April 11, 2012

Almost done with my Four Months. This is what it was all ABOUT. Not sure I'm meeting my goals. I certainly haven't come to any conclusion about WHICH of my businesses to focus on. But maybe I would be too bored if I only focused on one. I do have ADD after all, and the more things I have on my plate, the better I function. Maybe doing too much will keep me younger in the long run. At least my mind will not go stale.

I did learn a lot about my flower jewelry product. As a matter of fact, I'm changing my line about daily right now. I know I shouldn't but while making my flowers, I find that I can make in bulk, certain flowers, better than others. I have also found that some are more desirable than others. I have found that I can tint some of my own acrylic beads beautifully. I only need to buy a base color, so I can easily buy those beads in bulk and color them.

I found that my product line was not what it should be. I added several items. I added brooches, which have been the best selling yet. I have tiny brooches, which can easily be used as boutonnieres too. I could slap myself for not thinking of that one. Actually I was going to work on that before I left my previous selling site. But in the move, I forgot what my focus was. I simplified the line and made it more accessible to everyone.

That's what I learned about my flower jewelry. I still have a few things to do before I can offer them retail though. There is my packaging. I'd love to use vintage un-pasted wallpaper for the cards in the packaging.  I think I'm going to have to go with a stamped gray cardstock though. I need to find a big gray inkpad, and maybe carve my own stamp. Hmmm, I wonder if I can draw with some flexible rubber material, Silicone maybe, on an acrylic sheet. I need a pretty big stamp. I'll have to look into that.

Tomorrow I'm going to do a quick review of what I learned about my product design business so far.

March 30, 2012

I've had such an exhausting month. I hope it was all worth it. Of course it wasn't all the work that made it exhausting, it was a lot of the extraneous things (life) that did it too. Family health issues, birthdays, the woman next door locking herself out at one in the morning after I worked for 14 hours straight and pounding on the door and screaming for a half hour before someone finally let her in. And no, she's not a drunk, just a little altered from her med cocktail.

I had a semi relaxing day. I haven't sold much this week so after watching my granddaughter most of the day, I cut out the few things I sold, did the dishes and some laundry. It was nice after all the work I did.

I had bought some colored pencils on line, and was expecting them at the Post Office. I guess the people at the Post Office didn't notice them, because my daughter didn't pick them up. What she did get, however, was my new post cards. Now, I just ordered these Monday from Vistaprint and I've NEVER received anything that quickly from them. They were horrible. Cropped wrong, wrong color, just horrible. I was so disappointed. I'm not sure what they were trying to accomplish working so quickly, but it didn't impress me. Now I either have to contact them and get a refund and look somewhere else or trust they will send me a new set with correct images.

This really sets me back on my brochure, but I do have time to get better prints. The cards I got were blown up and cropped off center and kind of pinkish brown instead of the nice pewter. Not terrible, but they don't match the business card I got PRINTED AT VISTAPRINT!!!! How can I send out something to potential clients that don't match? This has just been a cursed month and I suppose that because of it, none of my product designs will sell to the huge retailers that were presented with them.

One thing about all this work I've done the past three months is that I really love designing product. I like crafting, but I love designing. And I'm good at it too. I'll share my website when I'm finished, and you can see.

March 29, 2012

Today was one of those crazy days again. It was really all about designs today. I had a few flowers that I had to make for someone. So I finished a few of my new flowers at the same time.

Yesterday I receive my new yellow centers in the mail and they were so perfect. If I sell too many flowers I will be out of them, but I bought 2000 so I'm not sure how quickly I will run out. The beads are yellow painted wood rondeles taken from strings of never worn vintage jewelry. I love the fact that I have bulk new reclaimed beads. I have to try to do that again. I'm using these on my Shasta Daisies and maybe a few other daisy centers too.

As for the rest of the day, I spent it finishing up designs for a client. I got the request at the end of last week, but I was finishing up the last of their drawings from the last request over the weekend. I didn't get all the specs for this project until Monday. I worked all Tuesday on my own items, sewing and flowers, so I didn't get to even think about their project until Wednesday.

I did some sketches on Wednesday, because it's hard to draw designs if you have no idea of what you're making. I sketched up five different concepts, most of which would have two to four different variations. They were easy to do, because they were based on plants, and all I had to do was sit on the porch on a beautiful sunny day and look around me. Late in the evening I started working on them a bit.

Today I spent most of the day finishing the drawings. And rendering them. I got the project done at 11pm. These late nights are killing me, but I think that these projects will come in clusters. Mostly, only this time of year. The nice thing is that for my other business, this is the slowest time of year (next to the dead of summer).
Last year at this time I was eating the spring grape leaves and visiting the local food pantry. Foraging is not bad you know. It can be healthy, but we don't have a lot to forage for here.

I wish I could show you my designs. But I will when they get into your local stores. For now they are proprietary.

March 26, 2012

It's been a very dry week for business. Life has been crazy though, so I guess that makes up for it.

I was thinking about writing again just now. I had a writing teacher that said you should never use cliches, that all of your writing should be fresh and new. He said how horrible Soap Operas were, because they are 90% cliche. At the time I thought, that's what they were supposed to be. So because of that, when I put in any cliche phrase into my writing, I think it's bad. I'm starting to rethink that one. I think it's OK to put a tiny bit of cliche into your writing. It might just be a comfortable familiar thing to the reader. Or maybe it brings the writer to the level of the reader in the reader's eye. And after all, how can you avoid a string of words in all situations.

OK enough of the writing over thinking.

I was so behind in my work, that I had to do quite a lot today (and will tomorrow too). So I planned to cut and sew and cut and shape flowers and finish my designs and send them off. I woke up in the morning to a new Vistaprint add for postcards half off. I wanted to make the cover of my mini brochure out of a small post card, so.... on top of my huge todo list, I added finishing my brochure cover. I had one almost finished so I finished it and uploaded it. It was the wrong size. I have no idea how I got the wrong template, but I did. I had to redo the whole thing. I think I might have been planning to use the bigger size, but I thought the smaller will be better now. And it will cost less.

The nice thing about the post card, is that I can also sent them as a post card. So I ordered 100 for now. They match my website and I have a binding machine, and paper cutter, so I can whip up 4 page little brochures. I'm very excited about them. I guess I'd better hurry and make my packaging, so I can take pictures and get it in my brochure and on the website. I'll have two options for wholesalers, recycled kraft box or hanging clear pillow boxes.

I've definitely taken too much time off of my project and it's time I got it in gear again.

March 24, 2012

Ack! I think the whole point of this diary was to DECIDE between my flower jewelry and my lighting design work. Well I failed miserably at two things so far. I haven't been tracking my goals and I really haven't lost weight. Considering I was pretty sick for almost two months of this thing, I did pretty well.

I was dressing to go out to a family dinner tonight and the bulging gut was very disappointing. I've decided that I really have to get rid of the heart attack fat, if nothing else. I've been walking more, but not as much. I plan on getting that fishing license and walking to the park across the street to fish. maybe I'll take some of my money and buy a bike, that will be good too. If I get any good at it, I can even bike to the Post Office, but I'd have to be really good, because we have a LOT of packages to take in. Our Post office will not pick up packages where we live.

I checked my spreadsheet of things I needed to accomplish and the dates. I did NOT do a good job. I am very behind. I should have my design website finished and my brochures made by now. The logo is holding me up. I really need to either get it or do without. I have to decide. I may do without and use the logo on my images only if I ever get it. I think I have to decide on that one this week, I need my covers printed.

I have a lot to do this week, good I'm healthy again. I'll post my progress, as usual.

March 21, 2012

Today was my daughter's birthday. She was gone shopping, so I was home alone. But the past few day's had been so hectic that I could barely move.

I did a little work on designs and a little blogging. I will be working on some new flowers and headbands tomorrow, too. My deadline is almost here.

I must say that other than loosing weight, which I have lost a tiny bit, I've really done well at meeting my goals. I guess I really should pull out that goal sheet before I say that though. I guess that's another thing on my list.

I did set up a tentative date for more photography. I have such pretty things and the weather is getting so nice. Can't wait to shoot more. I also better get making those samples to ship to shops. I think I'll send actual samples to shops I really want and just sheets or booklets to other stores and if they are interested I will send samples. So many things to think about.

March 17, 2012

Today I was asked to do another rendering of a light design I had done freelance. This means that the Store I had designed for has chosen 6 of my designs to sample. It does not mean that they will buy them, but if the company I make them for can make nice samples at a good cost, it might mean that in 2013 they will be in the retail store and I will make commission.

I find that I definitely like designing product much better than sewing. There is a toss up between making jewelry and design though. Right now my income has doubled what I was making last year because of the design work, but the majority of design work is just this time of year.

I will be having a lot of work this time of year which will let me focus on getting my jewelry to shops at the end of April as I had planned. I need to focus more on my website to get the rankings up. I planned on having a giveaway in March, but I've been too busy. It think I need to do it anyhow. I'll do a quick giveaway of the Pick your own mini bouquet brooches. They will get them in time for Easter/Spring holidays. I'm hoping that I will bring traffic to my site and also have people recommend my flowers. I'll plan for Wednesday.

March 11, 2012

Life is funny. It's like recycling. No really. Some people can make beauty out if the dregs, while others just spend thoughtlessly and fill junkyards with their waste. Some people see the future, and some don't invest in their world.

I've been distressed because I (we) am struggling to survive. But in doing so I've learned something I forgot. I learned that homemade bread is cheaper and healthier, that you can stretch a $10 pork roast into 6 meals, and that you can make bracelets out of soda bottles. I've learned that simple is better, that a big house full of stuff serves no purpose, and that when things get tough, there are kind people who lend a hand, and Ive learned to say thank you, instead of no thank you.

Made my first batch of flower pins. Took me longer than estimated, but time will improve as I have learned a better faster way in the making. I also have some waste when I cut flowers. I found a way to use a lot of that waste on the pin backs. That makes me happy. Even though I use recycled materials and have little waste, I hate to throw any out.  

March 8, 2012

I have a plan, I work hard at it, and it works. Now that's a rare thing. I am a fairly organized person. I make spreadsheets of everything. Well not everything, but if I have comparisons to make I do. I'll make cost spreadsheets, accounting spreadsheets, product dimension spreadsheets, etc. I have a spreadsheet on all of my flowers and their cut sizes so I make them all pretty similar. So a 3 flower necklace has the chain type, and each flower size and color.

I recently made spreadsheets on the new product with time and cost so I could analyze the dollar per hour of each. I did that to see if wholesaling was a viable option and it was. Nice to know. I know most crafters don't really do that. Most just see the money coming in and don't realize what is going on until they do taxes at the end of the year. I know a lot are loosing money instead of making a profit. If they took the time to do a cost analysis, they could see which items make more and focus on those. Of course you have to sell them too.

So the plan is working, really. So far this month I had a bulk sale in my flower shop (the first at this shop) and I sold 7 product designs. This month I increased my income by just under $400, and the designs have the potential of making much more money in the future, with commission. I am so very pleased. And that is for March alone. The month isn't even half over. I have more design commissions in March that will bring income in April.

I was hoping that my plan would work, but it's really amazing how well it has. I have blogged more, designed a nice website, redesigned my blog, made updates on linked in, and made more Facebook and Twitter posts. I've also posted a few items on Pinterest, but not sure I really want to go there. I might be removing most of my boards and only posting things I am sure people want reposted. I love Pinterest, but the thought of getting sued scares me.  

March 6, 2012

Today I spent much of the day drawing and editing. I also had to finish orders. What a crazy week it's been. Not a lot of time to promote my own work, when I was doing so well. Not that the designs aren't my work, just not by my hand.

My new assignment is not my forte. Cute and kitschy are not my thing, do having a very hard time designing in basically one day. I need more time for that. I haven't heard back from the company yet so I think I might have missed the mark.

On the positive side, I really only have to design my packaging for the Flower jewelry wholesaling. I pretty much have it in my head. Just need to put it to paper and see what happens. Oh and I really need shots of my new headbands. I can have a promo for those. Profit percentage is pretty good.  

March 4, 2012

My head is really spinning with all the work I'm doing. I had to spend the whole day today at a friends baby shower, but all the time I'm thinking of what I have to design and what I need to do for my flower business.

As soon as I'm done with the designs and can take a breather, I'm going to review everything I need to get ready, and look at all I've done. I'm hoping I'm pretty close to completion for my flower jewelry wholesaling. I know I have packing to complete and my brochures and of course samples. But I'm doing pretty well so far. I also need to look at blogs and websites that I can contact for promotion.

I really need to spend a bit of time on my design portfolio. I've been fairly successful with that, so I think I need to make some more contacts. I just need more hours in the day.  

March 2, 2012

I really can't believe it's March already. Hell I can't believe it's 2012. I only have 2 months left to write this diary. I'll be glad it's over, but I think I'll miss it.

I was just reading a blog post about consignment, as opposed to wholesale. I guess the thought is that on consignment, the shop hasn't made any investment in your product, and has no incentive to sell. Makes a lot of sense to me. I really hadn't even considered consignment. I've done it in the past, and although I did make some money, what I usually got was trade. Not that that's bad. I got one of my favorite shirts ever in a trade. I wore it until it fell to shreds.

But the person who wrote the post has a point. I don't think I will sell on consignment unless it is a trial, and I will make sure to get a consignment agreement.

I made nine new product designs in the past two days. Two were variations, so not as much work, but still, a lot of work in 2 days. Five of the designs were chosen to sample. If just one of them sell, it could be fantastic for me and the company I work for.

The product design is interfering with my plans for wholesaling. If this becomes a regular thing, I might have to give up on the jewelry altogether. Well, not really. At the rate I sell, I can certainly keep my shops open on Artfire. But wholesaling could be out of the picture. I might even be able to do a show or two, or a local shop or two. But not a national program.

On top of all the work, I caught a cold, and I was never really over the flu and sinus infection. I think I really need a tropical vacation.

March 1, 2012 - March Comes in Like a Lion

You're starting to know so much more about me than anyone else does, I might as well let you in on a little secret. I promised myself if anything happened, that I had some free time on my hands, I would write a book. Well, for the past four years, I've had lots of time on my hands, but no book. The main reason I'm writing all this down, is just to prove to myself that I can write, four months every day.

It's March, that means I've written for two of the four months everyday. Go me! That in itself is quite an accomplishment. But have I accomplished my goals?

Here's a wrap, this week has been heartbreaking and amazing. There were so many ups and down this week. I haven't had such a roller coaster ride in a long time.

The downs were that our car died, after we put so much money into it. Money we didn't really have to spare. $2000 for a car that only lasted three months and barely that is not good. And then there was the shooting in Chardon. The community we spend so much time in. The school that my daughter's brother in law went to. The school she was considering sending her son to, because his school doesn't have the best programs for him.

First positive was that on the weekend I found I got my Power Seller status on eBay and then Top Seller and later this week I rolled over 1900 feedback with a 99.4% positive rating. Darn that .6% of people who just have to be negative.

And then there were the sales. This week was amazing. I can't believe how many sales I had on all my shops, and at the end of the month. The nice thing is that most of my sales were on Artfire which means I don't have to pay those ridiculous fees on eBay.

Lastly, I got a design commission. I guess updating my profile on linked in payed off. I'll give you a little tip, even if you are a handmade artisan. Join linked in and make as many contacts as you can. Updating your profile sends out notification to your contacts. This reminds people who you are and what you do.

It's been quite a week and I can't wait to see what else March has in store for me.  

February 28, 2012

“Don’t be afraid to go out on a limb. That’s where the fruit is.” H. Jackson Browne - I needed this today. Things have just been intense and crazy lately. Lots of personal stress, and while I'm determined to get my jewelry business at a full and fruitful pace, for the first time in about four years, I'm getting contacted about design work. I guess I should post changes on Linkedin more often.

I haven't finished my design portfolio or even started trying to work on the CAD program yet and I just got an offer for design work. Freelance, but it could be steady work. It could possibly be decent income too. Funny how life just happens. I'm thinking that I might contact a few other people I've worked for and see if they're interested too.

This has been a remarkably long week already. It feels like Thursday and I just can't believe it's only Tuesday. I've been on the phone half the day today and yesterday, and I never use the phone. Life has just been surreal this week. I see a positive light at the end of the tunnel though.  

February 24, 2012

Oh this virus will not quit. My resistance is so low. Still in my lungs and I'm getting a fever blister on my lip. I only get those about every 3-4 years now. Like when I get the flu really bad. Just making me tired and last night I couldn't sleep. But I have much more energy.

Today I made 5 new headbands. I'm making some Baby Photo Prop, so I worked on one of those and the new tie headbands that can also be worn on the neck. They are really cute and I can offer them at a much better price. They will be great for wholesaling. Just have to figure out the packaging. I also made a new bangle bracelet, heather gray. I think that will be a great color too. I hope I can get some pictures tomorrow, but I'm not sure when I can get them modeled.

I've also worked on my material cost and profit per hour for the headbands, photo props and necklaces. The profit per hour is very good. Nothing under $10 wholesale. That's right where it should be. That is if I can keep the speed up on the manufacturing. It's partially because my cost of materials is low. I'm mush faster at the crocheting than I thought I was. I timed myself today and manufacturing was better than I imagined. Some things are as much as $20 an hour wholesale, but I'd have to say $15 average. That's still a pretty low income, but manageable. If I add full priced shop sales and a few weddings a year, I could live on it.

Next project is to present my work to potential shops. I could use a bit more publicity. I have to work on that too. I have to send out some things and hope I get people to wear them. I'll do a giveaway too.

I'm feeling positive, because I know that a good percentage of success is self fulfilled. It's not the product, it's the presentation and the attitude. 

February 22, 2012

Got a lot of work done today, shipping, photography, networking and even some around the house stuff. I thought I was feeling better, but seems it's pretty good in my lungs now. I can get bronchitis, but chances of my getting pneumonia are slim as I had the pneumonia vaccination when SARS was just starting out in China and no one knew what it was. The people I worked for were ruthless and sent us even thought hey know people were dying, even in some of the factories we worked with.

Funny, I've been hearing about the factory that Apple uses in China and how employees commit suicide over working conditions. I've been in a lot of factories in China, and even the bad ones aren't that bad. I just wonder if it's more the pressure from peers and family that if they are making Apple product, they shouldn't have to be like the rest of the working class. Maybe they think it will be so much better, then when they find it's the same, they can't take it.

Yes they work 14 hour days, but that's usually with a one hour lunch and a 1 ½ hour dinner with food provided by the company. And maybe they get paid $50 a week, but they will get food and a room also. I don't know about the dorms with beds stacked 12 high though. I've never heard of anything that absurd, so maybe the conditions really weren't so great there.

Enough of that, I'm wandering again. I discovered today that I've been neglecting my bread and butter shop. I added a few new Bow Ties and noticed that I had like five aprons that I haven't listed yet. So I started listing some and have to add more later.

I was so exhausted doing the work I did, but was very pleased to finally have a semi clear mind, although I did leave the water running, over filling a gallon with filtered water, while I walked to the bus stop to pick up my grandson. I think that's how my lungs got started. Cleared out some junk that didn't belong there in the first place.

Tomorrow I hope to feel even better and will list more and have a chance to create some more flowers. I also need to get my daughters taxes done so she can get some money back soon.

February 19, 2012

I suppose it's just the flu, sinus infection, cough, headache, muscle aches and cold lasting well over 2 weeks, but I'm ready to pack it all in. I'm remembering Maslow's hierarchy of needs and my jewelry is about at the lowest rung of the need ladder. But I guess that's where marketing comes in.

I really have to create need and desire for my product, my flowers. I sometimes think it would just serve me better to do something to earn money, a little closer to base needs. If I asked my friends what they need, I know most would say money. I'm pretty good at making facsimiles, but I might go to prison for that.

So I either have to create a driving desire to possess my product or move a little closer to basic needs, like air, clothing, food, or even love, shelter, health. I know, maybe the flowers should be edible, no, maybe they can be made with like rose quartz crystals to bring love.

Oh I know, they are pretty durable, maybe they can be bath scrubbies. I'd have to mkce the centers with plastic findings instead of metal though. If they were glow in the dark, you could use them as locaters. Maybe I could make them Solar and led lighted, and they can be used for airplane landing strips.

No, I just think they should be pretty flowers that make you feel special wearing them. That is if I don't decide to do something else. Like – what do people need, not want need. People need ______. OK so maybe want – people want _______. I just need to fill in the blanks.

Oh I'm tired and I'm tired of being funny. I just want to earn enough money to live in a tiny place of my own and afford meager food. I can do so well with that. Yesterday I fed dinner to 5 mouthes on about $6 worth of food. I was so proud of myself. Pulled pork on buns and coleslaw. We actually had leftovers for lunch too. Maybe I should write about how to live on a very tight budget. That could get published.

February 18, 2012

I've been working on a crocheted baby afghan for a friend. I've been working on it for about 5 days. Mind you, this is a baby afghan. I am about to loose my mind, because it isn't finished yet. I have absolutely no patience or attention span for anything that takes over 3 days to work on. As a matter of fact I have completely remodeled kitchens in just 3-5 days including cabinets, sink, dishwasher, flooring and paint. With one extra set of hands. So much easier to hang cabinets with an extra set of hands. Although I have done them myself.

The bathroom in our house is another story. I haven't gotten it completed yet for several reasons, one of which is the money to finish it, the other is finding the right freaking caulk for the tub. So far everything has cracked and pulled away. I think I have the right stuff now. It will be nice to finally take a shower.

The fact that I can't work on the same thing for more than a few days is what lead me to product design in the first place. I can design a LOT really quickly and move on. I'm actually a pretty prolific designer. But I'm also pretty good at production. I can't work on the same thing for too long, but I know how to mix things up so I don't get too bored. I'm also good at challenging myself to speed up production and improve quality. I can work very fast on repetitive things. Maybe to get it all over with quickly.

I just have to make sure that whatever it is I do, It's not going to bore me. Obviously crocheting afghans or making quilts are not for me. I guess I could make a simple quilt if it only takes a day or two. And I sure hope I get this darn afghan done tomorrow.

February 13, 2012

I took another break on the flower shop today, I worked on some aprons and bow ties I sold. I keep thinking that maybe I would just be better off resigning myself to sewing, because although I could make a lot of money designing, I'm really not sure that's what I want to do.

I started sewing by hand when I was little, and then by machine when I was about 14. I did a lot of embroidery when I was younger. Kits, but they were well done. I was not a patient crafter though. I could only finish things if they took a few days at the most. I still prefer design to making, because it's over and passed on really quickly. I also learned how to work really fast, because I get bored quickly.

I got my first sewing machine for my 16^th birthday. It was a wonderful machine. At that point in my life, I planned on becoming a fashion designer. I even took tailoring classes in high school and designed a lot of my own clothes.

I had some money for college, but not enough to get into any fashion schools. I didn't know anything about financial aid or loans. My high school counselor advised that I take typing, because a secretary was a good career for a woman. I sometimes with I knew where she lived so I could have left her a flaming bag of, well, you know. At any rate, she was no help to me at all, and I missed out on college, because of very bad advice.

It took quite a few years, but I finally went back to school and what did I do to earn money for tuition? You guessed it, I sewed in a drapery shop. I made beautiful custom drapes, bedding and slipcovers for interior designers clients.

Not sure why I have such an aversion to sewing now, but I really don't like it. Maybe it's a stat of mind and I should learn to like it. Maybe I need to create my own thing or my own process of sewing.

I don't plan to give up on my flowers just yet, but it is nice to know that I have something to rely on

in the mean time.

February 6, 2012

Every day I think to myself, you can do this. You have a lot of experience in design and retail and you know marketing, trends and you have an uncanny insight to what all people like. I was given such a hard time in school for my product designs, and yet many of my designs look very much like what was developed in the market shortly after I graduated. I really did know where the market was headed after all.

Every day I think to myself, I can't do this. There are so many talented people out there trying to do the same thing. What would make a person want to come to me, instead of them? My flowers are nice, and cute, but what makes them more special than anyone else?

I spent some quality time in the bath today and came to the conclusion that I will not be doing embroidery on my flowers. I'll leave that to someone else. I need to focus on just 3 things, the flame sculpting, the crocheted bases and the watercolor painting. I will expand on those as the sculpted flower and the watercolor are my own processes. The crochet is the only thing I really want to add.

I also spent the evening working on my website. I was so frustrated with it and then it came to me. It still needs a bit of work, but I know the direction I'm going now and it will be easy to finish. I'll be finishing my packaging soon and other than my brochures, I'll be about ready to start approaching shops.

I don't know exactly how my brochure will look. I do know that they will be half letter size sheet. I have spiral binders, small black so that's how they'll be bound, save me a little money. I will have a picture of one of my broaches, actual size on the cover and I will attach an identical sample through the cover. That way they can wear it, but there will still be the image if they should pass it on to someone else.

I also have to design the labels for the tags, which will be seed packets. I think I have an idea for that one too.

All in all a pretty productive day today.