I have been singing my lungs out. I have spent quite a bit of time learning new techniques and learning new crafts so that I can include more things in my Etsy store and offer more at the shows and fairs that I will be starting to do this Fall/ Winter. I have also been taking classes to better my small craft business. It all comes down to making a better product and experience for my customers.
"Life is like a shipwreck, but we must not forget to sing in the lifeboats" -Voltaire
Working Towards Re-Launch
During my work towards a re-launch of my Etsy store I have learned how to make jewelry, spin yarn, design beautiful art yarn, dye fiber using multiple techniques and I have been working on a LOT of crochet projects. Knitting is coming soon too as my Mom has requested a knitted sweater for Christmas.
These are examples of a necklace and bracelet that I learned how to make.
Focusing on All The Right Stuff
I have wondered if investing the time in to my Etsy business is worth it. Not speaking monetarily of course because I have some of the greatest customers but in terms of using the time to focus on other things. I realized that my business is not just work. It is my outlet. It is a love that I have that nourishes my soul that keeps me grounded. Art has always been a great love for me. Pretty much any kind of art. I learned how to do wood burning as a young kid. I have loved photography since I can remember and I got my first camera TWENTY YEARS AGO! Okay that makes me feel old. I have dabbled in so many different arts and it is very important for me to share the love with my own children. I realized that by working on my business and showing my kids a good work ethic even though I am a stay at home Mom it teaches them that you can live a balanced life even if you are a SAHM. Hopefully it sends a very positive message to my kids. Not to mention by doing projects with my kids and sharing my love for art it is teaching my kids to love and appreciate art as well. My son absolutely loves to dye fiber with me. It doesn't matter if we are dying yarn or roving or wool locks he is the first one to the counter in the kitchen. He probably gets more excited than I do. Now where does my husband fit in to all of this? I have not mentioned him at all so far. In my quest to learn how to spin yarn and learn about dyeing my husband has picked up his own love for fiber. He has a greater appreciation for a slower life and when he gets out of the military his plan is for us to ranch and have a flock of sheep. His choice of the breed of the sheep changes pretty regularly still as he learns more but it is still the plan. He is devoting a lot of his time to learning all he can about ranching and animal sciences and of course about fiber. He knows more of the specifics about more fibers than I do now. He is also getting everything set up so that he can go back to college (hopefully this Fall) so that he can start working on his degree with an emphasis on ranch management and animal sciences. What a bunch of crazy changes huh?
Some super pink "Red House Original" yarn.
100% Organic California wool and was dyed with food grade dyes.
Ready, Set, GO!
Over the next few weeks I will be getting all of my stock photos together so that I can plan a soft launch the first week of August and a full launch the second part of August. I am coming back full force and utilizing a business plan and setting short and long term goals. I am very thankful for CreativeLive's amazing online workshops for making me realize that I am not just a crafter. I am a business person and even though I am not looking for a business loan and I am not opening a brick and mortar store (at this point anyway) it does not take away from the fact that I am a business person. I have an office and stock and inventory with a closet full of supplies and the tools and knowledge to make beautiful products.
Baby Z wearing a camo newsboy hat and diaper cover set.
What to Expect
One thing that I am really excited about is I am selling items I have in stock. There will be very few orders for custom items and they will all be done through direct client purchases and not through my Etsy. It really cuts the stress down exponentially this way. I will be doing bi-weekly shipping on orders on Tuesdays and Thursday or Friday depending on if it is a holiday weekend (I live on an active military base with an under active post office). I will be offering the option of custom dyed yarn and fiber as I add things to my shop. Of course if there is something anyone would like to see that is not listed a quick email will likely get the item listed as soon as possible. This also helps if you are looking for custom dyed yarn or fiber as I won't carry every conceivable variation of colors. I will also start featuring new fiber items I have never offered before like nuno felted scarves and felted art pieces. Another awesome new feature will include information on the pattern used in the product descriptions. I work mainly with RAKJpatterns and that is a big part of who I am as a crocheter and I am always sharing the brand so I think for those who see something and love it and it sparks an interest in learning crochet it gives them a push in the right direction. That is how I started and I think it is a great way for me to pay it forward in my business.
One thing that I am really excited about is I am selling items I have in stock. There will be very few orders for custom items and they will all be done through direct client purchases and not through my Etsy. It really cuts the stress down exponentially this way. I will be doing bi-weekly shipping on orders on Tuesdays and Thursday or Friday depending on if it is a holiday weekend (I live on an active military base with an under active post office). I will be offering the option of custom dyed yarn and fiber as I add things to my shop. Of course if there is something anyone would like to see that is not listed a quick email will likely get the item listed as soon as possible. This also helps if you are looking for custom dyed yarn or fiber as I won't carry every conceivable variation of colors. I will also start featuring new fiber items I have never offered before like nuno felted scarves and felted art pieces. Another awesome new feature will include information on the pattern used in the product descriptions. I work mainly with RAKJpatterns and that is a big part of who I am as a crocheter and I am always sharing the brand so I think for those who see something and love it and it sparks an interest in learning crochet it gives them a push in the right direction. That is how I started and I think it is a great way for me to pay it forward in my business.
Ocean Air Cloche hat in Berroco Merino/ Silk yarn hand dyed "berries" colorway.
Call to Other Bloggers!!
I wanted to include a call to other bloggers in this post. Specifically bloggers who crochet or knit or use yarn for crafting. As I develop my selection of hand spun yarns I would love to send some samples or mini skeins out to be tested by other bloggers who will make something with the yarn and write a blog about it. I would also be interested in fashion, handmade, crafting etc. blogs doing an article on a finished piece of work. I would send you a piece from my collection and you would write a review on it. If you are interested in either of these options please let me know by email at aascottphotography@gmail.com.
Call to Photographers!!
A part of my letting some things go will be letting some of the photography go as well. This calls for a great need for newborn photographers. At this point I know that I cannot dedicate enough time to newborn photography and I am actively looking for a wonderful photographer to partner up with to handle model photography with my newborn items in exchange for some awesome new props for their studio. If you are interested or know someone who may be interested please have them contact me at aascottphotography@gmail.com.
I wanted to include a call to other bloggers in this post. Specifically bloggers who crochet or knit or use yarn for crafting. As I develop my selection of hand spun yarns I would love to send some samples or mini skeins out to be tested by other bloggers who will make something with the yarn and write a blog about it. I would also be interested in fashion, handmade, crafting etc. blogs doing an article on a finished piece of work. I would send you a piece from my collection and you would write a review on it. If you are interested in either of these options please let me know by email at aascottphotography@gmail.com.
Call to Photographers!!
A part of my letting some things go will be letting some of the photography go as well. This calls for a great need for newborn photographers. At this point I know that I cannot dedicate enough time to newborn photography and I am actively looking for a wonderful photographer to partner up with to handle model photography with my newborn items in exchange for some awesome new props for their studio. If you are interested or know someone who may be interested please have them contact me at aascottphotography@gmail.com.
Stay Tuned for More Exciting Information
From A&D Boutique
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