Sorry for the lapse in posts. Life has been busy, busy.
I have made the decision to leave my job in august and go full force with Blushing Pixie jewellery.
I am kind of freaking out but I am also so excited.
This has been a dream of mine for the past few years.
I am doing a few things ahead of time to get myself ready. I am working towards being debt free, I am saving some paycheques in my bank account and of course, I am working on increasing sales.
Lately I have had a few bigger orders and have faced the challenge of making tight deadlines and also looking after my smaller customers with the same care that I would if I didn't have the bigger orders.
This is something I am striving to do at all times. I think it will be a key component to my success.
Some crazy things have happened in my personal life over the past week as well but I don't think it is wise to post details on here. All that I will say is that it was a stressful week that has ended with a great sense of satisfaction and relief. It is amazing that really trying situations can bring a couple so much closer when they work together to resolve issues. That is one good thing we got out of it all.

The Brink of Wickedness

I am quickly approaching a cross-roads in life and I am both scared to death and excited!!
I am thinking of taking a leap of faith (in myself) and turning my little part time business into my living.
Long and confusing circumstances are pushing me in this direction but maybe it is just the kick in toosh I need. I can stay in my current job if I wanted but I can't do it with integrity to myself. So I am taking steps to set myself up and be as prepared as one can be going into business for themselves on a full time basis.
I am scared the sales won't be there but I have to believe in myself and I do have goals etc for boosting sales. I am also going to try and get some small business help locally to keep me on the right track and learn some new things.
So I am 99% there on this decision and I can't wait!

On The Eve of February

Well tomorrow is February first, which is the start of the downward climb towards the end of winter. Unfortunately it looks like we are about to get slammed with 20 to 30 cms of snow but at least the end of winter is in sight.
On the business front, I have really been feeling creative and have been making a whole bunch of different styles. It's been a blast!
One of the new things I am doing is metal stamped jewellery.
I like that I can do fun things and really be creative. I just need to get a smidgen better at the actual stamping but it is coming for sure.
Here is one of my latest and greatest:


Of course I am also still doing my regular style of designs. Yesterday I made this pretty little number:

Great Wolf Lodge

We are off to Great Wolf Lodge tomorrow and I am very excited! We are having a much needed family fun weekend! I am sure we will all love it and the timing is perfect.
See you next week :)

10% Jewellery Designer 90% Business Person

I think that one of the things that I hadn't really accounted for was that having a small business with jewellery design wouldn't actually mean making loads of jewellery! Lately I have been feeling like I am 10% jewellery designer and 90% business person. Well, actually, that would be the case if I was being totally responsible and organized. The truth is, I need to catch up on pictures, listing items on etsy, re-stocking shops, putting on price tags and doing the books. I should really focus on all that other stuff before I go making a bunch more stuff but it is so hard to do that! I have so many ideas and things I want to make. I guess it is part and parcel though isn't it? One day, when I am doing this full time I will have to be very diligent at setting time aside to do the less glamourous tasks that are necessary evils in this business.

Less Stress in 2011

That's my goal!
I want less stress with work (which may mean a career change) and more time to enjoy my family and my business. It is probably going to take some time to figure it all out but I know it will happen.
Things are going at home. My little family have all been sick but we are on the mend and we are happy. It's strange because I can't even remember life much before Piper. She is so sweet and so funny. She makes Bob and I both so happy. I think it is safe to say that we are in love with our daughter.
Business is going well too. I am learning to make metal stamped jewellery which is pretty cool. I will be offering it for sale on February. I have also been working on taking better pictures of my work. This is always a challenge for me but I think I am improving!
In 2011 I am also going to work on letting sleeping dogs lie. The back end of 2010 was rough for me with regards to a long term friendship that went down hill quick. I was so personally hurt and really struggled with things but since then I reached out a few times, to no avail. I have decided that it is probably best to let sleeping dogs lie. I will not continue to reach out and instead will focus on positive things in my life and moving in the direction I would like to see my life travel in.

New Year with Exciting Possibilities

What I love about New Year is the global excitement about what's to come. Everyone has goals and dreams and everyone is excited about what the new year will bring.
I definitely am excited about 2011. This year I will see my daughter walk, talk and experience her first vacation. She is growing into such a little sweet heart with such a sense of humour. I am brimming with love for this little person!
My business is also taking on a new branch as well. I am going to be learning how to do metal stamping. I am really excited about this and I keep thinking of new and exciting ideas for it.
I have clear goals for doing about 8 shows and I know the direction I want my business to go in.
I am truly excited to see how 2011 turns out!