The Crafting Blues

Well the thumb is getting better quicker than I had expected, so I went into the Memorial Day weekend with a strong desire to Craft until my eyes crossed. Well, that didn't happen...I could not get motivated. I wanted to, but it seemed like too much work. I am really disappointed with myself. I have been on the Craft sites for just under 4 months, I expected that I would go through a lull sometime, but not so soon. I think the time I had with my thumb in the cast was the biggest culprit. I felt like I was on a roll up to that point, and then the brakes had to be put on to heal. I also think that the slow start to my sales hasn't helped. I secretly hoped to be one of those people who "took off" with sales. When that doesn't happen you start to doubt yourself. "Am I doing the right thing", "do people not like my items", "what if nobody wants to buy my items", what if, what if, what if???? I have been reading all the forums I can get my hands on to comment and help get my name out there. I have items on three sites, Etsy, Zibbet and Craft is Art. I have a twitter page and facebook, as well as this blog. It is hard as a newbie to get past the slow hurdles. We are a society of "I want it now" and patience is difficult. You hear of great success stories, but truly copying what someone else did is no guarantee that you will get the same result.

So to all of you newbies who are treading water waiting...welcome to the pool, it's sink or swim. For those of you that are seasoned, successful sellers, your tips are still very useful and I welcome any comments you have.

For me...I refuse to sink! I am gonna set a goal of listing one item a night, twitter daily, blog at least 4 days out of the week and to create one new item each night. I'll keep you posted as to whether I am meeting my goals. Grab your pom poms I need all the support I can get.

Love and peace

Stephenie

Repair

So phyiscal therapy for the thumb seems to be working...I am starting to feel some relief from the constant ache. I have big aspirations for this weekend...to craft until I can't see straight. I just need the thumb to keep up. I need to start beading so I can add more jewelry to my shops. Plus, all my wonderful co-workers have been my best customers so far and they are looking for "new stuff". They have been patiently awaiting the repair of the thumb just as I have. So stop in to the shops this weekend and see whats new...
http://www.etsy.com/shop/LemonadeFromMyLemons
http://www.zibbet.com/LemonadeFromMyLemons
http://www.craftisart.com/LemonadeFromMyLemons

I hope you will find just what your looking for...and thank goodness I have therapy on Monday in case I really overdue it :)

Happy Crafting
Stephenie

The thumb is free!!!!

You may have read that I broke my thumb in March. It was a stupid situation where my thumb got bent back too far and it basically caused a piece of the bone to pull away. I was in a cast for 5 weeks and after that was removed I was put in a split. I started physical therapy and it was suggested that maybe keep the thumb "stuck" in that splint was counter productive. So this past weekend I took that darn thing off and just started doing "stuff". Some tasks are more painful than others, like washing dishes (sorry honey, but it looks like it may still be a few weeks). I tried to do some crafts, but I really don't have any strength in my thumb at all. I cant squeeze a bottle of glue, or a tube of toothpaste for that matter, so everything is being done with my right hand. For crafts that require two thumbs such a barrettes, that is just gonna have to wait a while longer. I am desperate to get back in to creation mode. I feel like my shops are suffering because I can't make any new jewelry right now. Hopefully, with a few more therapy sessions that will change quickly. The next thing I need is a big rush of customers to shop and buy... oh, was I just dreaming there...oops. Reality check...I need a sale or two to boost my confidence.

Stop in and take a peak at my shops, you will find direct links in the buttons to the right of these blog notes. Tell me what you think and leave some feedback. And most of all get out and enjoy the spring air, the sights and the sounds, and count each and every one of your blessings.

Thanks for reading
Stephenie

Hokey Pokey

Patience

Well the weekend sale was a bust....not one sale on any of the three sites. I had delusions of major success..the door finally opening, the sales flooding in...sigh. So patience..patience is a vurtue.

So because that was no fun to talk about, how about a mention of the kitten. Oh my goodness, he is the sweetest, most loveable little guy. And he doesn't play favorites, he has spent time curled up with each one of us. My daughter is happier than ever when she is getting love from him. My younger daughter who is 8 think she is the world's best kitten sitter when her sister is at lacrosse. My husband is happy there is some "male" blood in the house. And for me, just seeing my girls happy...makes me happy.

Weekend Sale

It's time for a sale. This Friday (5/7), Saturday (5/8) and Sunday (5/9) shop at any one of my store

http://www.etsy.com/shop/LemonadeFromMyLemons
http://www.zibbet.com/LemonadeFromMyLemons
http://www.craftisart.com/LemonadeFromMyLemons

and shop with FREE standard SHIPPING for any U.S.A. addresses. International guests can shop for a $2.00 flat rate standard shipping

Stop by and see what fun items are waiting for you
I will be posting new items all weekend so keep checking, you never know what you might find :D

Thanks for looking

Steph

Physical Therapy (oops goofed on the other one)

I started physical therapy today for my thumb. Man it looks awful. It is still swollen, and still hurts like crazy. And as my crafting supplies sit staring at me at home, I wonder when I will be "fixed" enough to work with all my wonderful supplies again. The only saving grace was I had quite a few items made to be able to post. So I am gonna work my butt off and follow every tip and exercise the the therapist gives me so that I can continue to create for Lemonade From My Lemons. Views are still slow at the sites, and no sale now in almost a month. But, I am optimistic that things will change eventually. I'll feel better when I can create again.

Thanks for reading, I love your comments

Steph