Some Tough Choices, and A Decision

Five years ago, an idea was born and a little business began. Over the years, time and money had to be allotted elsewhere, but the dream continued to grow and evolve and in 2008, an Etsy shop was opened. Some sales were made and there was the hint of success in the future. A son was born, a break taken, a rebranding and a re-launch. Hopes were high and so was motivation. But there was less time, less money, and while feedback was positive, sales were....mediocre. A new direction opened up - custom invitations. More work, but perhaps more money and the chance to work from home. Numbers were crunched, options were weighed and in the end instincts were trusted. Five years has brought many important lessons, so much fun, and amazing experiences. And although feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, feedback ain't paying the bills.

It is with mixed feelings that I've decided to close my Etsy shop. I can honestly say I've given it everything I am willing to give it right now. But sales are not great and in the end, this is about business, no? I cannot justify time spent away from my son, my friends, my husband, myself anymore. Too much required for too little in return. Running a business is hard work, and if you're going to do it you have to be ready to invest yourself fully and to sacrifice a lot. Now is not the time in my life to sacrifice - I have a chubby-cheeked 8 month old who needs me too much and hopefully more chubby cheeks in the near future. I was starting to lose myself. Free time was a thing of the past, so much time spent marketing, designing, blogging, printing. All fun, but not enough.

Am I sad? Absolutely. Is there a small nagging feeling that I've failed? Totally. Am I at peace with this and sure its what right for me and my family? Definitely. Its been a great ride, but its time to get off. Its time for me to draw and paint and create art for fun again and spend time doing other things that make me happy.

Thanks to everyone who supported me and my shop. I hope you're not disappointed in me - I did my best.

A New Direction?

You know how sometimes you try and steer your life in a certain direction? But the Universe or Life or whatever keeps trying to tug you away in a different one? So you have a choice - continue to press on, despite meeting resistance and that stubborn Universe tugging at your pantleg. OR you can go along for the ride and see where you end up. I think that's what is happening over here. Not a different direction, entirely, but perhaps a narrower focus? Don't mind me and my cryptic musings, I'm just pondering my business and where its going.

I tend to focus entirely on the creative component of my business - I always say I'd be making art and cards even if no one paid me. But ultimately the goal of any business is success and profit, no? And if I'm going to continue, if I'm going to create a business that allows me to stay home with my son, I need to go in the direction of success. And I think its my customers that will tell me which direction that is. I think they're already telling me. So, I'm going to listen.

In the coming weeks, I'll be adding some new visions and ideas into the shop and I'll share them all with you. I'm scared but excited, as I've given myself 6 months to make the shop profitable and successful, so I'm diving in head first. Its make or break time, folks. The pressure is on.e

They like me! They really like me!

Ummmm...can I just say, Booyah!!! That right there my friends, just above this paragraph is MY card from MY shop on THE FRONT PAGE of Etsy! I got home Thursday evening to find that Facebook had put as my status that my shop was on the front page. Although delighted, I was utterly confused until I checked my account and found two message from fellow Etsy sellers telling me that my shop was picked! Thanks Tippy Toes Knits and Buy Some Love! Check out their shops, these girls are uber talented and deserve your business. Special thanks to Tippy Toes for the screenshot.

Those readers that aren't super familiar with Etsy may not realize what a big deal this is. Basically, somebody saw my card and picked it to highlight on the front page, which is seen by EVERYBODY that logs onto Etsy. Its a huge honor to have your item picked from all the wonderful treasures on that site. The views of that card skyrocketed after Thursday and I hope that increased sales will follow.

So somebody certainly did a good deed for me and made my day. Thanks dude:)

Your Mom wants a card.

To go with your insightful and considerate gift, you'll need a Mother's Day card. Might I suggest?

You'll find this card in the shop now!

First Etsy Sale

Woot! Woot! (really obnxious I know, sorry)

My new shop's first sale! A momentous occasion and a huge relief. I admit, I had worry in the back of my mind ("what if no one buys anything from me? Ever!?"). But that is now relieved and I feel even more excited and positive about the shop. So thank you, purchaser of my Flower Thank You Card, you have made my day friend.

Its sunny here and the air is crisp and cool. I think a walk with the Chubblers and the doggies are in order. Hope you have a lovely day.

New In Shop

Check 'em out! The first listings in the Etsy shop!

End of the Week Reflections

Grateful. That would describe how I feel today. Its been a busy week and a tough one, filled with cutting teeth, coughing babies, tired Mommas and Etsy shop openings. But, as I sit here in my comfy house with my steaming cup of coffee, my little babe asleep is his crib, and listening to the pitter pat of my dog's feet as they run around the house, I can't help but be happy. The shop is open and I'm ecstatic - I'm really hoping that things take off and that my preparation pays off. But if it takes awhile, that's cool too. I'm just happy to be back! Other things I'm grateful for? We're about to buy our dream house, where we'll raise our kids and make our memories and we're so lucky to be able to do that. We have our health and our little guy is on the mend. As my neighbor battles cancer in the house beside me, I try to cherish my good health and remember that I'm lucky to have it. I have lots of great new friends that I've made since becoming a Momma and its opened up a whole new social world for me. And its almost spring! The days are getting longer and warmer and we've been spending more time outside - makes me feel like a new woman!

Highlights of this week:

Starting and finishing Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. You know how some books just speak to you? This one shouted at me. Loved it.

Clearly opening the Etsy shop is a highlight!

Lowlights:

The Chubblers getting bronchiolitis and sounding like an old man with emphysema and then cutting his second tooth at the end of the week. Poor kid. Pooor Momma.

The end of the Olympics. I feel like my best friend just moved away, KWIM?

Hope you've got some fun plans for the weekend. For us, its off to our last baby swimming lesson tomorrow and brunch on Sunday with some old friends and their dog, then off for a romp in the dog park! Goal for the weekend: take lots of pictures and journal! I want to remember these days. Happy weekend y'all:)

The Etsy shop is OPEN!

That's right, we're finally open! After we lost our internet literally the day before the shop was supposed to open, its finally back up and running and we're off! To kick things off I'm having a grand opening sale - 10% off your order, to be refunded via PayPal. Don't stampede each other running to the shop please! The first 3 items are listed, more to be added each day so keep checking back! I'm so excited!

Sneak Preview

My silence is a good sign. I'm working hard on getting my new designs edited and printed. And by working hard I mean peeling my eyeballs away from the Olympics long enough to work on about five cards a day. At this pace, the Olympics and I will be done at the same time. I hope you're enjoying watching our athletes kick butt as much as I am - what a great swell of pride I feel watching them achieve their dreams.

But back to me... here are some sneak preview pictures of what you can expect to see in the Etsy shop when it opens. March 1st, my friends, March 1st. My little Chubblers 6 month birthday. A fitting occasion, dontcha think? Enjoy!

Those ants are still in my pants..

And the waiting continues.....

Our old computer kicked the can, so we bought a new one. New one came, Photoshop installed, all set to print cards. New computer kicks the can. ARRRGHH! So we're waiting for either a replacement or for the new computer to be fixed. My poor old laptop just cannot handle Photoshop so I wait, dreams and designs dancing in my head, tons of designs ready to be printed, photographed and listed in my shop. And yet, I can't do any of it. Sigh.

Waiting is pure agony.

I have ants in my pants. As eager as I am to get going on inventory for my Etsy shop, its all on hold while our main computer gets fixed and has Photoshop re-installed. Agony! Patience, its never been one of my virtues! This weekend should see the computer issue solved, hopefully next week will see designs revamped and samples printed and photographed. Feb 1st is my deadline for the Grand Opening!