Craft vs. Write

Tomorrow NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) begins. I love NaNoWriMo but this year I'm so busy I don't know if I'll actually make it. It's going to be a real struggle keeping Hearsay up and running, regularly posting on two blogs and writing 50000 words, unless of course I include the blog posts in my novel.

e.g. MC (Main Character) wrote a blog. The blog was as follows...

It'll be especially interesting if she's in the middle of some intense chase scene,

e.g. MC fled from the terrorists. She rounded a corner and stopped for a moment to write a blog. The blog was as follows...

Yeah I think that'll work nicely.

Back to the real world.
I am really excited about NaNo this year. I plan on writing a series of short stories (rather than a novel) that centres around another short story that I spent the better part of this year working on. But I still have a lot to do for Hearsay as well. This Friday is Bleeding Heart Markets and on Sunday I'm selling for the first time at Suitcase Rummage. On the Saturday and Sunday (not that I have to physically be there for this) I have a necklace on display at the Etsy Australia stall at Finders Keepers. After those are done and dusted I'll only have to keep my online stores up to date (which won't take much since I'm yet to make a sale) and replenish any stock for the December Markets.
I shouldn't really complain, there are people with full time jobs and children who manage to reach 50000 words. I have no excuses, I can do this.

Watch out NaNo WriMo, here I come.

Maybe if I got one of these cute notebooks from Lorgie and Me it would help ;)

Just a little Intermission

Things seem to really be looking up for me (knock on wood) lately.
I've had a good run (2 in a a row) at the markets, Curves Girls Night in was great. Lots of nibblies to keep me going and lots of friendly people and fun games.
I also might have my Knitted Rope Necklace on display and Finders Keepers market this November in Brisbane. It won't be available for sale but you will be able to check it out in the flesh and pick up a business card. I'll let you know more details about that when I know them myself, although Finders Keepers is worth checking out anyway and I know I can't wait to go.

Thanks to a suggestion from my mum I've also got plans for a smaller version of the above necklace and another variation on that, but you'll have to wait and see.

And finally I've applied fro a spot at Southbanks Young Designers Market and Christmas Markets so fingers crossed

Boot Camp - Week 4

So this week I finally got one of my necklaces up on Etsy and Madeit and applied for a spot at Young Designers Market and Suitcase Rummage. Apart from that I've just been getting ready for Girls Night In this friday at Curves Capalaba.

Last Boot Camp was all about photography, and you'll be happy to here I did fill in some knowledge gaps about my camera and took so more product shots. I think it's safe to tick of week 3 as done, which is good because week 4 is here.

To Do

• Read Writing 101 - Done
• Fill out Writing Worksheet - Not done, but I've sent out a few emails to my friends to gather the necessary info to do so
• Read SEO tips for the holidays - I'm sure I'll get around to it
• Update item descriptions - do I have to?
• Compare SEO noted with buddy - ...
• Check in with Etsy Success Team - Okey Dokey Do

So of I go to tick those that are yet be ticked...

Boot Camp - Week 3

So it's week 3 of boot camp and I'm officially behind. Don't tell me I was supposed to actually do week 2's to do list in week 2.

Anyway this weeks all about photography. I'm pretty happy with photography so far, not that their isn't room for improvement, but I'm hoping their will be less for me to do than last week.

here's some examples of my photography prowess, I really like the ring, and since one of this weeks to do list tasks is to get photo feedback from your buddy, maybe someone out there in the land of the Internet could leave a comment.

To Do list

• Go through get to know your camera checklist - done and there were only two things I don't know how to do... I'll look them up later.
• Ready etsy's guide to photography - since etsy's guide to photography is a large collection of other blog posts I've only partially done this... so far.
• Photograph holiday packaging - what holiday packaging?
• Advanced task: Mastering depth of field - maybe later
• Share photo critiques with buddy - please leave comments below
• Add new photos to listings - I could do that, or I could have another triple chocolate muffin.

Ok well here I go on a whorl-wind adventure to etsy stardom.

Markets Recap

Yesterday was Bleeding Heart markets, the launch of my new necklaces and thus the launch of a new stall design. I got a lot of complements on the new design actually from my co stall owners and customers alike which made me very happy, and I really think the black table cloth (as opposed to white) makes a very positive difference (though I miss the subtle texture and pattern my white one had).

View from where I was sitting

As you can see here I also bagged a good spot, right next to the entrance to the cafe.

It was also a really successful market with many sales, some of the items that sold can be seen below.

This is my first product collage so be kind, I plan on improving.
The earrings and clips are exactly two items that sold yesterday. The crowned silhouette image sold as a greeting card. The Barrel of Monkeys necklace sold in red, and the ring sold in navy and white stripes (more will be in stock and on etsy soon).

I think the most pressing thing for me to do now (apart from all my boot camp to dos) is get these items up on Etsy, I have heaps of products that haven't even been subjected to photography yet and that simply will not do.

Boot camp - Week 2

So now its week two of Etsy's holiday boot camp. The picture above has absolutely nothing to do with that, I just love barrel of monkeys and am absolutely obsessed with turning them into fun, funky necklaces (coming to an etsy store near you), thanks to Carindale Toy World for actually stocking the little critters.

Ok but back to boot camp. Last week I still had a few things to tick off my list, all of which I did except make a boot camp buddy and so now you, the readers of this blog, are my etsy buddy which means I can tick off the 'check in with your buddy' portion of this weeks checklist. Mwahahahaha (I'm tired, and when I'm tired I evil genius laugh).

Week 2 Checklist

• Study Stocking Up for the Holidays - done! But I might have to do it again, my tired brain ain't processing so good.
• Fill out holiday project worksheet - I like worksheets so I'll do this shortly
• Create to do list for launching holiday products - I like lists too so I'll probably do this soon too
• Check in with this week's Etsy Success Forum Thread - Done and given me some great ideas for my to do list, although I think I can feel the grey hairs sprouting as the stress rolls in. (I found one this morning and when I got carded at the bottle-o the lady said I was 'well past [18]' and I'm only 22)
• Consult with you Boot Camp buddy - Done (see above)
• Keep an eye on your Search Ad Stats - I haven't got any search ads yet and am not entirely convince I'm going to buy any this year, but I most certainly will keep an eye on all my other stats. I like stats

And that is week two, I'll keep you posted, maybe even let you see my to do list.

Bootcamp

It's time for Etsy Holiday Bootcamp and to, hopefully, kick my etsy (and Madeit) store into gear.

Week one's to do list:

• Read this week's blog: A Flying Start - Done
• Fill out your holiday budget worksheet - will do after this post
• Print and apply your Holiday Boot Camp Stickers (they're these cute stickers marking goals and deadlines on my calendar) - I don't even know how to start deciding where to put these :(
• Share your personal holiday goals - scroll down and you will see.
• Find your Holiday Boot Camp buddy - Maybe I'll meet someone at the next Bleeding Heart Market, until then I'm flying solo (I'm not very socially pro-active).

 My Personal Holiday Goals

• To have at least six new products ready for sale and on my etsy site in time for the holiday rush.
• To have a new display picture for my store and facebook
• And to provide a friendly happy shopping experience

Here's hoping all my dreams come true.