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Medical Fabric by Zinnia’s Closet

Zinnia’s Closet has a new set of fabric designs! Introducing the Heroes Save Lives collection. This fabric was designed to honor all the medical professionals out there, to thank them for all that they do, and to recognize that they are true heroes. I hope that you will use this fabric to thank a doctor, nurse, respiratory therapist, pharmacist, medical laboratory technician, medical researcher, and all other medical professionals for everything that they do for us every day.

I’ve made two different patterns, as shown above. The first pattern has three different color schemes. If you’d like something made with this fabric, or would like to purchase it, please send me a message. These designs can also be adjusted to meet your specific needs- you can change the characters, colors, patterns, size, message, etc. You can even add a doctor name or hospital name to the design. It’s all customizable! Let me know what I can do for you.

If you’d like to check out the bags I made with this fabric, click on the following links: Blue, Pink, Purple, and Tossed Blue.

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A Look Back at 2018

Thank You

Zinnia’s Closet began in 2015 when I opened a shop on Etsy. I didn’t start selling because I had some new or trending idea. I wanted to learn how to run a small business without the pressure of depending on the income generated from it. Sure, I could have read a bunch of books. But nothing beats hands-on learning.

At the end of every year, I like to take the time to reflect on what I’ve learned, and what I would like to achieve.

So, here we go. What happened in 2018?

I started a website! I didn’t even know where to begin one year ago. But I took the leap, chose a web host, and here I am. Blogging isn’t easy for me. I tend to internalize everything instead of sharing it with the world. I’m definitely stepping out of my comfort zone when I write. Will this get easier over time??

I also started an Instagram account. I haven’t mastered the art of attracting attention there, but that’s something to work on in 2019. I just read an article about how to save a draft Instagram post, so at least that will take away some of the pressure 🙂

Photography has been an interest of mine for quite a while. I bought a camera a few years ago and have slowly been learning how to take photos without the “Auto” setting. Practice, practice, practice. My photos are getting better as I gain better control of the camera. In 2019 I plan to re-take many of my product photos to make them look more professional. Along the way, I’ve learned a little bit about how to use photo-editing software. I’d rather take a good quality picture with the camera, instead of a not-so-great picture that needs to be edited. But, it doesn’t hurt to learn how to fix a picture if needed.

This year I started designing my own fabric! I made a few test drawings and printed them using Spoonflower. Next year I hope to start selling bags with my own fabric designs. I’ve already had a request to make bags with a custom fabric design!! I’ll have to write another blog about my adventures in fabric printing. I am very excited about this opportunity.

My sewing skills have increased this year! I took a deep breath and learned how to install a zipper. Wouldn’t you know, I had a customer ask for a bag with a zipper only a few weeks later! What a coincidence! Then my sister asked me if I knew how to sew a snap. I didn’t, but I figured it out!

Zinnia’s Closet hit some amazing milestones this year. In March, we hit 100 sales on Etsy. In December, we had our 100th order on Etsy, and 50 orders in just one year. There’s still a few days left in 2018, maybe we can squeeze in another order or two. I am sincerely grateful for all the wonderful customers I have had this year and am looking forward to another great year in 2019.

I have a few plans for 2019. I will continue to work on my social media and website. Of course, there will be new products. If all goes well, I’ll be offering products made with fabric that I design myself. I have BIG plans for my current customers. I’m not going to reveal my plan just yet, I want to make sure I can implement it 🙂 Eventually, I would like to make this website an e-commerce site. I don’t think that will happen in 2019, but I plan on learning enough to make that happen by 2020.

All in all, 2018 was a great year. I’m looking forward to the many lessons that 2019 will bring. Thanks, again, to all of our wonderful customers. I can’t wait to work with you again soon!

Happy Holidays!

 

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Thank a Teacher During Teacher Appreciation Week

It’s time to start preparing for Teacher Appreciation Week which begins on May 7, 2018.

There were many wonderful teachers in my life. They were always full of kind words and encouragement. There was the teacher that had a belief in my abilities when I had no confidence of my own. The teacher that pushed me harder and harder until I thought I would snap, but then one day I finally got it! The teachers that made learning fun. And especially the teacher that noticed me when others didn’t seem to care.

Teachers make a difference in their students’ lives in ways they don’t always realize. Don’t forget to thank a teacher during Teacher Appreciation Week.

ThankYou