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.

FUNdraiser! Roller Derby! Brazilians!

It’s time to support the spread of roller derby worldwide! The women of the Gray City Rebels in Sao Paulo, Brazil and 2x4 Roller Derby in Buenos Aires, Argentina want to improve their skills by hosting a Certifiable Derby Training camp. But these teams need a little help with funds. Let’s commit to the spread of roller derby around the world by helping these teams reach their financial goals, so they can learn from the best, improve their skills, and make a fine showing at the next World Cup!

From March 15-April 15, you can help these teams by making a purchase at www.soapcrone.com. For every purchase made during that time frame, 25% will be committed to the Gray City Rebels and 2x4 Roller Derby’s plan to host a world-class training camp this June.

Get clean, and help some derby sisters out!

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's To-Do List, on Wednesday

I'm just so busy, I don't know what to do with myself. Here's this week's to-do:

• finish necklace orders (paint on Monday, seal on Tuesday, glass on Wednesday, pendants Thursday, finish Friday, deliver/mail on Saturday)
• figure out sponsorship for soapcrone.com with Rocky Mountain Rollergirls
• find a cheap flight to Vegas for the end of July (!) [this is ongoing, as I hope is obvious
• email author re: finishing draft
• pay for Rollercon sponsorship/vendor table
• book room at Riviera
• actually DO publishing retail taxes!

Small Craft Business: Monday To-Do List

• Print artwork for B's necklace
• Make B's necklace
• Do publishing retail taxes
• Arrange necklaces in organza bags, etc.
• Send emails re: wholesaling

Small Craft Business Friday: To-Do List Update

• Make necklace for Seek (order)
• Make artwork for B's necklaces (order)
• Print artwork for B's necklaces
• Make B's necklaces (One is already done--and sold to her on Friday)
• 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)

It's been a productive week.

(Also, I don't know why I put a To-Do list up on Monday, and don't update it later on, for you. I think that's the natural Friday post. We'll see if that works better than my previous plan.)

Small Craft Business: Wordless Wednesday--

From finegardening.com

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?

As Promised: My New Honey Badger Project

Honey Badger Don't Care.

Honey Badger don't give a s*%#. Look at him with that cobra.

My roller derby necklaces are taking off locally. I'm hoping it will move nationally soon, as I'm doing a giveaway for them on a popular roller derby blog. 

The honey badger necklace came to me when watching the video in the previous post. Rollergirls are a tough sort of cookie, and I knew they would enjoy these. But I can't draw very well.

So I hired it out. My good friend Laura Hansen, of Red Eft Studio, agreed to the job. I knew whatever she came up with would be perfect, and I was right.

The commissioned artwork, therefore, is enhanced by me with glitter sauce, and encased under glass. The components are sterling silver. I have another idea to use a map of the U.S. and heart charms. I'm still trying to figure out exactly how to cut up the map. 

Click either of the photo captions to read more about these necklaces. If you care. (Which honey badger don't. I know.)

Neglectful

I have been ridiculously neglectful of this blog! The reason? I've been blogging every day at:


derbyfitness2012


which tracks my progress on a 90-day fitness challenge.


It's a reason, not an excuse. There is no excuse for my actions. 


To atone for my absence, I will today photograph my new necklace project, and post the photos here. They are amazing. You will want one.


Yes, you! Trust me. To get you in the mood for these necklaces, I offer your daily belly laugh in the form of a YouTube video. Enjoy.

Random Tutorial Generator

Click here for crafty fun times! Happy weekend!

Small Craft Business: Wordless Wednesday

Small Craft Business: Vendor Tuesday: LYS

LYS = Local Yarn Store.


Check out your local listings. Yelp is a good place to start. Find your local yarn store, and check out what they've got. JoAnn Fabrics doesn't count as an LYS. It has to be an indie place. 


Feel new stuff. Look at new colors. Try something made of cotton or bamboo, or both. 


Buy local, and support an independent business.

Wacky Search Terms, Installment Deux

Why is:


maaaaaaapapa


a search term for my blog? (Seriously! 3 times!)


Or perhaps


foot care diploma


makes sense?


Tired small business owner


actually does make sense.

Small Craft Business: Vendor Tuesday--eBay

Is eBay still in fashion?  Maybe? 


Maybe not. But my husband was reminded of the wonders of bargain shopping when he discovered he could purchase his favorite guitar strings on eBay for less than half the price of retail. A few years ago he was busy selling things on eBay--mostly rare and/or valuable CDs. He stopped it when he realised how expensive it was to sell there.


Digression over. I recommend you search on eBay for supplies you need. You may find them at a discount, and you just might be supporting an independent business owner. It's worth a shot.