All Posts By

sarah norwood

Rainy Weekend

Uncategorized June 4, 2011

Saturday already!

The weather has finally gotten somewhat summery here in Central Ontario; the leaves and flowers are out in full force… as are the mosquito’s. Dan and I are thinking of a spur of the moment camping trip this evening. That is what summer in Canada is all about! Bonfires, toasted marshmallows, and getting eaten alive by creepy crawly blood sucking insects.
I am procrastinating before setteling down infront of my sewing machine for the day. I am going to make a trip to the Farmers Market, and the fabric store to get some supplies, then it’s off to work.
You may have heard that our Postal Workers were going on strike? Well, they ARE on strike, but a rolling strike, every 24 hours, by city. So, really it is not affecting us that much. Which is good for everyone who has orders with me! Things are being processed as fast as my little hands can sew!
I got a Blackberry over the week and it is making leaps and bounds in increasing my organization. I live in creative, functional chaos. I used to use an agenda to write down my to-do’s and appointments… now I have a black berry that “dings” to remind me of those appointments! Much better. I also now have my all of my social feeds in one place, which is helpful between emails, texts, tweets, and facebook queries.
How do you stay organized?
PS. There is THREE months until my wedding!

Annoyed with this Town…

Uncategorized June 1, 2011
I lived in the biggest city in Canada for years and never had the problems or encounters I am having here – I even lived in on of the the worst parts of town for a few years! Yes, I had the crying lady in the apartment next door in Toronto, but now I have drug dealers doing deals in my parking lot, and gang fights out my window at 3am.
I really, really, really want a house in the country. I have not slept a single, whole night in days because there are creeps outside my apartment, having yelling matches and brawls! Oh yeah, I should mention, my apartment is pretty isolated, and in the parking lot of a Bank. This is where weirdos go to fight.
Last night I finally called the cops when I realized a group of guys were kicking another guy in the face, on the ground. Enough is enough…
So, stay away from my apartment, because I will call the cops on you!!! I just want a nights sleep..

At what point do you decide to take your business full time?

Uncategorized May 30, 2011

On Saturday, I hardly sewed a thing… I replaced a zipper in a garment for my cousin and finished a few odds and ends, but mostly I spent my time at a birthday party, walking Oliver through a Side Walk Sale down town, at the movies with Dan, then sleeping 12 hours straight. I have been so exhausted and busy lately!

This morning we met with our officiant for the first time and decided on our vows. Our ceremony will only be about 20 minutes long, which is just perfect. Not too long, not too short.
After wards, we did some running around, and I finished some orders. I have been working on 2 sets for a customer, with two pairs of panties each. I really love the jersey and lace set, I think it is one of my favourites, and has been a pretty popular set. I love it with the matching thong.
I am so happy to have so many orders on the go. I haven’t relisted a single thing since I ran my heartsy deal and business is still good.
I keep asking myself, “At what point do you consider your business successful enough to go at it full time?” I would love to hear your input.
Lastly, I finally made the switch to smartphones and will be BlackBerry accessible on Monday… Dan and I have a few road trips scheduled, so now I can be connected wherever I go. I am also itching to move… I love our apartment but Ohhh Lulu needs its own room, desperately.

Just a Quick Hello!

Uncategorized May 26, 2011

Hi! I still exist… I am just buried here under a mountain of panties that are in the works.

I made a trip to Toronto over the long weekend and had an outing with my bridesmaids. It was so nice to get them together again; I am so lucky to have 3 wonderful ladies in my life.
Dan and I have a whole two days off this weekend and I think we might try to catch a movie. We haven’t had a date in ages!
The wedding is approaching super quickly… we are meeting with the officiant on Sunday to decide on our vows. Short and sweet, no religious stuff… should be easy.
The new job is going great, still trying to figure everything out, getting a grasp of the whole “adult novelties” industry. It is interesting, to say the least, and every day I learn something new, and sometimes things I really didn’t want to know!

Help, Creative Geniuses!

Uncategorized May 19, 2011

I bought some beautiful beaded applique’s off a shop online a few weeks ago with the intention of making them into headbands for my bridesmaids.

I got the applique’s and they are absolutely lovely… now. How the heck do I make them into a headband? Can I buy a plain metal headband and stitch them on with thread looks? Should I put them on hair combs? Or on ribbon? I’d like them to be something they can wear again so a more sturdy headband sounds best to me, but I don’t know where I can get this. Help?
I’d like to incorporate some of these into a lacy pair of panties or flowy chiffon chemise… Once I get caught up!

Heartsy Day two

Uncategorized May 18, 2011

So… I’d like to talk about my experience so far with Heartsy.

I was really, really nervous about doing this. I am torn about these discount programs, because I believe when people make something with their hands it is an art, with unseen value. I was worried about de-valuing what I do, the time it takes, and the care I put into each ruffle and frill. However, I also believe that art should be accessible, and the cost of art has a lot to do with its accessibility. I want everyone to be able to own something that makes them feel feminine and beautiful and utterly romantic.
I really love Ohhh Lulu. It is my dream come true to have any sort of success running my own business, no matter how small. I thought Heartsy might be a good way to share it with a few more people.
The result?
I had just over 2,150 visitors yesterday, which is about what I would get after a front page feature. However, I sold 24 items! When I’m on the front page, I’m lucky to sell 1. I could hardly relist items fast enough for customers to buy.
I am getting so many emails and messages from people thanking me for running the promotion, and that they had been eyeing up my shop for a while. It felt really good, almost like I had done a good deed!
The people at Heartsy have been absolutely amazing. They have live chat on their website, their staff are friendly, I even got a phone call from one of the staff while I was running the promotion to see if I had any questions. That is excellent customer service.
This far into the game, I am seeing my Heartsy deal as a huge, gigantic, wonderful success.
Now… if anyone needs me, I will be at my sewing machine!

I’ve been watching too many documentaries

Uncategorized May 16, 2011

We are a no-cable household and I hope to stay that way for many reasons… most importanly, there really isn’t much worth paying for on tv any more. However, I do miss documentaries…

So, we got Netflix last week and I have been watching the documentaries like crazy as I sew. Today was a series on Medieval Life, possibly my most favourite era… I ate it up like candy.
Watching all of these documentaries reminded me how much I love historic clothing, and particularly the picture of Mme du Pompadour pictured above. The clothing of the 18th century was to die for. Ribbons, bows, frills, lace, gathers, rouching… all those things I love!
Watching documentaries while sewing is the best thing ever, in my opinion, right up there with an ice cream cone on a summer day. What do you like to watch or listen to while you sew?

Today I took a break from filling orders to work on a few new things for my shop. I wanted to get some bridal items listed, and prepare for my Heartsy deal to go live… which I think is happening on Tuesday.

So, I finally got around to making a pair of chiffon bloomers, and to using this blue and white charmeuse that I absolutely adore. It is so soft and airy and reminds me of Wedgewood china.
I also finally picked up a proper ironing board today… Embarrassingly, I’ve been using a tiny table top board for the last, oh… 7 years. The new board is lovely, and what a difference it makes!
My back is killing me after sewing all day! Does hunching over a sewing machine cripple anyone else? Or am I just getting old?!

Stuff and Things…

Uncategorized May 15, 2011

The Give Away Panties are finished and ready to ship out to the lucky winner! I made them out of my favourite cotton, it’s got hints of pink, blue and brown all on a lovely creamy base. I added a ruffled layer of lace under a ruffled layer of torn chiffon. The legs and waist are trimmed in satin elastic. I really hope she likes them! I will be offering these up for sale in any size in my Etsy shop soon.

I’ve been playing around a lot with ruffled, torn chiffon. I really like the effect of the frayed edges. So delicate and antique looking.
Yesterday I placed the order for my wedding cake and cupcakes. Dan had to work so the decision was left up to me. I’ve been really lucky to have a fiancé who actually likes to be involved with the whole wedding process and has been really helpful, so I was nervous about making the decision alone. We went with cupcakes for the guests, chocolate and vanilla with cream coloured icing. Some will be done with polka dots in black or raspberry, and some will have bows. The cake is just going to be a 6″ cake to cut, and will also have a bow around it. I was surprised that Dan actually liked this idea! I was really worried it would be too girlie, but I think it’s going to look really nice, and hopefully not too “wedding-y”.
My mom and I also picked up some flowers to start thinking about the table arrangements. We got some carnations, a big white flower that looks like a giant aster, and some filler called wax flower. We stuck them in a mason jar, and voila!
I think I might finally have everything sort of under control.
PS. my heartsy deal may be going on sale on Tuesday!