Yikes!

We, yes YOU, and I are so wired to be connected electronically that disaster ensues when one or more devices fail. No electric = no internet = no social interaction = kerfluie!!!!
Today, Zibbet's site has been down and multiple tailspins could be felt in the cyber universe. Really? We're all in the habit of checking our shops at least once a day (well, YOU should!) and possibly more times...tweaking, arranging, listing, etc. and today that privilege was taken away.
I,for one, was a bit thrown at first BUT it's not only Sunday but the middle of a holiday weekend. Will there be much business lost? I don't think so.
And what is wrong with walking away from the shop for a few hours, a day? I still accomplished many shop related things. I took photos of about 8-9 items and tweaked them after I uploaded (like the cowl below). I made 6 new tape measures and finished 1/2 of a new crochet head band. I printed several sheets of labels and made some mailing envelopes. I straightened up some supplies and pulled others to list on Facebook...a full business day out of the online shop!
Sometimes it's good to walk away. Now if it's still down tomorrow I may have to be creative again with my time and be a bit concerned but it's out of my hands. It is what it is. Chill!

Breathe......

Crafters are a unique bunch. Compulsive, obsessive, dedicated, energetic, talented, focused. I'm sure those traits are apparent in many fields but since I'm a member of this club, that is my observation.We search our brains for unique projects. We shop for the materials. We organize our work spaces. We execute the item. Photos are taken. Listings created. Postings regarding said items go on forums, Facebook, Twitter, etc. We compliment others and thank those that acknowledge us. We wait and wait and wait for the Paypal notice...you've made a sale. Sometimes it's in 5 minutes of a posting. Often it's way longer.

Now all I've described above should be only a small part of our day but for many the percentage is too high. Most crafters have other jobs, homes, school, families needing attention. Frustration seeps in. Questioning arises...why don't they like me? What am I doing wrong? How come she sells and I don't?
Public moaning is posted on the internet. Comraderie & understanding from fellow artisans helps but maybe, just maybe,
this is the time to walk away from the computer. Leave the craft space. Put the camera down and change direction.

Pick up a book. Weed the garden. Bake bread. Watch a movie. Visit a friend.

Remove yourself from the craft environment and breathe. Do not let your shop/items/creations be 100% of your life. There's much more out there. Refresh  and when you finally do check back in, bingo, there may be a sale. And if not, move on.
Do what you love and love what you do!

Perspective

There was a post on the etsy forums asking how many sales you had in June. Some complained about 18 being so low, some grateful for 2. It made me stop and think and note my own. Last June I had 5 on etsy. This year I had six. Bigger in price and larger in number. And fortunately, I did have a bunch offline. It made me stop and think about this business and being careful about your wishes. Would I like more? Yup! Could I handle more? Yup! Are my comparatively lower numbers a sign I should stop....nobody likes me, everybody hates me, I'm gonna eat some worms? Not yet. Basically, the question is...why am I (you) doing this? For me....
I love to create.
I love the process.
I love the planning.
I love the validation when a sale is made.
I love the raw material that morphs into something new.
I love the activity.
I love the stimulation.
I love the joy given to others.
Enough reasons to continue? I think so! I think it's beneficial to step back every now and then and evaluate. Is this enough or is there something or somewhere else your energies may be directed? And if you have any reasons like mine, you just keep on pluggin'!
And on that note here's a new item!

I received a sweet surprise the other day from PassionForBeads in the form of a blog award,off to the right. The cyber world is so filled with wonderful members!It is now my responsibility to pass out some awards of my own while also recognizing not just great blogs but wonderful people.
Visit these bloggers/artists...
Calabash Creations
Pam Warden Art
My Bella Colle
Those Greathouse Women
Card-Blanc
CurlyFrySC

The busier you are....

the busier you are!!! It just seems this week was busy and my mind is exploding with new 'products'. The upside is that the mental, creative stimulation is great. The downside is finding time to execute the ideas. One idea-and it shall remain known only to me-failed miserably. It's okay for me to keep but not something I am proud enough to sell. I have 2 other ideas and this clock is one. Believe it or not the base is an old CD! Creatively it will allow me to use great backgrounds with wonderful papers and not be limited to the plates and tiles I have been using. Naturally, they will include buttons. I think it's cool and this one would be great in a boy's room, a den or your guy's workshop. It's on etsy and later today I will put up the 2nd clock, quite different from the background of this one. My last idea is still under construction but I think there's potential. Time will tell...I just need more time!

Etsy

There's apparently a great deal of furor going on over at etsy and I'm not really sure what it's all about. Apparently some people are upset about their perception that the rules have changed in the middle of the game. I agree, that's a point to ponder BUT you are on etsy as a source/avenue for you to sell your creations. As long as you follow the rules and behave in a professional adult manner, what's your beef? For one-of-a-kind artists, as most of us are, it is the best resource on the internet to date. Others may be more outspoken, more profane, more daring...so what? Do what you went there to do...sell. Stay out of the forums unless you have a valid question and stop causing trouble. Trouble births trouble. Your creative outlet may have to be released elsewhere if you can't play by the rules. And my vent is over...back to creating!