Lucky Me & The Little Things

My business all packed up and ready to move out of my dining room.

As I mentioned briefly before, I came across a studio rental deal I just couldn’t pass up and jumped on the chance because it was exactly what I had been putting my radar up for since February.  Since the deal is finalized now and have fully moved in, I can actually tell you where you can find me and my goods at any time.

It’s at Knockabout in the lovely historic  City Market, right at the bottom of Moore Square. I am renting a great little studio space at the back of the space, and I have my goods in the store front space at all times. So whether I am in my studio or not you can swing by at any time during Knockabout’s store hours to buy any of my goodies:

Store hours:
* Tuesday-Saturday: 11am-4pm
* Sunday-Monday: Closed

You are also more than welcome to call me (919 539 2793) to make an appointment either outside of store hours or for special orders, so you can be sure I will be there myself too.

Phase 1- Just moved in to the studio space, but still in desperate need of a personal touch.

I have already been able to spend some time working in the studio, and it’s absolutely priceless! I can leave stuff out when I am finished working for the day, I have different areas to do different things, even a section only for shipping! I feel spoiled. And then I get to go home, and stop thinking about work and walk into a house that has a fully functioning dining room, instead of a dining room/studio/craft room/catch-all room. I still think I am dreaming a little bit. Somebody pinch me.

You can find me all this weekend at Artsplosure peddling my wares. It’s a little surreal for me to actually be a vendor at Artsplosure, as I’ve been a visitor to the festivities for as long as I have lived in Raleigh. I am super psyched to be a vendor this time, and very curious to see how the weekend will go. I am crossing my fingers and toes that the weather is nice and of the dry variety, instead of the wet alternative the weather forecasts have been hinting at.

If you are planning on looking me up, I am in booth #85 on Hargett street, on the park side of the street as you can see on this handy little map here. Wish me luck!

Where to start?

This year has absolutely 100% taken me by storm. Which is especially interesting since I started the year wondering if this jewelry business of mine was something I needed to consider giving up in favor of an ‘actual’ job, in favor of some ‘actual’ income.

Well, apparently there where other plans for me and the world has decided they really enjoy what I make and helped kick my business to a new level. A level that requires for me to move my studio OUT of my dining room and  IN to an actual rented studio space, because at this point I am actually hurting my business and productivity by having to clean up my production goods after my self at all times.

In that same line of thought I have had to purchase one of those fancy phones I have successfully resisted getting for a long time. The geek in me wanted one of those phones since the first time I heard about it, but the responsible person in me was smart enough to tell me that, even though it was a lovely and fancy little tool, I simply had no needs for a cellphone other than making phone calls. But now I had to get one of those phones just so I can keep a pulse on all that is going on with my sales, and questions, and requests on the online, even when I am not home, or traveling for show # 124. This phone practically makes me coffee in the morning and I have a feeling that if I treat it well it will also do my laundry and sweep my floors.

And oh the shows! Where have you people been? You people who come out in masses to drop serious money at my booth! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

So I am still seriously overwhelmed on a daily basis with all this growth, but I just wanted to share it here because I know as a small business owner how inspiring it can be to see someone else in similar shoes do well. I have always been inspired to know that it’s possible to do what I love and make a living at it, when I see one of my contemporaries do well and grow. Granted it’s taken me at least three years of full-time futsing around and many prayers to fine-tune what I make and who I offer it to, and granted this can all implode tomorrow, but right now I am feeling like I am doing what I am supposed to be doing, and I am grateful for it. We’ll see what tomorrow brings.

Tomorrow you can find me once again at the great Designers Downtown Market! I am fully stocked up on peapods for those of you doing some last minute Mothers Day shopping, and for you crafty folk I am bringing tons of beady goodness and will be selling it for next to nothing! I have even made lovely little vintage wallpaper scrap packs which you may be interested in for fun paper crafts and collage works. I hope to see you there!

I almost can’t believe it, but it really is time for the 7th Handmade Market tomorrow! Once again we have an incredible mix of vendors, if the weather cooperates we will have great eats out front, and the raffle baskets are shaping up to be little treasure chests, so be sure to buy a few charity raffle tickets on your way in and hopefully you’ll be one of the lucky winners!

Hope to see you there!