How Busy is "Too Busy?"

In short, my husband told me he was sick of hearing it. He was sick of hearing how tired I am all the time. Sick of my constant complaint that I do everything and I'm so tired, and he just didn't want to hear it. 

I could have picked a fight about it. Instead, I decided I was sick of it, too. 

I'm sick of being too tired to work. Sick of doing every damned thing. Sick of being sick of it, as well. 

So I decided, this year, for our wedding anniversary, I would give my  husband a gift that he a) didn't expect and b) would truly appreciate and c) would be practical, helpful, and would make our lives better. 

I stopped complaining about work. 

Guess what happened?

Both of our lives are improved. I didn't even tell him I did it. I didn't tell him that was his gift, until our anniversary. At which point, he did notice that it had been a few weeks since he'd heard it from me. 

I really don't care if he appreciates it, because the side effect for me has been overwhelming. MY attitude and MY words have made MY life better. I no longer feel as worn out, exhausted, and dog-tired. Yes, I get fatigued--I am a human being. But the simple act of removing the complaint of it from my life has caused things to turn around.

I'm more productive more evenings. 
I panic less.
My communication is clearer. 

It took some concerted effort on my part, but I think this change is permanent. It's very worth it.

What changes in attitude have you made, that improved your work life? 

Vendor Tuesday: eBay and craigslist

Have I done eBay yet? Well, don't forget it exists. Sometimes crafters are just done, and want to get rid of their stash. EBay is still around, selling all sorts of craft items at a discount.

Also, try your local craigslist. 

Summer Update

Let's see how I did on my list for summer:

• I will continue to gain private label clients for my handmade soap business.
• I have begun work with one client, and I'm still communicating with another. 
• I will rewrite my three books on soap making.
• This has not yet happened.
• I will ghost write a book on roller skate maintenance.
• This is happening right now! 
• I will sell my roller derby necklaces at Rollercon and have the time of my life, for one week.
• Oh, how this happened. THIS HAPPENED! I did have an amazing time, made some great contacts (one of whom has already called me), and paid for my trip entirely. It was very successful.
• I will travel home to Iowa for 5 days, and visit my family. 
• This is done! It was also a great time--fantastic to see my parents, and my sister and her kids. My brother, as well. 
• I will garden, exercise, skate, swim, and generally relax.
• Lots of exercise, lots of skating, lots of swimming. Not so much gardening, but sometimes you have to let things go, in order to relax at all.
• I will work for a friend on her new project. Top secret!
• This continues. Top secret!

Overall, my summer has flown by, and has been very busy. My focus was on the roller derby necklaces for a long time, and now I can back off of that a little bit and focus on my writing.

My writing. 

I have been doing a lot of soul-searching the past couple of days. It's hard to jump in with both feet when your family depends on you for all finances, but I'd like to. I'd really, really like to just jump in and be a full-time business writer, author, and crafty diva. I would love for my life to be all of my choosing, and not someone else's. And then I remember: I choose to have a full-time job. 

I could quit. What would that mean for my family? 

Over the next couple of days, I will make a new list, for fall. Pushing forward is the only way that I see to ensure progress toward my goal of complete self-employment. Will this be my last year as a public school teacher? 

Obsessed? Maybe a little.

I was talking with my husband the other day, you know, like you do, and was explaining or describing or whatever, something to do with roller derby.

He interrupted me, saying, "Do you think about roller derby all the time?"

Yes. Pretty much, yes. 

Through roller derby, I have found joy. 

I find a similar joy when I am creating the artwork for my roller derby necklaces. I imagine a friend who would like that particular color, and wonder if she feels the same way. I marvel at the colors and rejoice when they turn out well (About 7% of them don't turn out. I've had to add this into the cost.). 

What does this have to do with business? 

If I could find a way to make my crafty business work so that I'm self-employed, I could experience roller derby joy every day.

Small Craft Business: Vendor Tuesday

Today's vendor is Staples! Seriously? Yes! My printer at home is just ok, and I have recently begun creating digital artwork for my new crafty project. I needed to print things out perfectly. 


Enter Staples! They will print out one sheet on cardstock for a dollar. I can fit nearly 50 circles for my pendants on one sheet. That's a cost of $0.02 per circle. Take that, finances!


You might consider signing up for their email list--I get coupons and announcements of sales, daily. 

Small Craft Business: Time-on-Task Thursday--Roller Derby Edition

I'm giddy.

I have been very reflective this week. As many of you may know, I am not  yet fully self-employed. I would love this, but it's just not in the cards yet. This week at work (public school), the cuts came through. At this time every year, schools get their budget projections for the next year, and that usually means positions will be cut.


Unsurprisingly, I had to interview for my own job. 


Luckily, I was selected to stay, so I'm still employed. But is it lucky? One of my friends was not so "lucky" and she was cut. She is nearly retirement age, and we suspect that's part of the issue (expense), but can't prove it. But her situation is different from mine--I cannot retire if I choose. 


This whole thing got me to thinking hard, though, about what I need to do to get out. I speak of my job in terms of escape, often. If only, if only. During times like these, to make myself feel better, I take some sort of action. Moving toward my goal only makes sense.


So I signed up to be a sponsor of Rollercon. My roller derby necklaces are popular locally, and are an easy sell when I'm actively trying. I think it's a measured risk, to go to a convention, surrounded by my target market, and attempt to sell them something they already want. 


Don't you? 


Also, there are lots of parties there. Every night, really. 

Small Craft Business: Monday To-Do List 13 February

Week of 13 February To Do

• Make necklace for Seek (order)
• Make artwork for B's necklaces (order)
• Print artwork for B's necklaces
• Make B's necklaces
• Gather things for vending on Friday
• tablecloth
• banner
• necklaces
• Squareup and money bag w/change
• charged phone
• receipt book
• business cards
• jewelry care slips
• silver polishing cloth (p.s. Everything from necklaces on down fits in one backpack.)
• Make Valentines (Monday night)

(When I look at it, I really don't have too much to do. Gathering things won't take long at all, as I've already procured the things--it's just putting them in one place.)

Business Blogger: I am very busy and important

When I'm actually functioning, I blog here about business and crafting, yes? And now I've got another gig! 


I am happy to announce that I am the Biz Tuesday blogger for Horseshoe Craft and Flea Market's Blog! Hooray! Twice per month I will share insight over there, about business and crafting. 


Yipee! 


So, what should I write? What do you want to hear on Biz (every other) Tuesdays? Here, here's a more specific question:


What vexes you most about starting a craft business? What is holding you back?


If you have a craft business, what stuff always throws you for a loop?

Small Craft Business: Monday To-Do List

• pack Fae's and Ashlee's orders for Tuesday night derby practice
• wait for email from Juno about necklace
• update soap website for out-of-stock items
• make ref necklaces
• update supplier list for recipes book
• begin new formatting for first book
• find photos for book
• wrap gifts and mail

Freedom Friday -- Missed it!

I was too busy being free, and didn't post on Freedom Friday. Imagine that! I am working furiously on my necklace project, because roller derby championships are next weekend! I have to be ready. 


On that weekend, I will work hard toward freedom. 


The weekend after that, I am vending my soap at a craft show. It's a new one, and I predict it will be popular. I'm working for that, too. These next two weeks are busy!

Small Craft Business: Monday To-Do List

I've done it! I've blogged every day in October. Last year I was a big loser, foregoing the project altogether, and I'm the one that started it. Terrible! This year I sucked it up and did it again.


And I'm always glad I did. 


To wit: I have figured out how to keep this blog focused and relevant, by declaring each day of the week to have a particular focus. This will help me to build an audience (hopefully), encourage commentary (Hopefully!), and keep a conversation going about small business (HOPEFULLY!). Your comments are appreciated--please let me know what you think of my plan: 


Sunday Funday -- a post just for fun. It will most probably feature a funny photo.


Monday To-Do List -- I will post my to-do list for the week, and encourage others to do the same.


Vendor Tuesday -- where I feature and recommend a craft supply vendor. 


Wordless Wednesday -- Photos of a recent project will be posted.


Time-on-Task Thursday -- Exhortations and other prodding will be provided to encourage readers to get that thing DONE.


Freedom Friday -- Reflecting on freedom and self-employment, and what it all means. 


Saturday How-To -- I will post teaser photos of my latest book project. 




What say you, loyal readers? Is there a different focus you'd prefer on any particular day? 


Oh, and since it's Monday, here's my To-Do list for the week:

• finish carving pumpkins 
• hand out candy
• finish necklace orders and mail them
• make lotion
• make bath fizzies
• get started on Sugar Plum Bazaar fabric and tags

Small Craft Business: Saturday How-To

I purport to write how-to nonfiction. I teach people how to make soap. I've had several other books in the works for a while now, and need to get cracking on them. 


Like making balms and butters.


And making lotions.


And how to run a damn craft business. 


And how to make gifts for the holidays. 


While I do publish others, I have recently  come to the conclusion that I need to publish more and more of my own things. The books from others are good, and they are going to be awesome, and I'm proud of them. 


But I need to do more of my own thing. 


That said, when I finally kick my own arse and get it moving, on Saturdays I will post sneak peeks of the tutorials I'm writing. Howdya like them apples?

Small Craft Business: Freedom Friday

Freedom Friday will be a new blog feature here at Craft e-Blog. I want very much to be free of my day job, because it vexes me. However, the health insurance (no matter how expensive it is) and retirement I've already worked so hard for, keep me there. Also, I'm not quite ready financially to take the leap into self-employment. 


What to do? 


In the meantime, on Fridays I will focus on the aspects of self-employment that make me feel liberated. To wit:


When I am selling my soap at a farmer's market, I am acutely aware of the human aspect of that form of sales, and the history of it. A farmer's market is the oldest form of commerce, if you think about it: we set up our tents and tables, display our wares, and the people come by and buy it, or they don't. Our efforts at getting them to buy our stuff varies, and technology does have an impact, but in the end, it's just me and my stuff. Wanna buy it?


I am free to interact with the public how I want. I am free to discount my products if I want to. I am free to wander away and buy a jalapeno-cheddar elk sausage from Biker Jim. I am free to give a lip balm away to a loyal customer, as an incentive. 


Nobody is telling me what to do or how to do it. Nobody is telling me what the outcome should be of my day. Nobody is telling me what a failure I am at what I do, and nobody is complaining about me in the papers. All of that bad stuff happens to me in or because of my day job. 


When I'm selling soap, I'm free. 


What about your business makes you feel free?

Small Craft Business: Thursday Time-on-Task

Let's have a regular feature be "Time-on-Task." This will be a day where I remind you of that annoying small-business thing that you need to do, but hate doing. It needs to be done. TODAY.


This week's task: Ordering 


Go through your supply inventory, and see what is running low. Make a list of next month's activities for your craft business (i.e. shows you are doing), note what products need to be made, and then go place your orders. 


Order ahead, but keep some money in the bank for retail taxes. 


Ok, go do it now, and report back to me when it's done.

To Wit

I love the phrase, "To Wit." When using this phrase, you are essentially saying, "Hey, that thing I just said? Here's a good example." So, today, I'm using it with regards to my last post: talk to people about your craft ideas. TO WIT:

This photo was posted to my Facebook page on Thursday at about 8:30pm.  All the commentary I got was positive, and several people said "WANT!" and "Must have!!" and "How much are they?" The comments came quickly. I've got a lot of "likes" on that photo, and about 20 comments, I think.


See? Lots of buzz happening about my project, already. Oh, and that's the power of  Facebook. Your true friends want your business to succeed, and will help you. (To wit: see that button below this post? The one with the Facebook icon? You could click that, if you wanted.)

Needed: Glue

I need a crafty recommendation. I am gluing glass domes on top of paper artwork inside pendant trays. I now realize I should have glued the paper TO the dome, and then put those inside the pendant trays. I will do that next time. As it is, I have to resort to putting Diamond Glaze on top of the artwork, and pressing the dome on top, keeping it pressed down with a book. I plan on cleaning up the goop that gushes out, afterward. 

Any other thoughts, besides, "Dang, she's an idiot?"

My Favorite Business Blogs: I Read Them, Too

Since this is a business blog more than a craft blog, I thought I would share with you a couple of the other business blogs I read, that I find helpful:

• The Middle Finger Project -- Ash is amazing, and I'm considering buying her ebook. I need to read some inspiration to keep myself moving forward.

•  The Smaller Box Blog -- their link love on Fridays is a great resource. (Kinda like what I'm doing here, right?

• Indie Business Blog -- I have met Donna Maria, and she is lovely, and a smart woman. 

What business blogs do you read?

Family Business

Vendor Gift from Horseshoe Craft and Flea Market, October 1, 2011

My craft business has recently changed course just a bit. The economy tanked a while ago, as I'm sure you all know, and my husband had been looking for a job for two years (since our daughter started kindergarten). I finally asked him, "Why don't you work for me, and make soap full-time? We could really expand the business if you did that, and stopped looking for a job." So, he works for the business, and I still have my full-time job, but I don't have to make the soap anymore. It's been a miracle for me. Sleep is a miracle.


That business? Sales have improved over this past year. I won't know exactly how much until I do my taxes, of course. I have started on another crafty idea and we have money in the bank. Another miracle.


Hiring my spouse changed our business. We are busier than ever, and new opportunities keep coming. 


What changed the course of your business?

Pertinent Quote of the Day

"A vegetable garden in the beginning looks so promising and then after all little by little it grows nothing but vegetables, nothing, nothing but vegetables."  --Gertrude Stein

Top 5 Productivity Tips for Small Business Owners

How do you find balance as a business owner? My work colleagues ask me this in a roundabout way all the time. Their way of asking isn't usually  a question, it's an exclamation: "How the hell do you do all that?"  Or maybe, "When do you sleep?"  Or sometimes, "Do you sleep?"

I do sleep, I promise. I don't always get 8 hours of sleep, as I imagine most of the world doesn't. As a business owner, I have to prioritize. I also have a secret weapon.  Here are the Top 5 Best Practices for Productivity, according to me:

1. Utilize your spouse. 
My spouse works for my soap business. He has done this since about 2008, when he would trade off with me and work at the farmer's market so I could have a day to sleep in. Since 2010, he has made soap for me, taken inventory, shipped mail orders, worked at farmer's markets, and run errands for the business. I keep him very busy, and it helps to keep me sane. He also gets our daughter ready for and to school, sometimes picks her up in the afternoons, and he cooks for the family. He does our grocery shopping and household errands and tasks, too. I do some household tasks, but I work at a regular ol' job, so I do what I can before collapsing. He does the rest.

2. Batch tasks and focus your efforts.
I never go to the post office to mail something on the weekends. Why would I? If I'm picking my daughter up after my job, I've got about an hour for errands. Since the post office is near her school, I can do all my mailing then. I can also go to the bank during that time. This is one tiny example of how to batch your tasks or errands so that you can get more done in a shorter amount of time. Checking your email at set times of day, instead of every time you pick up your phone, is another way to batch tasks. Check email at 10am, 1pm, and 4pm, and that's it. Answer all emails during that time, send what you need to send, and then don't look at it until the next designated time. You can do this. The world isn't going to fall apart if you don't return an email right away.


3. Stick to your vision.
Your business belongs to you. You must learn how to ignore people who will say, "You know what you should do? You should do THIS."  There are a lot of people that know what they are doing in business, and WAY MORE people who don't know shit. Most of the latter are the ones who want to should all over your project. Tactfully ignore them by saying, "Hmm. I hadn't thought of that. Thanks for the idea." And then continue the close focus of your business. This leads into...

4. Learn how to say "no."

You must learn this, quickly. You must also learn that sometimes you will need to say it to yourself. It's easier to say it to others, and even easier to say it via email. I get soliciations all the time through email, and most of the ideas just don't interest me. I either think they are a bad idea, too much work, or simply do not fit into my business plan. Here is an easy statement you can feel free to copy and paste, if you find it hard to say no:
"Dear X,
Thanks so much for your inquiry. However, I do not feel this opportunity is a good fit for me at this time.

Best of luck,

X"

5. 98% perfect is perfect enough.

Send your work out into the world when it is 98% there. You must, at some point, stop fussing over every little thing and get it out there, or you won't ever make any money. Got a great idea? Make it happen, and throw it out into the world. Use the knowledge you have already gained from business to make the right decision, and 98% of the time, your 98% perfect idea will result in profits.



What are your favorite productivity suggestions?