twenty eleven

the lights of my life! it's been a long year full of many ups and downs, but still an amazing time watching these two grow. i took these photos january 1 2011. i'll be sure to snap a few tomorrow to see how they've changed.

as for me, i'm looking forward to a year full of growth. we have some potentially big changes in store, and i'm also looking at ramping up my little business throughout the year. i have big plans for smidgebox! first up, back to more regular postings in this space.

here's to 2012 -- happy new year, friends.

monthly goal meetup :: september

summer has flown flown flown by. i can hardly believe that it's september 1!! let me start by saying that fall is my favourite season. the fashion, crisp fresh air, jeans, boots, back to school [which i always loved!], and did i mention the fashion? so, while we still technically have three more weeks of summer, i am looking forward to cozying up to fall and all it has to offer. i'm also trying to wrap my head around some business stuff, and move myself forward into the busy holiday season. nope, it's not too early to start prepping for that holiday. you know the one.

sunset in shediac new brunswick, august 2002

i am not really going to go over my goals for the summer. they were meant to be a little more relaxed than most, and i did manage to get some things done. i also seriously overestimated the amount of time i'd have to work on my biz. thank goodness for slow summers at etsy. things have really picked up the past two weeks, and my shop has been quite busy, mostly with custom orders. i've got a wee bit of a lineup happening! while i love that, the only problem is i've not had the chance to roll out a couple of the new products i've got spinning around in my head.

enough chatter! let's get to the goals.

1 :: register my business. i know. it's coming, promise.

2 :: get the current lineup of customs out the door by sept 10, so i can start making a few new products. i'd like to have two new products in the shop by sept 30, and hopefully at least two of each one.

3 :: have some wholesale policies + forms ready for the end of the month. i have had several wholesale inquiries, and i think i'd like to explore a couple of these venues. i need to work out my pricing, as well as my overall policies.

4 :: use more of my fabric stash rather than constantly buying more and more fabric. weird goal, i know, but i'm totally addicted to new fabric, and i have so many lovelies that haven't made it into the shop yet!

5 :: start on the inventory i'll need for my two craft fairs this winter. one is in mid-november + the other early december, so i really need to start accumulating stock!

6 :: personal goal, i need to make time for myself to exercise. sheesh, i feel like a bit of a lump lately. twice a week, please, one weekend + one weeknight.

i think that'll keep me busy. at least a couple of them are open-ended, so i'm not trying to kill myself here, and i am sure more than one will eke it's way into next months list. i'm just trying to get them out there and start 'em off!

if anybody is interested in sharing any wholesale tips, i'd be all too happy to listen! i will be re-reading jena's great wholesale posts over at modish biztips, and scouring the net for more pearls of wisdom. in fact, there was a great article by marichelle at heart handmade just today. in case anyone else is wondering :)

thanks for listening to my ramblings, and i'm looking forward to visiting some of the other goal-setters in the next few days!

smidgebox designs at Indie Fixx Galleria!

i'm excited to say that today my shop is now live on the Indie Fixx Galleria. jen of indie fixx curates a lovely little selection of shops to showcase in her galleria space, and for the summertime market, the shops will be up until

mid-september. come check it out!

here are some goodies from a couple other shops over at the galleria. there are some fun finds over there...

images via shops as listed below, top to bottom.

robot love field bag, grey :: shana logic

nighttime garden - mini cluchette-wristlet :: john met betty

gossamer - organic cotton t-shirt :: alison tauber

cloth blocks in etsy baby gift guide!

i had such a lovely surprise waiting for me when i woke up yesterday, it even made up for the fact that my baby woke me at 6:10 on a sunday morning...smidgebox 'choose your own' cloth blocks were chosen for the etsy baby gift guide! i'm so honoured to have my blocks included with the fantastic items in the guide. there's some pretty sweet stuff there. i have often browsed the gift guides looking for something fabulous, so i look forward to seeing how the added exposure can work for my shop!

i have to say, i'm very pleased with the way these first two-and-a-half weeks have worked out for me since i opened my etsy shop. i really want this business to blossom + thrive, and hope that this is a sign of more to come. i am working on a little shop update as we speak. cuddle blankets + another personalized tote, ripe for the picking.

inspiration + motivation

what an excellent interview! i finally found a few moments to read the newest 'do what you love' post on modish Biz tips, and i'm so glad i did. feeling inspired and excited. check it out.

inspiring image via design for mankind

green :: blue :: yellow

sometimes it seems as though i'm taking two steps forwards and two steps back [and no, i'm not trying to channel paula abdul. blech.] i've been working really well, getting lots done, and then i'll overdo it one night and i find myself struggling for a couple days with fatigue, finding myself too tired to accomplish anything. i need to find some middle ground.

luckily, this stack of fresh fabrics is making me happy. i am sewing a set of soft blocks as a gift for some friends, their baby shower is this saturday. i figured i may as well make a few extra sets for the shop while i'm at it. 

i feel like i am making some progress. i do have several items to stock my shop [which i plan to open may 1st]. they are just ever-so-slightly unfinished, as i haven't printed my sew-in product tags just yet [on my list!]. the tags are nearly done, so i can finally wrap up these projects and get them out of my head. this will help to reduce my mental clutter. phew.

i did finish a couple commissions last week. first, a patchwork cuddle blanket requested as a gift for a new baby. i delivered it today, and it was instantly well-loved. second, a wee chef set that a friend wanted for her son. he turned four last week and loves to help out in the kitchen. it, too, was very happily received.  i am so lucky to have such supportive friends + family who are with me all the way as i venture out with my new business. thankyou!

monthly goal meetup

ok. so jena at modish and modish biz tips has this great idea called the monthly goal meetup. it's basically a way to make your monthly business goals public, so that you are held a little more accountable. i have really been enjoying jena's posts on her new biz tips blog, and i think this is a fantastic way to help me get going with my new endeavor. so here goes!

monthly goals :: april '09 :: smidgebox designs

1. design and print my product tags

2. create the rest of my desired start-up inventory for etsy shop

3. re-design and print new business cards [mine are outdated, need new address and url]

4. make up a press kit for online advertising/announcements. design and print shop announcement postcards [this one may run over into next month. it's a more involved goal!]

5. get an hour alone at the post office to research and figure out shipping options + rates

6. open etsy shop by may 1

i hope i can accomplish all of these by the end of the month. it'll be a tight timeline as the next two weekends will not yield any time for me to work. but if i'm disciplined enough during the week [ahem. less non-biz-related time online], i think i can make this work. i really want my shop up and running for may. wish me luck!

handmade this and that

i've been working on a little handmade business to simultaneously fulfill my creative needs and help out with the finances, while being at home with the kids. i know i'm not the first and i certainly won't be the last, but i've been working hard, and i am just about ready to launch. 

through this process i've realized how much of a planner i am, preferring to have all my ducks in a row before i jump in. and lucky me, there are all these awesome people to learn from, right here at my fingertips. 

check out this great interview with the Bakery creators over at Modish Biz Tips. both of these sites have been loads of help to me with ideas, advice and inspiration to get me off on the right foot. you should definitely be reading their blogs if you're starting up on your own.

i'm almost ready. then i plan to watch these wee ones throw many more rocks in the ocean while i carve out the time for making some handmade this and that.