Some people need a support system before taking the next step and actually seeing a doctor for depression. Before you choose to see the doctor you may want to consider if you want to involve someone else to come with you or be supporting you and rooting for you to get well.  If you are a religious person, you may want to talk to your pastor or clergyman to gain the strength to get help. If you have a close family member or friend who has dealt with depression, you might get support by asking him to attend the appointment with you. You may be comforted by the presence of someone who has experienced something similar to what you are going through. Before you make an appointment, consider how you might bring up the subject of your depression and how you will feel. If the thought scares you, and you don't have someone to go with you for support, you might think about choosing a different doctor to talk to about your depression. Understand that your primary care doctor isn't the only choice.  Some people may have more regular visits or feel more comfortable with other doctors, such as a gynecologist/obstetrician or a cardiologist. You can always talk to this physician about your symptoms and then she can refer you to a mental health specialist. In an emergency situation, an ER doctor or hospital mental health professional can provide support and give you information on where to seek help when you leave the hospital. Other professionals or places where you may be able to find help include clinical social workers, a counselor at a community mental health center, University- or medical school-affiliated programs, state hospital outpatient clinics, family service/social agencies, private clinics and facilities, employee assistance programs, or local medical and/or psychiatric societies. After you choose which doctor you want to talk with about your depression, think about your goals for the visit. What would you most like to accomplish from seeing your doctor?  Be sure that your expectations are reasonable. Choose one or two small, realistic goals for the visit. For example, going with the goal to get a diagnosis and stop the symptoms is huge and unlikely to be reached in a week. However, going with the objective to let your doctor know about your symptoms and learn more about depression is realistic and likely to be met.

Summary: Figure out if you want to involve someone else first. Think about the rapport you have with your doctors. Manage your expectations.


Cut a length of ribbon at least 4 times the width of the pillow. Center the pillow over the ribbon. Wrap the ribbon ends around the sides of the pillow. Tie the ribbon into a knot in the front of the pillow. Add the rings, then tie the ribbon into a bow. Choose a charm that is meaningful, such as a horseshoe for good luck, or a heart for love. Sew it to the pillow under the bow, or slide it onto the ribbon before tying it into a bow. Purchase miniature ribbon roses or rosettes. If they are attached to wire stems, trim the stems down to just beneath the bud. Hot glue the rosettes to your pillow as desired. Adding them around the bow would be ideal. Sew a few stitches through the center of the pillow. Thread a needle and push it through the front of the pillow and out the back. Move the needle over 1⁄8 to 1⁄4 inch (0.32 to 0.64 cm), then push it from the back and out the front. Do this one more time to create an X. Knot and cut the thread. Cover the X in the front of the pillow with a ribbon bow. Hot glue thin cording to the seams of your pillow. Make some tassels using matching embroidery thread. Sew them to the corners of the pillow.   Silver and gold colors make for great accents, but other colors can also be used. If you prefer not to use hot glue, try fabric glue. You can also sew the cord using a whipstitch.

Summary: Tie a ribbon around a pillow. Add a symbolic charm to the bow. Embellish a pillow with ribbon rosettes. Create a tufted look. Add a corded trim and tassels for a lavish touch.


Once someone buys your artwork, you will need to package it and ship it so it gets to them safely. Package your artwork so it does not bend, chip, or break in the mail. Place prints and unframed artwork between cardboard or foam core. Use “Fragile” or “Do not bend” stickers and stamps.  You can also use packing materials like peanuts and bubble wrap, as well as sturdy boxes, to ship items. You may add in the cost of packing materials to your shipping charges. Give your customers the personal touch by responding to their messages and emails in a polite, friendly manner. Answer their questions promptly and clearly. Maintain a positive attitude when customers have questions or concerns. Being friendly and personal can make your customers want to buy from you and encourage them to leave positive reviews.  For example, you may start every message or email with, “Hello!” or “Hi there!” You can also include the buyer’s name, if they included it in their message. You can also include a positive note like, “Thanks for your interest in this artwork” or “I appreciate your interest in this item.” Some buyers will leave reviews without being prompted by you, as they are asked through Etsy to leave a review of their purchase. You can also send out messages to previous buyers asking them to leave a review for the item, as you would appreciate their feedback.  Don’t take it personally if you get a negative review or a review that is not five stars. Be open to feedback and try to do better next time. You may decide to respond to a negative review to show your customers you care. Try to be diplomatic and friendly in your response. Keep your shop current by stocking artwork that corresponds to the seasons. Maybe you include holiday themed artwork in the months leading up to Christmas. Or perhaps you stock Halloween related artwork in September and October. This can encourage buyers to purchase from you. Keep in mind that if a listing does not sell within 4 months on Etsy, you will need to pay a small fee to keep it in your shop. Staggering your listings can help you to avoid stocking items that may not sell or be of interest to customers. Stay active on your Etsy shop and put new stock up regularly. If you notice certain artwork is selling more, put more of it up in the shop. Move any items that are not selling off your shop or mark it on sale so you can sell them quickly. It may take some time for your Etsy shop to be profitable and find a customer base. Be patient and stay active on your shop so you can cultivate a strong presence on the site. Over time, you should be able to find a market for your artwork on Etsy.
Summary: Ship items with care. Provide personalized customer service. Encourage buyers to leave reviews. Stagger your artwork based on seasons and holidays. Keep your shop active and up-to-date.