Sorry it's been so long. We've been pretty busy. Things are slowing down and we are getting settled into our new home. WE LOVE IT! The kids are so happy! Liam has told me more than once "Me wuv my new house momma." Pictures coming soon!
It is actually slightly bigger than our old house but there are fewer rooms so I have had to make some things work. We used to have a breakfast nook (I called it our cafe) and a dining room. Now we have an "eat-in kitchen." Our cafe table is now in the basement for playing games and doing kids projects. We no longer have a four seasons room so I have to sell my beloved vintage couch :(.
There are other things too, that we just don't need or have a place for. You know what that means...GARAGE SALE! Ugh, I am just so worn out. I thought about selling the big stuff on Craigslist and giving the toys and other small things away but Craigslist is a lot of work too...We can hardly walk through the garage so something has to happen. We shall see.
I am working on getting my etsy shop items ready to list and organizing my new etsy room so that I can take some pictures. I am hoping to have my shop open by the middle of the month. I can't wait!
Liam is getting really creative and has a fantastic imagination. I love to watch him pretend with his toys. He also seems to really enjoy Amelia lately. He always wants her to come play with him and since he's pretty good about sharing, she seems to like playing with him too. They also fight. Liam gets mad and makes her cry and then she gets mad and runs away. Then he begs her to come back and play. It's exhausting.
Amelia is saying a few new things. She been saying momma and dada, but now she says hi, bye and all-done. She can point to different features on her face, her belly button, feet, etc. She also points out different animals in books.
We've had some tough moments in the last couple of months but things are getting back to normal and the kids are doing really well. Luke and I are feeling more relaxed and we are meeting some great people.
Lovin' Iowa!
Showing posts with label Etsy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Etsy. Show all posts
Friday, March 4, 2011
Thursday, September 23, 2010
"Vacation Mode"
So I just put my Etsy shop on "Vacation Mode" and I feel a little defeated. Like, I can't do it all and here is the proof. It's not like I was really in it anymore anyway. We have been so busy and with Luke being in Iowa, I never had time to take pictures and list new items. I have an abundance of items that need to be listed but it all needs to be packed away and put into storage so we can stage our house.
Our realtor came last Saturday and informed us that the market is not pretty (not that we didn't know that) and that for our style of house in particular (a rambler with an addition) interest will be limited. Ugh. We have a laundry list of things to do to prepare our house to show. This includes "declutter"ing our house. Her words.
So all of my Etsy inventory, that has overtaken our guest room and my workroom in the basement, needs to disappear. I am sad but I also feel like I will be able to come back with new energy. I think moving to Iowa will rejuvenate me in a way that will be very good for my shop.
I am excited about this move and anticipate something...big. I don't know what and I don't want to set myself up for disappointment but I have this gut feeling that this is where I am supposed to be. Maybe it's just that I am letting go of whatever it was that was holding me back before and now I'm really going to go for it.
Since opening my Etsy shop I have a glimmer of confidence and motivation that I have never had before. I feel like this is something that I could be good at. If I really apply myself I might even be successful! Really good things are around the corner for me and for my family.
So my shop is on "Vacation mode" even though this is no vacation for me. I'm just going to take things one day at a time. I am taking deep breathes, and trying to keep Luke calm as well. We are hoping to put our house on the market by November 1st or at the latest mid November because Luke has to report to work on January 5th.
Putting Etsy on the back burner will be good for me in the long run. I can't wait to open up the boxes when we settle in to our new home and see all my babies again!
Our realtor came last Saturday and informed us that the market is not pretty (not that we didn't know that) and that for our style of house in particular (a rambler with an addition) interest will be limited. Ugh. We have a laundry list of things to do to prepare our house to show. This includes "declutter"ing our house. Her words.
So all of my Etsy inventory, that has overtaken our guest room and my workroom in the basement, needs to disappear. I am sad but I also feel like I will be able to come back with new energy. I think moving to Iowa will rejuvenate me in a way that will be very good for my shop.
I am excited about this move and anticipate something...big. I don't know what and I don't want to set myself up for disappointment but I have this gut feeling that this is where I am supposed to be. Maybe it's just that I am letting go of whatever it was that was holding me back before and now I'm really going to go for it.
Since opening my Etsy shop I have a glimmer of confidence and motivation that I have never had before. I feel like this is something that I could be good at. If I really apply myself I might even be successful! Really good things are around the corner for me and for my family.
So my shop is on "Vacation mode" even though this is no vacation for me. I'm just going to take things one day at a time. I am taking deep breathes, and trying to keep Luke calm as well. We are hoping to put our house on the market by November 1st or at the latest mid November because Luke has to report to work on January 5th.
Putting Etsy on the back burner will be good for me in the long run. I can't wait to open up the boxes when we settle in to our new home and see all my babies again!
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Today
Things are getting more and more interesting every day. Luke got the job in Iowa so we will definitely be moving there and we are very excited! I am ready for something new and challenging. I need a change of scenery.
We are hoping that all goes well with the sale of our house and purchasing a new one. I'm not going to lie - I'm a little nervous. There is a lot of work that needs to be done in order to get our house ready to be put on the market. Things we have been putting off since we moved in.
We do plan on having a moving sale, maybe in two weeks. We'll see if I can get everything priced by then! I just sold a bunch of stuff this last Spring at my sisters garage sale so I feel like my joints are oiled up and ready to go.
I am also considering having an area of the moving sale for some of my etsy inventory. I have a lot of stuff that has never been listed due to a lack of time. I don't know. People come to moving sales for a good deal $.50 here and $.25 there, maybe a dollar or two. They don't expect to pay etsy prices for vintage but I don't want to give it all away for free!
Luke's job pays for movers to come and pack our stuff and haul it to our destination, but they only pay for so many pounds. We won't know how many pounds of stuff we have until after the fact so...we don't want to pay to move my shop items if we don't have to.
On another note, Liam is potty trained! It didn't take long. I tried my hardest to stay consistent and gave him big hugs and kisses every time he used the potty (I also bribed him with anything I could to get him to try when he didn't think he needed to go). He spent a couple of days with no undies or diapers until he got the hang of going all the way to the bathroom whenever he had to go. Then I put him in undies with the rubber undies over them. After he got the hang of having to pull down his undies every time, I got rid of the rubber undies except for car rides and bedtime. Now he doesn't need the rubber undies at all and only has an accident every couple of days. We are so proud of him!
Amelia is crawling and pulling herself up on furniture, window sills, the dishwasher (while closed), toys and anything else she can. She is taking steps while hanging on and can stand for 3 seconds without falling. She is getting so close to standing and walking! I can't believe how big she's getting. She turns a year old in October already!
We are hoping that all goes well with the sale of our house and purchasing a new one. I'm not going to lie - I'm a little nervous. There is a lot of work that needs to be done in order to get our house ready to be put on the market. Things we have been putting off since we moved in.
We do plan on having a moving sale, maybe in two weeks. We'll see if I can get everything priced by then! I just sold a bunch of stuff this last Spring at my sisters garage sale so I feel like my joints are oiled up and ready to go.
I am also considering having an area of the moving sale for some of my etsy inventory. I have a lot of stuff that has never been listed due to a lack of time. I don't know. People come to moving sales for a good deal $.50 here and $.25 there, maybe a dollar or two. They don't expect to pay etsy prices for vintage but I don't want to give it all away for free!
Luke's job pays for movers to come and pack our stuff and haul it to our destination, but they only pay for so many pounds. We won't know how many pounds of stuff we have until after the fact so...we don't want to pay to move my shop items if we don't have to.
On another note, Liam is potty trained! It didn't take long. I tried my hardest to stay consistent and gave him big hugs and kisses every time he used the potty (I also bribed him with anything I could to get him to try when he didn't think he needed to go). He spent a couple of days with no undies or diapers until he got the hang of going all the way to the bathroom whenever he had to go. Then I put him in undies with the rubber undies over them. After he got the hang of having to pull down his undies every time, I got rid of the rubber undies except for car rides and bedtime. Now he doesn't need the rubber undies at all and only has an accident every couple of days. We are so proud of him!
Amelia is crawling and pulling herself up on furniture, window sills, the dishwasher (while closed), toys and anything else she can. She is taking steps while hanging on and can stand for 3 seconds without falling. She is getting so close to standing and walking! I can't believe how big she's getting. She turns a year old in October already!
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Balance
Ok, so I'm back here again. I have not mastered the see-saw in my playground yet. That is, I still have not found a proper balance between my husband and kids, and my selfish self. Before I was concerned (and I believe, rightfully so) that I was not giving my 2 1/2 year old son and my now 7 1/2 month old daughter the attention they deserved.
I felt that I was putting so much effort into getting my Etsy shop up and running and making it successful that I allowed my babies to be babysat by the boob tube. My goal was to find a balance in the month of May and make sure to give Liam and Amelia the best of me.
Well, now here I am, it's the end of May and I my Etsy teeter-totter is up in the air. I love all the time I have with my kids. I don't feel the guilt I was feeling when I would spend every available second listing a new item or packing up a sold item.
The problem is my sales have dropped significantly. I know that in order to get new traffic in my store I need to list new items almost daily. I'm listing one or two new things a week, tops. I also need to keep up with the Storque (Etsy's blog) and keep shopping and finding new favorites. These things all help to put my store's name out there where buyers or sellers can see it.
I am spending quality time with my children. I know that is important but I love it too. I love spending time with them. I would hate to look back on this time and wish I had given them more.
On the flip side, I love my Etsy shop. I love that on a whim I decided to try it out and found something that feeds my vintage soul. I enjoy finding thing I love and finding them a good home even if it's not my own.
My goal for June is to really find balance. I will ask for more help. I will let my husband know when I need to really focus and I will not spend precious time away frivolously. There is a sort of schedule materializing in my head that should help me to separate my work and family time. I WILL be more productive with my time!
I felt that I was putting so much effort into getting my Etsy shop up and running and making it successful that I allowed my babies to be babysat by the boob tube. My goal was to find a balance in the month of May and make sure to give Liam and Amelia the best of me.
Well, now here I am, it's the end of May and I my Etsy teeter-totter is up in the air. I love all the time I have with my kids. I don't feel the guilt I was feeling when I would spend every available second listing a new item or packing up a sold item.
The problem is my sales have dropped significantly. I know that in order to get new traffic in my store I need to list new items almost daily. I'm listing one or two new things a week, tops. I also need to keep up with the Storque (Etsy's blog) and keep shopping and finding new favorites. These things all help to put my store's name out there where buyers or sellers can see it.
I am spending quality time with my children. I know that is important but I love it too. I love spending time with them. I would hate to look back on this time and wish I had given them more.
On the flip side, I love my Etsy shop. I love that on a whim I decided to try it out and found something that feeds my vintage soul. I enjoy finding thing I love and finding them a good home even if it's not my own.
My goal for June is to really find balance. I will ask for more help. I will let my husband know when I need to really focus and I will not spend precious time away frivolously. There is a sort of schedule materializing in my head that should help me to separate my work and family time. I WILL be more productive with my time!
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Hello sunshine
our giggly gnome
when I was a kid our lilacs didn't bloom until the first week in June
giggly gnome ready for his big trip
even though it's 75 degrees out I still love my coffee in my favorite spot
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Friday, April 23, 2010
Balance
Needless to say, I don't usually get all of this done during nap time. I find myself working on these things any time I can sneak away. Our computer is located right next to our living room so I can work while Liam is watching cartoons. That is where I struggle. I am letting Elmo and Tiny, Shiny, and Don babysit Liam and he is very aware of it.
When Liam was in daycare I always felt like he didn't get enough stimulation. When I would go to pick him up he would be in a play pen watching cartoons. Now look! I am doing the same thing! My goal for the month of May is to find a proper balance with my new found activities and the most important job of my life.
Any advice?
Thursday, April 22, 2010
More goodies!
Spring got me in the mood for bright colors
cool melmac
speachless, I know
my guest room is overflowing
Etsy love
I am, admittedly, obsessed with Etsy. I first heard about Etsy from an article in Country Living Magazine. I have subscribed to Country Living since I was 19- love! I look forward to it every month and every month it feels like 2 months before it shows up in my mail box because I have the patience of a 2 year old.
After seeing items listed there and in Martha Stewart Living I got wise to the fact that this wasn't just another website. I finally checked it out and was immediately smitten. I told everyone who would listen and started spending my kids's nap time on Etsy just perusing and falling deeper in love.
I bought my daughter some handmade booties. I got my husband a t-shirt with a boston terrier with wings on it (we had recently lost our boston, Baxter). Then, I got my sister-in-law a custom silhouette for Christmas. I was hooked. I couldn't stop.
My favorites were the vintage shops. I bought a few vintage Fisher Price Little People sets for my son and couldn't believe the deal I got! Every time I would open my newly delivered packages I would find a handwritten card with a message just for me! Sometimes I would get a little gifty of some sort and I would show everyone, "Look! Who does that! Amazing!"
These were my people. They saw through to the core of me and knew my deepest vintage desires. I felt like I finally found it- the thing I would do if I had a million dollars and didn't have to work.
Once I started selling on Etsy I realized that it wasn't just customer service that prompted these people to be so gracious. Buyers, too, were blowing my mind with nice.
My first patron was patient and very understanding while I worked out the kinks in my pay pal account (I didn't have it verified yet and it would not allow me to accept payments yet). Then, when I shipped her package I discovered what shipping really costs and chalked it up to a lesson learned (I would only be making a dollar on her purchase of a set of berry bowls and a creamer). She sent me a message that she had deposited the extra shipping cost into my pay pal account and said, "I just wanted your first sale to be a positive experience all around."
I was shocked and my eyes welled up with tears. I woke my husband up to tell him. She really did make my first sale a positive one and this whole Etsy experience has been wonderful. I have since dealt with very friendly, supportive people and am so happy I decided to join this community.
Just thought I'd share with you the proof that nice is still alive. That there are people out there that don't use nasty to get ahead or to get what they want. Being happy with what you do and feeling fulfilled by it are more important than making a lot of money, but you can have it all if you remember that.
After seeing items listed there and in Martha Stewart Living I got wise to the fact that this wasn't just another website. I finally checked it out and was immediately smitten. I told everyone who would listen and started spending my kids's nap time on Etsy just perusing and falling deeper in love.
I bought my daughter some handmade booties. I got my husband a t-shirt with a boston terrier with wings on it (we had recently lost our boston, Baxter). Then, I got my sister-in-law a custom silhouette for Christmas. I was hooked. I couldn't stop.
My favorites were the vintage shops. I bought a few vintage Fisher Price Little People sets for my son and couldn't believe the deal I got! Every time I would open my newly delivered packages I would find a handwritten card with a message just for me! Sometimes I would get a little gifty of some sort and I would show everyone, "Look! Who does that! Amazing!"
These were my people. They saw through to the core of me and knew my deepest vintage desires. I felt like I finally found it- the thing I would do if I had a million dollars and didn't have to work.
Once I started selling on Etsy I realized that it wasn't just customer service that prompted these people to be so gracious. Buyers, too, were blowing my mind with nice.
My first patron was patient and very understanding while I worked out the kinks in my pay pal account (I didn't have it verified yet and it would not allow me to accept payments yet). Then, when I shipped her package I discovered what shipping really costs and chalked it up to a lesson learned (I would only be making a dollar on her purchase of a set of berry bowls and a creamer). She sent me a message that she had deposited the extra shipping cost into my pay pal account and said, "I just wanted your first sale to be a positive experience all around."
I was shocked and my eyes welled up with tears. I woke my husband up to tell him. She really did make my first sale a positive one and this whole Etsy experience has been wonderful. I have since dealt with very friendly, supportive people and am so happy I decided to join this community.
Just thought I'd share with you the proof that nice is still alive. That there are people out there that don't use nasty to get ahead or to get what they want. Being happy with what you do and feeling fulfilled by it are more important than making a lot of money, but you can have it all if you remember that.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Obsession
I went to a few thrift stores the other day, my obsession as you well know. I found tons of stuff. I am hanging on to a few things like some games for the kids (don't break the ice, ants in the pants). I found a cute canister that looks super fab in my work room. Mostly, though I found things to sell in my shop. It is a beautiful day today but I have so much to do and I really want to list this new stuff. Both the kids are napping so I am taking advantage of some quiet time.
magazine rack or torture device- you decide.
lovely faux bois book ends
aluminum cake take-love it!
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Zero
This lovely zero fan, that I recently purchased and didn't even have time to get to know, sold in my Etsy shop today. Some lucky person will now get to enjoy his strong breeze and gentle whirring. Time for me to say "good bye".
Who I am now
I am a 29 year old stay at home mom. I married my husband, Luke almost 3 years ago in a small ceremony in Akumal, Mexico. We welcomed our son, Liam in November 2007. He is a happy, rambunctious little monkey and I love him to pieces.
After 8 weeks of staying home with my then colicky bundle of tears, I returned to work as a receptionist at a plastic surgeon's office. It was 100% the right decision for us at that time and even though it was hard I knew I was doing the right thing. There were good days and bad days. There were times I wanted to pull him out of daycare because I felt he was picking up bad habits and not getting enough attention, but we made it over those humps. After his first birthday I decided I wanted to try for another baby and convinced my husband that having them close together was the best way to raise children.
What did I know?! My parents had 5 kids in 7 years and we were very close growing up and are very close now. I guess I didn't really consider how hard it would be with a little boy going through his terrible twos and an infant. It is the HARDEST thing I have ever experienced. Since I was 27 when we had Liam I felt like we better hurry up and get the show on the road so we wouldn't be the "old parents". Now I realize that's not at all how it will be. Since my mom had her 5th child by the time she was 27, I always felt like I was behind.
Amelia was born in October of 2009 and she has been a breeze compared to Liam as an infant! She is happy and thriving and loves her big brother. Liam mostly ignores her but always gives her her soothie when she spits it out and gives her kisses before bed. He has never shown any jealousy towards her and rarely wants to be on my lap when she is. He isn't much for sitting on laps. He isn't much for sitting, period. He stands while watching Sesame Street. He is always on the go and understands that when I am nursing Amelia he can take off and get into mischief.
I decided not to go back to work while I was still pregnant. I felt like I missed out on a lot of Liam's babyhood and he was getting to a point where he needed more one on one attention so it was the obvious choice for me. I am blessed with the ability to choose whether or not to go back to work and I figured I would regret it if I didn't at least try it.
This winter was hard. I felt like I lost myself. I spent day in and day out cooped up in the house. Amelia was too small to be out in the cold so Liam could play and to be honest, I didn't have the energy to bundle Liam up and pull him through the foot and a half of snow in our backyard. It took a while to get Amelia on a regular sleep schedule so I was with her from the time we got up in the morning (usually Liam would wake us up around 7am) until we both went to bed (around 11pm).
I realized in January that I had 3 choices. Either get a job, go back to school, or find a way to make time for myself. I chose option 3. Luke is very supportive of me cutting out time for myself and even got me a gift certificate to a spa in town just so I could get out of the house. I started going to bed early to read while he took care of Amelia. I joined a group of women that gets together once a month to discuss issues affecting women today. Most recently, I started an Etsy shop selling vintage dishes, clothes etc. and Luke has been very helpful and supportive.
My Etsy shop is a way for me to do what I love while still being home with the kids. I always wanted to open an actual shop with a door but Luke's job requires us to move every seven years so I don't know how I would ever have a real store. Etsy is the next best thing. My shop is called RR 1 Box 80 and if you have ever lived at a rr box you know to say "rural route" and not "rr". It was my address growing up and it is where I became me.
Since I have been searching for myself after being set aside for a while that name seemed appropriate. I am on an exciting journey discovering who I am now.
After 8 weeks of staying home with my then colicky bundle of tears, I returned to work as a receptionist at a plastic surgeon's office. It was 100% the right decision for us at that time and even though it was hard I knew I was doing the right thing. There were good days and bad days. There were times I wanted to pull him out of daycare because I felt he was picking up bad habits and not getting enough attention, but we made it over those humps. After his first birthday I decided I wanted to try for another baby and convinced my husband that having them close together was the best way to raise children.
What did I know?! My parents had 5 kids in 7 years and we were very close growing up and are very close now. I guess I didn't really consider how hard it would be with a little boy going through his terrible twos and an infant. It is the HARDEST thing I have ever experienced. Since I was 27 when we had Liam I felt like we better hurry up and get the show on the road so we wouldn't be the "old parents". Now I realize that's not at all how it will be. Since my mom had her 5th child by the time she was 27, I always felt like I was behind.
Amelia was born in October of 2009 and she has been a breeze compared to Liam as an infant! She is happy and thriving and loves her big brother. Liam mostly ignores her but always gives her her soothie when she spits it out and gives her kisses before bed. He has never shown any jealousy towards her and rarely wants to be on my lap when she is. He isn't much for sitting on laps. He isn't much for sitting, period. He stands while watching Sesame Street. He is always on the go and understands that when I am nursing Amelia he can take off and get into mischief.
I decided not to go back to work while I was still pregnant. I felt like I missed out on a lot of Liam's babyhood and he was getting to a point where he needed more one on one attention so it was the obvious choice for me. I am blessed with the ability to choose whether or not to go back to work and I figured I would regret it if I didn't at least try it.
This winter was hard. I felt like I lost myself. I spent day in and day out cooped up in the house. Amelia was too small to be out in the cold so Liam could play and to be honest, I didn't have the energy to bundle Liam up and pull him through the foot and a half of snow in our backyard. It took a while to get Amelia on a regular sleep schedule so I was with her from the time we got up in the morning (usually Liam would wake us up around 7am) until we both went to bed (around 11pm).
I realized in January that I had 3 choices. Either get a job, go back to school, or find a way to make time for myself. I chose option 3. Luke is very supportive of me cutting out time for myself and even got me a gift certificate to a spa in town just so I could get out of the house. I started going to bed early to read while he took care of Amelia. I joined a group of women that gets together once a month to discuss issues affecting women today. Most recently, I started an Etsy shop selling vintage dishes, clothes etc. and Luke has been very helpful and supportive.
My Etsy shop is a way for me to do what I love while still being home with the kids. I always wanted to open an actual shop with a door but Luke's job requires us to move every seven years so I don't know how I would ever have a real store. Etsy is the next best thing. My shop is called RR 1 Box 80 and if you have ever lived at a rr box you know to say "rural route" and not "rr". It was my address growing up and it is where I became me.
Since I have been searching for myself after being set aside for a while that name seemed appropriate. I am on an exciting journey discovering who I am now.
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