Business Changes are "OFFICIAL"

I'm not sure if "officially" is the word, but for some reason I feel like using it because a big weight has been lifted off of me. I have OFFICIALLY closed my handmade business FOR A WHILE. For a little over a year I have made quite a few blankets, nursery sets, onesies, and other miscellaneous items and although I have gained a lot of experience designing and working with various customers, it has been a very time consuming "project". Here's the thing... I LOVE designing, but I HATE sewing. I can't afford to hire people to produce my designs so I am the one making the items which takes me away from what I am really good at - designing. It was just too much to juggle.

For the past few months I have been designing for my "print-on-demand" invitation, announcement, greeting card and gift business on Zazzle.com. This allows me to focus on designing exclusively without being hassled with producing my items. Zazzle produces all the items that I sell, handles the business end of things such as payments from customers, having a functional store and much more! I love Zazzle. For me they are a godsend. It is exactly what I needed to run a successful business right out of my home so I can stay home with my boys while making money.

I have BIG plans in the next year while utilizing Zazzle. I have two successful stores up right now and I am working three more as we speak. Stay tuned for more on that.

Back to handmade items. I know there will be a small following of people that will miss my creations however I am not eliminating that business 100%. I am going to still make handmade items, but my items will be ONE-OF-A-KIND designs. I will create items pretty much when I feel inspired and have the time. Unfortunately, I will not be accepting anymore custom orders or duplicate requests. Some folks may get lucky as I may create an item again but may have a slight modification. I am hoping this will ease my stress of deadlines and mistakes (which often happen when I'm rushing). I do my best work when I am relaxed and actually enjoying creating something rather than HAVING TO DO IT.

I am quite excited as the new year approaches and once the holidays are over - it's full speed ahead with designing. Hmmm... Valentines is next. Look for some new designs on www.zazzle.com/keanusmom AND www.zazzle.com/hapagirldesigns.

My Newest Owl Design on Baby Shower Invitation

Visit My Etsy Site for more info!

FREE Standard Card Design Offer

For a limited time only, I am offering a FREE Standard Card Baby Design after the purchase of 1 Standard Card Baby Design or Custom Baby Designed Card. Some restrictions apply.**

After the purchase of the Standard Card Design I will mail you a voucher to be used at anytime up to a year from the date of purchase. For example, if you are the hostess of a baby shower and purchase the Standard Card Design I will mail you a voucher for a FREE Standard Card Design which you can use at a later time or you can give it to the Honoree of the baby shower for her to use to purchase a birth announcement. This voucher will have a special number so if you give it away as a gift, I will be able to cross reference where it originated.


Visit Hapa Girl Designs to browse all my card designs in the Baby category.






**This offer does not include designs in Wedding, Holiday, Birthday, or any Custom Design categories. The FREE card must be a Standard Card Design in the Baby category only and cannot be combined with any other offer. Voucher is valid for up to a year of purchase.

Behind the Design: Baby Honu (Sea Turtles)

I will always have a special place in my heart for honu (sea turtles). It all started when I was a little kid growing up in Hawaii. Going to Sea Life Park I would see those big honu in their pool gracefully swimming bobbing their heads up and down. Sometimes I would see them grazing the sea shore. They are just so magnificent to watch. I had many books about honu in my childhood collection. So, learning about them was always a fascinating thing for me. There was never a time while growing up that when I would spot a honu that I would just pass them by.

When my son Keanu was born I filled his room with all sorts of animals. Although the Giant Panda was his main nursery room theme, I also could not resist buying various honu plush animals and figurines. One turtle in particular stood out for him and it became his "tur-tur" for quite some time. Coincidentally, it was a turtle that looked like a real honu. He carried that honu around everywhere. He even had to take it to daycare on occasion. He has it to this very day although he doesn't carry it around as much he will occasionally see it and get sentimental about "tur-tur".

So, one day I wanted to design something universal - a design that appealed to all ages, all genders and add to the awareness of their endangerment. I saw my son's "tur-tur" laying on the living room floor and it came to me! I picked it up and put it next to my computer and I started designing. Never did I imagine that this design would be as popular as it is. I first started with blankets and they sold almost instantly to the store I was selling to in Austin. Then, they sold almost instantly on my Etsy Site. It has been my top seller and my most requested design for custom work to this very day. I guess there is something about honu that appeal to so many people. It brings me joy to have people across the country and around the world enjoy my honu design and share my love for them.

Boy, Girl, Unknown? I Design a Wide Range of Baby Shower Invitations

When I was pregnant with both my son's I knew from the beginning of both pregnancies that I wanted to know if they were going to be a boy or girl. From the moment I found out I started planning the nurseries, buying clothes and thinking of names. BUT, there are those that don't want to know. Let's just face it, some people like the element of surprise. I can totally respect that and whatever works for you that should be the way it should be. Therefore, I like to design and offer a wide range of baby shower invitations for those that know and for those that don't know. My standard designs are simple and the color schemes vary from blues, pinks, greens, purple, yellow or whatever color scheme YOU want. Yes, I can modify any of my standard designs to fit YOUR color scheme.

All of my card design listings are for a digital file which you will receive from me to take and have printed at any photo finisher such as Costco.com, Snapfish.com, or Walmart. However, if you want me to print for that can certainly be done and I can quote pricing. Anything is possible!

Visit Hapa Girl Designs to view more of my designs!

My First Custom Order

I am nearing completion for my very first custom order through my Hapa Girl Designs business on Etsy. Lori Porten, owner of Love Hazel a modern custom children's clothing designer, asked me to design "the works" for her. I created a custom graphics package for her that would help her get started selling on Etsy. This package included a logo design, business card, Etsy store banner, avatar, postcard, label, etc. Lori has been wonderful to work with and I feel this is a start of a long lasting business relationship.





I am finding that graphic design is truly my niche. I have dabbled in all different kinds of medium throughout the years, but this is where I truly feel comfortable. It's almost therapeutic for me especially now that I am my own boss. There's something to be said for "loving what you do".

Please visit www.hapagirldesigns.etsy.com for information about my Graphics Packages and Graphic Design Services. You don't have to be an Etsy seller for me to work with you. I have worked with many different companies (small and large) throughout my 12 year graphic design career.