FRIDAY FINDS: Jewel Box

I'm a bit late posting these, but it's just the beginning of the weekend, so still plenty of time to shop! This week I was inspired by a few rich, jewel-toned beauties...


Orange Swirl Nightlight by MariposaAvenue.etsy.com, $15
It casts fantastic, dreamy shadows on the wall when lit and looks cool during the daytime too!


Banana Smoothie Soap Bar by mybirch.etsy.com, $4
What else is there to say? Indulge.


Beaded Bracelet by tamar.etsy.com, $32
I just love the mixture of colors and textures as well as the little leaf that snuck in.

It Doesn't Have To Make Sense Right Now...

"Unblocked" by CitrusTree.etsy.com

Keep dreaming anyway. In searching for a piece of art to illustrate the article I'm linking to, this image of a typewriter immediately struck me as fitting. To the casual observer, it just looks like a bunch of random letters spewing out of the machine. But if you look closely, you can see that the letters which spell "live" are colored in red.

That's how it is with most of life and with our dreams. The pieces of our lives and the significance of the choices we make are not always immediately apparent, but that doesn't mean we should give up or give in to despair. We just have to keep doing the best we can, with hopeful hearts, trusting that the "puzzle" will come together someday. At the right time. When all the pieces are in place. It may be months, it may be years, but it will all be worth it.

Soldier on with a smile!

http://www.christianity.com/devotionals/encouragement/11601265/

FRIDAY FINDS: Easter Treats

There's still time to order some pastel cheerfulness for friends & family (or yourself). Here are some delectable delights from Etsy to whet your appetite.

Plush Bunny and Squirrel by girlsavage.etsy.com - $35 each.
Made by hand from wool blend felt and stuffed with bamboo fiberfill, one of these adorable creatures is sure to produce smiles for generations.

Set of 3 Mini Terrariums by mooshoopork.etsy.com - $25.
It can be green all year round with these lovely indoor gardens that are super-easy to maintain. The plant inside is a gorgeously wispy citron green Scottish moss.

Set of 12 Large Chocolate Dipped Pretzels by BrokenRoadFarm.etsy.com - $10.99.
Each hand-dipped pretzel is 3"x4" which makes this gift set an incredible deal. Pretty too!

Orangy Olive Pea Pod Felt Brooch by vaivanat.etsy.com - $10.
At just over 4" long, this darling brooch with pearl beads is the perfect Spring accessory for your jacket or handbag.

Your Best Idea Generators - Your CUSTOMERS!

Black and white prints by Shalom Schultz. shalomscottagehome.com

When I first got into this business, I wrongly assumed that it was up to me to think of all the great products to bring customers flocking in. Of course, I had to start somewhere and much of what I initially created for sale wasn't exactly flying off the shelves. Luckily a few key pieces did do well and so I took a hint and started creating more and more products for the lines that people did find appealing.

But what has surprised me most of all, along the way, is that many of my greatest "ideas" were actually born out of my customers' special requests. Someone would ask me if I could recreate a piece in different colors...or if I could add lines to their notebook's pages...or would suggest that I create a party package because if they'd found my items 2 weeks ago they would have been perfect...or wished to have their name imprinted on something, rather than the wording I had placed there.

What has happened is that I've been given an incredible gift - knowing what people want! And anyone that has been in business long enough will tell you that is an ongoing challenge. I've since expanded my shop to include many items I didn't think of originally, but that continue to sell well and I've also learned how to give people choices without confusing them in the process.

Sometimes I look back and I think, Wow, I can't believe I never thought of THAT before. An interesting trend I've been noticing lately is that many customers are requesting my art prints in all black. Being a color-lover myself, it's not necessarily something I would personally pick to decorate my home, but after doing a couple I realized that it gives them a whole new look. An air of sophistication. So, my latest business "move" was to offer versions of all my designs in black and white and, just like in times past, listening to my customers' desires has proved to be satisfying both artistically and financially.

I'm looking forward to the next great revelation.

-Shalom-

Top 10 Reasons to Love March

"Passing By A Rainy Day" by meArtDesign.etsy.com

"When one has faith that the Spring thaw will arrive, the Winter winds seem to lose some of their punch". -Robert L. Veninga-

I live in the Midwest, so if you live close to a beach, consider yourself blessed that you have no idea what I'm talking about. If you still have snow on the ground...well you're next in line anyway.

1. You can paint your toenails again.
2. A light jacket is good enough - cuter too!
3. It RAINS a lot (instead of snowing).
4. Your car doesn't look so dirty anymore.
5. It doesn't get dark until around 7pm.
6. You may get to fire up the grill once or twice
7. If you peek under the clumps of dead leaves you just may see green shoots coming up.
8. Stores start stocking up on fun new summer-wear.
9. Your favorite shows start to get REALLY interesting.
10. Pretty, multi-colored Easter candy everywhere you go.

-Shalom-

Selling In More Than One Venue...Is It Worth It?

"Revolver" by ellemoss.etsy.com

It is quite a challenge to set up a successful online business. But once you have, you may want to consider expanding into multiple "locations". Or not. Extending your influence across the net would seem to be a natural progression if you are doing well, but if you aren't super organized or your time is already stretched to the breaking point, you may want to reconsider. Then again, the potential to earn A LOT more money and exposure certainly cannot be denied.

The author of Modish Biz Tips (she specializes in featuring indie shops and offering business advice) has posed a series of questions to help you decide if expansion is right for you.

http://tinyurl.com/cbz9me

-Shalom-

What are YOU waiting for?

photo "Twinkie" by curioush.etsy.com

What is that ONE thing you want to do or be in life that trumps all other goals? Are you visualizing it now? Doesn't it seem like it would be the ultimate culmination of your life's dreams? But how to get there?

I've been in this place many times for many different things and I may obsess over a particular goal for a few days, spending hours online looking up information and making plans and lists on paper. By the time I'm done plotting all the ins and outs, I'm exhausted and I realize that I don't think I have the energy to cover the necessary distance after all. I also start to second-guess myself and wonder if my plan will actually work or not. I'm the type of person that likes to think long and hard about something before taking the plunge and if I don't have all the answers...I may get scared and back away. Move on to safer ground.

But then, if I don't take at least one step forward, what did I accomplish? I've just wasted several days of my life turning over every available stone looking for answers, only to find myself frozen to the ground. It would almost have been better if I hadn't bothered doing the research at all. Then I could have used that time doing something more productive.

Now, sometimes, when faced with a big challenge or decision, we HAVE to do our research and what we find may lead us in another direction. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that. In fact, it is SMART to thoroughly research anything that could drastically change our lives (for better or worse). But if the only thing holding us back is fear of the unknown, that's another story.

It's one thing to look at a road map to see where you want to go. It's quite another to actually drive down those roads. The map is only meant to be a guide. It's not going to show you every sign, rock and restaurant...or pothole or detour along the way. But, if you really, really want to get to your destination, are you going to let the "unknowns" stop you?

It's the same way in life, when it comes to reaching our biggest goals. If you woke up one day and decided to walk across America, would you expect to do it all in one day? No. You would do it a few miles at a time. How do you walk a mile? One STEP at a time. I know it may sound cliché, but it really is the most important thing to remember when you're trying to get somewhere and it seems so far away. If you're halfway through and getting tired, look back at how far you've come. If you haven't started yet...what are you waiting for?

-Shalom-