Flattery is a Crafter's Best Friend (after sales of course!)

How exciting! I've been posting a lot of my work on Instagram and Flickr,  just trying to get some exposure, joining groups and following other Etsy people.

What I didn't expect was to be noticed by two really impressive people. One is a photographer, who is actually a psychiatrist.  I commented on a self portrait of his and he checked out my Flickr and complimented me on my work! This guy has over 2000 followers. Flattery is wonderful!

The other is a total surprise! One that I really hope will take me somewhere.  He is the communications director for Shopify. This is a marketing tool on Facebook. It's a shop you can put on Facebook,  I suppose like Etsy. I've read reviews,  and they are good,  but I  haven't looked into it for myself yet.

My goal is to get my Etsy going,  promote my Rose Colored Glasses Facebook page,  do some area craft shows and keep exploring other possibilities. Then,  maybe I can start a Shopify! Building blocks, that's what will build my dream,  a solid foundation.

I know it seems sort of trivial. But right now, to me it's a big deal! Any type of recognition is wonderful! This give me the motivation I need to keep going!

Mapping It Out

So, I love making these Itty-bitty Books, and I posted a pic of a few of them on my Facebook page.  A friend of mine asked me if I made larger journals and my daughter asked me to make her one with maps.

So I got to work in it right away. I love using maps in my work,  something I guess I didn't realize was so marketable.

I did a couple of books,  and now I'm going to incorporate maps into my other projects. Here's my new books and a pic of hair clips that will soon be made out of maps!

Getting Crafty

So I went the library this week and cleared the shelf of books that help you start your craft business.  Yes,  I know,  the Internet has all the information I could ever want, but there is something special about holding the printed word in your hands.

I am inspired.  These people who write these books are so dedicated to what they do! They have lived the craft show,  Etsy circuit.

I have been adding things to my shop and trying to generate some traffic by posting on Pinterest and my Facebook page "Rose Colored Glasses". It'll take time. I don't think I have anyone looking at my FB page,  but it's exciting to see people pinning my things on Pinterest!

Here's what I worked on tonight

The lighting is poor because I took the picture at night,  but I think you can get the gist.  My daughter Emily is going to help me pick out some more contemporary patterns and I'll be on my way! 

My Etsy Shop

https://www.etsy.com/shop/KathleensRoses
Link is below. .. click to check it out!

A long time ago when my shop was open I opened an Etsy shop. I never sold anything from it.  But, I never maintained it either!

So,  I thought I would give it a another go!

Now that I'm working on my blog and videos, I thought I'd try to sell my crafts.  I love making things,  and they accumulate in my house.  Free Art Friday is my saving grace,  I put my crafts out for that,  and that gives me pleasure.  But many people tell me how much they like things I make,  so why not try to introduce them to a new audience?

I'm never sure what I'm doing when I start something. I love to Google my questions,  to learn what others are doing,  but usually that just leads to more questions! I'm learning patience,  which is the best way to learn!

Taking a jump,  learning from others, observing others and being patient.  I'm not looking for success,  not in a 'I can retire' kind of way,  just successful enough where I can continue doing what I'm doing and getting the positive response to keep me motivated!

So. . Blog,  videos,  Facebook page, Etsy, Free Art Friday, I'm lovin it!

My Etsy Shop: Kathleen's Roses

Rose Colored Glasses A Resale Shop For Girls Of All Ages

                       Rose Colored Glasses

About four years ago I opened a little shop called Rose Colored Glasses. It was a ladies resale shop. 

I had a little prior retail experience, and my career path was originally early childhood development.  

The niche of resale shops was strong and fast growing. Faster than I had imagined. I chose a part if my city that is very dear to my heart.

Two things that were not helpful in growing my business. But.  There is always a but, you know. 

I discovered something about myself. I really like to help people. Helping them find themselves or helping them explore, promote and develop themselves. 

I loved my customers and neighbors. I had such an eclectic clientele. I had artists, city officials, psychologists,  librarians, web designers, producers, home makers, publishers, cross dressers. Just to name a few. 

When these wonderful people walked through my door,  I wasn't preoccupied with a sale (whoa to any business sense I should have had), I was determined to make their experience pleasant. An experience that would lift their spirit. And one that they could take with them and share. 

My business lasted 14 months. But that's OK! I would have loved to have it thriving today, but the experiences and people I met are so precious that I feel fulfilled in a way.

My love to be creative was an important part of my business. My love to be creative was a big part of my ECD career. My love to be creative was apparent in my Girl Scout leader days. And my kids will tell you I've pushed creativity on them all their lives!

Welcome my blog. Welcome to my life. Thanks for tagging along on this journey. Who knows where creativity will take me next.

Keep Creating

Wow, life can get you down.  Work everyday,  family drama, societal issues. It seems like a constant grind of one thing after another. 

But, then the moment arrives when a creative impulse consumes you. All the dust of the day and the worries of the night get washed away. 

Keep things around you that inspire you.  It can be a simple quote, a favorite postcard,  a photo of someone.  Inspiration is all around us,  but sometimes, we need a little kick start,  especially when the days have been hard. 

Remember that creativity is in us all.  We just need to reach deeply inside and pull it out. Feel free to express your artistic side.  

Keep creating,  keep loving, keep exploring! 

Life Is Wonderful

                     

You have to write this down when you feel it.  Because so many times,  more often than not,  life is a struggle.  The question "Why?" is always most prominent. So,  when I wake up in the morning,  hear an owl in the woods, birds chirping,  see the sun just starting to peek over the trees in the pale grey morning sky, I have to write,  life is wonderful.

I've been trying to be more active this week by walking at our nearby park, Millenium. It's a work in progress, both the walking and the park. The best I can describe it would be a future Central Park, as in NYC. Beautiful trails, quaint beach, kayak rentals, playground, and now they're building a music venue.  Very exciting! And is all within walking distance from my house! I really love where I love.

I don't have any videos to post today.  But here are some pictures from my walks. Hopefully they will inspire you to get out and explore your area.  Sometimes just looking through the eye of the camera can take you to other places!