I had sort of lost my mojo after returning from Jamaica. I wasn't putting a huge effort into Blushing Pixie when I got home and the result of that was a decrease in sales. Proud to say that I am back on track now (and I learned my lesson!). This weekend was a busy one. I had a show on Friday whoch was pretty good and I worked on two fair-sized custom orders over the weekend and am one necklace away (out of 21 pieces) from being done. Tonight I will get that last one done and celebrate with a glass of wine!
I had today off work and the extra long weekend was really nice! It was rainy out but I made jewellery with the window open and I really liked the fresh air coming into the studio.
I had a nice cup of earl grey lavendar tea this afternoon. That is my favourite kind of tea (just wish it was easier to find!). It made me a little sad though, thinking of a friendship I once had (we both loved that tea) and how it fell apart.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Birthday Baby
My sweet baby girl turned two today! She is such a delight and such a wonderful little person that I can't hardly remember life before her.
She had a rough start (medically) in life but now she is problem free and nothing short of amazing.
Happy Birthday Piper Shaw!
She had a rough start (medically) in life but now she is problem free and nothing short of amazing.
Happy Birthday Piper Shaw!
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Brown but not Rested
So I am back from vacation. Jamaica was beautiful! The resort we stayed at had lots to offer in the way of pools, beaches, restaurants and entertainment but the rooms were kind of bad. We did have lots of fun though and enjoyed perfect weather every day.
I loved having the time off but sadly, just could not manage to de-stress. Usually when I go on vacation by day two I am relaxed, stress free and worried about nothing. That moment never really hit this time. I would say about 3/4's of the way through the week I started to sleep better and really enjoy my surroundings but I never had that feeling of full relaxation. I even treated myself to a severely priced massage in an effort to find bliss. It was great for that hour but stress found me again shortly after.
I think I need to really sit down and map out a plan for life. I know what I really want to do (make jewellery and of course sell it) but I am so scared of not making enough money. The plan is to take the plunge in August and some days I think I won't even make it until August before I cut loose from stress-filled 9-5 and on other days I think I should stay where I am and be able to rely on that steady pay cheque.
My mind wants to explode with this constant roller coaster of indecision.
In any event, I have made a few pretty pieces since I have been home. I have a great Jamaica-inspired idea for a chunky necklace that I hope I can do tonight.
Until then I will leave you with this gorgeous view that I was able to wake up to every morning last week:
I loved having the time off but sadly, just could not manage to de-stress. Usually when I go on vacation by day two I am relaxed, stress free and worried about nothing. That moment never really hit this time. I would say about 3/4's of the way through the week I started to sleep better and really enjoy my surroundings but I never had that feeling of full relaxation. I even treated myself to a severely priced massage in an effort to find bliss. It was great for that hour but stress found me again shortly after.
I think I need to really sit down and map out a plan for life. I know what I really want to do (make jewellery and of course sell it) but I am so scared of not making enough money. The plan is to take the plunge in August and some days I think I won't even make it until August before I cut loose from stress-filled 9-5 and on other days I think I should stay where I am and be able to rely on that steady pay cheque.
My mind wants to explode with this constant roller coaster of indecision.
In any event, I have made a few pretty pieces since I have been home. I have a great Jamaica-inspired idea for a chunky necklace that I hope I can do tonight.
Until then I will leave you with this gorgeous view that I was able to wake up to every morning last week:
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Ya Mon.
Off to Jamaica (tomorrow) for a week. I really need this vacation and am so looking forward to it!
I have never been to Jamaica before and I have heard lots of great things so I am confident that we will have a great time.
We are almost packed and just have to do a few last minute things then we are on our way!
Things have been ultra busy with Blushing Pixie Jewellery in the last week. I have had quite a few custom orders and several regular orders plus I am in a new shop called Poppies on Brant. It has made things a wee bit hectic over the past few days but I am both excited and happy about the success as well.
That being said, a little R and R is just what I need. I think I will actually miss making jewellery over the next week but I am sure that I will also be inspired by the water and beaches and people so that when I come back I will be all set to create some really great pieces!
See you in a week...
I have never been to Jamaica before and I have heard lots of great things so I am confident that we will have a great time.
We are almost packed and just have to do a few last minute things then we are on our way!
Things have been ultra busy with Blushing Pixie Jewellery in the last week. I have had quite a few custom orders and several regular orders plus I am in a new shop called Poppies on Brant. It has made things a wee bit hectic over the past few days but I am both excited and happy about the success as well.
That being said, a little R and R is just what I need. I think I will actually miss making jewellery over the next week but I am sure that I will also be inspired by the water and beaches and people so that when I come back I will be all set to create some really great pieces!
See you in a week...
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Spring is right round the bend...
and I could not be happier! Winter is my least favourite season so I am not at all unhappy to see it go :)
So much is going on in life right now! Mostly good so I am not complaining.
First of all, we are off to Jamaica on the 27th. My husband, my daughter, my father in law (who is great) and his wife (also great) and of course...me! It has been a few years since we have gotten away due to a baby being in the hospital and then my broken knee, so this vacation has been a long time coming. I have never been to Jamaica before and I am really quite excited.
Piper, my daughter is doing great! She is getting really good at walking and she feels quite proud of herself when she is walking around. She is such an absolute delight! She is 100% what I am most proud of in life.
Business is going great as well. I had a slew of custom orders that I am now nearing the end of. About 60 pieces of just custom work in the last month. It has been a real time juggle to get through them with my job as well but I did manage. If I could keep up at this rate, I am sure I can make my living with jewellery. Time will tell I guess!
It looks like I am going to have my work sold in two more shops as well. I approached one of them and then I actually got approached by a shop. This is very exciting (and a first) for me!
I have also been approached by a charitable organization and we are trying to work out a deal for some custom stamped pieces. I hope that we are able to work together on it.
Speaking of stamped pieces....I am having so much fun right now with that! I love the creative expression and endless possibilities.
Here are a few pieces I have recently done:
So much is going on in life right now! Mostly good so I am not complaining.
First of all, we are off to Jamaica on the 27th. My husband, my daughter, my father in law (who is great) and his wife (also great) and of course...me! It has been a few years since we have gotten away due to a baby being in the hospital and then my broken knee, so this vacation has been a long time coming. I have never been to Jamaica before and I am really quite excited.
Piper, my daughter is doing great! She is getting really good at walking and she feels quite proud of herself when she is walking around. She is such an absolute delight! She is 100% what I am most proud of in life.
Business is going great as well. I had a slew of custom orders that I am now nearing the end of. About 60 pieces of just custom work in the last month. It has been a real time juggle to get through them with my job as well but I did manage. If I could keep up at this rate, I am sure I can make my living with jewellery. Time will tell I guess!
It looks like I am going to have my work sold in two more shops as well. I approached one of them and then I actually got approached by a shop. This is very exciting (and a first) for me!
I have also been approached by a charitable organization and we are trying to work out a deal for some custom stamped pieces. I hope that we are able to work together on it.
Speaking of stamped pieces....I am having so much fun right now with that! I love the creative expression and endless possibilities.
Here are a few pieces I have recently done:
Monday, February 28, 2011
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.
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.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
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!
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!
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