Life With Less

Anyone who has ever helped me move, and I've moved a lot - can tell you that I have a lot of stuff. When I say a lot I'm really not exaggerating. When I moved from my beloved, native state of Virginia to Ohio I was able to fill a 26' UHaul with no issue and still ended up filling my Ford Escape. Does a single person need that much stuff? Does anyone!?

Both my father and my husband "like" to complain about all of my junk. My husband even tries to throw things away when I'm not looking. In my defense, there have been times when he's tried to throw out items still in boxes that we needed or items Ive been searching for. And my father would have me throw out all of my food when I moved if he had it his way - but this seemed insanely wasteful and I've always refused to throw away perfectly good food.

I even move my junk drawer. No joke. I'd get out a box and dump the drawer into it and "helpfully" label it, "junk drawer."

Filled with a desire to have more space, less things to have to pick up, and a house full of items that are actively in use rather than in storage I've set about drastically cutting down.

The bar chairs I bought for my first apartment have really only useful to me back then. In fact, recently my daughter pulled another girl off one and the chair came down on top of both of the. While this was a learning experience for all involved - the chairs mostly just took up space.

Four, three-legged, side tables that look like elephants bought for an apartment I lived in over seven years ago.

The list of things like this went on and on so I've been doing my best to utilize Craigslist to clear out the house.

For any of you who may also be interested in doing something similar in your own home I suggest you only get rid of items you're ready to get rid of. First, decide if this is what you want to do. Second, think about what areas you may want less clutter in. Third, pick out items you know you haven't been using and may never use again. Then once you're ready take action towards getting them out of your house.

Remember, books and household items can be sold in a variety of ways. I suggest Craigslist, second-chance shops, and consignment stores - I don't really have the time or patience right now to deal with eBay or Etsy to get rid of certain items.

You're best off not expecting to make tons of money from any of these options. I had a four and a half foot, wooden, corner cabinet with glass doors I put up on Craigslist for $35, and after having people ask me to take multiple measurements of the item I was told the price was too high and the item was smaller than they wanted. That's just the way Craigslist is.

There's also the option of just giving things away on either sites like Freecycle or to people you know. If you live in a city you're probably aware of how often people pick up things they find sitting near the trash that they want.

I'm sure anyone who helps us move again will in the very least be thrilled I've gotten rid of approximately *eight metric tons of books.

*slight exaggeration

Cloth Diaper Review - Sassy Cloth

I'd like to start this review by stating that I bought this diaper, it was not provided to me for free, it and I was not asked by the seller or anyone else to review it. Although I'd be more than happy to review cloth diapers for free - it is not an opportunity that has been offered to me.

This was the last of the diapers I was going to be able to buy as a result of my friends purchases. I did what I could to make the money I got go just about as far as I could.

Sassy Cloth was actually one of the first people I came across on Etsy when I was looking for what diapers I would be buying with the recent addition to my PayPal coffers. She was also one of the first people I saw offering a bargain basement priced deal on a cloth diaper that I'd seen.

Amazed at how low the prices were ($12 - $12.50 per diaper) I emailed her:

I just made a couple of sales to friends and am shopping Etsy for some cloth diapers.
How on earth are you able to sell yours for so little!? Am I missing something? These are diapers not covers correct? How many inserts do they come with?
Do you have any mario brothers or geeky fabric?
Could any sort of deal be made for a bulk purchase?

tara

Used to getting quick responses from Etsy sellers and worried my mail may have been tacky and rude I sent another.

Did my email insult you? It wasn't intended to

I waited for a response and meanwhile went ahead and bought the other diapers I was looking at. Eventually I caved and without a response from the seller I bought a couple of her diapers.

SassyCloth one size pocket diaper with printed cotton, hidden PUL and soft suede inner. Can be adjusted from small to x-large size using set of snaps.
One 15"x5" microfiber insert included with each diaper. 

 SassyCloth one size pocket diaper with printed PUL and soft microfleece or suede inner. Can be adjusted from small to x-large size using set of snaps.

One 15"x5" microfiber insert included with each diaper.

Snaps can be either white or matching color depending on availability.

After my purchase I finally got a response to my initial mail:

Hi.
My diapers are not covers, it's one size pockets, there is a pocket opening on the back of diaper for the insert. One insert is included with each diaper, or you can opt out from insert (if you have other inserts you like to use) with 8% discount.
Currently I don't have any Mario prints, but could order some if you would like the diaper with it. Just have to warn you that Mario fabric is pretty rare and therefore more expensive, so the price of diaper will be higher accordingly (depending on price of fabric).
About geeky fabric, could you explain what exactly you mean about it?
I offer free shipping for orders of 10 or more diapers.
Thank you.

Diapers were ordered on January 18th, 2013 package arrived on the 28th. The packaging had minimal plastic.

Having already bought and received my Courageous Baby fluff I was less "worried" about how thin the diapers seemed.

Actually these are a bit thicker than the Courageous Baby diapers.

The inserts are no joke. I put them in the dyer with my dyer balls and some other inserts on delicate and had to run them through again. These are thick. I was loving this insert. But it seems every time I wash them they need extra drying time.

These were another diaper where I was really happy with the pocket opening. Nice and tight but nothing unreasonable. Once again, the opening is tight enough that you will not be able to shake your insert out into your wet bag.

Not having a lower snap on the flap left me with a little more of a learning curve than expected.

With some help from the hubs I was able to get a picture of the little lamb in one of her diapers.

Absolutely crazy about how adorable these diapers on I made sure to put her in the other one the following day. We sat watching Sesame Street and I snapped a picture of her cute little John Deere booty to send to a friend who happens to own the same diaper (only she got hers in a diaper swap).

 Moments later she rolled over and I saw this!

Leak proof fail :(

If I were to rate these diapers on a scale of 1 diaper (meaning it's a diaper I wouldn't recommend) to 10 diapers (meaning out of this world awesome).

Overall diaper: 5.5 diapers
Design options: 9.5 diapers
Leakproof: 4 diapers
Absorbent Lining: 4 diapers
Pocket design: 7.5 diapers
Learning curve some may need in order to use these: 8.5 diapers

Cloth Diaper Review - Courageous Baby

I'd like to start this review by stating that I bought this diaper, it was not provided to me for free, it and I was not asked by the seller or anyone else to review it. Although I'd be more than happy to review cloth diapers for free - it is not an opportunity that has been offered to me.

This is another diaper I was able to buy thanks to purchases made by supportive friends.

I'm the type that if Etsy says there are only 36 pages when I enter a search that I will likely look at all 36 pages. That's how I found Courageous Baby by Courageous Inc.

I chose to purchase the "CUPCAKE RECIPIE one size pocket diaper" for the price of  $20.

The listing read as follows:

This is a cute cupcake recipie one size pocket cloth diaper! A MUST HAVE for bakers for cupcake lovers! Outside is cotton with a full layer on hidden PUL under, no cover needed for this diaper! On the leg openings there is only PUL so there will not be leaking. On the inside I used suede cloth to help wick moisture away from babys bottom. The inside of the soaker is zorb, flannel, and terry so it is very absorbant. I used matching kam snaps for a secure fit. I only use polyester thread to help prevent wicking.

**when you check out let me know if you want a thicker soaker or a regular soaker, if you do not say what kind of soaker- you will automatically get a regular soaker**

newborn 5-10 pounds
small 9-18 pounds
medium 14-27 pounds
large 27-40 pounds
ONE SIZE 10-40 pounds

If you are out of the country please message me so I can give you a quote on shipping and set up a private listing for you.

If you have any questions please feel free to ask me! This was made in my smoke free home.

This item will ship out within 2 business days. Postage includes a tracking number.

I ordered on January 18th, 2013 and it arrived on January 26th, 2013.

I was immediately impressed with the quality and design of the diaper once I opened it. I was nuts about the pocket opening. Once again it wasn't too tight and was just what I wanted.

How about that insert?

The amount of snaps to adjust the rise and fit as well as those side snaps were just wonderful. There wasn't going to be an extra little bit of fabric hanging loose as a result of not having quite enough snaps on your tabs.

Getting a picture of my little lamb in this diaper was nowhere near as difficult as I was worried it might be.

After about a week of ownership of these beautiful diapers the little lamb pooped for a second time in them. This time is was much wetter and even (ugh) a little snotty. She was playing in the floor when I heard her pooping. When I got her up to take her to her room and change her diaper this is what was left in the floor.

The mess didn't appear to leak out of the legs but as you can probably see there were some small solids left on my floor - gross.

Not ready to give up I kept using them, so I tried doubling the inserts - she still leaked. Not to this degree but the back of the diaper was still wet.

During a day when the little lamb was being particularly diligent about trying to use the potty, she came to me saying that she needed to go. When I removed the diaper it had three large puddles of pee.

As I sat it aside while I put my little one on the toilet I saw no evidence that the pee was absorbing at all. I ended up having to dump the pee into the bathtub.

 This time however there was no leakage from the sides before all of this.

Photographing a puddle of pee with your cell phone is a difficult task. I ran the pictures I took by a couple of friends to vote on which they thought may portray the situation most accurately.

A week later as I she laid in my lap and I read her a story she peed. And it ran out of the back of the diaper and all over myself, my bed, and my sheets.

If I were to rate these diapers on a scale of 1 diaper (meaning it's a diaper I wouldn't recommend) to 10 diapers (meaning out of this world awesome).

Overall diaper: 5 diapers
Diaper design: 5.5 diapers
Leakproof: 4 diapers
Absorption: 1 diaper
Pocket design: 9.5 diapers
Learning curve some may need in order to use these: 9.5 diapers

Trade Tuesday - Online (Fair) Trade Ettiquette

Lots of forums and websites offer swaps. Usually you have a sort of sign up so that you can be assigned a swap buddy. The most popular sites I know to do somewhat regular trades are Ravelry and Craftster.

I'm fortunate to have a permanent swap buddy, Sweety Darlin' of Sweety Darlin' Designs. We met around a year ago online and have been swapping stories, crafting tips, business info, and goods ever since. She's the kind of gal you enjoy texting until your phone dies. 

During one of many (usually daily) texting sessions the proper etiquette of online trading and swapping came up. We found ourselves in agreement that there's a lot of confusion about how to best go about it and a lot of worry about finding yourself having given up things only to get nothing in return. This is a problem we've decided to team up about and create a special blog post for you covering the proper etiquette for an online trade.

Be respectful

In everything you do you should strive to be respectful of the person, their time, their work, and their process. Trades are in the same ballpark as favors, someone has decided to do something for you and in return you will be doing something for them.

Be courteous and polite

Kindergarten rules always apply! If someone doesn't want to make a private trade with you, they don't have to. Be an adult and be a gentleman or lady when proposing a trade and through all of your communications. Keep in mind that your tone and cantor do not always translate in the written language, so make sure that your correspondence could not be read in any way that would be deemed rude or pushy.

Clarity

All parties involved in a trade need to have terms that are clear and agreeable to them. Sometimes you agreed terms can be a little loose, you don't have to create a contract worthy of notarization unless that's what both of you want.

          Example of loose terms:

                 Before Saint Patricks Day I sold Sweety Darlin' a pair of green, high-heeled, sneaker boots that never fit me the way I prefer (in fact she mentions the shoes in one of her bog posts). I told her I had shoes for sale, she looked, chose a pair she liked, I sent them to her, told her the final total, and waited until she Paypaled me the money.  Because we were trading with a friend, and someone we felt comfortable and familiar with, no terms of "pay by this day or else" were set. I got the shoes out to her quickly and she paid me quickly. It was all just a matter of common sense and common courtesy.

More defined terms can still be simplistic… Such as….

                The total for the amazeballs sneaker boots will be $45. I have them ready to ship via priority mail which should take 2-3 business days. Please keep this in mind when rendering payment, so that the item arrive sin the time frame you need them. However if payment isn’t received in two weeks and no arrangements made I will offer them for sale to other parties.

Time

For most of the trades I've been involved in, the item I was supposed to end up with was not time sensitive. If what you want to trade for is time sensitive then you need to make sure anyone you approach would have ample time to create whatever the item is. A hand-knit sweater will take longer to make than say . . . handmade sidewalk chalk.

If time is a factor then it may be best for you and the person you trade with to come to an agreement about how long each of you will take to hold up your end of the bargain.

           Example of time:

                    

                       The most recent trade the two of us are working on between each other is for some clothes for my little girl. None of the items Sweety Darlin' will be making are in sizes that I have any worry of my daughter no longer fitting by the time they arrive. What does she get in return? Money and shoes, because who doesn't need money and who doesn't love shoes!?

Cost

Now here's where things can get uncomfortable no matter how well you know the person or persons you are swapping with. All trades will involve material and labor costs for one or both parties. 

     These costs can include:

              Labor

                 If you're trading a finished item manufactured by anyone other than yourself you can really only factor in cost because you didn't make the item. When the item you are trading for needs to be created specific for the trade appropriate labor costs occasionally apply. This is not the case with all trades but it's a factor worth being aware of before asking someone to trade.

              Time

                   Production of items can be slowed by things like family, commissioned work (goods that are being bought and paid via the traditional routes), jobs outside of the crafting community (maybe you're trading with someone that only crafts by night and is a sous chef in a busy restaurant - you never know).

              Materials

                    What are you trading for? A hand-knit item? Pieces of custom-made clothing? Hand-made jewelery? Between friends this is one of those costs that can sometimes fall subject to "the friend price". You may be getting a better deal than any customer could hope for because not only are they getting something in return but there are other costs that the two of you are factoring in to create an agreeable trade.

              Shipping

                    It is common practice when doing a trade that each party pay the shipping costs for the item they are sending. Since shipping costs will be incurred both ways it is disrespectful for one party to ask another party to pay shipping for both parties. This also makes the trade inequitable.

              Packaging

                    For most this is combined with shipping but if for any reason the packaging necessary to ship your item is something that could create an issue then this is something you need to discuss in the terms of your trade.

                      Example of packaging differentials:

                              The transport of packaging of a piece of furniture or a finished canvas painting may bring up a possible packaging discrepancy when the other trader is sending you a piece of precious metal jewelry. This is something that needs to be discussed and the beginning of your agreement and not the end when everyone has already created their piece.

Acceptable End Results 

In the end people need to realize that a trade is exactly that - a trade and that if it isn't of equal value or agreed upon sacrifice by both parties then it really isn't a trade. You should never seek to make excessive profit from anyone trading raw materials for your goods.

                    We leave you with one final example:

                              If you handmade a dress and you are trading for raw fabric, then there is a equitable calculator for that process. You paid $10 for the dress materials. You typically sell that dress for $25 to cover labor and profit. You are trading for $20 in raw materials which will result in a total of $50+ in final product. Therefore you take a little hit on labor, but the overall trade you end up with more profit.  Because you effectively paid $10 for $20 in raw materials which creates $50+ in profit, that is a good margin.

                             Here is how it works if you are being a little too pushy. Same dress has $10 in materials and another $15 in labor and profit. You are trading for a total valued cost of $45 in raw materials. You are getting way more than your product is worth and the profit you make on the final product from those raw materials will increase equally. However the person on the other end has not gotten their money’s worth, because they paid $45 for a $25 item. No one wants to lose money.

                             It is critical that the real value of the items being traded is equitable and basically equal in value. Sometimes you may take a small hit on profit margin, but if the items you get in return creates a bigger profit then that small hit on profit margin will be nothing. 

Trade Tuesday - The Green Haven

Today's trade comes to me via Megan of The Green Haven and continues along with my UnPaper towel obsession.

20 year-old Megan is a student at Frostburg State University in Maryland, yet another state I have a soft spot for because I've spent a significant amount of time in my life in Maryland. This green Etsyian is majoring in early childhood education and minoring in marketing, which I think really shows through with the uncommon distance she goes in the name of customer service. With your order comes something I have yet to experience from any other seller. After placing my order Megan created a Facebook album with my basic order info, sent me the link to the album, and told me that I would be able to track the progress of my towels there. That's service!

Below is the same information you will find on any of Megans listings for her reusable UnPaper towels:

Reusable paper towels, also known as unpaper towels, are ideal for leaving traditional paper towels behind. Reusable Paper Towels are convenient and ready to use right out of the package like paper towels, but unlike paper towels you can use them again and again. Reusable paper towels fit on an old paper towel roll and can be placed on a paper towel holder.

~ This listing is for 1 set of reusable paper towels in (insert proper name of fabric here) fabric. Each set contains 12 individual towels, that snap together to form a roll of towels. Each towel measures 10" wide by 11" tall, making them about the same size as a paper towel. Towels are backed with 100% cotton terry cloth. Terry cloth is super soft and very absorbent.

~ Each towel is equipped with three sets of snaps, one more than is needed. This extra snap, the middle snap, is to provided extra support for the roll of towels. The middle snap prevents your roll of towels from sagging or drooping by helping support the extra weight of the towels.

~ Each set of towels is made with professional grade equipment, and is sewn with close attention to detail. The edges are surged with a professional surger, and the snaps are professional grade set using an industrial press. The snaps are made to hold up to much snapping and unsnapping as well as the washing machine, yet are gentle enough not to scratch when cleaning.

~ Reusable "paper" towels are machine washable, they may also be put in the dryer. I do not recommend using fabric softener on any of my products. Fabric softener can lessen the towels absorbency over time, making your "paper" towels less effective. Don't feel right not using a softener? Try using vinegar instead, its also a great way to eliminate odors, you can even place it in a downy ball!

Etsy Eco-Tip: Worldwide, 13 billion paper towels are used every day.The average person uses 3-4 paper towels each time you reach for the roll, using about a roll every day to day and a half. Switching your family to reusable "paper" towels can save countless paper towels, eliminating paper towels saves 4-6 rolls a week!

My UnPaper towels showed up much faster than I anticipated given Megans guestimation on how long it could take to get them out to me. Despite the fact that her paper towels are shown in a roll they are shipped flat 

and come with a quick explanation of how to attach your towels to an empty paper towel roll.

Because I drastically cut our use of paper towels I still have some on the roll on my kitchen.

Etsyians come in all shapes, sizes, races, and ages and it just tickles me green to see any of the younger generations making an effort to help reduce waste. In fact, I was so happy about it that I just felt I had to ask her about what influenced her to begin making changes in her own life and what some of them may be.

"Going green is a slow and steady process in our house. My fiance isn't quite hooked on it yet! I use almost all of the items I sell in my shop. I carry a coffee cozy in my purse, have a set of reusable paper towels in my craft room, I have a lunch bag for road trips and a few sandwich and snack bags, and I have a plastic bag holder in the kitchen. We try to recycle everything we can, currently I'm looking into getting a rain barrel!

Over the summer we can't drink the water in our "summer home", the house we have when we aren't at school. So we have to buy water, which means water bottles. I like to re-purpose them here at the house when I can, I have one for water for my paint brushes, the top of another is used as a funnel for the rice in my boo boo bags, and various others around the house. And what I can't re-purpose I recycle.

My newest "green effort" was making my own ribbon spools. I have TONS of ribbon and most of them aren't on spools, so I need to find a way to make them. I had my fiance's mom save paper towel rolls for me, and I had an old poster from a school project. So I used the towel roll for the middle and the poster board for the sides. while they aren't the prettiest they certainly work well!

I never really decided to go green per-say. Back before going green was popular, I thought I would try my hand at making reusable sandwich and snack bags. Most people had no idea what they were! So I started making other products, more recognizable ones, that people didn't even realize were small steps in going green. And I found out the best way to get people to recognize you and see your products was to use them yourself. And that's how it all started."

As she mentioned she doesn't only sell UnPaper towels; she also sells Boo Boo Bags

Drink Cozies

Plastic Bag Holders

Sandwich Bags

Snack Bags

Lunch Bag Sets

At this point I want to point out that her bags are not lined with PUL fabric. Many well-meaning sellers line their "green" products with PUL, and while reusable is good, PUL is not. PUL is not food safe - please check to make sure you know what your products are being made with before purchase. The same efforts we're applying at the grocery stores and farmers markets apply in other areas of our lives.

Paper towel info/links:
Buzzle - paper towel facts
Buzzle - facts about paper towels
LIVESTRONG - INFORMATION AND FACTS ABOUT PAPER TOWELS

Information about going paper towel-less:
Going paper towel-less

Etsy Trade Tuesday - Janine Basil

If you haven't heard of Janine Basil, frankly, I won't be surprised, frequently people don't know the name behind something they may very well have seen out there in cyberspace.

Janine Basil makes "retro and geek style hats, fascinators, headpieces, headbands and hair accessories for women with a twist of glamour and glitz! They are all handmade, by me, in my flat in London, UK."

She was one of those people who had so many goodies in her shop that I could never make up my mind what to buy.

At the beginning of this year I launched, The Dalek Project, which failed miserably. I tried my hardest to round up Etsyians to participate so that I could help not only further the name of Etsy but help out handmade.

Honestly, when you mail people for freebies or trades on Etsy, you can pretty much *expect to be totally ignored and never hear back from the seller. Janine Basil is NOT one of these people. I spoke to her about the specifics of the project and was lucky enough to have her on board.

She made these three "Exterminate" headbands for the project, which I tried to remember often to work into shots of my Dalek of the day.

It's easy to jump on board to something that is a success but it takes a special kind of person to lend a crafty hand when you're trying to build something.

*There are TONS of people just out there to get something for free, or people who genuinely WILL review a product but don't have an audience the size a seller prefers to feel it's a worthwhile trade.