Five years ago I opened my shop on Etsy and sold my first items online. Strangely enough those first sales weren't embroidery patterns but a set of small water colour paintings. After that I only sold embroidery patterns and, more recently, embroidery panels.
I still get a buzz whenever I receive an e-mail telling me that I have sold a pattern and I'm thankful that many people over the years chose to spend their hard earned money in my shop. Or 'my shops' I should say, because somewhere along the line I opened my own Follow the White Bunny shop. A lot has happened over the years. I got more skilled at drawing and making designs and the standard of my patterns improved lots. During those five years my own embroidery work got better and more refined and I'm happy to be sharing a bit of that experience with some of you in my upcoming online class!
I'm not sure what will happen in the next five years. A lot more embroidery designers have entered the (Etsy) market. I applaud new and fresh ideas and designs and try not to be bothered by designs that bear much resemblance to some of my more original ideas (which is kind of hard!) For now I guess I'll just keep on going!
I thought it was appropriate to celebrate this small milestone by giving away my festive Most Excellent Party Bear PDF Pattern and my most popular design in the past years: the Princess and the Pea (of which the winner will receive the PDF and the Embroidery Panel)!
For a chance to win the patterns and the panel, leave a comment on this post before the 1st of February 2014 and tell me which Bird would be a good candidate for my next Tiny Animal Portrait. Fictitious species (like Big Bird) are not allowed ;) Be sure to leave a 'trail' (e-mail or link) so I can contact you if you win. If I can't find you within a week I will do a re-draw! Good luck everyone!
The Eastern Goldfinch
ReplyDeleteCedar Waxwing - my favorite since I was a kid.
ReplyDeleteFun giveaway! My vote is either an Eastern Bluebird or a white owl.
ReplyDeletemagpie! xoxo
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your anniversary! How about a black-capped chickadee? They're so cute. I'm at duckythorn at gmail. Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Nicole! An indigo bunting would be lovely - all those rich blue hues with subtle changes.. would be fun stitch play! :)
ReplyDeleteA cardinal or a robin would be great too. Happy anniversary!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!!! I love owls so that is my option.
ReplyDeleteThanks
I love red-headed woodpeckers. congrats on your 5 years - and many more.
ReplyDeleteA blue footed booby!
ReplyDeletePuffins always make me smile with their slightly comical and quizzical expressions.
ReplyDeleteHow about a gull species? I always picture them with monocles for some reason. :)
ReplyDeleteleahthezombie at gmail dot com
A sweet little wren ~ that's my pick ~ I see one every morning on my walk.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway ~ congratulations on 5 wonderful years!
Congrats on 5 years! I love the work you do, and always find inspirations from your posts and the work you do.
ReplyDeleteA tiny, little hummingbird! Thank you for the opportunity to win your adorable patterns! ~ Donna
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! We have a lot of winter bullfinches, they are so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway!
Congrats Nicole! I love your work. Well I am in love with owls (I know they are so popular at the moment) I love little owls like the elf owl. I also like ravens a lot. There are a ton of them where I live and they are very mysterious. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteA happy robin! Maybe with a scarf….
ReplyDeleteHappy shop Birthday No 5!!!! I say a Tufted Titmouse, such a fun name and the cutest little face, he certainly has some adventurous stories to tell. He is on my long list of bird stitchery.
ReplyDeleteWell done you!! I love Etsy - so many wonderful things to be purchased there!!! I think maybe a cute Wagtail :)
ReplyDeleteHappy shop anniversary! My favourite bird is the cormorant but that might not be so easy to do. How about the Dodo? Thank you so much for this wonderful giveaway!
ReplyDeleteCarolina wrens are my favorite! So cute and friendly, with a sweet, loud song. Congratulations on your anniversary and thank you for the generous giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI like Cardinals a lot. They are so pretty. I also really like Robins because they are so ornery.
ReplyDeleteI never win anything but I'm leaving a comment to tell you that these are my very favorite of your designs. I also like robins and wrens, but I think I'll suggest a bluejay because a pair of them have been keeping me and my cats entertained during these freezing cold winter days.
ReplyDeleteI love Puffins and seagulls, but I think that Robins would sell better as they have a certain Christmas appeal to them.
ReplyDeleteI love pictures of Robins, so that's my vote!
ReplyDeleteI suggest the black capped chickadee. They are brave and hearty little birds.
ReplyDeleteHow about the long tailed tit???
ReplyDeleteCongratulations and what a great way to celebrate, especially if you are the very lucky winner. My vote is for the Tufted Titmouse.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on five years! I have a love of robins so that's my pick and they're generally quite small anyway :-)
ReplyDeleteThe California Quail would be a great bird! I love your designs, that said, I have taken the challenge to only stitch from stash this next year, so, I am going to try. But, gifts don't count. Keep up the great work. crzyprplmom at yahoo dot com.
ReplyDeleteI love bluebirds! I know they could be a bit too "sweet" but the color is great and you could "dress" it for summer! I think my love for them comes from watching Disney movies as a kid. Blue birds carried Cinderella's wedding veil and are usually in any of Disney's forest scenes.
ReplyDeleteI vote for the Chickadee. to me, you can't get much smaller and cuter than that. :) I love your blog, too. I'm fairly new to embroidery and your blog was one of the first I discovered.
ReplyDeleteI vote for PENGUINS! :)
ReplyDeleteHi - I love little chickadees - they come around my garden so I love watching them flit around. On another note, I stitched up the fox's fur from your 40 Winks Fox pattern during the 49ers/Seahawks game on Sunday. It was a good distraction from the stressful game!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the delights over the five. Loves they little birdies, loves they little tracks in the snow right now. All have merit. I favor Sparrow Hawks and Mockingbirds ... today.
ReplyDeleteThanks again, and congrats!
Donna
5 years so fantastic as are you and your work! I love birds I'm actually looking at them right now feasting from the bird feeder outside-they are so adorable and all the different types! My choice would be a little finch bird.-rebeca
ReplyDeleteAn easily recognizable species is probably the best--like a flamingo, but I'd love to see a cuckoo :)
ReplyDeleteI'd love to see a little fairy wren - male of course which has the amazing bright blue front or a red robin - they are both so tiny and colourful ! congratulations on 5 years and thanks for the giveaway - I love your bears :)
ReplyDeleteA pretty little bluebird, would be cute.
ReplyDeletepramuditahandaristi at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteI'd love to see an owl!
What a fun contest! I'd love to see a Bluebird (of Happiness)!
ReplyDeleteI think a dove would look nice, or a hummingbird.
ReplyDeleteAwesome giveaway!! I love birds so it's hard to choose one but I'll go with a woodpecker or a chickadee!!
ReplyDeleteMy state bird is the cardinal and I've always loved them. The bright red color is so distinct.
ReplyDeleteAnd congratulations on your shop's birthday!
Well, I do like chickadees, but what about a pink galah? It is an Australian bird, and it really is pink!
ReplyDeleteI'll vote for a kingfisher.. you can play with the shades of blue.. and happy birthday to ur blog and here's a toast to many posts and creativity to the years later.. :)
ReplyDeleteOh yes please enter me for the draw. I'm suggesting either a heron or a pink flamingo xoxo
ReplyDeletePlease enter in my your drawing. I'm in love with Owls. So a snowy owl would be wonderful. (Or a hummingbird.)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on 5 yrs of Etsy selling! I love your designs. I would say the cedar waxwing or a zebra finch would be very sweet! Thank you!!
ReplyDeleteOh how I adore birds. I'd opt for a merganser (hooded or red breasted varieties - they have great 'Mohawks' that would be absolute fun to play with) or a Puffin, or maybe a sandpiper? I have too many favorites...
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on 5 years!!!!
ReplyDeleteOwls are super popular but I vote for the Cardinal! It's the State Bird of several states including mine - North Carolina.
I think a little red-breasted nuthatch would be great, or any kind of hummingbird.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the give away, and Congrats on your 5 yrs! The north American Painted Bunting is a beautiful colorful bird!
ReplyDeleteGinny B
Congrats on 5 years! I'd love to see some sort of owl (even though, I know, owls are everywhere now), or a chickadee. They are just so darn cute! :o)
ReplyDeleteI'm from the west coast and I'd love to see a Western Plover. They're such adorable little birds running in and out of the dunes and surf. Congratulations on Five Years! That is quite an achievement.
ReplyDeleteRenee
A chicken, to be sure!
ReplyDeleteA hummingbird. By the way, I think your designs are amazing!
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary. I have just watched a Song Thrush with an Ivy berry in its mouth so, that will have to be my candidate.
ReplyDeleteHappy anniversary! I love your blog and I have learned so much from your tips. My choice for a bird would be a simple sparrow.
ReplyDeleteHappy Blog Anniversary! A blue wren would be a very cute embroidery!
ReplyDeleteBeing a country girl from NY state, I would say an Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis).
ReplyDeleteThanks again for stopping by my blog & encouraging me about the Finish-A-Long!
http://aprilsongstress.blogspot.com/
A bird of paradise would be great to stitch with all those crazy feathers!
ReplyDeleteI think the Black Egret. It's my favorite from BBC's "Walk on the wild side", he's the nighttime, daytime bird. It's a lot of fun. Thanks for the chance to win, love your blog. Jgfisher8 yahoo dot com
ReplyDeleteCardinals are one of my favorite birds. It's lovely catching a flash of bright red flying by on a dreary winter day.
ReplyDeleteA Sweet little unloved Sparrow...:)
ReplyDeleteI always think a peacock would be a beautiful bird to embroider -- so many colours! As for a little bird, there's nothing sweeter than a blue tit or a robin.
ReplyDeleteHow about a chickadee?
ReplyDeleteI think a cardinal would be pretty
ReplyDeleteI love the little hummingbirds that come to our feeder each spring.
ReplyDeleteI think a seagull would be so cute! A much under-appreciated bird but with really interesting coloring when you look closely. Plus there's something humorous about them a-la "Finding Nemo"
ReplyDeleteCongratulations for these 5 years of success :))) Maybe a parakeet?
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot for this giveaway!
hi Nicole :)))
ReplyDeleteI love Sparrows and Robins :)
thanks for the chance!!
I want to say rainbow lorikeet even though they aren't small. However. The red browned finch is kinda cool too if your looking for something with attitude. Congratulations on 5 years too and hears to many more :D
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on 5yrs! Your patterns are lovely :D. I really love Quails. They are so adorable and especially their little chicks that follow behind ♥
ReplyDelete