Running a Business Archives | Page 19 of 49

Running a Business

my business story

how my business began | part 1

I’ve shared about my business before and how it all began, but I haven’t shared the entire story. …and it’s time that I do. So, let’s go back to 2008. I was a youth pastor’s wife/stay-at-home mom of a 2-month-old and 17-month-old. The story of my life was diapers and bottles. And for someone who isn’t a “baby person”, it was really hard at times. On top of the strain that comes with little sleep and being “needed” all day long, our finances were tighter than they had ever been before. It wasn’t just that we didn’t have “fun money” or couldn’t go out to eat or take a vacation. We didn’t have cable TV or internet. I used to spend all day in the dark, lights turned out and everything unplugged that wasn’t in use. I would angst at the grocery store, calculator in hand, figuring out what we

August 1, 2015 112 Comments

a slice of life

thank you for your honesty

On the way down to Atlanta and back last week, Kriste and I listened to the first two audio books in the Divergent series. I’ve become a real fan of listening to “books on tape”, as I call them (and Jeff makes fun of me for it), when riding in the car for long periods of time. It makes the trip so enjoyable. The story brought up a conversation… which faction would you be in? Kriste answered without hesitation. “I would be in the happy farming community one.” Amity. I had to think about it for a minute. “I think I would be in Candor.” (And yes, I realize this whole conversation and the fact that I’m relaying it again on my blog, makes me a bit of a nerd at the moment, but hang in there with me!) Kriste raised her eyebrows. “Really?” The answer sort of surprised me, too. In

July 24, 2015 39 Comments

a slice of life

what do blog readers want?

…or, more specifically, what do you want from this blog? From me? “Stop reading minds and start asking questions.” These words were up on one of the slides that Jon Acuff, the keynote speaker at Haven, presented. His entire “talk” was awesome and encouraging. Just what I needed. But, those words were one of those inspirational nuggets that hit me like a ton of bricks. “…start asking questions.” No, no, no. You don’t want to ask an open-ended question like that on a blog, because the answers might be… well, hard to hear? Not what you’re hoping for? Maybe too raw and real and honest? So, I don’t ask the question and I carry on with making assumptions about what my readers want from me. And maybe I’m missing the mark. It’s been slowly creeping up on me – the realization that I don’t write like I used to. I used

July 20, 2015 345 Comments

buying & selling antiques

Lucketts lessons learned

Lucketts was a whole new ballgame this year. Not only was it extended to three days, with a VIP day on Friday, but the hours were longer. As I was preparing, I knew I needed to fill my booth like I never had before, so it wouldn’t look pathetic on Saturday after the Friday shoppers hit it. So, my preparations were more focused and intense than they had ever been. It all started back in March with weekly shopping trips to my favorite haunts and working on furniture that had been in “the studio stash.” I also started trolling Craig’s List daily and put the word out to other dealers I buy from that I’m gearing up for an event. I had some wonderful luck finding French chairs, but I was coming up empty when it came to dressers, buffets and small chests of drawers, which tend to sell best

May 26, 2015 27 Comments

All Things Home

Lucketts 2015 | more finds

I shared a few of my Lucketts finds yesterday and thought I would share the other two today. So, it’s Sunday afternoon at the market and things are a little slow. I had spent most of the day rearranging furniture as things sold and as sprinkles came and went. The rest of the time, I was hanging out in a folding chair or behind the counter. I finally wanted to take a stroll around with some pocket money to see if I could find any bargains. I already had my patio set and some ironstone, so I was just looking for small things that “spoke to me.” Kriste, Jeff and I headed down to a tent we hadn’t been to, but I bought an architectural blueprint from last year, so I know the vender usually has some cool things. We were chatting with the vendor and a tall, steel rack

May 21, 2015 52 Comments

buying & selling antiques

Lucketts Spring Market 2015 | video

Today would’ve been my day to finally crash, but we had to attend a training about nutrition and pump insulin therapy for my son with type 1 diabetes. We have been on a waiting list for this for months, so I didn’t want to reschedule. I knew I would be toast and I was, but it was worth pushing through for one more day. Tomorrow I’m going to sleep in, watch TV and have a much-needed lazy day. I have to be back in the studio on Wednesday, because I have some deadlines and events coming up, but I’m going to thoroughly enjoy a day without anything on the schedule. I still have a lot more to share about Lucketts…like what I’ve learned from this year, what I will change for next year and what’s left that’s still for sale. But, before I get into all of that, I wanted to show the

May 19, 2015 28 Comments

buying & selling antiques

Lucketts Spring Market 2015 | day one | part one

This post is mostly about the pictures, because I’m too tired to form the words. All I can say is that Lucketts this year was exhausting and really great all at once. I’ll tell you all about it soon. Until then, here are some pictures of my booth when it was all staged and ready for the gates to open Friday morning… I was so happy with how everything came together and we sold a TON of stuff! We do still have a decent amount left, so we will be selling the remaining pieces locally and online. We need a little chance to catch our breath, but then we’ll start getting that stuff posted. Thanks so much to everyone who came to shop and to those who made this event happen, including my amazing crew.

May 18, 2015 31 Comments

buying & selling antiques

Lucketts 2015 day two | what’s left

Day two of our first three day Lucketts Spring Market is done. Whew! The day started at 4:30 am, which is not my finest hour. My stomach hurts when I’m up that early, but I’m willing to do it for Lucketts! We arrived at our space about 6:45 am and fluffed the space, so it looked nice for our Saturday morning shoppers. The additional day and early 8:00 am opening resulted in much more relaxed crowds that were spread throughout the day, instead of hitting all at once. I think it made for an overall more pleasant shopping experience, but it was so different from the frenzy of previous years. Things sold all throughout the day, despite the heat and humidity that was pretty stifling in the afternoon. I loved meeting new people and seeing a lot of return shoppers as well. It’s like a reunion with old friends. We

May 17, 2015 16 Comments

I’m Marian, a painter, writer, and lover of all things creative. From art and antiques to home projects and everyday life, I share my journey in hopes of inspiring you to embrace your own creativity and make beauty in the spaces you live.

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