It may not be Friday yet, but I feel a great need to wax poetic regarding a local business where I live. The business is only a few years old and is technically a "western" store; however, I think its way more than that.
Ranch West Supply is located in Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan and is locally owned by a woman named, Stacey Nolin. Not only has Stacey been growing her business each year, but she has also been growing mine. Her store is a great place to go and have a look around. Ranch West Supply carries, of course, the standard "western wear" that you would expect, but it is also a store that carries equine supplies, home decor (this includes furniture), tack, handmade quilts, art prints and framed art, winter wear, "non-western" clothing, jewelry, horse shoes, her own line of clothing and Canadian Professional Chuckwagon Association (CPCA) clothing and souvenir line.
Stacey is a great believer in supporting her community through donations - or anyway that she can help out and she supports me fully in my business.
Stacey has allowed me to place inventory in her store, she takes orders for custom pieces for my business, she carries a line of my handmade cards and is one of my greatest supporters. Whenever I have doubts about my business, moreover doubts about the arts and crafts I produce, she is the friend that can instantly erase those feelings. Her positive and go-get 'em attitude, her confidence and work ethic are an inspiration. Even when I have doubts about myself - she never has.
Stacey has shown me that the only way to succeed is to take a chance and put yourself out there with confidence and a positive attitude. I have every confidence in Stacey's ability to make a successful and rewarding life for herself and her business.
Thank you, Stacey, for believing in me.
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Friday, October 5, 2012
Why Didn't I Think of That? Wednesday
I was extremely excited and happy that someone "pinned" this blog site on Pinterest under the DIY & Crafts (my favorite category). The blog is Birgit's Daily Bytes and the particular that I reference is her ideas - ideas that are brilliant and nicely simplistic. This definitely fits under my "Why Didn't I Think of That Wednesday" blogging submission.
The blog entry How to make your own alcohol inks, shimmer mists - even a very easy-to-make modge podge.
This blog is a "must-follow" for great ideas.
The blog entry How to make your own alcohol inks, shimmer mists - even a very easy-to-make modge podge.
This blog is a "must-follow" for great ideas.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Why Didn't I Think of That Wednesdays
With the "invention" of Pinterest and sites like it, I have learned that there are innovative, creative and down-right smart people out there. I often find myself saying "Wow. That is so smart. What a simple and great idea. Why didn't I think of that?" I always say stuff like "Dont' reinvent the wheel if you don't have to." By this, I don't mean that it's okay to take credit for someone else's idea. Rather, it's great when there are people willing to share their ideas to help others make their lives easier/simpler.
The generousity of many bloggers and "tutorialists" (I'm pretty sure I made up that word) has inspired me to share things that I have learned or made-up on my own with all those who care to read it.
I am essentially a self-taught crafter/artist, but that's not to say that I don't inhale all possible information regarding a certain technique or art medium. I will "Google", read magazines, look in libraries and book stores, for any information that I can get on whatever subject that I am researching at the time. I have researched everything from volunteering in schools to what happens when the leaves turn brown on plants; that's not to say that I am an expert in any subject. I like to satisfies my curiousity on whatever subject that I am interested in, but then I also like to learn some things by trial and error - especially when it comes to arts and crafts. There does come a time when I have had to look to others for their expertise because despite all the trials, success eludes me. This usually ends with me wishing that I had searched for answers sooner because someone has not only found success in the subject, but also has invented an ingenious way to fix the problem that I have been having.
So in celebration of these amazing people, each Wednesday, I would like to impart some helpful bits of information, or feature a tutorial from a fellow blogger, for my followers. I am very optimistic that I will have at least one or two of them one day.
So stay tuned...for next Wednesday of "Why didn't I think of that?"
The generousity of many bloggers and "tutorialists" (I'm pretty sure I made up that word) has inspired me to share things that I have learned or made-up on my own with all those who care to read it.
I am essentially a self-taught crafter/artist, but that's not to say that I don't inhale all possible information regarding a certain technique or art medium. I will "Google", read magazines, look in libraries and book stores, for any information that I can get on whatever subject that I am researching at the time. I have researched everything from volunteering in schools to what happens when the leaves turn brown on plants; that's not to say that I am an expert in any subject. I like to satisfies my curiousity on whatever subject that I am interested in, but then I also like to learn some things by trial and error - especially when it comes to arts and crafts. There does come a time when I have had to look to others for their expertise because despite all the trials, success eludes me. This usually ends with me wishing that I had searched for answers sooner because someone has not only found success in the subject, but also has invented an ingenious way to fix the problem that I have been having.
So in celebration of these amazing people, each Wednesday, I would like to impart some helpful bits of information, or feature a tutorial from a fellow blogger, for my followers. I am very optimistic that I will have at least one or two of them one day.
So stay tuned...for next Wednesday of "Why didn't I think of that?"
Friday, September 21, 2012
Friday's Fortune
It was meant to be. I was at work; I work in a local flower shop a couple days each week, and often times people will drop off vases that they no longer need or want. This is a great way to recycle and it is beneficial to the flower shop (they get free vases to use) and the donator (they get to take flowers home to enjoy in exchange. That's definitely a "win-win" situtation.
It just so happens that this very scenario happened yesterday. A gentleman came in on behalf of his wife to drop vases off. He also had a number of other stops to make such as the recycling centre and the local thrift store. His energy was waning significantly when he dropped the vases off and as he was leaving he yelled "Would either of you ladies like a box full of picture frames?" I didn't miss a beat and shouted back "I would!!" He looked a little suprised that I took him up on his offer, but then his surprise turned into a look of relief. "I'll bring them right in" he said.
He brought the box in and I thanked him over and over again. I had felt like I had won the lottery and the gentleman was very glad that he had one less stop to make.
I believe that I came out the winner in this situation, though. The box had about 20 frames in it and some of them were still in the plastic! The creativity was running wild in my brain as was my gratitude.
I definitely was in the right place at the right time and I am so thankful for this. Although this happened on a Thursday, it truly felt like it was my "Friday's Fortune."
It just so happens that this very scenario happened yesterday. A gentleman came in on behalf of his wife to drop vases off. He also had a number of other stops to make such as the recycling centre and the local thrift store. His energy was waning significantly when he dropped the vases off and as he was leaving he yelled "Would either of you ladies like a box full of picture frames?" I didn't miss a beat and shouted back "I would!!" He looked a little suprised that I took him up on his offer, but then his surprise turned into a look of relief. "I'll bring them right in" he said.
He brought the box in and I thanked him over and over again. I had felt like I had won the lottery and the gentleman was very glad that he had one less stop to make.
I believe that I came out the winner in this situation, though. The box had about 20 frames in it and some of them were still in the plastic! The creativity was running wild in my brain as was my gratitude.
I definitely was in the right place at the right time and I am so thankful for this. Although this happened on a Thursday, it truly felt like it was my "Friday's Fortune."
Hand-crafted Technology
As I said before, without a physical store front, I am faced with the challenge of giving my customers a great shopping experience that includes personal and friendly customer service. I would like my customers to feel comfortable browsing through my products and find a positive and professional environment. Along with that, I would like them to be able to feel that they can contact me and ask any questions regarding my products regardless if they purchase something.
The internet provides me with a vast client potential, but that is also true for every other online store. This is where blogging and "contact me" can help set an online entrepeneur apart.
I was reminded how helpful being able to contact a store owner can be, both as a client or customer and as a store owner.
I received an order for a hand-made item and the customer was able to inquire whether or not the item could be personalized to suit them. So technology has provided a way for my customers or potential customers to contact me, the store owner, directly. A lot of times this is not possible when dealing with a physical store front. The norm, when visiting any store in your town or city does not usually consist of a visit with the store owner. Store clerks are your point of contact and often times they do not have a stake nor care whether the store is successful or not. This does not compute (ha-ha) into personal, customer care which leads me to the ironic belief that my customers can have a more personal experience with my company online than they can down at their local pharmacy.
Does all this mean that I think a computer is a good choice for personal interaction instead of an actual face-to-face with your hubby? Heck no! But isn't it a little food for thought?
The internet provides me with a vast client potential, but that is also true for every other online store. This is where blogging and "contact me" can help set an online entrepeneur apart.
I was reminded how helpful being able to contact a store owner can be, both as a client or customer and as a store owner.
I received an order for a hand-made item and the customer was able to inquire whether or not the item could be personalized to suit them. So technology has provided a way for my customers or potential customers to contact me, the store owner, directly. A lot of times this is not possible when dealing with a physical store front. The norm, when visiting any store in your town or city does not usually consist of a visit with the store owner. Store clerks are your point of contact and often times they do not have a stake nor care whether the store is successful or not. This does not compute (ha-ha) into personal, customer care which leads me to the ironic belief that my customers can have a more personal experience with my company online than they can down at their local pharmacy.
Does all this mean that I think a computer is a good choice for personal interaction instead of an actual face-to-face with your hubby? Heck no! But isn't it a little food for thought?
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Hand-Crafted Technology
Blogging has enabled many individuals and companies to really express themselves. To me, reading someone's blog allows me to connect with them on a personal level or it allows a company to become more personable to me as a customer.
A company, especially an online company, can add that "personal touch" through blogging that, unless a customer called the company and talked to a sales representative, was not available before. When I'm out shopping and I am face-to-face with store clerks or sales representatives, I often can't help but feel that I haven't been given an ounce of adequate customer service or personal service that allows me to feel welcome in any capacity.
As a business owner, I like to remind myself how fortunate I am to have people choose to spend their hard-earned money on one of my products. As a blogger, I can express my feelings in a way that allows my customer's to see that appreciation, even though my store front is a webpage.
Blogs act as a stage for individuals to express themselves, to advertise, to teach and inform on a personal level - which is a striking contrast to the medium in which it is delivered. B
Bloggers have gathered followers who become groups and communities; sharers of ideas and concepts that go far beyond telling your 978 friends what you had for lunch. Although blogging is not a new form of communication, it is for me as a blogger. And as a blogger and small business person, I will use it as a tool to connect to my customers on a personal level though the not-so-personal world wide web.
These are more blogs that have inspired me...
http://organizingmadefun.blogspot.ca/
http://bloominghomestead.blogspot.ca/
http://www.imperfecthomemaking.com/
A company, especially an online company, can add that "personal touch" through blogging that, unless a customer called the company and talked to a sales representative, was not available before. When I'm out shopping and I am face-to-face with store clerks or sales representatives, I often can't help but feel that I haven't been given an ounce of adequate customer service or personal service that allows me to feel welcome in any capacity.
As a business owner, I like to remind myself how fortunate I am to have people choose to spend their hard-earned money on one of my products. As a blogger, I can express my feelings in a way that allows my customer's to see that appreciation, even though my store front is a webpage.
Blogs act as a stage for individuals to express themselves, to advertise, to teach and inform on a personal level - which is a striking contrast to the medium in which it is delivered. B
Bloggers have gathered followers who become groups and communities; sharers of ideas and concepts that go far beyond telling your 978 friends what you had for lunch. Although blogging is not a new form of communication, it is for me as a blogger. And as a blogger and small business person, I will use it as a tool to connect to my customers on a personal level though the not-so-personal world wide web.
These are more blogs that have inspired me...
http://organizingmadefun.blogspot.ca/
http://bloominghomestead.blogspot.ca/
http://www.imperfecthomemaking.com/
Friday, September 7, 2012
Friday's Fortune
Eventually, I would like to have contests and give-aways every Friday. However, I don't know how to do that yet - I am but a novice blogger who knows, well...hardly anything. I thought I would start my very first Friday blogging about being fortunate and the gratitude I have for this fortune. I don't possess a huge monetary fortune; we live a fairly middle-class lifestyle and are happy about it. My husband and I have family that support us with positive reinforcement and love, we have a house that provides shelter and warmth, we have friends who are kind and giving, we have two teenagers that have not been too hard on us as of yet, we enjoy good health and today, the sun is shining. What more could we ask for? Not a thing.
I try and remember these things when I'm wondering where we are going to get the money for hockey registration or for two new tires that we weren't planning on getting and things like that, because overall things are pretty good all over.
One of the reasons that I would like to turn "Friday's Fortune" into a contest and give-away day is that I received a great, unexpected email from lotsofbuttons.com with a special offer because I use a lot of buttons in crafts - I was so excited that I knew I wanted to pass that feeling along. I don't think there's anyone that doesn't like free anything so that's my plan for Fridays in the near future.
I try and remember these things when I'm wondering where we are going to get the money for hockey registration or for two new tires that we weren't planning on getting and things like that, because overall things are pretty good all over.
One of the reasons that I would like to turn "Friday's Fortune" into a contest and give-away day is that I received a great, unexpected email from lotsofbuttons.com with a special offer because I use a lot of buttons in crafts - I was so excited that I knew I wanted to pass that feeling along. I don't think there's anyone that doesn't like free anything so that's my plan for Fridays in the near future.
Friday, August 31, 2012
Hand-Crafted Technology
I am becoming a "child" of two worlds,and at 40 I use the term loosely, of a long ago past where people are in love with hand-crafted and home made. I am becoming fond of "kitchy" and "retro" and "vintage" everything, but at the same time as being in love with the past, I am having an open affair with amazing technologies of the present.
I am struck by the perfect juxtaposition of selling my hand-crafted and homemade crafts and artwork and some vintage depression glass via my website and Etsy store.
I create things with repurposed objects and old weathered wood, with the bark of trees and shimmering paints and good ol' carpenter's glue, but it is pure technology that allows me to share my creativity, to earn money at what I love to do and what is my true passion in life.
The internet is an amazing place to be. I love the feeling of our world of miles and continents shrinking to only inches and seconds. Within this smaller world, there are huge places. The internet has shown me a dynamic world; a world that allows anyone to have their own stage, even me.
I love that I can spend hours at a time, surfing through sites of nothing but artwork or crafting or whatever I want to look at. I have helped my kids with homework and found great shoes for my daughter who has size 11 feet, I have found directions to hockey arenas ordered from menus and printed tickets to "Walking With Dinosaurs." It is truly an amazing place and I'm not sure what I did before it.
And the blogs that I have discovered...there are a lot of smart, bright, creative and thoughtful people out there that are brave enough to share their "stuff." Some of the blogs I admire are: The Yellow Cape Cod, The Tip Junkie, The Scrappy Housewife and I could list all day. I will definitely try and list a few new "blogs I love" with each post.
Two other loves that have found their way into my heart is something called Pinterest and of course I mentioned earlier in this post, Etsy. I hope, if you haven't, you take the time to explore these sites, but a word of caution - they are extremely addictive:)
Until next time, this has been fun!
Tammy
I am struck by the perfect juxtaposition of selling my hand-crafted and homemade crafts and artwork and some vintage depression glass via my website and Etsy store.
I create things with repurposed objects and old weathered wood, with the bark of trees and shimmering paints and good ol' carpenter's glue, but it is pure technology that allows me to share my creativity, to earn money at what I love to do and what is my true passion in life.
The internet is an amazing place to be. I love the feeling of our world of miles and continents shrinking to only inches and seconds. Within this smaller world, there are huge places. The internet has shown me a dynamic world; a world that allows anyone to have their own stage, even me.
I love that I can spend hours at a time, surfing through sites of nothing but artwork or crafting or whatever I want to look at. I have helped my kids with homework and found great shoes for my daughter who has size 11 feet, I have found directions to hockey arenas ordered from menus and printed tickets to "Walking With Dinosaurs." It is truly an amazing place and I'm not sure what I did before it.
And the blogs that I have discovered...there are a lot of smart, bright, creative and thoughtful people out there that are brave enough to share their "stuff." Some of the blogs I admire are: The Yellow Cape Cod, The Tip Junkie, The Scrappy Housewife and I could list all day. I will definitely try and list a few new "blogs I love" with each post.
Two other loves that have found their way into my heart is something called Pinterest and of course I mentioned earlier in this post, Etsy. I hope, if you haven't, you take the time to explore these sites, but a word of caution - they are extremely addictive:)
Until next time, this has been fun!
Tammy
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