Thank God for Kids

Last week, i showed you my Halloween in July. I only received other Halloween links from one other person, but they are so cute. ( Not the links, but what they linked to. tee hee.) Cuddle Hugs offers a wide variety of Infant and Toddler Shoes, Tutus, Clothes & Accessories for your little Sweet Pea! including these adorable Lil' Pumpkin & Candy Corn Cuteness tutus for Halloween.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/28565161/candy-corn-cuteness-the-tutu-darling-an

 

 

 

 

http://www.etsy.com/listing/28565161/candy-corn-cuteness-the-tutu-darling

Stop by this Etsy shop & i'm sure you'll find something for your little Princess.  wwwcuddlehugs.etsy.com 


My next order of business is something i'm very proud of. For awhile now, i've been looking for where i wanted to give my tithes & offerings. One of the things that i have loved about Facebook, is that i have reconnected with so many wonderful friends. One of my classmates, who was a very close friend of mine in high school, is now in Shell, Ecuador & she runs a home for abandoned, abused & special needs children....Casa de Fe. Shortly after we reconnected, Jhony came to Casa de Fe, in need of serious surgery. When i saw his picture, i fell in love with his smile. He has stayed in my prayers, as have the children & staff of Casa de Fe.  The other day, Patti, my friend posted a wonderful video about Casa de Fe. I saw Jhony in that video  & how he's grown so much. He still has that wonderful smile that radiates so much love. It was there & then that i realized...that is where my tithes & offerings need to go. My sales are very low right now, but i'm sure that whatever i can send will be appreciated. But no matter what the amount, a portion of ALL sales from ifrog crafts will go to Casa de Fe in Shell, Ecuador. For more information on this wonderful place & the work they do, please visit their website.

http://lacasadefe.org/

Or stop by thier Casa De Fe Prayer Page on Facebook.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=156324529179&ref=ts

That wraps things up for this time. Next week, i will be featuring a great lady who uses her business to promote others. Stay tuned.....

What a Day for a Daydream.....

Yes it is a day for a daydream....or at least to veg on the couch. It's rainy & dark & suppose to be nasty all day. And for most of the afternoon, i will be on the couch, but with laptop at hands. This is part of my new schedule for Monday. Writing my blog & catching up on computer work plus, by staying downstairs on the couch, i can do laundry at the same time. Again....thanks to all who gave me great input on my scheduling. =)
I have used my new Sharpie Oil Base Paint Markers. As stated last week, i purchased  a black fine tip & a black medium at Michael's.

GOOD RESULTS:

<><   It didn't take very long for the paint to get to the tip & ready to use.

<><   It was very easy to use & went smoothly onto the product.

<><   Dried quickly to the touch.

<><   Used on top of paint (as i would usually use it) there was no bleeding. The color was vivid.

BAD RESULTS:

<><   It did bleed on non treated unfinished wood. I did kind of expect this & i don't normally use a paint pen this way, but just wanted to see for sure if it would or not.

UNKNOWN RESULTS - ONLY TIME WILL TELL.....

<><   Whether the paint pen will glob & become hard to use.

<><   Whether the paint will fade. It does claim to be fade resistant

All in all, i did really like the was the pen performed & will be completing my set of them. At Michael's, my total purchase for both pens, plus tax, was $7 - $8. I've spent a little time in price checking & have found a much better price on U.S.Art Supply.  http://www.usartsupply.com/sharpie/default.aspx . 

Extra Fine & Fine $1.85

Medium $1.96

Bold $2.66

On a different note...a lot of friends are doing Christmas in July promotions this month. I will get there pretty soon, but before Christmas is Halloween. So my promotions are for.....

 HALLOWEEN IN JULY

 

http://www.etsy.com/shop/ifrogcrafts?section_id=5457821


So, here's my request this week, if you have some Halloween items to promote, please leave your link(s) in the comment section. Until next week, it might be July, but i  always hope that all your pumpkins will be great!

 

Finally in my studio!!! Woo Hoo!!!

I know it wasn't a Holiday weekend, but i took a holiday yesterday anyway. Instead of working on my blog & other computer work, i met two of my bestest High School buddies for a long lunch & lots of chatting. We have reconnected through Facebook & this is the second time we've met for lunch. So much fun!!!


Anyway, as i said last week, the studio is ready. I still haven't gotten any decor items up, but that's ok. I may do that later on. Right now, i'm just thankful that i have my space to create in again.  And i promised you pictures, so here they are. (For the before pictures, check the "I'm so excited" post from June 28th)

So this is my little corner of the world. It actually looks a lot more organized that it is. Truthfully it probably is pretty organized, it'll just be interesting to see if i can remember where i put things.That will be the challenge.


I mentioned earlier that i reconnected with my High School friends through Facebook. Well, i have also met some absolutely wonderful people who also are crafters, artists, designers, etc. After my enjoyable time yesterday at lunch, i came home to find i had received a package in the mail. Now, this lovely person had asked for my address, so i know that something would be coming. But i was so excited when i saw the goodies.....

These are adorable bottle cap magnets from Beans Things. Sooooo cute!!! She knew i loved Basset Hounds & Kitties & added the other two coordinating ones for a set. Jeanna has a wonderful Etsy shop full of natured inspired pendants, earrings, rings, & magnets. Stop by Jeanna's shop & see for yourself & be sure to stop by her Facebook Fan page & say hi. Don't forget to click the "Like" button to become a fan!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/beansthings

http://www.facebook.com/beansthings
www.flickr.com/beansthings
http://www.twitter.com/beansthings
  

One last thing, before i go this week. Not to long ago, i posted a request on FB asking if anyone had any preferences of the brands of paint pens that they used & what they liked about them & disliked about others. I would still love to hear opinions from anyone. The reason being is that i need some new paint pens & wanted to make a wise investment. During my research, i discovered that Sharpie made both oil & water based paint pens. I was so excited by this, because i haven't met a Sharpie that i didn't like, but still have not heard any feedback on them. So after lunch yesterday, i went to Michael's & bought both a fine & a medium oil based pens in black. By next week, hopefully, i'll be able to let you know what i think.

Until then, hope & pray that you all have a great week. I look forward to reading your comments, so don't be shy. =)

Getting it Together.....

Happy Monday Everyone! Hope you all had a good 4th of July. And those of you who get an extra day off today.....ENJOY!!! We had a quiet evening at home....grilled pork steaks on the grill, baked potatoes, peaches & cream sweet corn.....mm mm gooooood! =) Anyway, it's back to business for me today.....

First up: Two weeks ago, i asked for tips on scheduling, marketing, etc. Anything that you think might help me. I didn't get as much response as i had hoped, but what i got was very good!

My friend Karen T summed it up best: "Organizing your week is an absolute must, otherwise you have a lot of half completed tasks." And Karen seems to have it under control....
   <><  Keep an ongoing shopping list on the fridge.
   <><  Have a message/note area.
   <><  Laundry ONCE A WEEK!
   <><  Cleaning: Everyday - wipe down the bathroom, declutter & wipe down kithchen counters. Schedule 1 day a week to vacuum, dust, mop floors, etc.
   <><  Make a "project to do" list. It is easier to visualize what needs to be done & checking off what you've gotten done is very gratifying.
   <><  Schedule computer time & craft "work" time.
   <><  Schedule a little down time for simple pleasures: reading, phone calls, take a walk, etc.
   <><  Learn to say no to those extracurricular activities that can set you back. 

It seems that just because we work at home, some people think that we have all the time in the world to do whatever. NOT! We do have a business to run. However, there is no sense in getting too stressed out if you do run a little behind. After all, the only one who would dock you pay, write you up, or fire you....is yourself. =)

My friend Jeanie H. was very complimentary of my work. Thanks so much Jeanie!!!! Her suggestion for marketing, was to beef up my shop. To put more of myself out there. My own personal website is something that i have been researching & for just that reason. Good minds think alike. =)  Another of Jeanie suggestions is to check into ad in local free papers. With that in mind, & another opportunity that was presented to me, i made up a flier last week. 

 Jane N-J directed me to Mommy the Marketer & i found this article:
http://etsymomentum.com/2010/06/16/time-management-101-for-creatives-amber-jordan/.  Mommy the Marketer is a great place to go for helpful info. Thanks for reminding me Jane!


I had a couple of others who, i believe, had planned to send me tips, but i didn't receive anything from them. And since i said that 3 would receive an item of their choice from my shop, congratulations Karen, Jeanie, & Jane! Send me an email (ifrogcraftslive.com), & let me know know which item (www.ifrogcrafts.etsy.com) you're choosing & your mailing address. =)


I've gotten my studio set up, except for a few homey decor items. Will share those pics with you next week! Until then, i pray that you all have a wonderful week ! <><


 

I'm so excited!!! I just can't hide it!!!

Hee hee! But i AM excited!!! I've received a few responses from my new blog followers & will be sharing them with you soon!  But another reason that i'm excited is that tomorrow, i have scheduled myself in my studio!!! Woo Hoo!!!  Now, to most of you, this may be not a big deal but to some of you, who i've been friends & Facebook friends with, know the chaos, i feel like i've been in. But for you new friends, here's a little background....

In April, hubby & i moved from a 3-4 bedroom ranch home with a full basement & single garage into a 2 bedroom duplex with an upstairs bonus room. Now that bonus room is part storage & part my studio. I was only able to get one afternoon up there to unpack my supplies, etc, before it got too hot up there. Then the central air didn't work correctly & the entire unit needs to be replaced & new lines run through both sides of the duplex.  (Financially, i am VERY thankful that this is a rental) The landlord has gotten us 2 window units for now, plus a dear friend gave us a unit. So, last week, one of the window units finally got upstairs & tomorrow, i'm going up there to work!

Here's how it all started in May....

This is the narrow hallway that leads up to the kitties' domain & my studio. Not an easy climb for a wowee size woman. Hopefully it will be good for me though. lol.

At the top of the stairs - items that will go into storage in the closet when i get it emptied of my supplies. (An no, the box marked "CATS" does not contain any fur babies, just figurines.)

 Jewel & Princess are here to supervise.

Queen Jewely Jewel making sure it all meets with her approval.

My painting garret. Princess Tippy Tail is making sure that the table is sturdy.

 Empty shelves to move around & fill.

 I have one window & mostly i see the neighbor's house or the Caterpillar plant behind us. And now with the window AC unit, the view won't be near as good. =)

Now, after i took these pictures, i was able to get about half of my supplies, etc. put away. So hopefully, i'll get all set up tomorrow. Wish me luck!

Next week, i'll begin sharing the tips that have been sent to me & i plan to have pics of a working studio. I'm excited about that too!!! Be sure to invite your friend to share their tips too. Until then, have a great week! <><

 

Looking For Sales In All The Wrong Places.

I'm in the same boat as a lot of us. Looking for sales in all the wrong places. I've spent a lot of time lately studying. Studying & learning. Now these are good things to do. We should never quit learning. I've learned quite a few wonderful tips & i am doing the best i can to implement them. But i feel like i am so unorganized...well, yes, i am.....and i don't know how to put all these tips together for success. So this week's project for me will be scheduling. I used to be pretty good at scheduling. when i worked for someone else & they gave me the tasks to schedule. I'm not near as disciplined now. =)

So, here's where i need your help. I would love to hear how your day, week, &/or months are scheduled. What tasks do you do & when. How do you manage housework, or i should say, life, with your home business? How did you find your target market? What tools do you use, either online or not....planners, checklists, anything that makes your life easier? Where do you sell your work?  Any & all tips are welcome & needed.


I am looking forward to hearing what you have to say & especially sharing the info on my blog which a link will be posted on facebook & twitter. With your permission, i will definitely give credit where credit is due....to those who share their input.


What i would like you to do is to email me with your answers. (ifrogcrafts@live.com) Please put "Scheduling" in the subject line. Three people will be chosen randomly to receive one item of their choice from my etsy shop. I am so looking forward to hearing from you all! <><

Reprioritizing (or.... Here I Go Again)

Do you have an issue with getting things done? I do. If you check out my archives, you'll see that i first attempted blogging last year. Why didn't i keep up with it. Procrastination? Well, my husband says is reprioritizing. (I like that word so much better.) Personally, i've said for many years that "if i ever got it together, i wouldn't know what to do with it." But, someday, i'd like to give it a try. So...anyway...here i go again. And since i really don't know where to go from here, i'll give you a little background on myself & ifrogcrafts.


I started painting signs & what nots 10+ years ago. At that time, i was working 4 jobs to try to make ends meet. (1) I worked full time at a grocery store. (2) Was doing crafting as much as possible. (3) I sold Avon. (4) I cashiered at Target part time. Whew! It's a good thing i was younger, because there is no way i'd have that kind of stamina now! Fortunately, i got a job as a Retail Representative, where i made enough money that i could quit all my other jobs. I was so burnt out, that i did just that. After about a year, i realized that i really missed the creating, especially when i would go to a craft show or festival & see all the wonderful creations for sale. I missed crafting.


In July of 2006, i met my hubby. One afternoon, we went to a festival & walked around the craft area. I pointed out things like i used to do. A few weeks later, he informed me that when we got married, he wanted me to quit my Retail Rep job & get back into crafting full time. (The Rep job had changed & had started to be more tasking & was really wearing me down.) He told me that he saw my eyes light up, when i talked about what i used to make. He wanted to give me my dream. And he did.


And so was born, ifrogcrafts. I started doing show & festivals in the fall or 2007. And the rest, as they say, is history. This year, i have decided to not do the shows & festivals & focus on my online shops. The loading, unloading, setting up, tearing down, loading up again, has become too much for me physically. Let alone, being out in the heat or shivering in the cold. Then i think of the weather issues i've dealt with - well i won't miss all that. I do already miss the people & friends that i made along the way. But at this point in time, i feel this is the best decision for me.


So now you know "the rest of the story".