creation

Happy Friday!
Here are some things that were recently added to my shop. Lots of prints!
Top left: Black and White stripes scarf, $12
Top right: Black & White rose kimono dress, $50
Bottom left: 50’s inspired plaid dress, $90
Bottom right: 50’s inspired floral dress, $90

A recent purchase I made online got me thinking about the cost of international shipping fees. I found a dress I liked for $10, and the listing said it includes domestic shipping fee within the U.S. So, I emailed the seller to ask how much the shipping fee be to Japan. It was extra $10, so the total would be $20. Double the price?
I decided to ask her to ship the item to my family’s address in NY, so they can forward the item to me, which in the end, will cost me less money. Honestly, it does not cost $10 to ship a light weight summer dress to Japan from the U.S.  I know because I ship world constantly!

Granted, I have only lived in the U.S. and Japan, and have most of my experience working within those countries but, I often feel like etsy and ebay sellers are overcharging the international shipping fee. I don’t know if they are including the so called “handling fee”, but many times it makes me feel that they are trying to make money by overcharging on shipping fees. I understand higher shipping fee cost if you are getting a wedding dress in a big box, or industrial coffee maker but honestly, it really turns me off to see sellers charging exorbitant for no reason.

I usually charge $5 for orders from the U.S., and $7 for other countries. I charge a standard $5 for U.S., shipping even though, many times, I end up paying a slight difference out of my pocket.  The way I see it, most of my customers are from the U.S., and I do not want the shipping fee to be deterrent from ordering from my shop. Also as I see it, the seller should be quick to refund if they cost is less than had been previously expected.

Just my two cents…..what is your take on shipping fees?

I’m happy to announce that I’m participating in 1940’s swing dress sew-along that’s going on at Casey’s elegant musings! This will be my first sew-along, and I’m pretty excited! I really wanted to participate in Gertie’s Lady Gray coat sew-along, but I kind of missed the chance. Besides, sewing a coat is a lot of work and I didn’t think I could juggle with other projects going on at that time. I know there are a lot of sew-alongs going on, including men’s shirt sew-along by Peter at male pattern boldness, and Trouser sew-along by Sunni at The Cupcake Goddess, to name a few. I thought about participating in the men’s shirt sew-along, and give the shirt to my husband as a valentine’s day’s gift, but considering my husband’s uniform is jeans and a wife beater, I decided against it. Sorry Andy.

Schedule for swing dress sew-along can be viewed here, and pattern can be purchased here. I think the dress is very pretty, and has numerous possibilities for variations. I adore the wide waist band and cross over front. Cross over front might be good for nursing in the future maybe?

Right now, I’m thinking of making one in default pattern with pale pink polyester fabric for Spring.

I searched “swing dress patterns” on etsy for some inspirations for possible alterations. The bottom left, uses two different fabrics for top and skirt, and I think it’s a great idea for the 2nd dress. Also considering altering the neckline to make it like the 3rd one from the left, to sweet heart neckline.

Anyway, I will document my first sew-along experience here:)

I feel like time flies, just a month ago we had Christmas, and now I’m talking about Valentine’s day! Have you decided what you’d like to give to your boyfriend/husband? I have an idea, but can’t share it here since my husband might find out what I’m going to give him, if he reads this post. So instead, I made a list of things that I’ve been eyeing to get for my self. They are all from etsy!

Top: Hanamik DSLR lense cap case, Bottom right: Valentine’s day soup, Bottom left: Imyourpresent valentine’s day cardi

I also made some Valentine’s day themed stuff for my shop. It was really fun coming up with ideas with Valentine’s day theme in mind. I added pink heart applique for the red lounge wear, and red heart patch pockets for the pink PJ set. Oops, excuse my belly button!

Valentine’s day lounge wear

Valentine’s day PJ gift set

American Valentine’s day and Japanese Valentine’s day are much different – In Japan, Valentine’s day is a day girls confess their love to their loved ones. So much pressure and effort required on girls. When my husband and I started dating when we were in college, my husband took me to a dinner and Broadway musical in NYC on our first Valentine’s day, and I was thrilled! So different from Japanese Valentine’s day. Since then, in our household we abide by American Valentine’s day rules..