Are You Ready?

For You and Your Family

Peace & Joy

Open Your Mind

The Hardest Climb

Cyber Monday Sale

Don't miss out on all the new styles, 

just in time for the holidays.

Small Business Saturday

Additions 

Recycled Hardware Jewelry
Free shipping All Weekend

Support a Small Business This Holiday Season

All season long!

Free Shipping All Weekend 
Long in the Addition Etsy shop.
Stock up!

Holiday Decor Gift Guide

For the next few weeks I will share a few of my favorite things for the holidays. I hope you find a little something to inspire you this holiday season.

1. Noel Mantle letter by TheLetteredLane

2. Mason Jar Table Decor by PineknobsAndCrickets

3. Grapevine Wreath by WoodAndBurlap

4. Snowflake Wood Art Print by MooseberryPaperCo

Feel Happy

That One Word

I have done many shows over the last couple of years and they are an important part of my business plan. The shows I have done have been all over the Chicagoland area and a few in my hometown of Minneapolis, MN.

I love doing show! I love the opportunity to interact with customers, see what pieces are popular and what pieces don't work out. The last couple of years doing shows has really helped me define my target market. This information as been invaluable.

There are always things about doing shows that make me a little nuts, the people who want to have a conversation with their friends in front of my display making it difficult for the people who want to shop, and the people who want to chat your ear off about nothing in particular.

I have realized that one word has been used to describe my collection more than any other word, and that word is CLEVER. My sister and I counted how many times we heard that word at one show and it was over 40 before we lost track and stopped tracking.

For a long time that word made me crazy, of all the words you could choose, why clever? Well this year after a 2 day show and who know how many times we heard the word clever, my sister finally shed some light on what she thought that words means in relationship to my jewelry collection. People are always surprised that the collection is created with recycled hardware, and clever is their way of sharing their surprise and delight for something they did not expect.

The word is growing on me. It makes people stop and look at my collection and in most cases buy something. It has also made me realize I am going to have to make some changes in the Additions collection marketing materials.

So in 2015 I am going to rebrand Additions so it focuses more on my target market. But rest assured, even though the word clever is used often to describe my collection I will not be using it in my branding :)

Has there been any word used to describe your work over and over?

No Fear

My New Booth Design

This month has been flying by, I can't believe November will be here this weekend.

I have been in jewelry making mode for the last month or so, building up my inventory for all my holiday shows.

Last weekend I got my show season off to a great start. I had a booth at a fashion show fund raising event, and it was a huge success. It was my perfect target market and everyone was there to shop.

I tried out some new display pieces, and they worked out great. I've needed a new idea for a long time and I am so glad this idea worked.

In my old booth it was very challenging to take jewelry down and put it back up when we had a crowd of people at the table, now it is much easier for me and the customers.

old display

As much as I loved my old display it was really challenging.

New Display

My new display includes the new flat boards, pipe display pieces, and it really emphasizes the industrial hardware theme.

My craft show display has been a work in progress for the last 10 years. Every time I add to it or create a new piece I like it more and more. I think I have finally found the solution to making it easier to show off the items even when it's crowed. 

I have another big 2 day show coming up this weekend and I am looking forward to being able to help customers easier, and hopefully sell lots of pieces.

How has your display evolved over the years?

Create

Value Your Experiences

Use Your Experience

In a world obsessed with youth,

experience is often undervalued.

But your unique experiences are priceless.

They give you many advantages.

Cherish them.

Use them wisely:

at work; with family; in relationships; in planning ahead.

Now Is the Time by Patrick Lindsay

Be Happy

My Big Event

I was lucky to be part of a large fashion show art event at a local gallery last week. I have been working on my pieces all summer and I was so excited to be accepted to participate in the show.

It was a long process of finding models, choosing music, creating a runway plan, and getting everything coordinated for the event. Who knew there was so much working in prepping for something that only lasts for about 20 minutes.

It was a very long day of rehearsal, getting hair and make up done, and waiting around for the show to start. I think the waiting around was the hardest part.

Here are a few photos of the day and the event.

The runway

Waiting around to rehearse 

Hair and makeup

Ready for the runway

The main event

Here are the three pieces I created for the runway show.

All and all it turned out to be a fantastic day. I was really tired when I got home (and the next day) but it was worth all the work I put into participating.

I am still honored to have my three pieces selected. I think I will apply again next year :)

Possibilities

Look to the Stars

They promise so much.

They show us perspective.

We look at them and dream.

And hope.

And Wonder.

At their unlimited possibilities.

It's Never Too Late... by Patrick Lindsay

Start Now!

Make the most of every day.

Use up the hours like a child.

There are no guarantees how many we get.

Older people will tell you:

  they rarely regret the things they did, 

  only the things they didn't do.

Don't spend your life intending to do something.

Start Now!

Now Is the Time by Patrick Lindsay

Don't Wait

Never allow waiting to become a habit.

Live your dreams and take risks.

Life is happening now.

Vision

Don't Be Afraid

Sometimes what you're most afraid of doing

 is the very thing that will set you free.

Finally, I Have a Plan

Finally, I feel like I am getting my business back on track.

But before I talk about business, I want to start with a BIG THANK YOU to everyone who follows my blog, comments, and shares their stories on Everyday Inspired!

I appreciate all of you and I have enjoyed getting to know you through blogging.

THANK YOU FOR BEING PART OF THE EVERYDAY INSPIRED COMMUNITY!

Now back to business

I wrote a couple of post last month My Struggles and Please Share Your Thoughts, sharing with you the struggles I have been having with my business and blogging. For a while I thought I was going to stop blogging all together, but I realized I would really miss the process.

As much as I feel like I am writing for myself most of the time, I have learned a lot, shared my story, and discovered new things about myself while blogging, and because of that I can't give it up all together. 

As for my blog I have decided to move it to a different platform and a new format early next year. I wish I could work on it now, but as we move into the busy season I do not need another project.

So for the rest of this year I will post a couple times week with quotes and inspiring photos to help us stay motivated all season long. Doing these kinds of posts are just as important to me, and help me stay motivated as well. 

I will also share with you new pieces, photos from shows, and any other tid bits that are happening in my life in a few random posts throughout the holiday season. You can also follow me on Instagram for more regular updates about my shop and life.

As for my business, I will be making some changes in 2015. A new website, another Etsy shop, a big push into wholesale, and a lot less stressing and more enjoying my business.

Overall I feel a little better now that I have a plan moving forward into 2015. 

When you need a little motivation and inspiration, stop by Everyday Inspired for a little boost to help you get through your day. Even better, stop by every week for a burst of motivation all week long.

Are you ready to move forward into the busy season?

Family

I wish you and your family a wonderful weekend!

Please Share your Thoughts

Something has changed for me this summer. Not sure what it is, but I am struggling with my business and being motivated.

I have done a few things to get some momentum, but when I don't get the results I am looking for it is easy to let things slide. I want things to change and I want my momentum back, but I think I am going to have to do some reevaluating of my business plans.

I have really neglected the blog and visiting all my favorite blogs this summer. Taking a little time away has really made me think, do I want to keep blogging? 

I spend a considerable amount to time researching and writing blog post that I hope are helpful and inspiring. I always wanted my blog to be a destination where you can get motivated, inspired, and tips you can put into action, but I am starting to think people are not really interested in that type of information.

What are your thoughts? Do you find the information usually found on Everyday Inspired helpful in your business and life?

Thou I have been struggling with my own business I have been helping my daughter get her business started. She is back in school now finishing up her last year in college, and she would like to graduate with her business already moving in the right direction.

It has been fun collaborating with her, and it has helped generate a few new ideas for something new I will be launching soon. Even with some new things in the pipeline I still want my current business to thrive and I need to get out of my slump.

I would LOVE to hear any ideas and suggestions for getting inspired, and your thoughts about the blog. Share your stories, throw out some ideas, any and all suggestions will be appreciated.

I will put together another post with your ideas and suggestions, so if anyone else needs a boost it will be here ready to access anytime.

Thank you all for following, reading, and commenting on Everyday Inspired! I appreciate all of you, and it has been wonderful getting to know everyone.  As I reevaluate my plans for the next few months I will keep you posted, so I hope you stop by and check out the updates.

Thanks,