I have a feature column on CanArtisan!!!

So I mentioned in my last post that I had been scouring the internet for more promotional opportunities right? Well I came across this blog called CanArtisan that features only Canadian artisans who have shops on Etsy, Artfire, byhand.me, etc and noticed that there was a free directory listing. Of course I applied right away for that - always a great idea to take advantage of as many free directories as possible! While I was filling out my info on the form, the "want free advertising" plug on the page caught my eye. With my interest further piqued :) I delved further - turns out Brandi (writer of CanArtisan) was offering free advertising in exchange for writing on the blog! Sounded great - what did I have to do? Just pitch her an interesting story. So I did. I proposed writing a piece showcasing a new Canadian Etsy shop every week. And by new I mean new within the year new. Cool idea huh? Brandi liked it! Super awesome! Ok so now all my browsing and "window" shopping on Etsy has a purpose and a direction. I'm pretty stoked - free listing, free advertising, and my first opportunity to guest write on a blog, very cool :)

Who did I pick? DreamGallery from Kaslo, BC. Read the feature here : CanArtisan - Thursday's Art Gallery . Well thats all for now.... off to do more shopping :) I'll leave you with my fave of DreamGallery's collection. Until next time! Kim xo

Long time, no see!

Yikes! Its been 3 weeks since my last post. Oops :) Time flies by so fast - especially when you're moving! Our new house was majorly dirty when the last owners moved out, and we also decided to repaint the whole thing. Lots and lots of work - but its done now and it looks fabulous!

Also is the last 3 weeks I have been making new items, taking pictures and more pictures, listing them, running Facebook ads to find myself some new fans (successful!) and searching, searching, searching for new opportunities to promote my shop. Oh yeah and working on the dreaded business plan. Makes me tired just reading that again phew!

So all in all this are going well. Also this week I will begin a guest blog post on CanArtisan featuring new Canadian Etsy shops! Am looking forward to this alot - I think it will be alot of fun! Speaking of which - I have to get started on that post. Oh yeah, I made myself a new banner - what do you think? Until next time, Kim

Getting there slowly

Finally I have finished the pieces I need for the Fall Weddings Showcase! Lots and lots of time spent with a needle and thread - yes I said needle and thread :) This time I decided to stitch some of my pieces together instead of just stringing them on beading wire. Tomorrows job is descriptions and pictures, I need to list this week. The spots I have are Sept 11 and 12 - so I still have a week to get things together but I want to get them done early. I also want to completely reorganize my site, and maybe get some advertising going. We'll see how much I get done this week! This is a short post this time but I promise there will be more next time! Until later, Kim :)

Must post more....

Aak! I am very sporadic at this blog - I must get a more regular schedule of posting down!!! Gosh, this last week has been super mad busy, and this next one coming isn't going to get any better.... we are painting and cleaning our new house so we can move in at the end of the month. So between that, looking after Claire, and working on a new jewelry line I am not getting much time in on the business proposal. I hate, hate, hate not making deadlines! It makes me feel like such a failure :( Ughh - guess that is what I'll be doing this weekend. Plus I have this marathon I am supposed to be training for - did I mention that? Yup I joined up with Joints in Motion for the Arthritis Society of Canada to fundraise and run a marathon in Athens, Greece next year! To date I have not even started thinking about my fundraising because I have been busy launching my Etsy shop. Well once things level out abit I will have to get started on that.

As mentioned I have been really busy, busy launching my shop. Actually truth be told, I have been reevaluating the direction of it and have now decided that my focus will be bridal jewelry. I have been working really hard lately getting enough to launch next week - also expect a completely reorganized shop layout!!! Now to get some sleep - gotta early start tomorrow! Until next time, Kim :)

Things are lookin' up!

So since my last post there has been some great news... I applied for and was accepted to join the Etsy LabRats which is so cool! I am new to this whole selling on the internet and starting my own business, so it is so nice to have a group of people in the same situation to lean on :) Most of my teammates are new to etsy, but there are some veterans too. I'm pretty pumped about the whole thing - I'm sure you can tell! I also posted my first LabRats treasury last night. Treasuries are a great way to get involved in the etsy community - plus I just love to "window" shop haha. Its fun thinking up new themes for each new treasury.

In other parts of my life.... we are moving! Thank goodness because this place is getting so crowded, honestly it feels smaller everyday. It certainly doesn't help that I keep buying more and more supplies either! Geez... oh I suppose I should tell you that I live with my sister and brother-in-law and my almost 9 month old niece :) I moved in here when I was still working as a geologist and so was out of town ALOT, so the squishyness of the house wasn't so bad. Luckily they are able to now buy their first home, so it will be alot more comfortable for everyone :)

So baby in the house, moving, starting my own business - you could say that I am very busy and stressed, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Working for myself is the best thing I ever decided to do, and I would die if I missed out on any of Claire growing up. I wouldn't trade it for anything :)

Last thing, I am developing a line of bridal jewelry - so stay tuned!!! Talk to you later, Kim

New Beginnings....

So here goes.... my first blog. Wierd. I have never been much of a journal person or one to write tons and tons of letters to people so this seems a little of a stretch for me. But I'm all about doing new things these days - so why not? I opened my Esty shop and listed my first items on Jul 31. So far, it hasn't gone so bad. Very steep learning curve for me though!!! I never thought that I would actually start my own business, but here I am. I wish I was a candidate for Quit Your Day Job, but in actuality I quit my day job before I had any serious thoughts about changing my hobby into my full time job. Anyways... in the interest of keeping this first post short - and leave you waiting for more! (haha) I'll leave it there for now, and post a couple of my new listings so you can see what I'm all about :) More to come soon, enjoy!