Archive for Great Finds!
Ahhh, The Possibilities!
Posted by: | CommentsI’ve been trying to plan regular times when I can make forays to the local thrift stores to search for unique (and cheap!) crafting supplies, items that just need a little TLC to be loved again and things I can “upcycle” in to something new. I’ve scored big lately on finding pretty decent picture frames I can rework in to door decor, home decor and message or inspiration boards. So, I’m making a solid plan to hit up the thrift stores that are within easy driving distance from where I work on a more regular basis. My lunch hour is perfect for making a quick stop to any of the several stores that are fairly close to my office. Today’s trip took me to Goodwill where I scored the funkiest, 70′s era monstrosity of a lamp you have EVER seen. I spied it while perusing the shelves for some glass globes I can make yard lighting out of, and HAD to have it so badly that I almost ran a guy over with my shopping cart in my haste! Seriously, check out the funkiness: (feel free to ignore my mess of a garage. Supplies for several projects are lurking in there….and probably a mouse or two!)
70's Kitsch
Awesomesauce!
Bring on the funk!
I cannot begin to tell you how GREAT this lamp is, and I know the pictures don’t do it justice. It’s really something you just have to experience in person! The lights inside vary in height, I guess to resemble candles, and the glass panels are removable so you can reach in to change the bulbs. I can’t WAIT to get started cleaning this up and refurbishing it! I’ll let y’all know how it turns out!
Sugar Scrubs, Yay!
Posted by: | CommentsI’ve been struggling with finding a sugar scrub recipe that I really liked, and even tweaking ones I found on the Internet wasn’t working for me….until a couple weeks ago. As I tweeted a few days back, I’ve finally found a winner!
Not too oily, because I don’t like salt and sugar scrubs that are basically vats of oil, with a cup of sugar thrown in to save you from just pouring oil all over yourself. Not that there’s anything wrong with pouring oil on yourself, or someone else………ok, this post is going in a different direction than originally intended. 
My point is, despite my roundabout way of getting to it, is that the product is called a SCRUB….so I think it should actually help with exfoliation, as the name implies. The oil contained in it is great, and I want the skin softening effect, too, but let’s don’t forget the reason I’m buying a scrub to begin with! So, as previously mentioned, the recipe I’m using is scrubby, but not TOO scrubby, and has just enough oil to soften, but not so much that my shower looks like something I’m going to have to call the EPA’s cleanup crews out for. It’s easy to make, easy to scent, throw it in the jar, and it’s done. Can’t beat that! Here’s a pic (I know, it’s just the jars….boring. Next time I make some I’ll take more detailed pictures of every step, but I didn’t think to do it this time….sorry!)
Better pics next time, I promise!
So, that’s been my Sunday so far. Now I’m off to put my carpet shampooer together so I can clean carpets and then head out to the grocery store to fill our bare pantry! How’s your Sunday?
And MORE New Soaps!
Posted by: | CommentsThe soap molds I mentioned yesterday are really working out great. I like them so far, although I do need to figure out the lining issue. I think I’m going to try parchment paper next time, as the plastic wrap I’ve been using is not really working for me.
I made more soaps, which I’m very pleased with! These came out a little bigger because I used more soap base than the first batch. The molds hold up to 5 pounds of MP soap base, and I used the full capacity this time. The first batch was only 4 pounds of base. These are Coconut Lime Verbena. What do you think?
Here are a couple of pictures of the finished product. I like how these turned out even better than the first batch. I can’t wait to make more soaps with my new loaf molds! I’m planning to make a coffee-scented “kitchen” soap with embedded coffee grounds, and some lavender with, of course, lavender buds in it! I’m not sure how I’m going to accomplish embedding botanicals in my soaps, but I’ll figure it out!
And here are a couple pictures of the molds, I thought you might be interested in seeing them.
I got a set of 3 molds and each holds 4 – 5 pounds of soap base. One of the molds has a slot cut in it for slicing the soap. My next big project is going to be making a soap slicer, tho, because slicing is hell!
You can see the wing nuts a little better in this one. They’re used to tighten up the long screws that run through each end and the middle to keep the sides snug against the bottom and ends. The mold fully disassembles for taking the finished soap out.
Well, there you go! Once again, have a happy and safe Memorial Day!
Inspiration…
Posted by: | CommentsI’ve been thinking a lot lately about what inspires me, what gives me ideas…from the colors I use for my labels, literature, website and logo, to the smells that invoke some long-forgotten memory, and the visuals that give me a sense of where I want to go….with my company, my plans to open a shop, and my life.
To that end, I visited my first ever Etsy Dallas Jingle Bash a few weeks ago. It was loud and crowded, but I saw so many talented artists there! If you’re in Dallas in early November, I urge you to visit the Jingle Bash for unique gifts and art, all handmade. They also do a Spring Bash in late April or early May, which I’m planning to attend. I think it’ll be fun!
I ran across these wonderful soaps from The Pig and The Peacock. They smell delicious and are gorgeous to look at! I’m definitely going to buy more when I’ve used my stash of soaps up. They also offer lotions, bath salts, body polishes, and candles, among other items…..all in the most DIVINE scents!
I’m sorry for the bad picture quality, I took them with my phone.
Also made some soaps recently, for my mom for Christmas, they’re Lavender scented. It’s her favorite, so I’m making her some bath salts and wickless candles in it, too, and I’m going to package them all together in a basket.
I’m very excited about my last bit of news! I was nominated as one of The Little Black Box’s Favorite Contributors of 2010. You can vote for me here!
Project Management Guidebook
Posted by: | CommentsIn pursuit of getting organized and accomplishing my earlier post on setting up a marketing plan for my business this year, I was searching through folders on my computer to find printable calendars I can put in a binder. I’m a huge hoarder of downloadables, many from Microsoft’s Office Templates site (which is GREAT, check it out!), but also from various other websites I’ve come across in my many searches on everything from home businesses to recipes. I ran across an interesting e-book I downloaded from Method123.com, called the Project Management Guidebook. While a lot of the information is specific to industrial projects, such as construction, I think there’s plenty for the home-based crafter just starting out in business. I will definitely use it to help me think more objectively about my goals and how to reach them, and to think in a more linear pattern, something I have trouble with sometimes. There’s a glossary at the end that outlines all the key terms in the book and it’s laid out in an easy to read and understand fashion. Feel free to download it from my link, but please respect the author’s distribution and copyright.
Have a great evening!
41 Home Party Theme Ideas!
Posted by: | CommentsI found this interesting article by Shelly Hill at e-oferte.com, and I must admit I have NO idea what the site is about. Nevertheless, the article is informative and has some GREAT ideas for themed home parties! Enjoy!
Direct Sales – 41 Home Party Theme Ideas!
If you are in Direct Sales, you have probably noticed how popular theme home parties have become. These days hosts are looking for something different. We have all been to those parties where a consultant just stands up there and shows you her business products, but these days, those type of parties are becoming less appealing. Hosts now want an interactive and fun theme party. I have compiled a list of some very popular theme ideas for you to consider the next time you are demonstrating a party for your Direct Sales home business.
1. Home Organization: These days, everyone is looking to downsize and to get better organized. If you are with a company that offers products that a customer can use to get better organized, then consider using this theme.
2. Couples Cooking Class: A lot of couples enjoy cooking, baking and grilling together. If you are with one of the Kitchen or Gourmet Food company’s this is a fun theme just for couples.
3. Men Only Cooking Class: I have found that a lot of men enjoy being in the kitchen. If you can find a male party host, this would be a great theme to do, so that they can invite all of their ‘male’ friends to the cooking class.
4. Girls Night In Slumber Party: This theme idea will work for most of the direct sales home businesses. Girls are always looking for a reason to get together.
5. Home Daycare Owners: Millions of women run daycares out of their home and they make excellent hosts. They know plenty of parents to invite to their party plus they can invite other local daycare providers. This is a great theme if you sell children’s products as daycare providers are always looking for new things for their daycares so why not let them earn some free products by hosting a home show.
6. Children Only, Gift Shopping Event: This is better done with Cash and Carry Products. Invite the children over to your home to shop for a Gift for Mom and Grandma. You can get cheap wrapping paper and some crafting supplies at the dollar store and have them make a Greeting Card too!
7. Treat Your Mom: You have the guests bring their mothers with them to the show. Have your host serve appetizers and beverages.
8. Mystery Hostess Open House: I always recommend that new Direct Sales Consultants start out by hostessing their very own open house event. Every guest who attends your open house and makes a purchase will be entered into a special drawing where they will be named the host (if they are the winner) and will earn all of the free hostess goodies and gifts.
9. Bridal Shower Party: If your host is getting married soon, consider turning the home show into a Bridal Shower. This works well if you are with a home decor company or a kitchen company.
10. Baby Shower Gathering: If you know someone who is expecting a baby and you sell baby and children’s products, this would be a really nice theme to incorporate into your home show line-up.
11. Partying For Charity: Have a party to raise money for charitable organizations or donate the free items that the hostess would earn to a womens shelter, low income family, etc.
12. Open House Weekend Cash and Carry: This is a great theme if you have a lot of product on hand, especially discontinued merchandise. I like to do these type of parties twice a year to just clean out my overstock. I always discount the products and make it a cash and carry weekend shopping event.
13. Best Friends Evening Out: (works best with bath and body products, candle, skincare and cosmetic products).
14. Quick and Easy Meals Taste Great: This theme works well for those who sell gourmet food products or if you are with a kitchen and food Direct Sales company.
15. Work Place Lunch Office Parties: (can also hold them at the workplace after work too!) Works great especially for the smaller privately owned businesses.
16. Sports Themed Tailgating Bash: If your host doesn’t mind asking her guests to each bring a food dish to the home show, try this theme around some of the big sporting events such as the NBA Playoffs, The Stanley Cup and The Super Bowl.
17. Movie and a Meal Night: Have your host provide the movie. Have the demonstration before the movie then let guests mingle, eat and watch the movie together while you finish up your party.
18. Ditch the Casual Wear and Bring out the Party Wear: If you are doing an all girls theme, try having them all dress up in their favorite dresses and gowns! What girl doesn’t love a reason to get dressed up?
19. The Good Old Days: Have guests dress up in 1960s and 1970s attire. Put the ‘groove’ back into partying! Dig out those bell bottom jeans and pointy collared shirts! Bring back Flower Power!
20. Italian Pizza Night: Have your host order a few pizzas. Have guests wear red, white and green which are the colors in the Italian National Flag.
21. Rainy Day, Kids Craft Day: (great for those in scrapbooking and paper crafts Direct Sales home businesses) Moms are always looking for things to keep kids busy on snowy and rainy days.
22. For Teachers Only: If your host is a teacher and you sell educational product for children, try hostessing a Teachers Only Party.
23. Sweet 16 Build Your Hope Chest Show: If you have a host who has a daughter who will be turning 16, you can try having this type of theme party if you sell home decor, houseware or kitchenware type of products.
24. Game Night for Guys and Party Night for Girls: This is great if you have a big enough home. Do it on a day that there is a big sporting event! All the guys in one room watching the game while the girls get together in another room.
25. Food On the Go: Works well if you are with one of the Kitchen Direct Sales Companys. Adults are always looking for ways to transport their food to work and back as well as packing school lunches for the kids.
26. Make Great Treats and Sweets for Bake Sales: Busy Moms are always looking for a way to make treats for all of those bake sales! Works really well with Parents of Elementary School Aged Children. You can contact the schools PTA and see if they would be interested in having you come to the school and doing this with the moms after one of their PTA meetings.
27. Moms on the Go Gym Show: Contact your local Fitness Gyms and see if you can come to the gym and do a show, set up a table or teach a class.
28. Beat the Clock: (these are fun to do on the days that we have time changes here in the USA) but you can do them any time. You can set it up that if guests order within 30 minutes of the party starting they get a 15% discount, at 45 minutes it drops down to 10%.
29. Auction Event with your Cash and Carry Products: A great way to unload all of your overstock merchandise and offer your customers a bargain at the same time.
30. A Cut Above the Rest: Great if you sell cutlery, food choppers, scissors or if you just sell stylish products.
31. Ice Cream Social: If you are holding a Ice Cream Social, make sure you have enough variety of ice cream toppings and ice cream available. Now who doesn’t love ice cream? This is a great theme during the Spring and Summer Months.
32. Kitchen Cooking and Household Solutions Party: If you are with company that offers kitchen products, household products and/or cleaning products, this might be a good theme for you to try out.
33. Pass the Catalog: Take a few catalogs and staple an order form to the backside. Have your host pass the catalog around at her church, workplace, meeting groups etc. Same concept as a catalog order party.
34. Community Work From Home Event: Use this more for recruiting, but you can also accept orders from those who attend your event. Part of growing your business is getting your business out in front of your community.
35. 5 Ingredients or Less: This would be appropriate for kitchen and food type of companies.
36. Moms on a Budget: During this type of home show you should only demo items that are $25 or less.
37. Multi-Consultant Neighborhood Event: Find other consultants who represent Non-Competing types of products in your community and hold one large event.
38. Adopt a Neighborhood Needy Family: Find a neighborhood family in need, (churches are great sources for this) and donate all of the freebie and 1/2 prices items that are earned during this event to the family.
39. Mans Best Friend: If you sell pet foods and supplies this is a great theme party for you.
40. New Moms Time Out Show: Invite all the new Mothers to attend your show. New moms need a break so giving them a few hours without the kids is something they look forward to.
41. Dieting Buddies: They say that losing weight is more successful if you have a dieting buddy. So if you sell gourmet foods, natural and healthy supplements, vitamins, or exercise equipment you can start a dieting buddies program.
Author: Shelly Hill
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Digital Camera Times
Quit Your Day Job….
Posted by: | Commentswith Etsy!
I just read an excellent article from the NY Times about Etsy’s Quit Your Day Job blog. I’ve had occasion to read the blog a few times, and I have to agree that it’s a great resource for beginning Etsy sellers (like me!) and even for seasoned sellers who need a little boost of motivation to take them to the next level. Here’s a link to the article, That Hobby Looks Like a Lot of Work. I hope you find it as inspiring as I did!
For more of Etsy’s Quit Your Day Job, go here. And don’t forget to check out all of Etsy’s great communities and blogs here and here! There’s really a wealth of information available.
While I’m plugging resources for crafters who want to start their own businesses selling their wares, let me also mention CraftsU, the new social and shopping site from James Dillehay. Sign up, it’s free! Don’t forget to “friend” Walking Leaf, I’ll be looking for you!
Have fun, and everyone please have a safe and happy holiday!
James Dillehay at Craftmarketer
Posted by: | CommentsI’ve been perusing craft blogs, sites, and other resources for making and selling handmade crafts lately. One website and newsletter that I ALWAYS enjoy is James Dillehay’s Craftmarketer Newsletter. His topics always include great, timely information and even if he’s not talking about a craft that’s specific to me, I’ve never received a newsletter that didn’t have SOME piece of useful information. Mr. Dillehay’s website is craftmarketer.com, chock FULL of great articles and links to help any crafter develop his or her business. Definitely sign up for the newsletter, and while you’re at the site, check out the back issues of newsletters, too. I just downloaded a special report from his website detailing some common myths of copyright infringement that promises to be a great read!
Mr. Dillehay also has a Twitter, and I believe a Facebook page, so check out those sites to network with him. You won’t be sorry you did!
Happy Crafting, and Merry Christmas to all!
Calling All Bloggers!
Posted by: | CommentsI’m very new to blogging, as you can probably tell! In an effort to make this blog more interesting (and generate more traffic, of course!) I’m inviting other bloggers to “guest post” here on Walking Leaf.
If you have a blog or website about crafting, handmade items, candles, bath and body crafts, secondhand shopping, recycling, eBaying, Etsy shopping, social networking for business, home based businesses, WAHMs, WAHDs, etc., feel free to submit an article to be published here! I reserve the right to accept or reject any submissions. You’ll be given full credit for your original content. Link exchanging also available!
Thanks!
