Have a great weekend everyone, see you in 2013!!
12.28.2012
Your time to Sparkle
It has been a crazy busy holiday season, and I have had a house full of family all week, so I just wanted to end this week with a few words to inspire you as we head into 2013.
12.27.2012
Want to Achieve Your Goals? Be Positive
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In an effort to be more positive, you have to change the way you plan.
When writing down your plans, state everything in the positive: I will make more money, I will have ____ number of sales every month, I will create a new collection.
The sames goes for how you think about yourself and your goals: I am confident, smart, and an effective leader. I will feed my ideas with inspiration that will support my passion.
To effectively make this new positive way of thinking a part of your everyday work life you need to be willing to work hard, and review your goals often.
It's time to stop creating a wish list and create plan you can feel good about!
Are your goals/plans for 2013 stated in the positive?
12.26.2012
Be Inspired - Snowflakes
Words to Inspire
“Begin doing what you want to do now. We are not living in eternity. We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand-and melting like a snowflake...”
Francis Bacon, Sr.
Photos to Inspire
We are really excited to have a dusting of snow on the ground here in Chicagoland. My Daughter was thrilled we did not have to have a brown Christmas and I was thrilled I did not have to shovel!! In honor of our dusting of snow today I have some amazing photos of snowflakes close up.
“Begin doing what you want to do now. We are not living in eternity. We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand-and melting like a snowflake...”
Francis Bacon, Sr.
Photos to Inspire
We are really excited to have a dusting of snow on the ground here in Chicagoland. My Daughter was thrilled we did not have to have a brown Christmas and I was thrilled I did not have to shovel!! In honor of our dusting of snow today I have some amazing photos of snowflakes close up.
12.25.2012
12.24.2012
12.21.2012
DIY Friday - Tasty Holiday Treats
My family and I are having a New Years Eve party this year, so I have been on the hunt for different treats to serve. I found some great ideas you may want to try for your holiday gatherings too. Enjoy!
What are your favorite treats to serve during the holidays?
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| Black Forest Bark |
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| Eggnog Monkey Bread |
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| Cherry Cream Cheese Shortbread |
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| Lemon Tea Cookies |
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| Chocolate Dipped Peppermint Stick |
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| Gingerbread cupcake |
12.20.2012
Start Your Plan
Today I have a short list of things to think about when creating your list of goals/plans for 2013.
This list is to help with the general frame work for your plan, so it's OK to be vague in the ideas you list. Think of this list as a brainstorming guide to start your planning process.
What are your general goals? Do you want to create a new line? Double your income? Sell wholesale? Do more shows?
Review your monthly income. What months were more profitable? Why? Are there things you did one month that were better then others? Do you see any trends for next year?
Crunch your numbers, find out what did really well and what might need to be retired.
List any events, shows, vacations, and launches you would like to have in the new year.
Make a list of other makers you would like to communicate with or maybe meet in person.
It's easy to make a list of things you want to accomplish in the new year, but taking the time to brainstorm things you want to achieve will make the process of creating your goals easier.
Do you have some big plans for 2013?
12.19.2012
Be Inspired - Winter Wonderland
Words to Inspire
“Courage is not the towering oak that sees storms come and go; it is the fragile blossom that opens in the snow.”
Alice M. Swaim
Photos to Inspire
It has been pretty dry here in Chicagoland and we have no snow anywhere in sight. A little snow this time of year is always nice, but it looks like it's going to be a brown Christmas. I thought I would bring a little winter wonderland to everyone who will not have snow for the Holidays. Enjoy.
“Courage is not the towering oak that sees storms come and go; it is the fragile blossom that opens in the snow.”
Alice M. Swaim
Photos to Inspire
It has been pretty dry here in Chicagoland and we have no snow anywhere in sight. A little snow this time of year is always nice, but it looks like it's going to be a brown Christmas. I thought I would bring a little winter wonderland to everyone who will not have snow for the Holidays. Enjoy.
12.18.2012
Do This First
As we move forward with our plans for the New Year, creating lists, determining goals, and making plans, it's important to look back at the current year to help with your planning process.
To reach the success you desire in 2013 you need to review 2012 for the good, the bad, and the ugly. This type of evaluation of your business will guide you to making bigger and achievable goals.
This process can be as simple as creating lists of everything you did for your business in 2012 and giving it a rating. You could also get in more depth with this process by writing out what things you worked and what didn't work this year and why.
Whichever method you choose looking back at your business is a great starting point for your new 2013 plans.
Some things to note on in your review process:
Financial
How much you made
What were your expenses
What materials or equipment you invested in
What investments did not work
How did you track your money - did it work? Is it time for a new system?
Production
Did you meet your inventory goals
Is your work space working the way it's set up now
Were the supplies you had adequate
Marketing
Did you meet your marketing goals
What social media worked and what didn't
Was marketing an effective part of your business
Also note, what goals you set for yourself in 2012, if you meet them, and what you need to change to meet them next year.
This process will take a little time. Give yourself and hour or two to write everything out, determine what you want to move forward with, what you want to stop doing, and what you need to do to see the growth you are looking for in 2013.
This process is a personal journey. No one ever has to see what you wrote, and you alone get to make all the decisions.
Enjoy the process! You may find when your done, and you move forward in 2013 you will feel more comfortable and confident about your business.
To further help you with this process, watch for the Year in Review printable at the end of the month.
Do you review your year before you make plans for the new year?
To reach the success you desire in 2013 you need to review 2012 for the good, the bad, and the ugly. This type of evaluation of your business will guide you to making bigger and achievable goals.
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| The Plan notepad by skeldesign |
This process can be as simple as creating lists of everything you did for your business in 2012 and giving it a rating. You could also get in more depth with this process by writing out what things you worked and what didn't work this year and why.
Whichever method you choose looking back at your business is a great starting point for your new 2013 plans.
Some things to note on in your review process:
Financial
How much you made
What were your expenses
What materials or equipment you invested in
What investments did not work
How did you track your money - did it work? Is it time for a new system?
Production
Did you meet your inventory goals
Is your work space working the way it's set up now
Were the supplies you had adequate
Marketing
Did you meet your marketing goals
What social media worked and what didn't
Was marketing an effective part of your business
Also note, what goals you set for yourself in 2012, if you meet them, and what you need to change to meet them next year.
This process is a personal journey. No one ever has to see what you wrote, and you alone get to make all the decisions.
Enjoy the process! You may find when your done, and you move forward in 2013 you will feel more comfortable and confident about your business.
To further help you with this process, watch for the Year in Review printable at the end of the month.
Do you review your year before you make plans for the new year?
12.17.2012
Motivation Monday
Surround yourself with positive images
Too often we submerge ourselves in negatives.
Often it happens subliminally.
Examine your home or your work space.
Remove the negative images.
Replace them with positives:
flowers, photos, music, scents.
Notice the change to your attitude.
Now Is The Time by Patrick Lindsay
12.14.2012
DIY Friday - Gift Wrapping
I love wrapping gifts in brown craft paper. It looks so natural, it's easy to embellish, and affordable. I have been using craft paper to wrap our holiday gifts for years and each year we try a new ideas to make it pretty. I found some great ideas to share with you, for creating beautiful gifts with brown paper.
Have you ever used brown craft paper for wrapping your gifts?
| Add Neon Stickers or any kind of sticker would work |
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| Hand draw your own ideas |
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| Wrap you packages in colorful yarn |
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| Lace covered |
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| Double Stick Tape and confetti |
| Rubber Stamps and pretty ribbon |
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| Nature Inspired |
12.13.2012
Planning for the New Year
This time of year I like to take my notebook and write down all my ideas for the new year. Seeing it on paper gives me a chance to figure out what ideas will work and which won't.
This process helps me create my plan, and action steps for the new year.
Everyone does something a little different to prepare, what is your process for planning for the new year?
12.12.2012
Be Inspired - A Holiday Home
Words to Inspire
“Advice is like snow; the softer it falls, the longer it dwells upon, and the deeper it sinks into, the mind.”
Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Photos to Inspire
I know most of you have already decorated for the holidays, but today's inspiration may give you a few ideas for next year. If your like me and have not decorated at all yet, then I hope you find an idea that inspires you to try something new. Happy Decorating.
“Advice is like snow; the softer it falls, the longer it dwells upon, and the deeper it sinks into, the mind.”
Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Photos to Inspire
I know most of you have already decorated for the holidays, but today's inspiration may give you a few ideas for next year. If your like me and have not decorated at all yet, then I hope you find an idea that inspires you to try something new. Happy Decorating.
12.11.2012
Gift Ides Under $25
Today's gift guide is full of ideas for those last minute gifts that you may need. Each Etsy shop offers a variety of items that might be just perfect for your gift giving needs. Stop by and check them out.
12.10.2012
Motivation Monday
Accentuate your uniqueness
Don't dwell on the negatives in your life.
Don't allow yourself to be swamped by the crowd.
Look for the things that set you apart.
Embrace them, foster them.
Give yourself credit for them.
Hone them, improve them.
Use them to your advantage.
Now is the Time by Patrick Lindsay
12.07.2012
DIY Friday - Ornaments
My favorite ornaments on my Christmas tree are the ornaments my family and I made.
When we moved into our home it was December. Since we usually celebrated Christmas with family members we did not have a big tree and only a few ornaments.
My daughter was 5 the year we moved into our house, and with some paper and crayons she made a collection of ornaments for our first tree. They were so cute. Fifteen years later I still have all those paper ornaments, and they are some of my favorites.
Every year since our first Christmas we have made ornaments. As soon as my daughter gets home for Christmas break we will get started on this years collection. I found some great DIY ornaments tutorials to share today, I hope you give a couple of them a try.
What kind of ornaments do you make for the holidays?
When we moved into our home it was December. Since we usually celebrated Christmas with family members we did not have a big tree and only a few ornaments.
My daughter was 5 the year we moved into our house, and with some paper and crayons she made a collection of ornaments for our first tree. They were so cute. Fifteen years later I still have all those paper ornaments, and they are some of my favorites.
Every year since our first Christmas we have made ornaments. As soon as my daughter gets home for Christmas break we will get started on this years collection. I found some great DIY ornaments tutorials to share today, I hope you give a couple of them a try.
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| Crystal bead ornament |
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| Small Styrofoam ball covered in glitter and silver spray painted tooth picks. |
| Paper punched flowers and red pins |
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| Paper flower ornament |
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| recycled light bulb ornament |
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| Filled Glass ball ornaments |