Spring Happenings...

i've been as busy as a bee, soaking up as much of the burgeoning spring season as i can and celebrating it!  it's funny really, because it seems like just last week that i was quietly pining for the snow mounds to melt and the skies to turn blue...and all of a sudden, my wish came true! 

sparkling new bunny ornaments for sale in the shop

plenty of new items have been added to the shop to help you bring some spring sparkle to your home this season.  i've been glittering eggs and ornaments, and birthday party hats are getting hot again as well!  i attribute my recent 'spring' in creativity to the return of the sun.  i feel like i have a million ideas for new pieces and product lines, but just not enough hours in the day.  so, i make certain to have my sketch journal attached to my person as much as possible so that i can jot down ideas or sketch out possible designs.

having a smart phone handy is awfully nice too, since i can take pictures of nearly anything that inspires me (like the crocuses that jack and i snapped above when out on our walk this afternoon), but my impulse is usually to reach for a pencil and my pad before reaching into my pocket to grab my camera phone...i swear there is something inside me that makes me want to resist actually using technology in my day to day.  i mean, i'm aware of all the great apps and programs and websites and gadgets out there that could help me streamline my business and my creative process, but i spend my days imagining the past and trying to replicate it in the present...sometimes it just doesn't jive, you know?  lol...

however, i will admit that i finally broke down and embraced the wonderfulness that is QuickBooks...and, i'm pretty happy to declare that it has saved. my. life. it took me two very long, arduous weeks of receipt organizing and data input, but it feels sooo good to account for everything i've done thus far with The Crepe Confectionary.  it makes me feel legitimate as a business owner, and it allows me to measure my successes and failures in a very meaningful way.  i'm still getting the hang of the program's user interface, but i have found features that i love, such as reports that show me how much each of my customers has spent with me or tallies of how many of each product has been sold.  if you're a crafter ready to take the plunge and make your 'biz' official, i highly recommend procuring yourself your own QuickBooks account.  you will thank me for it, trust me!

a 1st birthday cutie in her Crepe Confectionary party hat

spring is also bringing with it a ton of new opportunities for The Crepe Confectionary, both creative and financial.  for instance, i'm in the midst of a number of photography projects with a couple of photographers from around the country, wherein my creations will be featured in various shoots.  i'm thrilled about these creative collaborations, and can't wait to expand my horizons as a folk artist.  i was also very pleased to be informed recently that my work has been featured on Meyer Imports' blog site.  if you're not already familiar with Meyer Imports, i greatly encourage you to take a clicky-click on over to their site.  this import company is responsible for bringing us some of the highest quality glitters around, and i am proud to say that they are my main supplier of german glass glitters.  they carry a number of other crafty items as well, such as small diorama kits, mushrooms, and scrap pictures. 

Meyer Imports silver glass glitter, the highest quality glitter i have found

and in one last, final bit of news, i have begun playing with my tumblr account.  if you're not aware of what tumblr is, head on over to tumblr.com and have a look see for yourself.  its a 'micro-blogging' platform that allows you to quickly and easily post pictures, videos, links, quotes...anything, really.  its a more visual platform than a regular blogging site such as blogger or typepad, and i like how i can post things there that inspire or interest me, and i don't have to feel obligated to write a blog post to accompany it.  you can find me here:

crepeconfectionary.tumblr.com

what i post on tumblr is what makes me smile, giggle, gasp, think...its all the stuff that sometimes isn't fit to post here...lol. 

i hope you are all finding ways to welcome spring into your lives...may you feel refreshed and invigorated!

cheers!

The Crepe Confectionary celebrates it's first year!

just over a year ago, a very good friend of mine and i were sitting on my couch, brainstorming ideas for a creative business opportunity that we could establish for ourselves as a fun way to make some extra cash. we talked about screen printing, event planning, and even doing a BBQ lunch truck. as we sat trying to identify each of our talents and weaknesses, he began to convince me to stop 'playing' at my crafting, and instead, take it to the next level.

i used to dabble in primitives under the name "Prims & Propers"...

see, up until this point, my crafting was something i did for fun, for relaxation on weekends when i wasn't on call at the hospital or working the emergency room...i never once considered that my little hobby could make me any sort of meaningful income. it wasn't that i didn't think my 'work' wasn't good enough -- truth be told, i had sold some of my items to local shops and boutiques before, and each piece was very well received. but, in spite of this, i still didn't consider it a way to make a living. i was, afterall, a doctor...my last fine arts class came my freshman year of high school. even my modest education in architectural design didn't really count as 'art' education, at least in my mind.

an original st. nick doll from 2007

so when my friend finished making his case, attempting to convince me that my work was actually worth selling and that i actually had some creative talent, he proposed --dared me, actually -- to give it a try. open an etsy shop, he said...give it a finite time...make a business plan...operate with all the seriousness i would if i were still practicing medicine...if it fails, you'll know. but, if it doesn't? well, who knows where the path could lead me...

my cheesebox lanterns were always a huge hit in the shops...

and now, one year later, The Crepe Confectionary has become a major part of my life, with many successes and some failures, but still going strong. i won't lie: i struggled in the beginning, mostly with reconciling the very scientific half of my brain, that had been in the driver's seat all of my life, with the more creative half of my brain, which had always hung around, but was happy to be chilling in the backseat. it was odd, and still is at times, when people ask me what i do for a living...people generally laugh or don't know how to respond when i tell them that i run a creative design business and i'm a folk artist, especially when they know that just a few years ago, i was a practicing doctor.

i loved making this piece, and i never made one for myself!

looking back on my first year in business, however, i see many reasons to be proud...and i'm truly happy with this little life i have 'crafted' for myself. i am my own boss, i am my own workforce, i make my schedule, i carve out my own path. and honestly, when i would think about what i wanted to be when i grew up, i was never quite sure what it was that i wanted to be, but i was damn sure that i wanted to be in charge. the path of my life has wound in many directions, but it hasn't been until now that i could say that i am truly, truly enjoying my stroll...

(thanks, scott. you really made me believe it all, because you believed in me.)

well, we're movin' on up! to the eeeast siiiiddee...

yup, i was a kid who grew up watching the jeffersons...but that's not my point here today, though it would be fun to reminisce about how great tv shows in the 80's were...mr. belvedere...benson...the facts of life...falcon crest...sigh.

oh well, back to work here...

a few weeks ago, the crepe confectionary was honored to be asked to participate in a discussion panel at the North Tonawanda Public Library!

so amidst filling the shop full of valentine's day goodies and preparing for the february Buffalo Indie Market, i began to catalog all the things i had come to learn in my very short time as a business owner. like, always get payment for a custom item before you begin spending time and money on it. or, that good pictures of your work are your best advertisement. by the time i had finished, i had identified a number of tips that i felt were helpful to me in my work thus far. the presentation was a success, and was so well received, that i thought i would share them with you here...

now, if you're anything like me, the crafting part is what comes naturally. the challenge i faced when turning my hobby into my livelihood were all the details related to running a business. i am a doctor by training, with a very little bit of design schooling under my belt. i possess zero business acumen. so i found myself doing what i always do when i take up some new venture, and that's educating myself. i went looking for resources that would be useful to me. these included, but were not limited to: my brother, who has an MBA; my sister in law, who has a very entreprenurial brain; the Canisius College (my alma mater) women's business center, which offers free consulations to new business owners; and last but not least, Craft, Inc. by Meg Mateo Ilasco, a fantastic 'how-to' guide for the beginner.

when it came down to it, i found myself focusing the "business" half of my brain on two areas: branding, myself and my shop, and marketing, my shop and my little creations. these are the tips i had to share with those in attendance at the "how to be an etsy seller" workshop...

when it comes to branding yourself, think about the image you want your shop to portray, the type of customer you are looking to attract, and the level of refinement you desire as a business owner.

• be creative, but not confusing with your shop name. (though 'crepe confectionary' often gets requests for crepes...to which i must regretfully inform the inquirer that i only make those on saturday mornings and they're not for sale...)
• be consistent! use the same name/logo across any websites, including blogs.
• develop a logo and create a shop banner. a logo is a great way to leave a lasting impression with browsers and customers.
• make or purchase business cards or ATCs (artist trading cards), and ALWAYS have them with you. don't be afraid to hand them to people - you are your own marketing department!
• create your own packaging theme and stick to it. customers love when they receive a package that has been carefully and thoughtfully wrapped. it reflects your own level of professionalism, as well as demonstrates the worth of your product.
• surprise your customers with a small token of appreciation for their purchase (i.e. a small photo if you're a photographer, extra scrap supplies, postcards, etc). this will keep your customers coming back, fo sho!

so you have a product, you have an etsy shop, and you're ready to go, right? nope. lol.

marketing yourself is key. sure, your store will get some traffic from the casual etsy browser, but you should strive to build a following, because those are the customers that will continue to support you. etsy is a community more than anything else. to be successful there, you need to be personable and willing to connect to your fellow craftspeople/artisans, as well as your customers. furthermore, you need to be the face of your shop and product. etsy buyers shop on etsy because they desire handmade, quality, one of a kind items, and they want to know from whom they are purchasing.

• create a blog. a blog is a great way to introduce yourself and your product to the world. talk about your inspiration, your creative process, your hobbies, your favorite recipes, whatever! provide tutorials and contests to keep your readers interested.
• network with other etsy sellers and creative bloggers. you would be surprised how many etsy sellers are also etsy buyers. look for other shop owners who have 'hearted' you, and 'heart' them back, or send them a message thanking them for their support.
• read and comment on blogs that you feel capture readers suited to your ideal customer. people will notice you, and the blogger may even give you a shout out on his/her blog. this is a great way to increase traffic to your shop.
• participate in your local community. look for other local etsy sellers, and get to know them. being your own boss and running your own shop can be a great way to make some money, but it can also be quite isolating. furthermore, your fellow artisans/shopkeepers can be excellent resources and wonderful free advertising.

whew! this turned out to be a marathon post, no? lol...well, nonetheless, i hope this was helpful to any of you readers out there who are on the fence about taking the next step with your hobby. i can only speak for myself, but my experience thus far has been nothing but positive. remember, you reap what you sow, so opening an etsy shop can be as simple as a side project for extra cash, or you can be like me, and decide to see if you have the guts to do something that really tests your limits, but feeds your soul. the beauty is, it's all up to you...

what about you? do you have a tip to share? a question you need answering? have you opened an etsy shop recently? i'd love to hear what your experiences have been like...post a comment and feel free to plug your shop or your site or your own blog!

i've been a wickedly busy witch...

a terror-filled tray of ghastly goodies...

its been a frighteningly full week of flurry and activity here behind the scenes of The Crepe Confectionary. between filling orders for the shop, readying a special, spooky package for my swap partner, and helping with my wonderful sister in law's leukemia benefit, its a wonder i had the energy to crawl into bed last night...and oh yeah, friday was my 5th wedding anniversary!

a creepy coffin full of gothic delights should be making its way to michigan right now...

let's begin with my spine tingling swap package, shall we? i crafted this large coffin gift box out of some cardboard boxes, wrapping it in brown paper and spraying it with a couple of coats of black paint. a gothic gravestone angel, some black roses, and some black satin ribbon adorn the box full of ghastly treats for my Altered Art Junkies Wicked Halloween Swap partner, Debra in michigan. this was my first time participating in an art/craft swap, and i have to say that despite my level of crazy activity and responsibilities this halloween season, i really enjoyed getting a package full of lovely handmade goodies in exchange for my own. it was really neat to see what other people busy their hands with in their creative off time (and i do promise to addend this post soon with pics of what i received from Debra). inside the coffin, i 'upholstered' it with aubergine satin and ribbon trim before adding other handmade tricks and treats. i think my favorite piece ended up being an embellished frame holding a holographic image of a victorian lady that turns evil in the blink of an eye. a tried my hand at sculpting with paper mache clay crete for the first time, in an attempt to sculpt a gravestone angel. honestly, i did not enjoy working with the clay crete, as i found that no matter how careful my mixing and kneading, i could not make the resulting clay smooth. i was really very unhappy with the final texture of the clay, but did find that adding a few coats of acrylic paint helped to minimize that undesirable finish. i also included a canister for her witch's kitchen that i made using a paper mache box and a suitable label. however, for now, i'd like to keep the rest a secret until i know she has received it...

kathleen & my younger brother, craig at her benebration held yesterday at Holiday Valley Ski Resort

the other project consuming my time this past week was my sister in law's first 'benebration' to help launch her foundation for leukemia research, the Gotta Kiss Cancer Goodbye foundation. kathleen was diagnosed with acute lymphoctyic leukemia back in january after an emergency room visit for chest pain. thankfully, her journey thus far has been without complication. however, as a former oncology resident in training, i am full aware of the road that still lies ahead for her. despite her diagnosis, and her life's upheaval, kathleen, being the wonderfully caring and giving person that she is, has begun a foundation to help fight leukemia and fund research. amidst frequent chemotherapy, low white blood cell counts, and side effects, kathleen planned one of the largest, most well-organized charity events i have witnessed. the turn out was astounding (though it is easy to understand why), the donations were plenty, and the love and warmth for kathleen and her family was so evident.

the prize ribbon style badges i made for kathleen's benebration. she gave them to the cancer survivors who were present.

kathleen requested some custom prize ribbon style badges from the shop. she wanted them to say "i KISSED cancer goodbye!", and be made representing her foundation colors -- orange, because it is the color for leukemia, and pink, just because. the glittered, smooching lips are part of her foundation logo. the badges were a big hit. my donation of halloween items from the shop, however, did not (insert chuckle here). kathleen wanted to offer all types of auctions at the event, and boy did she follow through. there was a live auction of high end items (complete with a live auctioneer), a chinese basket auction, a silent auction of items donated from local gift shops, AND an art auction of pieces donated by local artists. i wanted to do my part, so kathleen asked if i would donate some halloween items from The Crepe Confectionary shop for the silent auction. so i whipped up some crafty love for her, boxed it up, and took it down to the benebration.

The Crepe Confectionary display for the silent auction at the "Gotta Kiss Cancer Goodbye" benebration

as someone who loves kathleen dearly, i was thrilled to be able to use my talents to help her cause; but as a new proprietor of a shop, i also knew that this would be an excellent opportunity to showcase my wares and pass out my cards (and kath encouraged this greatly). the display area was tight, but there were plenty of window shoppers. needless to say, when the silent auction closed at 4:30, there was not a single bid on my lot. i was so disappointed...i was hoping it would go for at least a few dollars above the value to contribute to the foundation's start up. not only that, but to know that not a single person had bid on my items was also a blow to my creative self esteem. right away, i began to second guess myself and my abilities, i heard that voice in my head telling me i was crazy to think that i could translate my creative abilities into a career in which could one day support myself and a family.

i did that for about twenty minutes or so, and then i stopped. what i was doing was self-sabotaging, and i recognized it right away. i have a long history of silly sabotage maneuvers in my past, but when i chose to begin walking a different path in life, i saw that this was one character flaw i just had to work on. so what i do, quite honestly, when that little voice in my head starts criticizing and feeling all inferior, is immediately conjure up an opposing little voice (how very george costanza of me, right?). it works like a mantra for me, claming my worries and giving me a moment to put things into perspective. i willfully manufacture a positive attitude in my mind, giving myself that little pep talk i need to pick up and move on to the next task at hand. and of course, i did learn a few things about myself and my business from this experience. i learned that i am capable of cranking out some serious craft in a frighteningly short amount of time when i want to (more like need to). i learned that not every venue or audience is going to be a good fit for you or your product. although i knew i would get adoring compliments (and i did), it was evident that either my customer wasn't in the crowd or it just wasn't the right time or place for what i had to offer. on the bright side, i did make a few new customer connections by handing out my cards. now, had i not donated my efforts and handiwork, it certainly would not have been appropriate to pass out my cards at such an event. craft shows where i'm browsing and shopping? hell yes! benebrations minus the auction donation? hell no.

i took a chance. i crafted my ass off. i contributed to my dear sister in law's smile that day by bringing her good work that she was just smitten with. i further defined my limits and borders as a small, but growing business. i honed my skills, my craft, and my image, and i think that anytime a business owner/craftsperson can do that, it can be invaluable. and finally, i realized, amidst this crazy, hectic pace of life and work and creativity and being, that i am truly, wonderfully happy with my choice to do what i am doing. its not cancer research or internal medicine, i know; been there, done that. but i toiled away happily until 4:30 a.m. and beyond on more than one night this past week, and i haven't done that since my architecture school days. can i do this for the foreseeable future, at this pace, and be happy? yes, i believe quite certainly that i can.