In such a short period of time

In such a short period of time, so much can happen. I feel like the past few months could have been years. I have made so many changes with my business and while I now find myself content (for the moment!) I am also exhausted. I really wanted to have a little retail shop. I have actually wanted it for years but pushed the idea to the back of my head. I was going to do it with a former friend a few years ago and when that collapsed I dismissed the idea of doing it myself. Then I decided I would rent a studio space so I would have more room to create and would have a more professional environement for clients to visit. While searching for a studio I found a small shared retail space in Paris. It was a great start for me in retail. My work was well recieved and I started making money right away. Sadly, the situation itself wasn't working for lots of reasons. That is when I found the beautiful old mill in St. george. It was pretty hard not to fall in love with that space. So much character, just the right amount of space and lovely landlords to boot. What more could a girl ask for? Customers. The only negative about the mill space was the fact that there were 33 big, steep stairs to climb in order to get there. I did get some customers through but nearly every single one complained of the stairs and I hate to even think of how many never even came up. So that leads me to where I am now. A tiny little space beside the local salon. The truth is, when I looked at this space it didn't appeal at all. It was a dirty little rectangle. I couldn't initially see it happening. A few nights of sleep though and lots of analyzing made me realize that it doesn't matter how cool a space is, if no one visits it is simply not going to work. So now, with the help of lots of people and with a whole lot of hard work I am here. The space is as cute as a button. It has been painted and decorated and "girlified" to the nines. I look around it and I am proud. Customers can easily access it and the overhead is manageable. Now let's just hope they come...

New Space

I have to admit that I am really ready for this emotional rollercoaster surrounding my business to come grinding to a halt. I found a place, sales were good, sharing the shop was not, then the actual building started falling apart which resulted in a never ending construction zone. Then I am going to share with someone else, then I decide against it, then I find a place, second guess it, find a cool space, take it, wonder if people will ever find me there...freak out, lose sleep, consider packing in everything, realize my negative thinking is going to harm the business, come up with a plan, emerse myself in self doubt, continue with the freaking out.... Yep, that's kinda where I am right now. I can barely stand myself right now. I love my studio/shop though. I just hate that it is third floor. Will anyone find me? Will I make any money? I really hope so.

Creative Chaos

I often feel like I am living in a state of creative chaos. I guess I like it that way! I find I am most productive and most creative when I have a lot on the go and a lot on my mind! I have figured out a future plan for the shop and am quite excited! The bottom line is, I am going to make mistakes and going to face struggles but I love what I am doing and on most days I feel lucky. The past few days have been stinking hot but also very creative. I am loving the options I have with bead colours and textures. I am going through a real colour burst lately. So much fun!

Decisions, decisions!

If it's not one thing it's another, right? I guess that is pretty much everyone's reality. Sometimes I think I am incapable of feeling content. Other times I think it is a good thing to always strive for better. Right now I am throwing around ideas for the shop. I think a change is in the not-so-distant future but I am really struggling with making a decision. I have a few options on the table and loads of advice from everyone but I just don't know what to do. I truly believe that the right answer is going to come to me however, in the mean time I am growing impatient! In brighter news, my recent hypnosis sessions have done wonders! I have lost 12 pounds in three weeks and am eating very well now. I feel really in control with this for the first time in a very, very long time. I never say this but I am actually proud of myself right now. GASP. Wow, a new feeling for me.

Trials and Tribulations

Soooooo long since I have written. Lots has been going on! So my little shop in Paris is up and running. It's a shared space which is less than ideal but it is in a great location which kinda makes up for it. I can't believe how much stuff I can fit in my space actually! So far, I am off to a good start. No advertising yet still a steady flow of people in the shop and sales as well. I also really enjoy working in the shop. I like my studio space and I like the balance of customers and jewellery making. I have a few worries with regards to sharing the space (with a handmade furniture company) but I am sitting back, observing and seeing how it plays out. So far, not bad! On a personal note, I did some hypnosis over the past two weeks. I was a bit skeptical going into it but I have to say, I am loving the results. The sessions were a cross between counselling and meditation almost. Lovely! It is doing wonders for both my health and my mental well being. I truly love it and will probably do this FOREVER. Now I am going to share with you a picture of my daughter at her first horse show. Cute?

excitement baby

Life is good. I officially have the keys to my little shop and am moving stuff in this weekend. I am planning to open on Tuesday although I won't have a lot of the wholeslae stuff I have purchased. I have only a tiny, smidgen of worry about this venture. All in all, I feel positive and really excited. I am not having that same, stupid conversation with myself where I doubt what I am doing and fill myself with worry. I really think this will be successful and it is exactly what I want to be doing right now. I am a little but bummed out that I am not doing it with someone who I used to be friends with. We had spoken a fair but about having a shop in Jordan or Beamsville and it is kind of sad that she isn't part of this. I guess things happen for a reason though and I am proud of myself for realizing a dream and making it happen. It has been loads of fun (although quite expensive) to buy things for the store. I am having jewellery (of course), art work, hand made bath products, mineral make up and more. I think it will really appeal to the Paris market. I am planning a grand opening party for the beginning of June but that's still up in the air right now. In the meantime, I have been ridiculously busy with custom orders. I have 123 items on my order board! Luckily most are smaller. Still though... I am SUPER excited that next week I will be working in a new studio! I think it is going to be a welcome change and hopefully inspiring!

Brick and Mortar Baby

Well it has been a few weeks of change! So, I was all set to rent a studio space and I had found a decent place with plans to move in this month. Then there was an issue with the renos and it became clear that the move in was going to be set back significantly. In the mean time, I learned of an amazing opportunity with much more retail promise. It is right downtown Paris Ontario which is a thriving little community with lots of foot traffic. I am getting the keys on April 21st and plan to be open on April 24th. I am going to be nestled in with a thriving cafe, a yoga studio, a bakery, a hand crafted furniture place, an art gallery and more. I think it is the perfect setting for me and I am so excited! When I was thinking of the other space I was excited as well but I was really worried about the location. I was going back and forth in my head every day...should I do this or should I go back to the corporate working world? Since I have made the decision to rent in Paris I have been sleeping better and have not been filled with self-doubt. I just have a fabulous feeling that this is going to work. Granted, it is still a gamble but I think you have to take a chance once in a while to truly reach your potential. Obviously the main thing I am going to be selling is my jewellery but I am also going to sell hair accessories, tiny paintings, hand made bath treats, hand made mineral makeup and perfumes. Who knows what else! I have been really busy ordering signage, buying packaging and working out displays. I find that all very enjoyable though and I am ever-more excited about this shop. In even more exciting news...Piper Shaw is three on Saturday! She is so excited, as are we. We are going to spend the day at the Toronto Zoo and then we are having a bunch of family on Sunday. It is going to be so much fun and this little lady deserves all the fun in the world!