For My Crafting Buddies: Remembering How We Got Here!

If, like me, you are a crafter trying to run an internet business, you may have already thought about this. But, it just occurred to me that if I'm not careful, the business part of my business will soon take all the fun out of the creating part of it! I don't want that to happen.

When I first started selling my handmade items on Etsy, I went into it with an open heart and wide-eyed innocence about the whole handmade internet community. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it is a wonderfully friendly and supportive place to be! I loved it then and now! My attitude was that I would make what I loved to make out of the textiles that I loved to work with. I would share them on my Etsy site and if someone found that they loved them too and I made a sale, wonderful! Well, great news! People did like them and people did buy them.

Fast forward a couple of months and I find myself spending inordinate amounts of time on the computer, reading all the advice I can find about building my business, all helpful and useful! Before I knew it, my fun adventure in crafting had become a race to the finish line! Making treasuries, getting put into treasuries, getting on the front page, getting a spot in the gift guides, checking heart counts, page views, google analytics results, and of course feedback! And don't forget the social networking. Had I twittered enough today? Checked facebook? Added photos to flickr? Every day, there is a new site to join, and sometimes I can't remember if I've already joined it!

Enough!

Time to step back and sew something! Isn't that what I started this for? Oh, yeah.... making things.... that was what I wanted to do!

So, I will be spending more time sewing and less time socializing/marketing and I'll see how that works. You may not see me around as much where the cool crafters hang out. But, I'll be checking in occasionally. And, hopefully, I'll have some new stuff to show off!

Packing Light Makes for a Carefree Trip!

I have a strange fascination with packing. I love getting ready for a trip. I sometimes pack a week in advance even for a short getaway. I think the act of getting ready to go is part of the enjoyment and anticipation of the possible adventure that lies ahead.

I love to see how light I can pack. I want to be able to handle my own luggage wherever I go, if possible. To that end, I am always looking for ways to cut down on weight and bulk when packing for a trip. I keep sample sizes of toletries handy. Toothpaste, shampoo, lotion, hairspray, even contact solution can be found in travel sizes. Those little packets with nail polish remover wipes are great for packing. With products for which I have a brand preference, I simply fill a 1 ounce travel container from my larger container at home.

Pill organizers are great for taking either prescription meds, or just fill the sections with ibuprofen, tums or whatever over-the-counter medications you like to keep on hand. I keep small, plastic containers that can hold Q-tips, cotton balls, band-aids, etc. but a ziplock bag would work in a pinch. Those facial wipes that are dry, but suds up when you run them under water are lightweight and perfect for travel. I have several sectioned, zippered travel organizers to hold everything in place.

For clothing, I try to pack a basic wardrobe with interchangeable elements. Black and khaki colored basics are great and can be combined with a bright tank, colorful scarves and other accessories to add pop to your wardrobe! With black, it's so easy to dress up or dress down depending on the occasion. Rolling rather than folding clothes can sometimes make it easier to pack and also, reduce wrinkling. I take a small, empty spray bottle in case I need to spritz something that is wrinkled. One or two pairs of shoes will usually be sufficient if you take the right ones. If I'll be walking a lot, I take one pair for comfort and then one more for pretty!

Packing light is a bit of a hobby, some might say obsession, for me. But, it's fun and I know that I am preparing the way for an easy and carefree trip, where everthing I need is close at hand, but my luggage is not going to drag me down. Happy traveling!

A Little Work, A Little Play!

photo by mrbill



I've spent the weekend getting ready for a trip to the Beau Rivage Hotel and Casino on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The company I work for hosts a meeting there every year at this time and it is always very enjoyable. The food is great and the accomodations are beautiful


I wish I enjoyed gambling more, but I really find it boring. I've tried hanging out in the casino to be sociable with the other meeting attendees, but the odor of smoke is overwhelming. I much prefer to wander around the shops within the Beau Rivage. They have some great gift shops and upscale clothing stores, along with several good restaurants and a yummy coffee shop! Between meetings, I like to grab a cup of coffee and a mini fruit tart or a brownie, then sit out on the veranda to soak up a little sushine and read a book. It doesn't exactly sound like a wild and crazy hard-partying casino visit, does it? But, just getting away and relaxing in a beautiful, sunny setting is just what I need to recharge my battery!


photo by Triin