Thank You & Goodbye

I have really enjoyed blogging and posting on Everyday Inspired, but the time has come for me to move on and grow my business in new ways.

Everyday Inspired has been my baby for 5 years and I have posted over 1500 posts. I've enjoyed sharing new ideas, ways to be inspired, and things that have been happening in my business. This blog was my job for many years.

I have recently struggled with blogging as you well know, by the lack of posts lately. It can be time consuming and coming up with content that was useful and helpful was challenging.

So with tears in my eyes this will be my last post on Everyday Inspired.

I have enjoyed sharing with each and everyone of you, reading all your blogs, and getting to know everyone in the blogging community. All of you are why I posted for so many years.

It's not a forever goodbye, I will visit your blogs from time to time and see you on social media. I will also keep Everyday Inspired live, so if you ever need any motivation or inspirations you can stop by and read your favorite post.

This year I'm on a mission to grow my jewelry design business. I am creating two new lines of jewelry, and I am going to spend a lot more time on the wholesale side of my business. I am also really excited about a new project partnering up with a local artist to start a mastermind program in the Chicago area.

I have already taken the first step in expanding my business by setting up a brand new website. Check it out and tell me what you think.

wearhardware.com

I am showcasing all three of my collections and a blog that I will post to once a week. So if you would like to keep up with what is happening with me and my business I hope that you will bookmark it and follow along. You can check out the blog at:

wearhardware.com/blog

If you would prefer monthly updates, and special offers to my shop, you can sign up for my newsletter at:

wearhardware.com/content/newsletter

I am a regular on social media, and you can follow me for up to the minute updates on:

Facebook ~ Instagram ~ Pinterest ~ Twitter

I hope you decide to stay in touch. Feel free to email me anytime with question, ideas, or just to say HI!

I can't thank you enough for following along all these years, and for your comments on Everyday Inspired. I will miss you all, and I wish you much success in your business and life.

PS. You ca also still visit my Etsy shop at additionsstyle.etsy.com

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 :)

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?

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,

8 Must Read Posts For Motivation and Inspiration

Last week I shared my struggles with you about my business and how things are not going as well as I planned.

Well I made a little effort this week and worked on my social media sties, as well as starting a promotion featuring an item of the week.

The investment of my time has paid off a little. The views in my shop have really picked up (but no sales), and I also created and sent out my newsletter for August. You can check it out here. I am trying to make this a regular thing for my Etsy shop, and so far I am not doing so bad this year.

I am still lacking in motivation and feeling a little uninspired. I know once I get back in my groove, things will be a little easier.

In the Monday Motivation post JoJo from Tahoma Beadworks & Photography, Leann from Pasque Flower Ponderings, T from Poppy Place PDX, Reshma from Masala Mango Mantra, also expressed how they were feeling unmotivated and uninspired, so I thought I would share some of the posts I have been reading to help me get out of my funk.

Sometimes it helps to read a little something everyday to stay positive and motivated. 

Here are 8 blog posts to check out each day over the next week, for some inspiration to keep moving forward.

~ Ready, Set, Grow: 3 Tweaks to Get Out of the Rut

~ 20 Habits That Will Make You Highly Successful

~ 25 Ways to Wake up and Feel Positive for the Day

~ 3 Steps to Stop Procrastinating and Start Working on Your Dream Project

~ 22 Ways to Get You Out of Your Funk

~ 7 Ways to Clear Your Mind of Negative Thoughts

~ When Doubt Get in the Way of Productivity

~ 10 Things People with Passion do Differently

What are other ideas you use to stay motivated and inspired?

My Struggles

I have spent the last few weeks thinking about a new plan for the fall and holiday season. 

After a great start this year things my business has really fizzled out, and things are slow. I have yet to have a good show this year, my Etsy shop sales have been far and few between, and I am struggling with what to do next.

Staying positive when things are down is challenging. I had a conversation with my husband last week about shutting down my business and getting a job. He is so great, he told me I would regret it and to just keep working hard. He knows me so well.

I am working on staying positive and motivated, when I do the Monday Motivation posts they are just as much for me as they are for you.

As I try to figure things out and what I want to do going forward I have been busy working on reevaluating my social media plan.  I only want to invest my time into a few good sites so I am not wasting what little time I have. Social media can be such a time sucker. 

This summer I have been investing some time into Insatagram, it's pretty easy to use and with latergram.me I can schedule my posts which makes it much easier to incorporate into my day. Other social media sites I plan to use regularly are Twitter, Pinterest, and Facebook. You can follow me on all these sites at @additionsstyle.

As I work through my struggles of what to do next, I am going to spend a lot of my time in August working on marketing my Etsy shop. Hopefully I can get back in the grove and bring in more sales.

My mantra for August is going to be  

"I will generate income everyday" 
&

I just posted this in my studio for inspiration

Click here to print out a copy for yourself

Now I just need a good plan.

I will share with you more about my struggles and my future plans in the coming weeks. Please feel free to share in the comments or you can email me at additionsstyleblog@gmail.com.

What are some strategies you do, when you are struggling with your business?

You Never Know Unless You Try

I recently submitted a few sketches to a gallery to be included in an up coming show. I worked on the sketches for a few days, and I kept telling myself I was wasting my time, but when they were complete I hit the submit button and off they went.

After I sent it I did not give it a second thought. I already had it in my head I was not going to get in so I just put it out of my mind.

Well last week I found out that the piece I sketched out was accepted and they want a couple more pieces.

After I read the email I just sat there shocked. I realized the piece I sketched now had to be made in real life and I needed to come up with more ideas.

I am very excited and thrilled to be part of this event. It will take me a couple of months to complete the three piece, they are nothing like the pieces I design for my Etsy shop, but large pieces that will be in a fashion show and displayed in a gallery for 3 months.

The gallery is a beautiful space

Here is a brief video of last years event


2013 ŏn-sŏm' bəl Review from Jim Kirkhoff on Vimeo.


How often do you not participate in creative opportunities because you don't think you have a chance?

Maybe now is the time to put yourself out there and try something you have never done before.  There are a variety of opportunities online and off, you just have to submit your best work and see what happens.

Have you ever just applied to participate in a show, gallery event, or be featured on a blog? How did it work out?

Relaxed, Rejuvenated, and Ready to Work

It was wonderful to get away for a week. Florida was beautiful, the weather was warm, and I did a whole lot of relaxing!

I spent most of the days laying by the pool

Taking walks and enjoying the scenery 

Stopping to smell the flowers

Chased the colorful geckos

Watched the alligators 

and all the cool birds.

It was nice to have some time to rejuvenate my mind, body, and spirit, and have some family time!

We did come back to snow in Chicagoland, and it was really cold after spending a week in 80+ weather, but it was nice to be back home and in my own bed.

Now it is time to get back to work and get my business back on track. 

I hope you are having a great month, and it is warm and sunny in your hometown.

How are you enjoying your Spring?

The Last One

It has been a whirlwind month in a half. 

I have had 6 shows in the last 4 weeks, and two of them being record breaking in sales and items sold. In one show I sold over 100 items. My world, over these last few weeks, has been all about making jewelry and setting up for shows.

I am so happy to only have one more show this November, and an easy evening show in December. I can't wait to get back on a regular schedule, and to get around to visiting everyones blogs!

Next week I will start back on my blogging schedule, so be on the look out for a few new posts. 

November Special

During the month of November Wednesday's are going to become the NewFriday 

Who say's the best sales are on Friday 

Shop my Etsy shop on Wednesday's this month and get 25% off your entire purchase

Use coupon code NEWFRIDAY

New items this season

Coming soon

Bead Wrapped Washers

Double Bar Necklace

Stud Earrings

What's keeping you busy this season?

2 Questions to Inspire You to Keep Your Commitments

Earlier this year things were moving and shaking in my Etsy shop. I had my best first quarter ever this year and few good shows.

As summer progressed I realized that things in my Etsy shop had really slacked off. Sales for the last couple of months have been  a lot slower than usual.

I decided that this month I was going to have to make a commitment to my Etsy shop again, and let this month be the start to a successful holiday selling season.

Making a commitment to yourself is easy, it's the follow through that is the challenge. When we make a commitment to other we tend to keep those commitments so not to let anyone down.

To achieve that commitment you make to yourself requires a little more work, and you really need to look inside yourself to find the courage you need to move forward and achieve your goals.

Here are a couple of questions to get you thinking about how you are going to keep those commitments to yourself and your business.

What would you have to believe about yourself to set commitments and consistently realize them?
and
What thoughts would empower you to always fulfill your commitments?

Once you realize the answer to these questions you will have the unlimited power to achieve all the commitments you create for yourself.

Do you find it challenging to keep commitments to yourself?

This commitment has inspired me to research new ideas to generate some buzz around my Etsy shop, and I am excited to share some of them with you during the week of September 23 - 27 for Your Etsy Shop Reinspired for the Holidays.

If this post inspired you share with your social networks. Thanks!

I'm Ready. Are Your Ready?

Welcome to the new and improved Everyday Inspired!

The summer went by quickly, and I spent my blogging break coming up with new ideas to share on Everyday Inspired.  I am looking forward to inspiring and motivating you in new ways.

I am excited to share the Everyday Inspired manifesto.

Feel free to share!

Take a look around, I have made a few changes to the blog. A new banner, more info on the about page, cleaner sidebars, and new advertising options. Check out the special deal I am offering through the end of the year, click here.

The Inspired Daily Newsletter will available once a month. So if stopping by 3 - 4 times a week is challenging, stay up to date monthly by signing up for the fun easy to read newsletter. Sign up box in the upper right corner →.

The new posting schedule will be 3 - 4 new posts a week. Each post will be created to motivate, inspire, and renew. My goal is to offer inspiring content to help you build your business, grow creatively, and succeed.

I am looking forward to a new series happening this month that will help you prep your Etsy shop for the holidays.  The week will be filled with lots of tips, ideas, and a surprise guest interview you won't want to miss.

Inspired Success week will be back in November and it's going to be all about Facebook. I have a great interview with Sadie from Yarn Obsession, who has built up her Facebook page to over 6000 likes and now has a thriving online business.

Be on the lookout, I have been working hard putting together my Everyday Business Binder e-book and webinar. I will keep you posted as I get everything together. I created the Everyday Business Binder to help plan, organize, and keep everything you need for your business all in one place.  More info coming soon.

That is a taste of what's happening at Everyday Inspired through the end of the year.  I always want to hear your thoughts and ideas please feel free to email me at additionsstyleblog@gmail.com.

Now for the winner of the 

Books to Inspire Giveaway

ROSE 

RandomCreativeArt.com

Congratulations Rose! Enjoy your books.

Thanks everyone for participating!

Join me on this new journey. I am looking forward to growing together. 

What is one thing you looking forward to with your business through the end of the year? 

It's Time for a Change

I love blogging!

I have been posting 5 days a week on Everyday Inspired for the last 3 1/2 years.  My goal is to provide content that will inspire your creative business and life.

Things like Embrace Harmony Week, Inspired Success Week, Breathing Room, and Inner Spark, has some of my favorite content and I enjoyed creating all of these series.

Everyday Inspired has grown a lot over the last few year, and I have met an amazing group of bloggy friends. You are the reason I come back week after week with new posts.

Over the last few weeks I have come to realize that it is more challenging to create new content, and to accomplish everything I would like to, to meet my goals.

I have decided to take a blogging break.

I will be posting a Motivation Monday post every week and few random posts sharing some of my new projects. So stop by on Monday's and share your thoughts with me.

I will be back later this summer with the new and improved Everyday Inspired! It will include a new look and lots of new content.

Speaking of new content, I would love to have you as a contributor on Everyday Inspired! If you are passionate about inspiration, business, creativity, and motivation then I would love to talk with you about doing guest posts or being a regular contributor. Contact me at additionsstyleblog@gmail.com and lets talk about your ideas.

I am really excited to take this time to regroup and start fresh with new ideas.  I am also looking forward to creating a new collection of jewelry, and really building up my inventory in my Etsy shop and for my holiday shows.

I will still be around, visiting and commenting on blogs, hanging out on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Google+, and I thought I would give Instagram a try this Summer. I would love to connect with you on social media!

Feel free to contact me anytime with any questions, ideas, or suggestions. additionsstyleblog@gmail.com

I hope you have a great summer, see you soon!

Happy Friday!

Sunset by the Lake

Enjoying my time away with my Sister and Daughter this week.

Back to work next week.

I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Summer Plans

My usual plan for Summer is building inventory for shows and holiday online sales, and getting organized. This summer will be no exception.

Finding time to be outside and visit with friends and family is also high on my list.

My priority this Summer will be making lots of jewelry and working on creating a routine, so I can have the time I need to enjoy the season.

Having a routine will also help when things pick up in the Fall and Winter making me more productive, which is one of my overall goals for the year.

What are your Summer plans?

What Do You Struggle With?

I am always full of big ideas. Well they are always big ideas in my head. 

I have so many things I want to do, and I am obsessed with new ways to make money.

I struggle with sticking with my plan and using my time productivly. I spend a lot of time making lists and creating plans, but I really need to work on follow through and time management.

That is what I am going to spend my summer working on.

What do you struggle with? 
Do you have any thing you want to work on this summer?

A Sharing Moment

It has been awhile since I shared anything that is going on in my world, so I thought I would do a little sharing today.

April has been a crazy busy month so far, not to mention cold. I really can't wait for it to warm up, and for things to start turning green. 

On a personal note:
My husband and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary last week (4/15). We made the best of the day. It was cold and rainy, and there was the awful event in Boston that made the day a little hard to enjoy, but we were very happy to be able to be together all day.

Today we are taking the 3 1/2 hour drive to our daughters college. She was nominated for a scholarship and they are having the awards banquet tonight. We have our fingers crossed that she will win one.

I have my first show next Friday. I have been trying to build up my inventory, but it has been challenging. My husband is starting a new job, so these last couple of weeks he has been home. We seem to have a new project or place to go everyday.

The view from the window

May is going to be busy as well, I have two shows, and my daughter comes home for a month and then we have to pack her back up as she heads back for summer school in June.

My sister and I are going away for a few days in the middle of May. I am really looking forward to hanging out with her. We rented a house on Lake Michigan with no TV, so we are just going to relax the whole time.

A few things happening on Everyday Inspired:
Watch for a week that will be all about you. Embracing Harmony: 5 Days Creating ME Moments will be coming in May. It will be a week of ideas to find and enjoy time with yourself.

There will be a extra post each week on Saturday or Sunday, so watch out for more ways to enjoy ME Moments all summer.

If you have not considered advertising on Everyday Inspired, now is the time. It's easier then ever with passionfruitads.com. I would love to have an ad for your shop or blog on my sidebar!

Etsy Shop update:
New items are going to start showing up in my Etsy shop in May. They are going to have lots of color and stones. I have been experimenting with lots of new ideas and I can't wait to start listing them. Watch out on Facebook and Twitter, I will list them there first.

Here are a couple of pieces recently listed in my shop.

I have been sick for the last week and trying to get back into the swing of thing. I will be around to everyone's blogs next week.

I hope you're having a great Spring!

Do you have anything going on in your world you would like to share, I would love to hear about it in the comments!

Nightly Ritual

I have a nightly ritual I created for myself to help me wake up less stressed and ready to start my day.

Every night I get in the bed with my notebook and I make a list of all the things I want to get done the next day, and any ideas that came to me throughout out the day.  

This process helps me sleep peacefully, because my mind is clear and I know I have a good plan for the next day. 

I recently added a couple extra steps to my process, a few drops lavender to my pillow to help my mind relax and some quite music to sooth my spirit.

These rituals have really made me a morning person, and when I wake up I am ready to get my day started.

Do you have an evening or morning ritual that inspires you?

Creating Breathing Room

If you have been around for awhile you might remember in 2010 my sister the organizer helped me organize my office/studio so that is was more efficient. You can see all the photos and read all about the process here.

Before studio in 2010

After 2010

Well we did it again. Since I work in the basement I decided I wanted my space to look a little nicer.

I recruited my husband and father to paint my space, my sister and I created a desk with an old door some crates and some tiles, and we reorganized everything.

Preparing to paint

New paint colors

The desk I created

My work space and inspiration board

My desk area and a second work space when I need assistance.

I am thrilled with my new space, it added the perfect amount of breathing space for the area that I spend a majority part of my day. It is a pleasure to go to work these days.

What have you done to your space for the New Year?