Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Wednesday

And it's snowing like mad outside! My dear sweet hubby was asking earlier why some towns called a snow emergency. Tried to tell him the bulk of the storm was coming tonight, but what do I know? Yep, he can't get out of the parking lot! lol
I got an order in for citric acid and cheese powder!! Woohoo!! Means I can do up my bath salts/ bath bombs this weekend. The cheese powder is for potato soup in a jar. I have a show coming up right before Valentine's, and I'm hoping to have some gift in a jar's done, treasure jars (for kids), journal jars, plus a bunch of bath stuff and pet treats made up. Trying to figure out the timeline since I can't do the pet treats too early. I'll also be doing some chocolate pretzel rods, chocolate covered pretzels, and possibly chocolate pops.
Things are starting slow this year. Then again, I didn't start last yeat until late. Not sure when things really get going with shows. Only 1 for February right now. Maybe 2 for March. I'll be doing an email campaign for Noah's Ark new lines, and I'll be passing out the new Uppercase Living mini's once I get them. I have to do a new Vista Print order. Hmmm... Maybe tomorrow. I know I need a bunch of stuff. Probably do 2 orders and take advantage of their free items. Just have to figure out what all I'll get, for which business, and what I'll get for the Shelszoo Superstores part. I'd love to do a website for that, but I have no clue how! lol Which could explain why my blog is so bland. One day!!
One big piece of news is Uppercase Living sign up for $55 until Thursday 1/27 to celebrate their 5th anniversary! $141.60 in product plus a $25 product credit all for $55!! That's a $44 savings, and a great way to start off the new year! There's quite a few ways to promote this product - and I'll be working on stepping it up once I get new tires and can drive safely in this wacky weather. *grin*
I'm hoping to add more pics on here this week. The new Noah's Ark lines and when they're available, new Uppercase Living mini catalog, Greeting Cakes for the different holidays plus stuff I'm making.

Sunday, January 9, 2011

January

Is not going to be my favorite month. Looks like my entire household (minus me, knock on wood), has the dreaded stomach bug. *sigh* So my dear hubby tells me to stay in the bedroom while everyone is puking. Oh yeah.
As you can tell from the time stamp, it's after 4 am here. Can't sleep when I can hear my girls crying because they're sick. Tomorrow is going to be one *long* day!
I'll walk to the dollar store for my papers - need some fresh air. Looks like I'll be in charge of the animals too. Letting out the dogs and feeding them all.
Maybe I can sneak up some of my paperwork and get that done? I'll have to see when I get home from getting my papers. Depends how sick everyone is then, I guess.
Still looking for a place to have an event. Monday I can make some calls. I'll recheck what the hotels sent me. Not thinking they'll be favorable with pricing though. Still working on filling my calendar. I do have a bunch of promising shows I'm waiting on applications for. Now to hope I can get more stuff made up to sell. If I can't get more animals and such, that's ok, I can cards and flyers and such to hand out to get people to order online. Depending on the event, I may do up flyers to refund shipping on certain orders. We'll see.

Sunday, January 2, 2011

2011

A new year has begun and I don't think I'm ready! lol I did spend some time finding some shows to do this year, and I'm trying to find a space to host my own show next month. I was going to try for this month - so we could get orders for Valentine's, but that's not going to happen. I'll start looking through all my supplies, see what I need to order, get all the applications printed and mailed with payments (Yikes! Need some money for that!!), and get another Vista Print order made for some new cards and such. I'd also like to work on some business letters for Uppercase Living and Noah's Ark. Maybe get more information on the Time4Food Supply - it's where you can order food for camping or emergency supplies. I'd like to get a letter made to send out to emergency service places like the Red Cross.
We have a great new sale with Uppercase Living! Buy 2, get 1 FREE - anything in our catalog! Including Photo prints, and accessories! I'm hoping for some money so I can order some new displays and supplies (goodies to give when someone books a show or gives me an order). With a bunch of shows coming up, I know I get more people interested when I have some goodies on hand to either sell or hand out. With UL, it'll be flyers, brochures, my goodie bags with card, instructions, candy and sample word. With Noah's Ark, I'll need to get some animals and the $5 gift cards. Would be nice to have some outfits to show (or sell!), but that depends on the finances. I'd like to get some of the Bella Beads also, but not sure if we can swing that. I do have one, but would like to be able to show the different kinds we carry. Guess I better sell a bunch at these shows so I can do some ordering! I'll make up some gifts in a jar closer to show dates, including the rubs and drink mixes. I'm also looking for the stuff to make the treasure jars (jar filled with sand with trinkets hidden with a list of riddles or whats' inside). I know I need to print more journal jars, and do more of my printing for the popcorn and tea bags. I have some templates and need to see what I can make myself or get my oldest to help me. I'll be printing the Greeting Cake labels so people can see all the holiday options we have (as of now) and what all we carry as our brochure doesn't show the boxes and mugs. I should look into upgrading my printer. Maybe go back to a laser printer since the cartridges are cheaper and no smudging.
Well, I'm going to stop so I can get ready for school to start tomorrow and start my phone calls about spaces to rent and shows to apply for.