*Wondering what tips you have to take my Etsy shop to the next level.

The best advice I would give to anyone that wants to be successful on Etsy is to take great photos.

That photo is all people have to decide whether they can live without it or not.

There are thousands of items on Etsy.

If you do not re list everyday…your beautiful creations are on page 350 and no one will find them.

  The best time to re list an item is after moms have gotten their children off to school, late afternoon and then after supper. 

I know I do not use Etsy like some do and I am not a part of any forums etc. but I have heard they are amazing and they can really help your business and get your name out there.

*I have always wondered what your creative space looks like.  Do you have a craft room or studio where you create?  Would you be willing to share photos?  I would also love some words of wisdom for someone interested in
starting a creative business-think-business license, copyright stuff
etc.

I recently shared my space on this post.

I am so happy in it and have been so happy to create.

Regarding business license and copyright stuff I really believe that each person should consult an attorney.  There are so many things to think about.

So much of what I made in the beginning was based upon all the supplies I already had and what I already loved to make.  I didn’t HAVE to go out a buy anything to start my business.

As my business grew and my tastes would change there were new things that I have bought and added.

I don’t know about most women and their businesses but my business is self sustaining.  There have been larger purchases that my husband has surprised me with etc. but they were not necessary to run my business.

I have never gone into debt at this point but you have to understand that my business is still small and I couldn’t balance it growing quickly right now. 

For artsy close ups I love my macro lens but the lens I use the most often is my new lens….a zoom EF 28-105mm (my camera is a Canon Rebel XSi)

*What is your favorite subject to teach?

I really love to teach history.

I was a history major and it is also my favorite subject to read to this day.

I also love all the amazing books the children and I have the opportunity to read together.

  I think it will break my heart if they do not grow up to be adults that adore books.

*What did you do with your straw hat?

Oh…it is still here and it will be given away next week:-)

*Will you come to Kansas City for a weekend of fun and shopping?

That would be so much fun!

*What camera do you use for pics on your blog?

*Do you ever make lampshades? I can see your ruffles and rosettes on a lampshade?

I loved this question because I have been working on this. I have a new lampshade I have been working on for our library makeover….that I will show very shortly.

Unfortunately, most of our family live far away.  My sister lives 20 minutes away but she is busy with three little ones of her own.

*Are you going to Farm Chicks in June?

You guys will be the first to know.

I have many trips coming up and I am not sure at this point.

*Have you ever ridden a horse? Where, when, why…..and if not, do you have any interest in horseback riding?

I have ridden horse many times but only on trails.  It was probably mostly at camp or with groups of people.

My sister and her husband have two horses and my children have ridden them just around the arena for fun.

It has been a long time for me though.

Be realistic.

Be true to your biggest responsibilities.

Prioritize.

I am not superwoman and I can’t do it all.

I have to focus or refocus constantly.

I am very easily distracted.

I make lists and they really help me to stay on track.

I am just trying to do the best I can…just like you guys…some days I am a rock star and other days…well…you know:-)

I guess I just started writing what came naturally.

I have never worried about people liking me or not. 

Lets be honest…I am not talking about hot political issues.

I am not going to be angering moms across the country with my paint colors:-)

My blog is pure joy for me and I hope it is for anyone that visits.

*When did you feel confident enough in your creative/artistic abilities to start calling your space your ‘studio’? 

Within the last year I started calling my space in the basement my studio.

Now I feel like I officially have one. 

There are very few people that comment that were friends of mine before I started blogging.  Many of you are my friends now though.  Many people that I know read my
blog but do not comment.

Hmmmm….the only thing I would do differently on my blog is to use my name…..Jeanne Oliver.

*Where did you get that cute striped sweater you wore to Brave Girl Camp?

J. Crew (I get so many emails about that sweater…J. Crew should be sending me some free clothes)

*What is the color on your dining room walls? Lovely! and where did you find that beautiful chandelier?

As I mentioned earlier in this post…I don’t even know:-)  If I ever find out I will let you all know.  I promise.

I wish I could tell all of you that have emailed about my chandelier. …I went through two feet high worth of catalogs to find that and I would have no idea where to direct you.  It was eight years ago.

I love that so many of you love it too.

*How is a weblog different from a website?

A weblog is just a log of your writings.  A website can be anything….business, news etc.

I always encourage people to start small.

See if there is a market for what you are creating.

You can grow from there.

I do not support our family.

I do not want to support our family. 

I am also busy with homeschooling them and being home with them.

If I wanted to run my business differently then the other things in our life would change. 

Retailers and customers have just found me through my blog and Etsy.

I also always carry my postcards with me with my contact information, blog, Etsy etc. and it also has photos of my items.

Wear your creations if you can.

I get stopped all the time asking where I got my skirt, purse etc.

I hand out my card all the time and that makes a huge difference locally.

I passed out my cards to the staff at Anthro the other day because they all loved my ruffle purse..always be prepared.

I don’t balance it all.

That is impossible without outside help.

I make a choice each day what is the most important.

For me Monday-Friday our mornings are all about school.  We may take a field trip or on Thursdays my two older children go to an enrichment school.

On Thursdays when the kids are away I decide whether I am going to create, only play with Ben, clean or catch up with friends.

Today I had coffee all morning with friends and Ben played…and it was sooo worth it.

I just try to make the best choices I can each day. 

I wish I could tell you that everything gets done and that I can do it all.

I can’t…and I’m ok with that.

Have a wonderful weekend.