Childish Temper-Tantrum Coming On...

I REALLY want to make something, no, anything -- right now!  (Insert childish foot stomping here). 

There have been soooo many things that have to be done to get this small business on track that I haven't made anything in nearly three months.  YIKES!  Not long ago I even promised myself that I would start soldering after I had finished my website.  Well, the website is nearly complete, but other things have gotten in the way of that too. 

I read a blog posting earlier this week on freelancefolder.com/ titled:  It May Be Your Fault If Your Client Doesn’t Appreciate All That You Do.  It got me thinking about what I actually do and have been able to accomplished in the past few months. 

Here's my "what I do" list (not in any particular order):

1. research and purchase all materials and supplies
2. design/create/produce beaded art and jewelry
3. calculate material, labor and overhead costs to price each piece
4. maintain material and product inventory
5. packaging and shipping
6. website set-up, management, (webmaster)
7. some graphic design for printing and web
8. all business printing:  business cards, brochures, forms, jewelry tags, earring cards, coupons, labels, note cards, signs, etc.
9. all photography, editing, resizing, posting
10. copy writing, product descriptions, brochures and marketing materials, blog, etc.
11. manage web store on Etsy
12. write this blog ;)
13. manage online photo albums and slide shows on Photobucket
14. manage Facebook fan page
15. record keeping and bookkeeping
16. general customer service

Here's my "what I've done recently" list (again, not in any particular order):

1. photographed, detailed, and posted over 200 items to my Etsy store since early Jan of this year
2. created a Facebook fan page near the end of March - and have 33 fans as of today
3. created this blog April 1, 2011 with one fan as of today
4. created online photo albums and slide shows on Photobucket (work in progress), started last week
5. set up and opened my website in the past few weeks
6. joined my local bead society and volunteered to be their treasurer (I know, what was I thinking, right?)

In retrospect, I can see that I've actually accomplished quite a bit.  Although I can appreciate where I am at the moment, there are still too many things on the "to do" list.  I need to figure out a way of taming the list (insert the sound of a leather whip here) so I don't feel quite so bogged down. 

Major Temper-Tantrum averted (whew!). 

What's on your accomplishments list?

That's it for today....

Wishing all your wishes come true,
Shannon

A little Monday Madness

Things have bee rather busy around here. 

My Golden Weeping Willow Beaded Bonsai Tree was featured in the Etsy Treasury "Thinking About My Garden".

Thank you Amailo!  Check out her Etsy shop mailo.  She has to most adorable pet sweaters and her puppy is the perfect model!

Then, my Mystic Blue Wisteria Beaded Bonsai Tree was featured in the Etsy Treasury "Wisteria".

Thank you Jonathan Highfield!  You can see his vintage pieces in his Etsy shop bakerinva.


My website is almost complete.  I found out there are big limitations to posting images, so on top of everything else I opened an online photo sharing account.  After loading a large chunk of photos to my website and running out of space, I'm starting over with Photobucket.  They have great ratings, and it's easy to use.  You can check out my work on Photobucket.  I'm still in the process of adding images, so be sure to check back often. 


And last but not least... just listed on my Etsy:
Neutral Natalie jewelry pieces created with freshwater pearls, glass seed beads and sterling silver.  The necklace features a silky smooth brioche jasper slab pendant focal.

I think my photography skills are improving.  Good lighting makes all the difference! 

That's it for now.

Wishing all your wishes come true,
Shannon

The Sacred Blue Lotus was featured in an Etsy Treasury!

Needless to say, I was quite surprised today to find that one of my beaded flowers had been featured in a Treasury collection on Etsy.  In case you are not familiar with Etsy or Etsy's Treasuries, here is a basic description:  a group of 16 items from various Etsy stores usually fitting within a theme or concept created by members and sellers alike.  My 'Sacred Blue Lotus Beaded Flower' was chosen to be part of the "Easter Lillies in Blue" Treasury created by Lori of KiltedWoman.  Thanks Lori! 

Here's link to the Treasury. 

Here's a picture of my 'Sacred Blue Lotus Beaded Flower'

close-up view:

full view:

view of lotus and pad pieces separated:

The lotus is 11" tall, the bloom is 7" in diameter, and pad is 9" in diameter.

To see all photos and information in my Etsy shop, click here.

Until next time folks....

Wishing your wishes come true,
-Shannon