Thursday, December 8, 2016

Life Lately: Adjusting to Store Life and Markets and Events this Busy Holiday Season

Life has been full and busy around these parts. So much to do, so little time, but also so excited to do it all! Here's some behind-the-scenes peeks. Of course I didn't leave out the inevitable messes!


So funny story, the co-owner of my building is a compliance officer for signage for the city! So I feel lucky that he let me put out my little temporary "sandwich board" solution. It's an extra vinyl sign I had that I painted with chalkboard paint to put outside out door. It doesn't erase well but it works for now!


I'm enjoying the hell out of my time at the store. I feel INCREDIBLY more productive with an organized, dedicated workspace. Above is an atypical scene from one of my late-night working sessions. It all ends up tidied up again but theres my usual gotta-make-a-mess-to-work creative-person clutter.

Shot I took in the craft store, I'm getting into some herb gardening, ornament making, I love DIY, need more time!

I'm working on a post about how to use the KonMari method practically for business that helps me control this process that I'm excited to share soon. It's step-by-step in real-time. I used to condense a massive amount of business goods to one shelf AND rid myself of a big box of paperwork I'd accumulated.


I'm still squeezing it freelance work whenever possible. Above is a photo from CoRk Arts District's Open Galleries.


I was asked to be their official photographer for this year's open studios and it was blissful to get lost in artist's workspaces again. Can't wait to share more photos!


Between doing outdoor markets, organizing, set-up  and other in-store necessities I'm still making a lot of our natural body care wares. The long-requested pain balm line above was so fun to make and label! In the bowl is our AMAZING smelling all-natural deodorant, we still have a 100% success rate on that. We have to start recording these testimonials, oh the marketing is my job too, the work never ends! But I love it. I'm trying to outsource most product creation to my mom who's also a clinical herbalist.


Tonight I'm trying to (finally) finish the sampler sets of all our lines and samples to drop off around town.


I still feel lucky to be able to do all this at my pace exactly the way I want to. I feel so drawn to art and small business again, like an even bigger and refreshed enthusiasm if that was even possible! Above is a shot from a St. Augustine trip with friends where I refilled on inspiration.


By the way if you're even down in St. Augustine the Kookaburra has amazing coffee! I can't wait until AJ (or "the poor beleaguered boyfriend" as I refer to him to others) finally has a night off from the demanding night job so we can go to St. Augustine and see the Night of Lights.


I keep reminding myself to work hard in concentrated bursts so I can have more personal time to recharge, travel time, and time with friends and family! Hell I'd even love some personal crafting time, I miss that. I'm starting by giving myself a semi-day (ha) off to hit the flea markets, thrift and just hang and catch-up on normal life things. It's definitely that time in my life where it's time to work really hard and keep developing our rapidly growing creation, but I want to remember to savor the season and everything around me while I'm at it, too.

How's this holiday season been going for you so far? We're already so far into December!
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12 comments:

  1. So glad to hear everything is going good Vanessa and that you've gotten a little crafty time in too!

    Tania

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Tania! Ur not quite with crafty time, barely, but I've bought for it and planned and dreamed, haha :)

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  2. Haha, I recognize the needing more time for DIY-ing thing! So many ideas, too little time!

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  3. Everything sounds so exciting! I hope your new shop does really well. I like the idea of the chalkboard which you can change as needed. I would love to have more time for DIY too. We tried growing a few herbs at home. It seems tricky getting them to last for months and months. However we have had the same basil plant for almost a year now. She is still delicious!

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    Replies
    1. Mmm basil, I love it so! Yes herbs can be tricky they want that full size and well draining soil and then others are just picky and like pots better. I have friend's and my parent's yard to play in, I need to get to it! For now I have a spearmint and sage outside the doors. One day I'll have the huge witch's/herbalist's garden :D Possibly outside a future shop with outdoor space.

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  4. Oh my gosh! Vanessa, do you even sleep?!?! :D Seriously, girl, so great to read all the stuff you've been doing. Love the sandwich board you did, and the pain balm line packaging is just too cute:) But yeah....you definitely should have a semi-break once in awhile to recharge:)
    Have a lovely weekend!

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    Replies
    1. Nope, not enough sleep over here, will hopefully stop that tonight and get some damn sleep haha.

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  5. Wow, so many exciting things happening at your end! I'm so happy for you that you now have a space solely dedicated to your products. Hope you get lots of new customers coming by your store this season!

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    Replies
    1. Aw, thank you! We're working on that, we're in a hard to find spot (hence cheap rent) so I'm working on increasing the word and our online sales.

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  7. "Your recent blog beautifully captures the essence of adjusting to store life, blending positivity with the challenges of everyday experiences. Your writing style is engaging, drawing readers into your journey with vivid descriptions and relatable insights. It's evident that you embrace life's transitions with resilience and optimism, inspiring others to navigate their own paths with a similar outlook. Keep sharing your uplifting perspective—it's a beacon of light in today's world!"
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