Cinderella Tutu

Cinderella Tutu
www.etsy.com/shop/glittertulle

Friday, July 12, 2013

The "Busy"ness of Business

For the first time since I opened my online boutique in October, I am starting to get so busy with orders that I cannot ship same or next day. This is a good problem to have, but it's also really stressful because it is part of my promise to my clients to ship quickly. I am still able to get things done and out the door within a few days but it makes me think about what I will need to do in the future, if the business continues to grow the way that it has in the last few months.  Again, a nice problem to have, but something to consider.
I've had a lot of orders for boas and rhinestone t-shirts the past few weeks, both of which are time consuming. They are almost always custom orders because I don't keep boas in stock and I only have a few t-shirts in stock left over from craft fairs in the fall. Generally speaking, the sizes/colors I have in stock are not exactly what customers are looking for so I end up making them.  So, this takes time. I am working on balancing the work that needs to get done, all of my social media and websites, my "real" job, and, of course, most importantly, my family. If you are considering placing an order, don't worry--most items are still shipping next day--but if you want a boa or t-shirt, please give me at least three days because I may need them.  I still think this is quicker than a lot of similar shops are able to fill custom orders, it's just got me thinking about the bigger picture.
A recent boa order for "2 Chics & a Photobooth" from Chesterfield , Missouri.  Photo courtesy of "2 Chics & a Photobooth. Several recent boa orders have been for grown up parties!

I've done a few tutus recently, too, like one for a sweet birthday princess in California who loves Tinkerbell as much as Lucy does. 

I would love to know how other small business owners or online shop owners balance all of these things. How do you determine how long it's going to take to get an order out? What do you do when you have a family obligation and an order?  I haven't come in to this particular problem yet but I'm sure it's coming.  Have you ever had to tell a customer it's going to take a bit longer than before?  I would love to hear your suggestions and feedback!
It's very exciting and amazing to be entering a new phase with Glitter and Tulle Boutique! I'm looking forward to making many more princesses happy for many years to come!

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

New Sale and Clearance Shop Section

Last week, I decided to start a shop section for clearance items.  One of the hardest parts about having an online shop is that, chances are, whatever I make to photograph won't be exactly what the majority of people want.  For example, most of the tutus I make, I make to fit Lucy first. If someone wants them bigger or smaller,  or even in a different color, I'll set up a custom order for them and make them whatever they want.  But I still have the original tutu. This is the same with rhinestone bling t-shirts.  Chances are, someone will need a different size or color, but I need to finish the shirt so I can photograph it.  So I have several items in my shop that need to find new homes.
One way to move some of these items along is to do a craft fair or some other sort of live event where people have to choose from the selection available.  I did some of these last fall but I found it was difficult to haul everything around and I did not make the kind of sales I was hoping for.  I may do this again in the fall or winter but for now I have a lot of items sitting in plastic bins in my closet that need to go away somewhere to be loved and treasured.
Thus, the "SALE and Clearance" section. The items included here are still great quality, they are just the originals I used for photos.  If you happen to need the exact same size, you can get some great deals.  For example, I just marked a t-shirt down today from the original price of $20 to $3.  That's a huge savings on a popular item.  While it's not too difficult to store a bunch of t-shirts, tutus are poofy and sometimes delicate so they are much more difficult to store.  Most of the tutus I listed in the Sale section are at least 50% off.
This is the time of year when I actually start my Christmas shopping.  I know that may sound crazy to some of you, but I have a big family and a lot of people to buy for.  I also really like taking advantage of Christmas in July sales. If you are also starting your Christmas shopping, please check out the Sales section of my shop because you will get great deals!
Here's the link: "SALE and Clearance section." Happy shopping!
This Queen of Hearts tutu was just reduced to $25--that's 50% off!

The boa bodice dress was also reduced to $25

Several rhinestone bling t-shirts were just reduced to $7, some as low as $3!

Many of the Spring Line tutus are now available for 50% off--that's $15!

This extremely popular tutu can now be purchased for only $15!

Danica Patrick inspired bling t-shirt just drastically reduced

Sunday, July 7, 2013

Giveaway Winners!

Congratulations to Laura Waite and Viviana Lopez, winners of Lucy's Birthday Giveaway!



If you would like to purchase either of these tutus, please follow the links below to my Etsy shop: