Monday, November 7, 2011

Thank you and another dream

Good morning everyone ~ Again I want to say thank you to all who visit. To those who leave comments thank you for doing so.  They are encouraging and I appreciate your taking the time to leave them.

The hardest work of doing the patio is the heaviness of the stones.  We had the stones laying so we could see them while working, and one time I brought a stone over to the area we were working on, and it wasn’t the right one, and DH said, “You’ve got to pick the right stone.” That cracked me up.  To read a wonderfully hilarious story about that go to Karen’s wonderful blog Quarry Garden and read it here.  DH and I both enjoyed that post. Karen has a wonderful gift of writing and I always enjoy reading about her life with Carl there at Quarry Gardens.  They are an inspiration.

As to getting the stones to be the same level on the top, we just keep smoothing more dirt under until they feel and look right.  I look forward to having this project done, so that I can just get back to gardening.  We sold the junker car the 3rd of October, so we’ve really done quite a bit since then in spite of rain. I am really loving this area a lot.  It is perfect for the Gypsy caravan.

Right before waking up this morning (old time so that I woke up at 5 instead of 6 like my body was telling me it was), I dreamed about visiting some boutique/gift shops that took consignments or you could have a little space of your own. It was kind of neat, and when I woke up I came out here and started working on a project that I’ve not touched in a few days.

I love to create, but am not crazy about the selling end. It was ok when we had our own shop many, many years ago, but the idea of becoming another seller among thousands on Etsy, hoping that you will be noticed and someone will buy, is rather daunting and discouraging.  I’m a timid sort anyway, and am not one to put myself out there, so I procrastinate. I’ve drawers and containers filled with pieces I’ve created.  My wish, prayer, hope is that some boutique/gift shop owner would like and buy my work and then I wouldn’t have to worry about selling it to individuals. Creating is such a joy, selling is a drag. At least that’s how I feel right now.

Anyway, I’m going to ‘try’ to not stress over the whole thing and just keep creating, in between gardening, homecaring and work.  Creating is a part of who I am.

I’m playing/creating/experimenting with this piece, using two kinds of needlework I love doing, crochet and embroidery. I’ve lots to learn and enjoy as I go.

Here’s how my workspace looks this morning.

11-07-workspace

Here’s the piece.  You can see embroidered and beaded sachets, waiting to be stitched together and stuffed with lavender. I’ve about a dozen or so of these to finish up.

11-07-latest-emb-wip

11-07-latest-emb-wip2

I don’t have a plan I just go with the flow.  I love hearts and flowers.

I found a wonderful book at the library this week which I need to get for myself.

It is ‘the Beaded Edge’. Crocheting and beading.  Wow! Can be found here.

image

That’s it for now.  I need to get away from the computer for awhile, fix some breakfast, wash dishes, fold and put away laundry, then we have errands to run.

FlowerLady

***

This is the day which the LORD hath made;

we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalms 118:24

***

For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.

For flowers that bloom about our feet;
For tender grass, so fresh, so sweet;
For song of bird, and hum of bee;
For all things fair we hear or see,
Father in heaven, we thank Thee!

Ralph Waldo Emerson

***

7 comments:

F Cameron said...

I empathize with you on the creativity and selling aspect.

My creative outlet is writing and I do sell travel stories to a few clients. However, I HATE pitching stories among thousands of other freelance writers on the off chance that the publisher needs something on a particular topic.

You see, no one tells writers WHAT they need. We have to GUESS what they need, write the pitch and then wait weeks, months, even a year to find out if they want to buy the story.

In the meantime, we can't pitch the same story to more than one place at a time. And, I typically get paid by the word. Yep. A rate per word!

That said--I have a point for you -- don't be discouraged from trying to sell your creations among the competition. Try to carve out a niche that distinguishes what you create from what others create. Be unique and put your special "signature touch" in your designs or customer service that sets you apart.

Good luck with your endeavors!

Southern Lady said...

It looks like you have been really busy. I love your creations. Just remember that there are people like me who are not very creative who love to buy items that others make. I am sure you will find many people who will be thrilled to purchase your beauties! Carla

denimflyz said...

I have been there, FL with the selling needlework and embroidery, when my mom and I had our needlework shop here. It can be daunting, and totally discouraging, and sometimes, downright rude, from the public.
Please keep your chin up, and look ahead, and do what you love to do.
Don't worry of what others say.
Have a great week
Hugs

Sandy said...

You already know that is exactly how I feel regarding creating and selling. That said, my Etsy shop will be opening in a day or two.
It's the only way to avoid so many
legalities involved in selling from a blog and having a home business. You should give Etsy a
try. You and I can cheer each other on! Your work is so beautiful and should sell well.
Love~

Meems said...

Oooo... I like the beaded edges and I REALLY like your newest heart with the crocheted flowers and button on the heart.

Wouldn't it be fabulous if we didn't have to market what we create... someone could just discover what we make/write and voila! Sold and back to creating. Ha.

Cameron's advice is right on. And to that I would also say just keep doing what you do. Your creations come from the heart. God knows your heart and will prompt you to take the steps necessary. Just keep following His lead.
Meems

Gayle said...

Your work is so detailed and dainty. I'm quite sure my hands would never cooperate with work like that. Maybe if I was out of this cold weather.....

I'm not so good at selling either. I couldn't even do a good job of selling eggs and ended up giving many away!

Morning's Minion said...

As others have noted, your work is so dainty and pretty, very collectable.
That said, I suspect it takes shoppers with the sense to appreciate hand made items--and a bit of money to spend. Those of us who create know too well that we aren't monetarily compensated for the hours of skillful labor.
I was able to sell a few of my quilts when I worked in WY in the quilt shop--I was happy to give the owner a percentage, as I wouldn't have sold them without that exposure.
As to actually marketing something myself--I never found a way to do that!