Thanks for your patience!
Pattern sales and alterations will continue, however, custom sewn orders and new patterns have been put on hold! Thanks for your understanding!
November 5, 2013
A new home for Owly Baby and family!
We have moved to a new home! Owly Baby is currently being organized and collected! I am trying to live (unsuccessfully!) without sewing or crafting for a short time while we are in a temporary living situation.
Thanks for your patience!
Pattern sales and alterations will continue, however, custom sewn orders and new patterns have been put on hold! Thanks for your understanding!
Thanks for your patience!
Pattern sales and alterations will continue, however, custom sewn orders and new patterns have been put on hold! Thanks for your understanding!
May 22, 2013
Currently away!
I'm away for a long week/weekend of Track and Field. I will return to the shop and blog soon (Sunday, May 26). Happy spring!
March 24, 2013
Is the customer always right?
Being a conflict-avoider type person, I find it extremely vexing if/when I get negative feedback from my small business. This has only happened twice, but it is deeply unsettling to me. I even had a dream about this displeased customer. I keep imagining someone wandering around in the world who has a dislike for me (and my company) and I shudder and cringe.
I have just run into a "not-to-be-named" customer who is patently insistent that my sewing pattern was mis-reprensented in photos and demaded a refund. Apparently the garment she sewed had much narrower shoulders than my photo had shown. She then demanded recompense because SHE was forced to go purchase another pattern and sew another garment at the last minute to complete an outfit for a small child. (Is this my problem? Am I being to unsympathic? I waver back and forth for a few minutes...)
Going against my instinct to pacify and please everyone -and this is extremlely difficult for me, I am a type 9 on the Ennegram personality test "The Peacemaker", I firmly stated that there could be no refund. Inside, I was LIVID that she thought I was deliberately misleading in my photos or had ripped off a pattern or photo (of my own child?). As I had put countless hours into drafting, sewing, scanning, copying, double and triple checking the pattern fit, taking photos of my own daughters in making the garment, writing the instructions, posting the item online and emailing it to her - I KNOW without a SINGLE DOUBT, that my item is NOT misrepresented. And, to state the obvious, I was MAD.
But, is the customer always right??
In the back of my head - that age old business advice stuck out - the customer is always right. Should I have swallowed my pride to simply say - "I am sorry you're unhappy -and although my shop policies and the item descriptions states that there are no refunds - I will give you the $10.00 refund so that you'll be happy? (and leave decent feedback)?
Instinctively, I had a feeling this is the type of customer that will NEVER be happy - no matter what I did. Her accusations just made everything go from bad- to personal -and worse! Also, is it really my problem that she felt the need to purchase another pattern? Is it my problem that she felt the need to sew another garment last minute?
Even with over 3,000 sucessfully completed Etsy sales (of which this pattern is my #2 seller) and ONE negative feedback response out of those 3,000 sales- it was hard to say "NO refund." I stand by my product and my process as much as any other seller. In fact, it would have been much easier for me to click over to pay pal and pay off the unhappy customer BUT for the fact that I would have felt like I was doing a disservice to my product, my business, and my self worth. All my hard work - being given away to pacify ONE grumpy soul. I shudder even harder at that thought.
So, in the end - I stand with a very negative comment in my feedback. One that I have earned.
Today I've learned that I cannot make everyone happy. There will probably be another negative comment (in the far, far future - I hope!) that will keep me awake at night. But tonight I sleep soundly, knowing that I stood up for myself and my business. I am proud of my work and I have earned each feedback score - and I understand that my feedback is not just a reflection of me - it's a reflection of the "encounter". That "encounter" that goes both ways - and I have learned that the customer is not always right.
Signing off,
Becky Ruud
Owly Baby
I have just run into a "not-to-be-named" customer who is patently insistent that my sewing pattern was mis-reprensented in photos and demaded a refund. Apparently the garment she sewed had much narrower shoulders than my photo had shown. She then demanded recompense because SHE was forced to go purchase another pattern and sew another garment at the last minute to complete an outfit for a small child. (Is this my problem? Am I being to unsympathic? I waver back and forth for a few minutes...)
Going against my instinct to pacify and please everyone -and this is extremlely difficult for me, I am a type 9 on the Ennegram personality test "The Peacemaker", I firmly stated that there could be no refund. Inside, I was LIVID that she thought I was deliberately misleading in my photos or had ripped off a pattern or photo (of my own child?). As I had put countless hours into drafting, sewing, scanning, copying, double and triple checking the pattern fit, taking photos of my own daughters in making the garment, writing the instructions, posting the item online and emailing it to her - I KNOW without a SINGLE DOUBT, that my item is NOT misrepresented. And, to state the obvious, I was MAD.
But, is the customer always right??
In the back of my head - that age old business advice stuck out - the customer is always right. Should I have swallowed my pride to simply say - "I am sorry you're unhappy -and although my shop policies and the item descriptions states that there are no refunds - I will give you the $10.00 refund so that you'll be happy? (and leave decent feedback)?
Instinctively, I had a feeling this is the type of customer that will NEVER be happy - no matter what I did. Her accusations just made everything go from bad- to personal -and worse! Also, is it really my problem that she felt the need to purchase another pattern? Is it my problem that she felt the need to sew another garment last minute?
Even with over 3,000 sucessfully completed Etsy sales (of which this pattern is my #2 seller) and ONE negative feedback response out of those 3,000 sales- it was hard to say "NO refund." I stand by my product and my process as much as any other seller. In fact, it would have been much easier for me to click over to pay pal and pay off the unhappy customer BUT for the fact that I would have felt like I was doing a disservice to my product, my business, and my self worth. All my hard work - being given away to pacify ONE grumpy soul. I shudder even harder at that thought.
So, in the end - I stand with a very negative comment in my feedback. One that I have earned.
Today I've learned that I cannot make everyone happy. There will probably be another negative comment (in the far, far future - I hope!) that will keep me awake at night. But tonight I sleep soundly, knowing that I stood up for myself and my business. I am proud of my work and I have earned each feedback score - and I understand that my feedback is not just a reflection of me - it's a reflection of the "encounter". That "encounter" that goes both ways - and I have learned that the customer is not always right.
Signing off,
Becky Ruud
Owly Baby
March 15, 2013
Instant Download Sewing Patterns on Etsy!
I'm so happy to announce that every Owly Baby sewing pattern pattern is now available for
INSTANT DOWNLOAD!
It's so easy and FAST! Great for people who like to make gifts last-minute - like ME!
I've also reduced all of my prices to remain competitive with other Etsy sellers.
Enjoy and keep on shopping, Etsy lovers!
Happy Birthday Pudder!
February 4, 2013
What's going on!
It's been a busy time at the Owly Baby residence! There hasn't been work on any new patterns - there might be one coming out this summer. We'll see...
Here's what has been going on...(since December!)
My sister got married - and our whole family got to be in the wedding! :) 12-12-12!
We had a wonderful Christmas!
Everyone enjoyed their presents!
I knit a sweater.
and another sweater. (and some hats that were gifted)
We've had some quiet time.
and some birthday time!
And sewing projects were sent across the country for a SWAP!
Right now, I've just finished reupholstering my ottoman for the last time EVER! My hands are so achy from the stapler! Photos to come! (p.s. it's hot pink!)
November 29, 2012
DECEMBER SALE
The holiday spirit always fills me with hope and joy. I love the smell of Chex mix, the sparkling lights on the Christmas tree, wrapping up gifts in unique ways and hearing the classic Christmas songs on the radio.
In honor of the season please enjoy 50% off all sewing patterns in this month of December.
Use the code: DECEMBER12 in my Etsy store for 50% off all pattern purchases. Shop HERE.
In honor of the season please enjoy 50% off all sewing patterns in this month of December.
Use the code: DECEMBER12 in my Etsy store for 50% off all pattern purchases. Shop HERE.
Happy shopping AND sewing!
November 21, 2012
Play Date Dress Sewing Pattern!
It's (finally) ready for sale!
This sweet dress is perfect for birthday parties, play dates and
everything in between. The vintage style details will please the little
princess in your life.
This dress features:
- a slim fit bodice
- ric rac trimmed collar
- front bodice placket
- optional darts
- optional side zipper
- optional apront
Level: Recommended for the intermediate sewist.
Sizes: 6m, 12-18m, 2t, 3t, 4t, Girls 5.
The pattern is a PDF document that will be emailed to you within 24 hours of payment. You can print the pattern pieces at home - then cut and sew immediately!
Thanks for your support! Now, off to have some turkey!
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