Progress

woah.

Its all about networking

So, I'm learning lots of new things these days. Unfortunately some of it includes how awful the economy is right now. The show was a total bust. Over 2 days I made $30. Unfortunately the booth cost $95. Crummy huh. It was tempting to go over to the promoter and yell at her about how hard times are for my family right now and I can't afford to lose money because she didn't advertise effectively. I restrained myself, but other vendors didn't. Is it bad for me to secretly enjoy that other people did it?

Anyway... even though I didn't make money, I actually enjoyed most of the show. I've made some craft show buddies to keep in touch with, and I made an awesome contact with money making potential for the future. Let me explain... I had this conversation with someone 2 weeks ago. The exchange went something like this...

Nice lady: "Your work is beautiful, have you ever thought of illustrating children's books?"

me: " ha! I really haven't thought about it. I don't know how someone goes about doing something like that."

Nice lady: "I don't know either, but they would be adorable."

Good fuzzy feelings follow. :)



Now, at the show this weekend, I had another conversation, it went something like this:

Nice lady #2: "Your work is beautiful, have you ever thought of illustrating children's books?"

me: " ha! I actually had someone ask me about that at my last craft show! I really haven't thought much about it. I don't know how someone goes about doing something like that."

Nice lady #2: "oh, well, my husband owns a publishing company, let me get out a business card... you really need to submit your artwork, I think he would love it."


So, this was very exciting. She even bought a couple cards to take home and show him. AND, it gets better, she even emailed me later that night to say that he loved them and to submit my art directly to him ASAP. I about fell off my chair. I'm realistic enough to realize that this may not lead anywhere. But I am flattered that someone thinks my art is publish-worthy. She especially liked my fairy. :)
I'm realizing that networking is the key to finding opportunities. As Benson job hunts, the most promising leads are the ones where we have a friend on the inside vouching for him. We're trying to make and follow as many leads as we can. So wish us luck on our networking leads, and feel free to pass on any leads YOU may have for us too. :)

Help me prepare for my upcoming craft shows

Hey everyone... I've added a poll to my sidebar to try and get a sense of what people might like to actually buy from me. I have a big show coming up this weekend and another I'm trying to decide about for the first weekend of December. I know you all love my things, :) but I'd love to see what you would actually buy if you had the money.

Thanks!

If you're not sure what one of the items is, you can look on my website designs in floral.

Toothless twister

no more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Twister got his first tooth yesterday. He's such a good natured baby that he didn't give us any clues. Except biting Dad's finger. lol. I wish I had a pause button for this boy. He's growing up much too quickly. We love him to pieces. :)

I actually paid to waste the day away...

I decided at the last minute to participate in a craft show yesterday. The previous one went really well, so I thought more is better, right? wrong. I spent all day at this show and earned $6.75. Yes there is a decimal in there. six dollars and seventy five cents. I spent plenty more than that on the table fee and raffle prize donation, so in essence, I paid to waste an entire day away. So disappointing. Not that it really helps, but no one did well. I left an hour early, and everyone was packing up. There must have been about 40-50 vendors. Unfortunately, I think that's about how many customers there were through the whole day too. mark that one off as one *not* to do again next year.

and if you need Christmas cards

My latest computer graphics project has been christmas cards. If anyone would like to order custom Christmas cards from me, just send me an email: cherylanne [at] designs-in-floral.com

Here are a few of my "protypes"
They can be any size: ( half paper, 5x7 flat, 5x7 folded, 9x4, 9x4 folded...) They can include your family photo (as long as its not copyrighted, legal issues with that). I'll even include personalization if you like. Prices vary by size and details, but should be near $2 per card.

(the "snowflakes" are actually digitalized queen anne's lace. Isn't mother nature amazing?)

Something got finished!

woohoo!
And the brick is looking awesome I LOVE IT!

So, things are moving forward on the house. I've *tried* to relax this week and enjoy the company of my husband. He worked on several in the house projects and I've been able to work on my flowers to prepare for more craft shows. So, all in all, we are good.

I guess I'm ready to talk.

I could hardly bring myself to say it, but I guess I'm ready. Benson was laid off on Thursday. The banking industry isn't doing well right now, and I guess it finally hit our home. We have a severance package that will get us through a few months. He was unhappy at work, so hopefully this is a blessing in disguise and he finds a great job that he loves. Thanks for all the well wishes and prayers. They are truly appreciated.

Thankful moment

I've been impressed by reading some other people blogs about what they are grateful for and feel like its time I focus on the positive. There's lots and LOTS and more than I can handle going wrong, but here is what is going right.


I'm grateful for my husband. I know I can trust him completely, and he works dang hard for our family.

I'm grateful for Goose. He brings challenges with him, but I wouldn't change him for the world. I'm grateful that Goose likes to pretend play karate with me. :) It makes me smile.

I'm grateful that Sweetie is so loving. She is always the first to give me a hug and try to make it all better. I'm grateful that she is so artistic, its something we will always share.

I'm grateful for my pink Tank, who is soo girly and soo tough. She recently has started to ask me to tell her stories about when I was a kid. I think I've been asked 10 times today to tell her about when I was a kid and wore tights. lol. Tell a kid once that you slipped and fell on your bum, and it will never be secret again.

I'm grateful for Twister who is so innocent and curious and anxious for life. His smiles and kisses melt my heart.

I'm grateful for a knowledge about my Savior. I would be completely lost without Him. I know that He knows ME. He knows my name and he knows MY struggles. He will get me through this.

I'm grateful for my parents and my in-laws. They have always supported me in all my endeavors.

I'm grateful for our prophet. I'm grateful that I can receive instruction from my Heavenly Father through him.

I'm grateful for good friends who are willing to go out of their way to pick up my favorite drink at the fast food restaurant on her way over to say hi. Friends who will pray for me when I'm feeling overwhelmed, even if I am over-reacting. Friends who I know will let me cry on their shoulder if I need to.

I'm grateful for frozen pizza. (gotta lighten the mood a little... and really, I don't know if I could live without it)

I'm grateful that our house will be warmer this winter. (Not to mention cuter!)

I'm grateful that when it seems like I can't take anymore, but more is put on my shoulders, that I can receive strength from above to make it through.


I'm not quite ready to talk about it, but prayers are needed in our home. Please ask Heavenly Father to strengthen us and help us through this latest trial.

wordless Thursday?

Sorry, busy busy getting ready for a craft show. Just wanted to show an updated house pic...

Wordless Wednesday

He comes by it all naturally

Fuzz head and tongue out. Gotta love this kid :)

Benson as a babe

Me as a babe (not age 1... my dad always adds text to photos and I didn't feel like cropping it back out. I don' t know how old I was, but I'm guessing close to Twister's current age.)

Halloween pics

Oh my, aren't they cute? The first pictures are from the kids Halloween parade at school, and the last one was taken just before we went to HSM3... I was so proud of myself for taking them all out trick or treating. You should be too! lol. When we got back, I set up a trick-or-treat station so that no trick or treaters would have to stumble over our construction. The kids were SOO excited to sit at the "post". I think we only had one person stop by... typical for our neighborhood, but the kids were happy. We had a gorgeous day for it, an "indian summer" type of day if its still politically correct to say so. You can see some progress on our home in the final pic too. We're getting there! Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers, I really appreciate them. I'm going to make it through all this!

HSM3

Ok, I can't seem to upload any pics off my camera for now. Working on that. In the mean time, lets all enjoy a little Zac. :) We went to go see HSM3 last night. Apparantly halloween night was a good night to go, we almost had a private viewing. We all LOVED IT!!! We've been dancing and singing to the soundtrack ever since. What a great distraction. Totally recommended!!!!!