought this seemed appropriate. 

Happy Father's Day, pops.  You are one missed man!! I dedicate all my new found happiness and success to you.  I know you would be proud of me.


So to all my friends, followers and to everyone else, I hope that you have an amazing Father's Day.  Don't take it for granted. For those of you that use music to express how you feel, check out this tune:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o53yd7KdqQA


Oh, and Dad, thanks for this one:

xoxo.

Hayley



Big Announcement!!!!

It had never really crossed my mind to expand my business.  I had never thought about selling my stuff in a store.  But, when I received an email from someone wanting to sell my stuff, I couldn't say no.  It was such a compliment.  I am so very excited to annouce:

HASINSPIRATION

WILL SOON BE AVAILABLE

AT

THE ART OF HOME!!!!!!!



DOWNTOWN GALT, CAMBRIDGE!!!!

For those of you who haven't heard of The Art of Home, it is situated in Downtown Galt, just steps up from Cafe 13.  It is a quaint little store, featuring local handmade artisians, with items to decorate your home.  All with a vintage, handmade feel.   I'm almost reluctant to be apart of this store, the items are beautiful and I am going to be spending quite a bit there, I already know!   I'm so excited to announce this to everyone.  I don't have the exact address right now, so stay tuned.  I will let everyone know when it will be available!


On that note, I should probably get to work!! Thank you all so much for your support! This is truly a dream come true for me. Hope you can all get to get check it out.
XO

Eclectic Mess

I look at my Etsy shop and start to wonder what direction I am heading in.  You see pillows, cases, covers, jewlery, supplies (buttons) and clothing.  I tend to make whatever comes to me, and roll with that for a little.  I look at it and see an "eclectic mess".  I guess I like to keep it fresh and new.  I am hoping to get things to look a little more "uniform".  I have learned that part of selling things frequently is having a great picture, and what seems to be SOMETHING in common.  Using the same background or same prop in every photo.  A word to the wise.  A great picture sells. 

I would like to thank the people who support handmade.  It's a tough industry to break into and to get your name out there.  I remember looking at my Etsy page one day and seeing upwards of 100 views.  Those views were from numerous different websites and from all over the world.  Being apart of the handmade industry is great.  You meet some very talented people, and it's a very rewarding form of Art. 

www.etsy.com/shop/hasinspiration 

Upcoming Shows and Events

Like it hasn't already been a busy few weeks, I've added things into the mix.  Right now, we are settling into the new place.  I hope to get sewing new pillows and curtains, I'll be sure to post those pictures whenever I get the chance to do it! I am doing my room in all vintage and repurposed products, along with some burlap pillows!  I can't wait.
I am itching to get sewing.  I don't even have my sewing machine here at my new house yet :( I have a whole room to work in.  Hoping that I can expand my business and create some more things.  I'm even hoping to do consulations for home decorating (curtains, pillows etc).  I have had a few orders for curtains, which is kind of exciting!   

I wanted to mention my upcoming shows!  First of all, I have a show on Sunday at the Edelwiess Tavern in Kitchener, from 11-4pm.  It sounds like it's going to be a good one! 60 + vendors, with all handmade items.  Just in time to pick up something unique for Mom! 

I have also discovered this new website! It is called Tophatter.  It is a virtual auction room where sellers post their stuff for other people to bid on! I have been spending a lot of time on it.  You can get some great deals -- especially on supplies.  I have recently posted my "women's poncho" and it will be up for bid Friday, May 4th at 9pm. You have to take a couple minutes to register, but it is totally worth it.  It's even cool to see how much items will go for.  The website is www.tophatter.com.  Bidding for the poncho will start at $18.00 with $2 shipping within Canada and $5.00 shipping to the U.S. Even if I don't sell it -- it's a pretty good way to gain customers. 

And in a couple months I will also be at the Forbes Park Music Festival.  Not too much information on that one just yet, I do know it is July 7th from 10am - 10:30pm.  Quite the long day!

I just got my new fabric in.  Take a look at it:

Again, any custom order questions, please send me an email!! stinson_hayley@hotmail.com, or visit www.etsy.com/shop/hasinspiration.  Hope to see you in Kitchener, or at this auction this weekend!!

Hayley - HASinspiration

Custom Orders!

Let me start by saying I LOVE custom orders.  There is something so great about working with a customer to create exactly what they are looking for.  There are so many ways to get in touch with me to ask about custom orders.  THIS is one way.  In this blog I will attach all the fabric I currently have.  Luckily, I order most of my fabric from this great lady with a shop on Etsy.  Oh, the world of Etsy.  Other then that, I don't mind spending a little bit of time in a little store called Lens Mills.  A designer and lover of fabric in a warehouse of fabric can be quite damaging on the wallet.

With Mother's Day fast approaching, why not make it a one-of-a-kind gift.  I offer fresh, spring colours and rarely more than one of something that I make. Most of my fabric is even organic!  I offer you the option to completely customize your order at inexpensive costs. Yoga eye pillows are great for moms.  The pressure that the pillows put on your eyelids offer the kind of relaxation that you don't even get when you sleep.  You can heat them up or cool them down.  A nice end to a busy day.   I just did an order for 6 yoga eye pillows to AUSTRALIA.  I can't say it is something I will do again -- I ended up paying $37 dollars in shipping.  You definatley learn something new everyday in this business. 

Check out the fabric and please email me, visit my website, or leave a comment if you have any questions about custom orders!  www.etsy.com/shop/hasinspiration

The Meaning Behind

I'm going to break it down for ya'll!  Interested or not -- I thought I would talk about how I came up with the name for my products and shop.  The first part is easy -- HAS -- Hayley Ann Stinson.  The second part, "inspiration" has a little bit more too it. 

I get my inspiration from my family, friends and the outdoors.   Not only did they push for me to give this a shot -- they taught me what I know.  I always followed my mom around as she taught sewing lessons out of the house.  That was years ago.  I would spend weeks out of the summer camping with my family up north.  North Bay is where I did most of the camping with my family.  After highschool, I found myself right back up there attending Canadore College.  It was through all this that I got my admiration and appreciation for the outdoors. Call me a hippy but I'd be perfectly happy camping in the woods with a sleeping bag for the rest of my life.  I only spent a year up north before I graduated and came home only to start another, more science directed, environmental course at another college.  I studied trees, and even got a leaf tattooed on my foot.  It is important to find what makes you happy, and what inspires you.  Thank you everyone who has supported me and if this should fail miserably, atleast I can say I tried!

Feeling Inspired

I just spent the day at the One of A Kind Show in Toronto.  I go both times that the show is on in the year.  I have family who have had a booth there selling wooden bowls and cutting boards, they've been there for 30 years or more.  It's always nice to see them but I can't say I don't go there and come back uninspired, thats for sure.  It's a huge venue and you see things that you would never find anywhere else.  The artistry that you see there is amazing.  Some of the most talented artists in the world.  I only wish I had $2,900 for a beautiful reclaimed wood kitchen table.  I got my mom a necklace made from aluminum with the tiniest of trees carved in the middle.  You probably won't meet a family more in love with trees, than this one. 

So speaking of being inspired, I've ordered some new fabric and I can't wait to get my hands on it.  I'm going to have to slow down with all this fabric buying I've been doing.  I might need a something to sit on in my new house.  Although, I'm easy and would probably be okay sitting on the floor.  I guess that would only last so long. 

Any requests?