Moody Monday: FAIL

Well, my weekend didn't go quite as planned. I had hopes of getting so much done - bridal show book for a wedding consultation, craft show inventory, some cleaning, and enjoying the little kiddos costumes as they came to the door.

Well, Saturday I woke up feeling absolutely horrendous. I couldn't move, which is very unlike me. Needless to say, I got none of the above done. The only productive thing I was able to do was to write some articles for the Examiner, get some blog posts written, and I did get a few items listed on Etsy that I had already photographed. Not quite what I needed to get done, though, so this weekend was just an all around epic FAIL.

Thank you to Pink Flower Cube for having the perfect item to portray my feelings of this weekend! I feel like I need to be wearing this lapel pin all week long!


Hopefully next weekend will be a little more productive. I hope, however, that you all had a wonderful Halloween weekend, and have a fabulous week ahead!

xoxo

Things I am Thankful For

I can't believe it, but November is already here! I've spent some quiet time this week reflecting on the things that I am thankful for, in preparation for the big Thanksgiving feasts coming up! I will be doing a weekly post of new things I am thankful for and really hope ya'll will join me and leave comments for things you are thankful for, or links to your blog where you have posted something similar! So, since I will be doing this weekly through November, this is by no means a comprehensive list, but just things that have come to me as I write or through my quiet thoughts this week!

1. My extremely supportive family and friends. I am lucky enough to have a very supportive group of loved ones who are there for me every step of the way. Not only are they behind me through the exciting, happy, and joyful times, but they are also there for me during the frustrating, sad, and annoying times!
2. Sunny, warm Fall days. In Virginia, we are lucky enough to have warm, sunny days well into the holiday season, on occasion. It's so uplifting to feel the excitement of Fall and the holiday season, but to still have the warm Spring air.
   
3. Target. I don't know what I would do if I didn't have a Target nearby at all times. When I need something and don't know where to get it, Target is my shop of choice. I have bought everything from the obvious toiletries, groceries, and electronics to party outfits, home decor, and shoes!
4. Laughter. One of my most favorite things in the world to do is to laugh. And I'm not talking the little chuckle you do when you don't want someone to feel bad, I am talking a huge side-splitting laugh that puts you in a great mood for the rest of the day. I constantly surround myself with individuals who make me laugh this way on a daily basis.
5. Chocolate chip cookies from Ukrop's. For those of you who do not know what Ukrop's is, I urge you to make a trip to Richmond just for that experience! I have been completely obsessed with their homemade chocolate chip cookies lately.
6. Pantene Pro-V Clarifying Shampoo. I have yet to find a shampoo that cleans my hair as good as this shampoo does! I love it!
7. Project Runway. For those of you who know me well, you know I never watch television. Ever. But I must catch Project Runway every single week. I get so excited on Thursday afternoons when I remember I get to watch PR that evening.
8. Coming home to a package. Whether it be new supplies or something I ordered from a fellow seller, it is so exciting to come home and open a package at the end of a busy day!
9. Pumpkin Spice Lattes from Starbucks. I am a huge Starbucks addict. I go more often than I should. October 1 is always a treat each year because they begin selling their Pumpkin Spice Lattes. The first sip is glorious - like taking a sip of Fall. If you aren't a coffee drinker, you probably don't understand...
10. Completely finalized and packaged orders. It's such a proud moment to see my creations through the process, but even better is to see them completed and packaged. It brings a sense of accomplishment that all you handcrafters out there probably share with me!

While I could go on and on, I am going to leave you with those. Now, your turn. What are you thankful for?

Fashion Friday: Is This Even Possible?

For those of you who know me personally, I am a huge shoe fanatic. And not only am I a shoe fanatic, but a heels fanatic at that. I own every color imaginable, in a variety of patterns from polka dots to plaids to floral, and pretty high, too. And I'll do a lot for fashion, but walking funny is not one of them, so I know my height limits when it comes to wearing heels.

These heels are a new design for Fall 2009, and I am seriously just wondering: Is it even physically possible for someone to walk in these without spraining an ankle?!

Spotlight on Madison Main Advertising and New Media

Soo, I recently became a writer for the Richmond Examiner. I will be exploring Graphic Design events and topics in my area, for those of you who are interested!

Below is my first article I have written for Examiner! Feel free to check it out if you'd like :)

Spotlight on Madison+Main Advertising and New Media

xoxo

Wacky Wednesday Interview: Kaotic Ekko's Curiosities

This week, I had the pleasure of interviewing Melissa Hamel-Smith (more commonly known as Mel or Kaos), owner and insane artist behind Kaotic Ekko's Curiosities. You can also check out Mel's blog, Facebook fan page, Myspace page, and follow her on Twitter. According to Mel..."if you can’t find me at one of these places please call the police because I’m probably dead." Good to know, Mel!

What tools are a must in your day to day business?
The internets! If the internet is down I feel handicapped. I draw a lot of inspiration and strength from my fellow artists, especially those on Plurk (like Amanda!). Having bipolar disorder sometimes requires a good swift kick in the butt as motivation and I know I can always count on my internet friends for that!

If you were an animal, what would you be and why?
A cat, definitely! Big cat, little cat, doesn’t matter! They are so beautiful in appearance and movement. They are also very independent and terribly clever. I’m sure the 18 hour naps wouldn’t be that bad either!

What is your favorite color combination?
Black and pretty much anything (except maybe orange, yellow and brown).

What's your favorite drink?
COFFEE! I’m pretty sure my doctor counts my blood in cc's of caffeine rather than cell count! I’m a coffee snob though. No Tim Horton’s coffee, no instant coffee. Must be real cream and sugar! If you’re going to get a soy Sweet 'n Low decaf coffee you might as well lick pavement! Why bother? You really want to get on my good side? Bring me a gingerbread latte from Starbucks!

What could I find in your refrigerator right now?
Condiments. Husband has a HUGE problem buying condiments. If the world ended, however, I could probably survive on three or four types of mustard.

What is the last book you read?
Er. I don’t remember! I LOVE to read but I get so involved with my books that I lose track of time. So I don’t read unless EVERYTHING is done and I have time to “lose.” If I think real hard, the last book probably would’ve been from Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files series.
What blogs do you like to keep up to date with?
GHOULS GUILD - Keep up on what my fellow Ghouls and I have in store regarding our Halloween/dark art in our Artfire shops!

BENT OBJECTS by Terry Border - His work is hilarious. I can always count on it to make me smile. And he’s an awesome guy even though I only know him via Facebook.

TORONTO CRAFT ALERT - Keep up-to-date on all of Toronto’s crafty happenings!

CRAFT CRITIQUE - Amazing art product reviews and giveaways!

And there’s tons more…which is why my Google Reader reads 880 unread posts!
What's your favorite movie?
I can’t pick just one! Return to Oz, Sweeney Todd, Pirates, Howl’s Moving Castle, Spirited Away, Coraline, Up… there’s loads of them!

What's the best part about selling online?
You get to meet so many people you never would have if it weren’t for the internet!

What's the biggest challenge being in business for yourself?
Not getting frustrated. When there are lulls in sales or craft shows are slow it’s very easy to want to give up. It’s especially hard if you have to be your own cheerleader. But stick with it and remind yourself why you’re in this business in the first place – the love of creating!

Tell us a little about how you manage your time.
Managed time? What’s that? My days are pretty much a free-for-all! I don’t really have a set schedule. I’m not sure I’d get more done if I did. I work best and am most creative under pressure. But I also get peeved when I can’t finish everything on time!

Thank you so much, Mel, for giving us a peek into Kaotic Ekko's Curiosities! Be sure to check out Mel's shop for all her great products!

Tuesday Treasury: A Little Squirrely

I've been really into wildlife lately, especially wildlife and surroundings that remind me of the cool Autumn air. This week I wanted to showcase those Etsy items that feature squirrels! During my search I found so many great items, it was really hard to choose, but I was finally able to narrow my search down, as hard as it was! I hope you enjoy these selections, and be sure to check out these wonderful shops!

1. Simbiosis by Julia - I fell in love with the colorful aspect of this gadget bag the minute I saw it! Rarely do you see so much vibrant color associated with squirrels, so this really caught my eye.
2. Peaches 4 Me - I love the little acorn accompanying the sweet squirrel on this necklace. This is a perfect accessory for the cool Autumn weather!
3. Janey Mac Press - I've been really into wall decals lately, because they add such a statement to any living area, but they are easy and cheap to change often! I love this little squirrel perched on its branch, and the fact that he is leaning over toward the chair.
4. Moxie and Oliver - What a sweet wallet this is! The distressed feel with the little squirrel in the corner is so subtle and cute!
5. Freshy Fig - Here is another necklace I just couldn't resist. He is so sweet!
6. Fuzzy Mu - I love this notebook and the mirroring quality it portrays when the notebook is open. This is sure to give any artist creative inspiration!
7. Marmee Craft - What an absolutely adorable print! These squirrels look so happy and would certainly put me in a good mood!
8. Elpy - How simple and sweet are these magnets! And sturdy enough to hold multiple papers! I love that the set includes different designs.
9. Buttered Parsnips - I just love the vintage feel of these sweet buttons! How cute would these be adorning your favorite cardigan?

I hope you enjoyed these squirrel picks and take the opportunity to check out each of these lovely shops!

xoxo

Moody Monday: Refreshed!

Aaah...what a relaxing weekend I had! Due to forces outside of my control, I was not able to get very much work done this weekend. The paper I ordered apparently took longer than I expected to ship, leaving me with NO paper this weekend to work with! I took advantage of the time, and relaxed, enjoyed the weather, and spent time with my family. It was hard to finally relax since I can't remember the last time I had a weekend off, but I finally got the hang of it halfway through the weekend!

Thanks to my relaxing weekend, I am feeling refreshed and ready to start the week on the right foot! And I am now totally prepared to start cranking out inventory for my upcoming craft show! I chose this week's item based on the cheerful, bright colors. The citrusy colors remind me of a refreshing glass of lemonade on my porch with no worries or cares. Make sure you check out Exotic Flavours shop and see what other lovely items they have available!

Fashion Friday: What the Heck?!

All I have to say about this is....What the heck?!? This ensemble was featured at the Fashion East Menswear Presentation during London Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2010 on September 23, 2009 in London, England.

Maybe I am just old-fashioned, but I don't believe Jackie O. would ever approve of this.

I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. Is this statement too much? Does this exceed the boundaries of "art" and "fashion"?

Photo credit

Growing Strong Oaks!

Hi everyone! I just wanted to share with you a custom order I just finished working on for my fellow Sassy Sister in Sales, Brenda! Brenda is the owner of the Greenish Pink blog, and Purely Natural Minerals. Even with all of this on her plate, Brenda will soon be opening Little Acorns Child Care! Not only is this just about the cutest name ever, but I just know Brenda is going to be GREAT for this role!

A couple of weeks ago Brenda asked me if I would create a logo for Little Acorns Child Care. I was so ecstatic to be a part of this opportunity, and Brenda and I immediately began brainstorming ideas! Our first direction was to create a whimsical tree, trying to figure out how to incorporate an acorn into the design. After working out some sketches, and talking about the direction of the company and the logo, Brenda and I came up with the final design, which you can see below!

I'd love to know your thoughts for this logo! Do think it portrays the idea of Little Acorns Child Care?

Wacky Wednesday Interview: Simmons Creek

I am so excited to introduce my first Wacky Wednesday interview! These interviews will ask questions not typical of the crafter's interview, and I hope you are as excited as me to learn more about these amazing crafters and entrepreneurs!

This week, I'd like to introduce you to Lora of Simmons Creek. Lora can also be found at Cooking Concepts and For the Love of Humanity. I have gotten to know Lora over the past few weeks, and I just love Lora's energy and enthusiasm for her products, and was very excited to get to know more about her....

What is you favorite color combination?

I have to admit that my tastes change. Not often, but they do. For the last few years my favorite combination has been lavender, yellow, and blue. I love the 'shabby chic-cottage style' of decorating and am in the process of playing with the style in my own home. We have a 100 year old farmhouse and I think the style suits it well.

What is your favorite drink?
My favorite drink is a Seabreeze. I saw them made on one of the Food Network shows that my hubby and I watch and just had to try them. I was instantly 'hooked'. Very good!

What time do you go to bed and wake up?

I typically wake up at about 1:00 a.m. every morning and go to bed at night around 9:00 or 10:00. Needless to say, I wake up tired most mornings! But I have been doing it for so long now that I can't even imagine what it would be like to sleep 'normally'.

What are the first three things you do when you wake up? Last three before bed?

The first 3 things I do when I wake up is make coffee, turn on my laptop, check my email for orders that have come in during the night. The last 3 things I do before I go to bed is close up the house, go upstairs and write out my to do list, turn on the TV and CRASH!

What is your favorite movie of all time?

My favorite movie of all time is Ghost with Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore. I remember the first time I went to see it with a friend. Had NO CLUE what I was in for. We took our oldest daughters with us. By the end of the movie I was sobbing so hard, makeup running and the daughters just laughed hysterically. I remember people turning around looking at me while I was sobbing! I, of course, bought the movie and have since watched it about 100 times. It is the most beautiful love story ever made. I can't get through Unchained Melody without crying my eyes out. While I used to cry at just the end of the movie, I now start sobbing at the opening credits!

What is the biggest challenge for you in your business?
The biggest challenge of working for yourself is keeping focused. At least for me. There are so many things that scream out to me that need to be done around the house, if I am not locked away in my sewing room, I get sidetracked! I have to admit that I am getting much better but I still have a ways to go.

Tell us a little bit about how you manage your time.

Time Management has always been an issue for me. I am quite the list-maker so I always work off of it. I jot down everything I need to do the next day and prioritize them A B or C. I make sure I get all the A's done, and some of the B's. If my list is short, I may get to the C's but if not, they go on the next day. I do strive to make the most of my time, sometimes I succeed and sometimes I don't, but I try really hard not to beat myself up over it. I think it's counterproductive.

What is the best part about selling online?
The best part about selling online is the people you meet. The internet makes the world a much smaller place. I have met some amazing people online and have many wonderful friendships with people I have never met in person.

Thank you so much for giving us a peek into your life, Lora! Hmm, I think I am going to have to try that Seabreeze now....