Well, getting this:
together and out the door comprised the bulk of my weekend (and it means that everyone's orders from last week, starting with the update, are merrily on their way). What you're looking at is nearly 100 packages of various sizes!
Goodness.
Last week was so busy, and I guess it shouldn't have been a surprise when my lil' A emailed yesterday to let me know that the shop surpassed 4,000 orders yesterday!
In less than two years. Dang.
I felt proud & oddly humble.
It's strange to say, but The Black Apple has been pretty much a best friend for the last few years, even before I had my online storefront or blog. It has been my constant companion through two different wonderful-but-difficult-in-their-own-way relationships, the changing and shuffling locations and closeness of friends, and two big moves. People ask all the time for tips, or pearls of wisdom about the success of my cottage industry, and maybe it's as simple as that. It's my companion and if I'm not working for it, I'm thinking of it.
The highlight of the weekend was visiting the most adorable fabric store in my hometown with my mama on Saturday afternoon. As amazing as Reprodepot, Superbuzzy, and Equilter are, there is nothing like shopping for fabric in real-life, which I rarely get to do, since Jo-Ann's is pretty much it (and our Jo-Ann's has an awful selection).
The treasure:
Amazing jumbo ric-rac, fabric for doll-legs, beautiful vintage reproductions, and (my favorite, of course) the dots. It's all a bit demure, but will help balance out all of the beautiful, vibrant japanese import fabrics I've stocked up on lately and overall brightness of my stash.
The biggest score was that one of my very, very favorite fabrics, which I know I've blogged before (one that always sells out online in a matter of days) was on the 50% off row...so I got to really stock up on it! The elusive handwriting fabric...
Yesterday I came down with what my sources-in-the-know think was a baby-case of food poisoning, so there was alot of the confused stumblings of a sickie and some cat-naps with Miette (this is in between the hours and hours and hours of packaging). Today I feel a bit better, after accidentally falling asleep on the couch at the ungodly early hour of 10 pm and sleeping for a solid 12 hours.
I'm on the mend for sure. And oddly, the sickie-ness has made me feel like using what shreds of energy I have to straighten up the apartment. Stranger than fiction, I tell ya.
Comments (25)
4000!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's a HUGE accomplishment! Emily has broken every record there is on etsy! I have said it to everyone I know. No matter what your style of art is you have to take a moment and appreciate that Emily has been a HUGE part of the art section's success. My hat's off to you!!
ashley g · March 12, 2007 at 06:28 PM
Congratulations! I hope you get to feeling better. Hydration is a good thing. And if you've been vomiting, try to drink a bit of gatorade -- it helps to hydrate you and to rebuild your electrolytes more quickly.
sarah · March 12, 2007 at 07:24 PM
Wow! Terrific! Hoorah for Emily! You deserve the great success for your work is wonderful. And I'm so wishing that I could find some lovely fabrics like those...I agree that it is hard to shop online for fabric and, like you, JoAnn's is the only fabric shop for miles and miles - 200+ miles actually. Get well soon!
LuLu · March 12, 2007 at 08:05 PM
Congratulations on your sales. That is wonderful! (I've been lurking but had to speak up at such a great accomplishment!)
Cute, cute, cute fabrics, too!
Celeste · March 12, 2007 at 08:06 PM
4,000. I can't even imagine that in only two years. CONGRATS!
Also congrats on that amazing fabric score! Where DID you go?
lsaspacey · March 12, 2007 at 09:30 PM
Oh my goodness, I dropped quite a lot of $$ at eQuilter the other day and I can't wait for my 8 lbs of fabric to arrive! Your haul is very impressive, and lovely.
"It's my companion and if I'm not working for it, I'm thinking of it."
This is also lovely. I'm adjusting to graduate school and on good days, that is how I feel about my work. =)
Cirilia · March 12, 2007 at 09:32 PM
you are a sparkly sparkly gem! felicidades. congrats! i've missed all of your updates lately due to work, but i am super excited to finally frame the one original drawing of yours i managed to snag (the salt and pepper girls). well, excited to finally frame it in a few months when i move back to the states.
and fabric! oh fabric shopping. i can spend HOURS fabric shopping...
risa · March 12, 2007 at 09:45 PM
Aw I hope you feel better!! You are an amazing seller and so lucky!!
Mary
Mary Contrary · March 12, 2007 at 09:51 PM
oh.my.goodness. i have been looking for the handwriting fabric EVERYWHERE!!! can you please please tell me who makes it? i just love it!
and.........a super duper big congrats to you! that is amazing!!!
stephanie · March 12, 2007 at 09:58 PM
You are totally amazing. An amazing lovely little lady. xxo, Vanessa ps: thx for being so sweet to me!!!
Vanessa · March 13, 2007 at 12:13 AM
I hope you are feeling better and ilove your gorgeous selection of yummy fabrics, I really need to stock up on fabrics myself.
Kelly Zarb · March 13, 2007 at 12:24 AM
You are doing so well--congratulations on the record! I found your site on Etsy just being on the home page and seeing a little thumbnail of 'Mysterious Genevieve.' Am hooked! I really like the fabrics in white and brown--hope some of it comes to live over here with us through things you make...hope you are better soon.
Helen · March 13, 2007 at 04:21 AM
Sorry to hear about the tummy problems. Hope you're 100% soon.
Rhonda · March 13, 2007 at 08:08 AM
Congrats on hotting 4000!!!! You are an internet art selling rock star!!!
that handwriting fabric is delicious as delicious is.
stilettoheights · March 13, 2007 at 09:00 AM
I just made my first puchase from your shop - curious birdplane boy! I'm so excited to give it to my sister to hang in my first soon-to-be nephew's room! Congratulations on your success, I really admire your creativity and also your attitude about life.
Robin · March 13, 2007 at 09:03 AM
Wow Emily, that is so wonderful. You should be so proud!!! I am just starting my shop and my first sales which are very thrilling, and I just can't imagine being so successful. But, I guess if I imagine, it will possibly happen!! Thanks for the inspiration that you are. deedledumpling.
diana alexander · March 13, 2007 at 10:06 AM
Congratulations! It's obvious from your blog how hard you work and how dedicated you are to black apple. Enjoy your success, you totally deserve it!
sarah · March 13, 2007 at 10:21 AM
4000....
holy-moley.
you are something to
aspire to,
for sure!
:)
gkgirl · March 13, 2007 at 10:49 AM
I know that you work very hard at your shop Emily and I am sure that has a lot to do with your success. But, I also think that it is because you and all that you create are just %100 Emily originality. That's what I love. It is interesting how in school people try to knock away and chip away at the things that make people different, but then when we grow up and mature, what we really love are the originals, the ones that were able to escape the teenage years with somewhat of a real self intact. You are one of those rare gems! Congratulations on your success! I am so pleased for you and proud of you, you deserve it! Best Wishes... Tiffany
tiffany · March 13, 2007 at 10:58 AM
Emily,
I just wanted to say how much your one girl cottage industry has inspired me ( as well as countless others, I'm sure!) I am in awe of all the packages ypu send out! You do such excellent and lovely work! : )
Marmee · March 13, 2007 at 11:50 AM
Let me add my congratulations! And feel better. My younger sister/roommate is home sick from work today, and I feel badly for everyone who is under the weather.
Your fabric booty is great! As much as I love buying fabric online, nothing beats being able to hold the fabric and see the colors in person. I'm lucky that there is a great quilt fabric shop in my neighborhood that I can walk to.
Megan · March 13, 2007 at 12:07 PM
Congratulations on the sales. I'm not suprised tho, given the absolute charm of everything you make.
I'm impressed by the fabric. I rarely buy fabric in real life (tho I like to look.) It's often so much cheaper online that I can rarely justify helping the brick & mortar places pay their rent. That print fabric is wonderful--I don't know how I failed to notice it before!
ambika · March 13, 2007 at 12:38 PM
Congratulations! very well deserved - and inspiring :)
i've got some serious fabric envy....
clare · March 13, 2007 at 03:11 PM
Hey there- love your stuff! Congrats on the 4000 mark- very impressive. Please tell me where you bought the handwriting fabric I love it!!!!
NIcole Merkens · March 14, 2007 at 12:47 PM
Congratulations! You deserve much success!
Qiana · March 14, 2007 at 01:32 PM