1st Birthday Flash Sale on Leafy Treetop Leather

Cognac Brown Triple Wrap Leather Bracelet with Ring

It's been one year since I decided to take my little side business online.  I resisted making the move for several reasons, but the number one being work/family business.  I tend to have a bit of difficulty not letting work consume my life, and with little kids at home I know I didn't want that to happen. Having an online shop means that you lose a bit of control over your work schedule.  With Etsy, although you can put your shop on vacation mode, and control your inventory, you never know when orders are going to come rushing in.  I didn't want to have to spend my life fulfilling orders, and rushing to the post office multiple times a day, but I still wanted to cushion our bank account with a little extra income.

Fortunately, over the past year I feel like I have kind of  found my groove.  My shop isn't always being pounded with orders, which is how I prefer it.  But rather, have been able to have a manageable stream of orders come through.  I've taught myself to stick to a schedule, and fill orders (for the most part) in the afternoon during quiet time and pre-school.  I also TRY to take weekends off, though I'm not great at it.

Lightweight leather earrings in Dove Gray

I feel like anytime you decide to venture outside of your comfort zone you are allowing yourself to learn and grow.  I am not a business expert, and to be honest, that isn't necessarily something I aspire to be.  I have, however, learned new skills, and refined old ones.  I'm grateful for the small but scary steps that I've taken outside my comfort zone.

6/2 Flash Sale: The Woodland Collection

In celebration of our first year on Etsy I'm running promotions all month long.  I have flash sales scheduled for each Friday of the month, with limited edition items available at each.  Save 40% during our flash sale promotions, and stock up for Christmas, birthdays, and back to school.  Our Woodland Collection flash sale is now live, and inventory is limited.

I'm shipping out a free gift with every online order, and have giveaways funning on both my @leafytreetopleather Instagram account, and Leafy Treetop FB account.  Enter for a chance to win either five pair of earrings, or 5 sets of bows.  I'll also be holding a second giveaway at the end of the month.  I'll be drawing the winner from all the buyers that placed an order during the month of June.

Leather Knotted Butterfly Bow Hairclip

So hop on over to Leafy Treetop Leather, and see if there is something that you can't live without.

Rustic Brown Wide Leather Cuff 

Thanks for all of the support and encouragement throughout the years, and especially this last one.

Leafy Treetop Leather: Custom Leather Cuffs and Leather Drop Earrings

Leather Wrap Bracelet with Ring

DIY leather projects have popped up on my blog since I started it so many years ago.  You can find tutorials for my leather bows, coiled leather cuffs, leather cord keepers, and leather bookmarks, and leather frames (which are still hanging on my fridge).  

Black Leather Wrap Bracelet

I fell in love with leather when working with it in a book binding class in college.  I wandered into a leather shop looking for scraps to bind the spine of one of my books, and from that point I have been coming up with my favorite scrap busting leather projects.

Black Leather Drop Earrings

During that time I also started selling many of my leather items in local boutiques and craft shows.  It has been about 5 years since I first started selling my leather goods.  I have always held off on listing them online, because making one of a kind goods is labor intensive, and listing them online makes it even more of a hassle.  

Brown Leather Cuff with Ring

But, now that my kids are getting a little older, and becoming slightly more independent, I feel like I can finally focus a bit more on the business side of my Etsy shop.  I will now be offering custom sized leather cuffs.  Each cuff will be specially made for you .

Beaded Leather Bracelet with Turquoise and Gold

Shop

To make things even better, I am celebrating my Grand Opening with a sale.  Use Promo Code "Welcome16" to save 35% off your purchase through 6/30/16.  However, my social media besties can use promo code "insta40" for 40% off through the end of the month.

Bronze Brown Leather Earrings

In addition to my leather cuffs,  you can find my handmade leather earrings.  Lightweight, and statement makers, these leather earrings will become quick favorites.  Choose your preferred metal choice :  Bronze, Silver Filled, or Gold Filled (great for sensitive ears).

Brown Leather Cuff With Turquoise

Do you have a favorite piece of leather jewelry in your collection?  Ever worn leather?  

I'd love to hear what you think of the shop, and what your favorite items are.  If you stop by be sure to favorite your favorite items in the shop, favorite my shop, or stop back here and let me know what your favorite items are.  I'm planning a giveaway in July, and I'd love some ideas on what would most interest everyone. Feel free to follow me on Instagram @leafytreetopleather .

Brown Braided Leather Cuff

Any leather tutorials you'd like to have here on the blog.  I know it has long been abandoned, but I'd love to get back to it.  Maybe on a weekly basis.

Leather Cord Bangles and Leather Bracelets

I've recently fell in love, once again, with etsy.  I took a break from scouring the shops, because it is always so tempting to buy, but I've found that my new favorite area to shop is the supplies section.

I found a great supplier that sells all of the materials needed to make these leather cord bangles.

These bangles are super simple to make.  Cut, glue, and slide in the cord.  Easy as that. 

I made up all of these little sets of five, and sadly I'm not keeping any of them.  Off to my bazaar booth they go.

I think that I might have to make some more so that I can keep some for myself.

I also made up some new leather bracelets for my bazaar.  These have a button stud closure.  I did keep one of these for myself, and I really love it.

What have you been making lately?  

Feature: Magic Braided Leather Cuff (and Headband)

Over the past couple of weeks I've been trying to figure out how I could make a braided leather bracelet.  I'd been running it through my mind, when I came across Melissa's (I Still Love You) year end wrap up post, and found her Magic Braided Leather tutorial. Don't you love it when that happens...an answer to my crafting questions.

I had to try out the technique the night I found the tutorial.  The great thing about this technique is that you don't have an open end of the bracelet.  You create slits in the material, and in working in multiples of six, can magically braid it.  It really does feel like magic.

I also tried out the technique on a headband.  

I used this tutorial to turn my leather band into a headband (so comfy).

Unfortunately this leather makes me look like I have a horrible case of dandruff.  

I'm so excited about this technique.  Check out the full tutorial on I Still Love You.