Showing posts with label Anniversary Celebration Week. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Anniversary Celebration Week. Show all posts

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Real Tips for Balancing your Handmade Business & Family [Shop Anniversary Celebration Week]

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Today I have Andrea here to share how she balances her handmade business, Bubblewrapp'd, with her family and home life... after reading her post you will understand why I adore Andrea's real-ness... she's so fun to follow on Twitter for that very reason!


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Hola SoChick readers!

Melissa was so sweet to ask me to guest post! I'm thrilled to be here to be a part of her {Shop Anniversary Celebration Week}!

I'm Andrea from Bubblewrapp'd!
I have an awesome hubby {who also happens to build me super awesome things!}, two little {stinker} boys. They are 5 and 4. Although now they are closer to being 6 and 5...

 They are 12 months and 2 weeks apart.

 Yes. They keep me very very very busy.

 I started Bubblewrapp'd late last year thanks {mostly, and really, completely} to my husband's encouragement.

 I've loved creating things for as far back as I can remember, and so, with his encouragement, "Bubblewrapp'd" came to be.

 My shop includes wood blocks with bright, fun colors, and motivational, inspirational, or just fun sayings to decorate your life!

 Melissa mentioned that she would like for me to talk about how I balance running Bubblewrapp'd while managing my family.

 I've thought about my "balancing" for a couple of days, and here's what I've got for you.

 A few definitions of the word "balance" are:
So, if we go with definition #2, "balance" is a means of judging or deciding".

 Which is the exact definition I would use for the "balance" I have with running Bubblewrapp'd while managing my family. 

I judge and decide each day where my priorities for that particular day need to be.

 Something wins every day, and something doesn't quite win {although I wouldn't exactly say it looses either}. It's a fact. It's how it has to be.

  I cannot do everything in every day.

 Some days, my priority is on getting my boy's situated with school, and with being at school with them. Volunteering, etc.

 Some days, my priority is a order from my shop. Completing, and shipping that order or orders.

 Some days, my priority is on my house. Cleaning, organizing, or CLEANING.

 Some days, my priority is on grocery shopping for my family.

 Some days, my priority is on MY SANITY. Which usually means a trip to Target at 8 am with Starbucks in hand, on a weekday.

 Some days, my priority is laundry.

 Not all of these can be a priority together on the same day.
 It's just not possible.
 It's insane to think that's possible.

Because, in between a particular day's "priority", is still the normal routine....

 Drop off's, pick-ups, phone calls, emails, bills, the unexpectedness of life, you know, the stuff that you don't "plan" on.

 Some days, the dishes get done in my house.
 Some days they don't. Some days the laundry gets done {and put away}.
 Some days it doesn't.
Some days I make a {mostly} from-scratch dinner.
Some weeks I order pizza delivery twice in one week.
Some days I remember the papers that need to be signed for school.
Some days they get signed one day later.

 Some days I respond to emails the moment I get them.
Some days, they have to wait.

 Some days I have to deal with the unexpected.
 Some days I don't.

 Some days the coffee works for me.
 Some days it doesn't.

 My points are these...

 You cannot win everything every day.
You cannot do everything every day.
You cannot be everything every day.

 You just can't.
 Accept it, deal with it. Move on.

 Some days you do some things great, while other things that you do suck.

 Some days you suck at several things, but you do some things very well.

 That's the balance, friends.
 Accept it.
 You cannot be great at all things everyday.
 Do your best.
 Try your hardest.
 Strive for excellence in every area of your life.

 BUT.
 Accept your weaknesses.
 Accept that you are not perfect.
 Accept that you need people to help you.
 That's the balance I try to have.
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Thanks, Andrea!  

Come by tomorrow as I close out my Celebration week with a GiveAway  from another Handmade shop I ""!!

XxOo~ Melissa

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Q & A with an Inspiring Chick [Shop Anniversary Celebration Week]

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I hope you are enjoying the Party this week!  I am so glad you are following along while I celebrate my SoChick Shop's 1 Year Anniversary!

If you've missed anything so far, be sure to check here, here, and here, to get in the loop!

Today I'm sharing a sweet gal with a super inspiring blog.  She wears her heart on her sleeve and is beautiful all around... if you've not yet 'met' Casey Wiegand, you need to hop over to her space and check out what she's got going on at TheWiegand's.



I love her style, creativity and of course her adorable family; I applaud her and her husband for taking a risk and re-opening their Art Studio 'A Little Artsy'.  She is doing with Art what I dream of one day doing with fabric and sewing... teaching, and encouraging a younger generation, as well as her peers, to embrace their creativity.



After reading her Leap of Faith post, I took my own leap of faith and e-mailed Casey asking if she'd be interested in participating in my Celebration week... I was completely honored when she said "Yes" and was willing to do a quickie Q & A...


SoChick: Since starting your blog in January (2011), it has seen a lot of growth.  How has blogging helped you to also grow as an artist?
Casey Weigand: It has! I have met so many inspiring and encouraging people and it truly has helped my inspiration for paintings as well! The blogging community has been such a sweet blessing in my life!


SC: Your family business, A Little Artsy, helps children discover their creativity through art... What words of encouragement do you have for Everyday Chicks out there who want to explore their creative side, through art, sewing, crafting, etc., but don't really know where to start?
CW: I think people think that art needs to look a certain way sometimes. We are all artists though and all have something to offer the world! Don't be afraid to do so!


SC: What is a fun "Bet you didn't know" fact about yourself?
CW: Ohhh I love these! Um let's see I am terrified of roller coasters and love hershey bars :).

Thank you, Casey!  And thank you to all of you who are reading and following... I am working hard today, my Birthday, so that I may have new items to share at the Art Walk in Downtown New Bern, NC this Friday (from 5-8pm) and also so that I may re-stock my shop for you!  You are going to love the new fabrics I'm using for fall!

Come back tomorrow for Guest Post from another awesome chick who's going to give us her perspective on running a handmade business with kids... See you tomorrow!

XxOo~ Melissa

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Try-It Tuesday w/ Abbie from {Five Days... 5 Ways!} [Shop Anniversary Celebration Week]

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Continuing the Celebration!

Today I have the lovely Abbie here to share a fun Tutorial from "Try-It Tuesday" over at her blog Five Days... 5 Ways.  Every Tuesday Abbie posts something great for you to try... um, that's why she calls it "Try-It Tuesday"... *wink*  She has everything from yummy recipes to fun tutorials for you, be sure to check her out!

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Hey there, SoChick! readers. I’m Abbie from Five days…5 ways, and it is such a fun treat to get to visit and share in Melissa’s big shop-anniversary celebration. Congrats, girl!

Today, I’m going to show you how to make a super-easy ruffled ribbon flower clip. These turn out so cute and are incredibly versatile (think bags, belts, shoes, sweaters…anything that would be better with a flower clipped to it…which is pretty much everything, as far I’m concerned).

In fact, I’m giving away a pair of these cuties—along with everything else you see below (including one of Melissa’s fabulous clutches)in my September Giveaway, so if you haven’t already, make sure you enter to win you some prettiness.
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Here’s what you’ll need to get started:

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    • Ribbon of your choice: I used patterned 1.5” grosgrain ribbon (50% off at Hobby Lobby right now)
    • Coordinating thread
    • Glue-gun
    • 1.5” (or smaller) alligator clips
    • Felt (I just used craft felt for this project)
1. Cut a 30” length of your ribbon. Once you’ve gathered your ruffle, this much ribbon should give you about a 2” flower.
2. Fold your ribbon in half, wrong sides together:
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3. Starting with one end, back-stitch just a bit to secure your tip. Set your machine stitch to its longest length (you want your stitch fairly loose) and sew your edges together. Do NOT backstitch at the end of your ribbon. **You could definitely hand-stitch this as well:
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4. Make a knot in the backstitched end of your ribbon:
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5. Grab one of your free threads at the opposite end and begin to pull and “scrunch”…
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…until you have a ruffle that runs the length of your ribbon.
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6. Wrap the excess thread around the non-knotted end to keep your ruffle from…well…unruffling.
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7. Starting with your knot, begin to wrap your ruffle clockwise (with the folded rather than the stitched edge facing up) around it, securing it with dabs of hot glue every 1/2” or so.
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8. Once you’ve achieved the shape you want (oh yeah, and run out of ribbon), tuck the tail underneath the flower and secure with another dot of glue:
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9. Cut a small felt square
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10. Glue your felt square to the bottom of your flower:
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11. Glue your alligator clip to the felt square, making sure to separate the clips prongs so that you don’t glue them together. (You could also hand-sew the clip to the felt square before attaching it to the flower, but I went with the lazybones version this time).
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12. Find something (or in my case someone) cute to clip it on, and stand back to admire your handiwork:
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I couldn’t choose a favorite shot, so I just included them all.
You’re welcome.
And there you have it! A high impact, low time-commitment little accessory that will have people asking you, “Where’d you get that adorable flower?” everywhere you go (and yes, I’m speaking from personal experience, but I did have it clipped to my daughter, so I think I cheated).
If you’ve never stopped by for a visit, I’d love to have you by Five days…5 ways to say howdy! I’ve got lots more tutorials, thrifting advice, fitness ideas, a house tour—basically a little bit of everything—waiting for you.
Oh, and don’t forget about The September Giveaway (I’m still trying to figure out a sneaky way to win it myself)!

See you soon!

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Great tutorial; isn't Abbie's little chickie the most adorable model?! Thanks for sharing with us!

Hop on over to enter that GiveAway... and while your at it, check out and enter THIS ONE, too!

If you missed yesterday's Social Media tips from Gina of #SetUpShop, check it out HERE.

Come back tomorrow for another fabulous Guest Post from a beautiful gal who is such an inspiration!

XxOo~ Melissa

Monday, September 5, 2011

Guest Post: Gina of #SetUpShop & Hiya Luv [Shop Anniversary Celebration Week]

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Happy Monday!  I hope you are enjoying a relaxing Labor Day with family today, or at least have been able to soak up summer over the weekend.

This week I'm celebrating my SoChick! Shop's 1 Year Anniversary!  Things got kicked off last week with a few GiveAways over at 5Days... FiveWays and The Elephant's Trunk.  There is still time to enter each!

My goal for this week is to share, encourage, and inspire you.  Let's Partay!


Today I've asked Gina, the host of the tweet chat #SetUpShop to be my guest.  I am so happy to have 'met' Gina through her chat.  She's a super sweet Chick, encouraging and helpful... she really likes to see others succeed and that's why I think she Rocks!

Hi Gina!
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Hi {new} friends! I am so happy to be visiting you today! I just love Melissa and feel so privileged to be guest posting today!


My name is Gina and I blog at Hiya Luv and Connect. Engage. #SetUpShop


ME taken with the instagram app

I also have a handmade business called Hiya Luv Handmade. {While I restock, my shop is on vacay mode but will re-open soon!} I also host a handmade business chat on Monday evenings at 9pm Est on twitter called #Setupshop


In fact, that is how I "met" Melissa. She immediately struck me as someone who was really personable and talented. I just love her shop and think her work is impeccable!
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Today I want to share some tips on using Social Media because I have been able to grow my business, blog readership, and {yes!} build friendships through a variety of social media outlets.


1. Get out there!!! Don't be shy. You have nothing to be afraid of-really! Open up a Twitter account. Participate in Tweet Chats. Make a facebook page for your blog and/or shop. Join Pinterest. Use Instagram and connect with others through photos.

2. Be Social! Talk to others. Follow others on twitter; like people on facebook; repin on pinterest and leave comments. Post your photos on instagram. Join a tweet chat; there is so much to learn from others and you have so much to offer others. Retweet others' items or thoughts that they post. Join the conversations and let your light shine. Tweet out your blog posts. Connect your facebook and twitter to Networked Blogs and your blog posts will automatically tweet out and be posted on your facebook. Visit others blogs and leave comments. You will find that many will do the same for you!

3. Be patient. Your following probably won't grow like a weed overnight. What you put into socializing with others will give you a great return; I promise! But it takes some time. With some patience and consistent socializing, you will find your blog readership, twitter, and facebook growing. If you have a business, you will find that more people will visit your shop and become interested in what you have to offer!

4. Play nice. Be you but remember that you may not always agree with the conversation. Speak your mind but do so politely. It is easy to misconstrue a tone or statement over a tweet. Think before you tweet or post on facebook. Your social behavior is a big reflection of you and can make or break your online reputation. I am not saying this to "scare" or worry you. I just want to be real and let you know that it is important to remember when you are socializing online.

5. You will find your niche. Just like in every other aspect of the world there are groupings of people. I truly believe this a natural part of socializing and do not think that people maliciously exclude others; it just happens. You will find a group of people who you really connect with and then some others who you are social with but you don't make a magnetic connection. Don't get offended; it is just the way of the world.



Do you use social media now? How has social media helped you grow your business/blog/relationship with others?


I would love to connect with you! Tweet me @hiyaluv or "like" me on Facebook. I will do the same for you!


Again, thank you so much to Melissa for having me today!
please note that all photos are from pinterest.

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Thank you, Gina!  See... bursting with info, this gal!  Again, Social Media is Huge... Did you know, within a week of starting my Twitter account, SoChick was tweeted as Fox Small Business' "Business of the Day" on Twitter? It's true!  Put yourself out there... good things come to those who go out and get 'em. *wink*

Be sure to come back tomorrow for some Tutorial Good-ness!


XxOo~ Melissa

Friday, September 2, 2011

It's a Party! [Let's Celebrate My Shop's 1yr Anniversary!]

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It's a Party... and You're Invited!




There's plenty of room for Everyone! *wink*


If you are not a follower, please feel free to Connect via RSS feed, Facebook, and Twitter (all buttons in the right sidebar) and Google Friend Connect (located under my Sponsors!)... I don't want you to miss out on the week ahead; you don't want to miss out on the week ahead! 


Happy September!!
This month marks my SoChick! Shop's 1 Year Anniversary! Yippie!!  The site and shop have come a long way since I first started... from me having to create paypal buttons for every listing to upgrading to the Big Cartel Shop I use now.  Look for exciting new ordering options in the shop next week!

This month is also my birth month, yep, my B-Day is Sept 7th *happy dance*.  Growing up in NY, this was more than likely the first day of school, since school started the first Wed after Labor Day... yay for me *rolling eyes*.  But, it's all good, as I've gotten older I've come to realize that Labor Day Weekend is the perfect kick-off weekend for a Birthday! 




To Celebrate I've planned a fun week of exciting posts: inspirational & small biz related guest posts, GiveAways, you know... fun!


The Kick-Off:
(Yes, that IS a football pun... DID YOU KNOW: College football started last night AND the first Georgia Bulldogs game is Saturday?! It is. We're fans. I'm Excited!)

Source: google.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Get your hands on some of SoChick's newest items in these fantastic GiveAways:

Abbie over at Five days...5 ways is featuring a SoChick! Zipped Clutch in her September GiveAway
and
Lauren at The Elephant's Trunk is GivingAway a SoChick Sling! Whaaaat?! YEP! Go Enter!

These Chick's have great sites, you really need to bookmark and follow them!

Pssst...You can learn a little more about me on Abbie's blog because I'm her Friday Feature!

Finally... there are Zero entries for the MyMemories GiveAway... I double checked and the comments are working.  So, don't you want 100% Free software?!? I know you do... Enter HERE.

Last but not least... Thank you for all of your sweet comments, tweets, and prayers, wishing us well through Hurricane Irene and the fire in our home... I am so pleased to see so many caring people in this world and all of you have touched my ! *HUG*
XxOo~ Melissa
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