My, oh, my! I can hardly believe summer is almost over. Where have I been while all of the summer fun has been going on? This morning, it occured to me how much in life we all take for granted at some point.

Even after cutting my computer time back to less than half of what it previously was, I am still not using my time wisely enough. I have been getting up earlier too and TV time hasn't been an issue in years as I never watched it much anyway but what am I accomplishing every day? Not as much as I want to! I can sure tell you this.

Today, I'm going to work on my pillow and candle orders to get those knocked out of the way so I can enjoy some much needed family time with my girls. I can hardly wait! See you later and I hope you enjoy this beautiful summer day as much as I plan to.

If you ever sell your crafty creations then you have probably heard of Etsy and Artfire--to only name a few of the wonderful selling venues out there. Artfire was running a special price to sign up for their Pro Account and I decided to take the plunge and do it. You can still get in on the deal but the price has gone up $4 to $9.95. Artfire offers wonderful seller tools to help you set up shop and start taking orders. I really like it so far. Click the following link if you are interested in setting up your own online shop and studio.

http://www.artfire.com/

I am offering a special offer for the next 30 days--a 10% off coupon for any purchase through my Artfire studio! I can do custom orders too. I offer several more items than what I have listed on Artfire so bare with me while I add these.

I am getting ready to crawl out of my warm covers to go out to my suburban garage workshop to pour some candles. My girls are still asleep as they have worked hard the day before reading books and taking care of their two little fuzzball mutt puppies. The girls acquired these little things from my mother-in-law on a recent visit. I never thought I would surround myself with dogs as I am extremely allergic to them but I find it being ever-more difficult to turn down cute little faces (the furry ones and my little girls'.)

One day last week I woke and realized this was the turning point in my life and in all of our lives in this house, although I may the only person in this house who realizes this. For some reason, I don't think my husband and my daughters quite believe me when I tell them this fact but I know it none-the-less.

This year will be the first year we are homeschooling. I truly regret not homeschooling from the very first day of my daughter's school career. We are so looking forward to using the Little House on the Prairie series as our themed curriculum. I do think it is the perfect choice as my girls remind me of Laura and Mary from the television series. I'm not really sure my kids have ever even seen the show! I grew up watching the show every week with my grandparents in the 1980's and then eventually watching the reruns every day in the 1990's. Honestly, I have not seen the show in many years now and I can hardly wait to revisit the shows and enjoy them with my girls.

It is 7:40 am and I should already be out there pouring those candles I have put off long enough. I think I may need a cup of coffee and some toast first. How do you begin your morning? Do you homeschool and if so, what curriculums have you used? Please leave a comment and let me know. I enjoy reading what others have to say so maybe I can pick up a bit of wisdom to tuck away for later.

God is showing me wonderful things lately and all I have to do is listen to his guideful whispers to keep me on track. I am looking forward to our lives from this point forward. I can hardly wait to jump right on in here and start anew! Thank you for joining me on this journey to self-rediscovery and true happiness blended with simplicity and truth.

Blessings Always,

Lena

So that means I can now take pictures and that is exactly what I did this morning. Here are the daylilies I planted last year. I love these orange flowers! My neighbor gave them to me but it was my job to dig them up. It took me several days to get them all. Luckily, my husband helped me plant them at the edge of our driveway that needs to be paved so badly. However, after taking this picture, the gravel is almost endearing and blends in well with the old-fashioned native lilies. Please excuse the high grass as my husband is out of town and I haven't had the pleasure of mowing our huge yard since he left. Maybe I can do that today. . . then again, maybe I just simply will be unable to find the time. Enjoy your afternoon!

Have you ever wanted a nice calligraphic font to incorporate into your design? I was searching for the perfect font and came across this great site. Several fancy fonts are offered and they all look great.
Check them out here.

Before actually starting your own crafting business, some issues should be addressed. First, never infringe on someone else's copyrights. For example, you shouldn't take someone else's crochet pattern and sell it as your own. Most of the time you aren't even allowed to make the item from the pattern and sell the crocheted item you made. It's illegal. If you have the designer's permission, preferably in writing, it may be okay according to their guidelines. I've seen crafters do this sort of thing often, especially newbies. Please understand that this is theft and it's just downright wrong and unthoughtful.

Everyone has some creativity within themselves so learn to focus on your own design ideas. After a little practice it comes naturally without even thinking about it. Inspiration can come from anywhere--nature, family, through talking with someone else, television, magazines, etc.

"Necessity is the mother of invention." This is true and often this is where you will begin to develop for own ideas. Let's say, for instance, you can't find curtains the right size or the right look for your bedroom. Maybe you have an oddshaped window or ceiling (such as in an attic) so you decide you can come up with something yourself. Then you begin to experiment with a bedsheet. Soon you find the exact look you were after for free instead of paying big bucks for something you wouldn't be satisfied with in the first place.

Design ideas are like that with any craft. They flow through you once you learn to develop your creativity. Start thinking and creating!

If you do, start a blog. It's easy to navigate for the beginner and a great marketing tool for the experienced. It is also FREE! If you don't want to use the free domain assigned by the blog, you can purchase a domain name and redirect it to your site. Let's say I owned the domain name www.craftyliving.com and I wanted to use that site name for this blog. I can! I would go to whomever I bought the domain name from and ask them how to have it redirected to go to my free blog site on Blogger or Wordpress. This is a very cheap way to get started because a domain shouldn't cost more than $10 a year. What a deal!

Templates are available online for transforming your blog into a store!

In addition, if you use Blogger, you can import your Etsy items onto the front page of your blog. What a cool tool!!! Unfortunately, Wordpress doesn't offer this feature but Wordpress offers more templates to choose from.

You can easily import your craft photos onto your blog using Flickr. I've done this and absolutely think it is one of the easiest ways to do photos. I'm photo challenged and I don't like taking the time to upload and upload. This process is very tedious for me. By using Flickr I've learned that it doesn't have to take so much time because the tools are all built right in. It's an absolute time-saver.

Now that you have your own website, how are you going to drive traffic to it? Hmmm, this is a challege for everyone but there are some great tools out there and some are FREE! Maybe you can barter advertising space from another online business or join an online group for online businesses similar to your own. To advertise online, you first need a banner.

If you need help with a banner, there are several do-it-yourself banner sites out there you can use for FREE! Some of these ask for a small donation to keep the site up but it would be well worth it. One such site is www.BannerSketch.com. They have great-looking templates in a variety of themes.

Good luck with new online crafting business!

We hear so much these days about layoffs and closures that it is somewhat frightening to listen to everything we hear. As most of us know, we are facing huge changes here in the United States with unemployment rising almost daily.

What better time to be creative than now?

I've been trying to focus on what people need rather than what people want. What are you willing to pay for in times like these...mostly necessities, I suppose. Maybe a little treat tucked in every now and again but not too often. I know that for me, as a mom, it gets tough to say no to my kids all of the time. Everything sparks their imagination and also their "I want that" button.

If you make craft items geared toward children,
here is a word of warning--

Have you heard about the new CPSIA law? Be extra careful when crafting and labeling your crafts. This new law was passed as a cry to safeguard our children against excess lead in toys imported from China. Remember that big scare Christmas before last with the Mattel toys? You can read more about this law on different forums and blogs. Here's one link: http://www.allcrafters.com/forums/index.php?board=38.0

Children's items are required to undergo stringent lead testing procedures or the manufacturer (crafter in our case) can face hefty fines. This testing can be expensive I hear. I've read posts about many moms shutting their crafty doors due to this new law.

I wish I had answers for you, but at this time, everyone is still researching and begging for reform. We will just have to keep our eyes and ears open for updates.

Don't give up hope though. I haven't.

I am brainstorming and coming up with new ideas daily. Time changes everything. Nothing stays the same forever and we tend to have problems adjusting and accepting change easily. That doesn't mean we can't do it though. We can and we will.

Chin up and smile wide!

If you are like most of us out there in the world, you have apprehensions about using lye for making all of those beautiful cold process soaps that you see stocking the shelves at farmer's markets and high-end boutiques. Soap making can be quite profitable if you take the time to know your market and your technique. There are several methods for making those wonderful natural soaps. My preference is cold process soaps because of the look and feel of them. They take longer to cure and you do have to use lye in order to "cook" them. However, there is another method called rebatching, or sometimes referred to as hand-milling, which produces lovely soaps without having to be concerned about the lye. Below you will find an article I wrote explaining exactly what rebatched soap is.
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What is Rebatched Soap?

Rebatched soap (also sometimes called hand-milled or milled) is considered luxurious and sought-after by many consumers due to the pleasing texture. Milled soap is made by melting grated soap base and adding colorants, scents and other additives such as oatmeal, honey, coffee, cornmeal, liquified fruits and vegetables, etc. and then pouring the mixture into molds. It is best to use an unscented soap base because the scent will be present in your completed soap even with the addition of the other scents you add. For an excellent tutorial on hand-milled soaps visit http://www.rebatchsoapbase.com/.

Rebatched soap has many advantages to both soap makers and consumers. Consumers enjoy the elegant feel and look of it while soap makers enjoy experimenting with colors, scents and other ingredients. Another important factor in this method of soap making is that the lye is no longer present in milled soap. Scents, colorants and additives can be used to their fullest advantage without damage as in cold process soap. Molds such as vintage tins or muffin pans can be used without concern as in hot and cold process soaps.

Other points to remember when rebatching your soap are always wait to add your scents, dyes and additives just before pouring the remelted soap into the molds. You want to have a consistent color throughout your rebatch soap so make sure all lumps are melted because the colorants will not be absorbed into the unmelted particles. Also, if you are unable to make a perfectly smooth soap, it's okay. You will have speckled soap, which is very attractive.
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Okay, so what do you think about this method so far? It is a wonderful way to save time and to be able to enjoy the actual process of creating a luxurious soap perfect for resale.

Check back for recipes and links for using rebatch soap base for making your own soapy creations.

I found this wonderful article for us stay-at-home/work-at-home moms. Sometimes it is overwhelming to juggle the daily demands of being a wife, a mother, and to hold on to yourself and your sanity. If you are anything like I am, I need encouragement and a few helpful tips to help cope. Please enjoy the following article:

Helpful Ideas for Moms Who Work from Home


There exists many types of women today who have one of the best and most important jobs in the world: the crucial job of being a mom. Being a mom is very time demanding and requires a lot of patience, love, and hard work. This specific role is a huge commitment for women and must be given careful consideration before fully engaging in it.

Although several ladies love the role of being mothers to their children, they often seek to fulfill other occupational desires that are available. Too often women think that being a mother requires too much time and hard work and that it is impossible to do anything else. It is true that being a mom and also working in the capacity of another job position can be very stressful and sometimes overwhelming, but it can be achieved and is being achieved by many women throughout the world.

If a mother who is considering whether or not to take up a second job, she must consider if it is feasible at all. She should determine if there is enough extra time, apart from her children and family, to dedicate to other occupational dreams. If there is no or very little extra time available, then she probably should not get a second job.

When the lady does realize that there is extra time available in her life, then the option of securing another job is possible. It will demand a lot of her time and probably be quite stressful, but it could be a very rewarding experience. Having a second job, apart from being a mother, can be a great way to earn extra income and also to secure more work experience in a specific career field.

The best way to be a mom and also have another job is to work at home. This is a great strategy and allows the woman to remain in the home with her children. It does not require any travel time or having to get ready everyday, which could be a very nice schedule.

If a woman chooses to work at home, she must remember a few simple suggestions in order to stay sane and successful. First of all, there must be a separate space in the home for the mother to work. This could be in a small office, den, or even bedroom, as long as there is a private space to accomplish the necessary task of the job.

Another suggestion involves being extremely organized. If there is no organization or structure in the home and work environment, then the mother will soon feel stressed and overwhelmed. Make sure to make a distinct separation between being at home and being at work so that a proper balance and structure can be established.

One final suggestion includes making a list of necessary priorities. The number one priority for a mother in the home is the proper nurturing of her children.

Article Source: http://www.pcwriters.com


Court teaches people how to research work at home business opportunities and advises people to work with internet marketing consultants.

As a crafter myself, I am always looking for new ideas and inspiration. There can be several reasons for needing guidance and a new vision.

*Sometimes we all have bad days and get discouraged.

*Sometimes, we as crafters may even get bored with the same repetetive crafts we've been doing for years and it just isn't as fun as it used to be.

*Maybe the buyers of our products no longer seem interested and a demand doesn't exist as it once did.

*For whatever reason, maybe you have decided you need an extra boost in sales and have run out of ideas.

I found this interesting ebook entitled "Crafts to Make and Sell" which has so much information in it. It could honestly help anyone put a new spin on their own ideas or why not borrow a new crafty idea from this book. This ebook will also help you to sell your crafts too. It will guide you through the simple steps of finding your niche. You are allowed to do that with this one. It is a good read and well worth an investment of less than $10.00.

For more information Click Here!

I found this article and wanted to share it with my readers.

Turning A Part Time Hobby Into A Home Business
By: Obinna Heche

Do you have a hobby that you do on the side of a regular job? Do you take the time in the afternoon to care for a neighborhood child or walk someones dog? Maybe you paint or create beaded jewelry as a part time hobby. Did you ever think of creating a business of your own through your hobby? If not you should. And if you have thought about it, than let this article guide you closer to that decision.

Having your own business creates a great freedom in your life. It gives you the freedom to be your own boss and to create your own work schedule. You are no longer confined to someone elses routine. By creating a home business through a hobby you give yourself these freedoms.

You are already spending time and effort in a hobby, so why not do something you enjoy doing full time and make a living from something you love? Many of us have a passion for something. Maybe you are an artist or a musician. Why not take this hobby one step further. You could do this by offering to teach others your hobby. Teach someone to paint or sculpt, or to play the piano. If you make arts and crafts or jewelry, why not sell the items you create?

So many people dream of doing what they love as a full time job, its just a matter of taking that leap into a new career. If you sit down and you really take the time to review both the negative and the positive about beginning a home business, you will see that your own business is the way to go.

The money you make goes to you and your business. You work when you want and need to work and not when your employer tells you to. You will have a job that inspires you and will give you complete satisfaction.

Take a moment to think about what hobby you truly love. Something you can see yourself doing everyday. Make a business plan. What is this job? What prices will you charge for products or services? Will you need a bank loan or do you have a financial partner? Prepare your materials and print up some flyers.

You only have to take that one step and say yes to your own business. You guide your future and fill your life with happiness. Its not impossible to create your own hobby based home business. There are resources and information readily available to you. Visit your local library, pick up some books on home business. Do some research and prepare to see your dreams take flight.

Article Source: http://www.pcwriters.com

Obinna Heche. Los Angeles - California Delivering the best home based business ideas and opportunities so you can work at home successfully.. www.home-incomeportal.com

Now that you've decided what to sell and where to sell, we have other issues to address. No matter where you decide to sell your crafts, you need contact information. One of the easiest ways to provide contact information is through the use of business cards. You can make your own but the most efficient way I have found to do this is through a company called VistaPrint©.

They offer free products and you can even customize your own business cards using their online program. If you don't feel comfortable designing your own card, that's okay too. They have premade templates and all you do is fill in your information. It's super easy so check it out.

When you have your business cards all ready, be sure to display them with your crafts. You can even attach them to your items as a ready-made hang tag. Punch a hole in a business card and tie it onto your craft item. Be sure to either write a price or attach a price sticker to the business card hang tag. There you have it! Your contact information is right there where everyone can see it. Be sure to display separate business cards in case someone is just browsing and sees something they like but they don't want to buy it right now. That person might be a potential customer in the future. Sell yourself. You can come up with tons of great marketing ideas once you put your mind to it.

Are you having trouble coming up with a business name? That's common. When something is so important to you and you want to succeed, you know you need a catchy name. The way I decided on my business name was this:

First, I thought about what type of items I wanted to sell and then what type of theme or feeling I wanted my customers to be reminded of when they saw my handcrafted products. I thought about the colors I wanted to use and how the colors would make people feel--happy and warm so they would feel good about buying from my business.

Then, of course, I had to think about my target market. Your target market is the type of people who will want to buy your products. What is their age(s), gender(s), and income? Where do they live? Are you selling a regional product? You need to come up with something that will appeal to this type of person. It's perfectly fine to have more than one type of person as your target market. This step is easier than it sounds once you begin brainstorming and don't forget to jot down some notes for your own reference later on.

I finally decided on a list of business names. I repeated them out loud (sometimes several times) trying to decide if the name had a good ring to it. I came up with a company quote using the list of business names while driving home from a business start-up meeting. By the time I arrived home, I had a business name. I asked a few people for their thoughts on the name and quote I had come up with and they approved. It was all set then. It was time to order my business cards and get started promoting my business.

Good luck with your business name. Grab a piece of paper and a pen and start brainstorming your way to your new business.

Now depending on what type of craft item(s) you plan on selling, you need to decide where you will sell.

(1) Are you going to sell your crafts at flea markets? There are some nice indoor flea markets where you can rent a booth on a monthly basis. Some people do quite well and others don't. I tried renting a booth for 3 months and it was a complete disaster for me because my prices were too high. Remember most people shop at flea markets expecting to find a bargain and although my items were appealing to the customers, the price was more than what they expected. I couldn't lower my prices because then I wouldn't profit from my craft. You have to account for your raw materials, booth rental, your skill, and your time. If you feel like your product would do well at an establishment like this, by all means, give it a try. You might have a completely different experience than mine. Keep in mind that you want to make money and not lose money so don't underprice your crafts.

(2) Are you going to sell online? Ebay is a wonderful place to research your craft. Search for something similar to what you are making and see how other people are doing. Ebay is full of successful crafters who are doing quite well for themselves. Check it out and see what you think. You can get an idea for pricing and decide how profitable it would be for you. Research ebay and if you decide to give it a try, go for it. ebay has a setup that will walk you right through the selling process as long as you understand how ebay works. That's why you need to do a little bit of research first

(3) Are you going to sell at craft shows? Crafts shows are an excellent place to start. I have two children and no babysitter so craft show selling is not a good venue for me. I've had to improvise a lot. It makes success more difficult if you can't get out there and network (meet people) who have the potential to help your business grow. If you decide on craft shows, start out locally in your city or town to get a feel for selling your product. When your ready to move on, look for statewide shows. After attending a couple of the local shows, you could have leads to several other shows that the other sellers attend. Watch the news and newspapers for local events.

Well, that's all for today. There are other places to sell but that will come later. Right now you're just starting out so keep it simple.