January - A Crafty Month in Review!

As you may remember, I decided at the beginning of the year to formalize some of the goals that I had rattling around in my head. I didn't want to make some New Years Resolutions that I'd break right away. No, I wanted to start systematically working towards certain goals. I've been using To Do Lists and the web-site Goal For It to help me keep track of my progress and stay motivated.

As I've gone along this last month there have been times I've gotten discouraged, but having the Goal For It site has actually really helped me stay positive! I can look at it and see that I've made progress in some areas, and it's very rewarding to be able to remind myself that some goals are met even if I haven't quite made time to work on every goal every day! That helps a lot as I battle my health problems and the depression that tends to go along with them. So, without further ado, I'd like to share with you a little of what I've accomplished this month in Rose Works Jewelry, Kindred Spirit Treasures, and Block Head Radio.

Kindred Spirit Treasures

Lovely White Butterfly Hair Bow

This month marks the beginning of my Mom and I's shop - Kindred Spirit Treasures. We've been talking about it for a few months now, but between one thing and another, it just never got off the ground! It's up and running now with 13 items in the shop, and a bunch more to list this week! We've even had our first sale :) I hope we have more this next month! I know it's hard sometimes to get sales started in a new store on etsy, but I think we have some great stuff.

My only disappointment with Kindred Spirit Treasures this month has been that I was hoping to get some items up in the shop that weren't my simple cell phone charms but that were still my own creations. One of the reasons Mom and I are sharing the shop is so that I have chance to flex my creative muscles in non-jewelry after all! That never happened, but I do have a bookmark in the works that I'm really happy about. :)

Rose Works Jewelry

Wind Dancer - Elements Series

There's so much to report in this area! I'm going to try and keep from going TOO long - and I'm gong to break it up into different categories :)

Sales

First of all, even though this is REALLY late, I'm happy to report that I made $250 in sales during the months of Nov/Dec, so I raised $25 for my local homeless shelter! I was hoping to raise at least $20, so this makes me really happy. :) Now I just need to write the check and send it in :P

Last year: I finally finished my state taxes today (yes I'm a procrastinator) and discovered that I made $800 in sales last year! Considering I just opened shop last May, I've been really sick this whole time, and I've moved a couple of times, that's SUPER EXCITING! Here's to a successful (and more profitable) second year of business eh?

This Month - When I set out my three month goals I decided that I wanted to try and reach $100 in sales each month. Well, I didn't quite reach my goal this month, but I did make $70! And you know what? I'm happy about that :) Considering today's economy it could have been much, much worse. And I at least made it 70% of the way to my goal the first month I set myself one!

Creativity

Towards the end of last year I challenged myself to start making one woven item a week. I did that because I love my woven pieces, but they were taking me forever to complete! I was averaging 2-3 items a month, max. By December I was getting pretty settled into weaving (and faster), and then this month I took off like a crazy woman! If I counted right - I made 10 different woven pieces this month! One custom order, one in the elements series, one for myself (mostly completed, I need more beads), 3 for sale on consignment, and 4 pairs of woven earrings (also for consignment)! No, you haven't seen all of them yet, but you will soon :) I've also learned a new weaving pattern and started a bracelet (hope to finish tonight) that I'm REALLY excited to unveil :)

Blogging

I haven't done as well in blogging as I'd like. This makes only 21 posts this month! *sigh* But most of the days I didn't blog it was for pretty valid reasons - like being all melty-brained from migraines. I also haven't been as consistent with my Entrecard drops as I'd like to be, but that's for the same reasons.

The good news is that Theresa and I have continued our Selling Venue Series - and that's been a lot of fun!

My favorite piece of news from this month, blogging-wise, is that I've finally set up a sales widget on the right hand side of my blog! Each week (approximately) I'll be featuring a different item on sale, through the blog only, for 20% off! I'll alternate between the different categories in my shop, so you'll get a chance for all sorts of different items :)

Oh yes - and have you entered my contest yet? It's open until the 11th! Click here :)

Alternate Venues

I'm working on opening up my first consignment deal - but first I got sick and then she got sick! I'll be calling again on Monday to see if we can set an appointment. And then I'll take a week or two off before I worry about looking for my second consignment opportunity. This was a lot of work! I don't think that the next one will be as much work because I've learned a lot, but I still want to give myself time to focus on other things.

I'm still planning on opening up at least one shop in another on-line venue, but I haven't really started on that yet. The research Theresa and I have been doing has given me some great ideas though :) So maybe this month?

My show, Thursday Spotlight on Artisan, continues! LOL - not a lot to report personally there - but there have been big changes in the radio station as a whole! We've moved from Blog Talk Radio to our very own platform at www.blockheadradiolive.com! This is has been a big change for us, and a lot of fun. Well, at least for us hosts, poor Rod is working his fingers to the bone trying to get all the kinks worked out.

Join me this week at 9pm EST, www.blockheadradiolive.com, for my interview with Kamila of The Wooded Woods!