First of all I'd like to welcome everyone to our new blog for the Artists of KW!
Hopefully, everyone has received Melanie's email about our featuring artists and I
think Melanie should start us off as our first featured artist!!! Please join here and
let us know about you and your craft.
It really is that time of year again - our Thanksgiving is over so I guess that means its
the start of our holiday season. If you 're an experienced artist, you have probably
started preparing for the Christmas rush sometime around August!! If you are
anything like me, you had great intentions but barely scraped the surface of what you
needed to have done by now. At this point, whenever I so much as look at a calendar
I've already started going into a state of panic. My head is filled with "should haves" and
this can be extremely stressful when you're working full time, looking after your family and
trying to operate a business.
Here are a few ideas I've started to use this year and so far it's working.
First of all I made myself a wish list of everything I wanted to have done by this time and a
budget of the supplies needed. I made myself a timeline but didn't take into account things
that I didn't expect. This is what causes the stress! Here's how I have regrouped:
1. I went Christmas shopping (first time I've ever done it this early). This is for everything I need to buy that isn't handmade of course. Now, that's done for the season!
2. I've started to order handmade gifts from other artists to make sure they arrive in time.
3. I made a budget for what I'd like to find at local craft shows.
4. While I was Christmas shopping I picked up supplies that were a good deal.
5. I have a notebook I keep with me everywhere for ideas for my shop.
6. I work in my studio whenever I have a few spare hours.
7. I take everything in small steps - micro movements or baby steps. Sometimes all I get done after a long day at work is some prep work for later and that works well.
8. I've promised to reward myself with something I'd really like after every item finished and posted on etsy. My reward list includes- relaxing with a coffee and magazine or good book, a hot bubble bath, a glass of wine with my friends, a movie with my daughter, dinner or movie with my hubby. You may want to add getting your nails done, a pedicure or a massage (I think Melanie can hook us up with that)!!
Hope my list helps get you through the holiday season or at least started without stress or panic!
Just remember take it in baby steps and reward yourself for a job well done.
One last thing, if anyone is going to be at a local craft show and would like a craft show feature on the blog - please let me know where and when. I'd like some pictures of your booth for future blogs. Thanks, Karen. You can contact me a mostlysundays2@gmail.com.
