It’s not good to let a blog languish like this. I blame Facebook.
For this year I will either blog more or let it die. How’s that for decisive?
The problem is that I can’t get the FTP to my host working in order to update WordPress or fiddle with the files. It’s a frustration that I haven’t had the time to deal with since the birth of my daughter last spring.
So, that will either get fixed or I’ll let the whole thing expire and start over. Maybe.
Ha!
I’m all set up and ready to sell at the Tea For All Reasons 2009 Fall Open House.
I’m in a different room this year. I usually had the family room, which is a much larger room. But this time I’m in the parlor, which is just off of the front door and also connects to the kitchen. Good traffic either way.
I’m looking forward to the weekend. We’re expecting large crowds. I hope they come ready to spend money!
I have bought a lot of soap on Etsy over the past couple of years. The one word that continually comes to mind as I lather up in the shower every time is delicious. I love, love, love handmade soap and I will never go back to buying soap from large commercial companies again.
Other soaps I have enjoyed include the Peach Magnolia from Kreated by Karina. This one smelled warm and soothing.
Cherry Blossom by Mountain Mama Chic. Smelled lovely and of spring.
Blackberry Sage by Shine Your Hiney Soap Co. I love the shop name - so clever. I liked the crispness of the sage with the berry aroma.
No words can describe the pleasure of Chocolate Cardamom from Savor. The name says it all, right? This one didn’t last long enough to suit me. (But that’s not to say it wasn’t long lasting - I just wanted more!)
I should also mention the non-soap items that I have bought, used, and loved…
The Milk and Honey Lotion Bar from 4th Avenue Soap Co. I have had this for a couple of years and I keep it in my purse. The tops of my hands get super dry in winter - this bar is perfect for applying lotion only to the dry areas and it feels soft and non-greasy. I plan to buy another one, if she still carries them, when she reopens her shop.
Bathing in Luxury’s OCV Whipt Pudding is my all-time winter favorite. OCV stands for orange, clove, vanilla - these three scents smell divine, like Grandma’s kitchen at Christmas. And the silkly soft warmth of the cream as it gets smoothed into my skin is wonderful. I use this on my dry legs in the winter - it’s my bedtime and post-shaving treat.
There are plenty of other wonderful soap-makers on Etsy, too. I plan to buy from more sellers, but I’ll go back for more of these favorites, too.
Just realized that with the theme switch, I lost my blogroll. Since it’s an older theme, the widgets are a bit hosed, so I’ll have to recreate the list. It can be done, but I don’t have the time right now…must go feed the children and then get working at creating more inventory for the open house.
*sigh*
I have been busy creating in the past couple of months as I gear up for the annual Tea For All Reasons Open House. Sadly, this is the last TFAR Open House since my parents are moving away from this area sometime next spring. I know that my mother’s loyal customers are deeply disappointed to hear that news as much as I am.
Anyhow, I’ve been busy. Here are a few of the new items that have already sold in my Etsy shop:
The Agate and Jasper Necklace
… and matching earrings
Vintage Rhinestone Shoe Clips
Vintage Thai Princess Ring
Recycled Hand in Time 2 Necklace
There are other items sold, too. More than I remembered!
It’s been a pretty good fall for sales so far, considering the many months that I let things languish at the end of my pregnancy and soon after my daughter was born in late March.
The blog languishes while I get back into the groove of the business while still working full-time and taking care of the family. Poor blog.
New look coming soon.
New content coming soon.
I promise. Really.
Wow, it’s been a long time since I last posted. In that time, I had my baby girl. She is now 5 months old already!
I just got back to my work table in the last month. New pieces are being listed in the shop and I’m preparing for the Tea For All Reasons Fall Open House that will take place in late October.
Blogging will resume in earnest as I get things back in gear, including upgrading the WordPress and freshening the look to go with my new branding.
More soon …
Ok, so I have a hard time believing that I haven’t posted since right after Christmas. I’m a terrible blogger.
My excuse is the baby I’m expecting to deliver at the end of March.
I predict things will remain quiet here for a while yet…
… And I wish you and yours a very happy new year.
Big changes coming in 2009 for me.
1. First off, I’ve decided to take the “move the shop” plunge at Etsy. Beginning Jan 1 (actually, I’ve already got stuff listed and had one sale), my shop will be found at BeadWire.etsy.com. It’s way more professional than jenspeaks and there are personal reasons for doing away with that handle in my business anyway.
Related to the move is a rebranding. I’m very excited about my new look! It’ll be the same basic color scheme, but with a lovely, more elegant touch.
2. Second, more personal than business is the coming of our second child in the spring. I’m heading into the third trimester, which is hard to believe really. Just about 90 days go to until this baby arrives. We won’t know the sex until birth because the baby didn’t cooperate at the final ultrasound. So we’re working on two names to have ready on the big birthday.
3. Third, there’s the possibility of a job change in my future with my full time job. I’m excited about the possibility, but wondering how it will affect my business. Considering the guy I’d be working for, I don’t think it will have much impact - he’s a great guy.
I’m excited about 2009 and all of the potential for expanding and learning new things.
I am a regular vendor at my mother’s annual fall open house now. It’s kind of nice to have regular customers who come back excited to see what new shiny things I have to offer.
I had low expectations for sales this time given the economy. However, I did have a number I was hoping to reach and I mainly wanted to unload some inventory. Both goals were accomplished!
The most exciting sale was for a necklace and earrings I made just a couple of days before the open house. The necklace was not like anything I had made previously, but I got great feedback on it and it did sell. I have terrible flash pictures from my display table that I need to download and will put on the blog soon.
[Added 11/17]: Here are the photos of the Blue China necklace and matching earrings that sold at the open house. Please forgive the quality of the photos.
I’m now considering an online open house - sending out an Evite to my mailing list for folks to shop my Etsy shop for Christmas gifts. I can’t do an actual open house in my home this year, which is a bummer, so maybe that can be a way to remind them that I still have pretty things available for their gift ideas.
