Tuesday, October 21, 2014

My Why.

I recently went to a small business seminar put together by an organization called Vend Raleigh . It was very informative to say the least. And I am still processing all of the information gained, and trying to implement them into my business.

One of the things discussed was the very personal reasons behind the why you have your business.
These are my why.

What actually started out as a happy accident when I decided one day, I want to make a vase! And then it turned out kinda neat - leading to months of experimenting better techniques - making it up as I went

It gave me a hobby, something to do when the girls were having naptime. And this whole entire creative side of me that I wasn't even entirely sure was there - well.. it was there!

And then came the little, very very little bit of extra money. My confidence growing - OTHER PEOPLE like this TOO!!

And the sheer love loooove of this artwork, of getting my hands dirty, of creating something beautiful that someone may want in their home -how cool! And my kids saw that and they love this about their Mom. They say I am an artist. And even though I am still working on calling myself that, when I hear them say it, I get chills.

And I know, without any shadow of a doubt, that if I didn't have the full and unending support of my husband, that I could not be doing this.

Here we are a few weeks ago:


My family is my Why.

Thursday, October 16, 2014

One of a kind.


I have been really trying hard to focus on creating more one of a kind pieces, and the above picture is an example. It can be found HERE.

They don't make good "practical" business sense, and they are probably the opposite of what I "should" be doing.

Because if they don't sell, well, I would have "wasted" money, in creating the piece, and the time in making it.

But, I feel that I have been in such a cycle of creating the "same old things" and the filling of orders, that it took me out of my creativity for a while.

And I love each piece I make, and when I get an order - - whether is is something I have made a dozen times, or something I have only made once -- I love making them. But, there is just something to be said for creating that which I have not made before - or will again.

So let this be a lesson for me. To not let me lose the creativity, that I sometimes have to search for to find.

Friday, October 10, 2014

The story of 3 bottles and this blog


These bottles have been sitting on a shelf in my office, in their original glass form, glaring at me, for quite some time. Me, with an idea of what to do with them, but of the just "not getting around to it."

Much like this blog. I have always had ideas for it. Ideas for posts, my thoughts, what is happening. But, there is just no follow through. I recently attended a small business seminar. And it is time to put some actions behind my thoughts.

I started with these bottles. I turned them into a trio of bottle vases, painted them happy colors that make me smile.

And then I turned to this blog, and here I am, after a too long hiatus. Let's see if my good intentions will have some follow through.

Thank you for reading along, and I hope this finds you well!