While vacationing through the Baltic I developed a severe obsession for all-things viking-related. I learned that not only were the vikings super strong + great discoverers + excellent ship builders, but they were also outstanding craftsmen. They represent the brave + powerful, and also the innovative. Doesn't this totally blow your mind?

I admit it, I've fallen in love with these heroic + mythological + barbaric creatures. So it comes to no surprise why I immediately fell hard for Sandra Monat's handmade puffy viking designs, available at her store herzensart.

Not only are Sandra's designs super cute, they are handmade + unique. It's like if each little viking had it's own soul + individual personality. 

But of course this small creatures are not only for children, grown ups can also benefit from hugging these loving + one of a kind heroes [or at least that is what I tell myself]. If you ask me, I think these viking are made for the child in all of us. Wouldn't you agree? 

xo, 

Mayi Carles

Ever wonder what your online customers are really thinking? If you're curious, you might want to keep reading this top secret post.

There are things most of our online buyer's aren't telling us, but don't worry, I'm thrilled to inform you that after 6 months of selling my work successfully online have figured out + gathered + researched + learned a few secrets.

Here is what my data shows:

Online buyers:

1. can't remember your website address.

2. don't always want to buy from you.

3. want to pay less.

4. want their order fast.

5. want to be spoiled by you.

Online buyers hate:

1. to log in.

2. the checkout process + experience.

3. spam.

4. long paragraphs + descriptions.

5. crap in their package (special emphasis was placed on confetti, lol).

Online buyers love:

1. bullet points + numbers + bold text, because it makes reading much easier.

2. dark text typed on light backgrounds.

3. short + clear descriptions.

4. beautiful photos of product from various angles.

5. swag in their package.

These confessions were gathered from a pool of 500 participants - all clients + friends that have purchased an item online in the past year. And while these confessions may not apply to all customers, the information gathered from this petite research experiment can be very valuable in helping us improve the online shops + shopping experience for our customers.

What have you learned from your online buyers + customers that you find relevant? Please do share, I'm dying to know more! 

xo,

Mayi Carles

Image Credit

via sweetlovevintage

After a long + well deserved vacation break, I'm finally back working at my studio.

Excited about re-opening my eco-friendly boutique + blogging again on heartmade, I've decided to dedicate today's finds to work-related essentials - all handmade or vintage.

Enjoy!

1. Mini goals clockboard by Mary Kate Mcdevitt 

2. Vintage typewriter by Cathodeblue 

3. Incorrect math mug by Karinlorenc

4. Telephone pad by Timerteame

5. Handmade pencils by Mississau

6. Oldschool calculator wrist pincusion plushie by Chrissypootwo 

xo,

Mayi Carles

I'm BACK from my wonderful vacation… YAAAYY!!!

I feel I've been gone for ages, and have missed you all dearly. I'm so excited to be back and to finally be able to share with you all the awesome posts I've been boiling on the pot. Hold on for what will come… it's going to be great.

But before getting started with August's calendar, let me first share with you my favorite + most popular heartmade posts from July:

1. Learn how to make your very own eco-friendly pinwheels with this playful tutorial. Click here to enter the super fun DIY project.

2. WOW them with your packaging with these great tips. Click here to read the post.

3. Selling your handmade products online has never been easier. Become a savvy online seller with these super helpful business tips. Click here to read the post.

4. Creative examples for labeling your brand + logo. Click here to read the post. 

Now, let's begin. And what better way to start that by sharing the most exciting news headlines for August:

1. Today is the official launch of heartmade, and "I'm gonna party like it's my birthday".

2. heartmade has its own brand new custom online headquarter located at www.heartmadeblog.com for your convenience. Please make sure to get out those bookmarks, this one's a keeper. 

3. To celebrate the birth of heartmade, I'm giving away not 1 but 3 Pick Your Color Pinwheel Handmade Metal Bobby Pins, made by yours truly. Click here to enter the giveaway. The lucky winners will be chosen randomly and will be announced on August 31.

4. heartmade is advertising two awesome blogs this month: Modish + Scoutie Girl, two super popular blogs that are completely rocking the craft + handmade world in my opinion (your should go check them out!). I'm confident that these sponsorships will help bring new friends to heartmade, but ultimately my goal is to give more visibility to all the amazing artists + handmade goodies featured here.

5. heartmade needs you. Click here to read all the amazing ways you can become a part of the this handmade community. Your interest + participation means the world to me.

xo,

Mayi Carles

Image Credit

via blossinateacup

Mayi Carles

Tut tu ruuuuuuuuuuu! [Palace trumpets]

I interrupt the daily heartmade blogging programing to bring you this super important announcement: 

Due to all the fun I'm having on my vacation, more than what I ever imagined, I've decided to take a real break from blogging + all work related business until August 2, when I return back to home to Panama from my trip. I think my boyfriend + family will really appreciate it, not to mention my wallet since the Internet is so crazy expensive on this cruise + ridiculously slow.

I'm so sorry for the inconvenience, but really appreciate your understanding + support + love. 

You must know, however, that I'm boiling some amazing posts for the next coming months. This vacation is catalyzing + inspiring so many ideas I'm dying to share with you. All I can say for now is that I have some wonderful things to share with you - artist + designers + crafter + interviews + handmade goodies + homemade recipes + giveaways + DIY projects + indie business tips + more fun stuff. But I don't want to ruin the surprise, so please come and visit me soon to see what I have in store for you. I promise it will be great!

In the mean time, don't forget to enter the current giveaway for a chance to win up to 3 Pick Your Color Pinwheel Handmade Metal Bobby Pins, made by yours truly. And please view all the amazing ways you can participate in heartmade. Your interest in heartmade + engagement means the world to me.

Sending you lots of love from St. Petersburg, Russia.

xo,

Mayi Carles

I was so happy when I stumbled upon this announcement on Smile and Wave (an awesome crafty blog). I immediately thought, "Now, this is just the tutorial I need."

For those of you who don't know me well yet, I'm a sewing fanatic. My passion started when I was very little. I attended an all girls Catholic school, and I can assure you those nuns thought me very very well the art + patience + discipline of sewing by hand. So much so, that I never managed to learn the craft machine sewing, or thought I needed the skill really. This assumption was obviously contested very recently, right after I opened my online eco-friendly boutique in February of 2010. I suddenly began to feel so limited with my designs + sewing techniques. Alright, I confess I'm a guru in hand stitching + hand sewing (or at least I like to say that to myself), but can't sew a dress + pillow cover to save my life. This really has to stop. 

So, I can only presume it was destiny to find Home Ec.'s fantastic sewing class, which promises to be not your typical teenage sewing kit, but an amazing + useful class for all ages at a beginners level that want to develop + polish their sewing skills. The plan is on 3 guides + 26 steps-by-step projects + tips to how to invent + adapt projects. This is GREAT, isn't it? And the class is just $60.

To learn more about Home Ec.'s online sewing class for beginners, please visit the complete post for registration + sign up + other details.

Who wants to join the fun?

xo,

Mayi Carles

Image Credit

via smile and wave

merry me gold treasury by daniellehensley

Happy Monday everybody! How's everybody doing? I've been enjoying myself very very much. The Baltic is magical + it has been easier than I though switching to vacation mode. I have so many stories to share with you all. Promise to tell you all about it soon.

For now, I leave you with this wonderful gold treasury that features my pretty Marigold Handmade Flower Headband. 

A special thanks to Danielle Hensley for the honor.

xo,

Mayi Carles

I'm so excited... I just can't hide it. Today I'm leaving for a super long vacation (for my standards, that is) with my family + David to the North of Europe. First, I'll be traveling to London to visit my awesome cousin Nicole + my life time friend Claudia + her husband Tommy. Then, I'll catch the Disney Cruise in Dover for a 14-day magical roundtrip to destinations I've never been before - Oslo + Sweden + Copenhagen + Warnemunde (Berlin) + Tallin + an overnight in St. Petersburg Russia. I promise to write + post + tell you all the excitement while vacationing (as much as I humanly can).

To celebrate this wonderful trip, I've put together a lovely collection of stylish travel items that will sure bring swag to all your journeys. Enjoy!

1. Vintage working kodak brownie 8mm camera by Falconandfinch

2. Aqua + mustard traveler's messenger bag by Rachelelise

3. Large vintage amelia earhart glorious lipstick red luggage by Scrapsistersvintage

4. Blue plaid eye mask by Bibbon

5. Leather billfold wallet men by Inblue

6. Vintage flip-up student clear glasses sunglasses black by Starstruckladies

7. Personalized bag tags that is perfect for the lazy traveler by Cestsuperbelabels

8. Handmade passport holder by Bridgetdavies

9. Personalized postcard pillow by Olive

10. Aviator bag by Debruir

11. Travel underwear bag by Studiowonjun

12. Travel journal by Shopheyjude

13. Travel pillow by Sygnetcreations

14. Straw hat with black grosgrain bow by Style Log

15. Handmade leather sandals by Lilasandals

16. Honey lip balm by Flourishbathbody

xo,

Mayi Carles

Hi, my name is Mayi Carles, and I'm a supplies addict. I mean, how can you possibly resist the sweet temptation of these lovely + crafty supplies? I already know I'm adding 2 to my shopping cart :)

1. handmade stamp by uniqueshiny

2. prestrung kraft tags by packageinstyle

3. fanfare of felt by benzie bazaar

4. hand dyed cotton twine by olivemanna

5. green apple bakers twine by divinetwine

6. orange gingham clothespin by paperedcrown

7. red and white tablecloth thank you seals by kisfrocalligraphy

8. mini yellow cotton spun mushrooms by caramelos

9. wooden button by woodsofnarnia

xo,

Mayi Carles

I really can't ever get tired or this color combination + style. It's so fabulous!

Please enjoy my handmade picks:

1. Stockholm navy + white pleated french messanger by Ikabags

2. The so very decadent sea pearl ship hat by Zara Carpenter

3. Nautical necklace by Brooklynrehab

4. The flight of eve archival print by Coridantini

5. Cropped nautical top by Boyfren Girlfren

6. La solitaire sachet lavender pillow by Fric de Mentol

7. Skipper bikini botton by Fabiesbybarrie

8. Snow drops silk and linen women room shows by Lala Shoes

9. Baker's twine mini red by Olive Manna

10. Nautical striped earrings by Fallorfly

11. Pixie's navy mini by Nadinoo

12. Dorotea the whale soft toy by Contemori

13. Recyled sail tote by Reiter8

14. The educated sailor by Nanlawson

15. Maritime squid toms by Beangarden

16. Birthday banner by Bluemoon Studios

xo,

Mayi Carles