It's Virtual Payday - Let's go shopping!

{I'm guest posting over at A Vision to Remember.  Go check out my pillowcase to tote bag tutorial!)


It's Friday!  So my virtual payday is here!  Time to go virtual shopping at Etsy! :) $100.  Here's what I would get...

I think I'm going to have to order some of these fondant Teacher appreciation cupcake toppers.  Then it will look like I'm an awesome cupcake maker. :) Village Cupcakes has lots of cute toppers! $12.95

I love yellow.  This would go perfect in my craft room!  I'm always needing jars to hold scraps - velcro - elastic - buttons - STUFF! :) This one is from Moxie Thrift.  $11

Isn't this measuring tape from 58 & Grace cool?  Only $3.55!  And guess they're right next to me! Small world! 

Again - craft room!  How adorable is this beeswax bird candle!? $9.50 from Rose Kraft

How fun are these cupcake candles from Mireio?  $12 for set of 4 votives.

I think this is super cool - Hawaiian girl ribbon!  I have NO clue what I would ever use this for - Josh doesn't seem like the type to want some girls on his stuff!  From Aramaa $2.20/yard

Warning:  I went on a ribbon kick... :) Love the little red riding hood!  $6.50 for 3 meters (3.28 yards) from Himenana's Fabric Garden.

Also from Himenana's Fabric Garden is this ribbon!  Love the dolls! Also $6.50 for 3 meters (3.28 yards)

I love vintage fabrics!  This is a Dutch cotton gnome fairytale print.  I think this would look so cute as a little girl's skirt! From She's Living Lavida Loca $6.75

The Knotted Bobbin has this great 1/2 yard cut pack of Moda Just Wing It for $17. 

And I'd have to take home this fabric too.  Hullabaloo from Urban Chicks for Moda.  $8.07 at The Knotted Bobbin.

Wow!  I did pretty good on my virtual shopping trip here!  $106.17.  I manage to come in a little over budget each week. :) Story of my life! lol

What shops would you spend an extra $100!?

Blogging/Etsy Tax Tips

I know it is Monday and it's usually blanket day, but I thought that this was something you would all be interested in!  And if you already filed your taxes this year, keep records for next year!

If you make money blogging or on Etsy you have to (ok.  You really should) claim it on your taxes.  Congrats!  You are a business owner! :) There are lots of deductions you can write off.  I'm not an accountant, so you should talk these over with yours but here are some general things that can help you save some money.

1. Internet related expenses.  Without the internet - there would be no blog right?  Hosting fees, domain name registrations, internet access, blogging software, picture storing, linky party subscriptions are all things that fall into this category.  Don't forget selling fees - Etsy, pay pal, Ebay.  

2. Your equipment. You need a computer right?  Any upgrades (memory and so forth), software (including tax software, picture editing).  And don't forget those cameras, sewing machines, and silhouettes!!

3. Do you tweet from your cell phone?  You can use part of your cell bill as a write off.

4. Any new office furniture?  {My table from the trash would not count here lol}

5. Supplies/Stationary.  Supplies add up quickly.  Fabric, thread, needles, pins, rulers, cutting mats, pens, staples, paint brushes, Stamps.  Keep all of your receipts.  Your accountant can help you go through all of them.  I write notes on mine so I know exactly what project I bought each item for.  If it's something like Mod Podge I just write general.

6. Advertising, Promo and Design.  Do you advertise on other blogs.  Ask for a receipt or print off your pay pal receipt.  Advertising also include promos and giveaways! Did you have someone design your blog.  Print off a receipt! 

7. Travel and Entertainment.  Did you go to a blogging conference?  Conference fees, travel accommodations, and dining expenses can be written off. 

8. Office Space.  Do you blog from home?  Do you have an office?  You can deem that part of your home as your office and write off a small amount of your household bills for rent plus your utilities.

I know.  It's a lot!  Just remember to save your receipts!  Make small notes on them.  I put all of my receipts into a big folder and at the beginning of each new month I sort them and staple each category together.  I also try to keep Etsy/blog stuff away from my personal stuff when I check out somewhere.  For example I was buying tablecloths and towels for an order at Target but I also had milk and a movie.  Just have them ring it up as 2 transactions.  

I also keep a sales order book on my desk.  (You can get them anywhere).  Every time someone orders something or pays for advertising I write it down.  I keep all of the receipts in the book.  I also write how I got paid (pay pal, cash, check).  Keeping them in one place makes it easy to have them ready to go!    

Any tips you have for tax time?

Valentines...Tra la la la la.....

One of my goals for 2011 was to open an Etsy shop. Check me out here!  {I know.  How late am I to jump on that band wagon?!}  So I've been working like a mad woman on coming up with some really cool Valentine's Day Stuff to put in that little shop of mine.  The first thing I put in there were these hand towels:

Cute right?  And guess what?  The first set I put in there...sold in an hour!  I was like woahhhh...Wouldn't it be cool if all stuff sold like that!? LoL.   {see the listing here!}

This is a little bag I thought would be perfect for little girls.  It's the perfect size to collect Valentines (8 1/2 inches long and sits at 6 inches tall).  {See the details here}

I also made this shirt.  Because boys need Valentine's Day stuff too.

 Get it Nothing Bot Love?  A robot?  bwhahaha.  I thought I was clever.  And I even googled it.  And came up with nothing.  I'm sure I'm not the first.  But in mind I'll just think I am. :) Oh and please ignore my child's wild man hair.  That needs to be cut.  Like yesterday.  {shirt listing is here}

I've got a whole list of boys Valentine's phrases that would make cool shirts.  But how many shirts does my son really need for Valentine's Day? {Because I have to make one for him to model right?}  Or do I go ahead and make them?  Any shop owners out there that make clothes?  What sizes sell the best for you?