I am an (orna) mental case…
…in fact, I live and breathe Christmas ornaments. I started my website (6 years ago now!) to share the quilted ornaments that my mother taught me to make when I was about 15 years old. My ornaments have since been featured on blogs and in magazines all over the world. Now, you will not only find all kinds of handmade ornaments, but also ornament patterns, tutorials, and DIY’s.
Aside from all the ornament stuff, I am… well, a complete girly girl, kinda crafty, mixed with a dash of ditziness, and an even bigger dash of klutziness. I can sometimes be found guiltily reading cheesy romance novels by flashlight while hiding under my covers, and thanks to my kids, I can recite most episodes of iCarly by heart. Just like my four sisters, many of my words end up becoming dramatic song (I pity the fool who gets stuck with all of us together)…unfortunately for those around me, singing is only among the talents I possess when I’m driving. I love reading and writing and most definitely not arithmetic.
I love creating things with my hands, although my nails hate me for it. My habit of saying “I could totally MAKE that!” always seems to lead to huge projects involving a lot more time and money than if I had just bought the stupid thing from the store in the first place. But in those instances that I come up with something that I think is pretty awesome, I write DIY’s and tutorials and share them here. I also share recipes that I love, CHRISTMAS CHRISTMAS CHRISTMAS stuff, and new ornament designs from my shop. I really appreciate you being here…contact me anytime!
{ 30 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Staci Ann,
Your ornaments are absolutely beautiful. I am very impressed and inspired by your creatvity. I am actually trying to start a new website buisness called Handmade Touches by JaMonica. I am offering one of a kind glass ornaments, door wreaths, and stationary. I would love it if you could give me some pointers on how to get started. Also how do you get such great photos of your ornaments?
Hi JaMonica,
I am so sorry I didn’t see this sooner…it got caught up in my spam filter. Thank you for the compliment! Please feel free to send me your email address (you can contact me here: http://www.theornamentgirl.com/contact.htm ), and I would love to be of whatever help I can. :D
Staci Ann
Dear Staci Ann, ive been reading your blog and i feel like im reading my own biography! lol. i read it to a friend of mine and she asked me if i was you in disguise? i felt this was a great compliment since i believe you are one of the most talented ornament designers there is!
i started making ornaments over 8 years ago. just less than 2 years ago i started selling my ornaments. i would only make them and give them as gifts til the day a friend asked me to make her one and sell it to her.
i admire how you have such a wonderful website to show and sell your amazing ornaments! your creativity is outstanding.
i am working on my own website. in the process i teach classes and i always refer my students to your website so they can see how beautiful your work is. i only wish the best for you, your family and your business. never let your imagination stop….
sincerely,
Linda C
AliAnda Creations
Wow, thank you so much for the compliments, Linda!
When you get your website up and running, please come back and share your link…I would love to see your work!
In the meantime, have you ever tried selling on etsy? It’s an awesome community for handmade…I just started selling my ornaments directly from etsy last fall, and I love it.
Thank you again for the amazing compliment, Linda…and good luck to you with your website! :)
Staci Ann
Staci Ann,
Thank you for advising me of Esty. I just published my first ornament!!! I’m so excited! I have been trying to figure out how to sell on ebay and was lost. Esty is so simple!
Thank you again so much! Check me out. AliAnda Creations.
Sincerely,
Linda :-)
Awesome, Linda! I will go check out your store! I love etsy too… :)
I love this tutorial and I plan to post it on my site and link it back here. You have a great site and you make some beautiful things. Thanks!!
Pam, that would be awesome…thank you so much! :)
Hi Staci Ann,
I just received my ostrich feather ornament and I love it but its broken. How can I get it replaced? My order was #3892-1372-6188-2372
Oh no! I will send you another one. I apologize for that.
Hello Staci Ann,
I just adore your ornaments! I have been making these for over 20 years myself and have been following you for several years. I have bid many times on your listings on eBay without ever having any luck….but recently I was able to buy 2 of your ornaments on sale at Etsy. I am very happy to finally be a proud owner of 2 of your ornaments. Thanks, they are lovely and I will treasure them always.
Good luck to you and yours,
Nisha
Thank you so much, Nisha! I truly appreciate it… I am so glad you like the ornaments. :)
Dear Staci Ann,
Just wondering, how do you go about filling a big order? What happens when fifty people all want the same ornament? Do you just sell your ornaments through etsy online or do you go to craft shows/fairs as well.
Hi Michele…I have been wanting to do some craft shows in the past, but I have never been able to build up enough inventory at once..I hope I can do one this year though, in the fall. Right now, I sell through etsy, and through orders directly through my website (if someone emails me asking for a specific ornament not currently available in the etsy shop). I generally don’t get huge orders of the same ornament all at once…if someone does happen to make a large order, they most often want a variety, in which case I usually am able to fill. Otherwise, if one particular ornament is really popular, I just do my best to keep re-stocking it in my shop as fast as I can. :)
Hi Staci Ann,
I just have to tell you how truly beautiful your ornaments are! I love them all! I recently started selling my fabric crafts on Etsy too and love it. I make ornaments too…but nothing as fabulous as yours! You are so talented and I am so glad I found your site. Keep up the good work.
Robin
Thank you so much, Robin! Good luck with your new etsy shop! :)
Hi!
Your ornaments are gorgeous! What type/size of cord do you use and where can I get some?
Thanks, Larissa :) Are you talking about the cord I used in this ornament?: braided trim ornament. If so, that was a 1/8″ trim, and I found it at Michael’s. I’ve also seen similar trims available by the yard at JoAnn’s though. Hope this helps!
Staci…just purchased magazine Quilting for Christmas and saw your work for the first time. Love every bit of it…what beautiful creative work…you are very talented..can’t wait to try some..I’m a quilter and fabric and ribbon horder..now more reasons to be..keep up the good work and look forward to seeing your new ideas.
Thank you so very much, Pat!
Hi Staci
Will u have kits for the quilted fabric tree, it is so darn cute? I love ur ornaments which have purchased some. Like u have been making ornaments for a long long time probably when u were a baby. But always look for new ideas.
Thank you for ur site.
Hi Diana,
Thanks so much! I just replied to your email on etsy about the fabric tree kits. :)
hi there
you are a very crafty girl–I think they are the prettiest I have looked at -so far— i am 71 and just made my first 6 balls this week end– I love it — with all the crafts i do i can’t believe i had never seen these before…. I would love to be on your list of watchers when you are showing how to do these. Your welcome to visit my web page and check out my friends and family cook book- many recipes are from gals that have bought farm animals from me. if you email me- i will send you pictures of my first try at these balls and you can tell me what you think. Katie Roling
Hi,
Bought one of your ornament kits and made my ornament. I am hooked now and would like to make some of my own now and was wondering if you sell the straight pins or could you tell me were I can buy them would appreciate it.
Linda
Hi Linda,
Someone commented on another of my posts and told me about these: http://www.enasco.com/product/W02822. It’s the absolute cheapest I’ve seen so far. I haven’t bought them myself yet, but am planning to once I need to replenish my supply.
Usually I have bought them at WalMart (they are around $2.40 for 450 count).
I hope this helps, and I am glad to hear that you enjoyed making the ornament!
I have a question about the styrofoam ball you use in the quilted ornament. Do you only recommend the textured type or can the smooth ones be used as well?
Hi Susie, I left you an answer about this on the other post you asked in…did you see it? In case not, here is an article that I wrote last year where I explained why I prefer the textured foam balls for quilted ornaments: http://theornamentgirl.com/blog/being-crafty/regular-styrofoam-or-smooth-foam/
Hi Staci Ann…I am having a great deal of difficulty printing a copy of the tutorials I received with my ornament order in November. The problem lies with my printer, certainly not the tutorials themselves. Is it possible to purchase a hardcopy of each tutorial directly from you? Thanks so much!
Hi Nikki… I actually don’t have printed copies of the tutorial, but I could figure out exactly what my cost would be to print you out one. The only problem is that I don’t have the best printer and I’m not sure the quality would be that great… Did you happen to check with Staples or somewhere like that to find out if they could do it?
Sounds like we’re in the same boat with our printers! I’ll check with my local Staples to see if they can help. Thanks, Staci Ann.