20 more!

Fruits of my labor

Yesterday I had a little moment of panic when I realized that I'd have to sew ironing board covers for at least 6 hours a day 5 days a week every week of the year to support myself and so far this week I had hardly sewn at all. Luckily Erin talked me through it and reminded me that right now I need to spend more time building up channels for selling and testing new products and that I've got my severance pay to get me through from now to then. Ahhhh, I felt much better--the joy of having a wise and wonderful grown daughter living nearby.

I want to remember to relax and have faith that I'll have everything I need. I don't have to do more than I can and that's comforting.

All that said, I still set a goal of completing 20 ironing board covers today in preparation for Oh, Sweet Sadie in two weeks and I'm delighted to say I did it with several interruptions to eat ice cream (this is becoming a daily event--okay twice today: breakfast and dinner) and think about taxes (self-employment tax is crazy high) and read about taxes (with a home business I can deduct part of my interest and some other home expenses) and think about houses (should I keep mine or move to a smaller place or move in with Erin and Nathan while I build my business) and walk Ursa--twice--and talk to Joellyn and Mom and Sarah and Becca and Erin and order some fabric and refill some prescriptions. I made it and it feels good. Very good.

Tomorrow I'd better think about ice cream, or rather less about ice cream. :)

And the first magically transforming Halloween pillowcase treat bag sells!

I just think it's so fun when I sell the first of any item. :) What a rush to know someone out there likes what I made.

On another note, I met Jen Foxley and Anna and Owen at the park for lunch today and FORGOT to take a picture! Dang it! They are all so darn cute! I loved getting to sit on the ground under a shade tree and hear all about what Jen's up to and to tell her about my ideas. And the best part was watching Anna go up and down the swirly slide while Owen did the bear crawl on the bark since he refuses to walk. In fact we had such a good time we are making a standing date: every Tuesday at noon as long as the weather holds we'll picnic at the park. And I'll remember to take a picture next time so you can enjoy them, too.

Stacked

I love fabric. I mean I REALLY love fabric. Here's a stack of fabric I bought this morning to make lanyards. Aren't they fun!

New Job Jitters

It's kind of funny and definitely unexpected, but I've got the new job jitters tonight! Because I've had family visitors ever since I lost my job, I haven't actually had a real work day yet of working for myself. As I was walking home from Erin's after watching The King's Speech, I realized I felt some butterflies in my stomach about being solely responsible for my success. It feels just a mite overwhelming (or to answer Julia Stile's younger sister in 10 Things I hate about You, I could just say whelming since they mean the same thing).

Anyway, I'm going to take it as a good sign that I feel jittery about starting a new job and go jump in bed for what I hope will be a good rest. First thing on the agenda tomorrow: make a list of done and nearly done things I can post on etsy, prioritize the list, and get started in order. I will also begin clearing out Zan's room upstairs to get it ready to rent. Let me know if you know anyone looking for a room to rent in the lovely Daybreak community. Cindy (was Rhodes) Carroll, my friend and current renter, can vouch for it here. :) And I can vouch for her, too: it's a joy having her around.

Check it out!

Here's my fancy schmancy business plan, made all by myself! Cool, huh!

And here it is in readable format:

I will sell the following quantities each month:

• Wholesale ironing board covers (IBCs): 125
• Custom IBCs to hotels, etc: 100
• Retail IBCs on Etsy: 50
• Retail IB pads on Etsy (compelledtocraft.etsy.com): 20 (there's not enough profit in the pads to sell them wholesale; I just offer them as a service on Etsy)
• Vintage resale on Etsy (imavintage.etsy.com), KSL, Craig's list, Ebay: $500 worth (values vary) (this is to support my garage saling habit without overfilling my house, garage, life!)
• Lanyards: 100
• Various household decor on still-to-be-stocked Etsy (househomemade.etsy.com): $1000 worth (values vary)

And here are the hours I'll work:

• Monday through Friday: 7am to noon and 4pm to 8pm, except Wednesday date-night with Levi when I won't work in the afternoon ). I've always wanted a quiet afternoon for lunch with friends, a siesta, grocery shopping, errands, a movie.
• Saturday: garage saling 6:30 am to 11:00 and posting vintage items for sale from 4pm to 8pm

This is what I'm starting with and will adapt as I'd like. That's the joy of being my own boss! Wahoo!

Cousins waiting for trax . . .

. . . after filling up at taco bell. Lots of cousins!
PS: the man is not a cousin or an auntie or a sister or a daughter, although after seeing all of the fun we were having I'm sure he wishes he were!