Diva-In-Training Designs Presents a New Line: The Simple Series Scarf

I'm a simple girl (in my head, at least).  Sometimes, I don't want my attire to speak for me - I just want something modest that doesn't introduce itself to you before my mouth gets the chance.  So, with that being said, I've created a new line called "The Simple Series" dedicated to those who admire simple style.  Each item is made from 100% soft acrylic yarn which can be laundered with the rest of your clothes.  No frill or fuss, just handmade necessities that serve their purpose while keeping you stylishly warm.

Here's some samples for you - click on each item to take you directly to my store:

The Simple Canary Scarf

The Simple Black Scarf

The Simple Orchid Scarf

The Simple Gold Scarf

Head over to Diva-In-Training Designs and check out the collection of Simple Series designs in my store. Thanks again for stopping by!

-Shauna

Clearance Sale

Hey folks!

From now until the end of summer, save 50% off all items in the clearance section - just use coupon code SUMMERSAVINGS at checkout!  Go to www.divaintraining.etsy.com today and check out what's there - here are some items that are still available:

The Special Olympics Neckwarmer

Special Olympics Neckwarmer

The Shades of Blue Infinity Scarf

Shades of Blue Infinity Scarf

Burgundy & Beige Cowl

....and so much more!  Stop by today and see what's available!

Singing Sundays - Happy birthday Richard!

It comes as no surprise that my first post for Singing Sundays goes to my friend Richard Turner.   

Richard and I have an interesting "how did you two meet" story.  We lived in the same apartment complex while studying at Temple University but didn't know it for months.  I used to pass him on campus almost every day (personally, I thought he was the most handsome guy at Temple & was looking for an opportunity to get to know him).  One evening, as fate would have it, I realized that we lived in the same building: we struck up a conversation, exchanged contact information, and became friends.

For most of the time that I studied at Temple University, I worked for the office of Development and Alumni Affairs for Temple University's College of Education (I studied classical voice & opera).  About 3-4 times a year, my office hosted an event called Fireside Chats where Dr. Bill Cosby would discuss various facets of urban education to College of Education students.  In time, I learned that Richard was a teacher at a neighborhood school: he had a passion for urban education, so I invited him to attend one of the events as my guest. 

Richard with Bill Cosby

The event was more like a round-table discussion on Urban Education with Dr. Cosby as the mediator.  For about 2 hours, we sat and listed to these surburbanites discuss their methods of reaching children in the classroom - seriously, we both wanted to poke our eyes out with a rusty fork.  I could sense Richard's restlessness, so when the moment came, Richard stood up and proceeded to give a REAL account of what teaching in an urban setting is like.

The moment Bill Cosby fell in love with Richard!

Me in the background - I was so proud of him!

Richard was a hit!  Everyone with some sort of title in the College of Education was interested in getting to know him!  My boss received numerous requests from schools, departments, organizations, etc. about Richard Turner, but he turned down almost all of the opportunities because of his educational responsibilities.  One evening, my boss informed me that Dr. Cosby had invited myself and Richard to a business dinner where we met Dr. Arlene C. Ackerman, superintendent of The School District of Philadelphia, her assistant, my boss and her Assistant Director Tiffany Tavarez, and others.  

We left from dinner and had a drink on South St. All in all, we had a great time, not only with each other, but with notable educators in Philadelphia.

So, in the spirit of great memories, I'm dedicating my first "Singing Sundays" blog to my old friend Richard Turner.  As the saying goes, there are people that come into your life for a reason, season, or a lifetime....you, my friend, are a dear that holds an incredibly special and a lifetime place in my heart.  Happy birthday to you and as always, I wish for you success, love, light, and happiness!

Here's something special just for you :-)

Music Mondays - My Band, Soul F/X

Wanted: A 60's wig and a tambourine.

So today, I just finished my rehearsal with my band.  I don't know if I told you, but I recently joined a band with my two friends Kenny Pitt and Zahmu Sankofa.  We're a soul/ funk/ pop cover band with A# Productions out of Huntington Valley.  Today, we decided to have a small rehearsal because we just got word that we have a gig (my first one) on August 27th, which means mama has some work to do.

For the upcoming gig, we're covering songs by Martha & the Vandellas, Alicia Keys, Sylvester, Beyonce', The Four Tops, and other great (soul) artists.  I'm so excited to perform with the guys - we have so much fun at our rehearsals!

Here are a couple of the songs that we're performing:

Above: CeCe Peniston "Finally"

Above: Smokey Robinson & the Miracles "Tracks of My Tears"

Above: The Emotions "Best of My Love"

What do you think?

You like earrings?

Here's a couple of earrings that I've been working on:

Above: Strawberries and Cream Earrings

Above: Purple Coral Seashell Earrings

Above: Key Lime Pie Earrings

What do you think?

My little blog! I haven't forgotten about you!!

So much has happened in the land of Diva-In-Training Designs!  I have 2 new business partners that have taught me SO much about owning a business (thanks Jim and Sandy!)  It feels so good having support from people that believe in my dream to design!

Over the past 2 months, I have designed a line of Urban Furry Leg Covers in an assortment of colors. Most recently, I’m designing jewelry such as earrings and possibly swimsuits in the near future. 

So stay tuned to all my latest designs from Diva-In-Training Designs! 

Handmade Scarf in Rustic Red and Cream

My latest item for sale: Handmade Men's Scarf in Rustic Red & Cream

New item listed today

New item listed today.  Here are the pictures:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/65540419/autumn-leaves-beret-with-large-bow

The Phoenix Rising

Maybe I should be a bit more honest and forthcoming with my friends, family, and friends that I haven't met yet....

In the summer of 2010 I received a scholarship to participate in the Germantown Institute for Vocal Arts program.  The program was a 2-week summer intensive workshop resulting in a final recital.  I was introduced to the operas of Verdi, the cantatas of J.S. Bach, and the songs of Gabriel Faure.  I appreciated the opportunity to participate in such an organized program: my desire to learn classical music was rejuvenated as the instructors tuned, developed, and worked with the instrument that God gave me rather than turning it into something that THEY wanted to hear. 

Despite all that I received, I should have passed on the grand gesture. 

Regardless of how wonderful and affordable it was, choosing this option resulting in my academic failure.  Turns out that I needed 3 credits to continue to receive my financial aid for the following academic school year - the summer workshop occurred at the same time as the 2nd session of summer school began and none of my professors were willing to allow me to miss 2 weeks of class.

Long story short, I had to take this semester off. Bummer, considering that I'm just 3 semesters away from graduating and the only courses that I have left have to be taken in succession (if I miss this spring 2011, I won't be able to take any other classes until 2012).  I owe lots of money for summer semester that I now have to pay out of pocket before I can continue my education at Temple University.

I don't think I took the news well.  I probably buried my real feelings about the disappointing news somewhere that only God can see, because at the same time I opened Diva-In-Training Designs.  The goal was to sell my crocheted items and get myself out of debt, but I'm finding that it's become much more than just that.  I'm learning how much I enjoy creating and networking, meeting others and developing an earning using the skills that God has given me thus far.

That's where you come in.

The support you give, the purchases you make, the times you share with my business with others, the investments you make into me, are actually helping not only my business but also my career and my future.  I never planned to be in this predicament, but hopefully I can dig myself out without having to result to anything immoral or just flat-out giving up. 

www.divaintrainingdesigns.etsy.com
www.facebook.com/divaintrainingdesigns
www.twitter.com/_divaintraining

Motivation: The Perfect Dress

My dress for my senior recital!  This dress makes me want to learn every aria that Handel, Rachmaninoff, Puccini, and Verdi ever wrote for soprano!  It costs a pretty penny, too; I'm going to have to sell a lot of items to pay for this beauty!

Etsy.com Treasury!

My item was featured in another member's collection on Etsy.com again!!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d1e8c1054a26d916ca1334f/a-treasury-for-all-time?index=3

Why I am who I am....

Let me explain a bit of who I am....

My name is Shauna L. Howard.  I am a student at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA where I study classical voice and opera.  During the holidays and any large breaks of time away from school, you can usually find me in NC with my family with some yarn crocheting something.

I'm learning that I'm stylish even when I try not to be.  I enjoy being a minimalist in most every facet of the description.  At my age, I'm learning how to live a life of quality over quantity.  I don't like to work.  I know what financial hardship looks like and I'm more afraid of being unhappy.  As long as I have access to food, shelter, entertainment, and an occasional phone call/ visit with my friends & family, I'm a happy gal.  For that reason, I opened a business selling my crocheted goods.  I wanted to provide resources for myself doing something that I enjoyed rather than making lots of money.  I may make a lot or I may make very little, but I am an attractive woman with an even more attractive personality that doesn't need much to be happy.

With that being said, I called my business Diva-In-Training Designs because, well, I'm studying to be a "diva".  One fuels and funds the other, so that's why I call it such.  Welcome to my life, my Bohemian, minimalist, music-loving, salsa dancing, crocheting, laughing because it's my hobby, happy, genuine life.  :-)

Yoga socks

I've been asked to create lots of things for friends, family, new customers, and the like, but lately I've been trying out some patterns for yoga socks.  Somehow in my obese, overly-indulgent Philly-girl life, I've managed to meet lots of people who are into fitness that have requested items for yoga, exercise, etc.(go figure!)  Therefore, I'm working on a pattern to create yoga socks first.  Maybe I'll make some yoga mats, yoga bags, etc. in the future, but once I get this design down pat, I'll be very happy (and hopefully very wealthy)!

Here's a picture of what I want to create:

The first of many items for men!

One of my goals for 2011 is to create more items for men.  After taking stock of my life, I realized that I know way too many guys to not have a men's line in Diva-In-Training Designs.  I have to rectify this immediately - fast, I tell you! 

So to begin, I've designed a simple wool-blend cap.  My daddy was probably the best model ever - I snapped these photos while he went out to get the mail two days ago!  I originally made this for one of my salsa friends, but I needed someone to try it on to make sure I was making it just right.  My daddy kept eyeing it so much that I eventually gave it to him - he wears it every time he takes the dog outside!!

"Outsourced" and new customers :-)

On Election Day, my friend Michele and I met a woman that was so impressed at my scarves and neckwarmers that she wanted to donate some buttons to me in exchange for two items for herself and her daughter.  I made them and shipped them out just before Thanksgiving.  On Wednesday night, the daughter called thanking me for her item and asked me to make her a matching hat, to which I created, delivered, and collected payment on Thursday afternoon.  Keshia, the daughter, enjoyed her hat so much that she passed my cards around to her friends and co-workers - within a couple of hours, she called me again placing an order for a custom-made black, white, and hot pink neckwarmer and matching hat/ tam!


I'm very excited about the growth of my business, but I'm especially happy when customer trust my customer service. I've made the hat now, so I'm off to have some lunch and design the neckwarmer.....I'll be watching a movie called "Outsourced" on Netflix!

Free Yarn!

This week I responded to a post on Freecycle.org.  A woman was downsizing her home and wanted to get rid of some skeins of yarn.  I met her at 27th and Poplar today around 1pm.  She gave me yarn made from Lion Brand, Patons, and Bernat (some of the good stuff!).

If you haven't heard of Freecycle.org, check it out!

Featured in a Treasury on Etsy!!!

My item was featured in a fellow Etsian's teasury!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d02c64516bc8eeff46b9211/wishing-you-a-red-christmas

Sunday morning thoughts and ramblings....

I've been thinking a lot about how to market my business.  I'm learning that there's a community of people that appreciate handmade items, yet they're not online as much as my peers.  I'm thinking that I should create a brochure that I can use to introduce my business.  So, as I was preparing for service this morning, I printed out a template of brochure that I found in Microsoft Word.  I made notes during the sermon today (sorry God) on how I can configure the layout. 

There's so many things that my business needs but it simply can't afford.  I always thought I was turning a profit when it was just me, some yarn, and a friend that wanted an item, but now I have expenses that I wasn't planning for.  I wish I could afford to hire someone to create these items for me, but there's something rewarding (albeit time-consuming) about doing it myself. 

Another example -

I got some free business cards from Vistaprint back in September.  A couple of days ago, I got an e-mail saying that I was eligible for more free cards (as a special offer).  I sent about 4 hours (off and on) designing the perfect card, only to realize that it wasn't free!  I decided to reorder the original cards that I bought in September, but I'm saving my pennies for the new cards!
 
 At this point, what I'd like to have are about 8 milk crates to store my novelty and multi-color yarn.  I've learned this year that I'm a visual learner; therefore, I'm more inclined to be more productive if my yarn and supplies are organized and visible.

Off to take a nap now....sending you and yours love and light :-)

Welcome to my blog!

Hi everyone!  Welcome to my blog!!!  I created this blog to share my thoughts as I create all of my items hopefully, this blog will be filled with humor, inspiration, and lots of goodies!! 


Enjoy!