I've been watching from afar my oft referred to friends, the techno-savvy-guru-geeky-in the know-digitized very smart ones talking about Google +. I mean that with all the reverence my little heart can muster. If I call you a techno/savvy/guru/geek, please know that this is a term of Highest Designation and Affectionate Awe!
Apparently...it's WHO you know, folks!
So I go on Google + and am informed that I am not eligible but will be informed when it's open to the public. #rejection. So I consider Who I can Grovel To to ask for an invite just to be cool. Finally! Last night my wonderful new friend Mary sent me an invite! Wiping the sweat of rejection off my diminished ego, I shout "Yes!" to no one in particular and go on there. First off, "Mary" is nowhere to be found and my inbox is indeed full of people who quite awhile ago had already invited me into their inner sanctums.
Alas, I am still working my way through SEO on my Shop and am nowhere near being finished with that!
So I go on there and discover that it is quite like facebook, which took me awhile to master but now my friends think I'm quite the guru myself. Ha! It's all relative, folks!
So now we're dealing with "circles" and I can see how they might indeed be effective especially for privacy settings. But I am not especially happy about my old Picasa photo account with all my ancient blog posts with dirty kitchens being aired. So, we might have to hold off airing ourselves to all cyberspace and business networks until we can get tidied up just a tad.
Have you heard about Google Plus? Will you use it? If you aleady are, what do you think? Should you switch over and work less on Facebook? How is it helping you to grow your business or blogging?
I would love to hear!
In other news, I had a new wholesale account inquiry buy a bunch of fall and Christmas samples from me, so I am hoping and praying it all pans out. The lady has 3 stores that must be doing quite well, so that's good to hear! And my Etsy Sales have picked up and I am recovering from my dismal feelings of obscurity, rejection and disheartenment. It's just so hard to plan sometimes when you just. don't. know.
In other news, Don is trying to bust his blustery way into the Gulf with landfall tomorrow night. We've been praying about that one. No thank you, we will take the Rain Only but Hold the Hurricane Force Winds!
Next month will be very busy for me so it's time to get the kitchen all cleaned up and organized, and get our new fall schedule buttoned down!
We still want to get out of town for a few days and are looking for a deal of some kind for us as a family. We feel we need to get away for just a few days before school starts. If you know of any deals, please be sure to holler!
Well, just a quickie post friends! Wanted to get your take on the new Google Plus!
XO!
Showing posts with label social networking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label social networking. Show all posts
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Re-Printed with Permission from Mimi Kirchner
With this new community that I belong to on Etsy, I meet so many creative and wonderful people. I have learned so much from them! I came across this lady's blog post on tomato making containers tutorial, and I thought it was so fantastic! Talk about eco friendly! Even if you live on a garbage dump, you can have fantastic tomatoes!
So, let's get to it, shall we?
Thank you, Mimi Kirchner! If you want to find out about Mimi, just click on any picture in this blog post. It will take you right to her blog!
I want to grow tomatoes this year. I want to have a LOT of tomatoes instead of a few very precious and expensive ones from the farmers market. Unfortunately I live in an old house with toxic soil around it- not unusual in New England urban and suburban areas. The soil has years of lead paint scrapings, car fumes (more lead) and who knows what. It is not soil anyone would want to grow edibles in. The solution is raised beds or containers. I am going to try to write a tutorial about how I planted my tomatoes based on the excellent suggestions of Bella Dia.
I think I’ve mentioned before that I have a house full of stuff. That makes me reluctant to go out and buy more stuff- like containers to grow tomatoes in. Here is how I made my own, hopefully biodegradable, containers and got my tomatoes started.
material list-
an old cotton T-shirt, size X-Large
some garden fencing that was stuck up in the rafters of the garage, already starting on the biodegrading part- ie rusty.
compost from my compost pile
commercial potting soil
tomato plant
Step 1: Cut the label out of the shirt since it is probably not cotton and wouldn’t decompose.
Step 2: Make a circle shape out of the wire fencing. Mine is about 16 inches across.
Step 3: Place in the garden and push the wire prongs into the soil.
Step 4: Put the t-shirt into the circle, collar edge down. Stretch the bottom edge of the shirt around the top of the fencing. I didn’t worry about weeds underneath- whatever was there will be dead soon.
Now there is a “pot”!
Step 5: Fill it half way with compost or other clean filler dirt, like all last years window boxes that you are replanting. I used compost from my compost pile. Push and stretch out the sides of the t-shirt as you add dirt.
Step 6: Center the tomato plant on top of the compost. Loosen up the root ball.
Step 7: Use the commercial potting soil to fill in around the plant and up to an inch or so from the top. Yes, you are burying 6 inches of stem and leaves. Trust me, that is a good thing. Water thoroughly.
Step 8: Wait 2 months. Hopefully, tomatoes!
I’ve got 4 done. One more to go.
This entry was posted on Monday, May 26th, 2008 at 6:03 pm
So, let's get to it, shall we?
Thank you, Mimi Kirchner! If you want to find out about Mimi, just click on any picture in this blog post. It will take you right to her blog!
I want to grow tomatoes this year. I want to have a LOT of tomatoes instead of a few very precious and expensive ones from the farmers market. Unfortunately I live in an old house with toxic soil around it- not unusual in New England urban and suburban areas. The soil has years of lead paint scrapings, car fumes (more lead) and who knows what. It is not soil anyone would want to grow edibles in. The solution is raised beds or containers. I am going to try to write a tutorial about how I planted my tomatoes based on the excellent suggestions of Bella Dia.
I think I’ve mentioned before that I have a house full of stuff. That makes me reluctant to go out and buy more stuff- like containers to grow tomatoes in. Here is how I made my own, hopefully biodegradable, containers and got my tomatoes started.
material list-
an old cotton T-shirt, size X-Large
some garden fencing that was stuck up in the rafters of the garage, already starting on the biodegrading part- ie rusty.
compost from my compost pile
commercial potting soil
tomato plant
Step 1: Cut the label out of the shirt since it is probably not cotton and wouldn’t decompose.
Step 2: Make a circle shape out of the wire fencing. Mine is about 16 inches across.
Step 3: Place in the garden and push the wire prongs into the soil.
Step 4: Put the t-shirt into the circle, collar edge down. Stretch the bottom edge of the shirt around the top of the fencing. I didn’t worry about weeds underneath- whatever was there will be dead soon.
Now there is a “pot”!
Step 5: Fill it half way with compost or other clean filler dirt, like all last years window boxes that you are replanting. I used compost from my compost pile. Push and stretch out the sides of the t-shirt as you add dirt.
Step 6: Center the tomato plant on top of the compost. Loosen up the root ball.
Step 7: Use the commercial potting soil to fill in around the plant and up to an inch or so from the top. Yes, you are burying 6 inches of stem and leaves. Trust me, that is a good thing. Water thoroughly.
Step 8: Wait 2 months. Hopefully, tomatoes!
I’ve got 4 done. One more to go.
This entry was posted on Monday, May 26th, 2008 at 6:03 pm
Friday, April 2, 2010
Across the Pond and Over the Mountains....Meet Tracy Schaal!
Hi Ladies! We all know how hard each other works, and I am here to tell you: Let's take a wee break; it's time for our Friday Feature! Un-fasten your seat belts: we've reached a cruising altitude of 40,000 ft. Out your left window you can see the Alps......... and nestled down amongst the snow-capped grandeur you can see the city of Zurich. To a tune of Eidelweiss, we will land in about 10 minutes. Grab that cup of cha and enjoy the scenery for just a moment!
I was intrigued by Tracy and so I asked her a few extra questions. Knowing she is a fairly new team member, and one living "across the pond" as they say in Etsy, I wanted you to know just a little about her story. And so, to celebrate Euro Week just a tad post-date, I bring you Tracy Schaal.
Yes, I did ask her if anyone else has ever told her that she looks like the fabulous Catherine Zeta-Jones.......oh yes! This girl was born for glam it seems. Let's read on...
Kelly: Hello, Tracy, and thank you for joining me here today! Tell us, how young are you?
Tracy: I will be turning the big 4-0 this August. I’m SCARED!!
Kelly: What is the name of your business?
Tracy: I had no idea what to call it so I go by my name. TracySchaal and TracySchaal.etsy.com
Kelly: When did you begin?
Tracy: The Etsy shop was opened in June 2008 but I didn’t start putting anything in it until a year and a half later as I just gave birth and needed some time for things to calm down in the house.
Kelly: Do you have any background in business and/or design?
Tracy: I have a degree in Fashion and worked in the industry as a designer, merchandiser and illustrator on and off for about 10 years.
Kelly: What motivated you to start your shop, Tracy Schaal
Tracy: Although I absolutely LOVE being a mama, I really missed creating and a friend of mine told me about Etsy and after looking at the site I got so inspired, I had to do something!
Kelly: What inspires you to create?
Chanel Inspired Cocktail Bracelet
Tracy: I have been constantly making things my whole life, even as a child I was sketching clothing designs and trying to emulate my favorite fashion illustrators at the time. My current motivator though, has been reading about the atrocities happening to women and children in the world. I really felt the urge to do something and came to terms that the key to peace and poverty is by empowering women and girls, by educating and training them and giving them a future.
Kelly: Tracy, I love your heart for this! I just went onto the WomenforWomen Website, and that is so gratifying and wonderful to see this outreach into the 10/40 Window! I know you will be rewarded for your heart of compassion!
Kelly: What is your favorite product?
Tracy: This is a hard one, because I don’t make anything I wouldn’t wear myself. My top two, however are my Monaco Bangle and my Black Tigress bangle which have both sold out but I managed to make one for myself, he he!
The other faves I have are my Skinny Sista Bangles in both copper and gold
Kelly: What are the special Features?
All my items comes with complimentary giftwrap as featured in most of my pictures of each item.
I also try to make things easy with shipping, therefore ALL my items are shipped complimentary worldwide. Yes, you read right!
Kelly: OMG, Tracy, that packaging is class act! I have sought to have this extra special touch in my products too, and sometimes it is not easy to do! Your packaging and your products positively ROCK.
What are your business goals this year?
Tracy: This year, I really want to get the word out about the shop and making more items to fill it out a little more--oh, and yes, SALES!!
Kelly: How do you get traffic to your website?
Tracy: I lurk around the Etsy forums every once in a while and make the odd, posting. In February I joined the fabulous Busy Moms of Etsy team and that has made a big difference not only getting my name out but just the support alone is great—what a friendly and well organized group!
Kelly: How do you juggle work/life balance? For instance, you have a small child.
Tracy: I have a son, who will be 2 in April and who IS my day job! He is an only child but I tend to doubt myself as a mother everyday because it can be so exasperating! I don’t know how moms with more than one kid do it!! :o)
My husband gets a good laugh out of me because I am an incessant list maker. It also helps that my social life here in Switzerland is pretty bleak (being new here and all and not speaking the language!) so I have a lot of free time in the eves! :o)
Kelly: Can you share some of your frustrations?
Tracy: Not sure if frustrated is the word to describe it, perhaps just a little saddened that I’ve only got one measly (yet PRECIOUS!) sale. I kind of feel like the nerdy kid at the prom compared to so many other shiny sellers out there with billions of sales!
Kelly: Your products stands out in a world of ordinary, Tracy! I am sure sales will come when you reach your target market! What is the most valuable lesson you have learned?
Tracy: To restrain myself when it comes to sourcing craft supplies. I think I have a hoarding problem. There are far, far too many trimmings and not enough things to make them into—its just embarrassing, really! I suppose when the time comes when I pass away my husband can decorate my coffin with all my sequins, rhinestones, furry trims and countless over-the-top embellishments...
Kelly: I do believe you are not alone in that regard! I have stockpiles of cigar boxes, ribbon, sequins, mosaic tiles, sea glass too! What word of encouragement can you give a person who wants to also start their own business?
Tracy: Read everything you can about what business you are going into and talk to other designers who make what you want to make. Separate business from pleasure and spend ONLY what you can afford. If you are a shy person, reinvent yourself, especially when talking to buyers. Oh and sometimes its OK to say 'no' to a buyer--especially if they are a large chain or a department store--many of which take advantage of independent designers by demanding massive discounts, late payments and the reshaping of your own product--I'm speaking from experience there!
Kelly: Any other thing you would like to share with us?
Tracy:Yes, I've got some new hand-painted patterned pieces that I'm the process of completing--really excited about how they turned out! Going to list them this week!
Also, if you're wondering who that gorgeous blonde woman is modelling my jewelry it's Miss Switzerland, Linda Fäh--who ended up buying some of my collection then and there at the photo shoot! So happy about that!
Lastly ---followers wanted!
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/tracyschaal
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tracy-Schaal-Design-Activism-LOVE/212592264970
--yes, the nerdy girl needs fans!!
Blog: http://www.tracyschaal.blogspot.com/
My own website: http://www.tracyschaal.com/
Kelly: Tracy, thank you SO MUCH for taking the time to let me interview you this week! I am so blessed to meet with you and I love your heart for underprivileged women. Your product and your packaging is elegant and "class-act". One day I do believe you will be famous and I would love to meet you! Don't be homesick too much and enjoy this time with your little boy and your husband! And I hope that soon you will be able to "speak en de Deutsche" as it were! I am amazed at your creativity! One thing I have heard on Etsy that is crucial is to list and list often. So that keep you visible in the stream of thousands of listings.
We will catch up with you and I personally will look for you in high fashion magazines as well!
Ladies, why don't we go on over to Tracy's Facebook Fan Page, her Twitter, and her Blog and show our support and cheer her on? Maybe if any of us are lucky enough to have our products in shops where we think her things might be a fit Stateside, we could recommend Tracy Schaal as well? Why Not? Right now I can think of two boutiques in my own town who might be a fit for Tracy's fantastic high end accessories!
Hi Ladies! We all know how hard each other works, and I am here to tell you: Let's take a wee break; it's time for our Friday Feature! Un-fasten your seat belts: we've reached a cruising altitude of 40,000 ft. Out your left window you can see the Alps......... and nestled down amongst the snow-capped grandeur you can see the city of Zurich. To a tune of Eidelweiss, we will land in about 10 minutes. Grab that cup of cha and enjoy the scenery for just a moment!
Where she lives...
I was intrigued by Tracy and so I asked her a few extra questions. Knowing she is a fairly new team member, and one living "across the pond" as they say in Etsy, I wanted you to know just a little about her story. And so, to celebrate Euro Week just a tad post-date, I bring you Tracy Schaal.
Yes, I did ask her if anyone else has ever told her that she looks like the fabulous Catherine Zeta-Jones.......oh yes! This girl was born for glam it seems. Let's read on...
"My husband and I moved to Zurich, Switzerland about 6 months ago from London, UK. I am Canadian-my mother is from the Philippines and my father is from Ireland. My husband is American. We move around quite a bit as my husband, Aaron works in International Tax. Communicating here is a challenge, as the locals speak in a non-written language called Schweizer-Deutch and read in High Deutsch (German). In many ways I wish we were living in the French side of Switzerland as I understand French much better (as French being one of the official languages of Canada). I think the only thing I am homesick for are really the conveniences: late night shopping, multi-cultural foods and Sunday shopping--oh, and Mexican food! I also miss the ability to walk into a shop and speaking freely without sounding like a dip-stick in my raw-German! :o) In the cute little village we live almost no one speaks English!However, for the time being we are set to stay here indefinitely. Switzerland is a very safe country with good schools and a low crime rate and is an ideal place to raise children--and that is what it all boils down to for us!"That was free, but this is the interview. Shall we?
Kelly: Hello, Tracy, and thank you for joining me here today! Tell us, how young are you?
Tracy: I will be turning the big 4-0 this August. I’m SCARED!!
Kelly: What is the name of your business?
Tracy: I had no idea what to call it so I go by my name. TracySchaal and TracySchaal.etsy.com
Kelly: When did you begin?
Tracy: The Etsy shop was opened in June 2008 but I didn’t start putting anything in it until a year and a half later as I just gave birth and needed some time for things to calm down in the house.
Kelly: Do you have any background in business and/or design?
Tracy: I have a degree in Fashion and worked in the industry as a designer, merchandiser and illustrator on and off for about 10 years.
Kelly: What motivated you to start your shop, Tracy Schaal
Tracy: Although I absolutely LOVE being a mama, I really missed creating and a friend of mine told me about Etsy and after looking at the site I got so inspired, I had to do something!
Kelly: What inspires you to create?
Tracy: I have been constantly making things my whole life, even as a child I was sketching clothing designs and trying to emulate my favorite fashion illustrators at the time. My current motivator though, has been reading about the atrocities happening to women and children in the world. I really felt the urge to do something and came to terms that the key to peace and poverty is by empowering women and girls, by educating and training them and giving them a future.
That is why I support Women for Women International-helping women victims of war rebuild their lives. www.womenforwomen.org. I support them on a monthly basis and have set up my Etsy shop to help them by donating half my profits to their cause.
Kelly: What is your favorite product?
Tracy: This is a hard one, because I don’t make anything I wouldn’t wear myself. My top two, however are my Monaco Bangle and my Black Tigress bangle which have both sold out but I managed to make one for myself, he he!
The other faves I have are my Skinny Sista Bangles in both copper and gold
and my La Tigress bracelet in nude color
Kelly: What are the special Features?
All my items comes with complimentary giftwrap as featured in most of my pictures of each item.
I also try to make things easy with shipping, therefore ALL my items are shipped complimentary worldwide. Yes, you read right!
Kelly: OMG, Tracy, that packaging is class act! I have sought to have this extra special touch in my products too, and sometimes it is not easy to do! Your packaging and your products positively ROCK.
What are your business goals this year?
Tracy: This year, I really want to get the word out about the shop and making more items to fill it out a little more--oh, and yes, SALES!!
Kelly: How do you get traffic to your website?
Tracy: I lurk around the Etsy forums every once in a while and make the odd, posting. In February I joined the fabulous Busy Moms of Etsy team and that has made a big difference not only getting my name out but just the support alone is great—what a friendly and well organized group!
Kelly: How do you juggle work/life balance? For instance, you have a small child.
Tracy: I have a son, who will be 2 in April and who IS my day job! He is an only child but I tend to doubt myself as a mother everyday because it can be so exasperating! I don’t know how moms with more than one kid do it!! :o)
My husband gets a good laugh out of me because I am an incessant list maker. It also helps that my social life here in Switzerland is pretty bleak (being new here and all and not speaking the language!) so I have a lot of free time in the eves! :o)
Kelly: Can you share some of your frustrations?
Tracy: Not sure if frustrated is the word to describe it, perhaps just a little saddened that I’ve only got one measly (yet PRECIOUS!) sale. I kind of feel like the nerdy kid at the prom compared to so many other shiny sellers out there with billions of sales!
Kelly: Your products stands out in a world of ordinary, Tracy! I am sure sales will come when you reach your target market! What is the most valuable lesson you have learned?
Tracy: To restrain myself when it comes to sourcing craft supplies. I think I have a hoarding problem. There are far, far too many trimmings and not enough things to make them into—its just embarrassing, really! I suppose when the time comes when I pass away my husband can decorate my coffin with all my sequins, rhinestones, furry trims and countless over-the-top embellishments...
Kelly: I do believe you are not alone in that regard! I have stockpiles of cigar boxes, ribbon, sequins, mosaic tiles, sea glass too! What word of encouragement can you give a person who wants to also start their own business?
Tracy: Read everything you can about what business you are going into and talk to other designers who make what you want to make. Separate business from pleasure and spend ONLY what you can afford. If you are a shy person, reinvent yourself, especially when talking to buyers. Oh and sometimes its OK to say 'no' to a buyer--especially if they are a large chain or a department store--many of which take advantage of independent designers by demanding massive discounts, late payments and the reshaping of your own product--I'm speaking from experience there!
Kelly: Any other thing you would like to share with us?
Tracy:Yes, I've got some new hand-painted patterned pieces that I'm the process of completing--really excited about how they turned out! Going to list them this week!
Also, if you're wondering who that gorgeous blonde woman is modelling my jewelry it's Miss Switzerland, Linda Fäh--who ended up buying some of my collection then and there at the photo shoot! So happy about that!
Lastly ---followers wanted!
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/tracyschaal
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tracy-Schaal-Design-Activism-LOVE/212592264970
--yes, the nerdy girl needs fans!!
Blog: http://www.tracyschaal.blogspot.com/
My own website: http://www.tracyschaal.com/
Kelly: Tracy, thank you SO MUCH for taking the time to let me interview you this week! I am so blessed to meet with you and I love your heart for underprivileged women. Your product and your packaging is elegant and "class-act". One day I do believe you will be famous and I would love to meet you! Don't be homesick too much and enjoy this time with your little boy and your husband! And I hope that soon you will be able to "speak en de Deutsche" as it were! I am amazed at your creativity! One thing I have heard on Etsy that is crucial is to list and list often. So that keep you visible in the stream of thousands of listings.
We will catch up with you and I personally will look for you in high fashion magazines as well!
Ladies, why don't we go on over to Tracy's Facebook Fan Page, her Twitter, and her Blog and show our support and cheer her on? Maybe if any of us are lucky enough to have our products in shops where we think her things might be a fit Stateside, we could recommend Tracy Schaal as well? Why Not? Right now I can think of two boutiques in my own town who might be a fit for Tracy's fantastic high end accessories!
Friday, March 26, 2010
Meet Amy Cox - Couture Diva from Rosella Claire
Y'all! Ya-eas ma'am, thazz the way we talk down 'roun these parts! Our rambling reporter from CassiasGarden and our lovely guest today, Miss Amy Cox of Rosella Claire; we live near the bayous and our idea of fun is eatin' dem crawdads, yes! Now, I wished I knew Miss Amy a little better, but I'm willing to wager that she has boiled a few in her lifetime, right, Amy?
So, with no more introduction, it's time for our Friday Spotlight Feature on one fine Southern Lady; a truly Busy Mom of three lovely children, a Doctor of Pharmacy in her previous life, and now a designer and creator of the lovliest children's pieces! This shop is going somewhere!
Let's get to the interview.....
Kelly: Hello, Amy, and thank you for joining me here today! Tell us, how young are you?
Amy: I am 36.
Kelly: What is the name of your business?
Amy: Rosella Claire
Kelly: When did you begin?
Amy: Rosella Claire began September 2009
Kelly: Do you have any background in business and/or sewing?
Amy: I am a Doctor of Pharmacy, so I have experience working in a business setting. My sewing had always been something I played at until recently.
Kelly: What motivated you to start Rosella Claire? (rosellaclaire.etsy.com)
Amy: I got an embroidery machine a few years ago when I quit working. At first I embroidered ready-made items, but I decided to branch out into making my own items, specifically clothing for my kids.
Kelly: What inspires you to create?
Amy: Obviously, I love to put boutique-style clothing on my children, and the seasons often inspire me to create things for them to wear.
Kelly: What is your favorite product?
Kelly: What are the special Features?
Amy: Fancy Feathers is bright and free! Bird print by Alexander Henry paired with bold stripes is fun fun fun, and super swingy, too! Perfect for Easter and for springtime. Custom-made to your measurements, from infant to approximately girls' size 8. Elastic waist.
Kelly: So cute! What are your business goals this year?
Amy: I would love to sell 100 items this year!
Kelly: How do you get traffic to your website?
Amy: I have a Facebook Fan Page, I am a member of several Etsy teams, and I like to make Treasuries.
Kelly: How do you juggle work/life balance? How do you “do” all that you “do”?!?
Amy: I have a toddler son and 2 daughters, whom I homeschool. We spend our mornings focusing on schoolwork, and I usually get some sewing done in the afternoons. I’ve also been accused of being “nocturnal”, because sometimes I pull all-nighters, especially when I get inspired. I can’t sleep if I start thinking about a project that I just “have” to do!
Kelly: I can relate, I homeschool our 12 year old daughter and run my husband's construction office; all from home! Whew! It can be "interesting"! Can you share some of your frustrations?
Amy: Obviously, time management. I live in a rural area, and I don’t have access to a lot of supplies, either. It also gets frustrating when I list an item that I think is fabulous and the views and sales come very slow!
Kelly: What is the most valuable lesson you have learned?
Amy: I have learned that you really have to stay at it, your business, that is. You have to pay attention to it everyday, tweaking it and keeping it fresh.
Kelly: What word of encouragement can you give a person who wants to also start their own business?
Amy: Well, in addition to the above, do something that you love and are truly passionate about. Burnout still happens, but you always want to go back to it.
Kelly: Any other thing you would like to share with us?
Amy: I don’t try to sell anything that I haven’t already tried out on my family or friends. The items in my shop are things that I would put on my own children!
I can still get your orders to you by Easter if you order by FRIDAY MARCH 26th.
TWO NEW ITEMS ARE BEING OFFERED
AT SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY RATES FOR
A LIMITED TIME ONLY: Tiny Tulip Jumper
and Rosy Roo Sundress
Right now my featured items are Spring Sweetie,
Tweedy Pie, and
Buy 2 Get 1 Free Skirts
I also have a Buy 1 Get 1 Skirt ½ Off sale
Kelly: Well, can I vote right now? I have looked all through your shop and I simply ADORE this dress! The GREAT thing about it is.......Amy is offering this dress at a special introductory rate right now! Just look at this adorable dress.........and it is custom embroidered as well!
Kelly: Amy, thanks so much for taking time out of your busy day and this busy Easter Season to chat with us today! We all wish you more than 100 sales this year and the expansion of your business! You have a wonderful product and obviously a love for children! To me, that is a Win/Win situation! Blessings upon your business!
That concludes our interview and Ladies, there are still lots of Fridays to Spotlight Your business too! We always post them to this blog, other ladies blogs, our Facebook Fan Page, and Grace tweets about 'em too! So don't be shy! Convo me so I can send you your interview today!
A pretty Busy Mom and what beautiful children!
Did I see some of these children modeling their Mommy's creations?
So, with no more introduction, it's time for our Friday Spotlight Feature on one fine Southern Lady; a truly Busy Mom of three lovely children, a Doctor of Pharmacy in her previous life, and now a designer and creator of the lovliest children's pieces! This shop is going somewhere!
Let's get to the interview.....
Kelly: Hello, Amy, and thank you for joining me here today! Tell us, how young are you?
Amy: I am 36.
Kelly: What is the name of your business?
Amy: Rosella Claire
Kelly: When did you begin?
Amy: Rosella Claire began September 2009
Kelly: Do you have any background in business and/or sewing?
Amy: I am a Doctor of Pharmacy, so I have experience working in a business setting. My sewing had always been something I played at until recently.
Kelly: What motivated you to start Rosella Claire? (rosellaclaire.etsy.com)
Amy: I got an embroidery machine a few years ago when I quit working. At first I embroidered ready-made items, but I decided to branch out into making my own items, specifically clothing for my kids.
Kelly: What inspires you to create?
Amy: Obviously, I love to put boutique-style clothing on my children, and the seasons often inspire me to create things for them to wear.
Kelly: What is your favorite product?
Kelly: What are the special Features?
Amy: Fancy Feathers is bright and free! Bird print by Alexander Henry paired with bold stripes is fun fun fun, and super swingy, too! Perfect for Easter and for springtime. Custom-made to your measurements, from infant to approximately girls' size 8. Elastic waist.
Kelly: So cute! What are your business goals this year?
Amy: I would love to sell 100 items this year!
Kelly: How do you get traffic to your website?
Amy: I have a Facebook Fan Page, I am a member of several Etsy teams, and I like to make Treasuries.
Kelly: How do you juggle work/life balance? How do you “do” all that you “do”?!?
Amy: I have a toddler son and 2 daughters, whom I homeschool. We spend our mornings focusing on schoolwork, and I usually get some sewing done in the afternoons. I’ve also been accused of being “nocturnal”, because sometimes I pull all-nighters, especially when I get inspired. I can’t sleep if I start thinking about a project that I just “have” to do!
Kelly: I can relate, I homeschool our 12 year old daughter and run my husband's construction office; all from home! Whew! It can be "interesting"! Can you share some of your frustrations?
Amy: Obviously, time management. I live in a rural area, and I don’t have access to a lot of supplies, either. It also gets frustrating when I list an item that I think is fabulous and the views and sales come very slow!
Kelly: What is the most valuable lesson you have learned?
Amy: I have learned that you really have to stay at it, your business, that is. You have to pay attention to it everyday, tweaking it and keeping it fresh.
Kelly: What word of encouragement can you give a person who wants to also start their own business?
Amy: Well, in addition to the above, do something that you love and are truly passionate about. Burnout still happens, but you always want to go back to it.
Kelly: Any other thing you would like to share with us?
Amy: I don’t try to sell anything that I haven’t already tried out on my family or friends. The items in my shop are things that I would put on my own children!
I can still get your orders to you by Easter if you order by FRIDAY MARCH 26th.
TWO NEW ITEMS ARE BEING OFFERED
AT SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY RATES FOR
A LIMITED TIME ONLY: Tiny Tulip Jumper
and Rosy Roo Sundress
Right now my featured items are Spring Sweetie,
Tweedy Pie, and
Buy 2 Get 1 Free Skirts
I also have a Buy 1 Get 1 Skirt ½ Off sale
Kelly: Well, can I vote right now? I have looked all through your shop and I simply ADORE this dress! The GREAT thing about it is.......Amy is offering this dress at a special introductory rate right now! Just look at this adorable dress.........and it is custom embroidered as well!
Kelly: Amy, thanks so much for taking time out of your busy day and this busy Easter Season to chat with us today! We all wish you more than 100 sales this year and the expansion of your business! You have a wonderful product and obviously a love for children! To me, that is a Win/Win situation! Blessings upon your business!
That concludes our interview and Ladies, there are still lots of Fridays to Spotlight Your business too! We always post them to this blog, other ladies blogs, our Facebook Fan Page, and Grace tweets about 'em too! So don't be shy! Convo me so I can send you your interview today!
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Spotlight Interview - Rachel aka Huggermugger!
By now, you already know that I sell on Etsy, a worldwide marketplace for handmade goods, vintage items and supplies for crafters. We have a fantastic community there, and there are lots of Etsy teams who have banded together with common similarities. One of my teams is the BusyMomsTeam! (go figure, eh?) and one of my team members is the lovely lovely young lady and mom that I have interviewed below! I absolutely love doing these Business Spotlights for other women entrepreneurs and work at home moms and artists and people who inspire me! Rachel has befriended me on the Mom's Team so I wanted you to read her story! She is 29 years old, the mother of one busy young man with another on the way. But she has found a way to both work at home, make an income, be a friend and still network with others, be an avid reader, a woman of faith and a stay at home mommy! I applaud you, Rachel!
So let's get to the interview; grab a cup of tea and enjoy!
Kelly: Hello, Rachel, and thank you for joining me here today! Tell us, how young are you?
Rachel: I'll be 29 for a few more months yet.
Kelly: What is the name of your business?
Rachel: Huggermugger. It's an old word that means, among other things, "jumble," and my store is definitely a jumbled mix of different items.
Kelly: When did you begin?
Rachel: I joined Etsy in September of 2008 and started my shop in October. But I began crafting pretty much as soon as I was allowed to use crayons, scissors, and glue.
Kelly: Do you have any background in business and/or art?
Rachel: I took Business 101 in college, does that count? And I took a lot of art lessons when I was in grade school and high school. I also co-owned a face-painting business when I was in high school -- a friend and I painted faces at all sorts of local festivals for several years. It was a great introduction to running a small business and also to the world of craft shows.
Rachel: In the spring of 2008, I realized I needed a sun hat for my son, who was about six months old at that time. I looked at hats in stores, looked at sewing and crochet patterns, and decided I didn't like any
of them, so I made up my own crochet pattern for a sun hat. I really enjoyed making it, and made several sizes as he kept growing. Then I just kept making more, and some wintery hats for babies too, but I didn't know what to do with them. My best friend Julie had just started an Etsy store and was really loving it, and she said I should sell my hats on Etsy too. I hemmed and hawed for a few months, then decided to give it a shot.
All the things I sell in my shop are inspired from real life needs,just like my baby sun hats. I'm a writer, and I use a lot of journalsand notebooks. I've always loved to create collages, and in college Istarted using them to decorate notebook covers, either to use myselfor give to my writer-friends. I knew when I started Huggermugger that I would definitely be selling those in my store as well. My other products, from "instant canteen" water bottle carriers to crocheted scrunchies to finger puppets, have all sprung from things I needed to use myself and then thought maybe other people might like too.
Kelly: What is your favorite product?
Rachel: I love my journals, and my favorite right now is the Once Upon a Time Journal
.Kelly: What are this product's features?
Rachel: I decorated this particular journal with a theme of taking time toread and savor books, one of my favorite activities. The covers arelaminated so the collages won't come loose or be damaged. Inside are 60 unlined sheets (120 pages) just waiting to be filled up. The journal as a whole measures 7" by 5" and is 3/8" thick. To me, this would be the ideal place to keep a record of books you want to read or have read, or even to write down favorite passages you want to remember. And of course, it would be great for every-day journaling too, especially for a book lover.
Kelly: What are your business goals this year?
Rachel: I'd like to survive! Okay, I'm somewhat kidding, but I have a two-year-old son who's very active, and I have a baby on the way, due at the end of February. So I'm hoping not to be overwhelmed bykeeping my shop moving and growing while at the same time doubling my mommy load.
Kelly: How do you get traffic to your website?
Rachel: I have a blog, http://www.huggermuggerblog.blogspot.com where I post not only news about my crafting and my shop, but also recipes and book reviews, and features of other Etsy crafters. I also try to find cool blogs like this one that are willing to feature my shop. I had a booth at a few craft fairs this fall, to try to build up some local awareness of my business. And I hand out my business card to anyone who admires a hat I or my son is wearing, things like that.
Kelly: How do you juggle work/life balance? For instance, you have a two-year-old boy and a baby on the way. How do you “do” all that you “do”?!?
Rachel: I call myself a time thief. I steal time here and there, the wasted minutes that would otherwise be lost. I crochet in the car while my husband drives us to church and back. I work on collages while watching a movie when my son is napping. I combine taking my son on a walk in the stroller with taking sold items to the Post Office. Basically, I just utilize my time as well as I possibly can.
Kelly: Can you share some of your frustrations?
Rachel: I think my biggest frustration is coming up with an idea for a new product, making several of them, and then having them be ignored in my shop. What I like isn't always what other people like, and that can
be really tough to accept. I tend to fall in love with everything I make, especially my journals and notebooks, and then to have them either get few views or else sit in my shop for months can be very frustrating.
Kelly: What is the most valuable lesson you have learned?
Rachel: Be willing to fail. I'm a perfectionist, and failure is not something I deal with well, but I'm trying to learn to accept that not every idea I have is brilliant.
Kelly: What role does your faith play in your business?
Rachel: First Corinthians 10:31 says, "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." God gave me my creative abilities, and I try to use them to his glory however I can. If that means crocheting the best hat I possibly can, then that's how I will praise and serve my Creator and Redeemer.
Kelly: What word of encouragement can you give a person who wants to also start their own business?
Rachel: Jump in! But look before you leap. Do some research, see what kind of competition you'll have, and then keep improving your products and yourself.
Kelly: Any other thing you would like to share with us?!
Rachel: Never underestimate the power of a happy customer! My biggest custom order yet came because someone saw a child wearing one of my hats, asked the mom where she got it, and then ordered some from me for themselves.
It appears to me that you are a woman of excellence and we both know that in the Scriptures there is another lady who burns the midnight oil, who does not eat the bread of idleness, and if she had a car, she would probably be crocheting in it too! LOL! She was prosperous and very industrious! I pray you will be a mother of mothers! And, Happy upcoming 30th Birthday to you!
Any of you MOMMIES out there need some cool warm hats for your babies? Or friends, or newborns! I have just been browsing Rachel's shop, and let me tell you, these are quality items! Why don't you take a second and go on over to Rachel's Etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/Huggermugger and see what treasures YOU can find!
Kelly: This concludes our Spotlight Interview #4. Next week, stay tuned for TheArtofJoy.com interview.
Be blessed, peaceful, productive, and prosperous this year!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Spotlight Interview - Trish Morales of Soapy Blessings
Spotlight Interview - Trish Morales of Soapy Blessings
Ladies, and Gentlemen! I had the privilege of meeting Trish, aka "Soapy Blessings"
about 6 months ago. We both "blog" at a mutual friend's blog, The Soap Queen.
I checked out her blog, her story, and her shops. What I saw, was so charming and so full of life and love that I had to tell you.
So, grab another cup of coffee, settle down and enjoy this interview!
Kelly: Hello, Trish and thank you for joining me here today!
Trish: Thanks for asking me to join in taking a part in your blog. It is such an honor and blessing to me.
Kelly: Tell us, how young are you?
Trish: Age? That depends on lots of things; physical age, I am in the over 50 age bracket, but my kids hate it when I say that because it makes me “sound old”. I don’t feel old, and I don’t act old. In fact, when I meet other folk the same age as me, I always view them as older than me. I still love to play, dance, sing and be silly with my teens. The funny thing is that they don’t mind a bit. When I once spoke to them about meeting a relative of mine, about 15 years older than me, I mentioned that I always knew her as fun-loving, young, even though she was physically much older. My daughter replied, “Oh, so she’s a lot like you!”
Kelly: What is the name of your business?
Trish: Soapy Blessings by Trish
Kelly: When did you begin your business?
Trish: The actual, official business started about 5 years ago, but the concept went back much further than that.
Kelly: Do you have any background in business?
Trish: When I was a 4 year old, I went and picked flowers, then went from house to house, selling them. I went back again and again, week after week, even to the houses that never bought anything. I wouldn’t give up! Next, I sold unique handmade Christmas ornaments of my own design when I was 8 years old. At 14, I made and sold handmade suede handbags. As a young adult, I designed and created my own wardrobe and people would constantly ask where I “bought it”. I ended sewing original designed wedding dresses, day wear, and jackets to friends and acquaintances. All of these endeavors were a direct result of my entrepreneurial personality and was simply a natural way to express myself. None of these endeavors were because I wanted to make money, be famous, or make a name for myself. I just wanted to create!
Kelly: What motivated you to start Soapy Blessings by Trish ?
Trish: Soapy Blessings by Trish started with a fictional story written several years ago. To survive a civil war in a Latin American country, a character in the book made soaps . She prayed over every soap in to bring healing and peace to everyone they touched. Her soaps began to be sought out by the locals and eventually the region because the effect became legendary.Unfortunately, the character in the book did not survive the first draft, but the concept survived…and so Soapy Blessings began. Each item from Soapy Blessings has similar prayers as the soap maker from the book.
Kelly: Soapy Blessings' name has a meaning; please tell us about name?
Trish: It didn’t originally start out as Soapy Blessings. I created this name about 2 years after I started making soap. It was originally called “Jabon” which means “soap” in Spanish. What I found, however, is that there were a lot of other soapers that used Jabon also. Jabon is also a nickname in Spanish for someone who is “slippery” and avoiding the law. For those reasons, I needed to come up with something different that gave my soaps an individuality that no one else could take away. Because of the prayers and blessings over my soap, I decided to stress that in my name. So, I became “Soapy Blessings by Trish”
Kelly: That is very interesting! What is your favorite product?
Trish: I always have a problem when folks ask me what is my favorite anything! It’s kind of like asking who is your favorite kid! I don’t have favorites among my kids because each is special in his or her own way, and the same thing goes for my soaps!
Each batch of my soap is made once and then I have never made the same thing twice! All are limited editions! However, because of several requests by customers, I’m considering making a signature line of soaps that stay basically the same.
RIGHT NOW a favorite soap of my is Champagne Bubbles. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=30649534 This soap contains real champagne, but has a nice, fresh, gently fruity fragrance. The fragrance is unique in that people say they can “smell the bubbles”. That’s the only way I can describe it. Plus, I added fun hand-milled little soap bubbles in the soap itself for a fun effect .
Kelly: What are some of your featured products?
Trish: Because it is entering the Fall season, I’m featuring bringing in some “fall soaps”. Currently, I have just finished making Lavender Rose, Dragon’s Blood, Fresh Apple and Orange Coconut Milk soaps. So, Orange Coconut Milk and Lavender Rose isn’t exactly a fall soap. I made them because there has been a lot of requests for them. They are not all listed yet because they are not ready. Cold process soaps must cure a minimum of 4 weeks before they are ready to sell. Today, I will be making a batch of Pumpkin Pie Spice and Cranberry Orange Spice, two that I made last year too, but this year, they are just a bit different…remember, I don’t usually make the same batch of soap the same way.
Kelly: What are your business goals this year?
Trish: I’ve already passed the goal where my sales allow my business to be completely self-sufficient in covering costs of supplies, advertising and craft shows. I haven’t quite made the goal of covering my insurance costs on top of that. That is one goal this year. I plan to attend more craft shows, Saturday markets and Christmas bazaars this year too. I plan to create a “signature soap collection” that stays the same due to overwhelming customer requests. I’d like to get my soaps into a few more shops that feature my product line also. I think that’s enough for one year. The rest of my ideas can wait until next year!
Kelly: How do you get traffic to your website?
Trish: I try to streamline my time in this area because I have so little time to waste. Driving traffic to my site requires a lot of time on the computer, promoting, promoting and promoting. I don’t have a sales rep on my staff…oh, wait, yes I do…It’s ME! I wear many hats. I do have more than one shop site online, although my etsy site is probably my most successful shop site. I partake minimally in etsy forums as they are known to drive traffic to your site, but I don’t spend hours there. I do partake in several social web sites related to handmade items, Christian web sites, Facebook, My Space etc. I make comments, blog a bit and put up pictures on these sites. Yes, I have a Facebook fan page too. It is brand new though, so still in its infancy stage. I also have a blog site at http://jabonsoaps.blogspot.com/ where I feature new listings, talk about soaping in general, and other things that randomly come into my head. In fact, one time I blogged about my daughter having a life time, backstage pass to all My Chemical Romance concerts, a band that is popular among teens and young adults. I showed pictures of the band with her standing there, smiling. Totally unrelated to soap, but I received some amazing results because of it. Other sites related to My Chemical Romance and music found my soapy blog and featured it on their sites. The sales skyrocketed for about a month! So, I found that diverse blogging isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
office…except when my mouth has Novocain in it!
I also have a twitter site at http://twitter.com/SoapyBlessings where I also post my new listings, sold items and retweet, retweet, retweet, support my fellow crafters, feature treasuries on etsy, and post some inspirational quotes.
I use Twuffer to help me in posting on a regular basis so I don’t have to be on Twitter 24/7.
Word of mouth is also a great, spontaneous tool to use. Everywhere I go, I talk up my soap in the post office, grocery shopping, church, work, dentist
Kelly: How do you juggle work/life balance?
Trish: This was a hard balance for me to maintain initially. I put my heart into my soaps, but my work is necessary to pay the rest of the bills. I work full time as a registered nurse, which takes a lot out of me. By the time I get home, there isn’t much of me left! I’ve chosen to set a date for my soap days. I plan them all a month in advance and keep the dates for my soap business. Generally, I devote one day a week to nothing but making and packaging soap. I also work on necessary things related to my business other days of the week, but they do not take priority on those days. The rest of my six days a week is divided between work, family and church.
Kelly: Can you share some of your frustrations?
Trish: There never seems to be enough time, but I’ve learned lots of ways of managing my time to make it work out. I’d love to see more interest in handmade soaps among the general population. I think it is just a matter of education, so I work very hard at spreading the word about it. Each and every soap order I include information about handmade soaps and their benefits. Developing a strong, faithful customer base has been a work in progress also.
Kelly: What is the most valuable lesson you have learned?
Trish: I’ve become more of an expert in business management than I ever thought I would. I’ve learned a lot of lessons on how to promote myself as a business. Mostly, I’ve learned lots about managing my time!What role does your faith play in your business? Without my faith, there wouldn’t be a Soapy Blessings by Trish in its current format. I based my business on a fictional character in a (mostly) fictional book about a strong woman of God who made soaps in a mountainous region where rebel fighting was rampant. She wanted to do more than just survive and make a living; she wanted to make a change in her surroundings by way of her faith and her soap. This concept is what MY business is based on. It isn’t just soap; it is God moving through my soap, my business and into other people’s lives. I honestly have to say that it isn’t just my business. It is God’s business. He just happened to make me the manager of it!
Kelly: What word of encouragement can you give a person who wants to also start their own business?
Trish: Nothing happens overnight! Don’t follow what all the rest are doing, make your own work! Talk it up. Get ideas from others but don’t copy. Research, research, research ideas and ways to get yourself out there, but if an idea comes up, don’t be afraid to give it a trial. Everyone’s situation is different and you need to work your business around your life. Don’t let your business take over your life, let it flow with your life. Start simple, start with a single idea if that is all you have and build it from there. DO collaborate with other small businesses, networking is a must! You are not an island alone out in this world. Your customers are your business collaborators, friends, family, co-workers; in fact EVERY person and business you come across is your customer.
Kelly: Any other thing you would like to share with us?!
Trish: Just that I have a Facebook Fan Page at www.facebook.com/pages/Soapy-Blessings-by-Trish/121356503189 and recently started a newsletter that will be going out approximately every other month. There will specials, contests, and fun things on the newsletter that won’t be found anywhere else! Currently, I have a section on my blog site where you can vote for your favorite soap. If you vote, join my newsletter and let me know what you voted for, you will have a chance to win the soap that you voted for!
Kelly: Wow, Trish. You gave this interview 150%! I so appreciate your graciousness in letting us behind the scenes of you, and Soapy Blessings! I know your time is limited so I really appreciate the time it took to be here with us. Our prayer for you is that you would prosper beyond your wildest 3:00AM dreams and become a woman of stature in this realm of business. I love your heart and I am cheering you on! The time is now and you are seizing the day and the hour in which we live! Love you, girl!
Friends, this concludes our interview #2 of Women in Business Spotlight #2. For the first lady entrepreneur that I interviewed, please click here.
Now, take another second and please head on over to Soapy Blessings, and feel free to comment here as well!
See you next time!
Friday, September 11, 2009
Cleaning Up My Act
Cleaning Up My Act.....A Work In Progress
I successfully updated my growing fragrance listing, and put all my summer fragrances to sleep for the winter :(. It always ALWAYS makes me nervous to put things away; my dear mother and I share the same malady: it is called the fear of ......Outta Sight Out of Mind.
Somehow deep inside, I fear that if I put something away I will in fact forget that it exists.
Experience does bear this out as well.
The truth is, a messy workspace can and does hinder creativity. So why have I been in a funk, you ask? Is it merely slow sales? I think not. Things have to be straight and neat before creativity can really flow.
So I have been taking time to straighten. Planning for the busy holidays is underway and inventory must be taken for supplies to be ordered, projects to be created, etc etc.
But first things first.
This is boring, but freeing!
On another note, I am undertaking a new networking mission. Cassia's Kitchen will be interviewing local and some not so local friends! I am very very excited about this and believe it may be vital for exposure to some of us!
If you have a) a business b) a ministry, c) a band, d) a book, or e) a cause, I would like to interview you! Yes, you!
Please comment on my blog and ask me to send you an already written series of questions. Be prepared to send me graphics of your logo, your banner, any product graphics and weblinks you want listed on this blog! Depending upon your responses, I may elect to have a Park 1 and a Part 2 so you would then receive double exposure!
Then together, we will choose a day to post this interview! If you are selling product, you may give me codes to any discounts or specials you want to air on this day! Then together we will give this event exposure by Tweeting, facebooking, MySpacing, Emailing or even UTubing this event!
Cool?
I say, CCCCCOOOOOLLLL!
Let's Do It!
Love and Hugs!
Kelly
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