Help! What helps you stay focused?

Forever in pink by ameliamae (but I might get it in orange)

This week’s been pretty tough to concentrate and get from blog idea to post! As a crafty biz person, not having camera has driven me CRAZY! But with a potential photo shoot this weekend, I’m excited to get back on track and I also have to remember that just because I can’t post to my Etsy shop doesn’t mean there isn’t work to be done! Talking about my goals this month for The Meetup (my Feb goals) was very helpful since most of that work has nothing to do with actually taking pictures, it’s just that I love having my camera on me .

Besides the monthly goals, I find it hard to look at the BIG picture of the biz, as it would be nothing without crafting my wares.  OK maybe staying off of Twitter for a bit would be helpful, but I know it’s SO helpful! I’d love to hear your thoughts on how to stay focused on your crafty biz…oh, by the way, did I mention I have a day job as well? Have a great Tuesday!

Don’t forget to enter the giveaway! It ends this Friday and the winner get a pair of earrings or a hair accessory of their choice!

The Meetup: Goals for February (Create,Inspire,Move Forward!)

Another MONTH has passed, I can’t believe we are in month #2 of 2010.  I did my Meetup Goals for January pretty late, + a trip to NYC, etc, etc! Let’s see how I made out:

• Give out at least 100 biz cards at Dreamers into Doers event next week  [Ok, it felt like 100, but there were only 40-ish people there! I did give them out to everyone, made some contacts and felt good about it.]

• Contribute to The Sampler for Feb [This, I totally flaked out on, and it's such a fun thing to do! I must have been anti-making because of holiday burnout, but may be a possibility for March/Spring!]

• Put together show wish list for 2010 and application deadlines [Sort of worked on, I had a list from last year but trying to decide on whether or not I want to go show heavy or work with stores doing successful consignment/wholesale. It's the struggle right? I'd love to here any other maker's thoughts]

• research 10 stores in New England for potential retail opportunities: [#FAIL, but I did get an opportunity to sell at a great fundraising event for a local organization that I'll share more about later. They found me from leaving my cards at a local coffee shop, so makers/biz peeps, don't underestimate leaving them where ever you can (within reason of course!)]

Next is Feb, let’s try this again!

• New weekly feature: From One Crafter to Another-a book, website, resource that I have discovered that could help myself and fellow makers/small biz owners. SO many resources on the internet, why not round some up!

• Purchase new camera, product shots: My camera died (3+yrs is average for a digi point/shoot right?)  So found a reasonably priced replacement and will purchase and time to bulk up the shop, streamline product shots, take them to a new level!

• Start planning/research for catalog/look-book/line-sheet: long time coming, in order to effectively pitch stores, mags, etc…having this at my side will be the tools to help me expand my b+m presence

• Uhm, BizPlan? Yeah, that’s gotta be in the works, also planning for 2010 and reevaluate 2009 shows, was it worth it? Did I make $$ to warrant going back? What’s the future of atomsatwork? BIG questions, but hey, gotta start somewhere!

Feeling great about those goals, how did everyone else do? While you’re here, check out my giveaway, where the winner gets to pick out a pair of earrings or a hair accessory of YOUR choice!

Happy February! xoxo

Stephanie

blog it forward’ – the blogger mashup!

I’m excited to share that I will participating in the Blog it Forward Mash-up on Februrary 10th organized by Victoria of sfgirlbybay.com and I am one of 300 bloggers

•”we’re going to share a connected stream of blogger posts on ‘what inspires us the most’ on our individual blogs, but link back & forward to the other blogs participating, a bit like a chain letter (but, hopefully a lot less annoying!).”

What a way to talk about inspiration, connect with other bloggers, and have fun!I’ll keep you guys posted on what day The Blogger Mash-up will be coming to atomsatwork!

blog it forward’ – the blogger mashup!

First atomsatwork giveaway!!

I am excited to announce that I am offering my first giveaway!  Spreading the word about vintage button goodness, I want to offer a hair accessory or pair of earrings of YOUR choice!  Entries will be open util February 12th at 5pm , the winner will win a gift for themselves or someone they love!

This first giveaway is open to US and International button lovers!

Here’s how it works:

1. Visit the shop and decide which accessory or earrings are your favorite.

2. Comment here and let me know your favorites & subscribe to the atomsatwork newsletter (for deals, new product intros and more!)

-More product will be added during this time but one entry per person please!

Follow me on Facebook and subscribe to my Twitter feed to find out if you’ve won!

PS: Also submitted this to a great website for anyone that <3’s fashion/shopping/giveaways and more!

Also check out

Tropical Thrifting?

This is from last week’s thrifiting trip, did not walk out with anything, but though it was interesting to find so many “tropical” themed items. Hence the “tiki” mug?

Dreamers at the Martha Stewart Show (Standing next to her!)

We just received this picture today, and I’m so pumped to share it with everyone!  This is half of the Dreamers into Doers group at the Martha Stewart Show and do I look SHORT or what! But really, it’s was so exciting to have been skirted up to the front because of my height, I got to stand next to her! I was so shy, I didn’t know what to say, so I didn’t, but she is very tall (or I’m not, obvs.) I do have to thank my artisan friends at BerkshireMade especially Laurie Coyle for reminding me to WEAR something that I made while I was there…really it should be easy, but I tend to forget!

Me and Web Editor Alexis Tirado

The topic of the show was travel, one of the guests was actually Columbia County author Susan Orlean (I follow her on Twitter!) and we learned ways to effectively pack for our trip and other great guests.   I realize I’m going backwards (we had an office tour, definitely need to write about) but was a great way to wrap up the trip!!

Atomsatwork in Pink +Buttons Etsy Treasury!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=108692

Just got a convo that one of my button combs is included it a CUTE pine buttons treasury,very exciting!  Thanks KnitPro!



Handmade Goodness from NYC (Keeping it Crafty!)

Brooches/name tags on my scarf from the day: (L)Poppy Chic Designs and (R) KDikio Vintage

I had the pleasure of meeting two chic and crafty ladies who gave each of the dreamers lovely brooches during our brunch with the Save Horizon Shelter: Kristen of KDikio Vintage and Taryn of Poppy Chic Designs.  Taryn’s brooch is on the left and Kristen’s is on the right.  It was exciting to talk  with them about having crafty/fashion business (this project inspired Kristen to expand have a handmade section of her website) and Taryn’s accessories have been worn by the likes of Katie Perry, Jenny Garth and her business is growing in an exciting way. I’m keeping an eye on both of these lovely ladies!!!

The lovely Taryn Sisco of Poppy Chic Designs! Check out her recent Etsy article: Quit Your Day Job: poppychicdesigns!

Headbands, lighting, and getting back on track

After last week’s inspiring trip to New York and the world of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, I was SO inspired, among other things, to create a comfortable, workable space where I can grow my line,  and continue selling button goodness! While I wish I could put in another window for natural light (not owners, someday!) I did the next best thing: created a light box with lighting that will help me show the details in my work.  What do you think?

These are some of the leftover headbands that I made for the 2009 holiday show season. I didn’t list them in my shop because I didn’t know how to merchandise them.  They do GREAT at shows, so it was a shame not to offer them online…but now I believe I fixed that problem! I hope to whip up a bunch of these to list this week, as well as list these on Etsy and see how it goes! I’m feeling now that I have a comfortable space, lighting to photography my work and the energy from my trip to NY still fueling me, I can wrap up my January goals, and get ready for Spring!

Button-hunting in the Flower District?

So being near FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology) I figured that button shops would be right around the corner…well they are, just not close to me during his trip! The lovely consierge at The Hotel Indigo Chelsea looked up some button/notion stores near the hotel, butpst of them did not exist in the locations listed. I did find a notions hop that had an aged button section, the shop owner said that what they carried was mostly for fur coats (two things found in that area of Chelsea: flowers and fur coats) so I took a look, snapped a couple of shots and kept on my way. So turns out the hotel had some rooms that had large scale button pictures (if I knew that, I would have asked for one of those rooms!) by fellow Dreamer Debbie Maddy was kind enough to let photograph her room’s wall:

While finding a button store would have been fun, I still support and stick by my mission of using vintage buttons, it’s still fun to see buttons on a contemporary setting. More buttons for me at the Brimfield Flea Market come May!

Where are your favorite places to find buttons or ANY special treasures?