March

I promise to get better at this! lol I did something to my main google page and I had a heck of a time finding how to post another one today.
Things are getting busy for me! I have a show Saturday (last minute add) for a Relay for Life fundraiser. I'll call tomorrow about a show Sunday. Then the next weekend I know I have Saturday booked, not sure on Sunday. I do know the last weekend I'm booked both days. Hubby is going to build me a display piece so I can hang some of my stuff to free up some table space. Since I'm doing indoor shows for at least 2 months, they can attach to the table. I'll deal with outdoor displays later!
I built up my Noah's Ark supplies. There were a couple of girls who were moving on and I bought stock from them. Now I have a bunch of animals that I can sell at my shows. I also have some shirts, outfits and Bella Bee items. I'd like to get some Bella Beads for Lexi to show (she's taking over there! lol). I signed up for bamboopink and Lexi wanted to do the beads, so I'm already signed on (part of Noah's Ark), and they don't let kids join, we'll just keep it in my name for now. *grin*
I'm hoping to print out some more labels so I can do up my new mini catty's for UL and get them out. Leave them all over, walk a couple of the neighborhoods and leave them on the mailboxes (under the flag) or at the doors. Just need my hip to feel better. Did a bit too much walking yesterday and my hip is letting me know it wasn't a smart move.
There are a few craft only shows coming up, so you know I'll be busy making stock for them! Should actually start this week with the bath stuff. Just need to figure out where i can store it all. I completely filled my business closet, have stuff in the hall closet and stuff over by the sofa. *sigh* Going to have to completely empty the business closet and get it all organized! That's a full days work right there.
I do have a fan page over on facebook, if people want to see what all is going on. I have all my events listed and some pics of different UL orders. Still having the FREE expression with every $50 order, up to 3 free per order (this is on top of the regular free goodies you get for ordering!). Find me at Shelszoo Superstores!

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.

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.

November

This has been a super crazy busy month! Lots going on with the end of football, school, and shows. I finally have a break - unless I find something for this coming weekend! lol I'll be using this time to get some stuff together for a weekend show - both days - at a local Y. First day there's going to be a swim meet there, so I'd like to have a bunch of goodies to sell!
This past week I had a show Thursday night, Friday night and Saturday. Saturday was my best day with decent sales and lots of interest. Hoping I can do well at my next show! I figure I can make up a bunch of different gifts in a jar, dips in a bag, Jiffy labels, "heritage" jars, "inspiration" jars, cocoa bags, tea bags, popcorn wrappers, candy wrappers, cocoa cones, and some baked goods.
Looking for a better printer. I'll have to call one of my kids school (late phone meeting! Yikes!!) since it looks like her printer isn't working now. *sigh* I think we have another one with issues too. I really need one I can rely on and that doesn't suck up ink like mad!!
I'm looking to do shows beyond the Christmas holidays. I'll showcase my businesses, but I'd also like to have some crafts to have on hand for cash and carry items. For UL, I have ornaments with our sample words on (they seem to do well), but what about for Valentine's day and Easter? Hmmm. I'll have to see what all I can do for them.
Taking a break is hard, but I do need some time to build up stock of crafts and get my paperwork organized for shows. Mainly getting together some "hostess packs" and "new sign up" packs. Maybe I can get some recruits from the shows! I'd like my hubby to make me a display board. He can cut the one large one in half and add some sort of strip of wood so I can attach it to the table with clamps. I'll also be taking milk crates (need more space on my tables) - unless I can get a good deal on a plastic shelf unit. Then I could show off more product when shows are a bit costly and I can only afford one table.
I see a Vista Print order in my future! I'm out of some cards, and thinking I could use a banner or 2 for my shows. I'll have to see what kind of special they're having so I can take full advantage of a stamper, labels, cards, postcards, etc.
That's all for now. Just wanted to update quick while I had a moment - now my peace is being shattered, so I have to go beat some kids:)
Happy Thanksgiving!!

Time to get busy!

I managed to do a vendor show with Lexi (9) helping. I figured out how to do my tables for next show so it looks better. I also found more of my stuff so I can make a couple other displays. Working on getting some more supplies for shows coming up. Some displays for Uppercase Living, catalogs, cards, gift certificates, etc. For Noah's Ark, I need more animals, a holder, and the cards and such. With the shows coming up, I can sell the animals there, while UL is more personal, so I'll be able to take orders or direct them to my site to place their orders.
I am running 2 fundraisers! One is for a couple adopting 2 Down Syndrome girls from overseas (I forget the country), and the other is for a friend's daughter who was chosen to do a Student Ambassador trip to Europe. This is the second year she was asked, and the mom didn't know the different ways to get sponsors or do fundraising. So far I had one order on UL for the adoption fundraiser. Hoping for more so they can make money! I make nothing from them - I donate all my earnings to them.
Trying to get organized with my businesses. Joined a group to help and I'm hoping to get some business out of this. Maybe once I do up the package deal flyers and get some catalogs, I'll go around to different businesses to see if there's any interest. I'd love for the UL to really take off, but I'm realistic, and am just hoping for a few orders! lol One of my goals this week is to do a facebook page for my businesses. See if i can drum up any interest with that. I know some others have gotten lucky and use facebook for specials. Time will tell! Things are getting crazy here with schooling and football, so I need to keep my planner up to date. Lots of dinners, games and classes. This year I'll also have 2 testing. *sigh*
I'm also trying to declutter so I can set up a dedicated desk space for my businesses. I use my laptop mainly, but I'd like to have desk space for paperwork and such. I'll have totes of different sizes for supplies to take to shows, but I'd like someplace to store it so I can keep track of what I have and what I need.
I'll try to get some new pics up on here this week. Got some great holiday stuff out - would make great gifts! You have until the 9th for 15% off orders of $40 or more!! After that we start a "double up" special. That's where you have a party (and it can be totally online), and you get bumped up a level of free/ half off goodies! Great way to decorate your home! I can't wait to be able to put what I have up in my home, but we're still dealing with an estate, and until things are final, I'm not doing any decorating - or fixing up, etc.
Time to start getting ready for tomorrow! Have a great week everyone!!

Christmas in July

Can you believe it? Only 5 more months until Christmas! I'm looking at maybe doing a special or 2 for my businesses, but those would be posted tomorrow. I have some things to straighten out before I share them. I do have some pictures to share. The hostess specials for Uppercase Living for August and September. You don't have to live anywhere near me and do a party! You can even have friends who don't live near you order and once the order is put in, it goes to be made and sent. No waiting for the party to close! The other (if it loads right) is the brochure UL made for businesses. I have to wait to do a copy order, but I can show people here now. Plus you can still do your own in My Design Suite or even get a photo print.
Ok, for some reason it says my file is corrupt or something is wrong. You can always go to my site to see the hostess specials for August and September. The business brochure isn't a special one on my site, just things that can be used in a business. We also have new accessories! New colors in the tiles and frames, and more! Getting ready for a vendor show in August and I'm really excited about how I can showcase everything I want. Since I'm trying to beat the heat here, I've been staying inside. Not getting as much done as I'd like, but hopefully I'll get my businesses built up a bit before the school year starts. That's when things get really busy here!
I signed up for some more surveys. Now to find time to get them all done. Hoping they help bring in some money. Looking into a couple other things too. We'll see how things go in the next week or so. Getting organized for school and all my business stuff organized and ready to market. I plan to do some marketing as one business (hence the blog!), but still need to have my individual supplies. Might have to hire some littles with getting things put away like I want. Cheap labor - I can bribe them with night swimming! lol
That's all for tonight. I'll be back with a special for Christmas in July!

I'm here!

Really, I am! I didn't forget about this blog!! Things have just been super crazy lately, plus my laptop is waiting for a new power cord (to do tomorrow, call Best Buy since I went in 5/31!).
The new Uppercase Living catalog starts on July 20th! So many new and exciting things coming! New colors, new accessories, new expressions. You can order directly from my site, so you don't have to live locally, or take the time for a party, you can do a single order.
The main change right now is I have to re-sign up for Enchanted Potions. Also the Bella Beads925 site isn't mine, but you can see what we have and let me know and I can do the order for you! If I sell enough beads I may decide to get the site, but can't justify the expense right now.
I'm available for fundraising. I can do a fundraiser with everything I sell. Just contact me and we can work something out. We can do UL with certain expressions, a UL party, the UL fundraiser they have set up (sports embellishments), or something else. With Noah's Ark, you can do gift certificates, or sell certain animals. Greeting Cake has a fundraiser set up (cakes), but with kids going off to college, you may decide to sell the study boxes. Bella Beads925, you have your choice of beads to sell or have a party. Then EP, you can sell anything for the fundraiser. There's lotions, soaps, air fresheners, and more!

Snow storm on the way!!

This is actually the same storm that hit us the other day (or, did it miss us the other day? lol), and it's coming back for round 2, but it's bringing attitude this time! That's ok, I just have to get diapers (oh yeah, I have to walk since my car needs inspection, and dh has to work). The rest of the day I plan to clean and get my copy order in. Get all of my business letters done, coloring contest pages done (I'll even put them in doors of the neighbor houses with kids), and do a new Vista Print order. I can use my blog address for my new cards instead of having different cards for 4 different things. Plus I can add my webstore on there! I'll have to figure out what I want on the post cards. Maybe about fundraising, or get a special gift for having a certain $$ order. I have to check the UL blog, but it looks like a buy 2 get 1 free deal going on! Plus Monday starts credit card orders on my site!! Woohoo!!! People will be able to check out the online catalog and goodies online and shop whenever they feel like. With the weather we've been having, that should be a good thing!
Noah's Ark is coming out with a new animal June 1st. A cute blue hippo. I think it would be great for baby boys! The Bella Beads should be live soon also. They're like the Pandora beads, but more affordable. Beads starting at $15. I have pictures posted on here with the beads we have available. No new news on the Bella Bee, but they are supposed to do away with some of their flavors and stick with one. I'd like to see 2, if only for a choice.
I need to find a way to make up a flyer for Greeting Cake Co. I'd love to make one highlighting the study boxes as I'm surrounded by colleges! Just need a working car and I could go post flyers on their bulletin boards. Not sure how to get a flyer in with their welcome pack (for incoming students), but that would be great! Nothing perishable, and the cakes are microwavable.
I need to get some sleep. I'll post some new pictures tomorrow along with my auctions update. I opened a store on webstore just to keep my postings in one place. Here's to hoping I get some sales!