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Running a Business

Everything is for Sale

Guess what is on its way to Canada right now? Did you guess correctly? It’s my antique chicken feeder that I found at a killer yard sale. I wasn’t planning on selling it, but someone asked to buy it, so it’s on the way. And guess what’s getting on a bus on Monday to find a new home in California? It’s my sheet music dresser. Again, someone spotted it on my blog wanted to buy it. This happened to be for sale in our shop, anyway, but I hadn’t planned on shipping it across the country. It turns out we could ship it through Greyhound for only $60.00! Have you seen something on my blog that you would love to have in your own home? These are some furniture pieces that are still for sale and are all small enough to ship through Greyhound. The bird and branch cabinet – $140

July 9, 2010 21 Comments

Starting a Business – The Nitty Gritty

If you missed my previous posts on Starting A Buiness, My Story and In the (Very) Beginning, make sure you check those out before you read this post. Before we get going, I want you to understand that this post is only a guide. The process is going to be different for every state and every business, so make sure you do some of your own research as well. Ok? This is also just a “fly over.” We’ll go over some of these topics in more detail and feel free to ask any questions along the way. Here we go with all of the Federal, State and Local stuff you need to take care of… Register Your Fictitious Name (State) What is a Fictitious Name? It’s the name of your business. I am the sole proprietor of my business, so my “Enterprise Name” is my full legal name, but Mustard Seed Creations is my

June 22, 2010 30 Comments

Starting A Business – In the (Very) Beginning

“What about http://www.mms2.wpengine.com/? That’s available. You could be Miss Mustard Seed.” When my brother said these words to me almost two years ago, I was not very thrilled at the idea of being Miss Mustard Seed. I pictured “her” as being a short, squat cartoon gardener wearing a straw hat and holding a sunflower. I’m not sure why, but that’s what I imagined and that is not me. Now I am Miss Mustard Seed, so how did that work out? This brings me to my first post about starting your business. Have a dream. Before you look into any of the nitty gritty details, you need to dream. What do you want your business to look like at the end of a year? How do you want you and your business to be perceived? How much do you want to grow? Then, dream really big. Imagine a magazine feature, being interviewed by Oprah, a

June 15, 2010 36 Comments

Starting A Business – My Story

When I put up my “Ask Miss Mustard Seed” post a few weeks ago, I received tons of questions about starting and running your own business. The time has come for me to answer those questions, share my own experience, give some practical advice, and highlight some resources. Welcome to my new Workshop Series, Starting and Running Your Own Business, brought to you by Mustard Seed Creations and Funky Junk Interiors. I will post this series as I can, so there is not a set schedule. Just keep checking your readers and e-mails, so you don’t miss a post! First of all, I thought it would be appropriate for me to share my own experience in starting my business. If someone had told me that I would be a business owner a few years ago, I would’ve laughed. I am not a business minded person. I have always dreamed of selling antiques,

June 13, 2010 99 Comments

Lucketts Day Two

Well, the main story on day two of Lucketts was rain. Major bummer. My feet were wet from 8:00 am until about 9 pm and I had some seriously pruney toes. My dad was an Airborne Ranger, so he was a real trooper and kept a smile through it all (except when he was nodding off from exhaustion!) It was pouring in the morning, so I retreated to the comforts of Molly’s booth inside. I had to snap some photos of her beautiful display as well as those of her co-workers at Chartreuse and Company. They all share a consistent style, so the booths blended together seamlessly. It was a real feast for the eyes. I think I would describe the style as French Industrial Chic. There was a lot of chippy paint, zinc, warm woods and sparkle. I am kicking myself for not buying this dresser. Molly’s partner bought this off

May 24, 2010 28 Comments

Ask Miss Mustard Seed

I receive a lot of e-mails with questions about painting, supplies, sprayers, furniture, techniques, etc. A lot of these questions are the same. What kind of paint should I use? What kind of sprayer do you use? What is the cure time? What top coat do you use? How much should I distress a piece? Where do you sell your pieces? How did you start your business? What color white do you like? Can I paint this? Oil or water based? What would you do with this piece? I don’t claim to be an expert in all things paint, DIY or furniture, but I paint a lot, I am a bit of a jill-of-all-trades when it comes to DIY, and I started my own business. So, I decided I’d provide a forum for asking questions. Ask any questions you want. It could be about painting, sewing, thrifting, decorating, starting a

May 12, 2010 46 Comments

Workshop Series – Tips From a Professional Photographer

Welcome to the workshop series brought to you by Mustard Seed Creations and Funky Junky Interiors! Before we get started, make sure you check out my 1000 Follower Giveaway as well as the So You Think You Can Decorate Competition. For this installment, I have another great guest lined up to share her expertise with you. I “met” Courtney in the blog world a few months ago and I kept going back to her blog to look at her amazing photography. I knew I wanted to bring a professional photographer in to share some tips and there was no doubt who I was going to ask. Once you glean all of the goodness from Courtney’s tips, make sure you check out Donna’s Workshop this week. She has a guest sharing some simple sewing tips. Great info! Without further delay…here’s Courtney! Hi! I’m Courtney from Vintage Ginger Peaches and Courtney Price Photography! I’ve

March 2, 2010 23 Comments

Where it all began

So, who is Miss Mustard Seed? I was one of those girls who would arrange and rearrange the furniture in my doll house. I liked vacuum marks in the carpet and a smooth bedspread with fluffed pillows when I was only in 6th grade. As an adult I discovered Country Living, Country Home, and Better Homes & Gardens. I would wait eagerly each month for my new issues and joined numerous book clubs to build my decorating library. I came to learn that I loved toile, ironstone, white slipcovers, french country style, and antiques. One month I received my Better Homes & Gardens magazine and there it was…this beautiful home with hand painted Swedish motifs on the walls in every room. I love the painted welcome in the entrance, the fresh white, creamy yellow, and soft blue. I replicated this painted wreath & swag in the family room of my

September 14, 2009 18 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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