A Christmas Gift Idea to Give Yourself #SelfLove #Christmas

I’m a school librarian in my “day job,” but I’ll be retiring this summer. And once retired, I was hoping to make more classes like the two I’m currently offering through C&T Publishing’s Creative Spark online learning platform.

Last year, most of the money I did earn toward maintaining this website, was through my online courses.

But to be perfectly honest with you, the year 2024 hasn’t been a financial boon for ChellyWood.com. In fact, currently when I balanced my budget, I found that my expenses have been a wee bit higher than my income this year.

You guys (my regular readers) were the ones who left comments, suggesting that I start teaching online courses in doll clothing design methods, so a couple of years ago, I jumped on that bandwagon. C&T Publishing’s Creative Spark editors were happy to have me join the team.

This informational image shows a woman who is working at a craft table, altering doll clothes pants patterns. The text above her head says, "How to alter doll clothes patterns" followed by the words "online course" and the following bulleted bits of information about the Creative Spark online course the Chelly Wood will be teaching: bullet point 1: 40 plus videos; bullet point 2: work at your own pace; bullet point 3: one fee (no subscription); bullet point 4: learn how to enlarge or reduce your patterns. Next is a textbox encouraging you to "register now" and under this it says, "Go to Creative Spark dot CT pub dot com" and "search for Chelly Wood." — Link to Chelly’s courses: https://creativespark.ctpub.com/pages/chelly-wood-instructor-page

My first class was “How to Alter Doll Clothes Patterns.” It’s a very extensive course, with over 40 videos, showing how to make changes to doll clothes patterns you already own (or make changes to my free patterns), and I show you how to alter pants, shirts, dresses, and skirts.

My editor hoped it would be a big seller, but it has gotten mediocre sales over the past two years. When I talked to my editor, we decided that the general audience didn’t understand a key element of my class: how to re-size a pattern.

Yes, the REAL GEM of my class is my re-sizing formula. It helps you take a pattern that fits one doll:

And re-size that pattern to fit a different doll:

A vintage Velvet doll, made by Ideal, models handmade undergarments or a bikini. The colors of the garments are blue and teal and lavender stripe. The doll stands with her hands at her side. — Please visit ChellyWood.com for free printable PDF sewing patterns and tutorial videos for making doll clothes to fit dolls of many shapes and all different sizes.

Believe it or not, you don’t have to be good at math to work with my formula. Math is definitely not my strong suit, but I seem to make the “magic formula” work every time. Just look at how great Velvet‘s swimsuit/undies turned out!

So I’m a little concerned that my website isn’t earning enough money on the ads in 2024 to pay for all the pattern storage on my web hosting service, and my bills are coming due soon. So if you’re wondering what to tell your family to get you for Christmas this year, consider asking them to sign you up for one of my two classes on the Creative Spark Online Learning Platform.

If you’re interested in taking one of my classes, send your family members this link: https://creativespark.ctpub.com/pages/chelly-wood-instructor-page

And hopefully they will sign you up for one of my courses!

The image shows an 18 inch doll next to an 8 inch doll, to demonstrate that Chelly's "How to Design Doll Pants Patterns" course is for dolls of any shape or size. In one photo, both dolls wear a tee shirt with leggings. In the other image, both dolls wear a T-shirt under a pair of green polka dot overalls (green with tiny white polka dots). The text says, "How to Design Your Own Doll Pants Course Only nineteen dollars and ninety-nine cents! There are two bonuses mentioned on the advertisement as well: Chelly's re-sizing formula and a complementary pattern for 18 inch doll overalls. — Please visit ChellyWood.com for free printable PDF sewing patterns and tutorial videos for making doll clothes to fit dolls of many shapes and all different sizes.

The least expensive of the two courses currently on offer is “Design Your Own Doll Pants Patterns from Scratch.” It costs only $19.99, and you’ll learn how to make your own sewing patterns for a doll’s pants, jeans, leggings, and even overalls in that course.

I’m sorry for the “beg fest,” but I’m concerned about my budget, which I use primarily to keep this website running.

Another thing you can do to help is this: when you need more fabric, snaps, doll-sized zippers, or other doll sewing supplies, consider ordering from my online store instead of hopping over to your local fabric store. You don’t have to pay extra to buy your supplies online, but when you do use my links, I usually get a small commission. And every little bit helps.

The image shows a craft fair store with bags, bobs, bits, and T-shirts on display. The text says (at the top) "ChellyWood LLC" follwed by "sewing supplies," "handmade items," "and more." There's a sign hanging from a push pin that says "Open" as well. — Please visit ChellyWood.com for free printable PDF sewing patterns and tutorial videos for making doll clothes to fit dolls of many shapes and all different sizes.

And lastly, I have a donation page, which you’re welcome to use. When you donate money to ChellyWood.com, you can make a one-time donation or support the site with monthly or yearly donations, like a subscriber. I prefer to keep the site free for those who need it, but if you can afford to help out, please do.

Thank you for considering it.

And to everyone who has signed up for one of my classes, bought something through my online store, and/or used my donation button: