Last weekend I worked like a fiend.
I finished up 16 prints and mounted them on painted canvases and then sealed them and took them to work.
I hung several in each exam room and I have even more up front at the reception desk.
I also worked on painting paper mâché pumpkins. I finished up three so far and also took them into the clinic to sell.
I went out to my booth and it's sold down and I need to replenish it.
I picked up my check while there.
It's my second one. I made rent, paid their commission fee and had a small amount left to buy some art markers.
Slowly my house is emptying out and each month I've been able to pick up some art supplies.
I'm sure some people would say that the amount of time and energy spent, isn't worth it but it's working for me.
To be able to get rid of stuff and have a few dollars to buy art stuff.
While out at the mall where my booth is, they told me that next month, on Saturday November 21st, is the big Open House.
I guess everyone gets their booths in super shape and they make goodies to give away to customers up front.
Yep, a real social deal.
I usually just scurry in to work on my booth and leave. I'm polite, say a quick greeting but I keep walking.
I notice other vendors stop and socialize at the front counter.
Sigh.
I just want to empty my house and make a few bucks.
But I'll make some sugar cookies and put my booth number in frosting on top.
I can do it, be social I mean.
I don't want to but, I will.
I guess.
Other stuff... I got my dot.com and secured my art name for a shop on Etsy.
I'll share more when I have more to show.
THEN.... A LOT is going on at my day job.
The one girl that was such a problem is gone. I won't go into it here. At least not right now, but I took care of that situation and I also came up with a new plan for work.
My co-workers LOVED the idea and Doc grudgingly went along with it.
It involves much more responsibility and more hours and in the LONG run it will be for the best.
I won't bore you with the details right now either because this post is getting overly long again!
And finally, I need to get the front part of my fence up before it gets COLD.
I'm thinking it needs to be this weekend because the forecast is warm and sunny and THAT kind of weather is for sure not to last.
So right now I've got more balls spinning in the air than ever.
But I actually feel OK about it all!
Really I do! because eventually it will all fall into place...
And don't worry!
I will have the calendar and cards very soon too!
Wish me luck and I'll "see" ya when I see ya!
Xoxo
16 comments:
So happy things are coming together for you. I'm looking forward to your Etsy shop opening. Even people who start their own businesses say they don't make much money at first, so don't get discouraged about start up revenues. Getting the word out about your skills and artistry will draw lots of customers for your work.
Sharon,
Yes! I just have a total different "feeling".
It's hard to explain but I feel calmer and more optimistic.
I'm going to go with the flow and just make Art.
I hope to open my shop soon! But I need to get this darn yard stuff done before the weather turns cold.
Thank you for your kind words and advice!
xoxo
I think your pumpkins are fabulous Cindi! You are so very talented. I'm delighted things are selling at your booth, and I know what you mean about it being fine that you're not making that much money at it. You're just starting out, but sometimes it isn't always about making a lot of money (although that's awesome too). You're clearing stuff out and perhaps even gaining confidence that 'you can do this'. I'm sure your etsy shop will be a success too.
Love the pumpkins, Cindi! Just perfect for Halloween.
De-cluttering and juggling - keeping balls up in the air ready to fall into the right place, can be stressful, but it sounds like it's all positive energy, so that's really good :)
Personally, with all that's going on in your life - and has been going on, and caring for all your gorgeous fur crew in the mix - I think you're a bit of a super hero!! I really do!
As if working full time, with a creative pursuit on the side, isn't enough for most people!
You really are an INSPIRATION! I feel ashamed that I'm not doing enough :)
Bottle up some of that vibrant energy and send it on over will ya? :D
Wishing you LOADS of luck and encouragement. Keep on keeping on!
Looking forward to the next installment. Super excited for you! So much!
Hugs XXX
Thank you Doreen!
I'm so glad you like the pumpkins! :)
I do enjoy the feeling of clearing stuff out of my house and it's fun to work on the booth but I think that this Open House thing has made me want to actually create a few things to make it look GRAND,
LOL! and that's not really "clearing out" but I do think my booth needs some festival holiday things added to my stuff. I'll have to rein myself in a bit and try to stay focused on my Etsy shop.
And you are right, as long as I'm getting rid of stuff and making the booth rent, I'm good.
:) :) :)
Thanks for commenting!
xoxo
Vicki,
I'm glad you like the pumpkins!
Yes, tossing those balls around can be stressful but I can see a goal and progress so it's not so bad.
It's not like this summer when I was working 24/7 and no end was in sight and I felt like I was being stomped down into the ground. Thank god that is over. Hopefully that won't happen ever again and I feel like I'm laying down a foundation to which to build a brighter future.
Then again, it could be the weather! LOL! Cool Fall weather always energizes me!
And then I've been getting positive feed back. I've sold a couple of prints now and that's encouraging.
I'm definitely not a super-hero. I just feel like I gotta do this Art stuff NOW because I'm not getting any younger and I need to get it going so that some day I'll be able to kick some of these balls outta here!
and Thank You for always encouraging me and cheering me on!
XOXO
this is a great post.
and i could have just kept reading and reading... not too long at all!
i sense a real sea change in you. it's like you're focused now.
and it's all coming together!
and it's all good.
the pumpkins are darling. everything you do makes me happy. it's happy art. even the sad looking kitties sometimes. there' always an expression that makes me smile.
i think that's what draws people to it.
and thank HEAVEN the lazy girl is gone. however it happened.
and i hope when you said MORE RESPONSIBILITY... you might mean some of the OTHERS taking up some more responsibility... like YOU do.
can you tell i'm a bit biased?
LOLOL.
hang tuff gurl. ur onto sumthin! XOXOXO♥
and the socializing at the booth... oh. we are twins. i had to laugh.
Tammy,
I do feel a change.
I must say that my head felt clouded before. I guess it was because I was so tired and overwhelmed. Or maybe it's the Moon and stuff.
Thank you about my pumpkins and what a super sweet thing to say about my Art in general. xoxo
Yes, the lazy girl is gone.
I might share more about that later but I'm the kind of person that takes it and takes it and takes it and then, I'm done. Completely DONE and no turning back. I've always been like that.
My sister says I go into "you are dead to me" mode. LOL!
Wait, that might not actually be funny.
um... the responsibility? Uh, no. it's me.
But it's a plan, within a plan. ;)
and socializing... I always say that I'm an introvert who pretends to be an extrovert.
I can do it if I have to but I'd much prefer to home with my animals.
XOXOXOXOXO
Great that you made rent on your booth. I totally understand the need to get rid of stuff, and there's a price to be paid for the convenience of putting it somewhere else in the meantime. I also identify with your reluctance to be social.
Your pumpkins are really cute!
Connie,
Yes! As long as I always make rent I won't be upset.
But I do hope to do well in November when they have the Open House.
I plan to get everything that might bring in some good dollars out there then.
And after that, well I'll just keep cleaning house and moving stuff out there.
I will hold back the garden stuff for Spring though.
And you are SO RIGHT! I LOVE getting stuff out of the house.
Love that you feel the same way about being social! LOL!
And thank you! Glad you liked the pumpkins!
xoxo
What an uplifting post! I'm looking forward to hearing more about your Etsy shop and the changes at work, etc. Good luck! As you know, we're all rooting for you.
Thank you Jean!
I will share as soon as I can!
Nice to see that you are back.
Hope you had a good "vacation".
xoxo
You go girl! I feel the same way about social situations but if you want to succeed in whatever you are doing you gotta put yourself out there. I'm so proud of you for getting your domain name! That's a huge step forward! Way to go!
Jen,
Yeah, I will put myself out there but only if I think it will make a difference.
I'm kinda at that age where I don't do things that I don't want to do anymore.
When I was younger I used to go to everything. Now I don't want to waste my time when I have so little of it.
But yes, you are right. Sometimes I must.
I'm excited about securing my domain name too!
Thank you!
xo
I've finally cought up with Your posts :-) Lots to read but very interesting! I'm so glad that You're making some bucks on Your booth :-) One should never look at the energy put in to things and how much one makes when it comes to rat, one never get what one is supposed to to be honest.
Have a great day!
Christer.
Christer,
Yes, that must have been a long read!
I tend to ramble!
LOL!
And you are very right about not getting as much back as the energy put into something, usually. Once in a while but not very often s person does...But I can't at this moment think of when it did work that way! Hahahaha!
But as long as I'm not paying and I keep getting rid of stuff, well I'm happy!
Now I just must be very firm with myself and not drag anything else home.
Thanks for commenting!
:D :D :D
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