Wednesday, March 16, 2016

It's the little things in life

I have been running my Etsy shop for over 8 years - starting with Crunchy cute and renaming the shop a few years later to Saving Money in Style to give it a more branded name.

Through the years I have worked with so many sweet people. I noticed a year or so ago people were coming back to the shop wanting another set of envelopes. They said after 5, 6, 7 years their envelopes were finally wearing out! Wow! When I came up with this idea I had no idea #1 it would be so successful, #2 I would start a cottage industry and # 3 they would last so many years! What a perfect product for the budget minded!

I have had so many heart warming emails over the years. They kept me going. And even yesterday - they are still coming. I asked Donna if I could share her email with you and she said of course.
It is the little things in life that make my heart happy.
Think about who you can email, send a note or talk to today and tell them something from your heart.

Hi! I was looking through my old orders and saw this. I had ordered a set of cloth envelopes a little over a year ago. I just wanted to let you know that I have used them since I bought them and despite the constant use, and sometimes finding their way into toddler hands, they are still in excellent condition! My husband often gets tired of prints and things after awhile and even he recently said, even after a year these prints are still pleasant to look at. Granted he doesn't carry them around like I do but he does on occasion. I don't know how to edit or add another review but just wanted to let you know we are going on a year and the quality is still obviously great.

Thank you,
Donna Hooton

been awhile since i loved on my SMIS shop and this blog

I have been neglecting Saving Money in Style a bit. :(

But I see that I still have many followers on my blog and for that I say thank you and I am sorry!

Guess that is what happens after 8 years of sewing cash envelopes?!
I still love the picking out the fabrics and I especially love my customers, but I have to admit, sewing the same patterns
over and over again for 8 years sort of starting getting to me!
Plus I would have to guess there is now about 20 different cash envelope sellers since I started the idea.

So, I have been spending about 99% of my time developing my new Etsy shop where I can be more creative.
I am having a blast.

But, in the meantime, I am going through my SMIS stash and finding all kinds of goodies.
Like these Japanese, linen zipper envelopes I made.
Aren't they the cutest? Love this fabric.
Thye can be used for so many things but they are perfect for cash only budgeting too.
They hold paper currency and coins. Plus, there is a cute little place for a label.
I will be posting these in my dusty little SMIS shop sometime this week and hoping to dust off some of the cobwebs and give the shop a bit more attention.




etsy is offering an update for our shops starting in april

 
I am going to use this as a cover page instead of my banner! I think it shows more of what Saving Money in Style is all about. Watch for the change in early April!
Also added a new avatar and a photo of myself. I think they may be live right now?
Check it out!
 
cover page
 

my cash only story...

__________________ MY STORY in more detail___________________________
Back in 2007, my husband and I attended
Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace Seminar. 
We loved the concept of “cash only” and took to it right away,
but it wasn’t long before I got tired of using paper envelopes for my cash. 
I wanted something more hip, tasteful, modern and sturdy!
I looked everywhere for something like it - but no one had thought of it!
 So I made myself some designer fabric cash envelopes/carrier
And a few months later, in january of 2008,
 I started to sell them on esty under the name of crunchy cute.
Crunchy cute was my business where I used to sell purses, cuffs, pins…
  during outdoor festivals in Atlanta.
 My tag for crunchy cute was “modern day hippie with a touch of dainty and adorable”
http://www.etsy.com/shop/crunchycute/sold (over 1400 sales!)
but the cash envelope business took off and I had to put the purses…on hold.
I changed my shop name in june of  2010 to
 Saving Money In Style
to showcase my budget related products.
… and here I am today.
Since then, many other  etsy sellers have gotten on the band wagon
and claimed "fabric envelopes" as their own.
(what a world, what a world!)
there are A LOT of imitators but only one "saving money in style!"
Since 2008 on Etsy – my little shop has grown by leaps and bounds. I have been contacted by numerous companies and have been able to promote my items worldwide. I was featured in All You magazine in January 2010 and also have had the stamp of approval from the Dave Ramsey folks!
And today – my husband and I are DEBT free with the exception of our mortgage
 and we are working on that!
My biggest lesson - I  ask myself when shopping for food, clothes....
"Is this a want or it this a need?"
When I stop to ask that before making a purchase - more often than not
I put the item back!
Yes, it is painful, because I always want it badly
 but...this simple question has saved me tons of money.
Plus it is much more painful handing over cash than handing over a debit or credit card!
I hope and pray that will help you too!
To God be all the glory!
Proverbs 16:3
Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will be established.
Isaiah 55:8-9
For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
   neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
   so are my ways higher than your ways
   and my thoughts than your thoughts.

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