|
|
GETTING STARTED
Getting a new business up and running is stimulating, exhausting, frustrating, exciting, and a bit scary. Will it be successful? Am I the kind of person who can run my own business? Do I want all the work involved? Will anyone want what I have to offer?
I have tried to go about this thing methodically - write out my long and short term business goals. Find out what the rules are in my state for starting a business and collecting sales tax. Set up a Paypal account. Set up a website. Build my inventory. Etc. etc. etc.
Why am I doing this, I ask myself.
Because I have wanted to have my own business for a very long time. It does not have to be a big business, but I would like to be able to work from home more, or all, of the time. It has to be something I enjoy doing. I would like to glorify God, and bless people.
Simple goals.
|
CRAFTER SPOTLIGHT
I am very excited to feature Pattiwacks as the first crafter in Crafter Spotlight. She graciously sent some photos of herself and her workroom to include in the article. I'm pleased with the way it turned out. I think a monthly (or perhaps every 3 weeks) featured crafter would work with my current time limitations. I have already lined up the next wonderful artist, but you will have to check back to find out who!
Changing this What's New page monthly might be a workable timetable too.
|
TIME MANAGEMENT AND BALANCE
Every job has taught me at least one thing I needed to know. With my current day job, that thing is time management. Our time is charged out to clients in six minute increments. This means I have to account for my work every six minutes of the workday. Keeping that close an accounting of time really makes one aware of how it is spent!
The other thing I am continually aware of is balance. I enjoy life most when it is in balance - time in prayer and reading the Bible, work, exercise, socialization, family, home management, crafting, sleep, nutrition, etc. Much of the time though it seems to be out of balance with one area weighing in heavily, and the others being squeezed, sometimes out of existence.
Right now that out-of-balance thing is the kimbuktu part. I have not been exercising at all. Eating and sleeping are erratic. Cleaning my home...what's that? Getting this website up and running, the learning curve involved in setting up my etsy shop, working on inventory, all the business paperwork to fill out and file, etc. has monopolized my time. I am thoroughly immersed and enjoying it, but I recognize the need for balance.
Perhaps that is the swing of things...out of balance in this for a while, then getting back in sync only to veer into excess in some other area. Right now I am longing for a long summer afternoon playing in the pool with my granddaughters.
|
LIST OF THINGS TO DO:
Read God's Word/Pray
Yoga/Walk
Work at my Day Job
Pick up my Granddaughters from School
Make Dinner
Do Something Fun with Family (school movie night?)
Craft for my Etsy Shop
Post to CreateaDay Blog
Set up Flickr Account
Read/Post in Etsy Forums
Bedtime
|
 |
| 10 Things I Love About U Booklet |
|
|
EXPOSURE
Kimbuktu has been getting some exposure of late, which is very edifying. I am in 8 treasuries on Etsy right now. For those not familiar with Etsy Treasuries, that means eight different Etsy members have chosen to feature one of my items (as well as 11 other seller's items) in a spotlight treasury. My valentine quilt (pictured right) was also featured in the Etsy email that went out to a lot of people this morning. I wasn't signed up to receive emails so I didn't see it, but one of my Boomer buddies kindly emailed it to me.
Speaking of boomers, one of the teams I belong to on Etsy is a group of over 40's called BBEST Boomers. And they are the best! Really a great, encouraging group. I have also joined the Christian team - CAST, and a quilter's team - Quiltsy. Besides this wonderful support network, I belong to a blog called Create-A-Day. This group formed around a plan for each of us to create something new each day. We share what we are working on in words and pictures, and comment on what each other have been doing. It has been very inspiring. There is some amazing talent in the group, and lots of infectious zeal for crafting.
|
 |
| Heart Doll or Wall Quilt |
|
|
CRAFTING SPACE
Today, I thought I would show you my crafting space. I find looking at other's spaces interesting, I hope you do too. As you can see, the room is divided by a bookcase which houses lots of magazines (too many) and craft books on everything from quilting to scherenschnitte (paper cutting). The top of the bookcase has cropper hopper paper storage for cardstock and patterned paper, and various odds and ends that I don't want to get squished. Next to the bookcase is a repurposed TV cabinet that holds a lot of my tools - xyron machine, cropodile, cutting mats and templates, label maker, punches, etc.
The paper crafting side of the room has a six foot table which holds plastic storage bins for embellishments, ink, pens, scissors, etc., my cricut (love it!) and cartridges. Lots of stuff is stored underneath the table too, like paper scraps and loads of stamps.
On the sewing side is a smaller table which usually has a serger and singer futura machine on top, along with threads, my sewing basket, and lots of fabric from current projects. Underneath this table I store the embroidery equipment for my sewing machine and batting. If you are wondering about my fabric stash - it is out of camera range in plastic drawers quite inadequate for their purpose.
I stand to do the papercrafting projects. In fact it is difficult for me to adjust to sitting down when I go to scrapbook crops because I am more comfortable standing. I can see what I am working on better, and it is easier to work at arms length.
Truth be told, I usually haul my sewing machine out to the dining room table for my sewing projects. I like to be in the middle of family activities when I sew, plus there is more room to spread out.
Our goal is to incorporate a crafting section in our downstairs family room when that gets completed. I have the plans all drawn up in my head. I can't wait!
|
 |
| Duel Crafting Space |
|
|
 |
| Paper Crafting Side |
|
|
 |
| Sewing Side |
|
|
Preparation for Opening Kimbuktu Shop
|
December 23, 2007
Here are some things I am working on, small journaling/photo booklets and a tropical colored wall quilt.
|
 |
| Small Travel Theme Journal |
|
|
 |
| Bright Wall Quilt |
|
|
December 24
My husband James built a lightbox (he's so wonderful) and we took pictures of some of the items for my shop. Here are a few of the photos.
I like to take photographs outside, but sometimes it isn't convenient. The light box makes taking close-ups easy for lots of detail. I am learning so much in this process.
|
 |
| Batik Beach Baby Bag |
|
|
 |
| Mae Beach Baby Bag |
|
|
 |
| Blank Journal |
|
|
 |
| beaded backpack bags |
|
|
December 27
Today I worked on my backpack style bags. All those pesky little details like getting the strap attachments just right and securing the beads take time. Once they are figured out though, things move along more quickly the next time. I like the process - especially the part when I succeed.
January 2, 2008
I have been getting my website and etsy listings complete. Ordered a postage scale from the post office. I will also be renting a post office box for the kimbuktu business mail. My husband has been taking lots of pictures of the finished inventory. So much to do, and all very exciting and challenging.
I've announced my shop opening for January 7. Only five days away, yikes!
|
 |
| Patty O Beach Baby Bag |
|
|
Weekend of January 6 and 7th
I've been experimenting with taking pictures of my bags on people. I am thankful to my daughter for being my main model. I think it helps potential buyers to see how the bag looks on someone before they purchase.
|
 |
| Daniella Bag |
|
|
|
January 7, 2008
At a little after midnight this morning, I officially opened my shop! It was either now or not until around dinnertime tonight, and I just could not wait that long! I will probably list a few more items before days end, but right now I have 16 brand spanking new handmade goods for sale. Yahoo!
|
Check out my 2008 crafting intentions - 52 weeks.... in the sub menu of Whats New.
|
|
