Month Ending

It's the end of the month, where are you in your goal list?

These were the goals I set during the first week of April...

1. Set up my studio. Make it a place that I love to be.
2. Learn as much as possible about selling on Etsy.
3. Create a recognizable, satisfying and consistent look in the photos that I will be using when I open my Etsy shop.
4. Create! Create! Create! (and then a little more!)
5. The paper aspect of my business...Business cards, tags, postcards, etc.

It seems I have gone a stray...I have done many things for my business on Etsy but not exactly those listed above.

1. I've opened my Etsy shop with all the financial things that entails.
2. I have collected, washed, ironed, and prepped a lot of vintage items that I will be selling. I have decided on how to photograph these items. Taken outdoors, hung on a wooden hanger with an aged wooden backdrop. Simple and effective. Some things will be on models if the size permits me to use my friends as models!
   
3. I've decided to use Excel to keep track of the costs, etc. after getting advice from a local business owner. We have a copy of the program.
   
4. I am learning to use The Photographer's DSLR...I fear this will be an unending goal.
5. Decided to do my own business cards, for now.
6. I decided on the way I will be photographing my jewelry. Prop, light box, etc.
7. I have began sketching my logo as well.
   

The one goal that I did get to was to "learn about selling on Etsy". However, I think that is also one of those things that you keep learning as you go.

I will be posting May's goals tomorrow, May 1.

:(

I am sad today.
"They" are excavating the empty lot behind my house.
The lot has beautiful maple trees.
Bordering on my backyard.
"They" have exposed the roots of a maple I rely on to block the uglies on the street behind...
*sigh*
Will my maple die now? Will "they" end up tearing her out fully?
Why do cities allow all the green to be plucked out when it adds so much value?
*tears*
The (my) poor trees!

Sunday in the City

Happily eating a berry, with me close by snapping photos...Then The Photographer came to get a shot...

POOF! Streak of Squirrel.
Then he gave us the finger and a prompt telling off.
It was awesome.
It was funny.

Saturday in the Cove

A great Saturday spent exploring and hiking in the sun...

The ocean put on a spectacular show at the end of the path.

All these photos were taken by Andrew Ryan 'The Photographer'

Tie-Rant

Wow.
This is my box of (mostly) vintage ties.
Washed, rinsed, hung.
123 of them...

Bee-Aware

These lovely Bee earrings are found on Etsy and are made by KatinkaPinka they are vintage green glass drops with brass bees. Not only are these appropriate to my post today but the profile of the artist revealed to me she is someone who would probably appreciate it as well. As quoted from her profile page, she is the keeper of, "...2 magic bunnies....and a bunch of kitties, 3 pups, some finches and a dove. oh, and chickens, too! but they live outside."


In January I heard an interview on CBC Radio One with Rowan Jacobsen, a journalist, who has been following the bee decline. He is the author of the book, Fruitless Fall: The Collapse of the Honey Bee and the Coming Agricultural Crisis. It gave me that creepy feeling akin to dread as I listened... You can listen here. When are we going to learn to stop messing around with our natural environment? We need to take care RIGHT NOW!


Anthroplogie, the beautiful store in the US, have began an initiative to raise awareness through a few venues.

In an email I recieved,

...and store fronts are used to raise awareness too...




And...

Haagen Dazs are paired up with them to spread the word and to raise funds to Help the Honey Bee. They have designed a gorgeous site that is worth a visit, if you have little ones they will like the site too. I made my own bee...She looks a little like my beautiful niece. Click on the hive to enjoy all this site has to offer while learning about the issues facing the bees and how we can help...

I will be posting on this topic in the future and will be putting some links to bee articles to the right. ->

Happy Earth Day...

xox

Be kind to the Earth today, she is feeling her age.

And we, her children, are to blame for every gray and wrinkle.

Celebrate by being conscious of how your actions are impacting this beautiful Earth, and from now till the last of your own birthdays focus on being kind and generous to her.

xox

New to Me Oldies

The Vintage Gods were kind this weekend and I found a lot of materials to use in my Crownology Jewelry line. I use mostly vintage beads, semi-precious stones and unusual natural items to create one-of-a-kind pieces for people who like their jewelry to be as unique as they are.

A mixture of glass, different plastics and metal, all old and beautiful (to be).

What shall these be?
These scissors have a beautiful patina and weight...
I love them, a-hem, shear-ly...sorry ;)

Word of the Past Week = Squandered

I have had a pretty unsuccessful week in terms of my business goals. Creating and Blogging. Not great at all. Thankfully I am blessed with tomorrow...

What I did do...

Wore a dress. I used to wear dresses all the time but I've lost my confidence to wear 'feminine' things, and so, I mostly wear jeans and (the dreaded) a hoody now. So I will wear a dress at least twice a week from now until fall. A little dare to myself.

Wore antlers (only better-branches) for the first time!

Which reminds me, have you seen the new Antler online magazine yet? It recently featured one of my favourite jewelry designers and blogger, Abigail A. Percy.

And found this....

Off the beaten path in Outer Cove we discovered the most magical place.

I sat on an ancient rock formation, turned my face into the sun and was consciously thankful.

And spent some quality time with Drooke, my furry friend.

I was a week well spent, on living.
xo

All these photos were taken by Andrew Ryan 'The Photographer'.

Light it up Right

I have been researching the best techniques for photographing products and have found so many useful tips! It's a little mind boggling...
One of the best pieces of advice I have found is to set up a light box. I didn't even know what one was let alone how to set one up! I researched (googled) and found that there are hundreds available at any price point. I knew it would be a fairly easy thing to make and found these instructions on the blog 'Strobist- learn how to light'.
This way the smaller items that I have to photograph will have a consistent look and I can leave it set up so there is no wasted time.

It is great to learn something new that really adds value to your experience.

I am now going to get everything I need to set this baby up. Expect photos of my jewelry soon!!! (and a photo of the aforementioned 'light box')

Goal Check In

Here's an update of my Monthly Goal Meetup goals...

1. I have been reading about selling on Etsy and set up an account for the day my photos are ready.I'm thinking I should buy something in order to experience the other side of the business. Maybe this from Littleput Books. Something that I'm sure would be useful. Ryan has 10 612 sales! I follow Ryan's blog and she seems like someone I can relate to. The other items in her shop are so nice too...
2. I have tested several photo styles and am not happy with any of them...So now I have another idea to test out. It involves making a prop, so it will take a little longer to set up. I think it will "The One" though. Fingers crossed.
3. I may have to set up a temporary studio because the room I'm using may be getting completely renovated this summer. New floors, new walls, new windows, the works! I may have to make do with it as is for now...

Well, It's the middle of the month and my goals are getting done. Yay! By the end of the month and the actual check in I should have 5 gleaming check marks to share.

Maybe a stocked CrowNology shop on Etsy too.

Spring in My Walk

Signed, Sealed, Delivered, Beautifully

I found this on Etsy today...Lovely.

It is a miniature letter in a bottle that Miniature Rhino will type, seal and deliver for you. What a great idea. Perfect for all sorts of occasions and happenings. A perfect way to propose, announce a new addition or simply say I love you.

Easter Cactus?

My Christmas Cactus is sending me presents for Easter. Thank you!

April Fool's Goals

Like most people I have a tremendous amount of dreams, ambitions, and intentions floating around somewhere between my heart and my head. Most of these are amorphous and lacking detail...A realistic goal can be fleshed out with thought and desire and work.

I began thinking of my goals more seriously because of a post that I read on Modish Biz Tips. Jena, the editor, created a Monthly Goal Meetup for artists, crafters and others who are interested in sharing their business goals.

Writing a goal down gives it weight and presence, a little life of its own set out on a journey to become fulfilled. So, after much navel gazing, here are some of mine...

1. Set up my studio. Make it a place that I love to be.
2. Learn as much as possible about selling on Etsy.
3. Create a recognizable, satisfying and consistent look in the photos that I will be using when I open my Etsy shop.
4. Create! Create! Create! (and then a little more!)
5. The paper aspect of my business...Business cards, tags, postcards, etc.

Something to think about...
What are the barriers to achieving your goals?

Figure out what keeps you from success and then plan for it.
Right Now!

Young

Tonight we go to my first concert in about 12 years...
Neil Young.
I have been backstage at several concerts over the last few years because my father works at the venue. But, tonight I will be with the masses in row 8, seat 11.
What does one wear to a Neil Young concert?
I imagine there will be a lot of 'old things' there tonight! ;) And one can find inspiration anywhere...

A Subtle Hint from the Universe?

Synchronicity...

Today I happened across the following quote 3 times, in three different places.

"This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one, the being a force of nature instead of a feverish selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making me happy...I rejoice in life for its own sake. Life is no brief candle to me. It is a splendid torch which I've got to hold up for the moment and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations"
-George Bernard Shaw








Hmmm...Kind of puts one in ones place.

So, I am inspired to think more seriously about my use in this world. Do I have something special to offer? Is there a way that we can all be of use? A way to make this world a little better? (like smiling at everyone who meets your eye or holding the door for the person behind you) How bright will your torch burn before you pass it on to your children, nieces, nephews, the children to come?

I challenge you (and myself) to burn the brightest possible!

Inspiring My Mind in Spring

It is easy to find inspiration when you open your eyes to the everyday beauty around you. There are so many striking compositions and combinations that occur naturally. The way the trees are set against the sky, the perfect colour combinations found in fallen needles, an ashen flower carcass standing against the dark waters of a bog...





The gifts of my day. I hope you can find some inspiration wherever you are looking right now...Maybe the colours in your eyes, the light filtering through the dust motes in the air, the pattern of the lines on the palm of your hand...Beautiful, unique, worthy of reflection.