How to Sew & Sell your Products on Etsy

Have you ever thought of selling the beautiful things you sew online, through Etsy or your own website? 

I considered that too, over 12 years ago, and I haven't stopped since! 

My Etsy Success Story Sewing and Selling Online

Thousands upon thousands of washcloths later (I'm the founder of @FairfaceWashcloths by the way), I've decided to share everything I wish I had known when I first started sewing my own products and selling them on Etsy, and sharing it all with you!

The things I've learned and systems I've developed helped me not only scale my production from the low double digits to 1,000's of washcloths cut and sewn each cycle, but also expand to our own website, create more products, host a popular podcast and more. 

How to Sew, Scale & Sell your Products on Etsy

I often say to myself, I didn't struggle through the learning process to get to where I am today, just to keep it to myself. It's meant to be shared! Just like our amazing washcloths are...and the reason I started sharing them in the first place was because they had helped me so much.

I want to give you the tools and information I wish I had 12+ years ago when I first started selling my handsewn products online, so I created a load of courses to help walk you through each step, called Cut, Sew, Grow!

Our CUT, SEW, GROW! Courses will be coming soon and I couldn't be more excited! 

If you want to take the leap and start sewing and selling your own products on Etsy or your own website or local fairs, 

1. Go to FairfaceWashcloths.com/courses 

2. Sign up for our waiting list

3. Follow @CutSewGrow in Instagram

4. Listen/Subscribe to the Cut, Sew, Grow Podcast on Apple, Spotify + read our show transcription or listen through your browser

Any questions? Leave a comment below!

xo Shannon

Reconnecting with what you love

Fall back in love with what you do
Photo by Chuck Hildebrant on Unsplash

Ever fall out of love with what you're doing every day?
I think a lot of people do.
Am I speaking for myself?
Yes, some days.

When I started this blog back in 2010 I was DIY fresh-faced and fancy-free. I loved trying new things. I painted, sewed, refashioned, wrote funny posts, designed my own t-shirts, dyed fabric, glued, glittered, decorated, and shared everything I was doing and couldn't wait for the next DIY project.

I created endless lists of things I wanted to try and some nights I couldn't sleep because the ideas where whirling around inside my head. I was blogging for myself and for the fun of sharing. It wasn't a job. I didn't try to make any money from it. I just loved creating and sharing.

And then I started my first etsy shop where I was selling some of the beautiful creations I was making. And I still blogged about what I was doing and how much fun I was having, but now I had to pay attention to SEO, word placement, alt tags, and images. And blogging wasn't quite as fun.

And my first etsy shop morphed into a 2nd etsy shop, and my focus shifted. As I went further and deeper into my new venture, the farther away I went from what I had once gained so much energy from. And it was harder to come up with blog posts and the energy just wasn't the same. So I stopped.

I no longer had time to create, design and imagine. Or at least I didn't give myself time to do it anymore. With so many other to-do's on my plate, the pulls I felt "off the clock" were to vegetate instead of create.

A new kind of wanderlust

The other day, as I pawed through the muted and mundane winter clothing I have in my closet, I had a spark of wanderlust return. Not for far off places, but for the crafty girl who had been hibernating for what seemed to have been a terribly long 5 year winter. I had a spark of wanting to decorate my own t-shirts again. It caught me off guard. Was it really ok for me to do that again? Oh, how I had loved making those ink blot t-shirts. It was the magic of the moment as I pulled the layers apart to see what un-planned design was suddenly created on purpose. And what if I actually blogged about it and shared it because I was excited to? I almost had to look around to see if anyone had also heard the voice in my head.

And all at once I was excited about pulling out my paints and finding a plain t-shirt to unleash my creativity on. I felt a fire and excitement that I hadn't felt in a long time. What if I really did things again for no other purpose than old-fashioned enjoyment?

5 Tips for reigniting your passion

Sometimes you don't even know what you love anymore. We get so stuck in our mind-body routines that we feel numb to the world outside of ourselves.

We often keep ourselves in a box of our own doing, telling ourselves we're, "not that kind of person", we "probably wouldn't like that", we "really wouldn't be good at it", we've "already done that, or we "just don't have time for that".

Well, if you haven't tried it, you actually may like it. And I'm not talking about your mom telling you to try peas because you'll like them. I mean, you actually might really like it. And you may surprise yourself and find that your water color painting is actually a lot better than the one your kindergartner brought home! Snaps for you!

Here are 5 tips for "finding your passion" if you've lost it or never knew what it was in the first place.

1. Give yourself permission to explore 

Learn about and try new things you've never dared and give yourself the time to do it. Think of the advice you'd give another person if they were in the same position - you'd never put a cap on the things they could try, learn or become. Give yourself that same grace.

There are SO many different things to try - do something with wood, furniture, paper, hot glue, pottery, fabric, dirt, glass, metal, paint, photography, dance, you get the picture. It might spark a passion you never even knew existed or one that has been dormant for far too long.

2. Break old routines

When we are used to doing the same old things every day we miss out on the ones we've never tried and the spark of energy that new activities can bring. Do 1 thing every day that is different than you normally would. It could be something as simple as taking a walk through your neighborhood, drinking something different for breakfast, going to the library, buying a food you've never tried before, exercising an hour later, or wearing something you haven't worn for a while. Try something new that breaks stale habits.

3. Find energy from outside yourself

Get out of your own head and into someone else's. We are limited by our own beliefs about ourselves so spend time with someone who knows you and ask them what they think you might be good at or something they think you would like. Even finding out what someone else's goals and aspirations are might spark one in you. It can be fun and eye-opening to get an outside perspective.

Other places to try for new ideas, perspectives & inspiration:

Podcasts

I used to focus my podcast listening to work and business-related sources but when I add podcasts about things other than work, I get a boost of energy and perspective that also helps my work.
3 Podcasts I listen to right now:

• So Money, by Farnoosh Tarabi
• Organize 365, by Lisa Woodruff
• Productivity Paradox, by Tonya Dalton

Instagram

It's not just about finding like-minded business people to follow or those who share your same situation, follow people who inspire and do good in the world.
3 Inspiring people I'm following right now:

• Laurabpilates
• Elsielarson
• JoannaGaines

Library 

No need to spend a bunch of money as you learn about new things, I love checking books out at the library about everything under the sun. You may also find postings for free workshops, book readings, or community events that sounds interesting.

Pinterest

Give yourself a certain time limit to explore and then GO AND DO. Unfortunately, watching other people cook meals for 3 hours won't actually make you dinner. Dang it!

TV Shows

People give tv watching a bad rap. Just like other things that can suck us into a time warp, give yourself a certain amount of time to get inspired by what you watch. And no, watching 10 hours of other people renovating houses doesn't count as doing it yourself (yes, that was for me). I literally think, "I could do that" and then Alison Victoria, from Windy City Rehab, reminds me that I can't. ha! But it's still fun watching and imagining and sparking ideas and creativity while being thankful I don't have over a million dollars on the line, if I even had a million dollars.

4. Spend time outside

Nothing gets me out of my head and into a better, more creative, thoughtful, positive frame of mind than getting outside. Into the woods or by the beach is better, but a quick neighborhood walk can spark thought and ideas. If you don't have time for a walk, sometimes even getting out to the mailbox can give you a boost with the fresh air and sunshine (or splash of rain if you live in Seattle).

5. Stop chasing your passion

I hear so often about people trying to "find their passion", like there is only one thing that can ever truly fulfill them. They are often left empty as they pursue the unattainable. I have found there are things I try, like, and check off my list forever; other things I love and revisit many times; and a few things that really fill me up. Trying different pursuits brings out different likes, talents and passions. By widening your view you may actually find your passion without really looking for it.

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So while we may not love what we do every single day, we can definitely make more room for joy, reconnect with those things that once brought us happiness, and find new things to love.

What are some things that light you up that you want to try or reconnect with?

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Shannon Sorensen, author of Shannon Sews, is also the founder and CEO of Fairface Washcloths, the best washcloths for sensitive skin.

Get the life you want in the New Year in 4 easy steps

© Shannon Sorensen

I don't know about you, but this time of year gets me feeling weird inside. Just like birthdays. Like clockwork, as the approach of a new year begins, my mind subconsciously starts reflecting on what I have accomplished thus far, and where I want my life to go. And that can be a good thing. But there's also the "what I didn't do's" and "is this really what I want's", and why hasn't my life gone this way" thoughts that get stuck in a whirling vortex, where reflection-meets-mid-life-crisis.

I realized in a calm moment, post-whirl, that this year I'll call it Re-New Year, to embrace the renewals, reflections and changes that are inevitable as the year turns another page, and make it count.

4 Steps to Getting the Life You Want in the New Year

1. Re-evaluate

This is really the biggest starting point to discovering the path for your life in the new year, to re-evaluate what you are currently doing. Ask yourself, "Is what I'm doing making me happy?", "Are the things I'm doing bringing me where I want to go?", "What isn't working and how can I change or get rid of it?",  "What do I really want out of life?"

One of my favorite quotes about finding joy and success is from Jack Canfield, author of Chicken Soup for the Soul, who said, "You don't want to get to the top of the ladder and find out it's been leaning against the wrong wall."

Re-evaluate what you want and how you currently feel versus how you want to feel. If something isn't bringing you some sort of joy and fulfillment along the way, you may be setting your sights in the wrong direction. Look at the areas of your life that are important to you, like family, marriage, home and work. Take the time to think about what you really want out of each area of your life, whether you're getting the fulfillment and happiness you are seeking, and if your ladder is up against the right wall.

2. Re-organize

This is actually a fun one for me. I don't know whether my intense desire to re-decorate, de-clutter and re-organize is driven by the covers of every published magazine from A-Z, or my extreme lack of sunshine at this time of year (thank you Seattle) that makes me want to throw everything out and redecorate in beachy tones.

Re-organizing is the lead-in to re-newal in so many ways. A fresh start. A clean slate (literally and figuratively). An organized home allows for an organized mind. Change spaces to allow for more efficiency, move things around to give you a fresh view.

But re-organizing isn't just the tangibles. De-cluttering your mind and how you spend your time is a huge part of re-organizing your life. Clean up, clear out and open your inspirational portal.

3. Re-commit

This is #3 for a reason. It's hard to find that place inside your head, heart and soul, to re-commit to things you haven't re-evaluated and gotten straight and "organized" in your mind.  After you've been able to think through what you want for yourself and your family, you can decide what really counts and what you really want to commit to. And mean it.

This step is where many new year's resolutions fall flat. Are we really committing ourselves to something or are we just hoping we'll commit? When you take the time to really commit to the things you care about, you're only one step away from making them happen. (see #4)

4. Re-start

The beauty of a new year, a new age, an anniversary, or other landmark, is that it brings you to the place where change can begin. This is the most empowering step after re-committing to what you want, because it's the time to take action. You can think of change all you want, but actually moving forward on those desires and starting, is an active choice. It can be scary, exciting, risky, empowering or all of the above. It's your chance to re-new your life. To make it what you want it to be. To embrace new challenges or let go of old ones.

This chance to re-start your life, right where you are, is the magic of the New Year. Now go get it.

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Shannon Sorensen is the founder and CEO of Fairface Washcloths, the best washcloths for sensitive skin, and writer of several blogs, including ShannonSews.blogspot.com.

I can see why she wrote on the walls: they key to unlocking your creativity & productivity

Photo by KROMKRATHOG- freedigitalphotos.net

Several years ago, I had a manic boss. Definition: showing wild and apparently deranged excitement and energy (reference: Google).

Once she even stood behind me as I was typing a memo she was reciting and went so far as to tell me where every comma should go and when to backspace when I made the occasional and unfortunate typ-o.

In a word, she was crazy. One donut short of a dozen. She got a lot done, but wildly. It's the kind of person that makes you tired after 5 seconds of being around them.

One morning as we were planning an upcoming large event, she began a group brainstorming session. Since we didn't have any white boards up in our new office building yet, we all had notepads at the ready to compile our lists.

As the ideas began to flow, I could see her wild eyes looking frantically for a place to write. IT HAD TO BE UP! IT HAD TO BE BIG! IT HAD TO BE VISIBLE! And with the lack of white boards, all at once she threw the chairs back and began writing on the walls. ON THE BRAND NEW OFFICE BUILDING WHITE PAINTED WALLS. With a pencil, but still. You could hear a quiet, but audible gasp in the room, and then all at once, we resumed working because it was, after all, our manic boss. We should expect nothing less.

Since that day, I can't deny, that I've had an unrelenting itch to write on the walls. I'll admit, as a creative type, I have my own kind of mania. Ideas that pop into my head at all hours. Notebooks filled with ideas of what I want to do, what I should do, and what I could do. To-do lists, priority lists, and one-day-I-will-do lists.

If I don't see these ideas, I forget them, and then they clutter my mind and I have to start a new list in a new notebook, so I can forget about those too.  If I don't see it, I forget it. If I don't read it every day, I sometimes forget what's motivating me. So I have this strange urge to write it BIG and BOLD and make it VISIBLE so I don't forget it.

I scaled down my crazy and bought a medium sized white board. And although I've written a few things on it, it still hasn't totally tamed the urge to write BIGGER so I can SEE IT ALL.

So what's the key to unlocking your creativity & productivity? 

Maybe C.S. (a.k.a. my manic boss) was on to something. Unclutter your mind by writing it all down and keep it in sight. Instead of blocking creativity and thought process, let it flow... All of it. The house to-do lists, the business to-do lists, the creative to-do lists, the children to-do lists, the husband honey-do lists, trips-you-want-to-take lists. Every last little thing until all your dirty laundry's out there like a bad reality show.

And while actually writing on the walls does qualify you for the definition of manic, you can at least write it all down on paper. Keep separate lists and tape them up around your house (in closets, behind cupboard doors, so people don't think you're too cray cray) so you can take a glance and remember what you're working toward. And for the love of Pete, cross off items as you do them! That's a whole other level of satisfaction.

Too much in your head stops productivity and keeps you in a vicious cycle of feeling unfocused and overwhelmed. As you write everything down that is bogging you down & leave it out where you can see it, the ideas will begin to flow and you won't have only saved your sanity, you won't have to repaint your walls.

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Shannon Sorensen is a blogger and creative type who occasionally fights the urge to write on the walls. Besides her creative outlets, she is also the Founder and CEO Shannon Sorensen Designs, maker of Fairface™ Washcloths, the best skin care washcloths for soothing and calming even the most sensitive skin.

Top 5 Best Entrepreneur + Small Business TV Shows you can actually learn from

Living the small biz dream © Shannon Sorensen Designs

I think I always knew some day I'd be running my own business. It's in my genes.

I watched my dad work tirelessly operating his own thriving dental practice. He carried both the burden and blessing of being in charge. From a young age, he instilled in me the desire to make something of my own, like he did.

I wanted to be like him. Working for a PURPOSE instead of just a person. 

This is the decade of Entrepreneurship. The empowering age of Small Business. If you can dream it up, you can build it up.

I love to learn from strong people who have gone before me, or who are standing right beside me as we blaze our trails.

I thrive on learning all I can about running a small business and have found a few tv shows that focus on Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses. If you share my passion for running your own business, you've got to check these out!

Top 5 Picks for Small Business & Entrepreneur TV Shows in 2016

 

The Profit

This has to be one of my all time favorite tv shows for start-ups and small businesses. Marcus Lemonis is a savvy businesses guy who partners with struggling businesses to help give them direction and funding. He can be hard core, but speaks the truth. I actually learn something from this show, which is what I love most about it. I take notes. You're able to see how real businesses talk about profit margins, percentages, distribution, manufacturing, packaging, co-packing, etc. It's seriously awesome. You can watch the last season on demand or purchase previous seasons on Amazon. I can't wait for the new season in August!!! Word has it, Lemonis is also going to be in a new show called The Partner, which I'm dying to see when it's released.

Quit your Day Job

If you're crazy about entrepreneurship, you'll love this show. It's a little quirky, but I love what I can learn from it. It features a team of 3 investors (Randi Zuckerberg - yes, it's his sister, Sarah Prevette and Ido Leffler) who choose which of 3 entrepreneurs to invest in and help them grown their business. This show is about people like you and me who are trying to get your product out there. It feels very relate-able on many levels.

Follow the Leader

CNBC is rocking it with all their small business/entrepreneur tv shows! I really like this show because you get a day-in-the-life experience with some of the most influential and successful people out there who grew their businesses from small to boom. I take notes when I watch this too (nerd alert). A few of my favorite people they've followed are: Katia Beauchamp (co-founder of Birch Box), John Paul DeJoria (the name behind the Paul Mitchell brand), and Gary Vaynerchuck (social media guru).

Beyond the Tank 

Is it just me or do you want to get to the real meat of what goes on behind closed doors after a deal with Shark Tank?! I still like watching Shark Tank, but I really like what happens next. I want to know how these businesses grew, what they did to manage this new growth, and how they got or will get to that next level after they walk away with a deal. Sorry, Shark Tank, but this nudges you out of my top 5.

Billion Dollar Buyer

Enter Tilman Fertitta. He's a rich man who wants to help small businesses by giving them a chance at selling or offering their products in his many hotels and casinos. What's interesting to me about this, is watching how these small businesses are launched into a world of BIG quantities. If they're going to make a deal with Tilman, they'll have to figure out how to scale production while keeping a cost that works for them both. If a deal is made, it could be just the break these small businesses have been looking for...if after all that work he even makes the deal. P.S. The board room makes me uncomfortable.
 

Other Small Business and Entrepreneur TV Shows to check out

Although these shows didn't make it to my top 5, I still like them (unless noted, ha!) and they still have something to offer the entrepreneur / small business / start-up minded.

Shark Tank   

Although After the Tank pushed this out of my top 5, I still like watching every day people like you and me, pitch their good ideas to investors. I learn from them. I share their anxiety as I imagine myself up there in front of the sharks and hope never to hear Kevin's words, "You're dead to me."

Blue Collar Millionaires

This was very close to being in my top 5 because who doesn't love a good success story? It's inspiring to see how these hard working people created very successful businesses for themselves with their passion, blood, sweat and tears.

Make Me A Millionaire Inventor

Not as compelling as some, but I still love seeing what people have come up with, how they try to perfect their product, and what happens when they pitch to an investor.

West Texas Investors Club

I dare say, this should have been called the West Texas Hillbilly Club. This is another product-pitch-investor-show and if you can stand country bumpkin talk, you might like this. While I love me some hunky southern twang, I had to turn it off because they sound too much like hillbillies and it drove me nuts.

Undercover Boss

I have a love-hate for this show. Not only does it make me cringe, because I don't like people trying to trick other people into thinking they're someone they're not (that hurts my feelings), but the wigs and disguises are so ridiculous that it physically hurts a little. It usually ends with a feel-good story and money gifts at the end, which are heart felt, and it is interesting to see what goes on behind the scenes at some well-known companies like Yankee Candle, 7-Eleven, Cinnabon and my recent favorite Stella and Dot.

How It’s Made

Interesting show if you like to take a look behind the scenes at how every day products are manufactured.

All-American Makers

I haven't watched this show yet, but I plan to. I think it's based more on higher end and tech ideas than the every day maker, but it's still on my list.

What NOT to do in business...

American Greed

Sometimes a juicy story about how someone did it oh-so-wrong can be a good watch. I like this one.

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Have I missed something? Let me know because I'm all about binge-watching good tv.

Selling your poducts on etsy and beyond: my story

Tips for selling online through etsy and website shops

I am often asked what it's like to be an Etsy seller, how I decided what to sell and what happened after I opened my shop doors.

I'm pretty much an open book, so in an effort to address many of those questions, I thought I'd share my perspective on what it's like to sell on Etsy and what has happened since I launched my first shop.

***At the end of this post I also share a load of helpful tips and points to consider when selling your handmade goods on Etsy (or another online venue).

Finding the Right Product to Sell in your Etsy Shop

It's an interesting thing, that game of trying to find the "it" product. My husband and I often smack our heads and say, "why didn't I come up with THAT?!" We're still wishing we had been the ones to invent the post-it note.

But if you're looking to be, or already are an Etsy seller, you know that Etsy is about standing out. It's about being unique. It's about bringing your creativity, your uniqueness and your passion and hoping people like it and if they do, you've found "it".

 

Choosing what to Sell on Etsy can be a Process

It was January 2011 when I first opened my Etsy shop doors: Shannon Sorensen Designs. It was a bit of a whirlwind as I look back on it. A time full of excitement and motivation. It was at that time I began this blog to document all my sewing adventures.

Choosing what I wanted to sell came easily. I was bursting with creativity. I was sewing and selling pillow covers, baby bibs and burp cloth sets, blankets, nursery and home decor, all with love and passion. I even tried my hand at Ink Blot T-shirts and Ink Blot Onesies, which was crazy fun. (Watch some of my surprising ink blot designs come to life)

But at one point, I wanted to introduce another product to my shop, and since I was still fairly new to Etsy and hadn't settled on a definite direction, I figured, why not include home decor pillows and skin care washcloths in the same shop?  Such a branding faux-pas as I look back, but what did I know? If they sold, they sold. So I decided to try it.

My Etsy "It" Product

Creative business can be a tricky thing because you never really know what will sell. It's coming from your heart and head so no matter what trends you follow, in the end you have to go with your gut. 

When something really speaks to you, like this new product did to me, you bring it with all you've got and if there was one thing I really cared about, it was my skin care washcloth line because it meant a lot to me personally.

Sensitive skin issues had hit me hard and in an effort to calm my skin down, I had begun making my own soft washcloths to use for gentle cleansing. The difference in my skin, when switching from regular washcloths to these soft cloths, was almost immediate. Instead of turning red and irritated after I washed my face, it was finally calm for the first time in a long time.  I knew that I was onto something and if I could help bring relief to other people suffering from sensitive skin irritation, it was my job to get it to them.

This decision to introduce my soft, sensitive skin washcloth line was one of those moments when you know deep down it's something big.  My husband wasn't totally convinced this would be a big seller, but in the end, I knew I wanted to share this skin care godsend with the word, and all at once, the first Fairface™ Washcloths were introduced into the market place. (If you look at my sold items, you'll see how quickly they took off.)

Make and Sell What Inspires You And The Rest Will Follow 

I started in one place and ended up in another. That's what happens a lot in my life. And what I've learned, is that if you never start anything, you will never get where you are meant to go.

Over the course of these 5 years, my ambitions have shifted, and while pillow cases, baby bibs and nursery blankets are someone else's passion, mine has become evident to me: Fairface™ Washcloths. 

One year ago in September, I phased Fairface™ Washcloths out of my first etsy shop (which I recently closed) and opened a 2nd Etsy shop specifically for Fairface™ Washcloths. In addition, I launched my own website: FairfaceWashcloths.com. Specific branding goes a long way and the growth and opportunities that have come as a result of those decisions are amazing and I feel incredibly blessed. I also feel very fulfilled and happy to share these washcloths that mean so much to me, with others who can benefit from them.

The Passion behind Fairface™ Washcloths

Fairface™ Washcloths: products that help people

Put simply, I care about skin care products that help people. 

I care about providing a product that can help eliminate someone's suffering and help their skin feel and look better.

Fairface™ Washcloths, to me, are about helping people feel comfortable, accepting and beautiful in their own skin. And every time I hear back from a happy customer about how Fairface™ Washcloths have helped their sensitive skin, it reaffirms that deep down feeling from all those years ago, that this was the right decision.

xo ~Shannon

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Shannon, of Shannon Sorensen Designs is the Founder and CEO of Fairface™ Washcloths, a line of specialty skin care washcloths and face cloths, soft and soothing for sensitive skin.

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Want to open your own Etsy shop? First ask yourself these questions:

• What are you good at?
• What is your unique spin on it, i.e. how can you give an ordinary pillow cover your unique touch? Make it look different? Use materials and designs different than other sellers?
• Do you love making it?
• Do you enjoy just the design process, the making process, or both?
• Would you be happy making hundreds of them?
• Not sure what to make? Don't panic! Try a few things and see what happens. It's a process. 
• Don't be afraid to share yourself and your talents with the world. If you never try, you'll never know what could have been.

Tips for Selling on Etsy or other online shop:

• Make sure you have the correct business licenses (check with your city and state)
• Understand how and when to collect and pay state sales taxes, if applicable
• Read and follow the Etsy or other online shop guidelines
• Learn about the labeling requirements to sell your products (for textile products, see FTC textile label requirements)
• Don't purchase too many things up front (labels, packaging, etc.). See what works, what doesn't, what you love and what you don't. After you decide what you like, you can begin purchasing larger quantities and get better pricing.
• Have questions? Consult Etsy forums, other sellers, and even your local small business administration. It's not as complicated as it feels. Take it step by step. 
• Learn about branding. It's key to a focused marketing strategy.
• Market yourself!! I can't emphasize this enough. Don't wait for Etsy to bring buyers to you, or you'll be very disappointed. In order to be successful online, you must market your own products! Launch a blog and social media (facebook, instagram, twitter, etc.) highlighting your products and behind the scenes. Drive traffic to your shop!!

Final advice for selling on etsy or your website:

• Do what you love.
• Do what brings you joy.
• Do what feels fulfilling.
• Focus, focus, focus. Often, you can stretch yourself thin on time and money by chasing too many ideas at once. Focus on 1 thing at a time and do it really well. The outcome of your efforts will drive your next move.
• Experience is Golden. Reach out to other etsy / online sellers and bloggers. In my experience, many people are very willing to help and offer advice! 
• Try different venues. There's nothing wrong with having more than one place to sell your online goods. Being a seller on Etsy doesn't mean you can't sell elsewhere too.
• Don't get bogged down by negativity. Some people just don't get it, but stick with your intuition!
• Take it step-by-step. It might feel overwhelming because you don't know everything right now, but all of the greats got started somewhere just like you.
• This is yours. If you don't like something, change it. Follow where your inspiration leads.

Wishing you much success and happiness!

xo - Shannon

More questions I didn't cover? Please feel free to leave a comment!

Do you have an etsy or other online shop? I'd love to hear your experiences and tips as well! 

Delivering Fairface Washcloths™ to Oprah and Gayle King

This weekend I had the unique and exciting experience of having my Fairface Washcloths™ gift sets delivered to Oprah and Gayle King, while they brought their special The Life You Want message to Seattle. How I wish I could have been able to deliver them in person to thank them for their incredible contributions and hear their inspiring words!

A friend of mine, who is the niece of the makers of Lisette L Pants that Oprah wears and loves, had the rare opportunity to go to the VIP tent where Gayle and Oprah greeted guests, took pictures and socialized with the Seattleites and others who traveled from near and far to attend this event.

My friend was able to hand-deliver these Fairface Washcloths combo cloth gift sets (so they could experience the best of both Fairface Washcloths styles) to Gayle! I feel so privileged for the chance to get products that mean so much to me into the hands of people I admire so much, and am so grateful for a friend willing to go out of her way for me!

Giving your etsy products to celebrities

Picture your handmade etsy products (& here) in the hands of two of the world's most influential people. No pressure! Ha! Each stitch had to be perfect, but honestly, I do that anyway for all my products because I'm a perfectionist and control freak. In this case that's a good thing, right?

Reviewing Product Packaging

Nothing kicks your buns into gear to do a hard and fast review of your product and its packaging than preparing gifts for celebrities!

I had to ask myself a few questions:

• Does my packaging clearly portray the brand and its message?
• Does it describe the product?
• Does it entice the customer to want to use it?
• If given as a gift, does it tell the receiver what it is and what's so great about it? 
• Does it direct customers to your website, & where to find you in social media?

I always figured if someone bought my product, they already knew what it was, so no need to include much more information about it since they already knew what it was! Right? WRONG! (loud buzzer sound)

As I began reviewing my packaging, all at once I thought of it in a different way: What if I was giving my product to someone who had never seen it before? (i.e. gift giving). Oops! Time to regroup.

I created a special product label for Oprah and Gayle because I wanted them to know this was a special package made this just for them, and included updated product inserts with a better description of Fairface skincare Washcloths™ and what makes them special and unique.

This experience, giving these Fairface Washcloths™ Combo Package of 4 gift sets to Oprah and Gayle, not only gave me a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hand deliver a product (that is my heart and soul), to 2 people I admire and love, but to also give me valuable insight into my marketing and branding efforts.
(P.S. - That's why its important not to spend loads of money on marketing materials as you are growing your product so you can change and evolve as needed without wasting a lot of money on tossing and updating marketing materials.)

I'm so grateful for a friend willing to go out on a limb for me, as well as carry some extra bulk in her purse, to get these packages to Oprah and Gayle this weekend!

Fingers crossed they'll love their new Fairface Washcloths™ as much I and my customers do! Who wouldn't love a soft and soothing skin care facecloth? Hope they will say the same! ♥

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Fairface Washcloths™ are an exclusive product of Shannon Sorensen Designs and are available through our website: FairfaceWashcloths.com
& our Fairface Washcloths Etsy Shop

→Find the Combo Package of 4 gift set that Oprah and Gayle King received here

LIKE Fairface Washcloths on Facebook 
FOLLOW Fairface Washcloths on Instagram 
TAG ALONG with Shannon Sorensen Designs on Twitter

Fairface Washcloths™ promo code! Best washcloths for sensitive skin

It's been quite busy around here! Summer came and went in a blink and all at once it was time to head back to school! Time. Moves. Fast!

I've been working like a dog sewing and growing my Fairface Washcloths™ brand. I have EXCITING and I do mean exciting, like I-can-hardly-keep-myself-contained-and-almost-blurt-it-out-at-any-given-time exciting about new Fairface products just on the horizon! Trust me, you'll love them like I do! I'm hoping to launch them by the end of October, if not sooner. Will I be able to hold out?!

For now, I'm happy to share (although this isn't THE big announcement) that I've opened another shop, exclusively for Fairface Washcloths™ products! Yay!

And to celebrate this virtual ribbon cutting, I'm offering a week-long promotion for 15% off any Fairface Washcloths™ product order.

Use code: FFWC14 at checkout through the new Fairface Washcloths shop; good thru 9/20/14.

These really are the best washcloths I've ever used for my Rosacea-prone skin. They soothe and calm my face like no other cloth can. My sensitive face just can't tolerate harsh textures and the smoothness of the soft flannel does wonders.

Fairface Washcloths™ allows my skin to feel clean and clear, without getting all red and irritated like it does with regular washcloths. If you have sensitive skin, or know someone who does? You need to try them. I've had so many people tell me how much they've helped improve their sensitive skin! They are my gift to the world! And I hope they'll be a gift for you as well.

>>>Be sure to follow us on our new FairfaceWashcloths Facebook Page for future promotions, skin care tips and new product announcements! (because you know they're coming!!)

Well, that's it for now. So many things left unsaid. So many tutorials part-way done. So many projects swirling around in my head. See? Not much has changed but the calendar. Hope to be back soon sharing some fun tutorials! ♥

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For more about Fairface Washcloths™, the softest washcloths and face cloths for sensitive skin:
VISIT: FairfaceWashcloths.blogspot.com
COMING SOON: FairfaceWashcloths.com
SHOP: FairfaceWashcloths.etsy.com

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INSTAGRAM: ShannonSorensenDesigns
SHOP: Shannon Sorensen Designs + Fairface Washcloths and Fairface Washcloths
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Baby Blanket Coupon Code - Great baby shower gift!

Looking for a sweet nursery blanket, baby blanket or toddler's comfy lovey? 

{Snuggly Soft Bright Owls + Plush Dotted Minky Blanket = best of both worlds}

For a limited time, I'm sharing a coupon code for 20% off this beauty!

>>>>Makes the perfect baby shower gift for someone else, or your own little bundle!<<<<

Use coupon code: HOOT34 at checkout
Snatch it up here

Great Father's Day Gift Idea! Men's Soft Shaving Cloths

Great last minute gift idea for Father's Day!

Men's Soft Shaving Cloth Set 

from Fairface Washcloths™!

Read more about the Softest Shaving Cloth Set for Men

Available for purchase here: Soft Shaving Cloths for Men from Shannon Sorensen Designs

Clear Skin Tip: from Fairface Washcloths™ for sensitive skin

{photo courtesy of marin, freedigitalphotos.net}

I love sharing Clear Skin Tips from Fairface Washcloths™ because let's face it, who doesn't want clear skin??

Clean Pillow Case = Clearer Skin

Did you know something as simple as changing your pillow case more often can actually prevent break-outs and help maintain clearer skin?

Think of all the things that are on your pillow case throughout the night. Every night. Lotion residue or other skin care products, breath, saliva, skin oils, hair oils, sloughed off skin, hair dander, pet dander (if you let pets sleep with you. I cringe), dust mites and other allergens. Need I go on?

If you re-use the same pillow case over and over again, it stands to reason that some, if not all of these irritants, will effect your skin in one way or another by irritating your face and clogging your pores.

Flip your Pillow Case for Clearer Skin

If you don't have 7 pillow cases on hand for a fresh one every night of the week, this simple trick helps minimize the number of pillow cases used while maintaining cleaner skin.

Clear Skin Pillow Case Schedule

Night 1: Use a fresh, clean pillow case
Night 2: Flip pillow over to use the clean pillow case side
Night 3: Use a fresh, clean pillow case
Night 4: Flip pillow over to use the clean pillow case side
Night 5: Use a fresh, clean pillow case
Night 6: Flip pillow over to use the clean pillow case side
*Launder and re-start the schedule

This is the pillow case schedule I now live by! I tried it a few years ago and quickly noticed how much fewer break-outs I had and how much better my skin looked. Even while *traveling, I bring a few extra pillow cases so I never have to worry about keeping my skin clear.
(*laundry services at hotels use bleach and other harsh chemicals to wash bed linens. I always bring my own pillow and pillow cases to keep my sensitive skin safe from redness and irritation brought on by these harsh detergents)

A few last quick tips

• I'll share a tutorial with you on how to make your own quick pillow cases out of an existing sheet if you need to make your own instead of invest in a few. 
• For sensitive skin, like mine, it's not only important to use soft fabric pillow cases, it also helps to wash them in hypoallergenic detergent and dry them without any fabric softeners or opt to use hypoallergenic fabric softeners to prevent skin irritation.
• Don't forget to change and launder your sheets regularly too, to prevent those same bedroom allergens and irritants in your sheets from affecting your clear skin!

Wishing you many days ahead of happy, clear skin!

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This Clear Skin Tip brought to you by: Fairface Washcloths

the best soft washcloths for sensitive skin

Available at FairfaceWashcloths.com

Win a set of Fairface Washcloths™! The softest washcloths for sensitive skin

When I created Fairface Washcloths™, the softest washcloths for Rosacea and sensitive skin, I had no idea how many people I would be able to help. I thought I was alone in my world of high-maintenance sensitive skin, but I was wrong.

{Fairface Washcloths: softest skin care washcloths for Rosacea and sensitive skin © SSorensenDesigns}

Since developing Fairface Washcloths™, I have heard from many people across the globe who suffer from sensitive skin conditions, like Rosacea, Eczema, Dermatitis, and painful Acne. But what I didn't know, was that Fairface Washcloths™ have also been able to bring calming relief to even more than the traditional definition of what sensitive skin is, which includes people going through dermatology or chemo treatments, pregnancy skin changes, painful facial neuralgia, mens sensitive face shaving, burned skin, healing skin, and more.

{New} Fairface Washcloths™ ~ Delicate

There are a lot of people out there with sensitive skin who need pampering, and with that in mind, this year I've decided to expand my Fairface Washcloths™ line to offer an even softer option. Fairface Washcloths™ ~ Delicate. 

Fairface Washcloths™ ~ Delicate comes with 2 sides of plush, soft flannel for an even softer, more soothing option for cleansing sensitive skin.

*No irritating textures, just smooth softness for optimal comfort and gentle cleansing
*Comes in convenient sets of 2
*Size: XL (~ 9"x9") for optimal coverage
*Pre-washed in hypoallergenic, perfume & dye free detergent.

{Fairface Washcloths™ ~ Delicate: softest option for cleansing even the most sensitive skin © SSorensenDesigns}

Of course, the Original Fairface Washcloths™, a.k.a. the best all-in-one washcloth for sensitive skin, with a super soft flannel side + an absorbent terry cloth side are still available!

{Original all-in-one Fairface Washcloths™ : softest flannel + absorbent terrycloth | softest way to wash sensitive skin © SSorensenDesigns} 

Which one is right for you? You decide.

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{Win} a set of Fairface Washcloths™

Required Entry:
Like Fairface Washcloths on Facebook + leave a comment here on my blog letting me know you did.

Additional chances to win:
Once you've liked us on Facebook, you can give yourself a few more ways to win.
*1 time each additional entry only.

• Tweet this post including @ShannonSews1 
• Share Fairface Washcloths website with your Facebook followers + leave a comment here letting me know you did
• Tweet a post from Fairface Washcloths including @ShannonSews1

Thanks for your support and best of luck!
Winners will be announced February 1st!

THIS GIVE-AWAY IS NOW CLOSED

Oh Baby! Just Stay Little Minky Blanket for Baby Girl or Lovie

I can't believe it's already the last day of the old year...and mere hours to the new! Hope you are enjoying this holiday season while it's still here!

Just wanted to give you a quick peek at the newest item in my shop. The fabrics from Sarah Jane Studios are so sweet, aren't they? I couldn't resist making a minky blanket with her "Just Stay Little" fabric from her Children at Play Collection.

Makes the perfect lovie or child's blanket to cuddle up with or the ideal baby shower gift for a new mom. Snuggly soft and oozes sweetness.

Available here
It also goes with this matching sweet little pillow
I'm looking forward to sharing a few of my favorite things I've been learning about lately and DIY projects for 2014!

Stay tuned and try to stay awake to ring in the new year (as for me, I'll be upstairs asleep) ha!
HAPPY NEW YEAR! ♥

Gift Idea for Him: Soft Shaving Cloth Set from Fairface Washcloths™

Men are the hardest to buy for, in my opinion. Women are much easier. We like pretty things and pretty things are easy to find.

But men? How many tools, pairs of socks or ties can you give a man?

This year, cater to his softer side, with a set of Men's Soft Shaving Cloths from Fairface Washcloths™ - for a soothing and gentle shaving experience.

Does the man in your life dread shaving because it's irritating to his face? Fairface Washcloths™ are more than just the softest washcloths for sensitive skin, they are also the perfect set of shaving cloths for men.

With the new Men's Shaving Cloth Set from Fairface Washcloths™ with 1 Original Fairface Washcloth™ and 1 Delicate Fairface Washcloth™, he can use 1 for wet shave prep (shaving cream application & hot towel steam) and the other for a gentle, soothing finish.

Fairface Washcloths™ are:

• Made with a premium 100% soft cotton flannel and absorbent terrycloth
• Available in Original (soft cotton flannel front and absorbent terrycloth back)
• and Delicate (soft double-sided flannel)
• Packaged in convenient sets of 2
• Size XL 9"x9" for optimal coverage
• Non irritating for sensitive faces

A review from one of our happy Fairface Washcloths™ shavers:

"As a man that wet shaves daily, I have always been in search of the perfect face towel. I have finally found it! Shannon Sorensen has developed a perfect towel to add to your shaving, The Fairface Washcloth. It preformed very nice in the pre shave beard preparation. The excellence showed up after the final cut. The softness of the towel was a major comfort to my face. Wet shaving is a wonderful experience & this towel is the embellishment of wet shaving! I’m very grateful for Shannon’s work and plan to add at least a dozen to my collection. It would be great to see her towels in the top men’s shaving stores! Those guys are missing out!!"

Give your man a little pampering this year. 

Fairface Washcloths™ Men's Shaving Cloth Set
the softest facecloths for sensitive skin 

 He'll be glad you did.

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Fairface Washcloths™ are an exclusive product from Shannon Sorensen Designs

TO PURCHASE: visit our etsy shop location: Fairface Washcloths

Soothe your sensitive skin with Fairface Washcloths™

I have truly been amazed at the outpouring of positive feedback I have received from the many happy customers who have found soothing relief from using Fairface Washcloths™ for their sensitive skin. When I first created them a few years ago, I never imagined how many people I could help!

Sensitive skin comes in all ages, shapes and sizes. Some have reached out to me during chemotherapy treatments looking for a soothing cloth to calm tender skin; some have come searching for a soothing facecloth that won't hurt or irritate their sensitive faces when washing, others have come searching for relief from unstable skin due to health problems, sensitive skin conditions such as Rosacea, Dermatitis, Eczema, and Acne, and changing skin due to pregnancy, aging, shaving, and more.

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It is my mission to help everyone with sensitive skin find soothing, gentle relief with Fairface Washcloths™, the softest, most gentle way to care for sensitive skin.

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Please help me spread the word!

Like Fairface Washcloths™ on Facebook! 

Fairface Washcloths™ ~ the softest washcloths for sensitive skin, made specifically for those with Rosacea, Ezcema, Dermatitis, Acne, and all other sensitive skin conditions.


PLUS, by liking Fairface Washcloths™ on Facebook, you will be eligible for promotions, product announcements and tips for helping to keep sensitive skin healthy and glowing!

Thank you for your support and helping many more with sensitive skin find soothing relief!

xo Shannon

Fairface Washcloths are available:
Fairface Washcloths Shop  
FairfaceWashcloths Blog

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Protect your Online Photos: 4 Easy Steps

{image: Protect your online photos}

I had the unfortunate reminder a couple weeks ago, that images floating around the blogosphere can be stolen and claimed as someone else's if you're not careful. Not only had someone stolen my images, but was also claiming she had made what was in the photo. Double slap.

When confronted, the thief said she found my photo on Google and used it since my "name wasn't on it". The image clearly referenced my blog, but didn't have my name on the image. It still obviously wasn't her picture or her work, but I will be smarter from now on and leave a digital fingerprint so thick not even an experienced thief will want to mess with my photos! Take that!

There are several ways to protect your online photos by leaving your own digital fingerprint all over them.

Here's how:

How to Protect your Blog & Online Images

1. Put a copyright watermark on your photos.

The first, most visible way to protect your online images is to put a copyright notice directly on your image. You can do this by popping your photo into Photoshop or an online photo editing site and slapping a copyright directly on your photo.

You can add a watermark across your image or add text to the bottom. Being an avid user of Photoshop, I happen to know that text can easily be erased if it's at the bottom. It's harder to erase when it's written over at least part of the image and even harder to erase when it's across your entire image. It comes down to what you're comfortable with, since it does impact your image to some degree.

{Put a watermark on your photos © ShannonSorensen}

2. Add your Copyright to the Title of your Blog Photo

Have you ever hovered your mouse over an online image, and a text box pops up with a little description of the photo? This is an easy way to incorporate your copyright onto your photo without impacting the image itself.

While editing your post in blogger, click the image and a bar will pop up.
Then click Properties.

{Add titles to your photos to protect your pictures © ShannonSorensen}

An Image Properties box will pop up, giving you the option of adding Title Text to your image (alt text is something different.). Add a short description + your copyright.

{Add extra protection to your online photos with Title tags © ShannonSorensen} 

Now when anyone hovers over your image, the text box will pop up, giving more information about your photo, along with your copyright. When your mouse is not on the image, the text box goes away (same for my pinterest pin button).

{Prevent online images from being stolen by adding a title tag with your copyright © ShannonSorensen}

3. Add your Copyright to the Caption under your Blog Image

A caption is the text that shows up below your image. It's a chance to give readers a little more information about your photo, and another place to add your copyright.

Simply click on your image in blogger edit mode, and the bar will pop up (below).
Click on Add Caption.

{Add a caption like this to identify your copyright © ShannonSorensen}

Add a description of your image and include your copyright.

{Take ownership of your photos with copyright protection © ShannonSorensen}

4. Add your Copyright to your Image File Name

This may be the least effective way, but it still leaves your digital print on your image. When you save your photo to your computer, before adding it to blogger, add a short copyright to the end of your file name: chevron-pillow-ssorensendesigns.jpg. You want it at the end so it won't interfere with seo.

Although image file names can easily be altered once you've uploaded your picture to the internet, and sometimes sites encrypt the title anyway, it doesn't hurt to slap your copyright on the file name.


You've worked hard to take great photos and make quality products. Don't let someone rip off your talents and hard work without a fight! Protect your images online by adding your copyright in these 4 easy steps, giving thieves a reason to look for stolen images elsewhere.

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