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!!

2 weeks already?!

I've been busy with shows, finding shows, and getting ready for shows, I've neglected my blog! Not that my shows have been "good" for me, but I am talking to other vendors and getting ideas on where to try next. This weekend is Bingo weekend for me. Not too sure if Saturday is still on or what's going on, but I'm getting my prizes, tricky tray items and unsold bingo tickets to hand in tomorrow. I'll have to refigure my displays again since it'll be a smaller space and only for Uppercase Living and Noah's Ark - I will have my paperwork for Bella Beads925 there, and maybe I'll do flyers or 4 to a page flyers about what all I sell and my blogs. *grin* Since I'm still finding shows, I can't put them down. I don't have too much in my book from here on out. In fact, this weekend might be booked, but then I'm pretty much open. I better get busy with calls this week! I'll also get busy making some goodies to sell when I do the craft shows that allow handmade items only.
I have been listing on ebay the past couple of days. I'm hoping to keep up the momentum and add stuff all week. So far it's just been books I was given that we have no use for - and there's no room for more books! There will also be books and other stuff I find lying around the house. If the littles aren't behaving better soon, there may be one or two up for auction soon! I've been watching way too many Hoarders shows and have the need to purge. Since I can't just toss stuff (we need the money), I can list them for auction since ebay is letting me do 100 with free insertions. Just pay when they sell. I can also list on webstore for free (no fees at all), just less of an audience. I'm pacybermom24 on ebay.
I hope to post some pics from shows I've done to let people see my displays. I've changed them a bit here and there. Mainly since I went from outdoors to indoors. Some outdoor shows I had to improvise since the weather wasn't ideal - windy- but I was able to hand out flyers and get people to show interest. Let's hope they follow through and stop by my site and order!

Ahhh, rainy Mondays

After a busy, full weekend I expected to unpack the truck and sort my displays and supplies before Saturdays show. Rain stopped that. Then my dh was rearended on his way home. *sigh* Luckily he wasn't hurt, but his truck was. So, while he's busy at work with ds and a coworker switching trucks I'm here with the littles doing school and looking for crafts I can do. While I'm doing alot of vendor shows, there are a few that only want handmade crafts. If I can get enough made, I'll do a few and have some flyers and such out for my other stuff.
Saturday's show I'd have to say was a bust. Even my dd (my main helper) agrees. Weather was ok (but windy), it was mainly the location. No real parking available, and not a good venue. Know for next year! Sunday's car show, on the other hand, was a good day. Very cold in the morning, but it did warm up a bit, but the wind was still kicking. Good crowds all day! I know what to have on hand for next year and did make notes. I did hear Saturdays show wasn't good in the past. *sigh* Hoping things have changed! Making more journal jars (sold 4 Sunday and I got them out late due to having to cut out all the prompts after we got there and set up). I'll have to redo my list of what I need to pack. Dh needs to check my shoe holder I use for the animals (it's wobbly) and I'll sort through all the boxes and bags we have packed. I can make some signs and redo some displays. This one is indoors, so I'll have to reconfigure a new display for everything. Make up some of the trifolds - since they won't be blowing away now!
Still looking to book shows in November and December. May have a lead on one for the end of October. We do have a football game that night, but the show should end around 3 and the game is at 7. I'll try to get info tomorrow and see what all is involved. If I can get enough crafts made and if I can put out my business stuff, maybe. Cost and space size is also an issue. I know they have a decent turnout since it's at the community college by us. They always get a good crowd.
I love my helper! She chose Applebee's for supper Sunday - my treat for all her hard work. I think all the littles will get Applebee's on the 31st since they eat free (off the kids menu) with an adult menu purchase. We'll see if the teens get to go or if they'll be with friends.
I still have a bunch of surveys I have to do - trying to make some money while at home with the kids. I did think about a night shift job, but then tried to think of when I'd get to sleep when I have 4 doing school, plus everything else going on here. I'll be posting more work at home ideas on my other blog soon. Not sure if I'll get to it this week or not. Still have alot to do getting ready for a show. I think I'll leave Sunday open so I can get stuff done around here. I've been doing too many shows that require long drives. Need to find more local ones. Hoping the churches start having their bazaars and craft shows soon!
Ok, stopping here so I can do my surveys before heading to bed.

Busy weekend!

I need a few extra hours - anyone have any to spare? Tomorrow, while ds has his football meeting, I'll be making PB&J's for the team (before game snack). Then home for schooling, cleaning, wash, GAME!!!! Home to pack the truck and get ready for a church show tomorrow. I should be able to get in a nap after that one. Sunday is a longer show (car show), so I'm not hopeful on the nap. *sigh* I'll be checking displays, seeing about building one to hang stuff and one to display the photo print I have. Maybe add some of the chalk wall I have - flowers - just to show how cute it is! I'll hand out a fundraiser flyer at the game - cheerleaders get no school money, they have to fundraise all their needs. I'll also look into other flyers to have for the shows. I know I'm going to make some up to hand out at different businesses. Hand them out in person if I can (I did a mailing and I got a bunch returned!). Not sure where I can get "good" addresses, since I used online and the new phone book last time.
I'm hoping to blog more soon, but I'm not sure where I'll get the time! Ds should be finalized with his school soon (waiting on paperwork), once I get the meeting set up dd (2nd grade) will start. I already have a 3rd grader (with 4th grade math) and a K doing school. Little guy getting into stuff and the 18 yo doing nothing. She needs a job. Even just part time. She needs out of my hair if she's not going to help. I have enough stress right now and really don't need more!
Good night all! Hope to see you this weekend! ~ BTW- it's now 99 days until Christmas! (12:02 am here)

Shows

I have 2 more shows this weekend! Yeah me!! One is a church show, the other is a car show. I'd like to get some displays made - not actual product, but something to show my photo print and hang some displays. Maybe I can talk dh into a Lowe's trip after Chik Fil A tonight (fundraiser for football). Just something quick that we can throw together and is easy to transport since it's just me and the 9 yo at the shows.
Things have been so busy my house is starting to look seriously neglected. Yikes!! It wasn't organized to begin with, and it's looking worse than ever now. *sigh* Going to need to take an hour or so and start the was cycle back up, fold wash and sort through my ever growing pile of papers.
Maybe if I get busy I can have some of the crafts I've been wanting to sell ready for this weekend. Nothing to ambitious! I'm schooling 2 kids, waiting on final confirmation on one, and waiting on the replacement (2nd) birth certificate on another. I *need* to get this stuff done now before schooling all 4 on a daily basis starts. Then I'll really have no time to do much!
Looking at my calendar, I'm thinking I'm not going to sign up for anymore shows unless they're *very* local. I'm pretty much booked until regular season ends, and I need to get stuff done here in that time. Not like I sleep alot, but I can't do much at night when everyone is sleeping. I'm exhausted, but there's too much to get done for a nap. Maybe before Saturday so I'm not yawning all day at the show. That doesn't make a very good impression!
Anyone know where the blue file box went? I used it for shows earlier in the year and it went missing. It has some paperwork and supplies I could really use for these shows! ARGH!! I definitely need to declutter and get organized. Can't have my stuff go missing when I'm trying to make some money!
My next night off? Tuesday. GEEZ!! Tonight is the fundraiser, tomorrow is the booster meeting, Friday is game day, Saturday and Sunday are shows and Monday is the freshmen/JV game. Better do a meal plan for those days. Have some stuff we can do in the crock pot - best bet!
Ok, going to finish school with one so I can start with another before getting the football player and hitting the restaurant.

Busy week!

I can't believe it's Wednesday already! Didn't have time to make any calls this week (for football or business), so tomorrow will be some business calls for shows. I'll just make an extra pasta dish and grab the salad stuff.
The shows I'll be calling about are Saturday and Sunday! Add in a night game Saturday and I'll need Monday to recover! lol I need to get my organizing binder set up so I can make sure what dates I have open for home parties and other shows. I'll be making up some flyers of "package deals" to show how to use our accessories with the expressions. Now to figure out all the places I need to target - like doctor offices, dentists, schools, libraries (although with all our budget cuts, unlikely customers), salons, etc.
I'm hoping for some more church shows. They're usually guaranteed a good turn out since the parishoners stop by. I do need to redesign my tables though. Add some covered boxes and definitely have to stop by the dollar store for table cloths. I'd like to get pictures of my displays too. Then I can take a look later to see if things need moved or changed.
Really wish I could do a show here, but not going to happen. I'll just have to sign up for all the vendor shows I can find right now. I'll need to get an order in for catalogs and a Vista Print order for my supplies. I can do a quick print of some cards for this weekend, plus I do have trifolds I can give out.
Here's hoping for a great weekend! My to do list for the rest of the week is packed, but will be worth it once orders start to pour in!

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!!