Move Mountains In Your Home
I have to tell you a funny story that relates to this post. When I was at the breakfast event in Houston, I had the chance to speak with many women about how my business started and grew...how it's dramatically exceeded every expectation I had. When I finished telling the story at one table, the woman I was sitting next to look at me with a puzzled face. "So, when did you do the counter … [Read more...]
In my business I've had to make some tough decisions. The hardest thing for me is to say no and to set limits. I want to fly as high as my wings can carry me and I don't want to be limited by things like sleep and time to crash on the sofa to watch a movie. I love my work and I love being productive, so it's hard for me to sit, be still and rest. It's hard for me to see the great potential … [Read more...]
On April 7, 2012, I shared some of my dreams for the future. One of those dreams included having my own product line. Here's what I said... "I love the idea of creating my own line some day. A line of what? I’m not sure. Maybe furniture? Accessories? Fabric? Again, I’m really open to how that idea transpires. I do have a few specific ideas, but I’ll keep those on the DL … [Read more...]
I think that stories are a powerful thing. I love hearing a good story about how someone got from point a to point b. There's something encouraging about it. If she can do it, maybe I could too. I've asked some of my friends and fellow entrepreneurs to share their story and now it's time to hear from Ann of Sutton Place Designs. She is one of my sponsors, but this is not a sponsored … [Read more...]
Well, I am back home from taking a week vacation to the shores of Maine with my family. I've been blogging for over three years and haven't gone "unplugged" for that long and it was about time! There are all sorts of reasons why I haven't taken the time off, but the main one is that I LOVE what I do. I love this blog, selling antiques, painting furniture, taking pictures, shopping, social … [Read more...]
The next amazing entrepreneur I'd like to feature is my sweet friend, Jami of Freckled Laundry. We became friends almost two years ago and it has been so inspiring watching her business, ideas and confidence blossom. This is a real mom of three kids (one set of twins) who has stepped out and pursued her dreams with purpose. I'm so excited that she took the time to share her story and her … [Read more...]
After over three years of blogging, I'm finally taking a week off. I'll still have posts going up this week, but I am going as "unplugged" as possible. I decided to bring in a few of my business-savvy friends to share some words of wisdom with all of my entrepreneurial readers out there. I know many of you enjoyed the business series I posted a while ago and add to here and there, so I … [Read more...]
If you're a risk -taker, a work-horse, a dream-chaser or a go-getter, you know that it can be tough to find your limits. You always feel like you can do more and it'll all work out. Some can, but I think most people who fit into that category think they can and then they get burned out. There have been times in the four years I've been doing business when I've been burnt out, but it's always … [Read more...]
I had a little idea a few months ago. It was just an idea to have milk paint colors I loved in cute packaging. I kicked that idea over to Homestead House Paint Co. and they thought it sounded like a good idea. Well, I announced this little idea on my blog and it has exploded! We're about to launch the paint line with 80 retailers around the US and a few in Canada and one in the UK. Plus we … [Read more...]
I wish getting ready for a fair just involved putting on a cute sundress and taking some cash out for ice cream, but I'm not talking about simply going to a fair. I'm talking about being a vendor at a fair and that involves a lot more. First of all, I tip my hat to those who show at fairs regularly...like almost every weekend of the year. I don't know how you do it. I do one fair a year and it … [Read more...]
I receive a lot of questions through comments and e-mail and one of the things I'm asked most about is pricing. When you're selling pieces as a part of your business, how do you know what number you should put on the tag? I wish I could just throw out a perfect formula like investment + labor + desired profit = price, but it’s much more of a “soft” thing for me. It’s a gut feel. And … [Read more...]
The other day, one of my readers asked what my dreams were for the future and I thought it would be nice to share the answer in a post instead of a comment. Before I share my dreams for the future, I'm going to share a bit about the past. Many of you know my story. In short, my business was started out of the desire to add a little income to the family budget. I didn't have any big dreams … [Read more...]
As I shared in my post yesterday, I've been feeling drained lately. I usually feel that way after any big creative endeavor. I'm always toast after the Lucketts Antique Market, the Christmas Open House left me in a creative coma for a couple of days and I'm usually useless after I finish a large round of freelance projects. I was in serious need of a creative jolt today, so I decided to … [Read more...]
I've been asked on a few occasions to share pictures of the ornaments I painted when I first started my business three years ago. I always felt a little embarrassed to show them, so I haven't. They're not really my style, but I decided to keep the ones I didn't sell. I knew they were a part of the history of my business and great reminders that often times success comes out of failures … [Read more...]
This phrase is usually about something negative. Oh, like...I lost 35 lbs, but now I'm right back where I started. Not that I have any idea at all what that feels like. But in this case, it's a great thing. Many of you ask how I do all of the things I do. When I sleep. Is my energy for sale. Am I bionic. (I'm double-jointed, but I'm not sure that does anything for me other than … [Read more...]
Before I get into it, I wanted to share that The Lucketts Store Blog is currently running a gift card giveaway through Saturday. If you aren't close enough to shop at Lucketts (in Leesburg, VA), you can enter to win a "prize package" that will include one of my ornaments in addition to more shippable goodies from other vendors. My life as an antiques dealer has been an interesting one. It's … [Read more...]
When I first started my business about three years ago, I basically had no budget. Now, my wee little no-budget, counter top business has grown far beyond expectations and beyond what I can handle myself. I've struggled over the last year to know what to drop, what to outsource and how to best prioritize. The time finally came when I realized that, while I need to be the driving creative … [Read more...]
I am such a bad blogger. I've been so busy on other things that I forgot to announce the winners of Miss Mustard Seed's Wuslu Pick of the Month (the small pedestal with glass cloche) The winners are...Miss Kitty of Miss Kopy KatDeeGeeRNandMelanie, anonymous, but left an e-mail. Congratulations! Yasmin from Wuslu will be contacting you about your prize.About 3 1/2 … [Read more...]
I've tried to write this post many times. It just seems to be a tough one to write. One that could be misunderstood, but I kept coming back to it, so I'm just going for it. I get a lot of e-mail. Some people need help with paint or furniture or a room. Some have comments or stories to share. I love them all, but my very favorite are the e-mails from women who are sharing how their … [Read more...]
We've all seen the ads... "BE YOUR OWN BOSS!" ...and then there is an image of a girl slammin' a bikini by a pool, drinking lemonade, then playing tennis, then driving a hot convertible, then living in a mansion. I'm waiting for someone to make an ad that shows images of someone in paint splattered work clothes, then in a basement office, then pecking away at a keyboard, then cruisin' … [Read more...]
First off, I am really, really excited to announce that one of my video tutorials, Waxes 101, has been transcribed for the hearing impaired by a wonderful lady named Laurie. She saw that I wanted to offer that and volunteered to transcribe my video tutorials. She does it professionally and it was so amazing for her to offer her talents to serve others. We're hoping to get the slipcover … [Read more...]
If you don't like seeing pictures of my living room...avert your eyes. Pictures of my living room is all you're going to get today. Whenever I finish a lot of work for other people, whether it's custom stuff (which I really don't do anymore) or making a lot of things to sell or writing a lot of tutorials, I get an itch to be creative in my own home. See, when I'm busy … [Read more...]
A lot of people have supported and encouraged me in my business, but I never would've taken the plunge without my mom. My husband always helps me with woodworking projects, moving furniture, running errands, proof reading articles, brainstorming, watching the kids, and setting goals. My Dad encourages me, was one of my investors and sat with me in the rain at last years May fair. … [Read more...]
I started my blog at the urging of my friend/web designer and a bit of a whim. I really didn't know what I was in for. I had no idea......I would have to be a hand model. This is a cruel twist, because I do not use lotions or cuticle creams. I do not give myself manicures or pay someone else to do them. My nails are always uneven or cut really short, so I can … [Read more...]
I was looking through my old posts to gather everything I had written about pricing furniture pieces and I came across this half-written post. I decided it was a good day to dust it off and finish it. The economy has hit a lot of families hard and SAHMs are trying to find ways to help out. Here are some thoughts on starting a business on a teeny tiny budget. I know you're out there. … [Read more...]
