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.

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.

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!!

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)