Thoughts on Starting a Business

Chickens in the yard.
Charming.

It's been just over six months since I started selling my creations. It has been very, very, very good. Here are some thoughts on the adventure:

1. I am proud of all I have learned, which has been a lot. 
2. I am even more proud of the work I'm creating. I learn how to be a better artisan every time I sit down at the bench. 
3. I've started calling the table where I work on my jewelry "The Bench". It makes me smile.
4. Worrying only removes the fun.
5. Some things are challenging. Accepting challenges are part of the process does make it more manageable when they show up.
6. I did not know A LOT before I started. I knew I'd have things to learn, but boy oh boy! I still have learning to do, but now I realize that will always be the case.
7. The more creative I am, the more creative I feel. I wake up thinking about things to make!
8. It is easy to get distracted. I've made a list of goals and posted them at my bench, so I can keep them in focus. 
9. It's a time commitment. Like the challenges, accept that you will spend a surprising amount of time building your business. If you are the sort to schedule things, by all means, make a schedule. Sticking to a schedule is not my strong suit, so I wing it. 
10. I Celebrate Everything! Seriously! It's just me in this business and up til now, lots of it has been challenging or frustrating. To make sure I remember why I started, I make a point of celebrating every little success: finishing something, learning a new skill, figuring out how to take more interesting photos. Celebrate it all. 
11. I ask a lot of questions. I don't magically know the answer to everything that crops up. Asking others allows me to gather information I use to make decisions. Sometimes the people I ask don't know anything either, but quite often, solutions occur to me in the midst of my information gathering. So I ask questions... of anyone it occurs to me to ask and everyone I consider my peeps.
12. Taking breaks is important. For me this business is meant to be fun. For me it's about being creative and letting my spirit dance. When the work of it starts to overshadow the fun, it's time to put away the pliers. Seriously.
13. Buy good tools. Whatever you are doing, you need the correct tools to get you there. About a month ago, I upgraded my tool set. It was an investment, even though I did not buy the most expensive set out there. It was worth every single penny. Good tools allow you to produce good work. More than that, good tools help you easily make good work. Let me explain: I had a bead crimper, purchased 10-ish years ago. It's frustrating. The criimp bead has to be in there just right to get it to work. I purchased a new one and out of the gate and every time I use it, it works correctly. It is more narrow or slimmer and fits into the tight spaces easier. It has a long narrow flat tip, more narrow, but just like flat nose pliers, which you sometimes need when while crimping. I realize I'm going on here, but really, truly, it's amazing. The day I decided to order a new one, I'd spent 10 minutes trying to close the crimp bead on a bracelet and rather than crimp, it broke the bead and the bracelet fell apart, beads scattering everywhere. I could go on and on about every single tool I replaced. The new set is wonderful, and helps me create what I have in my mind. Amazing.
14. Similar to #11. I spend time learning techniques from others. Books, classes, YouTube, and just surfing other sellers. I find new things to try, new ways to do things, improvements for things I'm already doing. 
15. I spend the time to review every order the moment it arrives. I look at everything, making sure I received every item ordered and that it's all in good condition. I won't sell a damaged piece as though it's in perfect condition. Not everyone has the same rules or standards that I do. I've learned this the hard way. 
16. I am grateful. This has been a fun ride. I've learned a lot and grown through it. It's brought a new aspect to my relationships with my kids as they've become advisors for my business. It's a fun and rewarding experience. I love being creative. I love making other people happy! I'm stronger, happier and more me because of this adventure and I'm so grateful!

Lots to See and Want

I've been busy loading my etsy shop with some fun new items... come visit!

Look at this!

My favorite husband made this! It's stunning! He makes everything hold together without nails or staples. No really. Reclaimed lumber, too. He is amazing!


He made one for us several years ago that we use as the manger for the 'play safe' nativity set. When our kids were young, they spent time every day of the advent moving the animals or angels around.

Ahhh, memories.

How fun that someone else will be able to make memories with this sweet barn, available at our Etsy Shop!

What's been going on...

Okay, it's been a little while since I've posted, so I thought I'd bring us all up to date. First, I'm displaying some of my wares in a local art and antiques shop... Just for a moment, I need to say, OMG! I'm still a little in shock. In truth, you may want a thing that never seems to materialize, but this is something I've wanted, badly, and it has come to pass. I'm a working artisan. OMG! And I've actually sold things, so... OMG.

This year has been truly amazing! Truly. And it's only April 6th. Can't wait to see what is coming next.

Today I'm putting more things in my etsy shop. I've been coasting on Etsy for a little while, getting things ready for the retail shop, but today that changes. I found these amazing neon Swarovski pearls and created this little beauty. Nothing says summer like neon!

You can view it and more pictures In The Shop!

My oldest son has found a new job and there is much rejoicing in the house! He's been working for a company that quite simply does not appreciate it's employees. It has been very difficult for me to watch the toll it was taking on him. It was more challenging than I acknowledged because when I learned he had a new job, I cried in relief.

Yesterday my favorite husband and I had lunch out, bought a dryer, some craft supplies, and I found a new pair of birkies, for a serious bargain! Cute aren't they! This color is my current obsession. It's the accent color in the kitchen, keeps showing up in the jewelry I make and the clothing I wear, so it was fate they were waiting for me when I went to the store looking for a basket to hold my yarn!

It's been a good and fun weekend, filled with family, friends, new things, old things and love.

Hope yours has been the same!

Come into the light!

So, starting this new business is time consuming. From figuring out just what I need, shopping for supplies (primarily online, but still...) discussing: marketing, promotion, packaging, actually making things. You see what I mean.

Yes, this is going to be a recurring theme for a few minutes. Try and bear with me.

When I set off on this journey, I had no real idea. I mean, I like to make stuff, I love to share it with others, I was very attracted to doing something creative. But I had no idea how much time and energy it would take. I am not complaining, so much as taking stock.

Since I'm not complaining, I bet you are wondering why I'm even talking about it... I'm concerned about the effect it is having in other aspects of my life. For example, a friend broke her foot recently and I haven't been over to see her. Argh. I'm behind in my letter writing. I know, we live in a digital age, but I started sending snail mail to my favorite kids this year and I've let an entire month go by without sending notes. There is a serious amount of dust in my house. There is a serious lack of groceries in my house.

Anyway, I just am trying to come to grips with the changes.

Onto the real topic of this post - one new purchase is a light kit for taking photographs with true colors. I purchased on Amazon and am very pleased with the kit. It was not expensive, but gives me a lot of options. There are three stands, two umbrellas and a world of possibilities.

Here is a picture of the kit in action. I was trying to get this particular cowl to look the way it ought to. I've mentioned it before, it's a deep forest green with flecks of other colors. There is an undertone of black in the green and when it's photographed, you only see black, not green. I've tried fiddling with the color in a photo editor, but even then it just doesn't look right. The white fabric behind the dummy is a fabric remnant, which keeps the color of the walls from reflecting onto the item. The three lights, which I've used in every single configuration, make every other thing I'm photographing look amazing. But this cowl is determined to keep it's beauty under wraps.

Another cool thing about the light kit is it comes with a tote back and all the bits just go right back in to put away or carry along with you. We've misplaced the tripod attachment that goes on the camera, otherwise that would be in the picture, too.

Picture one

So, look at these two pictures... Picture one was taken with the light kit with no touch up whatsoever. Picture two is from before and to get the color to be a reasonable facsimile of the true thing, we edited it in a photo editor. Notice how it's still not 100% accurate, even with the fiddling.

Don't you think that's interesting? All for want of a little light. The smaller light is for back lighting and I'm amazed at how much of a difference that makes. I've never really studied photography before now and geez louise is there a lot of information out there. I don't plan to be a professional, I just want to have some nice, accurate pictures of my creations, which are primarily for sale via internet. So good pictures are important. I look at the light kit as an investment in my business. That's it fun, is icing on the cake.

Picture two

I took pictures today of all the new things I've made this week and it took a total of 10 minutes. Zip, zip, snap and I was done. Hmmm.... there is something important in this off the cuff thought I think. It took me several days, off and on, to look and ponder and talk to others to find and order the light kit. But, that's done now and the taking of the pictures took a fraction of what I was spending to move stuff around the house to find good light or on the computer to edit the pictures. Whoa!

Hallelujah! That is important. I'm at the beginning of this business and it's taking some mondo time right now, but once I have the tools and processes in place it's going to be manageable. Woo. Woo.

And once again, this blog has worked it's magic. Is it too soon for another Hallelujah?!

Happy Saturday, one and all!

Saturday!

It's Saturday! It's Saturday! It's Saturday!

I'm so glad for this day off. It's been a busy time and I need a little down time. Though, I'm going to get my hair cut and visit my favorite JoAnn's for some supplies, followed up with a fun date night, there won't be much down time. But, you know what I mean.

Here are a
few things that happened this week that just make you go Hmmm...

So I opened a new bottle of contact lens solution this week and was happy to see a coupon enclosed... until I looked at the expiration date of 12.31.13. So I immediately looked at the expiration date for the solution: 08.2015. Hmmm...

At work, we had Chipotle one day and I did not eat all the chips and salsa, so I stuck the bag in the fridge for the next day. As I'm walking into the lunch room the next day, I overhear one of co-workers say "Hey Susie, there are still chips in the fridge." To which I responded "Yes they're mine. I saved them for today." Co-worker 1 continues talking to Susie "You should eat them."  hmmm...

I added this scarf to Etsy. It's a flirty feminine scarf in shades of gray and black. Did you know that Charcoal is apparently the color for late winter and early spring. As in Charcoal is the new black. Well if that's the case, this scarf will serve you well.

It's another cold wintry day around here. Dare I say it, I'm kind of getting used to all the white. It's relentless, though.

Have a great Saturday!

Rugby Stripe Scarf

Added this beauty to the shop! It's made from bamboo yarn, which can I just say feels amazing?!

First Sale!

Woo! I have a business! My first sale. I'm so excited! I also have an order for three more scarves! I'm totally grateful and super excited. Oh wait, I've said that twice. Well, it must be true then... :)

Puffy Heart Pin

I added this little beauty to the shop this morning. Made to order in a variety of colors. It's a wee little pin 1.5" by 1.25". Great for Valentine's or anytime cause when is a heart not in style!

Comes with a standard pin back with swivel catch. It will securely attach to your coat, hat, scarf, purse... Bookbag... lunch bag... suitcase... Well you get the idea!

Get yours today!  Puffy Heart Pin Link



Couldn't resist including this pic cause my 25 anniversary ring just made it in the corner. The ring says love as much as the hearts do!

Thoughts about selling.

Why would I put handmade things into an Etsy shop? Especially when this blog is filled with things I make. Well, I'll tell you... Sometimes you just want to buy a thing, not make it. Etsy is filled with things, handmade and not. I decided to list some cowls and scarves on a whim really. I want an outlet for my handwork and I'd already had the shop from before. I feel marginally uncomfortable listing items... primarily because I feel vulnerable. As if the value of what I do is determined by whether or not it has been purchased. In my rational mind, I realize that my items a drop in the bucket. There are literally hundreds of thousands of items listed on Etsy. The chance that someone will happen upon my work is small.

So again, why would I list items on Etsy? Well, I think it's great if someone does find my stuff and buys it. But, the real reason I did it is the joy and the hope and excitement and expectation AND because it makes me feel vulnerable. Really. Since reading Daring Greatly, I've been leaning into the discomfort of situations and have found something really great, really delicious every time I've done it. Whenever I feel like it's 'outside my comfort zone', I know it's the time to lean. Don't get me wrong, I'm not always 100% successful with things - in fact sometimes I fall flat. But, being flawless or perfect is not my goal. My goal is to be a better me. I've found out something about myself each time I've pushed into the void and that is great in a way I've yet to find the right words to describe it.

So, selling things on Etsy... Yes I am. I hope someone finds something they like and enjoys the heck right out of it.


This cowl is my own design. It's lovely and slouchy and warm. As we are in the midst of negative temps, warm is welcome here! Check out the shop if you would like to purchase. Check out the shop, even if you don't. I'm a little proud, can you tell?

New Scarf!

I'm adding the scarf in the pic to the Etsy shop today. It's one long loop that the wearer wraps as many or as few as they choose. The yarn is an ombre from creamy winter white to black and accented with glistening sequins! It's a scarf and jewelry all at the same time. Visit: justmccaulla on etsy.com

Photography

As I might have mentioned a time or two :-)  I don't know a whole lot about photography. I've relied on point and shoot cameras or the auto focus feature on my fujifilm. But now that I'm reintroducing my creations to etsy, it's become important to try and get consistently good pics.

So, this week I've been working on pictures of the knitted items I've made and the color is not turning out accurate. Normally, when I need something to be really good, I ask my son who is an excellent photographer, but classes have resumed and he is away. The initial pictures I posted were taken in all artificial light. The color is close, but not exact. So, college students leave and I ordered a wire mannequin to pose with the knitted items. The mannequin finally arrives and yesterday, in full daylight, I took pictures.

Here is an interesting thing I noticed... I took more pictures of the remaining cowls and two scarves I've made. Only one item does not contain wool. Guess what! The non wool item photographed in true color. See the pink scarf... It really looks just like this. It's bright, and fun and you can see the texture really well.

The wool items, the color photographs anywhere from not quite right to really way off. It also doesn't show the depth of color in the photo. See the green scarf... It's actually this beautiful deep forest green with low lights that are completely lost in the photo. In person, this cowl is nubby and textured and makes you want to put it on.

I don't even know what to make of this development. Really.

Handknit Cowls in my Etsy Shop

Hello All!

I've added three cowls to my Etsy Shop follow this link. I really enjoy knitting and need an outlet for my creations. These cowls are my own design, needles and yarn - just letting the knitting happen. I love the texture and the yarn is delicious!

One day, real soon, I'll post a pic of the cowl being worn... My model is out of commission right this minute and nothing I've tried putting the cowl on shows well. LOL. Can you say amateur? Ah, well, I am new at this. I started the etsy shop a few years ago on a lark, but I was unfocused and the shop reflected that. This go around, I'm focused on knitted and crocheted items and feeling very hopeful.

It's easy to keep putting things off, which is totally fear masquerading as perfectionism or procrastination. Among other things I learned last year, I'm leaning into the discomfort of not being 100% ready and listing items in my shop.

These cowls are infinity style, which you can't see in the pics. There is a bright royal blue, a warm true red and crisp winter white available.  Get yours before they're gone!

I'll be adding some things to shop over the next couple of days.

Perhaps the thing you've been looking for is right there in my shop. :)

Handmade with love <3

This is my Etsy shop:   http://www.etsy.com/shop/StickwithLove