Poppy and Ivy

Falling into Place?

Yesterday I watched my neighbors at Splurge having a meeting. I felt so envious. I get tired of "going it alone". Splurge is an artist co-op...about 5 artists I believe, who share rent, shifts,etc.

When I moved and had the spike in rent, I just chose to work it everyday. No more employees. And THAT gets hard. And just when I thought I was in a place to hire, sales dropped. They are back, but I am playing catch up now.  I often have people suggest "You could do ......" but it always requires me doing more, so I feel that I just stay stagnant.

Next door at Sofia, she shares rack space with a gal and that gal also works 4 days a month. Brilliant.

Then it offers up more choices for my addled brain. Do I find someone who rents? Sells for 100% profit and works it off? What will it be? I need someone who has the same style. The commission thing was nuts because it was more paperwork than I ever dreamed imaginable. I thought it would be cut and dry....but no...you miss one day of entries, then 2 days, then three and you are up to your eyeballs in receipts, not to mention balancing checkbooks, paying bills, etc. Oh..and raising kids, maintaining your home, car, friends, family. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. There is not enough Calgon to make that all an easy balance.

Not two hours later I received an e-mail from a local artist suggesting about 75% of what I mentioned above. My jaw nearly dropped to the ground. I forwarded it to JOHN and he thought I'd gone out looking for that person. NOPE. She suggested it to me out of the blue. I have never even met her...only have seen her blog and her website.

I am staying calm. She might meet me and say "Whoa lady....you are one hot mess".

Today I spent the day cleaning, organizing, getting stuff on Etsy, getting it out on clearance....cleaning up in general so if this gal thinks this it could possibly work, I won't scare her by my much organized chaos. :)

Again...deep breaths. I met with an accountant about how it would work, suggestions so it's not suspicious and all on the up & up with taxes, etc. This lady might hear that and say "Uhhhh. No. That was NOT what I was thinking".

Each day is just one big lesson in small business. Some good. Some pretty freaky.

I rode my bike to work today. Car is in the shop for GOD knows how long. So many lights are blinking, are out and saying scary things in other languages.

I tried to fit the bike in my very roomy shop bathroom and it turns out I couldn't really get it in there too well. Some might say it was a tad PACKED in there. This whole purging process is taking some time! I seem to be doing quite a bit of moving boxes from point a (home) to point b(shop).

You can find the "pack of silver fun" (pictured above) here.....

This glitter bird of love can be found here...

Here are some new additions to the shop...

All the cigar boxes are on the floor. I can admit that about 15 stayed at home...just in case. I am not sure in case of what exactly, but I am a "better safe than sorry" kinda gal.

Off to accomplish even more today. Fingers crossed.

Happy Thursday to you all.

Maybe I shouldn't be given "free time".....

I was SO enamored with all my "free time" the last few days, that I have done the wackiest things.

I ran off to a scrapbook store Saturday before a big Bunco school fund raiser. I had to be back to Portland by 7:00...but I DID it. It was an hour and half round trip and worth EVERY minute of it! We just have nothing left in Portland really as far as scrapbooking goes and I honestly try to avoid the box chains if I can....they are putting the little guys in jeopardy! I still want to hit Art and Scraps in Vancouver really badly...but this Scrapbook Fever was our destination of the day. And I always have collage...but I was looking for the Creative Imagination Cafe line in particular. So much fun.....

 

These journaling strips are brilliant. They are sold by the foot and you can stamp on them, write on them, use rub-ons...you name it. Brilliant and about 4 designs.

The new travel line by Making Memories....for all that traveling we do. HA!!!!!

Why did I drive that far? Because I was with my friend! My good friend Kate (of birds-on-canvas, felt birds and NikePlus Kate) is moving to Toronto for 2 years. It's JUST TEMPORARY...she isn't even selling her home here in Portland...but she is the buddy that can go to these places with me and never say "But WHY?". Instead she squeals and darts all over the place just like I do...and the little angel on my one shoulder says "What a great opportunity for their family. They HAVE to take it..the kids will learn so much, they can experience great new things...all so good". The little devil says "Is she TRYING to ruin my life? WHO will I shop with???? Can I still text her at 3:00am??". JUST KIDDING!!! (says the good angel).......

And guess what I did at the shop?

I found a little corner for Christmas goodies! I have TONS.

And yes....I am a vintage shop, but I still pulled all my vintage Christmas when I moved in January.

And then...I forgot where it went.

And then...I found it. On Friday night. So....WAHOOOOO.....And Ho-Ho-Ho...

Oh so much fun. Off to unpack and process even more Holiday additions. Seems weird when it's 76 degrees at night. HA!

Busy Little Bee..

 .....With one BUZZING headache.

I always get so cranked up before a vacation anyway...and I am tossing Bazaar Freak Out into the mix..LOL.

All is well. I decided 15 minutes ago to drop the Super Bazaar Extradonaire Act and just bring my stuff, drop it off, fluff it and BREATHE. Then walk away. If it's not "perfect"...life will not end as I know it.

It's like Dr. Phil got into my head for a minute.

Please make him leave.

Here are some of the goods. And some are not finished. And yet...the Earth is still turning. The sun is still shining. I am still upright. Ahhhhhhh.........deep, cleansing breaths.....

 

Our advertising post card design is so elegant & whimsical. The gal who runs this show out of her home is so professional and perfect at this job!

 

 

 

Love these crazy circus poster cards. You can tell I was getting a bit loopy, eh?

 

Check out the "Oh my! But she is FAT" card. That's how I felt while I have been buzzing all over this week. No walking or aerobics for me this week. LOL...so I had to use that. Not sure how ELSE to use that except on a card.

I did get some soldered necklaces done. Finally.

<Becky...you said I shouldn't do it after a Dirty Martini. HA on you. :) >

 

 

 

Love the unfinished designs. I think I can get those finsihed up tonight. People keep asking me to bring more of these in (people are so kind) and I finally got my act together.

 

 

 

 

 

And I will bring my handy dandy typewriter key necklaces. They are handmade and DONE! That makes them even more appealing.

And I took this picture by accident, but it DOES feature my new favorite shoes! I have apple green and now this lovely orange-red. And they just came out in black too. This makes me swoon. They are cute and I can walk ALL day in them! I just wish a had a big basket of fruit for on top of my head...and I could just sashay through the store and sing festive songs. I really could.

Off to price and "work". It's myself and some dust bunnies today. All good...I have so much to shop stuff to catch-up on. Happy Friday!

Where am I?

I have the flu.....still not 100% sure how, or why I arrived at the shop, but I DID!

I had 2 chugs of Nyquil at 6:45am and now I am just floaty and not REALLY tracking very well. The hazards of being my only employee!

JOHN might be able to cover for me later in the day but he DOES have a job he needs to tend to! He opened the front door this morning and called out to me...."Here is something to make your day better"......

I knew it wasn't Scarlet Lime time....so I couldn't figure out WHAT else would be on the porch that would make me happy.

It was this....

Sneak peek pages...wait, is that illegal? I want everyone to buy this book...it's AMAZING! My heart skips a beat with every flip from page to page..but my heart might be messed up with the Nyquil and Venti Cinnamon Dolce Latte....who knows.

This book is delicious....written by some of my favorite players..Teresa McFayden, Pamela Garrison, Amy Hanna, Rebecca Sower, Carolyn Peeler & Charlotte Lyons. You can purchase it through their blogs or at LuLu.com. I wish I could spend an hour with this group of women...just an hour to ask questions, listen to them chit chat. I dare you to go to Charlotte Lyons Mother's Day post and not tear up. The memory tree post...ohhh...that one got me last weekend as I played catch blog catch up.

I think today I need to sit my little old stool quietly. We have a BIG weekend. My daughter's big dance recital, softball play-offs, family in town....I have to sit and hydrate. I did fluff a wee bit.

I added to the Father's Day section....

I finished another chalkboard. I have PILES ready to bring in....I just need to add fun knobs. They always fly out the door. Sheessshhhh...... I need an assistant!

Happy Friday!

24 hours...and counting...

Easter dinner...check...

Taxes....to the tax lady with some home work left to do (eye balls roll back into my head)...check.

I stayed up until about 2:00am Sunday finishing the taxes, woke up Monday to go over everything AGAIN, went to the tax lady with John and dropped the suckers off. After we went over it all she said "Well....one year in business...would you do it again?". I think my face went blank, I KNOW my eyes filled with tears....Really?

After the taxes ........NO! I kind of feel like the government & City of Portland do NOT want small businesses to succeed. They ask for so much it's mind boggling...and I HAVE it...I save it ALL...but the compilation is INSANE.

Chucking it all in and selling  handbags at Nordstrom's was looking really good yesterday at noon.

So, now we are to the packing part. Yeah! The plane leaves in 24 hours. Stressful, but all good. Cool clothes a suit and flip flops. I'm with my parents....there are no hot dates to dress for! Hahahahaaa....

I am running into the shop to change out my Easter window, move Easter out and make room for the new shipment that DARN IT.....IS going to come while I am gone! Picture new "vintage" aprons, frames, candle holders, mini suitcases, oil cloth bags with cabbage roses and vines....ohhhhhh.....I have been WAITING for that order to come in!

Easter was different, but so good. JOHN took the kids to my parents EARLY Sunday to install an oven for them and they all got back her about 2:00pm. In that time I did laundry, taxes, got parts of dinner prepared, painted Madeline's room, cleaned all the bathrooms.....I am NEVER in my house all alone! I was so INDUSTRIOUS!

My favorite light up bunny watching over the construction work across the street. The bunny wonders who the new neighbors will be and when the jackhammers at 8:00am will stop:)

I flipped the shop shelves around a bit Saturday. It was very steady and busy...making up for the last 2 weeks! That was UGLY! I did a little white area. I always go to all white after a "Holiday. Kind of a fresh start kind of thing.

Never eat these when you are setting up white shelves. Just a little FYI. Actually...nobody should eat these. I am blaming it on nerves!

Happy ...what day is this? TUESDAY!

The Countdown is on......

Here is how I am getting through the next 3 days of......

A teenage girl who just got braces and the band keeps popping......we've been in twice and due back tomorrow for yet another fix in 10 days...

A sick son missing seeing his favorite teacher EVER on her last day of school....

The taxes are looking MUCH more manageable.....I haven't pulled my hair out YET..but there are still 3 months left to enter....

A weekend sale event...The Big Two Sale!

Easter weekend and dinner at my house

But my last frantic two days will be spent packing for this......

Wheeewwwwwww....Happy Friday to all of you!

Taxes? What taxes?

I'm baaaaaaacccckkkkkkk. Two postings yesterday, one now, can't promise it will be the last for the day. I mean, what else can I do in the shop while avoiding tax data entry?

Yesterday I hit a little wall at about 5:30...

I sent this picture to JOHN and it awarded me a night out. We went to a favorite wings place (always a favorite stop for a woman due to wear a swimsuit in 6 days) and then headed to a local watering hole briefly. It helped take the sting off the day......but I also had to make Easter cards so we weren't out long.

I only got 2-3 done, but I had NONE to sell so it's something! And thank goodness I had my cat there to help me out. (Reason #One that I only 2-3 cards finished!)

And I got some new goodies out on the floor finally! I have been COLLECTING a huge pile of items to be processed and go out for days...so I put the taxes on the back burner and just  did some house keeping. Figuratively and literally!

Posted some items on craigslist....

I got a few things out here and there....

I had gotten these patterns in WEEKS ago during the auction and just unpacked them! I love Amy Butler ANYTHING...always have. Her patterns are fantastic and even I can follow them. I swear a lot and pout and it's usually not "perfect".....but I can follow it.

Back to avoiding taxes and looking for a FedEx or UPS truck. I have orders floating around out there and throngs of people just waiting to buy it all.

I am kidding about part of that.

YOU guess what part I am making up:)

Braces, craigslist & an adventure

I didn't fall off the Earth. And thank you for your concerned e-mails asking if I was okay. LOL......I am fine. Busy,but fine!

After a LOVELY last week--my daughter had spacers put in for braces and four teeth pulled--braces went on this Monday. I discovered this week that one thing worse than a hormonal 13 year old girl is a hormonal, hungry 13 year old who is in pain. Yea....that sucked a little bit. I really wanted to take her pain killer, but I refrained.

JOHN has been on fire. I have complained about the state of our couch for some time.  Our dog sits on it all day and barks/scratches at the mail man from her post. And yes....it took us awhile to catch on, but the couch IS older than dirt. I don't know WHY I complained...there was not much to do about it. Sofa shopping is NOT on our agenda right now...so I figured I'd live with the nasty couch. I mean...the dog is happy and really?...who could ask for more? <snort>.

So, I came home to this on Wednesday.

 

"New" chairs from Craigslist and the scary part is that they match our existing GOOD couch...so that was kind of freaky. The lady ha them in storage and they look brand new.

And I have made mention about our Home Depot dining room light not matching the era of our home. Mainly due to the fact that the dumb bimbo who bought our old home tossed all our lighting (ORIGINAL CHANDELIER!!!!) and replaced it with upscale reproduction lighting. WHY didn't I keep that chandelier????? Grrrr......so I came home to THIS Friday...

So JOHN is officially named Mr. Craigslist at our home! He was on fire! And YES.....I KNOW he's a saint. Heck....he can live with ME....he's GOT to be a saint. I just like to say I am quirky:)))))

Lots of new items flooding the shop...right in step with the flooding skies of the Pacific NW. Ahhhhhh...spring in Portland is always so fresh, colorful and WET.

 

And what my "office space" looks like here....I think it speaks volumes of the catching up....no rhyme or reason...just pure chaos.

I love the bunny tossed face down. That's HOW I have felt! LOL....

And the adventure....still trying to wrap my head around this whole thing. I am scared to fly, but I will be going to a tropical locale in a mere 10 days...just me. Well...my parents too...I am a complete 37 year old tag-along! No kids...no hubby....no shop. Going back to the just trying to ABSORB it all part:)))

And the winner is......

The item we "won" at the auction...

Whewwww......

The auction is over. We did it. Fini. All the dreams about showing up in a bath robe, having the van full of auction items stolen and printing the wrong date on the invitations were all just a dream. None of them happened. I had one NUTTY auctioneer...but I survived. He made me want to run down and pop open one of the bottles from the wine cellar...as seen above.

I had a secret dream of making at least 100,000. It HAS happened 4 times before, but that was with 7 months planning and more than 3 weeks to procure items, so a girl can have a dream...right?

Here are some other shots of the wonderful evening.

The photo booth. MAN...I loved this! The other co-chair and I got in and laughed ourselves SILLY. I will need to post the site for this company. It's a local guy who designed this and he rents it to weddings, auctions, birthday parties, etc...there is even an "easy" button!

 

Here is the entry to the event hall.

I am the proud owner of my son's classroom art project. Oregon A to Z. Love this. It's oil pastels brushed over with a wet paintbrush to give the look of a watercolor painting...so darling.

Ohhh.....did I mention what we raised last night? That would be about $138,000!!!!!! We still have things that need to be paid for (drunk people who "forgot" to pay) and outgoing bills too. I am so excited I could BURST!

Here are some new product that JOHN  put out on the floor for me... new cards...love this company.  

Monday is technically here and I cannot believe how happy I am to clean, scrub, fold laundry and be a plain old simple lady NOT planning a big event. I feel "lighter" ....but the pants are tight again, so event planning will be replaced by eating 3 square meals, healthy snacks and walking. I found that 2 meals a day from Starbucks is NOT wise:))))

Happy Monday to YOU.