tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2966296007306432724.post3701248393676855103..comments2024-03-28T06:46:32.815-04:00Comments on Vanessa Alvarado: 2013 in Review: 5 Successes, My Biggest Failure, and Hope for 2014's Fresh StartVanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00445764937751339633noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2966296007306432724.post-24627291854437900372014-01-12T08:42:20.275-05:002014-01-12T08:42:20.275-05:00'Tis true, success with anything can be as sim...'Tis true, success with anything can be as simple as changing your mindset from negative to positive. I felt much better and less discouraged when I saw I wasn't a failure in 2013 after all. It's also paralyzing and a zero-sum game to berate yourself for failures, gets your nowhere and even further from your goals than you would have been if you'd just focus on accomplishing the failures instead.Vanessahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00445764937751339633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2966296007306432724.post-84340096035834615772014-01-11T22:18:11.781-05:002014-01-11T22:18:11.781-05:00You are so right about not beating yourself over w...You are so right about not beating yourself over what you didn't accomplish. I was reading a fellow blogger's post on creating new year's resolutions, and her suggestion was to focus on what you've accomplished in the past year to start the new year on a positive note because if you focus on where you came up short, you make your resolutions from a place of failure and not success, so I am so happy that you sat down and focused on your successes. And hey, you had way more successes than failures :0)<br /><br />As for me, I saw marked improvement in my eBay business. My profits were higher each month over the previous year. I continued making better, more profitable buying decisions, something I had started to do in 2012, so it was very gratifying to continue on the upward trend. Another big goal accomplished was starting my creativity blog. <br /><br />Where I fell short was getting my Etsy business up. I had planned on working out the kinks to an ornament idea I had in mind, hoping to stock up my Etsy store with my handmade stuff, but alas, I was not able to devote as much time to it as I had planned.<br /><br />My goal is to continue evaluating and increasing the profitability of my eBay business by playing around with the types of items I will stock in my store. Another goal is to get my Amazon book business up and running again. And my final goal is to work on handmade art ideas for my Etsy store.Serenahttp://craftycreativegal.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2966296007306432724.post-43777027398493544372014-01-11T21:28:55.569-05:002014-01-11T21:28:55.569-05:00I'll be exhaustively reporting from the sideli...I'll be exhaustively reporting from the sidelines! Already producing and interacting more and loving it. Thanks so much for the kind words ;)Vanessahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00445764937751339633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2966296007306432724.post-52685651599744599492014-01-11T19:02:45.339-05:002014-01-11T19:02:45.339-05:00Such a crazy year full of ups and downs for you. I...Such a crazy year full of ups and downs for you. I hope you can get your confidence and reach for those dreams. I know you can do it. I can't wait to see what you get up to in2014. Nerd Burgerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00873300845262727915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2966296007306432724.post-72921432629093041602014-01-10T07:45:28.599-05:002014-01-10T07:45:28.599-05:00Thanks! Not enough people really acknowledge their...Thanks! Not enough people really acknowledge their faults so they can improve. I'm definitely raring to go! :)Vanessahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00445764937751339633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2966296007306432724.post-60546915215366851522014-01-10T07:44:54.321-05:002014-01-10T07:44:54.321-05:00Thanks Cathey! I've already produced more art ...Thanks Cathey! I've already produced more art that I have all last year this year, it's going to be a kick-ass year I say ;D !Vanessahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00445764937751339633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2966296007306432724.post-43933796054210860432014-01-10T04:36:15.018-05:002014-01-10T04:36:15.018-05:00It's really good to evaluate what has happened...It's really good to evaluate what has happened in a year, both the successes and failures. I like that idea. Good luck for 2014, you sound raring to go! frecklefacehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15881334320685123475noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2966296007306432724.post-63511122836148216682014-01-09T22:48:40.553-05:002014-01-09T22:48:40.553-05:00365 sales in one year!! That's amazing! Congra...365 sales in one year!! That's amazing! Congratulations not only on that, but on all of your awesome accomplishments! If you did all this in a year that you don't think was your best, I can't wait to see what you do this year!Catheyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11169103242712008061noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2966296007306432724.post-29934901055613510642014-01-09T22:14:59.740-05:002014-01-09T22:14:59.740-05:00I've had the opposite affect, antique mall boo...I've had the opposite affect, antique mall booth sales improved but they're definitely pretty low. I keep it as a way to connect with locals and unload/hold a little stuff but it's been on the back burner. I want to try and analyze it to improve sales. Good luck with your selling this year!Vanessahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00445764937751339633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2966296007306432724.post-48375585090682929362014-01-09T21:44:50.441-05:002014-01-09T21:44:50.441-05:00I had both ups and downs. I burned out in my Etsy...I had both ups and downs. I burned out in my Etsy shop this year and pretty much let it go. I still sporadically list on ebay but I haven't found the time to get things listed. I now have a storage unit filled with stuff that needs to be sorted, cleaned, priced...etc. The antique mall booth has been a better story. Sales have been pretty consistent, I'm getting better at figuring out what sells and what doesn't. Otherwise, that was my 2013 and I'm hoping to increase my booth sales in 2014. I'm done with Etsy for now, but will continue to list on Ebay.Jayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05999992894625161824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2966296007306432724.post-42662986400279487342014-01-09T18:15:24.045-05:002014-01-09T18:15:24.045-05:00Thank you! Right on track with high numbers I set ...Thank you! Right on track with high numbers I set for myself this year and I'm creating merch to sell like crazy, too. :) Same to you!Vanessahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00445764937751339633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2966296007306432724.post-25716126870318140502014-01-09T18:10:18.493-05:002014-01-09T18:10:18.493-05:00Congrats on your records breaking ETSY and EBAY sa...Congrats on your records breaking ETSY and EBAY sales! So happy for you. May 2014 bring you many more cha ching!Cheapchickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15158208632054014311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2966296007306432724.post-4982775473972496342014-01-09T17:57:07.783-05:002014-01-09T17:57:07.783-05:00I know how it feels when it gets too easy. I was a...I know how it feels when it gets too easy. I was at that stage before I introduced more projects, I love that you're back to making art. I already finished two pieces this year and definitely want to make this a year of art and friends again. As for looking for friends, you'll find them organically as you put yourself out there with your art again. I'm sure Portland's an ideal, wonderful area for it! I can't wait to visit the hippie shangri-la that is Portland someday soon.Vanessahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00445764937751339633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2966296007306432724.post-64391799533576943262014-01-09T16:57:56.002-05:002014-01-09T16:57:56.002-05:00It was a good year. We accomplished a major move. ...It was a good year. We accomplished a major move. I am slowly and surely finding my way in Portland. But right now I want to expand. Honestly I'm a little bored with eBay and I think its because it is so freakin, take crap picture......sell. I don't know. My best friend lives here in Portland. We are thinking about selling at the many many flea markets here. I'm thinking about etsy but for artistic endeavors. I want to start sculpting again (I did start sculpting again! *shock*) but this time on MY terms. Last time I sculpted for the masses and the masses I received. I want to do more artistic figures. Rough hewn...weird...I don't know. Failures? I make my goals in April but thus far I've took a big leap in my goals which was mainly contentment. But it was such a vague goal......so it feels like a failure and I honestly don't know why. I'm actually relatively happy and semi-content. Maybe its just time to really grow. Maybe I'm kind of stagnant playing it safe. Maybe for me it was a bull shit goal. AND like you I need to cultivate friends but besides my two kindred spirits (husband, one friend) what the hell do I want out of a friend? Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05832134390402892339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2966296007306432724.post-1655069609640498982014-01-09T15:48:30.245-05:002014-01-09T15:48:30.245-05:00I'll have tips/examples on breaking thoughts a...I'll have tips/examples on breaking thoughts and ideas into action steps coming up on Sunday. Get after it this year! I'm already hard at work on long put-off projects, loving it.Vanessahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00445764937751339633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2966296007306432724.post-33346869772971772462014-01-09T14:46:22.274-05:002014-01-09T14:46:22.274-05:00It was a limbo year for me as well. My Etsy sales ...It was a limbo year for me as well. My Etsy sales were down, but then, I didn't have as much stuff listed as usual.<br />I had the most ideas I have ever had before---but I didn't act on hardly any of them. Need to bridge that gap between creative thinking and action. Also, I plan to do an outdoor antiques fair in the spring, something I've never done before. Two times in the past I have geared up to do one of those and then backed out because of fear of the logistics, time involved, etc. Gonna do it this year!!!Tilda E.https://www.blogger.com/profile/05851202095798049172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2966296007306432724.post-9482148322317524472014-01-09T14:03:49.518-05:002014-01-09T14:03:49.518-05:00Perfectly articulated, gonna write about that conc...Perfectly articulated, gonna write about that concept in detail soon. Vanessahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00445764937751339633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2966296007306432724.post-63846647015327497302014-01-09T14:02:53.414-05:002014-01-09T14:02:53.414-05:00I went to eBay to finally get max profit on my ner...I went to eBay to finally get max profit on my nerd-gear collection I'm trying to clear out. I was laaaazy with those photos/descriptions! For shame! I'm going to keep with it to maximize profit, even though its painful for me to navigate as a newbie.Vanessahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00445764937751339633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2966296007306432724.post-44352429494288769352014-01-09T13:19:25.864-05:002014-01-09T13:19:25.864-05:00never think of things as failures just as part of ...never think of things as failures just as part of the learning curve .kate steeperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05772776996207438308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2966296007306432724.post-41441977525860356072014-01-09T12:56:33.434-05:002014-01-09T12:56:33.434-05:00Woo-hoo for goal setting and getting shizz done in...Woo-hoo for goal setting and getting shizz done in 2014. Im in awe of your etsy skills. Originally I chose ebay for the exact reason you did...because I could do it lazily and easily to get my feet wet. People's expectations are so damned low for a visually pleasing picture on ebay that you can literally just clear the debris around an item and put it in natural lighting and suddenly it is breathtaking to the buyer. I'm looking to get my confidence up for etsy soon. I have a shop waiting for me...I just need to take the plunge. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16170910814856328134noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2966296007306432724.post-8971398224765568972014-01-09T12:27:23.317-05:002014-01-09T12:27:23.317-05:00I'm always in awe of all you accomplish with a...I'm always in awe of all you accomplish with a family, while you were pregnant and now with a newborn. I can only imagine myself wanting to do nothing but sleep in my spare time with all the pressure. Keep inspiring new moms with that gun-ho attitude! Vanessahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00445764937751339633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2966296007306432724.post-23049293840462567432014-01-09T12:10:32.508-05:002014-01-09T12:10:32.508-05:00Van congrats on 2013 from someone sitting on the s...Van congrats on 2013 from someone sitting on the sidelines watching you, you've done well. I alway admire your determination, if you can keep the momentum from 2013 going this year further greatness is surely to ensue. <br /><br />When I look at my 2013 I'm pretty impressed at the things I do and achieved despite being pregnant with our child. I was finally and properly able to launch my business legitimately after years of dabbling. I am angled. To do markets whilst pregnant and since the birth of our baby, I've got a real life shop location that sells some my stock, I launched my Etsy Store. If I can keep my momentum going this year I'd be happy if I can achieve more than last year I'll be estatic. But all hoped, goals and plans will have to work around looking after my kids. So if I can do that successfully this year I will be pleased.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2966296007306432724.post-59700817629768426562014-01-09T11:29:01.306-05:002014-01-09T11:29:01.306-05:00Same here Nona! If I had to choose one word for 20...Same here Nona! If I had to choose one word for 2013 it would be just that: Stagnant! My growth froze. I'm already seeing that change in 2014, done things I haven't done in years: Exercise consistently, finish a painting, beat writer's block...Vanessahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00445764937751339633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2966296007306432724.post-43007746847655624152014-01-09T11:25:47.645-05:002014-01-09T11:25:47.645-05:00I pretty much stagnated in 2013. Other than growi...I pretty much stagnated in 2013. Other than growing a person I didn't really have any sucesses OR any real failures. It was just kind of a "there" year.Nonahttp://nonersays.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2966296007306432724.post-79792046347023192012014-01-09T11:02:36.185-05:002014-01-09T11:02:36.185-05:00Thanks Megan!Thanks Megan!Vanessahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00445764937751339633noreply@blogger.com