Thursday, May 9, 2013
SHIRT ORDER REMINDER
Just a reminder that I'm placing my ONE AND ONLY shirt order this weekend!! Please email or message or leave me your PayPal email and I can invoice you the $20 shirt order fee!! Thank you for all of your support!!
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Putting myself out there.
It is after *much* internal debate that I'm writing this post. I need help. I have researched KickStarter and while I think it is a great tool, I don't think it is for me right now.
I'm looking to purchase a new tent for my craft shows during this coming summer. Scarlett Key is in my blood now, it is a passion that I can't let go of and all I want to do is build my business. While I do well on Etsy, and I'm incredibly grateful to all of my customers on there, craft shows/festivals/fairs are where I do the bulk of my business. Last year, I got to use my brother's pop up but would love to have one of my own. This is where you all can come in!! I have designed a tee shirt supporting Scarlett Key. All proceeds from these will go into my NEW TENT FUND :)
Each shirt is just $20, and will be customized with YOUR name on the back! Um, hello, how cool is that?!?! These are the same shirts that I will be wearing during all my shows so you really will be part of the Scarlett Key family if you purchase one! These shirts are a generically sized tee shirt (read: I will probably order a medium or a large and I wear a large from Old Navy usually) and the sizes that you can order range from XS to 4X. They take about two weeks to make and ship to me so I will need to place my order by MAY 10th to get them here before I really get into show season. Once I get them, I will make sure they get shipped or delivered to you!!
If you would like to purchase one AND SUPPORT SCARLETT KEY then please send me an email at scarlettkeysales@gmail.com using SHIRT ORDER in the subject line and I will share my paypal information with you.
I absolutely can't thank everyone enough for all of their support during this time in my life. I really do pour my heart and soul into this little business of mine and seeing the love that others have for my products only adds to the fire in me to make it better.
I'm looking to purchase a new tent for my craft shows during this coming summer. Scarlett Key is in my blood now, it is a passion that I can't let go of and all I want to do is build my business. While I do well on Etsy, and I'm incredibly grateful to all of my customers on there, craft shows/festivals/fairs are where I do the bulk of my business. Last year, I got to use my brother's pop up but would love to have one of my own. This is where you all can come in!! I have designed a tee shirt supporting Scarlett Key. All proceeds from these will go into my NEW TENT FUND :)
If you would like to purchase one AND SUPPORT SCARLETT KEY then please send me an email at scarlettkeysales@gmail.com using SHIRT ORDER in the subject line and I will share my paypal information with you.
I absolutely can't thank everyone enough for all of their support during this time in my life. I really do pour my heart and soul into this little business of mine and seeing the love that others have for my products only adds to the fire in me to make it better.
Monday, April 1, 2013
...and we're back!
I had an incredible month away but I'm so glad to be back. I kept up with my fast of social media with the one exception of a photo that just HAD to be posted to facebook. I will write more later about all that happened, if I decide to - right now I kinda want to keep it all to myself. I didn't do this to go have a great month and then share, I did this to prove to myself that I didn't have to post every single tiny thing, thought, emotion for the entire world to see. Just because it didn't get put online doesn't mean it didn't happen. I don't know.... Anyways, here is a peek at my goals and how I fared :)
1 - Figure out new packaging for Scarlett Key, this included all types of rebranding the shop. I'm looking into some great ideas, and I can't wait to make a decision and take the steps to make it possible. I need a cohesiveness when it comes to my shop, I need a brand even though it is a small business it is my business and I want to present the best side of it at all times. < - > I did this. I made some serious decisions. I'm not totally rebranding the shop, just making some changes here and there. The addition of a key stamp to a few more places to make that tie-in with my name. How I'm packaging mail orders has changed. My stationary has changed a little bit. All steps in the right direct if I do say so myself.
2 - Finish at least one of each new product in as many colors as possible. < - > Yeah, this didn't happen. I got a good bit done, but not anywhere near what I would like to get done. The new pieces will be added to the shop soon. Most likely with in the week or so.
3 - Finish all duplicates of current products. When it comes to my bows and such, my goal is to have at least two of them made at all times. I also want to streamline the ordering process for these as well. That means the final decision on keeping them as individual listings or make them a group listing with a color selection at checkout. < - > I didn't finish any new pieces from old patterns, but that's ok. I have a while before they're needed for shows. As for deciding on how to streamline ordering, I think I will keep it the way it is for now. When I finish more pieces, I will streamline it as I go. i.e. - bows at one time, purses at another, etc.
4 - Make a list of shows that I want to be a part of and gather all applications for them. < - > This didn't happen, but I already have been contacted about coming back to shows this year. I'm excited and thrilled to be asked back!!
5 - Get out all display items, inventory, brainstorm ideas, create a visual, and update anything if needed. < - > Done! haha I had my dad help build me the stand for my future business card holder, I just need to build a basket to hold them. The only other thing that I need to build is a ring holder (hello, and thank you to Pinterest for the idea floating around in my head...). I'm also going to gather some vintage sheets or something similarly pretty for the sides of my booth when I'm outside. I have so many pretty visions in my head!
6 - Get and keep inventory sheets up-to-date. < - > Done! I've been really good about this!
7 - Get my show bag ready. < - > Done! Jamie got me the cutest Thirty-One purse for Christmas that has Scarlett Key on it and I just love it so so so much. I seriously can't wait to walk into my first show carrying it.
8 - Get all unused items out of my room and to Goodwill. < - > Done! Mom and I cleaned a BUNCH of stuff out of the house and I feel a million times better!
9 - Present and decide with dad on the horseshoe items. < - > I didn't do this, daddy has had a rough month so I took it easy on him :)
10 - Put in at least three miles on the trail each day off. The only exception to this will be days with rain and/or snow or below 40 degrees. < - > DONE!!! This is by far my most happy goal on here!!! I might have missed one day of over 40 days off on the trail, but I did hit over 10 miles most weeks! We had a serious snow storm for a few days and that kept me away. But, to make up for it, there were some seriously cold days out there and I still went! I'm so insanely proud of myself.
Oh! And I know I'm late on this, but did you hear that Google Reader is going be leaving us this summer? I have already set up this little blog on BlogLovin', all you gotta do is click that link over on the top right (see the Eiffel Tower?) and it will get you there, just hit the blue follow button on that screen! :)
1 - Figure out new packaging for Scarlett Key, this included all types of rebranding the shop. I'm looking into some great ideas, and I can't wait to make a decision and take the steps to make it possible. I need a cohesiveness when it comes to my shop, I need a brand even though it is a small business it is my business and I want to present the best side of it at all times. < - > I did this. I made some serious decisions. I'm not totally rebranding the shop, just making some changes here and there. The addition of a key stamp to a few more places to make that tie-in with my name. How I'm packaging mail orders has changed. My stationary has changed a little bit. All steps in the right direct if I do say so myself.
2 - Finish at least one of each new product in as many colors as possible. < - > Yeah, this didn't happen. I got a good bit done, but not anywhere near what I would like to get done. The new pieces will be added to the shop soon. Most likely with in the week or so.
3 - Finish all duplicates of current products. When it comes to my bows and such, my goal is to have at least two of them made at all times. I also want to streamline the ordering process for these as well. That means the final decision on keeping them as individual listings or make them a group listing with a color selection at checkout. < - > I didn't finish any new pieces from old patterns, but that's ok. I have a while before they're needed for shows. As for deciding on how to streamline ordering, I think I will keep it the way it is for now. When I finish more pieces, I will streamline it as I go. i.e. - bows at one time, purses at another, etc.
4 - Make a list of shows that I want to be a part of and gather all applications for them. < - > This didn't happen, but I already have been contacted about coming back to shows this year. I'm excited and thrilled to be asked back!!
5 - Get out all display items, inventory, brainstorm ideas, create a visual, and update anything if needed. < - > Done! haha I had my dad help build me the stand for my future business card holder, I just need to build a basket to hold them. The only other thing that I need to build is a ring holder (hello, and thank you to Pinterest for the idea floating around in my head...). I'm also going to gather some vintage sheets or something similarly pretty for the sides of my booth when I'm outside. I have so many pretty visions in my head!
6 - Get and keep inventory sheets up-to-date. < - > Done! I've been really good about this!
7 - Get my show bag ready. < - > Done! Jamie got me the cutest Thirty-One purse for Christmas that has Scarlett Key on it and I just love it so so so much. I seriously can't wait to walk into my first show carrying it.
8 - Get all unused items out of my room and to Goodwill. < - > Done! Mom and I cleaned a BUNCH of stuff out of the house and I feel a million times better!
9 - Present and decide with dad on the horseshoe items. < - > I didn't do this, daddy has had a rough month so I took it easy on him :)
10 - Put in at least three miles on the trail each day off. The only exception to this will be days with rain and/or snow or below 40 degrees. < - > DONE!!! This is by far my most happy goal on here!!! I might have missed one day of over 40 days off on the trail, but I did hit over 10 miles most weeks! We had a serious snow storm for a few days and that kept me away. But, to make up for it, there were some seriously cold days out there and I still went! I'm so insanely proud of myself.
Oh! And I know I'm late on this, but did you hear that Google Reader is going be leaving us this summer? I have already set up this little blog on BlogLovin', all you gotta do is click that link over on the top right (see the Eiffel Tower?) and it will get you there, just hit the blue follow button on that screen! :)
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Goals Update!
This was the first month that I set up goals for the month and I kinda failed horribly at them. haha, just look and see.
1 - Make a complete list of all my unfinished projects and get them organized into a way that will make them easier to finish. A COMPLETE LIST. (not gonna lie, this one scares me a bit.) < - > I did make a list. I have a page for each of them in one of my journals, and the list above that I updated once already. It wasn't as much as I thought it was going to be. The list of what has been started isn't long, the list of ideas goes on for pages in my journal haha
2 - Get my Rav page updated with my Sunflower Yarn collection. I didn't realize how much I had accumulated right before Amanda closed the shop until the other day when I separated it out and it filled an entire milk crate....and that was just the stuff I picked up since like November. < - > I didn't get this updated but I also haven't gotten into my yarn, like, at all this month. I didn't craft much that needed stored yarn.
3 - Finish and list all new shop products. This includes the one embroidery piece, the purse half done, new thread pieces, new clutches, and listing the ear warmers finally. < - > I didn't get anything new listed, but I did do a post about the infinity scarf that will be added as a custom item.
4 - Get all my display stuff stored upstairs until next year and make any plans to upgrade/change any of it. < - > I didn't get things store upstairs as I've been in and out of the bins frequently lately working and updating pieces. I've gotten a list started of all the items I want to pick up or change for this coming year. Mainly it is about branding and bringing a sense of cohesiveness to the spaces that I rent for shows.
5 - Finish reading The Summer Garden and Dingley Falls. < - > I read a few more chapters of The Summer Garden, but that is it for book reading. I did read a few magazines out of my massive stack that has been building up though! haha
See? I told you that I didn't do great on them. Oh well, I'm taking the month of March off from everything so that I can get caught up on things but I still made a goal list!
1 - Figure out new packaging for Scarlett Key, this included all types of rebranding the shop. I'm looking into some great ideas, and I can't wait to make a decision and take the steps to make it possible. I need a cohesiveness when it comes to my shop, I need a brand even though it is a small business it is my business and I want to present the best side of it at all times.
2 - Finish at least one of each new product in as many colors as possible.
3 - Finish all duplicates of current products. When it comes to my bows and such, my goal is to have at least two of them made at all times. I also want to streamline the ordering process for these as well. That means the final decision on keeping them as individual listings or make them a group listing with a color selection at checkout. Any ideas or thoughts on this are greatly appreciated! haha
4 - Make a list of shows that I want to be a part of and gather all applications for them.
5 - Get out all display items, inventory, brainstorm ideas, create a visual, and update anything if needed.
6 - Get and keep inventory sheets up-to-date.
7 - Get my show bag ready.
8 - Get all unused items out of my room and to Goodwill.
9 - Present and decide with dad on the horseshoe items.
10 - Put in at least three miles on the trail each day off. The only exception to this will be days with rain and/or snow or below 40 degrees.
If you made it this far, thanks for reading haha I can't wait to just be creative this month without worrying about blogging this or that, tweeting, facebooking. I'm slightly terrified that it will affect my shop in a negative way, but I need this time to come back better than ever so I hope that it will show :) See y'all in March!!
p.s.--if you need me or want to purchase something I will still have access to my emails, scarlettkeysales@gmail.com
1 - Make a complete list of all my unfinished projects and get them organized into a way that will make them easier to finish. A COMPLETE LIST. (not gonna lie, this one scares me a bit.) < - > I did make a list. I have a page for each of them in one of my journals, and the list above that I updated once already. It wasn't as much as I thought it was going to be. The list of what has been started isn't long, the list of ideas goes on for pages in my journal haha
2 - Get my Rav page updated with my Sunflower Yarn collection. I didn't realize how much I had accumulated right before Amanda closed the shop until the other day when I separated it out and it filled an entire milk crate....and that was just the stuff I picked up since like November. < - > I didn't get this updated but I also haven't gotten into my yarn, like, at all this month. I didn't craft much that needed stored yarn.
3 - Finish and list all new shop products. This includes the one embroidery piece, the purse half done, new thread pieces, new clutches, and listing the ear warmers finally. < - > I didn't get anything new listed, but I did do a post about the infinity scarf that will be added as a custom item.
4 - Get all my display stuff stored upstairs until next year and make any plans to upgrade/change any of it. < - > I didn't get things store upstairs as I've been in and out of the bins frequently lately working and updating pieces. I've gotten a list started of all the items I want to pick up or change for this coming year. Mainly it is about branding and bringing a sense of cohesiveness to the spaces that I rent for shows.
5 - Finish reading The Summer Garden and Dingley Falls. < - > I read a few more chapters of The Summer Garden, but that is it for book reading. I did read a few magazines out of my massive stack that has been building up though! haha
See? I told you that I didn't do great on them. Oh well, I'm taking the month of March off from everything so that I can get caught up on things but I still made a goal list!
1 - Figure out new packaging for Scarlett Key, this included all types of rebranding the shop. I'm looking into some great ideas, and I can't wait to make a decision and take the steps to make it possible. I need a cohesiveness when it comes to my shop, I need a brand even though it is a small business it is my business and I want to present the best side of it at all times.
2 - Finish at least one of each new product in as many colors as possible.
3 - Finish all duplicates of current products. When it comes to my bows and such, my goal is to have at least two of them made at all times. I also want to streamline the ordering process for these as well. That means the final decision on keeping them as individual listings or make them a group listing with a color selection at checkout. Any ideas or thoughts on this are greatly appreciated! haha
4 - Make a list of shows that I want to be a part of and gather all applications for them.
5 - Get out all display items, inventory, brainstorm ideas, create a visual, and update anything if needed.
6 - Get and keep inventory sheets up-to-date.
7 - Get my show bag ready.
8 - Get all unused items out of my room and to Goodwill.
9 - Present and decide with dad on the horseshoe items.
10 - Put in at least three miles on the trail each day off. The only exception to this will be days with rain and/or snow or below 40 degrees.
If you made it this far, thanks for reading haha I can't wait to just be creative this month without worrying about blogging this or that, tweeting, facebooking. I'm slightly terrified that it will affect my shop in a negative way, but I need this time to come back better than ever so I hope that it will show :) See y'all in March!!
p.s.--if you need me or want to purchase something I will still have access to my emails, scarlettkeysales@gmail.com
DON'T FORGET!!
I'm closing the shop for March!! That means tomorrow-ish I will be setting the shop in vacation mode so there won't be the ability to purchase anything. I will be coming back with new products, new packaging, new branding, new....everything!
It also means that once I close the shop, the 25% off coupon code - 25OFF - will also end!!
Hurry up and shop away! :) <3
It also means that once I close the shop, the 25% off coupon code - 25OFF - will also end!!
Hurry up and shop away! :) <3
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
The one where I share some personal stuff.
I came home for lunch, like I do many days, bouncing into the house, as my mom came out from behind the fridge to scare the beeeeejeeeeesus out of me. Typical mom. :)
After we shared my lunch, like we do many days, I began to peruse my Google Reader.
I found this post on a blog that I just added recently. There were instant tears. Instant. Not because I had lost my mom as well, obviously I hadn't, but because of everything I've gone through with her. Many of my childhood memories are set in a hospital. Either it was me (um, hello, I've had stitches multiple times and was in the ER enough that I was questioned by DFS haha) or my momma.
I will never forget the day that I ran into mom and dad's room only to have my dad stop me and say that she was too sick, that she couldn't walk, that we were taking her to the hospital immediately. She was so pale and could hardly open her eyes to even look at me. The next few hours are a blur - I don't really remember driving to the hospital or waiting there for the doctors. I remember seeing my dad get teary eyed for the first and only time ever. I remember blurry faces running around. I remember wondering why we went to Fayette Memorial instead of Clinton Memorial. I remember my dad and the nurses telling us to say goodbye to my mom because she was going to another hospital via ambulance. I remember my dad holding me up next to the gurney because I was too short to reach over and give her a kiss. I remember she tasted like bubblegum (the kind nurse said it was from the morphine they gave her). I remember looking up and watching my dad lean down and kiss her forehead. I didn't know when I would see my mom again. I didn't know if I ever would see my mom again. I understood the idea of death and funerals, my great grandmother had passed away a few years before, so my young brain knew there was a chance I wouldn't see my momma anymore but I still didn't know what exactly was going on.
My mom had a Fem-Fem that day, her femoral arteries were blocked and the only way to fix it was to build a bypass around the blockage. It wasn't the only surgery she would have when I was a kid. We would find out that my mom has a blood disease that causing totally random blood clots to form at random points in the body. This can be something as simple as bumping a table, getting a bruise, and getting a blood clot. That blood clot can move, it can go to the brain, it can go to the lungs, it can go to the heart. It is completely unpredictable. That is scary. Any time my mom gets sick, it is scary because I don't know if it will suddenly get worse. As a teenager, I would back talk and give attitude and then instantly feel guilty because that might have been the last time I spoke to my mom. When I lived alone, I would not answer my mom's calls for a day but then feel guilty because that might have been the last time she could have called. She asks me to do something around the house now and I get annoyed, and then feel guilty because I should be helping her. But, I also come home for lunch a lot so I can talk to my mom at the table. I ask for advice. I try to make the most of every holiday and birthday now. When my mom is sick, I try to help her as much as possible. When she had her last bypass surgery and was in the ICU for like 4 times as long as most people, I would go to work at the Credit Union all day, drive the hour and a half to Chillicothe to see her in Adena until visiting hours were over, drive to the farm to make sure dad was ok and eating and taking care of the animals, then drive the hour and 15-ish minutes back to my apartment in Kettering only to do it all over again the next day until she went home.
Having a sick parent doesn't make me a saint by any means. I'm not trying to prove how great of a daughter I am. I just wish people that are mean or give attitude to their parents think about what life would be like if they were not there. I saw a random picture on Pinterest right before Valentine's Day that said: "So, you don't have a Valentine on Valentine's Day, some people don't have a Mom on Mother's Day or a Dad on Father's Day." I wish more people would read this statement. I wish more people would think about this statement.
I know my mom is always going to be "sick". I know there will always be the fear of the worst happening. I also know that I will never be prepared for her to not be around. I know that I will not be as eloquent as Mandy when that time comes. I will be a sobbing, snotty, uncontrollable mess. And I hope with all hopes in my heart that it doesn't happen any time soon.
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| My momma at 18 |
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| Me in my early 20's. We are definitely related. |
After we shared my lunch, like we do many days, I began to peruse my Google Reader.
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| My dad and mom in the early days of their relationship, so 1975-ish? |
I found this post on a blog that I just added recently. There were instant tears. Instant. Not because I had lost my mom as well, obviously I hadn't, but because of everything I've gone through with her. Many of my childhood memories are set in a hospital. Either it was me (um, hello, I've had stitches multiple times and was in the ER enough that I was questioned by DFS haha) or my momma.
I will never forget the day that I ran into mom and dad's room only to have my dad stop me and say that she was too sick, that she couldn't walk, that we were taking her to the hospital immediately. She was so pale and could hardly open her eyes to even look at me. The next few hours are a blur - I don't really remember driving to the hospital or waiting there for the doctors. I remember seeing my dad get teary eyed for the first and only time ever. I remember blurry faces running around. I remember wondering why we went to Fayette Memorial instead of Clinton Memorial. I remember my dad and the nurses telling us to say goodbye to my mom because she was going to another hospital via ambulance. I remember my dad holding me up next to the gurney because I was too short to reach over and give her a kiss. I remember she tasted like bubblegum (the kind nurse said it was from the morphine they gave her). I remember looking up and watching my dad lean down and kiss her forehead. I didn't know when I would see my mom again. I didn't know if I ever would see my mom again. I understood the idea of death and funerals, my great grandmother had passed away a few years before, so my young brain knew there was a chance I wouldn't see my momma anymore but I still didn't know what exactly was going on.
My mom had a Fem-Fem that day, her femoral arteries were blocked and the only way to fix it was to build a bypass around the blockage. It wasn't the only surgery she would have when I was a kid. We would find out that my mom has a blood disease that causing totally random blood clots to form at random points in the body. This can be something as simple as bumping a table, getting a bruise, and getting a blood clot. That blood clot can move, it can go to the brain, it can go to the lungs, it can go to the heart. It is completely unpredictable. That is scary. Any time my mom gets sick, it is scary because I don't know if it will suddenly get worse. As a teenager, I would back talk and give attitude and then instantly feel guilty because that might have been the last time I spoke to my mom. When I lived alone, I would not answer my mom's calls for a day but then feel guilty because that might have been the last time she could have called. She asks me to do something around the house now and I get annoyed, and then feel guilty because I should be helping her. But, I also come home for lunch a lot so I can talk to my mom at the table. I ask for advice. I try to make the most of every holiday and birthday now. When my mom is sick, I try to help her as much as possible. When she had her last bypass surgery and was in the ICU for like 4 times as long as most people, I would go to work at the Credit Union all day, drive the hour and a half to Chillicothe to see her in Adena until visiting hours were over, drive to the farm to make sure dad was ok and eating and taking care of the animals, then drive the hour and 15-ish minutes back to my apartment in Kettering only to do it all over again the next day until she went home.
Having a sick parent doesn't make me a saint by any means. I'm not trying to prove how great of a daughter I am. I just wish people that are mean or give attitude to their parents think about what life would be like if they were not there. I saw a random picture on Pinterest right before Valentine's Day that said: "So, you don't have a Valentine on Valentine's Day, some people don't have a Mom on Mother's Day or a Dad on Father's Day." I wish more people would read this statement. I wish more people would think about this statement.
I know my mom is always going to be "sick". I know there will always be the fear of the worst happening. I also know that I will never be prepared for her to not be around. I know that I will not be as eloquent as Mandy when that time comes. I will be a sobbing, snotty, uncontrollable mess. And I hope with all hopes in my heart that it doesn't happen any time soon.
Monday, February 25, 2013
Striped Infinity Scarf (aka, Camille's Birthday Scarf)
My ldb, Camille, just had a birthday last week and I of course had to make her something!! This has actually been on my list to finish up (did you see that I added a new page up there?) and mail out...but of course, I missed her birthday by days. That's just how I roll, always four days late to everything :)
Thankfully she sent me a couple of pictures so that I can share what it looked like when it was done, because, well, all I took were two closeups of the stitch I used haha, always the crafter! If you would like one of these, please email me at the shop email - scarlettkeysales@gmail.com - and I will make a special listing in the shop for you since they aren't listed there right now. The price they will be listed for is $35 and how about free shipping if you order before the first? And don't forget, the 25% off coupon code is still active and will be on the special listing if you order before the first when I close the shop for the month of March.
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| Seriously scrumptious yarn! I love love love this yarn!!! |
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| Aw, isn't my bestie pretty? She also drive the most bright yellow VW Bug I've ever seen. She's a hoot! |
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| haha this is my ldb! Go tell her that she's getting too skinny from running so much!! |
Thankfully she sent me a couple of pictures so that I can share what it looked like when it was done, because, well, all I took were two closeups of the stitch I used haha, always the crafter! If you would like one of these, please email me at the shop email - scarlettkeysales@gmail.com - and I will make a special listing in the shop for you since they aren't listed there right now. The price they will be listed for is $35 and how about free shipping if you order before the first? And don't forget, the 25% off coupon code is still active and will be on the special listing if you order before the first when I close the shop for the month of March.
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