{Disclosure + Privacy Policy}

Gussy has a lot to say {and sew} is a place where you can visit to see a glimpse into my life. It’s a window that is always open and I invite you to take a look around. It fact, there are many of you “looking around” and it’s such a compliment. This blog features the people and things I love, and I’m honored that you keep coming back. So, thank you!

I started blogging the summer of 2008. Zack and I were newlyweds, married that June. Over time, Gussy has evolved into something spectacular — a place where I blog about my personal and professional life — and I hold it very close to my heart.

WHAT IS GUSSY ABOUT?

• sewing
• eye-candy
• crafts
• inspiration
• people I heart

Throughout this blog, you’ll hear snippets about my product line, Gussy, and me.

Zack, my husband, and I have seen many job-related storms since our wedding. However, most of the storms have passed and we are now seeing what God was doing: He was preparing me for Gussy.

{And this is when I jump up and down, squealing with excitement!!!}

Over time, my blog’s traffic began to grow. It became noticeable in September 2009, and every month since then it’s increased at least 150%. It’s so exciting for me – to think that I’m sharing my passion, encouraging others, and meeting so many great gals through the blogosphere… Amazing.

This blog’s growth has shown me that Gussy has a lot to say {and sew} is a place where crafters, home decorators and those who love to love come to unite. This blog is a place where you can learn and find inspiration. It’s become a community

Most of the time, sponsorships, features and giveaways put hot cash in my pocket. There are times when I swap an ad or feature/giveaway for a product of equal value, so I consider that a trade of goods.

Occasionally I’m mailed product to review and critique on my blog. If I ever blog about said items, I’m sure to share this information with you.

If you are interested in using my blog as a resource for your blog or shop, you have many options:

Sponsorship Ads: These ads have small-shop-appropriate prices and feature blogs and shops that appeal to YOU – the Gussy community. See, I’m always thinking about you. All sponsorships are blogs/shops I believe in and I pick them with confidence that this blog is a good market for them. This blog has values that won’t be compromised for the money.

Sponsored Feature and/or Giveaway Posts: From time-to-time you’ll find a reader-sponsored Feature or Giveaway post. Said posts are paid for by the blog/shop owner and are a secondary form of advertising for them. Why do I charge for them? Because they take time to write, in addition to being a dedicated post that showcases the advertiser. These posts offer product that I like, that I feel you {as a reader} will like, and that’s it. Like I mentioned above, I do not showcase product {blogs, shops, etc.} that I do not believe in or support.

Affiliates: I have affiliate ads on my blog, and currently I’m working with DaySpring. If you click on these and then purchase something from their shop, I receive a small percentage of your sale {usually 8%-14%}. This percentage is paid by the affiliate – the product(s) you are purchasing isn’t increased to compensate. This money comes from the affiliate’s advertising budget.

Occasionally I’ll post about said affiliate. If I do, I’ll include a small disclaimer at the end of that post.

Giveaway Day: I have done two Giveaway Days on Gussy has a lot to say {and sew}. The first was in November 2009 and all products were donated by the shop owner. I did not charge for the first Giveaway Day. The second Giveaway Day was in January 2010 and while all products were still donated, I charged a small fee to each participating shop. This fee covers my time writing about your darling shop. Giveaway Day is about promoting shops I love. It’s about providing the Gussy community with the opportunity to win something – and let’s be honest, who doesn’t love that?

Here are the comments left on my most recent Giveaway Day, held July 12-14, 2010:

My blog and Gussy shop have buttons linking to each other. If you are a sponsor on my blog, you have a high chance of someone seeing your shop because I receive a lot of traffic through that link. I talk a lot about Gussy products on my blog, and I talk a lot about other people and their blogs/shops that I love. These ramblings aren’t sponsored – they come from the heart, and I write about them because I want to.

As my sewing business grows, my products change. That is natural. This is also how you know I’m the designer behind Gussy. Nothing you see is a purposeful imitation of another product.

♥ Gussy products are the direct result of trial-and-error; of having a big enough passion to learn who, what, where, when and {most importantly} why behind sewing.

You are always welcome to write me: whitley.maggie {at} gmail {dot} com

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Privacy Policy:

Anonymous visitor information is recorded and used by Gussy for the purpose of tracking blog growth and referral sites. This information is not shared or sold. I use Google Analytics and SiteMeter to learn which browser you use, to see how many hourly/daily/weekly/monthly visitors there are, and to know how you found my blog.