Do you have a secret?

Although I am thrilled to have my Etsy shop up and running, I still have so many questions! I've read and read in forums and on other blogs all the "secrets" to running a successful shop, but honestly the advice is sort of vague. For those of you who Etsy, do you have 10 or 100 items listed? What's a good number? Obviously the more selection you have, the better your chance of making sales, but is there an upper limit of too many?

I'm working on better photos (which I hope shows in my new listings), and trying to be more descriptive (I am a professional writer, after all).

And prices.... how do you go about that? I found a "formula" but I'm not sure that one is for me. Prices that are too low seem to be just as bad as those too high.... see, I still have lots of questions.

So... All you Etsy veterans,

can ya help a girl out?

What is your biggest Etsy secret?

*Edited to add* There are some great tips in the comments, make sure you read through them if you have similar questions!

More porch swing perfection

I wish I had a tutorial for this.... I really do! My BFF, Candi, admired my swing, so Mr. SCC thought she needed one, too. I have some coasters with this carved into them and she loves them, so he carved the center piece of her swing with the emblem.

He never ceases to amaze me!

{Posted at Show & Tell Friday}

Personalizing with your printer

Welcome once again to Transformation Thursday! It's the one day a week we all come together to celebrate actually getting things done! Just join in at the bottom of this post with your projects.

Here's a new tool in my arsenal - Fabric Transfer. If you're looking for a way to spiff up all those new pillows we've been talking about all week, you might want to try it yourself. I get canvas drop cloths at Big Lots, a 4x10 sheet is only $10. It feels rough, but after washing, it becomes wrinkly and comfy just like any other drop cloth. Don't want to start with pillows? How about something else:

These "flour sack" dish towels are huge & soft & perfect at only $3 for a pack of 3 at Dollar General. Try stamping or iron-on transfer to make them something special.

Or how about some linen napkins? I use up every corner possible when making a transfer. Tip: Make sure any words are inverted when printing, so that they come out correctly.

We'll get back to the party after a short commercial break: Since a couple of people had to bow out of the Christmas Carnival, there are now a few spots left. If you'd like to showcase your blog or online shop, please email me at theshabbychiccottage@rocketmail.com. There are some LOVELY gifts to giveaway -- so make sure to mark your calendars for Saturday, November 28th. Ya'll are some lucky girls to win such wonderful prizes! If you'd like to advertise in my "I ♥ My Sponsors" click the "Advertise" button towards the top of the page.

And... on with the show! Please enter your PERMALINK into MckLinky and pretty, PRETTY please with sugar on top link back here so that everyone can join in. I HATE deleting links, because it makes me feel like a party pooper -- and I don't wanna be a party pooper!

{Posted at Thrifty Thursday}

Creating Coziness: Sans Shoes

"Well you get down the fiddle and you get down the bow,

Kick off your shoes and you throw 'em on the floor.

Dance in the kitchen 'til the morning light:

Louisiana Saturday night."

~ Don Williams

A couple of years ago when we bought new carpet, we decided to have a "no shoes on the carpet" rule. It had some pleasant side effects. What is the first thing people do when they come home to relax? They kick off their shoes. I have found that guests do the same thing; you're much more inclined to put your feet on the furniture, goof off and just relax when sans shoes. It's a small thing, but it works.

Want to learn more about making guest feel comfortable?

Check out my new series Creating Coziness.

Pillows on the cheap

Are ya'll tired of pillow talk yet? How about a way to get them for cheaper? Yeah, "cheaper" always gets my attention, too! There are two main ways I do pillows. The cheapest way is to find fluffy & comfy, but ugly, pillows at yard sales or thrift stores and recover them. My price point is less than $1. If I can rescue a 50 cent pillow by adding a little fabric, then it's a good deal. I have found one that was about $2, but I liked it just as it was, no other work involved.

However, if I'm going to make them from scratch, then this is where I actually "cheat." Instead of purchasing premade pillow forms or a bag of batting from the fabric store/section, I go over to the bedding section at Wal-Mart and buy a $5 pillow, cut it in half and then I have two new pillow forms.

I just stitch them up, add on a removable, washable slip cover and I'm good to go! Ya'll know I love me some canvas drop cloth, so stop back by tomorrow for Transformation Thursday to find out where I get them on the cheap!