Pictures...as promised....

As I promised yesterday, here are pictures of the new necklace that I made yesterday. I used antique gold plated links with 12mm Ruby Red Czech Beads and 8mm Cream Rose light Swarovski Pearls. It is finished with a lobster claw.

This was my first piece that I made with my new wire jig. I can't wait to design a necklace around it! Rest assured, I'll post pictures when I do!

And this is my tired puppy, Max.

I'm happy that I had a very productive weekend! I can't wait to see what all I can do next weekend (3-day weekend!!). One project that I will be working on next weekend is to redo my bedroom closet. I'm going to tear down the wire shelf that is currently in there and replace it with a small closet organizer. Which means, I should also probably paint the closet before I put the organizer in there.....hmmmmm. I guess I'll have to wait and see!

Make sure to check my Etsy store for my new necklace!! I will be listing it tonight.

http://www.angiesdesignshop.etsy.com/

Productive Saturday

Sorry this is going to be a short post, but today turned out to be a rather productive day....

• Hung out in the forums on Etsy
• Replaced 2 tires on my car
• Made a new necklace (pictures to come)
• Did a little shopping
• Did a couple loads of laundry
• Designed a new banner for my Etsy Store

New quote that I posted today in the Etsy forum: "Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort" - Franklin D Roosevelt

I'll post pictures tomorrow of my new creations. Until then, have a great night!

Counting some beads......

I decided today that since I spent the last 2 days pretty much playing around online - checking out blogs, posting on Twitter, and hanging out in the forums on Etsy - that I should probably start doing something on the business side of the business and to start working towards becoming more organized. As far as the business side (of running my online Etsy store http://www.angiesdesignshop.etsy.com/ ) I started doing inventory. Has anyone done inventory on beading supplies????? Not too bad on larger beads, but some of my beads are 4mm. I had started a supplies spreadsheet last year, but didn't keep up with it. I know, what good is the spreadsheet if I don't keep up with it. I'm working through in my mind the best way to setup the spreadsheet to capture as I use beads and a spot for periodic inventory counts. The funny part is that I majored in Accounting in college, one would think that I would totally be on top of all this.....well, I guess not. I think it's more of wrapping my brain around all the aspects of running a business (I just started it last year). And to add to the fun, my husband and I started an IT company and last year was the first full year in business. Oh, and did I mention that both my husband and I work fulltime jobs outside of our 2 businesses? So last year was quite the learning year - learning how to balance creating jewelry, keeping my books, networking and promoting myself online, working 45-50 hours a week outside the house, housework (well, wait, something had to give....), marketing for our IT company (Techie Gurus LLC), keeping the books for the IT company, cooking dinner and relaxing.

With regards to the inventory spreadsheet - I'm surprised that last year I didn't create some elaborate spreadsheet...is it sad that I enjoy (I mean really, actually enjoy) designing spreadsheets????? Don't answer that.....it's sad, I know.


Other than beginning my inventory count, I did purchase and put together a 6 cube shelving unit. I think it looks pretty good, I'm happy with it anyways. It's a beginning...long ways to go though, but I have all year, right???

Well, I see another container of beads calling my name....off to do more counting.

Hope everyone enjoyed their new year's weekend!

New quote to start the New Year

"I have always been delighted at the prospect of a new day, a fresh try, one more start, with perhaps a bit of magic waiting somewhere behind the morning" - J.B. Priestly

Well, it's not just the start of a new day, but a new month, and better yet, a new year! I am so excited for the possibilities that 2010 hold, the dreams that may come true, the accomplishments that will be made. We must not forget the past, but instead learn what we can from it and use it in our present and future. I have learned a lot in 2009 and cannot help but sit here with a huge grin on my face at the thought of what I can do with that in 2010. I was pushed far outside of my comfort zone - at work and in starting my online shop (www.AngiesDesignShop.Etsy.com). I look forward to building on that in 2010 and welcome new challenges.

What will you do in 2010?

Reflecting on 2009

Are we really entering into the last week of 2009??? I cannot believe how fast this year has gone by....seems like it should only be the beginning of summer.

As I reflect on 2009, I realize how much I've learned and grown. I am proud to say that I've made 6 sales on Etsy. Now, I know that doesn't sound like many, but when I take a step back and look at the big picture, those 6 sales are a lot! The reason I say that, is that I work a full time job outside the home (often 50 + hour weeks), am a bit shy (can be hard for me to promote my shop to people I meet/know), and there are a crazy number of jewelry sellers on Etsy. I've heard many people complain that they've only had 20-some sale one month, that the jewelry market is saturated. I agree, there are a lot of jewelry sellers, but I way I look at is - hey, out of all the other sellers the buyer can choose, and all the items for sale, those 6 people found me....they loved a piece that I made, and they just had to have it. Now, I'm not sure about you, but that makes me feel DARN GOOD!!!! So I will take my 6 sales and will be proud!!!

During 2009 I started my blog (and will do a better job at posting in 2010), created a twitter account, learned about shipping and sales, and other promotional tools that I can expand on in 2010.

I am very excited for 2010 - I will be starting a new job at the end of January, and am just excited to see what the year has in store for me. One of my goals is to become more organized. I hope to be able to establish more of routine (my new job should be more 40 -45 hour weeks) and to plan my weeks better. I think if I can plan better, then everything else will fall into place.

So here's a nod to 2009 and a big smile to 2010.