No Gobbledegooks

                              Picture taken from the wonderful selection of http://www.etsy.com/listing/56916773/ralph-waldo-emerson-quote-papercut-8x10


In my former life, when I was working in the corporate world, visiting marketing, motivation, coaching and god-knows-what-else trainings was part of the business culture. It used to amuse me how much of what was passed down could simply be described as a deluge of big words, jargon, gobbledegooks. Looking around, I had the strange feeling that many of the participants had zoned out before the trainer got past his personal introduction...

A completely different affair is the piece I read this morning on the etsy blog while I had my first cup of tea. Clear, precise, no hot air balloon at all. But very clearly and simply worded advice. I think this piece is a must to read for anyone who starts out with an on-line shop on etsy (or folksy or anywhere on the worldwide web). And it's a good reminder for all of us who have already started out to have a critical look at what we're doing. There is nothing in it which is not doable. I add the link. Have a read and let me know what you think:
http://www.etsy.com/storque/seller-handbook/shop-makeover-creating-a-brand-identity-for-your-shop-11567/

and while your reading, here is another one which I personally think is so brilliant because I can see myself very much in it. If you sometimes suffer from (maybe just perceived) creativity block, then that's what you should read to get inspired:
http://www.etsy.com/storque/seller-handbook/fearless-creativity-11526/

Do you like seaglass as much as I do? See what Jenevieve from Button, Ribbons and Other Things does with them! You may even win a pendant, if you follow her blog.

So, have all a wonderfully creative and imaginative day!

Phewww! I had a 9 to 8 today!

Just now I feel pretty exhausted but at the same time absolutely thrilled! That I paint is nothing new to all who know me but with the nudge of some friends I finally decided to open a second etsy shop for my art work. I spend the last two days with designing a banner, taking decent pictures of my art work and formatting it properly on Gimp (the open source version of photoshop). Five minutes ago I was finally finished. Have a look at it under
http://www.etsy.com/shop/assjasart

Of course, I didn't have much time to do anything creative. But http://www.etsy.com/shop/ziggyandfriends did some marketing for me with a lovely treasury! It's all about environmentally sound craft items! I love that. Have a look at the treasury and at her shop!

And Just Another One

I felt like spring this morning. I don't know whether it was the sunshine or simply wishful thinking. But I had the urge to do a treasury with items which are bright and fresh...

Valentine's Day is Coming up!

Are you still hunting around for a Valentine's gift? Or do you want to give your hubby, fiance or boyfriend a little hint? I made an etsy treasury up. And for all those who live local: Every item on the list was made in Scotland!
Let's boost the Scottish economy into a spring high!

The Art Of Procrastination

I just realised, today I seem to circle my working table like a predator its prey. Only I find every single excuse not to approach it and sit down on the chair. After all, there is some dusting to do. Oh, and the dog looks as if it needs to go out. And did the child not just say something about hunger? Oh, and there is this pile of ironing to do... Hang on, ironing? Since when do I see that as something urgent?

The truth is, I'm procrastinating. I do this every time when the market season and Christmas are over. I do it when I need to sit down and put all the ideas for the coming season into an organised form of working plan. 

There are all these sketches and notes in my journal that need to be sort of prioritised (big word!). I need to plan what I'm going to put into the local shop, what goes on etsy and what I will sell at the craft markets. And then I need to think about supplies, time and prices. Not to forget all the wee things like business cards, paper stuff etc. Or the exciting bits like buying beads and things without going over board. Which happens when it's not organised. I made the experience in the beginning.

And for some odd reason, these organisational and administrative stuff always shows up when all I really want to do, is being creative with beads and paint and glue! Which, of course, is always the case, when it turns up.

Therefore, I guess, I better start tomorrow (it's already Sunday evening after all) a week in which I will use the morning for all the thoughts and plans I need to have and make, while the afternoons will be dedicated to continuing my steam punk exploration. And maybe, by end of the week, I'm ready to plunge into this year's creative work. After all, St. Valentine, spring and weddings are approaching slowly but surely.

 

The picture belongs to www.copyright-free-photos.org.uk.

It shows a Siberian Tiger, a mostly solitary and territorial animal which can reach 13 feet in size and weigh up to 700 lb. Unfortunately, it is estimated, that there are only about 8'000 of them left.

Back to the Work Bench

Amazing, how fast the holidays are over. It was a brilliant time. Lots of fun with the family. Time to read books, meet friends and see people... A few days ago, I started becoming restless. And today, I gave in to the urge, postponed the big house cleaning session, declared dinner a one-pot-affair and hid in my room, having an outbreak in steampunk activity. I really like experimenting with filigree, watch parts, old keys and pictures. Didn't get as far as I wanted, but it's a good start after all....

Playing on the Etsy Playfield

I'm just discovering the different gadgets on etsy. Like this one which shows some of my favourite items on etsy: