Life is good right now. I have rolled out a new line of bracelets, the fabric cuff! I am really pleased with them so far and I am enjoying designing them. They are made with aluminum base so they are adjustable but not flimsy. I have been adding different fabrics and embellishments (flowers, cames, rhinestones etc) and I really enjoy how creative I can be with them. I think they will be popular sellers. Guess I will just have to wait and see! My legs are killing today. It's for a good reason though. I recently started riding again after a three year interruption. I absolutely love horses and I never thought I would be on the back of one again after havung broken my knee very badly. Horses are good for my heart and soul though and I am really happy to be around them again. Business is good. Of course this is the season for gift buying and I have been quite busy! My biggest seller this year is the customized, stamped jewellery. I have been making dozens of pieces a week. I am thrilled with how many repeat customers I have been getting as well. Over the years I have really tried to pay attention to what wasn't working with my designs and how I could improve my craftmanship. I will never say my learning is done in this area but I know I have come along way. It is really nice to have customers keep coming back because they are satisfied. I would say that is one of my favourite things in business! I want to take a new direction in 2012. I am thinking that I would like to change the types of shows I am doing. I like the Maker's Market/Art Crawls in Hamilton and would like to participate in the Handmade Market in Niagara but outside of that, I may look at a few Art in the Park shows and that is it. The smaller craft type shows tend to attract vendors who aren't actually crafting, they are importing goods and calling them hand crafted. The ones that are actually making their goods tend to be in categories that don't compliment what I am selling. For that reason, I don't think I am reaching my target market with these events anymore. I think I will sit down early in the new year and really make a plan of action for my show calendar. With a few changes, I am sure it will pay off.

Bursting with Creative Excitement

Happy Halloween everyone! Just a short post today. Lately I have been dreaming about jewellery. Bracelets in particular. I have ordered supplies and will soon be releasing a new line that I am soooo excited about. It will be different from anything else I have made. They will be big and bold. Stay tuned, they should be ready to go in about 2 weeks....

This is Heaven

I think that right now I am exactly where I need to be in life. My business is going well, I am getting my health in order (facing things that I had been hiding from for a while) and my family is happy and well. Today I was looking at this thing where you randomly choose a card which gives you a supposed lucky number, colour and a little statement that is supposed to be geared for you. Of course it could all be a boat load but everything that I got totally did seem to fit. I got a shimmering, sparkling soft red for the colour (love!), the number 5 (which has always been my favourite) and the statement was "stop doubting, stop searching. you are right where you should be. this is heaven" Well who am I to argue with such a statement? I'll take it! Some times this does indeed feel like Heaven.

Unexpected Inspiration

Steve Jobs passed away yesterday. Until I heard about it on the news and saw it on facebook I didn't pay much mind to who he was. I knew vague things about his past, including his involvement with Apple. I knew he recently retired and that was about it. Obviously many other people knew much more about him and were deeply saddened by his death. Because of all of this, I have learned so much more about this man. I have read his quotes and become aware of his opinions. He was truly amazing in both his accomplishments and how he inspired others. I can now say that I am one of those people inspired but his words. I found a lot of meaning and understanding in what he said. I am less afraid today to follow my gut and I feel more confident in trusting myself. Steve Jobs was a true inspiration. I am sad that he is gone and sad that I didn't learn more about him while he was alive,

My Studio

Eight years ago we moved into this house. The spare room upstairs once housed all of my husband's spare "crap". It was then our dog's bedroom and for a short while it was a guest bedroom. Through out all of those years I never spent a lot of time in that room but now it is the birth place for all of my designs and the place where I spend my quality alone time. I have filled it with gorgeous things that I love and of course my wicked bead collection. Today I was thinking bcak on all of those years when that room really meant nothing to me. I had no idea what it would become or how much I would grow to love it!

Getaway

We just had a lovely getaway to Horseshoevalley and Blue Mountain. I loved the vibe at Blue Mountain especially> It felt like instant "laid back" mode. I saw so many places that would be ideal for my business as well. I wish we could relocate out that way! The drive home however, was horrendous. Nearly 4 hours of bumper to bumper traffic. It was crazy. I did see my Dad and his wife for lunch though and it was nice. My Dad is growing a beard which is something he has never done and he totally doesn't even look like my Dad any more. I did realize I miss him though!

Heat Wave

Okay, I am not complaining because I certainly would rather sun over snow but a little rain and maybe a little humidity break would be good.
That being said, life is good. I have managed to get the house somewhat sorted out and I have been making lots of great jewellery. I am also going to be able to say this evening that for the first time, in possibly 2 months, I have caught up on all of my jewellery orders. Now I am on to get more!
Actually, I have started a list of things I would like to do for the business. It includes everything from looking into new shows to looking into new price tags. I think it will be a list that gets added to forever but it will help keep me focused as I work from home and it will challenge me to always find ways to grow my business.
Last night I made this fun little bracelet. It is definitely a favourite of mine!