The little birds...

If you watch little birds you will see they are busy and happy! Using whatever they can find they create the most gorgeous little nest.
I would be the little bird with some glittery thread in her nest!
We can be like this. Happily working away with the things that are available to us to create a beautiful and happy home.
All the while with a little song in our heart.

Banner by Free Pretty Things for You.

Sunday 18 November 2018

Catching up with Show and Tell, Part 6.

Our Show and Tell has caught us up a lot with what many of us have been making.  We also touched on lots of things i.e. making things can fill the present cupboard but also save money, be fun, help others, help charity and so much more!  This year I have noticed quite a few of us have launched small businesses to bring in an income as well... or expanded on ones already up and running.  Increasing your skills gives you lots of options and options are good!

I am turning this post over to Kelsey as she achieved her goal of starting an Etsy shop and her story is really encouraging and I hope it helps others!  


   I have loved crafting since I was a little girl. I would often have projects scattered across the kitchen table as I kept my friends and relatives supplied with handmade cards, pictures and magnets for their refrigerators, paper chains, painted rocks, you name it!  As a young teen, I learned to knit and sew.  Unfortunately when I got older, crafting was pushed aside, and by the time I got married I felt it didn't have a place among my more "practical" homemaking duties. It wasn't until I discovered Annabel's blog that I realized how wrong I was!



    As I became a regular Bluebirds reader (and after devouring all of her past posts!), I saw all of the beautiful things Annabel made for her home and loved ones and how beautifully they were presented.  When she started the Christmas Challenge and Show and Tell, I was further inspired with the photos and stories from ladies all across the world sharing things they had created. Everyone was using their diverse talents to bless others with homemade gifts and build up their homes. It was all beautiful and practical, and a regular part of their homemaking. I knew I needed to start crafting again.




    I began making my own cards and gifts and sending pictures in for Show and Tell. Everyone was so encouraging with their comments on my work, and friends were saying how they loved receiving my handmade gifts, wrapping and all!  The more I made, the more my confidence grew and a few people would say, "You could sell these!"  After a while, I really began to consider it.
    With our move to the ranch, my husband starting a new career, and then having a baby, I knew I couldn't commit to selling at markets and fairs, time-wise or cost-wise.  I didn't have a lot of space for inventory, or funds for big start up costs, and my schedule was always changing as our son grew.  I needed to be flexible, knowing that my home and family would always be my top priority.  I began to dream of an Etsy store.  This would allow me to make things as my time and budget allowed, and if I needed to, I could walk away from it for a while. I also wouldn't need to leave my home, which was huge for me! I did lots of research, praying, and discussing it with my husband. I decided it was really something I wanted to pursue and I started the process of opening Spring Creek Loft (named by my husband after setting up my wonderful crafting space in our previously unused loft!)



    Plans were pushed back several times as different circumstances came up.  I also had my doubts about whether my work was good enough to sell, if people would want to buy it, if I really had the time, if I could handle the taxes and business aspect of it, etc. I felt my photography and computer skills were lacking, too. With all of these disheartening thoughts, I was reminded of the servant in the Bible, who through fear, buried the talent his master gave him instead of increasing it and prospering. I also thought of the Proverbs 31 woman, who through her skills and industry, blessed and prospered her household with things she made and even sold.  She did all of this without fear.  With this in mind along with so much encouragement from family and friends, I didn't give up.  Annabel talks often about learning new things.  I decided I would take whatever obstacles I faced one at a time and learn from them.  After months of research, creating inventory, taking photos, ordering shipping supplies, and putting the final touches on my page, I finally opened my Etsy shop in September 2018! It is a dream come true!




    In researching opening an Etsy store, one recurring piece of advice was that you have to love what you do, and I truly do.  My theme at Spring Creek Loft comes from the very thing that inspired me to start crafting again--gift giving!  I sell cards, tags, gift card envelopes, clothes pins, jar toppers, and recipe cards.  Soon I hope to add gift bag sets.  All of my products reflect my lifestyle and things I enjoy, such as flowers, gardening, country living, hand-written letters, cooking, baking, and crafting. Each of my products is a labor of love. Early in the morning, late at night, and during nap time, I am up in the loft happily crafting away.  It has been a blessing to me and hopefully it is to others as well.


    I would like to thank Annabel and everyone who has encouraged me over the years with their kindness, encouragement, and friendship. You have been a big influence and help in many areas of my life, and my Etsy goal wouldn't have been accomplished without all of your support and lovely comments.  Thank you so much!!


Well done Kelsey! Your story is very encouraging!  I love your Scripture quotes.  I think of the Proverbs verse about how a skilled workman will come to know Kings!  Skills give you options!  We must work on our skills.   No one falls out of bed and is a skilled craftsman on day one.  All skills need practice and work.  I often hear someone say they are no good at this or that... yet in truth they tried it once or twice.   While we all will have natural gifts and talents leaning more in some directions these will still take practice and work work work!


With Christmas coming I wanted to have a post with some of our Etsy shops and other businesses.  It has also become too expensive to post internationally so now I choose my gifts from the country they are going to and postage becomes a non issue!   Please someone tell me you have a business in New Zealand.... I have no one selling that I know in NZ!  


Kelsey's store is called  Spring Creek Loft which you can find here.  Already a lot of Bluebirds have supported her and helped her! 

If you have a business (and I can think of many of you who do!) please post your details and link in comments.  Over on Facebook which is here you can also share a link, photos and anything about your store or business.... so we will have a little Bluebirds business directory.  I am hoping we all might do some Christmas shopping this way and also like and promote each others pages etc.


Thank you Kelsey!  Thank you everyone for a great Show and Tell! xxx







 
    


    

19 comments:

  1. What a fabulous testimonial from Kelsey, so inspiring. I particularly connected with the part where she shared all her fears and doubts. I have wanted to have an Orchard for years, but I was plagued by doubts and "what if's" it wasn't until I attended a Sustainable Houses Open Day, and visited a home with a proper Orchard that my dream turned to fervent desire, I decided to just do it, and I have thus far planted two tree's with two more in the pipeline. In the future I hope to bottle and preserve my produce, and sell it. I haven't known such happiness for years as I have in the past couple of months since I started my Orchard, it must be right.

    Good on you Kelsey!

    From Cheryl - asimplygoodlife.blogspot.com
    (Sorry to answer anonymously, I'm having terrible trouble commenting on posts lately!)

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    1. Dear Cheryl,
      I am so glad you started your orchard! I think the hardest part sometimes is getting past all those fears and doubts and just starting. I visited your blog and read your story. I can see in your writing how happy this dream has made you! It sounds wonderful to me. I think it's great, too, that you were able to visit another orchard and see things in action. It helps when you see it CAN be done, and now you know where to go with any questions you might have! Great job, Cheryl! I'm looking forward to seeing the fruits of your labor!!
      Love, Kelsey

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  2. just had a quick look at Kelsey's shop, very nice! i hope your shop does very well for you, they are all very pretty!
    good luck
    thanx for sharing

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    1. Dear Selina,
      Thank you so much for visiting my shop and encouraging me today!
      Love, Kelsey

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  3. Kelsey, what an inspiring post and your work is beautiful! I know you will do well with your Etsy shop. Annabel, what a good idea to order gifts for someone from the country the recipients live in to avoid the huge postal expenses. Postal costs have been something that has been an issue for me for quite some time.

    My Etsy shop is Pillowcases by Patsi and has a similar beginning as Kelsey. Right now I am sewing up Christmas pillowcases as fast as I can with orders waiting to be stitched. I have plans to add silk pillowcases and small 'throw pillow' type pillowcases for those smaller pillows we all keep on our couches. I was also gifted a Cricut Maker machine and plan to incorporate that into my pillowcase making. I have so many ideas! This has been a year of learning and I look forward to 2019 with my little shop. Here's the link to my Etsy shop … https://www.etsy.com/shop/Pillowcasesbypatsi

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    Replies
    1. Dear Patsi,
      Thank you so much! Your shop and story have been a big inspiration to me. Seeing you start up Pillowcases by Patsi gave me that extra nudge, and I knew it was something I wanted to be doing too, like Cheryl's visit to the orchard in the comment above.
      I can't wait to see what other things you add and how you incorporate your Cricut. I have favorited your shop so I see when you get new items in :) I, for one, would LOVE to buy a silk pillowcase from you. I have wanted one since Annabel mentioned how lovely they are, but I haven't been able to find any silk, and I've never sewn with it. So yes, please add those!
      I wish you all the best with your shop, Patsi, and thank you so much for encouraging me with mine!
      Love, Kelsey

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  4. Such beautiful work! I'm always so inspired by seeing the work and creativity of others; it makes me wonder what I'm capable of. Maybe next year when my daughter goes to school full-time...

    I love those cards with the Mason jars on them! Thanks for adding beauty to the world with your creations. :)

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    1. Dear Stephanie,
      What a lovely thing to say, thank you!
      I hope you start crafting! It is my way of relaxing and being productive at the same time. And you may never know what you can do until you try! Just a word of caution: you'll be hooked!
      Thank you for your comment!
      Love, Kelsey

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  5. Kelsey,

    What a wonderful write-up about the beginnings of your crafty business! I love your set-up in your craft space and your tags and cards are so lovely! It is nice to "go to work" and absolutely love what you do!! I wish you every success!

    Lots of love,

    Jen in NS

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    Replies
    1. Dear Jen,
      Thank you so much! Yes, I really do love it. Thank you for sharing so much of what you have created, too, in the past show and tells. Your work always stands out to me and I can tell by the beauty and quality of your work that you enjoy it too! Thanks for your encouragement!
      Love, Kelsey

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  6. Congratulations Kelsey on your new business! It takes a lot of faith, determination, and perseverance to run a business and you will do great. Your gift items are lovely. Your talent is a blessing; you are wise to use it and not waste it as many do.
    I pray for the very best for you going forward.
    Love and hugs,
    Glenda

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    Replies
    1. Dear Glenda,
      Thank you for such a wonderful comment and your prayers. I do believe I will copy it down and put it on my bulletin board in the loft if you don't mind. Thank you for your kind words of encouragement!
      Love, Kelsey

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  7. Kelsey I hope you start a cowboy range for little people. I remember a gift you and Colton made for a baby boy that was simply gorgeous. Your work shines with the love with which it was made.

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    1. Jane this is a genius idea!

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    2. Dear Jane,
      Thank you! It makes me smile to know you remember that gift. Yes, I will definitely be adding items for the young 'uns. Cowboy themed things will be inevitable I think! I am working on a custom order for a friend who has asked for clothes pins with horses and flowers for her little girls!
      Thank you for your kind words, and for always sharing here on the blog. You are part of that inspiration I wrote about!
      With love, Kelsey

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  8. Congratulations on starting your business Kelsey and thanks for sharing your story. Your work is beautiful. It is very inspiring to hear how you overcame your fears and doubts. Wishing you every success. Cheers, Kelly

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  9. Dear Kelly,
    Thank you so much for reading and for your words of encouragement!
    Love, Kelsey

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  10. Kelsey, I am sure your etsy store will do well. Your work is always beautiful. Every item made with such love and care.
    Love, Kaye

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  11. Congratulations, Kelsey! I know you will do well. Still enjoying my clips and tags from our Bluebird swap. ;)

    Blessings,
    Leslie

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I really appreciate your comments thank you! The aim of my blog is the be a place of encouragement and happiness. Very rarely is anyone rude. Actually only twice so far! If you post a rude or aggressive comment I will read it but not publish it, thanks for understanding.xxx

Spam is never published... if you are advertising a product or selling website your comment wont be published. I am inundated with stuff about drugs, horses and weird things! I am not going to publish this stuff! Thank you.