So... I get a little ambitious, then I can't keep up. I feel absolutely awful about this. Guilty. I've got this [horribly neglected] blog, an [as yet unopened] Etsy, a display at the wonderful coffee shop Burial Grounds in downtown Olympia, as well as a full time job. Here's a little tidbit about what moving, what's not, and why.
First off, Spring Arts Walk was this past weekend, an event I've spent the past month or so trying to make product for. It wasn't my first one with a jewelry display, but it was the first one I was able to attend. The owner of Burial Grounds allowed me to set up in her shop to sell and make stuff all weekend. (Thanks Mara!) All my hard work on my days off and before/after shifts at work paid off, having made a handful of sales and meeting some supremely awesome people.
There's no feeling like the one you get when someone exchanges their hard-earned cash for your handmade crafts, then walks away wearing it, happy as can be.
Anyway, my goal for the weekend (besides selling everything!) was to make enough product to fill up my display downtown. Then, I wanted to have enough to set up the Etsy.
I managed to fill up the display enough, for now, but I failed in having enough to open the Etsy. They want you to have at least 8 items when you open, and while I have lots of photos of old product I don't have anymore, I just don't have the stock to open it! I realize it's not such a bad problem to have, but I can only imagine how frustrating it is for you!
I keep saying "I'm working on getting it open!" or, "I'm planning to list stuff and open it by X!" then something happens and I don't get it done. I know, I know, it's me, excuses or not. This is going to change! Soon as I can. Sure, you'll believe me when it happens, I know.
This isn't completely related, but I'm sure that having the appropriate number of employees at my day job will help. Where we normally have 5 or 6, we've only got 3 right now, and only two of us are available as needed, which has had the unfortunate side effect of having to put Ishtar's Garden on the backburner for a while. It's been this way for some time. Holiday season gets crazy in retail, of course, but then we had a staffing change and lost several people right at the same time. This is looking to be remedied soon. Why am I boring you with the finer details of my day job? Because as mundane as it is, it really does effect the time and energy I can put in the business. Then when I don't get to the business as I'd like to, I feel guilty and unfulfilled. So, I've got my hopes hung on promises that work will settle down and I can get back to the Garden, which will in turn mean I will be more accessible for following through on getting these systems in place!
Phew.
Unfortunately, I didn't get any photos of me at work at Arts Walk, just a goofy one I took of myself and the boy on a break I took to watch an amazing juggler. Bear with me:
That's right. All makeupified and even wearing lipstick. Whoa. And he's got the whole beard thing going on. Just wanted to share!
Until next time!
~Inara
