Sunday shop update and some thoughts

There's been a lot going on with the shop and some personal goals I have for it that I'd like to share with you.  The reason I'm sharing this is because, like all things in life, a crafting business develops slowly, thoughtfully and often thrives then fails then either dies or moves forward.  In an effort to be transparent in the struggles I'm facing and the problems I'm attempting to work around, I think sharing with a like minded community can and should bring encouragement and accountability.

If you've been reading for a while, you'll notice that the photos look a bit different. One of my many goals was to improve product styling and photography and to help the shop achieve a more cohesive appearance.  

golden bow $18.50; spring bouquet $18; under lock and key $20

Another goal I have is to sell more locally.  Athens has a large, tight craft scene that can be difficult to break into.  Two ways I plan on achieving this goal is to attend a craft fair here on May 1st in which I'll be sharing a booth with Homemade Grits (assuming we don't get rejected). Secondly, I'm going to start selling my work at Dynamite clothing downtown.  This is a very exciting opportunity that will allow me to get more experience in store displays and consignment sales.

old love mini floral cameo dangles $12.50; mint green chrysanthemum dangles $14; whisper yellow chrysanthemum dangles $14; butterfly mini locket dangles $14

With all of these goals, I had to figure out a way to make more time try to achieve them.  As you may know, aside from running the shop, the blog, and having a full time career that's unrelated, I've also been working at the aforementioned shop on Saturdays.  I've decided to give up the weekend job with the hope that as I move forward with the shop that I'll be able to supplement that income with sales.  Now, whether you quit day job or simply cut back on hours to pursue a crafting business, the idea of depending on sales is simply scary. 
Failure is a big fear of mine but it's also a motivator because once I'm able to acknowledge the fear I can push past it towards productivity. 

little lady cameos in blue and white $6

Whether you're thinking about starting a crafting business or you're already selling your goods, I definitely recommend reading these two books.  They've both challenged me to get serious about my goals while offering practical advise about what it really takes to own and maintain a successful crafting venture.

I'm excited and scared, nervous and stressed about the upcoming weeks.  Thank you for being such amazing readers and for giving me a safe place to be myself and to share my thoughts.  

I'd love to hear about any new goals you have for yourself, your blog, or your business and how you plan on achieving them.  Let's encouarge eachother to move forward and push past our insecurities and doubts.